Off-Topic Anyone else on Eliquis?

[Lori_Michigan]

Adding to this horrendous year of health (including two DVTs), my doctor thinks I would do better switching from warfarin to Eliquis since I'm still very anemic (not eating enough greens on warfarin) and just can't stay in the INR range (like only 40% of the time since it was always lower than 2 despite increasing the dose). I've tried iron supplements for about 9 months, and each one has given me terrible gastrointestinal side effects. And after I had gallbladder surgery, iron just basically gives me IBS. I still have leg pain and every time I try to workout again, I just continue to get more leg pain.

So today is my first day of Eliquis and I'm just really nervous of the side effects, since I don't know anyone on it (my dad is on warfarin too, and he actually feels great on it and stays in range). Has anyone had any experience with it, or switched from warfarin to it? Thanks in advance!

[Kathy G]

Lori,
I'm still on Warfarin but went for a consultation to switch to Xarelto a few months ago. I can switch but decided to stay on Warfarin because there's really no antidote for Xarelto (Warfarin is just Vitamin K). Like you, I worry about the side affects of all the anticoagulants on the market. But as a "lifer" I have to take one of them.

I hope you do better on Eliquis! It's hard to find the right balance on Warfarin to remain in the right INR range. I always show up as anemic (due to a hereditary condition). So I took iron supplements with each of my pregnancies until they figured it out. They really do a number on your digestive system.

All that to say, I hope you find the right anticoagulant for you!

[Lori_Michigan]

Thanks, Kathy, I'll be lifer now too, which is partly why I switched off of warfarin. Every time I ate anything out of the ordinary, or even just because I was on my period, my INR rarely stayed in range. I ate some pineapple and tried a digestive enzyme after gallbladder surgery, and ended up in the ER with an INR of 7! Just one of the scary ER visits this year. I also lost a lot of hair on it, but that could also be from the anemia.

I tried every iron supplement I could, but every one of them ended up with the same constipation followed by diarrhea and just too much acid reflux from it (I also have a hiatal hernia that I recently just learned of -- I swear this year has been awful!).

My specialist said that there are now reversals for all the major new anticoagulants, including both Xarelto and Eliquis, and most hospitals have them. He also said that since Eliquis has a half life of only 12 hours, it has a lesser chance of having to have a reversal since I take it twice a day. But I've read a lot of side effects of it that I'm just utterly scared of, but I think it's solely from having had such a crappy year medically.

A year ago I was healthy and worked out hard for most days of the week, and ate a fairly diverse and healthy diet. Now I can barely walk around just to get through my day and haven't been able to digest hardly anything for months. I just can't seem to get better no matter what I try. Just a rough year.

[Kathy G]

Wow Lori! That's scary what happened with the pineapple and enzyme! Yeah, my doctor won't even let me take a multivitamin on Warfarin. It sounds like you are better suited to another anticoagulant than Warfarin because of your extenuating circumstances.

I have a co-worker who is on Xarelto for aFib and he's done quite well with it. The pulmonologist I saw for my consultation thought that the other options are safe as well (without the constant INR monitoring).

But I was talking to a Dr. regarding getting a colonoscopy and she suggested I do it before I switch to Xarelto (if I decided to switch). She's the one that told me that the antidote for it wasn't widely available yet (at least in my area). That's what kind of scared me off switching since I haven't had any real issues with Warfarin (I've been on the same dosage for eight years).

I've experienced some hair thinning as well but only on my bangs! Thankfully, I have very thick hair so it's not noticeable. I did lose all the hair on my arms and most on my legs (but I won't complain about them, lol!) It must be the change in blood circulation to extremities? I'm not sure...but it is a real side affect.

[AnMrsDe]

Lori, no advice here, but just wanted to say that I hope you have a MUCH better and healthier 2020!!!! You have been through so much. Sending lots of (((HUGS))) and I will keep you in my prayers that things will fall into place for you.

[primrosecat]

Lori~so sorry to hear about your health issues. My husband is taking it. So far no problems, and he's been on it for months. Of course, everyone is different, so just listen to what your body tells you, for any side effects. They don't always show up right away. But, sometimes they do. Fine tuning medication is a difficult thing, sometimes. Just know we are here for you. Sharon

[Lori_Michigan]

Originally Posted by AnMrsDe

Lori, no advice here, but just wanted to say that I hope you have a MUCH better and healthier 2020!!!! You have been through so much. Sending lots of (((HUGS))) and I will keep you in my prayers that things will fall into place for you.

So sweet of you -- I really appreciate it! I need a break from health crises -- turning 45 this year seems like I turned 85.

[Lori_Michigan]

Originally Posted by primrosecat

Lori~so sorry to hear about your health issues. My husband is taking it. So far no problems, and he's been on it for months. Of course, everyone is different, so just listen to what your body tells you, for any side effects. They don't always show up right away. But, sometimes they do. Fine tuning medication is a difficult thing, sometimes. Just know we are here for you. Sharon

Thanks, Sharon, I really appreciate it. I am just so leery about trying anything new, so it helps to know that others are doing fine on it.

[donnamp]

Lori - OMG, so sorry for the year you have had. I hope 2020 is much better. My DH took Xarelto for about a year and he was fine on it - no side effects. Both of my parents take Eliquis and again, they seem to be ok (although they have so many other health problems it is hard to tell). I hope things turn a corner for you!

donna

[Hattie]

I have been on Eliquis for almost 2 years, because I have paroxysmal afib. There is an antidote for Eliquis. Antidote I have had no side effects from it. Bleeding and bruising were two of my biggest concerns before I went on it. I have had little bleeding with minor cuts and virtually no bruising. I was surprised about the lack of bruising, because before taking Eliquis I had a lot of bruises while taking Advil or aspirin.

I have osteoarthritis of the spine and many times I wish I could take something stronger than Tylenol. The downside of Eliquis (or any anti-coagulant) for me is not being able to take an inflammatory, such as Alleve or a supplement such as turmeric and so on. I am lucky I have insurance that covers a good deal of the cost, as it is an expensive med.

Lori, I wish you well and improved health.