Blood Thinner (Anticoagulant) Forums (Page 2)

I have crohns disease ulcerative colitis severe bowel strictures and AF My intestines are all knitted together with scar tissue from perforations and infection and several operations. I am 68 and have had AF for over 30 years but now because of my age my doctor wants me to start taking xarelto. I am reluctant to do so because it would be so easy for me to get an internal bleed that could not be controlled. I dont know what to do , not take them and risk a stroke or take them and risk a big bleed. Anyone else in the same situation as me ? ## I have Crohn's Disease, too. I'm 27 years old. I had a bowel resection in April and developed a pulmonary embolism in my lung a week later. That was April 20th, and I've been on 20mg of Xerelto. Your fears are valid and I'm in a const...

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I have been taking Apixaban for PE's for nearly 2 years now thinking that it was great as Warfarin was unreliable and had to have too many blood tests. I am 56 and have now put on a lot of weight but didn't realize that this drug can cause this. My lifestyle hasn't changed very much so I couldn't understand why I was putting on weight. Also at night when sleeping my arm on the opposite side of how I'm sleeping also goes numb and I wonder if this can have anything to do with the drug too, as well as feeling really tired all the time. Is there an alternative as I really am feeling depressed about my weight? ## I am on Apixaban and I am having a very dry mouth and have to drink water the whole night. I talked to my doctor and he says it's because of the medicine and...

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since I was 14 I have had multiple chest surgeries including multiple pneumothoraxs,lung recessions, and removals due to AVM's and pulmonary embolisms in both of my lungs. I have been on coumadin since I was 20, but since recently I have not been able make my scheduled doctors visits for INR checks so I resorted to Pradaxa via recommendation from my pulmonary Doctor. I have been on it solid for about a week and a half, and honestly I have had bad stomach pains, inability to eat and mood swings because of it. Also increased bleeding when I cough up blood on occasion. I was told by my doctors this is normal, but it doesn't feel normal. Idk maybe just being a young guy paranoid. Thanks all! 22 year old male, 6'3, 150lbs ## just looking for some recommendations on if Pradaxa is ...

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A very large blood clot behind my left knee resulted in several blood clots in each lung. My vascular clinic rolled me directly to the ER and once stabilized I was sent to cardiology. 3 days later I proved I could give myself shots so was released and ultimately put on warfarin. Three weeks later my pancreas was shutting down and my cardiologist immediately weaned me off to start Eliquis. It has been fine as far as my tummy is concerned but like others writing their experience I have put on about 10 pounds in 2 months. I am so stiff when I get up in the morning I just want to get to my recliner and sit down. I sleep a lot and have no desire to so much as make my bed. I am definitely fighting depression. In fairness I think the depression is from this 72 year old who looks 59 and proud o...

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Anyone know how to safely get off eliquis and back on just aspirin? ## Hi cynthia, Depending on how long you've been on Eliquis (Apixaban) for, I think it would be wise to talk to your doctor about developing some sort of tapering schedule that reduces any risk of serious withdrawal symptoms. According to ucsd.edu, apparently Eliquis comes with a "black box warning label" regarding its withdrawals in patients with A-Fib (atrial fibrillation); with some articles stating that Eliquis may trigger a stroke if suddenly stopped. So working closely with your doctor to avoid that risk seems to me like it should be first priority. Does anyone else here have personal experience coming off Eliquis who can offer some pointers on what to expect? ## Hi Cynthia I have also come off Elequis...

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Hi Everyone... Has anyone experienced depression while on 75mg of Clopidogrel daily? Does anyone know, if there are any cardiac meds that do not cause or exacerbate depression? ## Yes, the FDA does list depression as being a possible side effect of Clopidogrel, along with nausea, headache, easy bruising, and increased risk of bleeding. Ref: Clopidogrel Information Is this the only medication you are currently taking? What condition is being treated with it? I'm sorry, but it is impossible to research alternative medications for you, without some additional information.

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I have been taking xarelto for 5 months and have lost 28 pounds without any change in diet. It's not a bad thing as I needed to lose some weight. I am assuming it is from the drug. Has this happened to anyone else? ## Hi Rob, I haven't found any record of weight loss on Xarelto's list of side effects from the US National Institute of Health. However they do list "loss of appetite" which could inherently bring about weight loss... The only discrepancy here is that you said you didn't change your diet... So if you're not eating less (from a loss of appetite) then that is definitely a mystery to me... If anything, at least it's good to hear that the weight loss has been a welcomed side effect. I just hope it all balances out when you reach that comfortable s...

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I take 2mg of Coumadin every day and will be for the rest of my life because I have a mechanical aortic valve that I got in 2013. No issues at all with the Coumadin other than I was recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Called to make an appointment with my rheumatologist and he wouldn’t even see me, stating there was nothing available for managing my osteoarthritis that I could take with Coumadin. I’m 61 years old and don’t plan on retiring any time soon. Other than swelling and pain in some of my joints I feel great and can work hard as ever. That’s the only thing that slows me down. My family doc said to take Tylenol which does nothing for me. I’m considering CBD but can’t find enough information on if it’s safe to take that with Coumadin o...

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I ended up in CC ICU with PE. Was put on Xarelto 20mg. Now my MA cannot supply anymore due to cost. What do I take now to avoid a similar scenario? Thanks. ## Dear Lady M ,I understood your case! This medecine is very expensive! I suggest you should go back to your Dr Asking for substitute other one chipper! Or you can ask a your Dr for Wafarine or 81 mg Asperin(ASA) These are good for your pocket but you have to have INR blood test frequently! Good luck! ## Yes, you need to consult your doctor to see what other medication might be safest for you to try, because they have to look at your entire medical history, as well as any other medications you might be taking. You can learn more about PE here. That site will also provide medication options that are available. Is there anything else ...

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I am on Plavix plus Aspirin 81mg. Could I safely try Instaflex for my arthritis and joint pain? ## I assume you're talking about InstaFlex Advanced joint supplement? If so, then you may wish to double check with your pharmacist just to be safe, as it contains Curcumin, which could affect blood pressure [1]. The ingredients are listed as: - Giant Kntweed Extract 200 mg - Curcumin 164 mg - ApresFlex (Boswellia) 100 mg - UC-II (3% Type II Collagen from Chicken) 27.2 mg - Hylauronic Acid 5 mg - BioPerine (Piperine) 5 mg Can you please share your findings and whether you do decide to take it after all? [1] For reference, another InstaFlex product contained these ingredients (but the product listing was updated): - Turmeric Extract 200 mg - Resveratrol 100 mg - ApresFlex Boswellia serrat...

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have used this here in the u.k for 4 months as I was diagnosed with a.f. 5mgs x2 per day. Wish I had never been given them. So far strange pain in the top of head. stomach cramps. blood in urine. pain in back passage cant sleep more than 3 hours per night. affecting spinal stenosis and arthritis. Recently diagnosed with muscle wasting disease Myasthenia Gravis and I think there is a problem with taking Eliquis and having this condition. ANYONE HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE THIS? oh forgot urine bleeding started after a 5hour flight ## I began Eliquis on thursday evening and within a day began feeling my pulse pounding in my brain and top of the head. Also felt unbalanced, like I might fall over. Also, felt like I had a weight on the top of my head. Stopped taking it yesterday morning and began war...

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My boyfriend began taking Eliquis in March for AFIB. (He is 68.) Right away he wasn't himself. He gets short of breath dozens of times a day now when he didn't before. Even going upstairs is a problem. He needs to exercise because of his peripheral arterial disease, and he can't because he becomes so short of breath. He was walking for an hour and a half at a time. He gets short of breath so often that it scares him and me. The doctor said that Eliquis can't cause this. He wouldn't take him off of it, so my boyfriend continued to struggle. About three weeks ago my boyfriend had an epic nosebleed that we had to go to the E.R. for. In treating the nosebleed, they stopped his Eliquis. Lo and behold no more shortness of breath. When he had his follow up with the cardiolo...

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I was taken off of Xarelto and put on Eliquis 2.5mg twice daily. Everything seemed fine. Then my cardiologist increased the dose to 5 mg twice daily because she said I should be on a “regular” dose. Within a day or two, I started with shortness of breath upon the least exertion. Also, I became constiipated. I continued until I became so debilitated that I decided to lower back to the 2.5 dose. By this time, the shortness of breath had a life of its own. Anyone else have this reaction to Eliquis? ## Hi Marilynn, Sorry to hear about your reaction to the medication. Medlineplus.gov lists the following symptoms as side effects of Eliquis (Apixaban): -trouble breathing -wheezing -feeling dizzy or faint Source: medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a613032.html They go on to note that if ...

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Since Eliquis skyrocketed by 500% this year to $600 out of pocket and my Rx plan won't make an exception for a more reasonable price, my Dr. is recommending Xarelto which is significantly lower ($112.50) than Eliquis. However, I am concerned that Xarelto may have a greater potential for bleeding. I am very active and have had no problems with Eliquis after ablation for AFIB over a year ago. Should I make the switch or try filling my prescription for Eliquis online from Canada at half the price? ## it is not legal to fill it outside the U.S. And yes, you can safely switch from one to the other, if your doctor approves. The FDA lists the typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, increased risk of bleeding, and stomach irritation. Is there anything else I ...

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I began taking Xarelto again for a few weeks after my second incident of DVT and PE. Ever since I started taking it this time, I have noticed an increase in flatulence. Since this medication is the only thing that has changed in my life, besides the blood clots themselves, I am suspicious of it. Has anyone else experienced this and can simply taking gas medication take care of it. This has been a very embarrassing problem to have. ## @tmpjax30, According to the US National Institute of Health, "abdominal/stomach swelling" is listed as a possible side effect of Xarelto. I wonder if this may be playing a role in the flatulence you're experiencing? I haven't found any other articles suggesting that gas was a possibility, but if Xarelto really is the underlying culprit, I su...

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Hello to anyone interested. I have been taking Xarelto for 3 months. 20mg once a day for DVT and P.E's post knee replacement. Started searching for possible effects of the drug and have found that many people seem to have similar side effects to mine. First surprise was sudden nose bleeds. Was warned that I may get a rash or itches, and I certainly do. Bruising for no apparent reason also and increased back pain (although to be fair I do have severe spinal issues) but probably the most annoying thing is very loud ringing in my ears (tinnitus), more so in one side. I'm pretty sure that we are not just imagining this stuff folks, and for those professionals that downplay the tinnitus, it is no joke! It is making life quite difficult. Head aches (some quite severe) are also a probl...

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My VA PA has changed my prescription for DVT from Xarelto 20mg to Eliquis 5 mg because of my age (78)...The Eliquis calls for 1 tablet twice daily...I am having joint pain at night...can I just take a baby aspirin as a blood thinner and get a blood test once a month..? I do not want to take these potent blood thinners for the rest of my life considering the side effects... ## Hello, Larry! How are you? For the best results you should take the medication your doctor has prescribed. The joint pain can be a normal side effect of it, according to the FDA, you may also experience nausea, dizziness, headache, and easy bruising. Are you on any other medications? ## I got them to move me from Eliquis to Xarelto and did somewhat better. I am now on a much lower dose as my provoked blood clot is ...

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Have been taking Eliquis 5 mg 2x day for almost 3 months. Seem to be having Stomach Pain, Abdominal Swelling, Bloating, Gas, Facial Swelling and lots of weight gain and water retention. Also brain fog and memory problems. (It's hard to tell how much of this is from Eliquis and how much from CHF associated with A-Fib. Also taking Beta Blocker and Digoxin.) Eliquis has been out long enough for the pharmaceutical company (BMS) to put out a REVISED list of side-effects, to reflect real-life patients' experiences. Wonder if they have done so, or when they'll do so? Am probably going to switch to Xarelto and stop the Eliquis, in hopes that the Xarelto will cause fewer problems. ## You might want to rethink that decison, Afibber. Here is what the pharmacists say: Examining the Comp...

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I take 20 mgs of xarelto daily. With this drug can I take raw shelled hemp seed? ## I would think so - raw shelled hemp seed is a consumable food grade product sold in grocery stores. It does not contain any of the psychoactive or medicinal aspects of cannabis. In fact, hemp seeds and hemp milk are known to be nutrient rich and good sources of protein, phosphorus, and more. I hope this helps! Do you have any other concerns about this? ## Thank you Roy for the information regarding XARELTO & HEMP HEART SEEDS. HELPFUL. ## You are very welcome Zoe! Just as a fun fact, I'm not sure if you knew this or where you are located, but hemp seeds are cultivated in a large scale in Manitoba, Canada. ## Thank-you for the information regarding possible interaction if using heart health hemp se...

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Can I cut a 5mg eliquis in half, instead of getting the 2.5mg ones? I need to reduce the dosage after a successful ablation. Please comment. Thanks! ## Can I split a 10 mg pill of Eliquis in half? ## Does the tablet have a score line? It appears that the Eliquis tablets are film coated according to what I see on DailyMed. If there's no score line then I would not recommend it. ## Eliquis does not come in a 10 mg. tablet, just 2.5 and 5 mg. 2nd Eliquis is not scored, 3rd Eliquis is not film coated, just a simple compressed tablet. The tablet is so small it would really be difficult to split evenly. ## What did your doctor tell you to do? If he/she told you to decrease your dosage, why can't they give you another Rx? I don't think Eliquis is a drug you can or should cut in hal...

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