Eliquis And Shortness Of Breath (Page 3)

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 cardiologist a week later, he put him back on it despite what my boyfriend and I attempted to explain to him. He refused to listen and said it wasn't a side effect. He upped the dose of his metoprolol and sent him on his way. And almost immediately the shortness of breath was back and my boyfriend feels lousy again. Why don't doctors listen? Aren't they obligated to report these reactions? Maybe it other people are having the same reaction and their doctors aren't listening either because no one is writing it down.

REPLY

REPORT

Re: Michael (# 34)

Been on Eliquis for 2 years and I have no issues. I was give the choice by my cardiologist electrophysiologist after my cardiac ablation fory afib which blood thinner I wanted to take and I chose Eliquis after researching all my options. Changing to a cardiologist electrophysiologist has made all the difference in my afib treatment. You as a patient have complete control over your treatment.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: MacyMaid (# 23)

My dad is 87 and I manage his medical care and he would be dead by now if I did not. He started taking Coumadin 13 years ago due to blood clot and afib. I asked my dad's doctor 3 years ago if he could be switched to Eliquis and the Dr said no because it is not recommended for the older people. I am not saying you are old but I would check the manufacturer of Eliquis website to see if it is even recommended for older patient.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I was on Xarelto,before that warfarin..I couldn't even get out of bed,the doctor didn't feel it was these blood thinners would cause my exhaustion and sore joints,so one day I had enough and stopped taking the xarelto,in a couple of days I was back to my normal self and was able to return back to work..I had Afib and high blood pressure..but the end result was I also had h pylori..no one could find out why my health was getting bad,they just kept giving me more medication..one nurse practitioner did tests for h pylori and bam!!..that's what it was..I take a low dose aspirin once a day...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: realetybytes (# 38)

I feel your pain. I'm going through that now. I was diagnosed with Factor Five Lieden, which is a genetic increased chance of forming clots and I'd "have to take it the rest of my life". First Warfarin, then Eliquis, then Xarelto. Have SOB, muscle weakness and fatigue. And they also tell me it couldn't be by the blood thinners. Been to Cardiac doc and now Lung doc...waiting on more tests and results. Switched to aspirin 6 weeks ago, no improvement. My life sucks now.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Traci (# 42)

Hi Traci, when I read your post about the Electrophoresis doctor I had to ditto this as I was being treated by a Cardiologist (Interventionalist) and a Stroke Neurologist. Doing research last month I knew I needed to see an Electro doctor. I have had a stroke and am trying to prevent another one. I know one must keep their blood thin but personally, I do not think Eliquis is the only answer for me. I am on medicare and medicare has a set amount of money one cannot go over yearly or else you end up in the donut hole and mo one wants that. I have enough Eliquis for 3 more months and then I understand they want me to go to 2 1/2 mg x 2 perday for the older adult. I am not sure about that. I do not hesitate at this writing to go back to coumadin. I see the Electro doctor after I finish the 30 day monitor. In 2002, a nightmare woke me up and my heart was racing. Told hubby to take me to the ER. When we got there it was about 150 beat per minute. There happened to be an Electro doctor there and he saw 187 beats per minute. I was weak and dizzy. He used an UV med called Ibutilide and in a very short while I was back to normal sinus rhythm. I felt like a million dollars. This type episode never happened again. But, I have heard ince you have had one episdoe there is a wire that is the culprit and it can act up again. Perhaps this is happening and I am not feeling it. Thus the monitor. My head is still hurting and I have balance problems from the stroke. The Cardio said Eliquis will prevent me from having another one. I challenge this statement. I cannot wait until I see the Elecro doctor for help. My sister who would call me every morning to see how I was doing suffered a hemmorage stroke a month ago and did not make it. God rest her Soul and God help all those suffering.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: MacyMaid (# 45)

So sorry about the loss of your sister. I had a cardiac ablation done and it has eliminated my afib 99%. When I am under stress or hungry I will have a possible racing heart. Please be a vigilant advocate for yourself. Always bring a notebook with you to write questions & answers. Gooduck and keep me posted

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Traci (# 42)

They gave it to my 90 yr old dad, crippled him with shortness of breath and shaking, I stopped it after 3rd time he had a seizure, which was 10 times worse then first two! No more seizures, (immediately), but still short of breath and shakes uncontrollably, which he never did before eliquis. Evil stuff. any dr. that tells you shortness of breath not from eliquis should be sued for MALPRACTRICE AND PRESCRIBING DRUGS THEY KNOW nothing ABOUT!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: MacyMaid (# 45)

I stopped taking Eliquis after my SOB problem could not be solved. I have two unopened bottles of Eliquis and some sample blister packs I could give you if that would help. I just need you to pay for S&H.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: acassi (# 10)

I was on Coumadin for pulmonary embolism. No issues other than food choices..since 2011 managed ok then it was suggested that I take Elequis. Within weeks I have shortness of breath. Went to the clinic, but they insisted it wasn’t the Elequis. Now have to wait for dr appointment to say ok stop taking it. What happens if I just stop?.i take baby Asprin for my heart..

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Can Eliquis be reversed if taken to emergency surgery? Also what about going to dentist for cleaning????

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Nan (# 50)

Not sure about surgery. I do not have to stop it when I go for dental cleanings

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Lucy (# 49)

Thank you. I too have been on Coumadin for many years with no issues..within a few days of changing to Elequis. I had shortness..I waited and continued for almost a month progressively getting worse. Finally decided to ask dr to take me back to Coumadin..since you can’t just stop Elequix he put me on Xaralto until I can safely get back Coumadin.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Lucy (# 49)

I was in the same position..I finally saw the dr and got the ok to change back to Coumadin. I have to stay on the Xarelto for several days (I was on Eliquis) they switched me to Xarelto. It acts like being bridged. Coumadin takes about four to five days to get the levels back to our normal. Then I can stop the Xarelto...Better to follow drs orders...be safe, we have identical issues.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Why do doctors not believe this shortness of breath is a side effect of Eliquis? I was on this med for almost a month with shortness of breath getting worse. They suggested that it might be a blockage as I have two stents. No problem there so went back on Eliquis. As expect the shortness of breath started again. I was on Coumadin for over seven years with no issues. Eliquis was supposed to make my life easier. NOT. PK

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Since being taken off Elequis for the second time my breather and energy level is back to normal. I underwent an angiogram to assure my heart was still good, I have two stents, all was fine. Then I went through a cat scan. Lungs also clear. Back on Coumadin now, and Inr is back to therapy range. One doctor told me to listen to my body.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Was given Eliquis after afib brief episode. Had nuclear stress test 5 months ago, no problems. Was dizzy one day about 1 April 19 and urgent care sent me to hospital , said I had Afib. I was given nothing in hospital . Released after 4 days with bottle of ELIQUIS (Bristol Meyers) I am 75. Developed shortness of breath taking 5 mg of Eliq. twice a day. Trying 2.5 mg twice a day now. May have to stop it totally. Funny when you have AFIB, they do not tell you how to possibly stop it . Why not? One thing
I read was just to drink some cold water. Ha. Just want you to take their stupid drugs. If reduced amount does not work, I will try the baby aspirin approach.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I understand. I too have shortness of breath. Have only been on Eliquis since Feb. 26, 2019. My hubby discounts this saying I am only a part of a very low percentage of people that this happens to. Well, it is real, happens to me all the time. I don't go back to my cardiologist for couple more months.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: buddy (# 4)

What is the rationale for "four 81mg aspirins" when the standard dose of regular aspirin in 325mg?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Sandy (# 57)

You should let him know right away.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Ask for another opinion. They are supposed to listen to their patients. Make sure they understand that there’d are laws that protect you and that if something may happen you will hold him the cardiologist responsible. If it was your family doctor who referred him to that cardiologist then go back and ask for another referral. You can say it just is not working out if you do not want to tell the real reason. Take care of your boyfriend’s health.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I was taken off of Xarelto and put on Eliquis 2.5mg twice daily. Everything seemed fine. Then my cardiologist increased ...

12 REPLIES

I have been taking Brilinta for since the last week in April, the normal 2 times daily tablets. I have developed a sever...

3 REPLIES

Has anyone else experienced notably increased shortness of breath attributed to Multaq? ## Multaq contains the active in...

10 REPLIES

Since being on Vimpat, I have gotten shortness of breath (SoB), when ever I do any exercise, walking 3 blocks required a...

1 REPLY

I had a PE two years ago, and was put on Xarelto, once I started my normal everyday things again and felt stronger I wou...

2 REPLIES

I have received at least four Jevtana infusions and my onconologist is letting me rest now. I have many of the side effe...

2 REPLIES

I’ve been on Pristiq for about a year going from 50 mg up to 100. I’ve been having issues with shortness of ...

1 REPLY

I have been taking losartan for a few months and i am experiencing shortness of breath, swollen nasal passages and dry t...

3 REPLIES

I have been taking clonidine for two weeks and have shortness of breath. I run up the stairs and can barely breathe. Is ...

2 REPLIES

My first ferinject last year made me feel amazing. But 11 days after the last one and I’m very dizzy, shortness of...

1 REPLY