Stroke By Stopping Eliquis

Hello, I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this. My m was on blood thinner eliquis for several years and doing fine, one day she told the doctor that there may be blood in stool. The dr immediately said stop taking eliquis now! Three days later she went in for a scope of her upper abdominal and such to check for and bleeding and She came though with flying colors mom was sent home with photos of what they didn't find and paper work with instructions on how to finish the day but there was never any instructions to restart the eliquis! 12 days later I lost my mom to a massive stroke. She was a 65 year old living in and 83 year old body and was completely capable of eeveryday duties and could take care of her self. Does my story relate to anyone else out there?

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Yes...my mom passed away last March. She had been on Eliquis for 3 months for afib for which they had never found the cause. Her Dr. took her off 3 months later because she appeared to be fine. 8 days later she died of a massive brain hemorrhage. They say it wasn't related to the eliquis because she had not taken it for 8 days, but I have my doubts. A year later and I am still trying to figure out why this happened to her. She too was very vibrant and quite healthy at 72 years young. :(

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My deepest condolences for the loss of your loved ones... It seems like no matter which way we look at it, eliquis was still directly or indirectly involved in the process, so I have a hunch as well that it played a role in some form or another prior to their passing (be it via serious withdrawal symptoms, side effects or otherwise)...

I wonder what was actually going through that doctor's head when s/he "immediately said stop taking eliquis now!" - Like as if s/he knew something terrible about when or why that (blood in the stool) could've occurred and how it relates to the pharmacology of eliquis... Conspiracy? - Maybe... But I wouldn't necessarily put it past some of these doctors either to be shady like that without explaining themselves. The whole brain hemorrhage situation is still a puzzle to me, although, serious withdrawal symptoms is what comes to mind at first thought.

I hope your loved ones are resting in peace and that you may both find tranquility & resolve in the midst of any emotional chaos.

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This is what scares me about stopping the Eliquis. All I do know about myself is that whenever I've been prescribed a medicine for one problem it seem to cause other problems and then you have to take a pill for the other problem. Sounds like valley of the dolls? Not for me. I too am also 72 and have enjoyed primarily good health. Always involved in one sport or another; i.e., golf, bowling, walking and swimming, but now most of those sports are out for me due to my health, except for swimming, that is if I'm not too tired to get up in the morning. I'm really hoping my heart doctor can help me resolve this problem.

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It does seem that way...for every drug they prescribe there's another one to counter act the side effects. Best wishes to you Landlady 01...stay healthy.

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thank you for your thoughts. Mostly I have enjoyed good health, even with having MS, a hiatal hernia and now Afib, but I despise taking drugs long term, especially when it doesn't seem that they are actually curing anything. Can't wait to see my heart doctor next week.

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Maridee and Roxy 62 - yes, I would be suspicious as well. The thing I cannot get my head wrapped around is how these drugs got approved (Eliquis and others in that group) by the FDA when they had NO antidote if something wasn't working right. I chose Warfarin for my medication of choice for that very reason. It's been around for a number of years, has a regular diagnostic program to ensure you are not getting your blood too thin, and it also has an antidote (Vitamin K). I take it along with a baby aspirin for my AFib.

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I saw my heart doctor on 7/6 and discussed going off of eliquis. He advised against it because of my age and high bp. I said I didn't have high bp and he questioned why I was prescribed atenolol. I said to slow my heart rate. At any rate I went off of eliquis then (it is now 8/6) and have only been taking 1 aspirin along with 1 50 mg atenolol a day and have felt much better. Of course, I never had a history of stroke or blood clot, but I do have a problem with a lot of itching. those who have lot loved ones, have my condolences. too many drugs have too many side effects and cause too many problems today. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

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On the Eliqis website it says not to stop it suddenly because your chance of having a stroke or bleeding is high. You must bridge to Warfarin, Lovanox, or Heparin for a week or more. Your doctor should monitor you during this bridging.

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Re: Linda (# 8)

Thanks for the tip! My doctors FORCED me into using a blood thinner when i was in afib. Im back in synac now, but afraid to change without guidance. Then yesterday i lost my whole supply of Eliquis! My insurance won't pay fir lost or stolen medicine! It's over $1,000 to replace the meds! This is A DEATH HOLE! I spent all day on the phone with my doctor's office, the pharmacy, and my insurancel finally called Bristol meyer Squid (BMS) only to be told to see my doctor! I cant be the only one who's lost their meds. According to BMS you miss a fose and you're open to stoke. Wish I'd have been given ALL the facts before i went on it!!!

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I'm 30 years old been on eliquis since 27 when I had a stroke n 6 blood clots in my brain scared to get off drs don't know how it happened I was pregnant at the time..they can't guarantee me it won't happen again

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Re: David (# 2)

I believe you're right on with the conspiracy theory. Have you seen the CHADS scoring system? Eliquis is making Billions of dollars monthly for the pharmaceutical industry. How do you purge the country of your older population, when they are costing you so much in health care, and without raising an eyebrow? Eliquis is a Gold Mine for some and a death sentence to others. We need to search these sites for information before we take a medication. Wishing everyone Good Health!!!!!!

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I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. My mom died of a massive brain hemmorge (Stroke) 8 days after taking Eliquis for 3 months for afib. I believe that the Eliquis was the cause, but the medical industry says no because she had stopped taking it. She was 71. You can read my original post #1.

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Re: DiamondNina (# 9)

When I first went home from the hospital with Afib my doctors office gave me free 30 day supply until my insurance (medicare) would approve the 49.00 co pay. After that I discovered through a new dept in the hospital that they would help me apply for free meds through Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. After I spent 3% of my income on prescriptions and faxed my tax returns to the hospital, I was approved for free Eliquis. It took me 3 months to spend the 3%, then 2 weeks to receive my free supply. You can also call the company and ask how to qualify for free meds. I hope that will help you. I also know someone who is trying to sell their leftovers.

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Re: DiamondNina (# 9)

I, like you, woke up in the hospital on Eliquis. It's a horrible drug. I have joint pain that is debilitating, may have to have hip replacement and my shoulder is so painful that I can't sleep. My cousin's husband was on Eliquis 18 months, had a brain hemorrhage and died 4 days later. Due to Eliquis there was nothing they could do. After 7 months I am out of Afib and in so much joint pain. I cut my Eliquis in half for a week and started taking Natural Vitamin E. I'm in my 3rd month Eliquis free, but still concerned. Eliquis is a Billion dollar drug that their CHADS recommend everyone over 75 with high B/P be on. Follow the $$. They are literally giving everyone they can Hemophilia. The FDA is owned by Big Pharma and the less seniors there are the more Medicare $$ they have. Your doc has samples of Eliquis, that he should have given you. While waiting for insurance approval my doc ended up giving me a 60 day supply, so it can be done. If you can't get anything, I would take 800mgs of Natural Vitamin E. I wish you well and the best of health.

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