Have been on Eliquis for afib about 6 months twice A day and began having severe pain in back hip joints all over basically. I have osteoarthritis and mild lupus but joint pain is worse when taking med . You are not supposed to stop taking abruptly but when I don't take it the pain is much much less . asked my rheumatologist about it she did not know. Will ask cardiologist next. Any others experience this side effect ?
Has anyone experienced increased back and joint pain while taking Eliquis for A Fib?
Question posted by Livingwithpain on 9 June 2016
Last updated on 25 April 2025 (5 days ago) by redkeyz
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16 Answers
I have been on Eliquis for a year and the quality of my life had gone downhill badly. the, the doctors put me on it after I suffered a stroke. the lower back and joint pain are excruciating. The doctors say keep taking it as they put the fear into me of having another stroke. I am taking myself off the Eliquis and going to take aspirin and take my chances. I am looking at the quality of life as being on the Eliquis there is no quality.
Yes, I have been experiencing extreme lower back pain on Eliquis. I also tried Xarelto and had extreme and disabling back pain. Something seems to pool in my lower back. I can barely stand up or sit down.
i recently started taking Eliquis (about 3 weeks ago.). I noticed I was having stomach pains from it and I think that may be due to the fact that it was constipating me. Also before starting the drug I had off again on again mid back spasms which had gone away but have now returned and i'm pondering if the two issues are related to Eliquis. Also, I am feeling more pressure in the balls of my feet and some bone spurs which had been quiet are now awakening.
Yes I have been wondering why I have been having more pain. I haven’t thought of the connection with taking Eliquis.
I, too, have been aching all over, it seems, and in places I have never ached before, like the top of a foot and ankle. But besides the aches in my arm, wrists, and shoulder, have also had large, messy bowel actions that were horrible and caused incontinence when passing wind and also caused excoriation. I stopped Eliquis 3 days ago and put myself back on Aspirin 75 thrice weekly as prescribed by a cardiologist a few years ago, but at a time when AFib had not been diagnosed. Since stopping Eliquis bowels are back to normal and general aches and pains much reduced. My GP is not happy that I have stopped Eliquis and has asked that I make an appointment with one of the team to discuss. My AFib is paroxysmal, and as far as I am aware have had only one episode since being diagnosed at the end of February 2023.
I have had muscular back pain on either side of my spine since Eliquis. It feels as though I shovel ditches all day. At first I thought it was post-surgery pain from the steel operating table, but after 4-5 weeks of popping Tylenol, I started redirecting my ire toward Eliquis. It is one of its side effects.
I skipped a dose and I was pain free for a few hours.
I am convinced, medication is poison. I’ve never been on anything, and fully intend not to be. I enjoy my life and I am extremely active; anything impeding or obstructing my joy will not be tolerated.
I have been on Xarelto for four months and the fatigue, imbalance, and bleeding were extreme. The doctor changed the meds to Eliquis 2.5 mg and for two days there is less fatigue, better balance, and no bleeding. Perhaps after a few weeks, I can give a better evaluation.
Wow!! I had no idea this was a thing, I have all what you've talked about but I had not connected it to Eliquis! I've been on it for a year after having 3 pulmonary embolisms. Since then, which I have attributed to the PE, I've had really achy joints, shortness of breath (I'm currently waiting for some test results), etc all of it! So, has anyone been given an answer, or have a Dr that understands this?
All I can say is I started suffering really bad chronic disabling pain after I started on blood thinners, my own research has come up with no answers in fact doctors and health professionals I have spoken to have given me identical answers, "Never Hurd Of That" the one name less publicised is Eliquis known by its other more known name of "Apixaban" Is Anyone else suffering from Chronic Pain and taking Blood Thinning Medication.
I have been taking 5mg of Eliquis twice a day for one month and thought I was going crazy so tonight I started looking for others who may be experiencing what I experience with this drug. My nighttime dose causes me pain all over! It's not my imagination! I guess it's worse at night because I'm still and trying to sleep. In the day I feel it much less but oh my goodness at night!!! My feet, my ankles, my knees, my back sometimes, my shoulders and even my arms some days ACHE HORRIBLY!!! Some nights I don't sleep much and Advil, Tylenol and Aleve doesn't get rid of the pain. I suffer from migraines so my medicine for the headaches does help a bit more but has caffeine in it so it keeps me awake! I'm so frustrated! I got on this because of a DVT leading to a PE after a 20 minute procedure turned into a 2 hour procedure with the compression sleeves not being placed on my legs... I have 2 more months of this and I feel so awful at night I could cry...
Tell your doctor! You should not be in this much pain!
pain in middle of back .painful
I have been on Eliquis for 6 months now and the pain in my leg and knee is so bad. Don’t know what will help it but I can’t hardly walk around now. It hurts all the way down my shin bone and knee hurting so bad also.
You should not be in this much pain. Tell your doctor or get another doctor.
I have been on Eliquis for a year now. Whatever side effect this medicine has, I have it. I have been arguing with my doctors ever since being on it, with no avail. One doctor told me I had to live with all this, another doctor told me I was the only person to suffer these side effects. I also have joint pain, muscle pain and back pain. Before on Eliquis, I could do about anything. Now I can barely walk. I get breathless, I have weakness and headaches. I suppose it keeps me from having another stroke.
I would say it's not worth it. Maybe you should get another doctor.
YES!! I have ached all over since starting Eliquis for AFib. I can hardly get out of bed in the mornings due to pain. My legs are weak and leg muscles sore.
My dr will not take me off it. I don't know what to do.
I would say, get another doctor. You are not a slave of your doctor. What is the purpose of a doctor: to make you better, not worse.
Yes! That's what led me to this site. Wanted to see if maybe someone else was experiencing the same. I've been having new joint pain/ache--- especially in my left hand and most pronounced when I wake up in the morning. Finger joints feel like they're burning! plus pressure/discomfort in my chest. I've been having some back & stomach pain as well, but I hadn't attributed it to the meds. I've been taking Eliquis (5mg x2) for almost 3mos now (DVT in thighs) and I'm supposed to take for 6mos, but I'm going to ask doc to wean me off. I just don't like the way it makes me feel.
I've only been on eliquis for about three months. (for afib). I am also experiencing joint pain. Mainly knees,
feet and less so in back. Knees are particularly bad. Legs seem weak too.
I'm so relieved to know there are others experiencing pain associated with Eliquis. I had a stroke almost 5 months ago at the age of 49 and the doctor in hospital suggested the new drug Eliquis. I was hesitant at first because of it's newness and no antidote factor. But after some convincing from the doctor I agreed. Now 5 months later I am in constant pain from morning to night which started at about 2 months in. I have read some stoke victims experience nerve pain that doesn't show up right away so I assumed that's what was happening and my neurologist said it might go away or I might have to live with it. After a few months of joint pain in my shoulder, down my arm, in both hips and feet I am wondering if this pain is from the medication. The doctor has now switched me to warfarin and I cannot wait to see if the pain subsides. I am going to hopefully come back to this feed and report a pain free life once again minus the Eliquis.
Related topics
atrial fibrillation, osteoarthritis, pain, systemic lupus erythematosus, severe pain, eliquis
Further information
- Eliquis uses and safety info
- Eliquis prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Eliquis (detailed)
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