Apixaban for Pulmonary Embolism User Reviews (Page 2)

• Esq...
• March 19, 2020

Apixaban "I had a blood clot in my leg (DVT) which caused a clot to go to my right lung (PE). Started taking the drug Eliquis at the hospital. My first prescription was filled at Walmart for $78.00 with insurance. CVS charged me $40.00 for my second prescription with insurance. I called Eliquis and did qualify for a $10.00 copay card. Yea! I've experienced nosebleeds after blowing my nose. I've had dizzy spells that feel like very low blood pressure or feel like passing out after standing. Sometimes I'm okay, but after about 20 steps, it hits me hard. I've had rashes on my hip and pectoral region of my chest. I've had to itch my arm and ended up causing a bruise. Be careful and scratch lightly. Please quit smoking if any way possible."

• Nin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2018

Apixaban "In September, I had a saddle pulmonary embolism-blood clots in my calves had moved to the lungs. I was put on Eliquis, and in 3 months' time, the clots in my legs had disappeared-very nice! I am wondering, however, whether Eliquis causes weakness. I was so weak today that I thought my legs were going to buckle."

• cow...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2022

Apixaban "I was put on Eliquis 5 mg twice per day. I weigh 120 lbs, and after reviewing the drug warnings, that is too much for my size. I am experiencing extreme muscle and joint pain to where I can barely stand up and walk and hair loss. I cut it back to 2.5 mg twice a day, and the pain is better but still there, and hair is still falling out. My doctor said those side effects were not part of Eliquis, but they definitely are for me."

• Ree...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2018

Apixaban "Had double pulmonary embolisms, 1 clot in my heart, 1 in my stomach, and 1 DVT all at the age of 39. I was started on Xarelto. Didn't really have any side effects except losing my hair at an alarming rate. After about 3 months, my doctor switched me to Eliquis. Everything is fine except the hair loss has not let up after being on it for about a month now. Additionally, my platelet count is the highest it has ever been. Don't know if that is related, also had a dissected carotid artery. Really hoping the hair loss lets up soon."

• twi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2018

Apixaban "I broke my ankle and was laid up for 8 weeks. I was given three weeks of stomach injections to self-administer. Got terrible pains in my back (or so I thought). At the end of 8 weeks, I had pulmonary embolisms in both lungs. Put on Eliquis. No side effects at all, lots of energy, trying hard to walk for a couple of hours a day, good appetite. Miracle, but I hope I'm not on it for life. In UK, so free on the NHS."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2023

Apixaban "After months of persistent coughing, I suddenly found myself struggling to breathe one day and collapsed outside. Emergency medical technicians discovered me on the ground and transported me to two different hospitals where I underwent numerous diagnostic tests. It was determined that I had 'massive saddle' pulmonary emboli and deep vein thromboses. I underwent a procedure where medical professionals physically removed the clots while I was conscious. Although the procedure was supposed to take about 30 minutes, it ended up taking three hours due to the size and age of some of the clots. The medical staff worked tirelessly to keep me alive, and I am extremely grateful for their efforts. After spending two days in the ICU, I was discharged from the hospital with a prescription for Eliquis, a blood thinner. I was instructed to take 10 mg of Eliquis twice daily for six days before reducing my dosage to 5 mg twice daily. However, before I was able to decrease my dosage, I experienced extreme itching. To alleviate the itching, I tried using baking soda-infused cold washcloths, nettle tea, and vitamin C. Fortunately, the itching has subsided since I began taking the lower dosage of Eliquis. I will continue taking Eliquis for the next six months as prescribed, and then I plan to switch to Nattokinase, an over-the-counter natural supplement that has been proven to dissolve clots without any side effects. I am not taking any other medications at this time. I feel incredibly grateful for the medical professionals who saved my life and for the blessings I have received."

• Mom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 21, 2019

Apixaban "I have been taking Eliquis for over 3 years. Hospitalized 2 times within 1 yr 7 mts. On Coumadin but had a very hard time regulating. My doctor suggested Eliquis. Liked the 'no food restrictions'. Have not had any problems. On 2.5 twice a day."

• Sun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2019

"44 yr female placed on Eliquis in January 2019 after having massive clots in both lungs. I originally started on Coumadin, but INR would never be therapeutic. I was fine up until recently. I am now very fatigued, little motivation, and gaining weight without increasing my food intake. I am also experiencing leg pain at night, which I assumed was from my sickle cell, but now I’m questioning that. I also find my heart racing without exercising. I am going to tell my doctor that I would like to come off of this! I have to advocate for myself."

• Yar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2021

Apixaban "I started Eliquis on 12/2. All was fine at first, but now 26 days later, I am experiencing fatigue, anxiety, backache, and stomach issues. Spoke to my doctor yesterday, and he told me that these symptoms are NOT from this medication at all. But I do believe they are! Been to the ER, cardiologist, and everything normal. I was given Xanax because obviously they think I’m insane. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get off at the end of January when they do a follow-up CT scan to see if the clot has resolved."

• Tri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 17, 2022

Apixaban "Had a large PE of unknown origin in early 2018. After two months of recovery from that PE, I pedaled my recumbent trike from Indiana to Louisiana, taking Eliquis twice daily as prescribed. D/c’d Eliquis after six months; the pulmonologist said it was okay to try but no guarantees against future PEs. Four and a half years later, I had bilateral PEs, again reason unknown. Twice stricken, I’ve now been prescribed Eliquis indefinitely. Even with my Medicare drug plan, it’s way overpriced in the USA—Canadians and Australians pay a fraction of the US price (“USA Number One,” indeed!)—but I’m grateful that it’s available at all. If the past is prologue, I expect to recover once again and resume normal life, cycling the Lower 48, delivering drugs by bike for a pharmacy, cooking for my wife, playing with grandchildren."

• Veg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 12, 2024

Apixaban "I've been on this medication for over a year and a half. It was prescribed after a DVT led to multiple pulmonary emboli. I have had zero side effects and always forget I am even on it. I wish I was not on any blood thinners because of the threat of a brain bleed if I hit my head, but this is way more convenient than Coumadin."

• Mic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 27, 2023

Apixaban "In October of 2019, I had a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) blood clot in my left leg that migrated to my lung and caused a Pulmonary Embolism. I spent a few days in the ICU on Heparin and went home with injectable heparin. However, I had an allergic reaction to the heparin, which caused a massive amount of blood clots in both legs. As a result, my doctor prescribed Eliquis 5mg twice a day. I have been taking Eliquis since November of 2019 till present, August 2023. Thankfully, I have experienced no side effects from Eliquis at all. I would rate Eliquis 10/10."

• Des...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2022

Apixaban "If a person doesn't mind going bald in less than 3 months, Eliquis is the blood thinner to use. I quit using it, and I've lost a good 80% of my hair. So very little left, it's heartbreaking! 3 months ago, I had very long, very thick hair. No more. Warfarin did the same to me, only not as bad as this! I certainly can't get back into business right now. I'm not certain what I'll do other than I'll never use Eliquis or Warfarin again!!!!!"

• Dia...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 18, 2021

Apixaban "Aug 2020. At 55 years old, I was diagnosed with multiple PE's and was on Eliquis for 7 months. Believed to be caused by my Lo Loestrin I had been taking. Although weight gain is not listed as a major side effect, my weight did go up considerably while on Eliquis. I experienced fatigue, extreme menstrual bleeding, and blood in my urine. Also, slight side effects of water retention and small needle-like pains in my legs. My Dr. is allowing me to finally get off it, so looking forward to seeing if these things improve."

• Ama...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 21, 2020

Apixaban "I had a PE, was put on Eliquis while I was in the hospital! Then in 2018, I had a heart attack, then open heart surgery 4 bypass! Six months later, I had a brain stem stroke all while I was on Eliquis! It’s been thrown around that my diagnosis is Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome, but I have yet to test twice for this in a lab test! I tested once but not again! I have, however, tested positive several times, but just once each time! Never the second blood test! My ANA is very high! I am not sure if my experience with my near-death experience from my brain stem stroke was due to Eliquis or to misdiagnosis!"

• bag...
• July 17, 2016

"Tried warfarin and couldn't get INR levels right, so lots of blood tests and doctor visits, then tried rivaroxaban and was nauseous the whole time. Apixaban has been problem-free since day one, and I've nearly been taking it for six months now!"

• LIZ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2021

Apixaban "In Jan 2020, I was in the hospital with pneumonia and a PE from COVID. After 3 weeks, I am experiencing some minor side effects, like heartburn and constipation. Some other things I am experiencing, I am not sure they are the drug or lingering effects of the COVID. It could go either way. I am so very tired, my chest and head hurt, and today I noticed my hair seems to be falling out more so than usual."

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 13, 2021

Apixaban "I have a history of blood clots, and I have Factor V Leiden. I have had superficial blood clots, DVT, and PEs. I developed a DVT that progressed into bilateral PE. I was on 325 mg aspirin daily as prescribed by my doctor prior to the event. The MD was aware of Factor V Leiden dx when on the aspirin regimen. I have been on Eliquis since the event. I do have decreased stamina and endurance since the event. I would certainly say that the gain outweighs the risk. I have not had any other events since taking Eliquis twice a day over the last year and a half."

• Pul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2022

"I’ve been using Eliquis for the past month. I’ve been experiencing really bad symptoms, such as burning in the throat, sharp chest pains, random muscle pains, twitches, heart palpitations, and more. I’ve been to a cardiologist and have done many ECGs, and it’s all normal. I think it’s this medication that’s causing this because I never had any of these problems before taking this medication."

• Jus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 1, 2017

"Multiple bilateral P.E.s at the age of 33. Needed a medicine for life. Tried Clexane, couldn't face a needle daily that would create scar tissue beneath the surface. Warfarin was impractical due to weekly doctor visits to check INR, coupled with my yo-yoing INR. Having to duck out of work for weekly bloods was a pain. Rivaroxaban was next on the list, hair loss kicked in three months in. I also read an article highlighting the fact that people suffer from taking it at the rate of one life a week. I have settled for the last option available - apixaban. Three months in, hair loss returns. It's due to the blood not reaching the hair follicles apparently? This creates a really dry scalp and hair loss. Still, it keeps me alive."

• Dea...
• March 16, 2021

Apixaban "Nov 2020, severe shortness of breath, tachycardia. Went to ER, had PE left lung. On Eliquis 5 mg twice a day. March 2021, still have clot, no side effects from Eliquis, just shortness of breath from damage from clot, and very tired. My Dr. gives me samples since I am on s.s."

• Nea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 13, 2022

"Had a load of pulmonary embolism (PE) after COVID. Took apixaban after a few months, started feeling unwell, had weakness, possibly hair loss, it seems very thin. Very depressed. I now have had pain and numbness in my right arm for 4 months. All over I ache, and all of my joints hurt. My stomach is also upset. I didn’t have any of these issues before. The doctor won’t tell me what to do. I’m fed up with asking, and I tried to stop taking it. It’s like you feel things in your arms and legs and get a headache. I suspect they’re addictive. I’m grateful I’m alive, but I’m so uncomfortable. I don’t know what to do, I think I’m intolerant."

• Pau...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 12, 2019

"Been on apixaban for 6 years after getting a PE on one of my lungs. I have not had any issues with taking them and live the same life as I did before the PE. I drink, and smoke, take very little exercise. I had a full check-up with blood tests a couple of weeks ago and got a full house of no issues. Yes, I will be on the tablets for life, but so what? I am still alive and kicking. Being in the UK, I get my apixaban on prescription, so the cost isn't massive."

• mcd...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 5, 2021

"I am 62 and on apixaban 2x 2.5g per day. I had PE, many clots in both lungs and 1 in the heart. This was from a DVT from a long car journey. I am on them for life and just get on with it. Yes, some days are a bit tough, and I have put on about 14 lbs, but am very grateful to be alive. I cut work from full-time to part-time. In the UK, we are lucky because my tablets are free. Just grateful there are medicines around that can help me. Sorry to hear about the people on here who have had terrible side effects or loved ones who have passed taking this sort of medication. I try not to overthink it and just enjoy every day."

• Bun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2021

"I developed PE due to not moving around because of a car accident. I'm a 34-year-old female, healthy, active, never had health problems. I was put on Eliquis, 2 tablets daily for a month, then one tablet twice a day (5 mg). After two months, the blood clot got dissolved. Currently, I am under Eliquis. I was fine for those two months, then after starting to work, I was dying from the lots of side effects: shortness of breath, chest pain and tightness, trouble breathing and sleeping, back pain. I barely can walk normally and more than 20 steps. Palpitations and dizziness. At some point, I thought my lungs and heart were failing. I don't have an answer yet to my worsening symptoms. The doctor refused to lower or change my medication until I see the cardiologist and pulmonologist, saying it's risky and I can develop more blood clots. I can't wait to see if I have some improvement lowering the dose or being taken off of this medication. This life is a nightmare."