Eliquis and Hydrochlorothiazide

[Aloha1]

I have had Afib problems since I was 26 years old and I am now 74. I live in Hawaii (born and raised). I have Diabetes, HBP, Cholesterol, Reflux, Sciatica, Anxiety and Glaucoma. My meds are Metformin, Irbesartan, Metoprolol SUCC ER, Atorvastatin, low dose Aspirin, Omeprazole, Clonazepam (0.5mg as needed) and Lumigan eye drops.

My cardio has tried in the past to put me on Eliquis (Apixaban) and Hydrochlorothiazide but I did not do well with either medicine. Eliquis gave me really bad headaches and muscle aches. The Hydro made me very weak and shaky, so he asked me to stop both and placed me back on low dose aspirin. My Afib is more on the lines of Bradycardia, rather than the run away heart rate but all the same very scary. From what I read, it is still considered Afib. My HR is usually 60 bpm during the day and while asleep 60-47 bpm. I am in Afib 2% of the time each week according to my apple watch and that has never changed in the year that I have worn it.

I am traveling to Portugal, Assisi, then on to Rome in a few weeks for a month. My question is should I start on the Eliquis (Apixaban) and Hydrochlorothiazide; if not, am I risking having a stroke while on travel?

Thank you for your patience in reading this long winded post. I await any replies.

[Rambler398]

I think this is a question you should put to your cardiologist.

Have you tried alternative DOACs rather than Apixaban? To be clear, I am not a health professional.

[Aloha1 in reply to Rambler398]

Thank you Rambler 398. Since I do not do well with Apixaban, cardio suggested Xarelto but was not overly zealous about switching, but advised PIP with Apixaban instead. After reading so many posts regarding strokes if not on blood thinner, I’m thinking of resuming Apixaban. Thank you again for your advice.

[Ppiman]

To my knowledge, the Apple Watch cannot monitor for AF continually, only for thirty seconds using the finger contact on the side crown button. In the longer term, it measure only for any irregularity in the heart beat, which might be AF or another arrhythmia such as repeated ectopic beats (PACs or PVCs), which would be benign and not require anticoagulation.

If you do have AF, then, to my knowledge, aspirin is no longer considered affective for stroke protection and an anticoagulant such as warfarin or a DOAC is required. I was told this was the case after just a single episode of AF following my ablation for atrial flutter.

There are other drugs for high blood pressure, too, which you might be able to try. Better also, is to reduce the associated risks so increase exercise, attend to weight and diet and so on.

Steve

[AustinElliot]

Hi Aloha1,

A further comment about the apple watch - it will NEVER say less than 2% that is an apple thing. And 2% or less does not mean that you had any AF.

I only have AF once every 3 months (hopefully) and my watch says 2% or less every day. You are most likely NOT experiencing AF, unless you confirmed it with the EKG app or a Kardio.

Some of the others on here will have to comment on AF with a 60 bpm or lower, but I think its unlikely

Also 47 is not low, During sleep I am routinely 44-55. I take Diltiazem 180.

I hope that helps, good fortune.

[BaileyC57]

Yes ELIQUIS should be a must because you do not want to have a stroke! The water pill Hydro should not be a problem I would think, just a water pill! I take Hydro and I am shaky , I might have to get off from that! I am also on ELIQUIS and I would not think about getting off from that pill!