I'm Worried About Apixoban

[jourdain2]

I know from past questions that some of you take this, so hope I can get an answer.

20 days ago I had a complicated hip revision.  The surgeon could leave the stem but ball & the socket liner needed replacing and the old liner had torn away, taking 1/2" of pelvic bone with it, so computer had to carve a metal 'filler'.  That may have nothing to do with it of course.

I have been given Apixoban 2.5mg tablets 2 per 24 hrs. for 35 days. My previous hip replacements brought  daily abdominal injections just under the skin.

I think the dosage may be too strong for me.  Last week when the nurse removed the stitches and 1 began to bleed, it continued for 4 days (lot of lymph fluid in it I was told) despite pressure etc..

On Sat. lunchtime I  quite suddenly had a vicious stabbing pain in the r-hand side of my head, about 2 to 3 ins. above the ear.  OH said I went chalk-white.  It didn't last more than a couple of seconds, but I was a bit wobbly for  a while.

GP says I have to continue taking them. I understand about the dangers of clots, but I think that pain was a bleed.

Any reassurance anyone?  Another 15 days to go.....:(

[Peter Pedant]

Take the apixoban

the other stuff was Heparin. After hip surgery DVT is very ver common - and you MUST take something. Apixoban is safe - I am not sure if you can overdose ( like you can with warfarin)

You have had a hip revision - did they put a vancouver number on it? which rates as complex

[jourdain2]

Thanks, PP.  I am taking it, but the head pain was unsettling.  Not sure about  a number, but the surgeon is extremely pleased with himself and all sorts of  equipment had to be borrowed/hired  (I don't know which they do) which wasn't normally available.  The A&E at Scarborough kept me on a trolley for 27 hrs. and then sent me home, saying they'd refer me 'cos they didn't know  what to do about it. (Dr. concerned was v. callous & didn't care that I was in huge pain and  couldn't walk).

Not a clue what TTT is rambling about.

[calmck]

As PP says Apixoban is much safer than heparin/warfarin for post op use. I was on it for 9 months. I did bruise more easily with the slightest knock. Any other symptoms with the headache such as nausea, blurred vision, uneven smile, drooling etc. the wobbles could have been from the pain. Definately continue the pill. If you are concerned or it happens again a visit to A and E might be advisable or your GP if he is a good one

[jourdain2]

Thank you very much, calmk.  I'm just due to  take one.  We are fortunate and havea very good GP practice, so I am trusting them.  It was unsettling though.  :)

[Peter Pedant]

god I wish the mods wdnt randomly slash at these threads.