Good morning, I had a stroke, in May this year . I had terrible anxiety afterwards, real uncontrollable anxiety. My life changed so much.
I had no visible symptoms. But mentally. I felt dead inside. When everyone around you, are telling you you’re doing great, but you’re not. I have had a loop fitted. Which was great, and they’ve now discovered I don’t have AFib.
I am on Apixaban, I feel safe on Apixaban every one around me tells me I’m on the best medication. The constant says I can take this medication. But the doctor says I should change it. His has terrified me and my anxiety is full blown again Is anyone else taking Apixaban, who hasn’t got Afib.
Hello @N1LDY - Welcome to the forum.
I am sorry you are anxious and terrified following conflicting advice from healthcare professionals about Apixaban.
I am not an expert on this but it seems you had a stroke and after the stroke you became anxious which is understandable. You were put on Apixaban following your stroke. Apixaban is a is a type of medicine known as an anticoagulant. This makes your blood flow through your veins more easily, which means your blood is less likely to make blood clots.
After a stroke, patients are almost always prescribed some medication that is meant to prevent further strokes. So the reason why you are on Apixaban is likely to be that. But you can check with your GP and/or stroke consultant.
Having checked this forum, there are not that many references to Apixaban but it seems to be the reason for you being on this medication is not because of you having/not having AFib but because you had a stroke.
The question you may now want to ask yourself is whether you would like to remain on Apixaban or other medication that will help reduce the risk of you having another stroke or to accept that you can carry on without the medication.
Finally, please do not worry about this. Sit down, take a few deep breaths, think about what has happened (you’ve had a stroke and survived), think about how the stroke has affected you (anxiety, direct or indirect) and what you would like to do next.
You can discuss this with your healthcare professionals, family and friends and of course many on this forum will likely offer you advice and support.
I hope this helps you a little and I wish you all the best.
Namaste|
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Hi @N1LDY
Welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your stroke.
Anxiety after a stroke is common, we do have some information on our website about anxiety after a stroke which you may find useful.
With regards to your medication I can understand why that has concerned you. I would suggest going back and speaking with your doctor and asking why their opinion differs to that of the consultant and maybe see if the doctor is willing to speak to the consultant about it. I’m sure some other members will be along shortly to offer their opinion and advice on this too.
If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community, please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol and my username.
I can also see you have posted your question twice, I’ll remove the other post for you so that you’re not getting answers on both threads ![]()
Anna
For AFib I take Lugol’s iodine to regulate and improve my thyroid and HPA / HPT axis
Hello Thank you for your post and sorry to read about your stroke . Very best wishes to you on your recovery journey. I had my stroke, left side affected in August 2023 and I have been taking Apixaban ever since. I do not have a fib now but prior to my stroke I did occasionally have a fib and it was called paroxysmal Atril Fibrillation as it stopped and started. It used to really frighten me as I did not like the feeling of a fib. For a time before my stroke I was on Warfarin but after a long spell of no a fib I voluntarily came off the Warfarin. In retrospect perhaps this was the wrong decision but it is what it is and I am where I am now, unable to walk and disabled enough to need help dressing and with everyday activities. I try to keep moving so I am hoping that my mobility is recoverable. I take Apixaban as it has been recommended by my doctors as an anticoagulant and I am hoping that it will stop me having another stroke. I do not seem to have had any problems taking it and I am relying on it to prevent another stroke. It was discovered after my stroke that I had a PFO so it is possible that this caused my stroke and not any a fib. Well I just wanted to reassure you that there are other people on Apixaban, following a stroke and as far as I know I do not have atrial fibrillation now or since my stroke. Very best wishes to you and if you still have concerns about Apixaban then please talk to your GP or your pharmacist to see if they can answer any concerns. Hope you find your new normal. God Bless you on your recovery journey. Love Carol