Official side effects -v- actual side effects

i was first prescribed ELIQUIS in April last year. i wss hospitalised with pneumonia just as the covid pandemic started so, as soon as they could, i was discharged from hospital. it was only much later that i wondered if this was the start of my problems. Two weeks after discharge, i was rushed back into hospital and found to have bilateral pulmonary embolism and DVT. i was also found to have Leiden V. i was started on ELIQUIS and after a week of immobility, was discharged and told to continue with the drug. i consulted my GP a few times as i was feeling extremely breathless. i couldnt climb the stairs without gasping. I felt incredibly weak. I'd had trouble sleeping for a while but this had worsened. My weight had increased (but i was putting this down to lack of mobility). i was referred to a cardiologist who confirmed my heart was ok so that wasnt the cause of my breathlessness. I was sternly lectured about my weight gain which upset me a lot. ive been very distressed over my continuing problems. At a recent bidit to my hairdresser, she commented that my previously thick hair was thinning and she produced a handful which had come out when shed washed my hair. As well as the extreme breathlessness, i experience severe muscle fatigue - i struggle to raise my arms to blow dry my hair. i can no longer grocery shop - i have to leave my husband to it while i go and sit down. i have aching legs and low back pain. its so bad i can no longer stand at the kitchen sink. i was so forgetful i was growing worried i was developing dementia. i struggle with blurred vision.

i am a 62 year old woman. until i was started on ELIQUIS i was very active. since starting this drug ive become an old woman. i was on other medication prior to being started on this so i cant totally blame it for the severe headaches i suffer with but i certainly have them daily which is new. the same can be said for the dizziness/lightheadedness i suffer. i have burning feelings in my toes - but im type 2 diabetic and worried i was suffering neuropathy

the "official" side effects say dizziness is possible - none of the other symptoms i have are mentioned so i didnt suspect a link until i found this and similar sites.

i emailed the manufacturers of this drug. they emailed and telephoned me (!) recommending that i consult my GP with a view to being taken off ELIQUIS and put on something else. I was told they couldnt discuss matters with me but would be happy to talk further with my GP. Yesterday, i received a letter asking for my GP's details plus batch numbers etc of my medication. This has made me very suspicious. SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS MEDICATION.

i wanted to suggest that everyone who is or has experienced side effects should contact the manufacturers. it would be interesting to see the outcome.

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