I think it's natural to feel tired during and after episodes of A-Fib, and the side effects of the medication you're taking to control your heart rate and/or rhythm include feeling tired and washed out too. With any luck those side effects will go away in a couple weeks or so as you get used to the medications
You probably were made aware that the blood thinner is used to prevent strokes from blood clots that may form in the heart during A-Fib. They say that there's a five-fold increase in the chance of a stroke in someone with A-Fib, compared with someone without it. They consider other risk factors for stroke to determine whether or not blood thinners should be prescribed for someone with A-Fib.
I have taken Eliquis for about 2.5 years now, with no noticeable side effects, not even much in the way of bleeding or even bruising. As I understand it, Eliquis doesn't make you bleed, though it will enhance the bleeding if you cut or otherwise injure yourself. You do have to take reasonable precautions to avoid cutting yourself or other injuries that will bleed, but in the event you cut yourself, ( and I have, a few times) or bleed from some source-I get nosebleeds sometimes, but I did before the Eliquis too) some extra pressure and some time on the site will let it clot normally.
The only issue I have with Eliquis is the expense, but even that is not all that terrible with my insurance.
Anyway, I'm sorry you had occasion to join the "Old Folks A-Fib Club (OFAC!!), but I wish you the best in managing the beast. Happy New Year!
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