Nose Bleeds?

[Mayflower53]

Hi, I have been getting short lived, light nose bleeds probably once a week/fortnight for quite a long time although they are not serious, I wondered if anyone else gets them and if they might be a side effect of our condition or the Urso medication?

[Hidden]

Hello Mayflower53.

Yes I have suffered from nose bleeds myself. Mine started about 10yrs ago but they were very infrequent and short-lived. Prior to PBC diagnosis (I started itching March 2010), I did go to the casualty dept around 6.30a.m. as after getting up I had another nose bleed that looked like it wasn't for stopping. It did stop not long after I got to casualty. I got an appt at ENT for the following wk after being sent home from casualty and a camera was used that turned up nothing really but it was difficult at the time due to dried blood in my nose. I was given Naseptin cream and sent home, the cream was totally useless!!!

I have had odd bouts of anaemia that haven't shown a bad blood result for ferritin in the space of these 10yrs and had short course of iron tablets that has then shown everything to be fine.

In 2011 I had cause to return to the GP with nose bleeding. Another GP sent me home with some horrid gel in a tube - Bactrim think it was called (used in treatment of MRSA) - but all that did was excerbate the problem. I got an appt at ENT that only took 2mths to come round, the earliest I could get. When I finally went it was said I had a pinprick graze on the inside and I was given a chemical cuaterisation there. Apparently they can either solve the problem or make it worse. For me it didn't work and I've since had another 3, the last one was April this yr.

I have to admit my blood loss is not great but it is the fact that I never know when it will occur and though it simply clots within a short space of time and then my nostril simply clears up as I find I then have a clear run of liquid.

I'd been ok since April until last week and then every day for 4 days I had a slight nose bleed. I ended up going back to the GP Monday this week and she didn't take it seriously at all. I have no problem with the full blood count nor current anaemia nor a problem with any blood clotting. I feel the past cauterisations have caused another problem. I had to insist that I need to see another ENT at hospital and am currently waiting for a letter for choosing an appointment. (I've had problems with the Choose & Book system previously. I thought a doctor could book you an appointment in surgery but this surgery and my last one, doesn't seem to work how Choose & Book intend, a case of you get choice of where you want to go but not an urgency with booking.)

Oddily enough since Monday afternoon I've been fine, no nose bleeds.

It is definitely not a problem with taking urso. You can get nose bleeds in late PBC apparently, due to the clotting factor in the blood waning. If you have a good supply of platelets in your FBC (full blood count) then it's more than likely there is no underlying cause as that can be a cause of blood loss. I've no history of high blood pressure either.

I think in your case if the problem is persisting then I would definitely seek a doctor's advice.

[Mayflower53 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for replying, I did google nose bleeds and I don't think they are anything serious but next time I'm at the doctors I will mention them. Take care.

[Hidden in reply to Mayflower53]

Majority of nose bleeds aren't serious apparently. They can be a problem if they don't stop within a certain amount of time I was informed by an ENT consultant a couple years ago.

My problem is the same nostril every time and was originally said to be due to pinprick graze. Using a chemical cauterisation (simple procedure, looks like a large matchstick that is dabbed on the area. I had no problem having them), these can either cure the problem or make it worse/same. The chemic (I believe it is silver nitrate) can damage surrounding healthy tissue and cause a problem there.

I expect your doctor will check your blood results. I know since I visited my GP beginning this week I've been absolutely fine again! Hope your problem doesn't continue to persist. I think with it being our nose and on view it can be that bit more of a problem in daily living as I did find. (I itch but no-one can tell, neither that I have PBC either.)