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[canadiananna]

Question is - been on Warfrin for 1 year and now changed to Apixaban. I bruise like crazy. example a large dog its wagging tail today hit my leg - I have a rather large bruise - is this normal?

[Polski]

Try taking vitamin C, and, ideally, a good mulit-vitamin and mineral tablet. You can buy them much more cheaply at a Health Food shop. Try one gram a day of vitamin C. And make sure your doctor knows about the problem.

[jennydog]

I take dabigatran (Pradaxa) and bruise far less than I did whilst taking warfarin. However I have taken 1000 Vit C and a multi Vit & Mineral tablet for the last 25 years ( following cancer problem) This links with Polski's post. The importance of these was emphasised by a Cancer Help Group in order to boost my immune system.

[Perrylees]

Hi

I've been taking Apixaban for about a year now and definitely bruise more easily than before but nothing like you are describing. I haven't heard of the vitamin C thing ... If it were me I'd probably have a word with my GP or EP/arrhythmia nurse?

Ruth

[BobD Volunteer]

It may well be the anticoagulant or it may also be your own physical make up. My wife who is NOT on any anticoagulant bruises for England at the slightest touch or knock yet I who have been on warfarin for years and years need a sledge hammer to raise a bruise. We are all different but if you are worried then please speak to your doctor.

[Polski in reply to BobD]

Vitamin C should strengthen the capillaries, so they break and cause 'bruises' less easily. This is relevant for anyone who bruises easily, regardless of medication or other health problems, and the Vit C is good for health generally in lots of ways, so this would be money well spent. As with any vitamin, try it for three months to get the full benefit, and then decide if you want to continue, or see the effect if you stop. You can always return to it later. It will also help to ward off colds. Our bodies use much more Vit C when we are fighting an infection: the more we take, the more the body can use. There seems to be no upper limit!

[GazzaD57]

I have been on Apixaban for over 8 months and haven't noticed any increase in the occurrence of bruising. I work a very physical job, prone to knocks and bumps without any increase in bruising. Even minor cuts haven't bled noticeably longer.

[NooNoo14]

I was on Apixaban for a few months and then changed to Warfarin. The bruising was much worse on the Apixaban.