Bleeding risk and bike riding

[afibtennis]

I am in the mountains on vacation and would love to take a bike trip but since I am the blood thinner pradaxa, I am worried that if I fall and cut myself I won't be able to stop the bleeding and I will be quite far from a hospital that can provide the antidote. I have no idea how serious a cut to be a major risk. Looking for guidance.

[jedimasterlincoln]

The sort of abrasion you'd get from a skid on your bike probably wouldn't cause any serious risk. Equally, any major deep laceration or wound to a limb probably wouldn't pose much of a problem it would just take longer more sustained direct pressure to stop the bleeding because your ability to clot is reduced.

If you're going on your own I'd be worried about hurting the parts you cannot reach, and therefore apply required aid/pressure to to prevent bleeding or worst case knocking yourself out or being immobilised and bleeding internally/externally to the point it's game over.

You can reduce the latter scenarios by being sensible, sticking to a traversed route and letting someone know what time you aim to be back and your rough route. It is also very much worth taking a copy of your health conditions/medications with you. I have one on my phone accessible without needing to unlock the phone, as are my emergency contacts. Other people wear wristbands or pendants.

Hope this helps without being morbid. But I've been in a similar situation regards clotting and AF in general - having missed out on a lot of middle of nowhere walking because of the worry of flipping into a debilitating bout of AF or falling whilst on Apixaban.

[afibtennis in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

Thanks for your comments.

[afibtennis in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

Very helpful. Thanks.

[BobD Volunteer]

Pradaxa doesn't thin blood it is an anticoagulant which slows down the clotting process so it will still stop with the usual process of dressing/ pressure etc. The only worry would be a serious blow to the head so make sure you wear a helmet and if you do bang your head hard then make sure others know so that they can observe you, or take you to A and E for assessment in case of brain bleeds.

[BuckleyBoy]

Hi, I'm on Warfarin and I've had the same concerns. I cycle regularly on roads with a club and am not too worried about that due to being with others, and usually within reach of civilisation. I'm more concerned when mountain biking in remote areas, often without a phone signal. I'm about to go cycle touring in the Basque country which could also pose communication problems. I wear a "medical info" necklace pendant, and have I.C.E. info attached to my helment and on my mobile. I did raise the question of carrying an 'antidote' on this forum which a fellow AF sufferer said he was looking into ( a medic ?) but have not heard any more. I think Warfarin users can receive bleeding reversal treatment more easily than DOAC users. I wondered whether carring a Vitamin K supplement would be effective in case of an internal bleed?

[dmjtanner in reply to BuckleyBoy]

I would think the vitamin K supplement would be a good idea. Wish there was something for those of us on Eliquis.