General question

[Vonnieruth]

When does a bump to your head warrent a visit to hospital if on Apixaban etc

[Buffafly]

I went to A&E after bad fall - hit the pavement forehead first, don't ask - and was sent home with 'head injury' pamphlet :

Have company for 24 - 48 hours, no alcohol, sedatives, sleeping tabs

If there is

Severe / increasing headache

Abnormal behaviour

Repeated vomiting

Worsening vision

Increasing drowsiness

Loss of consciousness

A fit

Go back to A&E or call 999 depending on severity of symptoms.

Hope that helps!

[Vonnieruth in reply to Buffafly]

Gee wizz nice check off list lol Won't ask how you fell forward either lol

[Hidden]

NICE guidelines say anyone on anticoagulants should go to hospital. A call to NHS 111 seems more sensible to me first, unless any of the symptoms in Buffafly’s post already apply, when an urgent ambulance would be necessary in my opinion.

nice.org.uk/guidance/cg176/...

[Bagrat]

I hit pavemeent with head on the way to surgery! Kind elderly lady stopped and said " have you fallen?" Went home and OH took me to surgery to keep appt. Nurse got a GP who said " you could have a cerebral bleed because of meds".

Gave OH 3 pages of head injury obs as already mentioned. I felt rotten for a few days but am of an anxious disposition.

Was having daily dressings at the time for something else so reassured when nurse said " I was worried about you yesterday". Cracked my head years ago on Xmas day ( pre anticoagulants) and felt the same and survived. Pretty sure I had mild concussion both times. Mild headache, pain in head, nausea. None got worse and can last for a couple of weeks according to NHS website.

[Hidden]

Occasionally subdural bleeding can be insidious, leading to a delay in, or failure to make, a diagnosis. This is a particular problem in frail and very elderly people subject to falls, particularly if anticoagulated. Confusion, or even a label of dementia, mandates a CT head scan in these circumstances. Worth bearing in mind if you have an elderly relative.

nhs.uk/conditions/subdural-...

[Bagrat in reply to Hidden]

Or if you are the elderly relative!!

[etheral]

Sounds like a CT scan would be indicated in most cases, certainly any with the above listed symptoms.

[Diamonddaisy]

Goodness! Never even thought about this when I got punched on side of head then hitting it on the hard ground on boxing day.

Something to bear in mind (not that I want a repeat)

Glad you are OK x

[Vonnieruth in reply to Diamonddaisy]

Wow how you get thumped

[Diamonddaisy in reply to Vonnieruth]

Complicated. Had lots of family over at Christmas. I have an older son 28 who is currently getting dx with adhd, my youngest daughter 17 with complex medical issues, and an argument between them, well, more one sided over 2slices of turkey. My son found it funny and my daughter was getting madder and I was ignored. To cut the story short she called her bf to come and fetch her I was upset as there was grandkids here too and was mad that she was using bad language and in my face so I slapped her this resulted in a punch to the side of my head and I fell hitting the back of my head and jolting all of my right side when I hit the ground. I'm only 5' daughter is 5'11 and much bigger, I didn't stand a chance. She didn't come home till after the new year. Things are still strained sadly

[Vonnieruth in reply to Diamonddaisy]

Gee Daisy so sorry about that Children hey My daughter has

Schizophrenia and left me with three cats to re-home when she up andwent with her guy due to disagreement with neighbours Don't even know where she is Mums are strong stuff luckily to deal with our ailments and theirs to I think mine think I'm fine as I have no disability or visible signs of having anything wrong with me They don't think the stress of it all doesn't help and working with dementia also adds a work related strain

[Diamonddaisy in reply to Vonnieruth]

True. We have no choice but to be strong. Hard work on my own with teenagers. Stress right now as going through a divorce and know some of the anger she has is over her dad, she's also fallen out with her older sister before Christmas. Guess she's just lashing out though I'm not excusing it she has a condition where her joints dislocate, chronic regional pain syndrome and fibromyalgia along with anxiety and chronic fatigue. A tough lot to deal with at 17.

[Vonnieruth in reply to Diamonddaisy]

Tough for anyone to go through Stress levels must be sky high for you all I think I have problems but mine are nothing compared to some My anxiety plays a lot in mine I tend to worry about every twinge or ache Worry about daughters who are all adults My brain never turns off lol Nice to chat on here sometimes They say a problem shared is a problem halved

[Diamonddaisy in reply to Vonnieruth]

It is. I have anxiety too. Family doesn't help lol

[ILowe]

This is a good question. Bleeding in other parts of the body is less serious. It would not do any harm after a bang of any kind, to get the INR checked, then maybe reduce it by missing a day or two, or taking some vitamin K tablets. After a bang I would feel more comfortable if my INR was less than 3.

[Buffafly in reply to ILowe]

I skipped a dose of Rivaroxaban after my fall as I was very bruised although hospital didn't suggest it. The point earlier about a slow bleed is a very good one, I still have a lump from a haematoma on my leg which the nurse said was the result of oozing into the tissue.

[Bagrat in reply to ILowe]

I was on warfarin at the time and due a test. Nurse very peeved GP hadn't done one at the time. I was not in the best place toaskas a bit shocked

[DK81]

Your question is hard to answer, because everyone is different. I would suggest that hitting the pavement head first warrants a visit to hospital, whereas walking into a lamp post or being punched is borderline.

[seasider18]

You've had all the good advice but headaches can last for months. Pre AF I had a bang on the head one Spring but did not have the worrying signs just an on going headache for six months. My GP is doctor to a rugby team and said that many players have a headache all through the summer. He eventually referred me to a neurologist who organised a CT scan but by the time I had it in September the headache was about gone.