My ferritin level is low and because I am on Apixoban (3 years without any problems) my GP has gone straight to investigations. Colonscopy and Endoscopy. I have not had these yet and am not keen as my Hb and other bloods are normal.
Has anyone had a gastro bleed whilst on Apixoban and what are the symptoms.
would appreciate any advice and thank you in advance
Not with Apixoban but I did have a gastric bleed while taking Rivaroxaban. For me symptoms were excessive tiredness and fatigue. Felt like when you’re getting over Flu also had a few light headed moments and odd gastric rumbles and grumbles, gas/wind and occasional reflux. At no time was I aware of blood in my poo although with hindsight it was a bit darker in colour (sorry if that’s too much info!). They found some blood vessels in my colon that they treated with laser via the colonoscopy. All else clear I have changed to a different anticoagulant now and getting 3-monthly blood tests to keep an eye on things. By the way, if anyone had asked I would have said I had no problems with Rivaroxaban which I’d been taking for 2 or 3 years. My advice is to get it checked out!!
Liz
thanks Liz and you have not given tmi! just being factual which is helpful. no blood in poo either but darker than usual, but like said my haemoglobin is normal. Guess I shall have to go through with the investigations. I am a coward when it comes to invasive procedures and dreading have to do this.thanks again
I had same problem with warfarin - low ferritin. Advised endoscopy and colonoscopy . I held back on the colonoscopy. The trouble was found in my stomach lining...multiple red patches known as Watermelon stomach or GAVE to give it the technical term.
I was going to have treatment with Argon gas coagulation to treat the stomach lining to prevent bleeding. However we have held back for the time being as it would prob have to be done under GA as there was considerable difficulty getting the probe swallowed and needed two attempts with increased sedation 😩😟
I'm taking daily iron until my ferritin hits 100 ( was 9)
oh Jalia that has made me think! Did you have any other symptoms beside low Ferritin? Were you anaemic as well? I am not.
My ferritin was 17 when found, then went up to 40 with Ferrous Fumerate over 3 month period. Once stopping the FF it has gone down to 30, hence the GP requesting those procedures. Did you have the endoscopy?
sorry for all the questions.
I think my situation was not unlike yours. My hb levels were normal. Think they call low ferritin iron deficiency anaemia.
As for symptoms, I felt very tired but that's not so unusual anyhow ! Some years back a GP I consulted 're atrial tachycardia thought that low ferritin was partly responsible so put me on ferrous fumarate.
Yes I had endoscopy 😕😃. I was reluctant to have colonoscopy as I felt the problem did not lie in that area. Endoscopy found culprit as I said earlier.
Ask any questions you like !
Regards
J
Thank you. Never had an endoscopy. Not looking forward!
thanks again
I am taking ferricon which is easier absorbed due to having bipass surgery 20 yrs ago. What is ferrous fumerate? Ferricon has b12 and folate in it. After losing blood twice this yr due to a fall the first time and they accidently knocked a vein the 2nd time while doing cardiac ablation for afib. Ferricon works quite well!
