Nose Bleeds

[Nerja2012]

Hi started taking 2.5 apixiban 3 weeks ago after 3 tablets had a nose bleed so stopped taking it. 1 week later tried again and after 1 day had another nose bleed. Doc said to stop taking them and also to stop taking 10mg amitriptyline that was prescribed for nueropathic pain. After 1 week try again. To be truthfull I'm really scared to try again. I've had 3 episodes in the last 2 years since being diagnosed so P A F. 74year old female with no health problems. Would welcome some help and advice. Thanks.

[BobD Volunteer]

You are in the category who need anticoagulation for sure. You obviously have an underlying problem with your nose which needs to be investigated. Anticoagulants do not make you bleed any more easily BUT if you do bleed naturally then it may take longer to clot and stop.

Do speak to your doctor about the reasons for your nose bleeds. Better a few bloody towels than a stroke.

[Nerja2012 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob. Had my nose cauterised when I was a teenager. Maybe still some weakness there.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Nerja2012]

Mine was obliterated by a cricket bat when I was 11 and finally re-built in about 1977, I suspect from scraps swept up after a car crash. Only time it bleeds is if I take aspirin or clopidogrel. Warfain has never affected it in the last 16 years.

[Nerja2012 in reply to BobD]

👍

[Stellata]

Hi Nerja2012, I have been on apixaban for nearly one year and get sudden nosebleeds, no warning - just a gush of blood. The bleeding stops after a few mins if I press down on the upper nose area, so I have not been too worried. My understanding is that if you can't get the bleeding to stop, then it's a worry.

[Fibber222 in reply to Stellata]

I also have the same type of bleed on apixaban. However it’s not a regular thing. Maybe one every 3 or 6 months. Maybe I have a dodgy blood vessel inside my nose? I just pinch it for a minute or so and it stops. Not nice though.

[Stellata in reply to Fibber222]

Mine aren't too frequent either - maybe once every 2-3 months. Recently had one on a flight. Alarming when it happens, but not too scary as they thankfully stop quite quickly!

[Fibber222 in reply to Stellata]

Yes. Rather put up with a few nosebleeds and blood clotting med than stroke!

[Nerja2012 in reply to Fibber222]

Thanks I appreciate any input .

[Howardl in reply to Fibber222]

Same here, I get the odd nose bleed from time to time usually in the morning. It’s not too much of a problem and they don’t last long. But all started when I started Apixaban.

[Nerja2012 in reply to Stellata]

It just seemed strange that the bleed started after just a few tablets. And as I've never taken them before found it scarey as I do with the the whole A F thing but to be expected I suppose.

[siouxbee19]

In 2018, I left hospital after DVT/PE & previous AFib. At home, I had increased GI bleeding (not new problem, just much worse if that's possible) after just two doses of Eliquis. Had to go back in hospital very next day, for 2 weeks, sent home on Warfarin.

Fast forward to Nov 2019, started getting nosebleeds, hadn't happened (that I remember) since childhood.

Always self-treated, till 2 weeks ago, couldn't get it to stop. Went to ER ( I'm in the U.S.), they put a "rhino rocket" (Google it) in my left nostril/sinus, and packed the right with gauze, covered with huge bandage. Looked like I'd been smashed with aforementioned cricket bat! 😂

Had to walk around for 3 days like that, till my ENT ( ear, nose, throat doc) chemically cauterized it.

Been almost 2 weeks now, no bleeding except a minute amount due to healing. THAT I can handle, as opposed to the "horror movie effect" that happened prior.😉

So cauterization seems to have worked. I also bought a spray moisturizng nose gel, as well as Afrin brand ( it's the ingredient in that specific brand) nasal spray to use if it bleeds again. This helps to constrict the vessels, thereby stopping bleeds.

Sorry for the long story, just a very recent experience and your post caught my eye.

If anyone can avoid an ER trip & "rhino rocket" & packed nose experience, then my post is worth it.

Hope this helps! 😁👃

[Nerja2012 in reply to siouxbee19]

I had something similar as a teenager. Guess I have a weakness because of that. Didnt put you off anticoags though.

[siouxbee19 in reply to Nerja2012]

No, still on Warfarin. I'd rather deal with bleeding than another DVT, PE, or stroke.

[noviceAFIB]

Had same issue; CONSULT with your doctors on possibly doing something SIMILAR to what I am doing : I am taking 7.5 mg instead of 10 mg by splitting 1 of the 2 pills; I always find these standardized dosages troubling as in reality only a subset of the entire population is identical to the "average" as found in those clinical trials; for me, 7.5 triggers nosebleeds ~once per month only as opposed to ~3 per week with 10mg.

[Gladstone001 in reply to noviceAFIB]

Haha, I do that too. My nosebleed frequency reduces with this dose.

[Fredverger]

On same thinner and getting nose bleeding one lasted all day on and off What can be done??