COVID-19 Survey

[pwoody]

Good morning everybody. Thought this might be of interest. Today I received a letter through the post from Imperial College London asking me to take part in a survey to monitor levels of COVID which I was happy to do. Before the swab test could be sent to me, I had to go on line and answer some questions, but when I got to the part of asking whether you took anticoagulants, of course I answered yes because I have AF. It immediately told me I could not take part in the survey and do the swab test due to the fact that I might bleed which was a disappointment as I would have been more than willing to do the test. Have any of you had the same experience?

[Pdotg]

Yes, I received a six month supply of Vitamin D yesterday, from a study called CoronaVit, run by Queen Mary Uni to study some relationship between Covid and Vit D. My vitamin D levels are slightly below normal. (And I did bleed a bit when I did the fingerprick test at home, but nothing an elastoplast couldn't cope with.) I filled in forms and listed my medications,including an anticoagulant (Rivaroxoban), which was evidently not seen as a problem.

[TamlaMotown in reply to Pdotg]

Hi Pdotg, may I ask what strength of vit D...just wondering

[Pdotg in reply to TamlaMotown]

Hi TamlaMotown. I've been given 3200 IU (80 micrograms) per day. This is a high dose (440 IU is usual). I'm a little concerned and will check with my pharmacist before I start the trial.

[doodle68]

Hi P woody 😊 is this the REACT study,

imperial.ac.uk/medicine/res...

REACT 1 was a swab test I understand REACT 2 involves a finger prick test so they may exclude those on anticoagulants for obvious reasons.

[pwoody in reply to doodle68]

Thank you all for replying. The letter states that this is a swab test only involving the nose and throat so I assume they are worried you could have a nose bleed. I personally have not had a problem with abnormal bleeding, but of course they have to be extra cautious.

[Buffafly in reply to pwoody]

I have had a COVID test and all was ok until it got to the second nostril. I have a deviated septum and problems with that nostril blocking up. It was quite painful and my nose was very uncomfortable on that side for days after. So I can imagine why they might be cautious about it.

[Lucymoo in reply to Buffafly]

I’ve had 3 Covid swab tests no problems and it amazes me that saying no to you doing the test due to being on anticoagulants is farcical and obviously the person setting the screening test questions hasn’t undertaken a swab test himself or understands how anticoagulants work. A disappointment all round

[Hilly22]

Good morning pwoody. I don’t have personal experience of this, but funnily enough, just this morning I was thinking about the risk of nosebleeds from the swab test. I wonder if that’s the reason. I think I read on here recently that someone had a nosebleed while being tested in hospital but luckily they were in the right place to get it stopped.

So I’d be interested to find out what the guidelines are for people who are on anticoagulants and inclined to get nosebleeds. I only have to blow my nose too hard to start mine off, and as the bleeding is from the back of the nose I’m always concerned it might not stop on its own. For that reason I now keep nasal blood-stop sponges in the house. I’ve been wondering what I’d do if I was faced with having to take a Covid swab test, like at an airport for instance (not that I’m planning to fly anywhere for a while).

Sorry I can’t help more, just voicing my thoughts and concerns and wondering if anyone else has any experience of this. I’ll be very interested to hear what others have to say, so will follow your post with interest.

[Marney in reply to Hilly22]

Hello HillyI to am afraid of a swab test. I have had 3 violent nosebleeds. May I ask what are nose sponges and do they help as my bleeds do not stop until I get to emerg and have my nose packed which excruciating for 2 to 3 days.

Looking for help in this as I also am taking antigoaculants.

Marney

[Hilly22 in reply to Marney]

Good morning Marney. I’m so sorry you have problems with nosebleeds too. I haven’t tried them yet, not sure if they’d work on a very heavy bleed, but having some in the house is a bit reassuring. They’re expensive but peace of mind an’ all that! Think they’re probably cheaper elsewhere, but I bought these ....amazon.co.uk/Nexcare-Blood-...

[pwoody in reply to Hilly22]

Thank you Hilly and to all that replied to my post. Always interesting to get peoples views.

[CDreamer]

No, and I have been part of the Zoe App Study and had a swab test. Sounds very OTT to me.

[doodle68 in reply to CDreamer]

It does CD 😊 but maybe they feel it necessary to be cautious to avoid any criticism from a media only to eager to jump to conclusions if there is the slightest problem with anything ...

A family members has taken part in REACT 1 the swab test .

[Hidden]

It’s quite common. They don’t want to be held responsible for causing any form of bleed no matter how unlikely or minor it is likely to be.......

[Solobiker]

I'm on Apixaban and have had two swab tests with no problems. I wasn't asked any questions before I was tested.

[Frances123]

Yep, exact same thing happened to me. I knew they would reject me as soon as saw anticoagulant question but answered it as hoping it would still show I was willing to take part even though rejected. Wanted to do what I could if possible. X

[momist]

I've been on Apixaban for more than three years now, and I occasionally get spontaneous nosebleeds anyway, without anyone poking something up my nose (apart from myself!). So, I can understand their reluctance.

The nosebleeds aren't serious, and just cause some irritation at the clotting stage when I end up blowing out lumps. Sorry for the graphic description so early in the morning!

[dexter8479]

I am on the Oxford Uni/ONS voluntary survey, and have been for some time (it lasts one year). I have had several swab tests done, and was not asked any questions about anticoagulants or any other medications. I’m on Apixaban, it never even crossed my mind about possible bleeding. I also have a deviated septum, and a small nose, and I was concerned before it started that it might rule me out if it proved that the swab stick couldn’t get high enough, as it were.

I’d heard the “it feels like you’re brain is being scraped” stories. I have to say I’ve not experienced anything like that, the stick only goes in about an inch, maybe, if that, and it takes about a second. The deviated septum has not been an issue at all. I suppose if you’re an easy nose bleeder it might be, also I’m sure that some surveys will exclude anyone who might later blame (sue?) them.

[souljacs4]

How do you go about being part of studies or trials

[Pdotg in reply to souljacs4]

Hello Souljac4. I signed up for an app called C-19 by Zoe. There was quite a lot of form-filling in the beginning, so they must know I'm on an anticoagulant.

[Auriculaire]

I had a covid swab test last Friday. I admit I was a bit worried about it though more about the pain it might cause. I am on Apixaban but never suffer from nosebleeds. Nobody asked me about Apixaban but then I had to have the test- they will not admit me for my op next week without a negative test. Also stricly speaking I am not on Apixaban at the moment as I started my Lovenox bridging jabs last Tues. The swab test was a bit painful and I got a headache which cleared up after a couple of hours but it was not as bad as I'd thought it would be.

[20WildRose19]

I got same letter yesterday. Haven't gone on line yet and also on Apixaban but don't get nose bleeds. I did have them often on calcium channel blocker. So having read your comments probably no point applying?

[MazzyB]

I’ve had the test as I had to have a biopsy, they knew I was on a blood thinner. Hope you get on ok.

[Alfc]

Hi pwoody, yes I had the same letter and the same response to my answering yes to the anticoagulant question. Disappointing.

[SJB1234]

I had the same letter as you, as soon as I put I was on warfarin they told me I could not take part.

[Coco51]

Yes I just had exactly the same experience. Pity. I would happily have done the test. I've never had a nosebleed. I am on Apixaban. I suspect they are being ultra cautious and don't want any bother in case some one gets a bit over enthusuastic with the nasal swab and then sues them .