Fall

[Karendeena]

Has anyone ever fell while taking apixaban? I was chasing the cat out of the bedroom this morning when I fell over my stepper trapping myself between the bed and a set of drawers. I have bruises on my foot and ankle which doesn't appear to be getting any bigger. Tonight I was getting undressed and noticed one on my back think the corner of the drawers caught me, as I have back and neck pain most of the time I didn't think to check. This morning 111 told me to keep taking my medication and draw a line round the bruises which I have done and they don't seem to be spreading,. That was before I noticed the one on my back, which isn't large but does hurt!

Any advice would be welcome

[Hidden]

Errrr.....be more careful! 😉😂

I’ve been taking Apixaban for probably 6 years now and have not had any problems. Very occasional nose bleeds which only showed when I blew my nose, never actually bled as such. I did have a burst blood vessel which looked pretty spooky and was lucky because my cardiologist saw it at our support group meeting and assured me it was nothing to worry about. The eye went back to normal within a week and he said it was probably caused by an over enthusiastic sneeze during the hay fever season. Normal, regular cuts may take a little bit longer to stop bleeding and having a wisdom tooth removed caused no problems at all. I did have massive bruising after my two ablations and I bruise more now than before but I wouldn’t say it’s a problem. I try to be more careful but in truth, I tend to forget and carry on much as I did before taking an anticoagulant.

A good idea to mark round the bruises, as long as you don’t press too hard with the pen 🤔

[Karendeena in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flapjack, it doesn't help because I have chronic back and neck pain due to poor posture working from home! I think the osteopath will advise as I am seeing her tomorrow.It scares me because my dad fell whilst on wayfarin , hit his head and died from a brain haemorrage and he was only 60

[Hidden in reply to Karendeena]

So sorry to hear that, I hope you didn’t think I was making light of the situation. We would always encourage anyone who has experienced trauma to the head to have it checked out. One of benefits associated with Apixaban and the other DOAC’s is that they are marginal more effective against internal bleeds than warfarin........but you still need to be more careful!

[Karendeena in reply to Hidden]

Thanks again, of course not! It's scary to think of bleeding when you fall but luckily I didn't bang my head 😅 I actually got stuck between my set of drawers and my bed it must have looked funny though 😁🤣

[RoyM]

Hi Karen. I take Apixiban I fell on metal stairs on my right knee after a few days my knee had swollen to such an extent I couldn't walk and was very painful. I had an ambulance to A and E and was admitted. After a X Ray it was confirmed I had suffered a bleed around the knee and apart from pain killers the only treatment was rest and a pair of crutches to avoid putting weight on my knee. It took over a month to be able to put any weight on my knee and an Incredible 12 months for my knee to return to normal size and even now I have a small lump on the side. Hope you're feeling better. Roy

[Karendeena in reply to RoyM]

Cheers RoyM that must have been awful

[CDreamer]

I broke my arm in a fall recently - I was very surprised at the lack of bruising when they changed the cast a few days later.

Lots of falls, knocks cuts etc and don’t even think about Apixaban. I would be a lot more worried if I was taking Asprin.

[Karendeena in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks CDreamer, reassuring as I thought I would bleed under the skin a lot more. One thing that has really upset me is that I am told I can never ride a horse again. Horses have always been a part of my life and feel this has been taken away from me. I have a lot to be grateful for, I know, but this condition is so cruel

[Ducky2003]

I'm as clumsy as they come so have ended up with a few bruises. I popped a blood vessel in my calf last year by tapping it with a trolley I was pulling so that was a big bruise but worst ever was 4 weeks ago after my ablation. No bruising on the groin but most of my thigh, then calf and as far as my foot was just purple and blue. I still have some patches now and pain in my thigh from it........... that one I blame on the EP this time. I just try and be mindful, especially as I use a scalpel in my job. I'm sure you'll be ok.

[JaneFinn]

Hi Karendeena, that sounds painful! Yes I had the strangest first month or two after I started on apixaban - I tripped over twice when walking at speed, badly hurting and bruising my knees and legs; and on two separate occasions I hit my head hard on kitchen cupboard doors! Honestly it’s like I’d been prescribed anticoagulation and a side order of clumsiness 😁

Anyway I was already a bit freaked by the AF diagnosis and anticoagulation idea so the first time, when the bruises started coming out on my knees/ankles/legs, I went to see my GP. She wasn’t in the slightest bit concerned- was nice but didn't feel the need to examine it. Just said it would bruise more and so long as nothing broken there’s nothing to worry about. Including the big lump which I pointed out. (It actually got bigger and kept releasing more bruising over the next couple of weeks until it subsided - in fact that lump was with me nearly a year before it totally went.)

I’m so sorry to hear about your dad - how dreadful

I’m glad you’re seeing your osteopath, who will hopefully have helpful advice/reassurance. Incidentally, my own osteopath is sometimes my first port of call for medical queries, he’s absolutely brilliant! (And very highly and widely trained.) He’s pointed me to see a doctor when I would just have left symptoms, and on other occasions saved me a wait in A&E by easing pain and ruling out fractures etc

Jx

[Karendeena in reply to JaneFinn]

Thanks for those kind words Jane Looks like you have had your share of problems too! My dad had afib, so my thoughts always go to what happened to him. Had he had the brain bleed now instead of 33 years ago he might have been saved as the hospital kept him on wayfarin treating a stroke they thought was from a blood clots!

[JaneFinn in reply to Karendeena]

Oh how awful 😢 Yes it would most likely be different nowadays ... we are fortunate that medical diagnostics keep progressing. Hope you heal up quick and no more freak falls! X

[LaceyLady in reply to JaneFinn]

I have an upgraded osteopath, sadly previous one had to retire, he was brilliant, his first job was a Biochemist. New ones good, young and. Lot to learn yet 😊

[Ellie-Ann]

Hi Karendeena.I’m on Apaxiban and I am a ‘ Walker.’

I was recently out down the woods with my husband when my foot caught in a bramble and effectively tripped me up. I fell forward onto softish ground. I didn’t bang my head and got up alright so I didn’t report it in. No problem since. Had I have banged my head I would have reported it in.

Hope you are ok.

Ellie Ann.

[Karendeena in reply to Ellie-Ann]

Thanks Ellie-Ann, all seems well thank you apart from a few bruises x

[Tryfan]

What you need to be especially aware of in taking Apixaban or any "blood thinner". Is be wary of head trauma. Banging your head that could cause bleeds around the brain need immediate examination. I do notice since taking Apixaban I bruise more easily and probably bruising looks larger and more colourful. But they disappear. One product I use for bruising which works very well on me is herbal Arnica ointment.

[brit1]

mine are adorable

[LaceyLady in reply to brit1]

So are mine but still death traps 🤨

[Karendeena in reply to brit1]

Mine are too, white Persians, one is very old now almost 16 and she gets confused where she is

[queseyo]

Sorry about your fall, hope things get better soon. I have been on that thinner before but never affected me. On the other hand I never "chase" my cats, instead, I call them nicely by their name and tell them "NO" a few time, they lean by repetition. my pets are allowed to go anywhere in the house but not in the kitchen. If I hear/see them heading to there I just say "NO" and they stop. Good luck.😀😺😸😹

[Karendeena in reply to queseyo]

Thanks queseyo, this was a one off, the oldest cat, she's almost 16 bless her, was using the corner of my bedroom as a litter tray! Normally mine go everywhere in the house but the vet said I had to try and stop this behaviour by keeping away from spots where she had been before! No fun getting old 😕

[queseyo in reply to Karendeena]

Lovely to hear about 🙀 cats even if they do something unpleasant here and there I adore them. My last one suffered from hyperthyroidism for over five years, 17 when went... I wish you are fine after your accident and enjoy your cats even if...it is invaluable. 👍