I am 7 days post Covid and have felt well as just like nasty cold for the last 3 days although still positive. However after a sleepless night I was just lying in bed when started a nosebleed for no reason as nose stopped running days ago. I then noticed that I kept swallowing stuff so sat up in case it was the nosebleed when it started to absolutely pour down my front onto the floor and even down the back of my throat although pressing my nose. Very frightening especially as I then started to retch up what looked like blood clots which was obviously old blood mixed with a nasal drip. Horrid. As on Apixaban called paramedics. By the time they came it had finally stopped although I’m now somewhat twitchy in case it starts up again which shot my BP sky high.
Don’t get nosebleeds so this has freaked me out. Has anyone else experienced this whilst on blood thinners and do I carry on taking it today?
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hausjac
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I would keep taking your anticoagulant until you have discussed this with your GP or Cardio/EP. Ring them early and ask for a telephone consultation or if your surgery has started back with face to face consultations it may be better to have one so long as you are testing negative for Covid now. How long exactly did your nose bleed? My wife had a nose bleed that lasted all night - just like yours at one time spouting like even though she was lying down. District Nurse called out and then GP called out the next day (those were the days eh?) had yards of wadding stuck up her nostril by the District Nurse and it still came through a couple of times before it eventually slowed and stopped. She had had flu and was getting better after it but had this dreadful nose bleed. The GP suggested next time this happened - if it happened again, lying flat on the floor with an ice pack on the back of the neck - if like me you can't easily get down on the floor then lay on the bed with no pillow if you can. If you don't have an ice pack you can use a bag of frozen peas, beans or sweetcorn - what ever you have in your fridge. Just make sure you speak with your GP and cardio or EP about this as soon as you can.
I'm surprised about the lying down bit. The official NHS advice is to lean forward so the blood doesn't go down into your stomach. I had to go to A&E when I couldn't get a nose bleed to stop and the advice was to suck on ice cubes and hold your nose hard for at least 20 minutes which seems like an eternity.
You had probably weakened the veins in your nose with blowing it because of your covid cold.
I've had nosebleeds all my life and they eventually stop, but a few years ago I had the nosebleed from hell, paramedics couldn't stop it and by the time I got to hospital I was asked how long it had been bleeding at the rate, the answer was about 2 hours. I was told I'd probably lost half a litre of blood. The hospital couldn't stop it either, so I ended up having a bung put up my nose and having it inflated, my goodness did that hurt and it made that side of my face swell up. I was then admitted to a ward where I stayed for a few days. Then the bung was carefully taken out. It was honestly the worst experience of my life and I think I'd rather shoot myself than have that again. It's very scary isn't it!
Take care when you wash around your nose now, be gentle. Never, ever blow your nose hard. I think if I'd taken a beta blocker and reduced my BP it may have helped stop my major bleed. Any anxiety for me and my BP takes off sky high which of course increases the blood flow. I take Warfarin and to be honest I know anticoagulants don't help when we have a bleed, but I really don't think they are always to blame when it comes to the nose.
I've had a few mild nosebleeds since, but not from the nostril that wouldn't stop bleeding.
Thanks Jean. I never blow my nose after working for an ENT surgeon years ago who said don’t! I was just lying down trying to sleep and minding my own business! All v frightening but managed to stop eventually. Your experience sounded horrendous!
I had severe nosebleed while in hospital with covid pneumonia a year ago bled for nearly two hours when eventually sent for ENT doctor who cautorized the nose. It was caused by the intense oxygen blowing in my face. Then for some unknown reason it happened this month a year later and had to go to A&E and get cautorized again. So I am now very careful when blowing nose and using antibiotic cream inserted in nose. It was very traumatasing seeing so much blood.
she me si no clarities here - frequent heavy nosebleeds sent me to A&e where they discovered AF ( silver lining??)
On Apaxiban which made bleeds more dramatic - ended up with inflated balloon up right nostril - incredible pain & will only consent again if absolutely no alternative!
12 months later- bleeds have started again. White knuckle pinch on fleshy part of nose for 20 mins & ice to back of neck is effective.
No warning and no specific prompts leaves me on edge waiting for the next one …
If cause is dry air now using humidifier in bedroom / lounge to counteract central heating. Cream up nose from GP
With my recent nosebleeds my gp explained that I have an infection in one nostril. She prescribed Naseptin to combat the infection. I also have to put vaseline in the nostrils too. Another unwelcome feature of aging is that the blood capillaries and skin become thinner and more fragile. I asked about cautery but our medical practice don't do that know. There's a long waiting list to see an ENT specialist. So far the cream seems to be working. I've had one horrible thick clot which got stuck at back of throat but has now gone. 😀
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