hello
Im very hesitant to go to Aand E but have knocked the middle of my scalp on a corner of a wooden shelf. The sharp bit. It wasn’t a hard knock and I can’t feel a bump under my hair but On Apixiban. Should I go?
Btw for anyone thinking about ablation. I was very scared but celebrated a year yesterday. No AFib.
x
This really will have to be your call as we are told to seek advice after a head knock if on anticoagulants .
Having said that I had a fall which left me with a bruised face and body 3 weeks after hip replacement and I didn't seek attention.
I was discharged from A&E yesterday after an overnight stay with AF with RVR. I can say that it was the most dispiriting experience and not one that I would want to repeat in a hurry, if ever.
Ps congrats on your ablation success!
Thank you Jalia. I know it’s my decision but being clumsy Ive been down this route before. Took myself to A&E after a bump given CT and all well. Not keen on going again. No pain but because of hair can’t see any bruise. Sorry about your fall must have been frightening. May I ask why you didn’t go to A& E?
And Admitted with AF. Is RVR to do with the rate? Af is a horrible condition. I had it for years before finally deciding on an ablation.
I’m grateful for it having worked. So far!
Might wait this bump out.
RVR means a rapid ventricular rate. I just threw that in as it was on my discharge summary 😄
Why didn't I go to A&E after my fall?.....just plain stupid I guess although I must have justified my reasons at the time. Possibly fed up with hospitals.
I've already had 4 ablations. Will probably have to seriously consider pace/ablate now.
Dont be scared to go down this route if all else has failed. Big decision I know but I had it just over a year ago now and I've not looked back. My quality of life has improved so much. I'm 70 in a couple of weeks time and figure that I want to get on and do all of the things that I want to without feeling the awful AF. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Thank you. I must admit to feeling scared at the prospect but after 25 dccvs an 4 ablations I feel the time has come. I'm sitting at home with an average rate in fast AF...per my Kardia...at 148bpm . I feel terrible. I shall book a private consultation with my EP for next week. He has told me in the past that he would be prepared to do pace/ablate.
My cardiologist would say no. I asked the question and he said I would need a very hard knock on concrete and a bruise/ lump as big as an egg. Watch out however for headaches or / and vision problems. If you have those go to A & E
Prudance and protocol suggest you should go. I didn't after a similar situation and had a sleepless week.
Since your're prone to head bumps, and a fib free for a year, maybe time to reevaluate with your EP the risks vs rewards of continuing to take thinners.
Jim
Thank you
Oh gosh Jim that would be a big step coming off. I’d always be wondering…but might take up with my EP.
Wondering whether to take the chance and not pitch up at A&E with head bump today- a worrying week you say. How bad was your knock to head
Thanks again
Well, I didn't see stars, and there was no blood, but it was not just a tap and the bang was against a metal staircase. I'd say a five out of 10 head bump.
Jim
REALLY cracked my head getting into friends car several months ago. Really hard whack . Thought the same as you. Thought will wait and see if I get any symptoms other than pain and I didn’t all seemed to be ok . Couple of months later tripped when walking dog first thing I knew I was face down on the grass whacked my cheek bone . We were going out to dinner so I didn’t seek medical attention . Slight bruise for a couple of days. I had thought slightest knock should be running off as emergency but seemed to be ok. Am not telling you what to do, just recounting my experience
Good morning Peony
No, that has helped my anxiety a lot. Your episodes must have alarmed you.I can’t face A&E and as I’ve no pain and got through one night ! I’m going to see how it goes. Oh to be able to be off Apixiban.
Thanks for replying. This forum is such a help. x
I decided that unless I displayed head injury symptoms, confusion, dizziness, severe headache etc I wouldn’t go. My friends little old mum had AF and was on Apixaban . She used to fall a lot. Friend took her to a&e the first time and they scanned her all ok and said bring her in if she felt any consequences from the bang other than localised tenderness. I do know what a worry it is because I felt the same when I cracked my head in the car. Thick skull obviously 🤣 x
Fell off my horse onto my head and neck. Blue lighted to to A and E because they thought I had broken my neck. All was well re Apixaban and bleeding not so good with broken neck. Have recovered though.
Thanks Skuggi
I feel a bit of a moaner when I read what you have gone through and pleased you have recovered. Thank you for replying. Take care. ( another problem I have I’m clumsy!)
I'm on Apixaban and had a bad accident which resulted in a a huge laceration from knee to ankle of my leg . Huge loss of blood which was stopped by the medics within a usual time by compression methods. I was worried about the anticoagulant but they seemed to handle the loss with no problem. I had no after effects accept of course the interminable healing time and pain I am going through now.
If you feel well, you very likely are well. Any internal bleeding will surely have shown itself by now in various odd but fairly obvious ways. My elderly friend has fallen three times over recent years, once while walking with me and hit his head hard, but was fine. On that occasion he did go to A&E. On another occasion, he fractured a vertebrae at the top of his spine, another hospital visit! Yet, once again, was fine.
Clearly, there are people who bleed easily, but you would likely know if you are one. Look out for any symptoms and warn anyone who lives with you to be on a similar lookout. But, you will be fine.
Steve
thanks Steve very reassuring. Still loathe Apixiban or any meds but appreciate risk:benefit. Happy life but live alone and that’s the problem sometimes for us afibbers.
have a good weekend and thanks again for replying.
I know it is a worry , I have been to A&E three times for scans , luckily it was alright. Last one like you did not go and was worried for 48 hours but everything fine . On Apixaban but do not bleed excessively when cut. It is a worry though but you go with your gut and you are ok
Congrats on ablation working x
Thanks Dorchen. Everyone has been SO reassuring I’m going to try and be calm about it. If I did have any twinges etc I’d take myself off to A&E but the thought of it and the weekend too …..Thanks for congrats abiut successful (so far) ablation. Like I said I’m very grateful for that. x
I was on holiday and whacked my head really hard on a tree branch in the middle of nowhere. Got a sharp headache. Finished the walk hours later. Did not go to hospital and headache lasted a couple of days. Did worry and actually stopped anticoagulant for a few days. Can't really say why I didn't seek help. Perhaps I should have done but nothing happened.
Ever since I have been on apixaban I have had similar fears as the documentation with the tablets is so scary! But the reality is that in the past three years and more I have had walked into an open window and saw stars, fallen off a step ladder on to my back and knocked my head on the way down, and stood up quickly under a shelf when I was doing DIY, and each time I thought my time could be up! But so far, no problem! I'm a doddery old 77 year old btw.
I think anybody who knows they are getting bruising or bleeding easily on apixaban or anybody who feels giddy or unwell after a head blow should immediately seek help. But for the majority of us, we should not worry overmuch. It is just an increased danger like so many other things in life.
thank you Oscarfox.
Stood up quickly under a wooden shelf with sharp edge is what I did yesterday. Have done it before in the kitchen with open cupboards.
What you say makes sense and with everyone else’s kind reassuring words I’m going to calm. And btw I’m not far behind you with dodderyness at 76.
Have a good weekend
You should get checked out I did when I had same problem, hope your OK, BTW I was on warfarin
I fell on some slippery steps in the garden and hit my head. I felt fine - if a bit anxious. I could feel a mark in my hair and there was a little blood but I didn’t go to A&E. The following week, I had INR and I had to tell them about the fall because they ask if there has been bruising. I was ‘told off’ for not going to A&E ! She said to visit my GP, which I did, and he said that although I seemed fine, I ought to go as they could scan my head and make sure there wasn’t signs of a slow bleed. I went to A&E and after hearing my story, felt and examined my head and checked my eyes and reflexes and sent me home with a leaflet that advised about the symptoms of head injury. A complete faff - and no reassuring scan, but I can see what they are saying. I was less anxious after all that ‘checking’ !
Annie.
We are supposed to go and get checked out but I'm guilty of not doing so on the couple of occasions I've knocked my bonce.One time, I hit my head on my boot as the tailgate hadn't gone up as high as I thought. Cursed and gave it a quick rub and set off into B&M stores.
Had some strange looks from other shoppers as I was walking around, and thought it was because I still wear a face mask when shopping.
It was only when I felt my cheek go damp, I realised I was bleeding. 🙄
I beat a hasty retreat before scaring anyone else and sat in the car with kitchen clutched to my head for 15 mins 😁.
Hope you're feeling OK today.
Hi
I banged my head at back in the bathroom, it stopped me at the wall Hardie glaze, hit the floor hard on coccyx and arm disappeared down an open plastic container.
I called St John and they looked at me. a day later my arm went black.
They just checked me over whilst sitting on frozen peas.
They said I was OK.
It is bleeding with an open wound that is a worry particularly until it stops bleeding.
Take care and do what's right for you.
cheri jOY. 75. (NZ)
I have regular knocks on the head I’m blind and it’s often unavoidable. I’ve discussed this with a medical profession. I only attend A&E if there are any unusual symptoms long, lasting severe pain, dizziness, feeling, faint et cetera Over large, swellings or bruises that don’t seem to go
Well I fell over the wonky paving in our back garden. I crashed my face snd head very hard, blood everywhere from my nose cheeks and mouth.
My husband when he saw me as I couldn’t get up as hurt my leg as well sent for ambulance. They insisted on taking me to hospital as I hit my head so hard as I had had brain tumour surgery a couple or three years before, but I was more worried about my teeth
I had no symptoms that anything was wrong with head, but when I had the CT scan it was discovered I had a small haemorrhage. I was given the reversal drug for Apixiban and it was stopped for 3 weeks then restarted
This long post is just to say don’t take chances. If you do go to A&E please don’t drive yourself. I am sure you are ok so don’t worry
All the best
Pat x
Gosh, it was lucky you went to A&E. Good lesson for us all. I was terrified about going on Edoxaban. I had an ablation in September, but was told I have to stay on anti- coags, for life, where as they will probably be stopping the Sotalol heart tabs. I was hoping all medication would stop. I suppose with my age, sex and the fact that most of my family, on both sides, have died from strokes or heart attacks, they’ve decided I ought to stay on Edoxaban. Due to my weight (I'm under 60kg) and age, (I am 72) I’m on the lower dose of 30 mg. Hope you’re fully recovered now.
That happened to me, I was eight hours in A&E before someone I thought was a nurse who just did what I did myself. "Look up to the left up to the right, press your hands against mine". I was getting head pains so a week or so later I went again, and complained. They were wonderful that time but still 6 or 7 hours, but I had a head scan, and it was clear. So relieved!
Phone your Doctor.
I fell flat on my face on pavement 23rd Dec. Didn't pass out had 101 things to do as family arriving next day. Didn't feel too bad ( Not as bad as when I fell on way to surgery 2019 nurse got GP who gave me printout of head injury obs. On 24th still feeling a bit weird/dizzy from time to time. Daughter took me to A&E 30 min drive after I reluctantly rang 111. I was no worse. Was fast tracked because of apixaban.Scan, very thorough exam, in and out in 3 hours. All good.Was gently chastised for not going day before. Weirdy /dizzy thing continued but reducing for 10 days.
well the part about going to the hospital is not for me to say. I understand your hesitancy for sure. I’m curious why after a year of no a-fibs after an ablation, you’re not allowed to go off your anticoagulation. I know ablation is not an immediate stroke preventative but I thought after long-term without atrial fibrillation, we are allowed to go off. Congrats on a year with no a fibs and I hope you’re OK from the head bang.
couple of years ago I nearly knocked myself clean out failing to see a glass window in Greece - probably should’ve went to get checked but didn’t but was fine - despite that I’d say get checked if you’re worried or have any symptoms of dizziness or if you don’t feel right - Massive congrats and Fantastic to hear how you are 1 year after your ablation!! I’m 6 weeks - bit of hellishness up to 3 weeks but feeling great for last 3, here’s to positivity and hope
hi Foxglove.
Im'on Apixaban and I’ve had a bad fall off of my stairs plus a really good bang on the head on another occasion. I didn’t go to A&E with the Apixaban issue and was fine. If you’re really worried, go, but the thought of several hours there waiting to be seen put me off.
thanks MWIC. I haven’t got any “symptoms” of head so going to try and relax and be more careful!
Great news on your ablation. Just to let you know re mine the way it went for me was an awful first 10 days of episodes day and night and then suddenly they stopped. And it’s now a year. My ablation for info was with a general anaesthetic and although I don’t want to think about having another that is the way I would go again.
Life is pretty much back to Normal and I pray it continues. I even had Covid at Christmas for first time and thought that might kick things off again but all good.
I’m not complacent though!
Hi foxglove, sorry I’ve only just seen your post so I’m very late to be commenting on such a time-sensitive question! But in case it helps, I thought I’d add my own experience as it sounds similar to yours.
Not long after I started on Apixaban I stood up quickly from a low kitchen cupboard and cracked the top/front of my head on the corner of an open cupboard door. The impact made me stagger, and it was v painful. It started to bruise almost straight away. (It hurt for about 6 days so it wasn’t just a little knock) When it happened, I panicked a bit and rang my GP surgery for advice. The GP asked exactly what had happened, and told me there was no need to get checked out, it was fine.
I asked him for some advice on how to know another time whether I could leave it, and he said:
If is a powerful blow to the head like when you are punched, you should get checked out. That normally happens via a fall/accident that involves hitting the head, a fist punch or sporting injury.
If you fall and properly hit your head, get it checked out as it can be worse than you realised, might even have lost consciousness.
And finally, if you have any kind of head injury that is bad enough that if you were NOT on anticoagulants you’d be thinking maybe you should go to hospital to get checked - in that case, anyone on anticoagulants should definitely go.
This is by no means definitive or meaning to advise anyone else - I’m just quoting what I was told by one GP. But it’s really helped me, and has meant I haven’t panicked every time I knock my head on cupboard doors or walls, in my day to day clumsiness! Jx
Thanks so much Jane that really helps. I’ve been busying myself trying not to think about it. The kitchen cupboard scenario is a specialty of mine, getting out of my car and hitting the ceiling by the door is another. I even managed hitting the wing mirror of the bus. Your injuries were much worse and good ok now. It’s such a worry with these drugs.
Thanks again x
Well, I had cracked the side of my head a goodun on the sloping bedroom ceiling, chalet style sloping ceiling. Massive bump, I refused point blank to go to the County hospital because of my treatment last time I was an emergency. Couple days went past, think I might have felt bit sickly, husband forced me to go, there was no arguing 😕 Was ok, CT scan. I know you are supposed to check due to anticoagulant 🤷🏼♀️
Congratulations on positive results of ablation.
Head in the sand!....
Head ache's on Anticoagulants 
Stress & the effect on the heart 
UK setting expectations when you bang your head
