My Experience With WARFARIN and ELIQUIS

[Warfarin2014]

Warfarin for 27 months and friends noticed my coloring was pale. Nearly passed out walking to car in a large parking lot. Had lab draw blood next day, and CBC revealed RED BLOOD CELL COUNT down to 5.8. Supposed to be 13. I was bleeding internally somewhere. Hospitalized and given transfusions and an IRON INFUSION. They never found where I was bleeding. Even the miniature camera in a pill didn’t find anything. So, I was taken off of blood thinners against my will. Hematologist wanted me to have that mesh device, and I have read too much negative information on the complications. So from Dec 2016 to August 2019, we were fine. Then, another VERY LARGE PE, which nearly killed me. They performed a new procedure on me, where they inserted tubes filled with very strong anti clot RX. The tubes were hooked up to a device that used sound waves to disperse the RX. I could not move for 24 HOURS. Then, I was placed on ELIQUIS, and have been the entire time. 5mg twice a day. No clots, but I have suffered through many nose bleeds - some rather serious. Since I have FACTOR V LEIDEN, which means I’m 8–0 times more likely to get a PE than the rest of the population, I assume that is why 5mg and 5mg.

When I see a dentist or any doctor that involves a procedure that might cause bleeding, my cardiologist and hematologist told me to bypass taking ELIQUIS for two days before the appointment.

What started all of this was a PE on Labor Day of 2014. I don’t recall any nose bleeds while taking Warfarin.

[Tofino5]

Wow, you have had a lot to deal with. I was on warfarin for 10-1/2 years and had nosebleeds often, some severe and had to go to the hospital. Now I'm on Eliquis for almost 6 years and I still have nosebleeds. I'm also on 5 mg two times a day.

I have Factor V, triple positive with high titres, Sjogren's, Hashimoto's etc, and have had PEs and a DVT.

I use Ayr, a "saline nasal gel" which helps moisture the nostrils. I live at altitude in a very dry climate, so it helps, and I also make sure to drink a lot of water. My nose knows when I haven't been drinking enough ;-). It is over the counter and inexpensive. Maybe that will help you? Nosebleeds are very unsettling! Good luck!

[Warfarin2014 in reply to Tofino5]

Thank you for your reply Tofino5. I am so sorry for your suffering. Funny that you should mention the nose gel. The VA just recommended to me a NOSE SPRAY. Last week I purchased equate Premium Saline NASAL SPRAY. Two squirts in each nostril before bed time. So far so good. A year ago blood was shooting out of both nostrils. I sat down, leaning slightly forward. NEVER EVER LEAN BACK OR TILT YOUR HEAD BACK. I pinched my nose for about 45 minutes, and it still would not stop, but did decrease somewhat. I was shaking and in shock. Did not want any part of a hospital visit at my age of 78. So, I called my caregiver - who was a hospital corpsman in the Navy. He asked me how much blood I thought I’d lost. I told him one cup. He told me if I would have said two cups, he would have suggested a trip to ER. He told me if it was still bleeding an hour after we hung up, go to the ER. Thankfully, it stopped about twenty minutes later. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR REPLY.

Equate Premium Saline NASAL SPRAY