Is this Normal ??

[Beachballs]

I have been on Oxygen 24-7 now since May this year , and have a continuous nose bleed , fresh red blood , is this normal ?

I feel I should mention this to the nurse , but thought I would run it past you knowledgable lot first. Any ideas ?

[Suzie42]

I don't know why this is happening but it clearly isn't right. Hopefully answers will come in for you but definitely pass through to gp or nurse.Wishing you better x

[Beachballs in reply to Suzie42]

Thank you! Will do. X

[Hidden]

I feel you should definitely mention this to your doctor or nurse.

It may be you need a referral to ENT specialist

I had a period of this (although not on oxygen) saw the ENT guy who advised me of the situation in my case and the way forward with treating the problem.

Its important to treat this to avoid infection.

[Beachballs in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! Calling the Nurse tomorrow. As did not think about infection. X

[sassy59]

Definitely mention it to the nurse Beachballs. Hope the problem is soon resolved. Xx❤️😘

[Beachballs in reply to sassy59]

Thanks, will do. Xx

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

I'm so pleased you asked this question, I have just been put on 24/7 oxygen only one litre but I suffer with nose bleeds too. Thank you feel putting this up l will certainly be taking the advice given . I'm so grateful to you. Have a lovely day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx

[Beachballs in reply to Damon1864]

Thanks Bernadette, speaking to the nurse tomorrow, will let you know the outcome. Enjoy the Sunshine if you have it . 🌷x

[Damon1864 Volunteer in reply to Beachballs]

Thank you look forward to hearing what they say and advise 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx

[CDPO16]

I was on continuous oxygen while in hospital last year. After 4 days my nose was very sore and bleeding though not a huge amount. I spoke to one of the nurses about it and she said to leave the nasal cannula off during the night. Obviously she thought it was safe for me to do this so I'm not suggesting that you do the same but I would definitely contact your nurse about the problem.

[Beachballs in reply to CDPO16]

Thanks , luckily my nose is not sore , just very soft to touch inside . Will speak to the nurse tomorrow and hopefully get this resolved.Thanks again.

[HollyBoyd]

Hi Beachballs. I'm told it is a common problem with oxygen therapy. it weakens the capillaries in your nasal canal and so you can get nose bleeds. In saying that, if your nose bleeds last for long, are frequent and you are losing an amount of blood then it could be some other problem, so wise to speak to your GP. Wishing you well and take care xxx

[Beachballs in reply to HollyBoyd]

Thanks for your reply , that’s reassuring to hear . The bleed in my nose is there all the time in varying degrees, rather than blood dripping out of my nose . ( sorry to be graphic). Will speak to the nurse tomorrow. Thanks again. X

[HollyBoyd]

That's a nuisance when it's all the time and worrying, so hope you can get some help from the nurse tomorrow xxx

[Beachballs in reply to HollyBoyd]

Thank you ! X

[Hidden]

Hi Beachballs. My wife also on oxygenators 24/7 and has nose bleeds/sore nose. Partial remedy is to insert a humidifier in-line into the bedroom machine, the water bottle needs topping up every 3 days or so , it does seem to ease the "drying out" overnight. Otherwise uses nose ointment. The humidifier supplied by the Airliquide people who supply and maintain the oxygenators themselves. We have two big machines and one smaller mobile. The suggestion to leave the cannula off at night seems contrary to the need to avoid low blood oxygen levels whilst asleep which is where my wife started at. Hope that helps.

[CDPO16 in reply to Hidden]

As I said, I wasn't in any way suggesting that the cannula be left off at night, merely saying that this was what I was advised to do by a nurse while in hopspital. I'm well aware that this isn't appropriate for people who have been prescribed oxygen 24/7.Your information about the the humidifier is very helpful.

[Hidden in reply to CDPO16]

Sorry, didn't mean to imply that you were suggesting it, I realised it was the nurse who suggested it

[Beachballs in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! This is interesting, I have just the one machine,( it’s incredibly noisy ) does not have a water bottle, but will mention this today . It well may be that it’s just cream / ointment that is recommended.. Thanks again.

[Hidden in reply to Beachballs]

Our big machines are Homecare's Perfecto2 according to the stickers, I can barely lift one, on castors luckily! You don't realise how noisy they are until you turn them off ! They have a small built in shelf on the front for the humidifier bottle to sit on, then just a case of changing the tubing around to include the bottle in the circuit. They don't suit everyone according to our Resp. Nurse. Can't use with a mask , only a cannula.Worth trying, can take them off again very easily. I boil a kettle of water, cool it and store in fridge, easier than I thought.

[Beachballs in reply to Hidden]

Ahhh that’s interesting, haven’t seen one of those yet ! This is my 5th machine since May , and it’s all about the numbers for me at the moment, as some work well on the high numbers but struggle on the low numbers , the one I have at the moment works well , and I don’t have to keep changing to ambulatory oxygen for the higher numbers . Thanks for your response most helpful.