Nose bleed

[Marge]

I'm just wondering -- are nose bleeds common while on coumadin? Is a nose bleed possibly a sign you are getting too high a dosage?

I woke up with a nose bleed this a.m. -- managed to stop it after about 15 minutes or so by packing my nose with cotton balls. My instructions from the Anti-Coagulant Clinic for "continuous bleeding that does not stop, from cut or nosebleed" are to "press and hold the site for 20 minutes, if it does not stop, then go to the ER."

I have been on coumadin since my surgery last month. I'm currently on 5 mg a day, which brought me up to 2.8 last Tuesday the first time I've been within range since I started. Since it's Sunday, I can't call the Anti-Coagulation Clinic to ask whether I should reduce the dosage.

I used to have a lot of nose bleeds, but this is the first one I've had in months, probably in over a year.

 

[Nancy]

Joe gets nosebleeds quite a bit, well maybe once every other month or so. He has a "bleeder" in his nose and has had that for a long, long time.

He's had them when his INR is in range, and even slightly below, and probably some when he was high. I don't see any correlation between those and his INR, but that's just him. Others may have a different set of circumstances.

Only once did it not stop and we did go to the ER. That was a while ago. I think it stopped either on the way or shortly after getting there.

He hasn't had one in a long time.

 

[Ross]

I too used to be a frequent nose bleeder. The only time I seem to spring a leak is if my INR goes over 4.0. Bare in mind also that I have Oxygen flowing into my nose 24 hours a day, so I get really dried out.
Currently I'd blame what you are having on the weather and your indoor climate being too dry. I think if you were to get your INR checked, your probably fine and in range, but guessing never is right, so if you feel that you might be over 4, make a call in the morning.

 

[ccrawford]

If your house, especially your bedroom, is dry during the cold months, try a humidifier and see if that won't reduce the number of nosebleeds. Also, sometimes ice wrapped in a washcloth applied to the side of the nose will help.

 

[Marge]

<< If your house, especially your bedroom, is dry during the cold months, ... >>

Cold months ..... cold months? We've been in the 70's-low 80's for the last two weeks or so. OTOH, it could be in reaction to all the pollen ... I've been sneezing a lot lately ... yes, spring has definitely sprung here in NorCal.

 

[Raverlaw]

Marge,

I've always had an easy bleeder in my nose that acts up in the winter and spring. I was worried that Coumadin would make this thing leak all the time.

In the three weeks I've been on Coumadin, my INR ran up to 6.6 briefly (if you believe the lab!) and I have had slight seepage from my nose but no big runny bleeds. I was on oxygen for a couple of days in the hospital and still have that clear runny nose from being intubated. I think all that irritated my nasal passages and I'm hoping things calm down soon. I bet your in a similar boat.

 

[Ross]

<< If your house, especially your bedroom, is dry during the cold months, ... >>

Cold months ..... cold months? We've been in the 70's-low 80's for the last two weeks or so. OTOH, it could be in reaction to all the pollen ... I've been sneezing a lot lately ... yes, spring has definitely sprung here in NorCal.

Well then, perhaps you are an early warning earthquake detection detector? Maybe that's what it's all about?

 

[MadsDad]

Madison has had 5 nosebleeds in 9 days since her surgery. All out of her right nostril. (the same one they had her stomach tube in.) She got them alot before surgery, but hadn't had one in several months. We have been able to get them stopped with no problem. Some other people had mentioned going to an ENT and have the vessels cauterized.