Atrial fibrillation, warfarin & bleeding?

I did not think I would be posting another question so soon but things seem to be changing all the time. Recently I had a series of nosebleeds. Hospital said not related to warfarin as INR reading 2.5 (but 4 days later it was 3.1). Said bleeding prob. due to burst thin blood vessel wall. Today I tried to lever myself out of bed but bruised ribs caused by a fall made it v. difficult and I had to strain hard to manage it. This made a lot of blood come down the back of my nose - enough blood to saturate 3 tissues. I assume thin wall again but why? I never had this before I started on warfarin. For several weeks I have tasted blood but only occasionally and if I strain on the toilet my saliva briefly turns pale pink. I also had a tiny drop of blood a few weeks ago but my GP said it was nothing to worry about as it was just coming from the back of the nose. I found today's episode very worrying.

ill put your worried away..

It is normal and good that you worry. As long as the bleeding stops, your going to be fine. Keep getting your bleeding times checked. Small vessels will burst and bleed. Just remember now that you are being treated in a way that you are supposed to bleed a little more.

You are being treated with a tried and tested method of something that could kill you if not monitored versus something that will for sure kill you.

Hi Patsy. I can definitely tell you that I know how you feel. I have been on Coumadin for 4 years now and this happened to be about 4 months ago!!! I know this can be very, very scary. I started having chronic nose bleeds and of course being on Coumadin made them 10 times worse. My INR levels were fine at the time also. My nose bleeds got so bad for about 3 weeks that I finally just went to the ER and they sent me to a ENT after they ruled out again that my INR level was fine. Also by the way they keep my INR level ranges from 2.5 to 3.5. Anyway, I went to the ENT and I had several small tears in the vessel linings of my nose on both sides.

The ENT told me it was due to dry air and allergies. I had let my condition go for quite a while (about 3 weeks), so they cauterized the spots which did not hurt at all, just kind of a ticklish feeling. They told me to use Saline spray to keep my nose moisturized at all times and use a cool mist humidifier. (The cool mist is very important, heated mist causes the linings of your nose to dry out more). Also they told me to put some vaseline inside the lining of my nose. Don't gob it in there just put a little on your pinky and put some in each nostril, this will help with extra moisturizing. They also told me until everything was healed to try not to blow my nose or blow it extremely gently. Also do not use any decongestants or limit them to minimum (if you are taking any). Decongestants drys the linings of your nose extremely!!

To make a long story short, once I started to use the saline spray and cool mist humidifer I have not had a nose bleed in 4 months now!!! I continue to use the saline spray at least one time per day. I only used the cool mist humidifier and vaseline about 2 weeks and after I was sure everything was healed the only thing I continue to use daily is the saline spray once to twice per day and I definitely do not want these nose bleeds to start again, so I take extra care to keep my nose moisturized.

I hope this helps as I know this can be extremely scary. I was bleeding so much I would start vomiting and vomiting blood because so much had went down my throat. Seriously, get you some saline spray quickly, vaseline, cool mist humidifier and start moisturizing the inside of your nose.

Best wishes to you!!

Keep in mind that any bleeding you have now will be several times worse and take longer to stop than it used to, even if your INR is within the range they want it (generally 2 -3 or 2.5 -3.5). Saline spray will help prevent the nose bleeds as the person above me has advised. Also, use a soft toothbrush to avoid bleeding gums.

Report any new or increased sign of bleeding to your physician (eg, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, prolonged bleeding from a cut, heavier than normal menstrual or vaginal bleeding, coughing up blood, vomiting blood or coffee ground-like material, pink or dark brown urine, red or black tar-like stools, unusual bruising, headaches, dizziness, weakness, pain, swelling, or discomfort).