Excessive bleeding

[l-horn]

Last night I woke up with a nose bleed that I could not get to stop for an hour. Also I have some open sores on my legs from all the scratching and occassionally one will bleed and I can't get it to stop for a while.

Also, after my last blood test, I have a huge bruise on my arm, 2.5 inches in diameter. The woman that draws the blood at my docs has always been very good so I don't think it's through some fault of hers.

My question(s) are, am I at risk from internal bleeding and can anything be done about this ? should I be concerned ?

I'm in week 25/48. Week 8 on procrit.

[friole]

I didn't catch what your platelets are.  Are they particulary low?  Mine were not, but I bruised very easily on tx.  

[northstar]

I have similar bleeding problems. I have been off tx now 6 months now. I had 6 nosebleeds in one day, I NEVER had nosebleeds in my life.
I also had small amount of blood in urine??? Go figure.

[jmjm530]

More economical than hitting the computer with a hammer, I might add.

[l-horn]

I was on aspirin therapy before I started but not while on tx. Occassionaly I take tylenol. Also I take two high blood pressure meds, norvasc and benicar, although not regularly since the interferon seems to help keep my HBP in check.

I see my doc on Tuesday. I think I'm gonna wait it out till then.

[Tater-ToT]

{{Sigh}}

[l-horn]

This is a post to make the other posts show up for me.

[jmjm530]

I you see some post disappear and just can't wait a moment longer to see what they say :), sometimes posting back to the same thread will make them reappear. The new software here is sort of like an old car -- hit the carb with a hammer and she'll start right back up. LOL.

-- Jim

[Tater-ToT]

LoL... It Worked...LoL
;)

[Tater-ToT]

I had that problem... it was attributed to WBC's being low...

Every time I got a blood draw, I had massive bruising...

Got a tiny scratch from a brier on my ankle once while working in the garden...& when a visitor came over they brought to my attention that I was leaving a blood trail (all the way up two flights of stairs up to my deck) I was so embarassed as I didn't even know I was injured....

Same thing happend when I stubbed my toe...

I don't think we have to worry about internally bleeding to death because if so I'd of been a good canidate after slipping & having a physical fight with my weed whacker & it won....LoL...

I was an accidental physical danger to myself on TX I swear... (Just seemed to be majorly accident prone during that time frame, for some odd reason) .... But it would make a good question for your doc!
;)

[Tater-ToT]

True, True...

Humm.. (TeeHee)
Ya know that was another sx from tx....
I blew up more computers just while on TX ... Think I went thru 3 or 4 old clunkers (No Patience then)... Even thru my daughters (& a brand new monitor still under warrenty) right OFF the deck (two flights down) because of stuff she posted on MySpace.. (My Bad, but was actually Fun & Gave me GREAT PLEASURE)so when I got off of TX the first thing I did was go get a brand new one...(& I don't slap it around) LoL
;)

[sfbaygirl]

I am glad to hear I'm not the only one that problems with a daughters My Space page. Just about threw me over the edge! This is my second computer on tx. The first one I out of the blue started vomiting....computers don't like that much!

[ladybug52]

My husband had an uncontrollable nose bleed about 3 yrs ago and his was due to the high blood pressure. He now takes the same meds that you take, only he takes them daily, not sometimes! Another thought to consider is that the liver helps blood clot, of course you probably know that. Have you had a PT with INR done? That will show your clotting time. So, I guess since I'm not a dr. your best bet is call yours! Good Luck, let us know that you're ok and not still bleeding!
Bug

[l-horn]

I checked my BP after reading your post and though it was a little high 144/78, that's nothing unusual. I've been drinking some caffeine today so that may have made the diff. I'll talk to my doc about the test. It's called a 'PT with INR' ?
Is that right ?

[ladybug52]

Yes, pt stands for prothombin. Dr's order the test  for people on blood thinners like coumadin to make sure their blood is clotting enough, but not too much. Here's a website, but talk to your dr. first. If you're paying for labs out of pocket it might be a needless test. I just like to throw in my 2 cents worth!
Labs at a glance: http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/pt/glance.html

[jmjm530]

Maybe I'm confusing you with someone else, but didn't you post you take aspirin or other blood thinning products? My doctor is pretty free with any and all meds on treatment EXCEPT aspirin. That's because our platelet count is low on tx anyway, and aspirin can further thin the blood, conceivably causing bleeds like you're having. I assume you've contact your doctors to discuss. Hope it all works out.

-- Jim

[Kalio1]

I had some similar issues about week 25/30. I think you need to go see the doctor about this, particularly since you are on Procrit too.

That radical bruising is freaky isn't it? I had a large bruise develop for no apparent reason and had the nose bleed problems too. They have since disappeared, if that makes you feel any better.

I'd see the doctor and pose your query regarding internal bleeding to him. Please keep us posted.
I had a lot of trepidation in sharing those issue with the doc for fear he would yank me off tx but he didn't, thankfully.