Sudden significant, difficult to control nasal bleeding
On March 18th, I awakened around 6 AM to the sensation of a runny nose, only to learn that it was blood --- lots of blood! Made my way to the bathroom and saw blood actually squirting out of left nostril, flowing out the right one. I could feel the warm blood seeming to rush down my throat, and a pulsing sensation within the left side of sinuses. There's a great deal to what transpired over the next 10 hours, but it involved two ERS and a private otolaryngologist (she removed a device called a Rocket which an overambitious PA had inserted without giving specifics and not having asked any questions about my medical issues, and the dang Rocket set off intense nerve pain in my face and left eye. I wanted it OUT and the otolaryn-gologist did so and then cauterized it. She also removed several nasty blood clots out of my throat (no wonder I couldn't swallow water!). She gave me advice and instructions on what to do in the event of another episode, and I left exhausted but relieved to have had the bleeding attended by her. One week later (March 25) almost to the exact same time in the morning, I experienced ground hog day with SAME SITUATION. I took care of it by following the steps given to me by the doctor the previous week, and pinched my nostrils for 1 1/2 hrs until our local Urgent Care opened. The department is on the ground floor of our huge medical group (with many specialists and even radiology and Blood Lab), and yet not ONE of the staff in the ENT department was willing to see me "...because she has active bleeding..." and directed me to go to county medical center (where in the past I sat for HOURS with my elderly mother just waiting to be seen). That was not an option for me, so I went home and tended to my own care. The bleeding was not as significant this time, and stopped by using what I'd been instructed. I did see an ENT the following day (he agreed to see me ONLY because I had "no active bleeding." Examined me and said that he could see "nothing significant, other than a deviated septum and an area of exposed bone." Did not explain well when I questioned the "exposed bone." Told me that if it happened again, to go to medical center, and I told him NO, I would NOT go sit for hours in the ER of the medical center, but would definitely return to the otolaryngologist who had so wonderfully attended to me the prior week.
So I left, and the week went fine. I felt unwell from all the stress, etc., and other health issues, but all went well for balance of week....until this morning! AGAIN nose bleed episode! But I was seriously experienced and prepared THIS time, and with my husband's help, Afrin sprayed cotton pads inserted into nostrils, leaning downward, AND tightly squeezing my Mose, the bleeding came into control. Today is Saturday, and first thing Monday morning, a call will be placed to the private otolaryngologist who helped me the first time I experienced this. Right now, I have the cotton pad plugs in both nostrils. When removed, there is no bleeding but there is light tinge on the plugs.
So THREE nasal bleeding episodes almost exactly a week apart, and I have never had nosebleeds in my life, and I turn 76 in August.
No, I do not take blood thinners and stopped taking low dose aspirin which had been prescribed by my cardiologist, but I ran out about 2 months ago and just forgot to buy more (prescribed dose was one 82 mg tiny aspirin nightly). I also stopped the Omega supplement, about 3 to 4 weeks ago. So NO blood thinners at all.
I would so appreciate any info that can be shared by anyone who has experienced what I'm undergoing.
Thanks for taking the time to read this long post...would have been much longer if I had described the horrible experience that I underwent in the first ER, which is why I left and went to the second one! In the second ER is where the PA called the otolaryngologist who saw me within hours (we had to go home first so my husband could eat since he's diabetic and can't go long hours without nourishment or it causes nasty side effects). I am so indebted to her for her professionalism and willingness to see me when NOT ONE other ENT would do so.
Gracias 💖....
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Support Group.
Have you ever been checked for HHT? You can google CureHHT.org. The reason I ask is your report of massive nose bleeds. Especially if you have a heriditary connection to nose bleeds, you should ck it out.
I joined this group today and also had my left nostril packed today after a fourth cauterization for a weekly bleed that’s been happening for 7 months now—a non healing blood vessel, they call it. Can’t wait for this dissolvable material to clear out of my tightly packed nose. Both sides have been dripping all day and my sinuses still burn from the silver nitrate solution the ENTs at the cancer hospital painted on. Then they packed, then sprayed Afrin chemical on the whole thing.
I will check it out, thanks. My nosebleeds, though, aren’t massive, just frequent. The scab build up, then loosens, then a bleed starts, roughly once a week or sooner.
olivias 74, Just a thought....ask your doctor about prescription Mupirocin nasal ointment antibiotic for the places where scabs form to help heal them. It is a very strong antibiotic.
Someone else posted on here about using it after sinus surgery in their nose....I know yours is
different.
Blessings & Prayers for you to get better.
Thank you. I should have given more of my total history in the beginning. I was using Mupirocin for several weeks in the beginning of my saga when I saw my asthma AP nurse who used to prescribe it to treat bleeding when she worked in the ER. After that, Ayr saline nasal gel was all that was suggested by the Ap nurse at the cancer hospital. I'm wondering if I need a biopsy.
Thank you, I'll check out HHT.
I've learned that the epistaxis episodes that I endured is referred to as posterior nasal bleeding, which is considered potentially escalating to a more serious situation than what I faced. Really pitiful that the ER staff had no clue, were ill prepared to deal with me b/c the nurse and the PA kept leaving me alone, and it was during one of those absences that I had the rush of warm bood etc., and vomited copious blood and clots into the basin on my lap. I have YET to hear from the hospital president...but I did file a report with the state dept of health, as well as filed with the Discipline department for the hell that the nurse and PA put me through. Trying to locate legal help but not one lawyer deals with the issues that are involved, which included HIPAA violations.
I located a highy regarded rhinologist not far from our home, and will be seeing him in July. I ad gone to a well regarded ENT but he did nthing. Just looked into the left nostril and shrugged "There's nothing there now." Seriously??! So I kept searching until I located a medical group that has so many great specialists, even imaging within the expansive campus. I'm looking forward to that visit.
I had an on and off nose bleed many years ago and turned out I had a sinus abscess!