Post by canada72 on Nov 23, 2016 22:42:37 GMT -5
I am a 43 YO woman who was diagnosed with multiple bilateral pulmonary emboli 6 months ago. I am writing this entry for any woman on Xarelto who is experiencing extremely heavy menstrual bleeding. Please explain to your doctor(s) the extent of the bleeding and trust your gut if you are not feeling well. I didn't understand how much blood I had lost and continued to explain away the exhaustion, breathlessness etc. as part of the PE recovery.
I was given a rather simplistic description of my anticoagulant choices in the ER. Xarelto would be easier to manage because I wouldn't require regular blood work. The doctor said a brain bleed was possible on Warfarin, and recommended Rivaroxaban but warned, "don't get in a car accident because we can't stop the bleeding". I was immediately given a dose of Xarelto, told a consult would be sent to a hematologist and I was sent on my way with a prescription.
Within a few days on Xarelto, I began to experience menorrhagia so severe that I was unable to go to work. I went to see my family physician, explained the extent of the bleeding and a high priority consult was sent to a gynaecologist. I was advised that IUD was the best option to manage the bleeding. I was still dealing with the side effects of the PE and didn't realize how significant the blood loss was until I noticed walking to the car was exhausting. I thought about going back to the ER but kept convincing myself that I was over reacting. I had the IUD procedure. A couple of days later I went back to my doctor, exhausted, short of breath, pale and unusual hair loss. Thirty-five days after diagnosis, I was admitted to hospital for a blood transfusion. My hemoglobin had dropped from 140 to 73 g/L, my ferritin was 5 and I was told I had lost approximately 6 units of blood from anticoagulant-induced menorrhagia. I was prescribed an oral iron supplement and told to go back to the ER if the symptoms worsened.
The blood transfusion boosted my hemoglobin to 96 g/L and over the six weeks, the transfusion and oral supplements boosted my hemoglobin to 106. In 4th month of treatment my hemoglobin dropped 93 and I was given an iron infusion (Venofer). Four weeks later, after more heavy bleeding, my hemoglobin dropped to 78. I was told my doctor would arrange another transfusion but overnight my condition worsened and I was admitted to the ER for the blood transfusion. I don't know what my blood pressure was on admission but it went up to 106/69 after two units of blood. The Xarelto was stopped immediately and now have an appointment with an internist who specializes in anticoagulant therapy. I am still on the waiting list to see a hematologist. There is a shortage in my province, apparently. I am nervous now that the anticoagulant has stopped but hopeful that I will soon start to feel more like my old self.
I was given a rather simplistic description of my anticoagulant choices in the ER. Xarelto would be easier to manage because I wouldn't require regular blood work. The doctor said a brain bleed was possible on Warfarin, and recommended Rivaroxaban but warned, "don't get in a car accident because we can't stop the bleeding". I was immediately given a dose of Xarelto, told a consult would be sent to a hematologist and I was sent on my way with a prescription.
Within a few days on Xarelto, I began to experience menorrhagia so severe that I was unable to go to work. I went to see my family physician, explained the extent of the bleeding and a high priority consult was sent to a gynaecologist. I was advised that IUD was the best option to manage the bleeding. I was still dealing with the side effects of the PE and didn't realize how significant the blood loss was until I noticed walking to the car was exhausting. I thought about going back to the ER but kept convincing myself that I was over reacting. I had the IUD procedure. A couple of days later I went back to my doctor, exhausted, short of breath, pale and unusual hair loss. Thirty-five days after diagnosis, I was admitted to hospital for a blood transfusion. My hemoglobin had dropped from 140 to 73 g/L, my ferritin was 5 and I was told I had lost approximately 6 units of blood from anticoagulant-induced menorrhagia. I was prescribed an oral iron supplement and told to go back to the ER if the symptoms worsened.
The blood transfusion boosted my hemoglobin to 96 g/L and over the six weeks, the transfusion and oral supplements boosted my hemoglobin to 106. In 4th month of treatment my hemoglobin dropped 93 and I was given an iron infusion (Venofer). Four weeks later, after more heavy bleeding, my hemoglobin dropped to 78. I was told my doctor would arrange another transfusion but overnight my condition worsened and I was admitted to the ER for the blood transfusion. I don't know what my blood pressure was on admission but it went up to 106/69 after two units of blood. The Xarelto was stopped immediately and now have an appointment with an internist who specializes in anticoagulant therapy. I am still on the waiting list to see a hematologist. There is a shortage in my province, apparently. I am nervous now that the anticoagulant has stopped but hopeful that I will soon start to feel more like my old self.