Nosebleeds!

Hi. Just thought I'd introduce myself My name is Georgie, I'm 19 years old and on the 30th November this year I was diagnosed with ITP after my platelets reached levels of 2. I stayed in hospital for 4 days on 65mg of prednisolone and since being discharged I have been reduced down to 50mg as I am now being weaned due to my platelets being back up to 127 last time I had them checked.
I have taken my steroids religiously since I've had them. However yesterday I missed a dose due to feeling very ill and it was a case of 'oh I'll take them in a bit' and then I woke up the next morning! Around 9am I had a serious nosebleed which lasted around 40 minutes. My blood pressure dropped and all day I've felt lightheaded and I'm now starting to worry about the nosebleed.

Has anyone else had anything like this? x

I don't know if missing your Prednisone dose would have caused the nose bleed, but you can't miss a dose like that. Prednisone can interfere with your adrenal glands and hinder natural production of cortisol. If you stop taking Prednisone, you can go into adrenal shock which can be fatal if you've been on the drug long enough. Please don't do that again!

At the very least, you could experience withdrawal which could cause other strange symptoms. The lightheaded feeling could be from missing the dose.

I'm not sure what to tell you about the nose bleed. Usually, if you can get them to stop, it isn't an emergency. Maybe call your doctor if you don't feel any better.

It is recommended to take prednisone early in the morning rather than later in the day. I was told before 8 am is best for the body. I found that if I took it as soon as I got up, I never forgot. A sudden withdrawal from steroids such as you had will cause all sorts of symptoms. You will likely have the same llightheadedness when you start to taper off it too. I did.

Yes I agree with Sandi and Ann and also had the light headedness with weaning it. I do understand d why you would wait if you felt nauseaes but they are right about taking it! It is unlike other drugs!

In regards to the nosebleeds, I also had long nosebleeds like that and they also did not go away when my plarwlets were in almost normal range. My GP reminded me I had them before ITP and will have them now in remission
..so it depends on location of bleeding in the nose somewhat how fast they stop as well. For a while I HaD a transexamix acid cream that I put up my nose when I got a nosebleed. I also had pill form but was told by hamatogist to use those cautiously in case platelwya are in normal range as then you don't want that too.. But the cream she said didn't matter as much as it wasn't systemic. Not a Dr myself so can't tell you if safe or not but you also need a prescription anyways so mention it as sonething to ask about!

Good luck, lucky you found this forum, I know I am so grateful to have as well!

I used to have really bad nosebleeds that would last for up to 5 hours. I had a lot of my nose cauterized, and haven't had a sever nosebleed in 5 years!

I have not had nosebleeds even at a count of 2, but have fears of spontaneous bleeds. My hema gave me a prescription for amacar to have on hand just in case something should occur. However, he wants me to call him to tell me how I should take it if something does occur.

My boyfriend gets bloody noses at least once a week with no platelet issues. I think he gets them mostly because of dryness and not drinking enough water. They can last up to 50 minutes.

I also agree with the steroid withdrawal symptoms mentioned. That could have caused the tired lightheaded ness. Steroids are pretty nasty.

Things that cause my 9 year old son to have nosebleeds.
1. Change in weather. Dryness is when it occurs most.
2. When he has coughs and colds. Almost sure to occur at these times.
3. Too much sleeping late like during this Christmas break.

Things that help:
1 Saline spray - to keep the nose from becoming too dry then scabbing.
2 Nose plugs - To plug during severe nose bleeds... we dont go to emergency anymore because we are now better than nurses and doctors in plugging nose.
3 Coagulant meds like hemostan as prescribed by Hema
4 Dimetapp - usually during colds, the bleeding comes too. So this helps constrict the capillaries in the nose as well.
5 Ice. On the bridge of the nose. Boring though... but effective
6 Sleeping early and having a regular routine

You said

My blood pressure dropped

How do you know it dropped??

I only ask because very high blood pressure can cause a nose bleed and make you feel out of sorts. If you are still feeling sick or having issues please contact your doctor.

Like Sandi said do not miss or skip a dose while on pred.

Athos,
I have had a couple of nose bleeds resulting in hospitalization, nose plugs etc. Shoving the plugs up my nose caused excrutiating pain & did more damage to the nose lining taking weeks to heal.

What plugs do you use & where do you get them from?

What form are the coagulant meds in - spray/tablet/cream?

Many thanks,
mj

Thank you. These strategies may help my bf who does not have itp but severe nosebleeds.