Anyone else on anti-coagulants?

Pete McMiller

Pete McMiller

Well-known member
There are a number of products on the market to assist in blood clotting - anyone have a recommendation? Had to start taking Plavix in January after triple stent procedures and find that even tiny nicks/cuts/scrapes take forever to stop bleeding. Have to start thinking of preparations and procedures for that eventuality in the field.
 
Pete,

Started with coumadin, but hated the monthly protime (sp?) checks. Doc switched me to Xarelto which is more "forgiving" of diet inconsistencies and does not require monthly tests.

I do bleed easier than before the meds were started (after a couple blood clot issues) but the Xarelto seems to be working better for me. Incidental nicks bleed but do quit with a Band-Aid.
 
Don't know how this would work out for you, but when I accidentally cut the dogs' nails too short, I put on some cayenne powder. straight up cayenne. I've heard it used on people for the same thing is pretty effective but don't know if it would be as effective if you're taking anti-coagulants.
 
I've heard that too Dani. Also people using black pepper, flour, etc.. I am going to investigate some of the powders sold at Walgreens, etc. as well as a back country trauma kit for when I'm not anywhere near medical assistance.
 
Pete -

I've been taking Plavix for well over 13 years, with just a small break in taking it, and have adjusted to the situation. I use no blood clotting products, accept direct pressure.


I told my cardiologists that I am a decoy carver, using very sharp knives, a hunter and fisherman. They advised "Be Very Careful." A no brainer.

That said I try my best to be Very Careful, especially in the field, or on the stream. Filed dressing and butchering fish & game, go slowly and focus on task at hand.

Always carry Band-Aids (all sizes), a small emergency kit and a larger kit in the vehicle. Go nowhere without a cell phone, mine is a old flip phone my daughter made me get.


In the field wear clothes that protect as much skin area as possible in all seasons, gloves that cover the wrist, and of course glasses and a good hat.

During warm fishing season I wear Columbia PFG long sleeve shirts and zip off leg pants. Days of wet wading in shorts are over, the PFG pants work just fine.


Persil laundry soap works very well on all the blood stains you will find on your clothes, from cuts you did not know you have.

Scratches are no longer just scratches, and hydrogen peroxide works wonders ASAP.

Dental appointments can be very interesting.

Other medical procedures will give you instructions about taking Plavix.


It can do a job on your stomach, but again your trading one thing for another.


Things will happen, but you will be able to handle them if your mind is ready to accept it's all part of the deal of Being Alive.


I wish you well.

Best regards
VP
 
Thanks for the reply Vince. Yes, this is my new normal - unfortunately I've had to adjust to several "new normals" the past several years. Still, it sure beats the alternative.

Already thinking about a lot of scenarios that could get me in trouble. This time of year I play around with razor sharp broadheads much more than usual as well as the typical knives. As you said, just be more aware. I'm thinking that on top of the anti-coagulant powders that a full on trauma kit/bag is not a bad idea at all.
 
I've been on Coumadin since the fall of 1992 when I had to get an aortic valve replacement so I have become sorta an expert at stopping bleeding. For nicks, minor cuts, slices etc., I have found nothing better than WoundCare powder found at most all drug stores. It really does a great and pretty much instant job of stopping bleeding. It goes with me along with tough strip style bandaids on all trips as I keep it in my truck, blind bags, deer hunting pack, tackle box, etc. I would also gauze and athletic tape for bigger, deeper cuts with you on all remote trips as well.

Last year was first time since being on Coumadin that I had to go to the emergency room to stop bleeding. It wouldn't have matter if I was on coumadin or not as I inadvertently sliced my finger down to the bone on a broadhead while gutting a deer. Didn't realize that the broadhead had broken off inside the deer. I knew instantly it was going to be an emergency room visit. This resulted is several stitches. However I did finish gutting the deer by putting a rag around my finger and taping it on with duct tape I had in my side by side. Good news was due to being on Coumadin and size of cut, I didn't have to wait at the emergency room. Haha
 
styptic(sp) stick. Used for shaving nicks. Alum seems to be the main ingredient. Check your local pharmacy.
 
Pete

"Sure beats the alternative" is correct.

I went to a crossbow, thinking it would be better for my "condition" and safety. I still hunt, so it has been an adventure..

One time the cocking device came undone (due to my haste), and whacked my inner arm. Even though I was wearing a camo jacket and layers of clothes, the black and blue marks in the photo got worse, and lasted for months, but hey that's Plavix.


After my first MI, if I sat on something not padded my butt would be black and blue from Plavix. When I complained to my cardiologist he said "it's better than dying". I agreed.


The trauma kit/bag is a very good idea, along with knowing your limitations most of the time.


If you do use something to try to stop the bleeding other than direct pressure, have it OK'd by your cardiologist first. I use NO supplements, or over the counter meds, etc. without getting the OK first.

Indoors is not the place for guys like us, nor being a cardio cripple. Thinking more and never rushing things, keeps us where we belong. A new world does open up for us to enjoy..





View attachment Vince crossbow boo boo.jpg
 
I had a scary experience while on coumadin after a car accident and multiple orthopedic surgeries. This has nothing to do with the bleeding issues, which I never had, but may serve as a warning about another issue.

I was sent home to recover after a long time in the hospital, and about 3 or 4 days into recovery woke up with nausea and a headache. It got worse, and I have a history of migraines, so I eventually convinced my wife to take me to my GP for migraine medication. She wrote me a script, and was about to send me home when she had second thoughts and said, "Given your accident, I'll feel better if we get a CAT scan to rule out any chance this is something more serious." Fortunately, my GP was right next to the hospital and they hustled me right in for the scan.

45 minutes later I knew something was badly wrong when the CAT scan tech suddenly had 6 other people in the room with her. As I realized this and started raising my head to look around, she came on the intercom and ordered me to lie down and not move. A few minutes later they scooped me up and put me in an ambulance for the one hour ride to Portland where there was a neurosurgeon on duty.

It turned out I had a very mild concussion from the accident. So mild they didn't even diagnose it at the time while dealing with multiple broken limbs, or during the 5 weeks after that I spent in the hospital. But when they put me on coumadin to send me home, it started bleeding, and the swelling from the bleeding put enough pressure on my brain to risk permanent injury. The surgeon in Portland drilled a hole in my skull to relieve the pressure, and I was feeling ok by the next morning and driving the ICU nurses crazy. I was home 2 days later with no permanent issues other than a divot over my right ear that remains but is not yet visible in the bald spot.

It wasn't until much later that my wife told me they'd told her there was a good chance I'd suffer brain damage or die before I got to the surgeon.

Moral of the story: If you get a weird headache while on blood thinners, take it seriously and get to a doctor ASAP.
 
Does Single Malt Scotch count?

I would carry a suture kit and/or skin stapler.

What did/do Army medics use? A powder of some kind I think.
 
Pete McMiller said:
Thanks for the reply Vince. Yes, this is my new normal - unfortunately I've had to adjust to several "new normals" the past several years. Still, it sure beats the alternative.

Already thinking about a lot of scenarios that could get me in trouble. This time of year I play around with razor sharp broadheads much more than usual as well as the typical knives. As you said, just be more aware. I'm thinking that on top of the anti-coagulant powders that a full on trauma kit/bag is not a bad idea at all.
Click to expand...

Well you could always find yourself some pretty young thing whom has graduated from nursing school and knows how to attend to emergencies. [whistle]

Ya I know, trauma kit would be cheaper and less maintenance. (also less fun)
 
Pete,
This thread is definitely a sign that many of us are getting to be old or older ducks.

If posted 20 years ago, we would have thought "anti-coagulants" was an additive for the duck boat gas line during ice condition.

But we aint' as young as we used to be.

I hope you and our other friends here stay safe around knives and broad heads. Interesting from one reply: I never thought about blood thinners and nicking yourself while wading and fishing. More to think about for sure.

Always good to read your posts,
Larry
 
Moral of the story without going into detail...your hospital ED physician(s) screwed-up major by not checking you for a concussion, and nearly killed you in the process. Your brain gets to "ride along" inside a fluid filled sac in your brain case. Anytime you are moving at speed and become stationary nearly instantaneously, your brain collides with your skull, frequently causing a hematoma that not only induces swelling and consequent pressure, but causes significant fluid deposition via damaged and leaking capillaries.
 
RLLigman said:
Moral of the story without going into detail...your hospital ED physician(s) screwed-up major by not checking you for a concussion, and nearly killed you in the process. Your brain gets to "ride along" inside a fluid filled sac in your brain case. Anytime you are moving at speed and become stationary nearly instantaneously, your brain collides with your skull, frequently causing a hematoma that not only induces swelling and consequent pressure, but causes significant fluid deposition via damaged and leaking capillaries.
Click to expand...

That was not the assessment of my neurologist. And believe me, I asked.
 
I always appreciate good fiction. I am not surprised that he would cover for them. Just "professional courtesy" that is not professional, nor a courtesy to anyone, particularly the patient.

Who prescribed the anti-coagulant? They were managing you to minimize micro-thrombi inducing an ischemic stroke, and essentially induced a hemmorhagic stroke, per your description of events.

One of the consequences of today's health care environment is the general loss of the physician as patient advocate...
 
Beyond what I chose to share--and now regret sharing--in my original reply, I'll just say that my case was extremely complicated. It's surprising that I survived the car accident itself, much less the many complications afterward, and I am confident that my case had appropriate review at multiple levels. I am not interested in additional discussion of it, especially on a public internet forum.
 
Yes. I have factor IV Leiden - I will be on warfarin (Coumadin) forever. I tried xarelto when I first left the hospital, I reclotted with 48 hours and was readmitted for another 5 days.

Granted most people don't have genetic clotting disorders like me and would probably be fine, but I don't trust the new stuff. Warfarin has been around forever and they know how to manage it. my 2 cents
 
I haven't had any issues with bleeding too much yet. they keep my INR between 2-3. With my glorious genetics I have no issues making sweet clots LOL
 
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