Medical Question

[<animal>INSTINCT]

Sooo, I've been having these strange and random nosebleeds for about a year now. They just occur at random times (usually the most inconvenient times), and when they hit, one nostril will bleed continuously for like 5-10 minutes. It gets really bad, to the point where if I don't let it flow like a faucet from my nose, then I just caugh up huge blobs of bloody mucus. Then after I'm done losing a pint or so of blood, I have to refrain from caughing or sneezing or even blowing my nose for the rest of the day, unless I want to start the whole process over.

I can't figure out what the cause is. I haven't had my nose broken in like 8 years, and typically my seasonal allergies aren't that bad. I have also had random, sharp, but brief migranes that have been coming and going for about a year (related?).

It's really starting to get on my nerves, and I know that if I go to a doctor, his solution is going to be to cauterize the inside of my nostril and that doesn't sound like much fun (my cousin had a nosebleed that wouldn't stop and that was how they stopped it).

Does anyone here know what might be the cause of this, or even better, how to fix it? I know I'm really stretching by asking on the podium, but this is free and a consultation from a physician is not. Plus I trust most of the TWI community more than I trust doctors

 

[Fu. Svedberg]

How old are you?

Might just be a puberty thing

 

[<animal>INSTINCT]

Almost 22, also, not sure if it has any relevance, but I've been smoking for almost 7 years

 

[Nimsky]

No offense, and I don't want to start a political discussion here, but it's kind of a sad testimony to the US health care system that you're asking this on a forum rather than going to the doctor. I wonder if it's a common thing there, that people withhold going to the doctor because it might be too expensive.

Best visit the doctor, dude. Sounds pretty serious.

 

[Chadwiick]

Maybe you could just stop breathing? Haha, me joking.
But yeah... best bet is to see a doctor or google it up on what you can diagnose yourself.
I had some kidney problems not too long ago (they felt they were burning a bit) but I looked it up and I was just dehighdrated (or however you spell that).
And to be captain obvious, its probably a genetical problem.

 

[Nestor Makhno]

tbh it sounds like you will end up having to go for the cauterisation thing. I am not surprised a guy would post such a query on these forums... we guys generally hate going to doctor's offices, in my experience.

Not sure how sad a reflection your plight is on whichever country you come from, as I have no idea where you are from. I suppose I could blame the UK's NHS

 

[LightsabeR]

The most common reason would probably be that you have a weak and exposed blood vessel in your nose. There might be something more to it, but it would be a wild guess, so your best bet is to go see a doctor.

I have Von Willembrand disease and when I was younger and my nasal blood vessels were weaker I often had to go and get them cauterized. Usually it was done with some sort of acid, which really wasn't that painful, since before applying it they numbed the inside of the nose with some other medicine.

If you don't have any blood diseases then in most cases a single cauterization will do the trick. So just man up and get it done.

 

[<animal>INSTINCT]

To answer Nestor, I am from the US, and yes Nimsky, I too find the health care system in my country to be despicable, especially considering that I am a volunteer firefighter and therefore risk my life for complete strangers FOR FREE. I'm covered by the department health package, but even that only covers me if I'm injured while on duty.

I guess I'm gonna have to go to the doctor, which means I'm going to have to come up with a crazy plan to get a free trip to the doctor. I just hope that if they have to cauterize my nostril, they don't do it with a soldering iron like they did with my cousin (not to mention he had no form of anesthesia).

 

[LightsabeR]

I guess I'm gonna have to go to the doctor, which means I'm going to have to come up with a crazy plan to get a free trip to the doctor. I just hope that if they have to cauterize my nostril, they don't do it with a soldering iron like they did with my cousin (not to mention he had no form of anesthesia).

At least in my case the machine that looks like an electric soldering iron was only used when it was really bad and they couldn't apply acid, since they're were unable to stop the bleeding. I've had it done a few times and it can sometimes be painful (nothing insane tho).

If they use the acid+anesthesia combo, then in most cases you won't feel a thing (if the doctor has a steady arm ).

You might get off easy as well. They might just give you a "salve" that you rub inside your nose. The point is that it keeps the inside of your nose soft, which lessens the chance of damaging the blood vessels, which in turn gives them more time to heal and grow strong.

But yeah, go see a doctor.

 

[Colt .45 killer]

.. do you pick your nose?

 

[UncleDrax]

Frankly, there are both several serious and non-serious causes of chronic nose bleeds. (ranging from things like just dry climent that your nose doesn't like, to allergy issues, to needing to stop snorting cocaine, to brain tumors)..

FORUMS, especially general purpose forums like the RO ones are definitely NOT the best source of information. Might I recommend something a bit more topical like WebMD? Sure there might be some actual doctors that frequent here, but most people here are just going to speculate. I know you already said that you realize this isn't the best source of info, but seriously, dig around more.

Any other symptoms? Headaches? so on? Do the happen soon after you're on a call and on-air? (wondering if maybe the air in your tank is alot drier maybe, causing you issues, I dunno.. I'm not a doc, so I'm just guessing here..)

It's pretty sucky that you're Vol.FD coverage doesn't help here.. (Thank you for your service!).. I guess you could orchestrate getting hit in the face while on a call :[
Since you're not even 22 yet, there is a possibility that you might be grandfathered in under your parents coverage (if applicable.. worth looking into).. I'm not certain what the most recent US Federal legislation stands on the issue, but I do believe there was a change in that regard.
I'm also assuming you're not also enrolled in a college, as many colleges/uni's have a Nurse on duty.

Are any of your coworkers also Paramedics? They might have an idea?

Regardless, best of luck, and I hope it's something minor!

 

[PUTZ]

...there is a possibility that you might be grandfathered in under your parents coverage (if applicable.. worth looking into).. I'm not certain what the most recent US Federal legislation stands on the issue, but I do believe there was a change in that regard...

Pretty sure it's now up to 25 or 26yrs. (mostly, because I qualify...again...)

 

[dogbadger]

.. do you pick your nose?

I guess not or he'd pick one that didn't bleed - Ay thang yawl
I'm here all week

 

[<animal>INSTINCT]

I'm actually covered under my parents' health insurance because I am also going to college, but their rates are already ridiculously high without my getting sick making it worse and the coverage they have isn't good for much other than if I have a bullet in my chest.

And I have asked the paramedics in my department about it, sadly annoying nosebleeds isn't really their area of expertise.

I'm due for a physical for the FD soon, I guess I can ask about it there since it's already free

 

[Grobut]

Frankly, there are both several serious and non-serious causes of chronic nose bleeds. (ranging from things like just dry climent that your nose doesn't like, to allergy issues, to needing to stop snorting cocaine, to brain tumors)..

This + it could be high blood preasure combined with an exposed vein in the nose ^

It could be nothing, but it could also be very bad, so best go see a doctor about it just to make sure.

If it turns out to be nothing, then atleast you can relax, and if it turns out to be bad news, well, then it's allways best to catch it as early as possible, so either way, go get it checked.

 

[timur]

Might I recommend something a bit more topical like WebMD?

sorry to totally dodge the main points of both the post and the thread, but I suggest something other than MD; it jumps to the worst possibilities (it feeds off of paranoia) and is funded by the drug companies, so expect a perscription you don't need.

I personally check the MayoClinic site if anything is wrong, but there are many other similar sites that are less paranoia fuel than MD.

/rant

 

[kablooie!]

Ah The Internet for medical advice and diagnosis. Scares you more effectively than any horror movie ever could.... and then some.

I'm sorry you have to worry about money when going to the doctor. That is wrong on so many levels... but that's a whole other discussion.

I'm sure you'll be fine but I hope you manage to see a doctor soon. Best of luck.

 

[Jamer]

A pint of blood seems like a lot to be losing.
Having migraines for the same amount of time you've been having nose bleeds sounds quite possibly related.
Not knowing is just that.I would get my butt to the Doctor and put aside my personal feelings about what you think they might do.
No offense but seems silly to me to ignore your health issue's because you want free advice from... the internet.
What's the price you gotta pay if your seriously ill? What's the price your loved ones would pay.

I'm not trying to be dramatic here, I just think you should take it a little more seriously.

 

[triath]

You're going to have to suck it up and go see an FP. It sounds like Von Willebrand disease but no one on the internet can decide this.

 

[Crusher]

I've had an extremely amount of nose bleeds in my lifetime, after a while, I was 21 or something, I got them pretty much every day so I went to a doctor who send me to a nose specialist who burned the vessels in my nose shut. The past 2 years I've had like 1 nosebleed, sometimes I still bleed a bit while blowing my nose but it's a big improvement. Nose bleeds always happen at a bad time.