Question:
For the past year I have been having nose bleeds almost daily...

When it first started it was at least twice a day, especially in the morning. Now it is about three times a week. I haven't been on a specific medication and I mentioned it to my doctor and he didn't say anything about it. Another weird thing is it's ALWAYS on the left side. Has anyone experienced this and what did it mean?, I am still pre-op.    — LaKeAffy (posted on April 22, 2002)

April 22, 2002
Nerves and elevated BP can do that. I have had t happen to me....
   — bob-haller

April 22, 2002
If it's always on one side, you probably have a blood vessel that is close to the surface. It can be easy to break them open by blowing your nose, dry air, or just irritation. High blood pressure can also be a contributing factor.
   — Cory F.

April 22, 2002
My 5 year old has almost the same problem, although not as frequently as yours. He wakes up at night a couple times a month with a pretty bad nosebleed...then usually has one the day after in school. They are almost always on his left side, too. My pediatrician basically said what one of hte previous poster said..that it is a blood vessel close to the surface that has a hard time healing with the constant nosebleeds. I try to keep a humidifier in his room at night to limit the dryness. Good luck...I'm also pre-op, scheduled for open RNY on June 20!
   — MaryBeth R.

April 22, 2002
I've suffered from the same problem. Left nostril, severe bleeding at the drop of a hat. I'd never had nose bleeds prior to surgery. My doctor performed every imaginable test and they all came back normal. I suggest you see your doctor to find out if there is an underlying cause. As mysteriously as the nose bleed started they stopped. Look around your environment. Has anything changed? The weather, allergies, blood pressure? I know how scary nose bleeds can be but I was able to get them to stop by putting firm pressure on the bridge of my nose and holding it for a while. Do not hold your head back because this will cause the blood to go down the back of your throat and can cause stomach upset. Lean forward a little and keep the pressure constant. Hope this helps.
   — Teresa G.

April 24, 2002
I've always been a nose bleeder since I was a little. I think they were always on just the left side. (I think there is a vessel to close to the inside of the nose). However around 20 years ago I decided to take 500 mg of vitamin C a day and man did the nose bleeds increase! Ouch. I find I can tak 250 mg a day ok if I want to. Check, maybe you are taking vitamin C or some medicine that is doing this.
   — Danmark

February 15, 2004
I've always had problems with nosebleeds - enough so I've had to choose a non-dry climate to live in so that I wouldn't get them. After my WLS, I had monster problems with nosebleeds, of course, in my left nostril. I've been told in the past that the nosebleeds were due to a vessel that was too close to the surface of my nostril...and I could tell that this was true because the nosebleed would start up again after sneezing or bumping my nose or something. I'm 3 weeks post-op, and they've slowed down. I think the reason I've been having them so much is because I'm post-op. Healing requires quite a bit more platelet coverage, so my guess is that my platelets are going to the incisions and digestive system and not to my nose. What's helped is putting the humidifier on high at all times. It's loud, but it's worth it. I've been 1 1/2 weeks without one, after having one about two-three times per day from that nostril.
   — Kelly V.