Sorry this is long...I have more questions...Possibly not for the weak stomached or "guys" Thanks
Not sure if any of these "things" are at all related but I will post them, however they are in no particular order

By way of background...I am post menopausal (have had no periods for over 2-3 years) but so far absolutely no symptoms of 'dryness" anywhere or lack of "drive" (if you get what I mean )
Also I rarely suffer from a blocked nose or any nasal discharge or hayfever (unless I have milk) even if I get the symptoms of a "cold"

Suffered from hay fever (but really milk allergy) as a kid & have only had one nose bleed (started left nostril) in my entire life (just after a tonsillectomy & nose operation at 25)
Other than that, I am usually pretty fit & healthy, even though I could do with getting more exercise & eating more vegs...

I think I touched on the slight mould issues with the lining of our curtains in a previous thread??

We also have a large spot on our carpet where a pot plant leaked, which is still waiting to be dealt with... Dampish smell is noticeable if we have been out all day or away...but no actual breathing issues here....

Also, I think it has only recently started happening, but I have been sneezing in the early evening, quite a few times, each time I come up to the study to "work"...

Sooo...just recently - as in Wed afternoon - totally out of the blue - my nose started bleeding at work (on a loo break) Felt something *ping* in my left nostril & the bleeding wouldn't stop for a good 20 minutes... Initially it was gushing out & also running down the back of my throat - Felt like I swallowed a small bucket load...Eeek!!

Then not quite 1 hr later I had to go to the loo 'suddenly' (prob'ly result of swallowing all that blood) & while there, had another nose bleed... Was on solo shift so "soldiered on" & this time it stopped a bit sooner, but I felt quite weak & had to drive down alone & pick up DH couple of hours later..Finally felt well enough to cook tea after an iron tablet & a sit down...

Felt quite ok next couple of days at work & today (Sat) was rostered for solo shift... Everything went ok from 9 till 12 when, then on my first toilet break, I had another "attack"  resulting in what felt like even more blood loss!!
Not just out my nose & down the back of the throat, but gushing out of nose & mouth at same time I couldn't even see to get paper, let clean it up!!!
I finally made it back upstairs & reopened the shop, & got all under control... but it was another hour before I could get hold of a co-worker to come in & cover for me (both bosses out without cell phones)
One bosse's response - "S'pse I'll have to come in?" Well duh??!! Was sent home to recover... & ponder... (with terse instructions to go see a doctor)

Now, only things I have been able to pinpoint since Wed morning that might be connected, are:
I had run out of Vit C (deficiency apparently can trigger nose bleeds)
Have been taking 2-4 Evening Primrose & Fish Oil(combined capsule) each day for a week or two...
I had also started taking x1 Garlic (Kyolic brand) each day for a few days...
I know that all of the above can thin the blood...
And I had also washed my hair bent over the bath on Wed Morning (head down for 10 mins I guess)
Do you reckon any or all of the above would've contributed to my nose bleeds?
Also I have read that in menopause (along with "down there"), nasal passages can get dry...& seeing as I'd had left side nostril blood vessel damaged previously, could it be a sensitivity that is now recurring?
Appreciate you reading this far...

keeping hydrated?

Ta; good point!! Not enough... We are not encouraged to drink at work as they don't like us taking toilet breaks
And this is a Health Food Shop I work in that is managed by an ex nurse who drinks coffee & herb tea & never goes to the toilet all shift!!!   I try to drink enough -  will increase!! Thanks!!
Wonder why it would suddenly manifest itself this way though? Maybe I cut back since the cooler weather started

Oh Possum!! that must have been scary!!! 20m copious bleeding is very long!! and to the back of the nose too, that is where the arterial bleeding is I read ...

Some thought provoking things from this link:

1.- Have you been drinking too much fruit juice lately.  Apparently this can compete with Vit K and vit K deficiency causes nose bleeds!

2.- are your shoulders even?  Uneven shoulders could create stress in areas that will upset blood supply to nose and cause nose bleeding ...

3.- Using too much Vit E, particularly in hand creams, skin contact.  Vit E competes with vit K producing vit K defiency and maybe nose bleeds ...


Read on (maybe you already have) ...

http://www.ctds.info/epistaxis.html

I will keep my ears and eyes open for further info and let you know.  I do not have much experience myself with nose bleeding, must have had a couple in my life, it could be a real nuisance and dangerous too.  Take care!!!  

Hey Possum:

If you stop Vit C suddenly and you have been taking it regularly for a while, the sudden stopping could bring on Vit C deficiency symptoms.

In order to stop the nosebleeds, I would start up on the Vit C again immediately and start with Vit K.  We live in a very dry climate with no humidity and lots of wind, my youngest son and I tend to get nosebleeds, my son like you however, gets the 1 hr with lots of blood loss.

Vitamin K seems to have stopped them.  Occasionally he will get bloody mucus now, but not the flood of blood.

Are there not labour laws about working alone in a retail store or regulated break times?  Sounds like the boss lady is rather draconian in her approach?

Take care.

I would have seen a doctor 'down' below, I think menopause even when seemingly heathy at such on early age to me seems not right.. I think it could point to 'other' hormone issues worth a visit ..unless you have done so before..  good luck ....  

the body s many cries for water, remember?

Possum, I don't have any advice but I surely hope you find out what is causing this. It's sounds frightening. I wish you the best and hope you find relief.

I have allergies to mold and was sick for weeks before I figured it out. The sickness morphed from thing to thing so it wasn't just like one symptom, although nose bleeds was not one fo them. If you are reacting to it, you need to address anything that could be aggrevating it. I actually had to leave a job over a mold allergy. They can make you very sick.

Lisa

Possum, you should have your blood pressure checked!  My mother had her first nose bleed, and when she went to the doctor, he told her that she had really high blood pressure and put her on meds right away.  

Seems that the nose bleed was her body's way to lowering the pressure in her system.

You should definitely rule this out.

I had a nose bleed like that when I was taking chemo 9 years ago.  Very alarming, to say the least.  My mucous membranes were very thin and dry from the chemicals and my blood was weak.  But I understand what you must have felt and I'm so sorry you went through that!  Chinese medicine might offer TienChi (pseudo ginseng) for stopping any kind of unwanted bleeding.

Check out the vit. K.  

Also recommended (by me ) pick up some good herbal salve with calendula and other soothing herbs, not drying ones like golden seal or echinacea, and put some on the tips of each pinky finger.  Massage gently into each nostril as far as you can reach.  I do this a.m. and p.m.  

Possum,

Please do get checked out to rule out any health issue.  Do you eat good amounts of greens?  This provides Vitamin K.
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=112

I've had instant nose bleeds caused by the wasabi paste that comes with sushi.  Just that small amount will give me an instant nose bleed just after the meal.  Luckily, being an A with lots of clotting factor, I didn't bleed as long or as heavily as you!  

Larry C has had serious nose bleeds caused by avoids that he didn't know were in the food he ate.  

Type O's have less clotting ability and the resulting blood loss can be very serious.  

Vitamin C food sources here:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=109

Aww thanks heaps for all the concern & advice
I am definitely thinking both Vit K & C are deficient - from these posts & my own musings...
Have upped the supplemtental vit C & had spinach 2-3 times now sine Wed...

Cristina - there was Vit E in the fish/flax/EPO capsules...so as I said, what with those & the extra garlic I started taking, (& stopped vit C due to running out) I think I have pinpointed some of the causes...

I have always had clotting problems since young - had a minor op (removal of a mole) when 12-13 & walked home (over an hour) from the outpatients, & wound would not stop bleeding all the way

I am taking it easy today & aiming to up my veg intake & Vit C & water!!! I am also thinking that my sensitivity to chemical air fresheners may have had something to do with it, as the staff loos has one of those types that spray out at regular intervals & the fact that this has only happened at work, makes me think...
And I always rush down the stairs to use the loo, so I am not away from the shop too long (especially if I have had to lock up & use the back in 5-10 mins sign) Who knows maybe all that rushing & turning corners, then the whole spray thing played a part too??!!

Not sure re early menopause... I started periods quite early (12) & apparently you can then  go through it early But I am planning to get everything checked out soon...

Also... I don't drink fruit juice; my shoulders are uneven & jean - yes you would think that re the break times... We do not get regular breaks - even toilet breaks are discouraged, as is drinking (verbally expressed to my horror!! 'Cos it lead to the need for loo breaks) & we are lucky if we get to sit down for lunch... That is mostly this woman's work ethic, not the owner of the stores...

Lots of food for thought Possum, hope you are feeling much better and no more recurrences of the nose bleed episodes.  Take care!!  

Maybe start using incontinance products on the job.   till they get the message. What labor laws cover you for required breaks, hand washing and the like?  Can you have a small garden?  I love eating off the vine for maximum vitamin C!  

Like Victoria, I had nose bleeds like the ones you described when I was a teen. One even lasted for 2.5 hours with lots of blood running down the back of my throat and the coughing up of blood clots. Not fun! My mom was a nurse and she took me to an ENT doc who cauterized the problem artery deep in my left nostril. I've not had a nose bleed like that since, thank goodness!

But I do live in a dry climate so I do lubricate the inside of my nostrils. A good herbal salve with calendula is good, like Victoria recommended. I often use petroleum jelly on a q-tip to get up deep in the nostrils. I know petroleum jelly is not considered the best but lately I've been having reactions to ingredients in lip balms but have yet to react negatively petroleum. Once your nasal membranes heal a bit, I would also add using a neti pot or other form of nasal irrigation to help shrink the mucosal lining and also keep the nasal membranes moist and healthy. After a shower is best as the steam also helps moisten the mucosa.

Quoted from Vicki

Maybe start using incontinance products on the job.   till they get the message. What labor laws cover you for required breaks, hand washing and the like?lol   Well tbh, I have at times (on solo shifts) resorted to using a container out the back, that I know the boss uses for cleaning - I always clean & sterilise it afterward, but it still makes me chuckle
Can you have a small garden?  I love eating off the vine for maximum vitamin C! Good idea

Quoted from Kristin

Like Victoria, I had nose bleeds like the ones you described when I was a teen. One even lasted for 2.5 hours with lots of blood running down the back of my throat and the coughing up of blood clots. Not fun! My mom was a nurse and she took me to an ENT doc who cauterized the problem artery deep in my left nostril. I've not had a nose bleed like that since, thank goodness! When I had that op back in my 20's I did have the vein deep in my left nostril cauterized... That was my first & only nosebleed.. From what I read, (& is obvious) cauterizing leaves scar tissue which of course is not as flexible as the surrounding tissue, so all things added up, this would have lead to problems in this same area - as it seems to have...

But I do live in a dry climate so I do lubricate the inside of my nostrils. A good herbal salve with calendula is good, like Victoria recommended. I often use petroleum jelly on a q-tip to get up deep in the nostrils. I know petroleum jelly is not considered the best but lately I've been having reactions to ingredients in lip balms but have yet to react negatively petroleum. Once your nasal membranes heal a bit, I would also add using a neti pot or other form of nasal irrigation to help shrink the mucosal lining and also keep the nasal membranes moist and healthy. After a shower is best as the steam also helps moisten the mucosa.

Possum - sorry to hear this mate.  You got lots of good advice here I don't know what to add but like Mum said, don't pick ya nose!     

Hope you get better soon - we don't want you getting scurvy or busting at work.  (I didn't know about vitamin E in creams interfering with Vitamin K - good on Cristina)  Great tips for moisturising the nostrils too Kristin and Victoria.  I'll try some lip balm on a q-tip now having a cold at the mo but at least I'm not haemorraging from the nasal passages!  Get that plumbing fixed Possum!

I'm hoping for early menopause too so bring it on.  

Is DH back safe and sound now?

I use Calendula Salve from the Supersalve Company.

http://supersalve.com/salves1.html

Contains: Cocoa butter, African shea butter, olive oil, organic calendula flowers, organic bee’s wax, mango butter, almond oil, neem oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil and essential oils of sweet orange, lemon & tangerine.

I use such a tiny amount of the salve and only a tiny percentage of that tiny amount is vit. E.  I'm not concerned about it in this case.

Also, I use a nasal/sinus irrigator called Nasaline every morning.  1 C warm water, 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/8 tsp baking soda.  It has improved the health of my sinuses and nostrils.

High quality shea butter is great to lubricate and heal the nostrils.  Warm a small amount between your fingers and apply inside each nostril.  

For many years, I used Ghee as a massage inside each nostril.  That is what was used in India when I was over there, so I just continued the practice.

Possum, I don't have any thing to add, I just wanted you to know that I have read this and I'm thinking about you.  (((hug)))

Aww Ribbit (((hugs))) back at you too & thanks!! & again thanks to the rest of you!!
This is indeed a terrific community!!

Continuing to drink plenty of water & had (raw) spinach & egg for breakfast...Spent most of yesterday in bed!! & yep DH is back
Macadamia nuts for lunch 'cos we went out & didn't get back in time... went to the organics shop & stocked up on vegs & free mineral water!!!

Funny thing, I also went over to work (20min drive) to pick up a customer's order that I was in no fit state to deliver (or remember) on Saturday...
Shop wasn't open as it was a public holiday & I didn't bother putting the lights on (so as not to attract customers)
I was just coming round the corner of a stand, on my way to leave, & I saw my boss was opening up the door.. Before she even heard me say "don't be alarmed" on seeing someone in the shop she let out a slightly "blue" word & jumped a mile out of her skin!!! I almost laughed
I'm thinking she may not be thanking me after all for being so diligent

Quoted from Possum

... & jumped a mile out of her skin!!! I almost laughed
I'm thinking she may not be thanking me after all for being so diligent

Specially without her skin on!!! or did she remember to pick it up?  

Sounds like you were having a love in like John and Yoko!   Don't know why Dr D doesn't mention horizontal disco dancing, cuddling and pillow talk in his books... Super beneficial for all types.    

Glad that Mr Possum is back safe and that Possum can return to her habitual nocturnal and daytime activities.  I'm sure she'll feel better soon.  

Your boss, if she was following her inhuman rules may have even wet herself when you scared her!!