Tips

What tips do others have?

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

• Stay in regular contact with your local Haemophilia Treatment Centre (HTC) team and make sure you keep up with anything new. The HTC is there to help and can give you advice or talk over any problems or concerns
• Keep in touch with your Haemophilia Foundation for updates on new information and enjoy a chat with other women who know what it’s like.

IF YOU HAVE A BLEEDING DISORDER

• Bring HFA booklets with you to any medical, health or dental appointments. You can use them to help answer questions you might be asked. Your HTC might also have specific brochures you can take with you, for example, on surgery or dentistry if you have a bleeding disorder.
• Make sure you know what type of bleeding disorder you have and how severe it is.
• If you are registered for the ABDR, ask the Haemophilia Treatment Centre to organise an ABDR patient card for you. The ABDR patient card explains your diagnosis, what treatment you should be given and who should be contacted for further advice. Keep the card on you for quick reference.
• Show your other doctors, dentist, and health care providers your ABDR patient card and ask them to liaise with your Haemophilia Treatment Centre. This will help with getting appropriate treatment. It will also make it easier to obtain treatment if you need it when you are away from your usual hospital or Haemophilia Treatment Centre, for example, if you are travelling or have moved interstate or overseas. 
• Always inform your doctor, dentist or surgeon if you have a bleeding disorder before having any medical, dental or surgical procedures, no matter how minor. 
• Before you have any procedures, contact your Haemophilia Treatment Centre and discuss the medical support you may need to prevent bleeding complications. Where possible, plan this well ahead of time. The Haemophilia Treatment Centre team may also need to liaise with your surgical or dental team or other health professionals involved in your care to discuss the best approach for you individually and any pre- or post-treatment care you may need.
• Before you start taking anything prescribed by your doctor, naturopath or other health practitioner check with them whether it is safe for someone with a bleeding disorder. Some medicines, vitamins and supplements can interfere with blood clotting and healing, or can irritate your mucous membranes such as your nasal passages or stomach lining. This includes some herbal and homeopathic medicines and others available over-the-counter, such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. Speak with your haematologist or your pharmacist about which medicines you need to be cautious with or avoid.