The topic at hand is about noticing blood in an ostomy pouch while taking the blood thinner Eliquis (apixaban). The person experiencing this is curious if this is a normal side effect or if it should be a cause for concern. Here are some helpful insights and advice from others who have shared similar experiences:

1. It's important to keep an eye on the situation. If you notice any changes in the bleeding pattern, it's a good idea to have it checked again, even if your surgeon initially reassured you.

2. Not everyone taking Eliquis experiences stoma bleeding. Some people on the same dosage (5 mg twice daily) report no bleeding, indicating that this isn't a common side effect for everyone.

3. Make sure the wafer opening isn't too tight. If it's cut too closely, it might rub against the stoma and cause bleeding, especially when you're on a blood thinner. You might want to try using pre-cut wafers or recutting them to leave a small gap (about 1/8 inch) around the stoma to avoid any contact trauma.

4. If the bleeding is persistent or heavy, it's not something to ignore, even if you're on a blood thinner. It's wise to seek further evaluation from your surgeon or an ostomy nurse to rule out any local injury or other issues.