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Atrial Fibrillation Support

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Worried

Wightbaby profile image
41 Replies

Good morning everybody.

Am waiting for a call from my GP after calling 111 earlier, as when I woke up this morning, my right thumb was and still is, dark purple. No other symptoms.

Could be nothing to do with AF but suspect it is. I take Edoxaban 30 daily. Anyone else had similar?

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Wightbaby profile image
Wightbaby
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41 Replies
Jalia profile image
Jalia

Had nothing like this but must be worrying for you. Will be interested to hear the outcome.

Wightbaby profile image
Wightbaby

Thanks John6. That is a bit reassuring.......it has never happened before so was a bit of a shock.Been on Edoxaban for about 15 months now.

Still waiting on the phone call

Physalis profile image
Physalis in reply to Wightbaby

Since about 1990 I have had the occasional bleed, mainly to my fingers. I gather that is quite common. I get a stinging feeling and look down to see the bruise.

Hylda2 profile image
Hylda2 in reply to Physalis

Snap!

Wightbaby profile image
Wightbaby in reply to Physalis

This was painless...looked like frost bite originally!

Adalaide2020 profile image
Adalaide2020

I get blue tips to my fingers when cold but that goes once they are warmed up. I too get painful bruises on the joints of some fingers and they sting like hell. Go away like all bruises in the end but its painful. I'm on apixaban. My partner gets these bruises too but he is very healthy and not on any meds so we put ours down to poor circulation a d age. I'm 65, he is 70. Not sure of this any help.

Wightbaby profile image
Wightbaby in reply to Adalaide2020

Thanks. I am 68 next week. I get a cold nose often when watching TV, and in winter only, a "white finger" but never had anything like this before. Still waiting to chat to GP. It's pm now...was supposed to get a call this morning

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

I go one better than white finger. I get "white hand" following arterial damage during angiogram . No pulse in right wrist which is a good laugh when you want to confuse nurse or doctor. lol 😂

fairgo45 profile image
fairgo45 in reply to BobD

That's interesting Bob as recently an angiogram damaged my artery in the wrist it caused a psudo anurism emergency surgery in Wellington it only happens to 1% of people I didn't know my pulse won't come back so why is that then

I'm still healing but so far no white finger

Mrsvemb profile image
Mrsvemb in reply to fairgo45

I had this too and also had surgery. The pulse won’t come back because the artery is no longer. In my case the surgeon found one end but the other end had pinged up my arm. Never had any problems because the Ulna artery feeds the arm. Surgeon said never to let anyone put a needle in that arm or a BP cuff. Mine happened about 10 years ago.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply to fairgo45

I was told due to scarring in the artery rendering it constricted and stiff. They say that the body finds other ways to feed the blood around via the ulnar artery on the other side. I now have quite an active pulse have way up the inner side of my arm.. They told me it was rare too!

GrannyE profile image
GrannyE in reply to fairgo45

You really don’t want to be one of that %. Makes me realise how lucky I am.

GrannyE profile image
GrannyE in reply to BobD

Goof grief! I too get white fingers a lot but how horrible to get white hand and no pulse. Not good at all Bob

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply to GrannyE

No problem once you know and it is fun confusing people into thinking you are dead. Just need an extra heart like Dr Who next.

Ducky2003 profile image
Ducky2003 in reply to BobD

Interesting party trick there Bob 😁.

GrannyE profile image
GrannyE in reply to BobD

We would all like one of those!

Surreychica_1 profile image
Surreychica_1 in reply to BobD

😂 A bit worrying though!! Glad you have a sense of humour.👌

Adalaide2020 profile image
Adalaide2020

I hope by now you have heard from GP.

Wightbaby profile image
Wightbaby in reply to Adalaide2020

No. Despite chasing my surgery twice. Its now 8pm

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Any news re GP's call?

Wightbaby profile image
Wightbaby in reply to jeanjeannie50

NO! Have chased twice(last time at 5.00, and been told an on-call doctor will call me.It's now 8pm...no one will call now will they? It has faded a bit, but that's not the point, is it?

Still needs consultation, I feel

Adalaide2020 profile image
Adalaide2020 in reply to Wightbaby

My GP does phone quite late at times. It's the only way they can keep up with demand. Have you tried to massage it? I see you say there is no pain or swelling? Maybe Google it and see if you get an answer. You are right you shouldn't have had to wait so long. Crazy.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Wightbaby

Still nothing? If so that's disgraceful! I feel lately that no one in the medical profession really cares about patients. Saying that, my lovely lady GP does. Really hope someone does call you, of course they may know that it's nothing to worry about, but you need to hear that.

in reply to jeanjeannie50

This is a bit harsh Jean!!!!

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to

Just my feeling of the moment, it will pass.

GrannyE profile image
GrannyE in reply to Wightbaby

Not good when you don’t get a response from 111.

baba profile image
baba

If you are still worried or in pain call 111 again.

Frances123 profile image
Frances123

I too get the occasional bleed. Like Physalis, I get a stinging and then one of my fingers is going blue/mauve. Up until last time it was always fingers but last time it was a toe and boy that hurt to walk. Luckily the pain goes in a day usually but colour can stay for a couple. Hope you have heard from doctor by now. x

heartlover profile image
heartlover

Hope you have heard from your gp by now, an angiogram caused my stroke, I get the usual bruising because I'm on apixaban, but I also get complete blood shot right eye stroke side, gp said it could be the apixaban...

This article lists various different causes of purple finger:

verywellhealth.com/what-cau...

Lovetheoutdoors profile image
Lovetheoutdoors

I find I get broken blood vessels. Goes blue and stings like a bee sting. Got them before apixaban. My mother did too and said that's why she never smacked us!! Opening a door, simple things and it happens. Hope you found out cause of your problem .

GrannyE profile image
GrannyE in reply to Lovetheoutdoors

I used to get burst blood vessels in my fingers more frequently than today. I find that taking bioflavonoids helps prevent it happening so only get them occasionally now.

secondtry profile image
secondtry

I would do circulation exercises including a brisk walk and maybe light massage as it is likely you slept on it.

Re GP surgeries, I fear gone are the days of 'your doctor'. I picked up my pills yesterday and was told my excellent doctor had left to emigrate to New Zealand (the last good one went to Australia!) and that there were now two locus male doctors. Certainly puts the accent on more early self-help.

belindalore profile image
belindalore in reply to secondtry

Wow. So nice of them to tell you. 😒 You're right. Gone are the days of "your doctor". Same here in the USA. Why people don't even bother going to the doctor anymore. No compassion or caring for the patient. Most of the time I feel like a "bother". Besides insurance makes the decisions and the Drs won't fight for you against them.

Ducky2003 profile image
Ducky2003 in reply to secondtry

Since Covid, you're lucky to physically see a Dr at our surgery. Only one has been going in to cover 2 surgeries that are 4 miles apart. I think that its going to take something now to crowbar them off their sofas, out of their jogging bottoms and back into work. 🤨.

secondtry profile image
secondtry in reply to Ducky2003

Yes, I don't know the full story but I kind of assumed most people like me would have been avoiding the surgery at all costs over the last year and therefore the doctors would have been underworked; but it seems other factors are involved.

Ducky2003 profile image
Ducky2003 in reply to secondtry

I know someone who is a GP receptionist and they have had to go in every day as usual and face the wrath of patients who have not been able to see a GP or get a telephone appointment and have then rung 111 to be told to ring their GP. Not a great state of affairs.

bassets profile image
bassets

I hope you have had some luck talking to a doctor? My GP's seem to have gone to ground too. I also have bruises and bleeds when trying to open a stiff door handle etc. Let us know how you get on. Best wishes.

Tapanac profile image
Tapanac

Yes I have unexplained bruises on my hands occasionally when I wake up. Especially on the underside of my fingers. We joke my husband has been beating me up in the night! I’m on apixaban and very often now I get those old age blood blister type things on my arms and the veins and thread veins in my legs are so much worse. In fact on the inside of my feet going towards the sole from the side are very blue. The pulse is ok though.

I hope you’ve now heard from your doctor with reassurance.

MarkS profile image
MarkS

I'm on warfarin and I get purple thumb occasionally. Usually after I've been carrying something heavy or knocked it without realising, e.g. when sailing. I think it's just bruising and it goes away in a day or two.

Surreychica_1 profile image
Surreychica_1

What is the cause!! sounds frightening!!

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