Bruise/haematoma: Hi, just after a bit... - British Heart Fou...

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Bruise/haematoma

LucyBoo21 profile image
20 Replies

Hi, just after a bit of advice please.

I'm on dual blood thinners (aspirin and clopidogrel) and bruise very easily.

I have a massive bruise on my calf (don't know how I did it either!) which I've had for 2 ½ weeks. The bruise is fading but I had a hard lump in the middle of it which isn't going down.

It doesn't really hurt but I'm worried about why it won't go away.

Should I get it checked out or just not worry and it will eventually go of it's own accord?

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LucyBoo21
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20 Replies
Tos92 profile image
Tos92

Bruising is a common symptom of blood thinners. Although I have no personal experience, I would suggest that if you are worried about the lump, you make an appointment with the GP or call 111 for advice. There are many others who do take blood thinners, so I hope they will share their experiences too.

All the best.

Tos

Hi, I had a Haematoma last year. What I'd say as I found out, they're not like normal bruising by any stretch of the imagination and can take some time to go. Mine was a bleed in a muscle, which eventually went of its own accord, but, only after an extended time in hospital and much pain.

If the lump remains, I'd suggest getting it looked at.

BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28-

Hello :-)

When I was on both blood thinners I used to get some really bad bruises all the time and never knew what I had done to get them but the thinners are keeping the blood nice and thin which you need at the moment but bruising is very common due to this I also started to develop nose bleeds to but once I was just on Aspirin everything went back to normal and I suspect the same might be for you

However if it is concerning you because of the lump then I would either talk with the Rehab Nurses if you have one or speak with your Doctor so they can confirm there is nothing wrong

Let us know how you get on :-) x

Blearyeyed profile image
Blearyeyed

Although we can all bruise very badly and bruises can look awful and take longer to disappear on blood thinners , the lump is not typical and may need additional treatment.I think you do need to arrange for an appointment with the GP to have it examined and you would probably benefit from asking for an x-ray , especially if it is still painful or causing you discomfort when you walk or move.

Much better to have it checked and find out it's nothing than leave it and find a problem later on.

Take care , Bee

LucyBoo21 profile image
LucyBoo21

Thank you everyone. I'll send an econsult to my GP with a photo and see what they say.

I've had constant bruises as I'm a little clumsy but this is the first time I've had a big lump come up, weirdly I also have a tiny one on my arm as well.

As it isn't normal for me and it's been a while now so I guess a check up is needed.

I'll keep you the posted. 🙂

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

Hello,

I am on clopidogrel and bruise very easily. I literally have to lightly brush into something.

A painless lump, blood clot forms followed by a dramatic bruise which takes weeks to go.

If you're worried have a chat with your GP or Pharmacist.

An example of my latest bruise
LucyBoo21 profile image
LucyBoo21 in reply toMilkfairy

Thank you! That's very similar to mine.

Ageingfast profile image
Ageingfast

Dear Lucy

Good advice from others….get it checked out.

I have taken Clopidogrel for several years and have had nothing bad. Apart from if I get a cut or scratch that won’t stop bleeding. No bruises. I have been advised to not take aspirin, except if I get a migraine, which is now blissfully rare.

I hope it all goes well

Sooty

Yogi1950s profile image
Yogi1950s

Hi LucyBoo,As others have said bruises are so common and often for no reason that we can think of. I regularly describe myself as more bruised than a peach in Sainsbury's!!!

Lumps on the other hand simply sound wrong. Unless there is a definite cause that you can identify 100% then get it checked out. Better safe than sorry

Yogi

Zed1063 profile image
Zed1063

HI Snap! I always bruise no matter what I touch! Yes I have hard lumps in mine it it the internal damage to that area I believe, I just wait and they go away but if you are worried go speak to your GP even if for reassurance.

Survivor1952 profile image
Survivor1952

On a different thinner, Ticagrelor, and aspirin but like you bruise easily. Had open heart surgery 8 weeks ago and still have a lump and bruise in my leg where the graft was taken. It’s slowly going down. Still got faint bruising elsewhere from the operation too.

Lizbeth61 profile image
Lizbeth61

Hi there, completely sympathise with the terrible bruising. I was on Ticagrelor different type of blood thinner for 2.5 years and the bruising was horrific and like you I had a few lumps underneath the bruises on my legs. One I was so concerned about I did contact the GP but turned out it did go away of its own accord but took quite some time. Now I am on aspirin only as my period of taking Ticagrelor was up, I still bruise but nothing like before.

HenryTudor profile image
HenryTudor

I had the same on my calf, a hard lump, a little painful. It went away of its own accord, but if you’re worried have it checked as others have advised.

I still bruise after a small knock.

LucyBoo21 profile image
LucyBoo21

My GP has responded with this:

Often the haematoma ( blood clot) of a bruise solidifies and sometimes even has a bit of calcification before been broken down and resolving over the course of several months.

The bruising will fade quicker than the lump which will gradually reduce. Generally if you get a knock and come up in an immediate bruise / lump applying a bit of compression might limit the bleeding in to the tissues and therefore get less of a bruise.

I'm very reassured and will wait for it to reduce on it's own.

Will be glad now to come off clopidogrel in November as my arms and legs are dotted with bruises!

No short dresses for me 🙁

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

Pretty much what I do, wait for the clot to be slowly absorbed. I have just got used to the bruises and blood clots forming after 11 years of taking clopidogrel which I am unfortunately on for life 😕

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

Bruising is normal b ut I would get that lump checked out.

MaggieSylvie profile image
MaggieSylvie

Hi Lucy, I am on aspirin only, but I have always bruised easily. I had a bad bruise on my hand recently, with a lump in the middle. It took a while to disappear, and the lump has gone along with the bruise. We have many bones in our hands and feet, so perhaps it's more likely to happen in those places. Elsewhere? I would get it checked if it doesn't disappear of its own accord.

Hi there…. I was on same as you when I had my stent last year. I honestly had never seen bruises like the ones I was getting. I got very excited early on and decided to do a few squats. I had the biggest oval bruises/which were also raised solid lumps come up on both my shins within about ten mins. I did call cardiology nurse and she said it was ‘normal’. And other huge black bruises followed, honestly just awful. I stopped the clopidogeral after 6 months and have no problem now. As everyone has said tho, good to have a check if you are worried. To be safe. Take care ❤️

This was ‘normal’ for me whilst on the clopidogeral (excuse spelling 🤣)

Bruised
Summerplace profile image
Summerplace

Hi I’m on blood thinners after a Stemi H A and a few months ago l had a large bruise that came up on my arm with a large lump in the middle of it , l saw my G P and was told not to worry and it would go away, so after many weeks the bruise disappeared but took a bit longer for the lump to go . Hope this helps.

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