Bruising

[is-sul]

Hi All,I was diagnosed 11 years ago - now 73 years old. I've never had any treatment for my CLL and bloods are pretty stable. I've always had bruising to my legs but I garden and knocking them but now my arms are covered and people are beginning to ask questions - must think my old man is roughing me up. Can I expect this to get worse and spread to my torso? Would arnica cream help and is there a simple explanation that I can give? Many thanks Is

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

Hi Is-sul,

Bruising when you have CLL, is due to platelet levels dropping down under 100. However, you say that your bloods are pretty stable, so that seems to indicates another cause. How long since your last blood test? Are you on any new drugs or supplements, such as omega-3 oil capsules, for example? When do you next see your consultant? This is something you should take up with your GP or consultant.

With respect to Arnica cream, it supposedly help reduce the time for bruises to heal, not reduce bruising.

Neil

[is-sul in reply to AussieNeil]

Thanks Neil,

I have a live appointment in March. My platelets are 124 and are dropping slowly. My last bloods were taken in Sept when i had a telephone consultation with Doc. I take aciclover after a bout of shingles two years ago, statins still on base level and thyroxine 75mg. I also take vitamins D during winter and a salmon fish oil but these medications have not changed since shingles. If it gets any worse I'll contact my GP .

[Jm954 Administrator in reply to is-sul]

Your platelet count is unlikely to be the cause of your bruising. Many other people naturally have very fragile skin on their legs, hands and arms which leads to easy bruising after very minor knocks.

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to is-sul]

I’d be wondering if the fish oil you’re taking is the culprit. Fish oils or omega-3 fatty acids can cause bruising due to blood-thinning effects. Stems from the fact that omega-3 fatty acids can interact with platelets and yours are already depleted.

Newdawn

[CaptRon1976]

just my two cents, I agree with Newdawn.

It will cost you nothing to eliminate the fish oil for several months and observe for change in number and size of bruising.

[Vlaminck]

I too have your puzzling situation. Ever since diagnosed, and I have had probably about 25 occasions of weird bruising (almost entirely on my left arm -- but then I'm left-handed), that looks scary. I am on W&W and showed my doc pic of one of them early on. This summer when I would reach into wire cage to get out tomatoes, feeling no pain, I would afterward see some large looking dark purple arm bruising, and my daughter-in-law commented on it. Been without one for a month or so now, but then few days ago, see one of them again on left arm, this one about 2/3" long, 1/3" wide. It has now turned from purple to gray brown and hopefully will soon disappear. No recollection of any bump to arm. Knock-on-wood, the last measurement of my platelets was 180. I do off and on take fish oil, but I did that also before diagnosis, and don't recall such an issue before.

[Astro617]

Good suggestions here re: fish oil. Turmeric is also a blood thinner but you don't mention taking it. Also when I was using a LOT of oregano and marjoram I noticed my easy bruising increase. As for an explanation, I'd just say, "I have easy bruising," and leave it at that. Good luck figuring it out.