Sudden recent darkness under eyes

[Vlaminck]

Hey, all, I think I know that a lot of people have dark area around their eyes just as part of their normal selves. But I have never had any rings under my eyes. But in the last couple days, have definitely noticed slightly dark rings under my eyes. I am thinking this is more likely a nutrient issue, like iron or B12 maybe? But haven't felt particularly fatigued so wondered if this can also be the result of CLL. Have any of you noticed this during your W&W? Thanks.

[Kiwidi]

I too have dark areas around my eyes. My family all have hooded eyes. I had never attributed mine to CLL. Maybe it is and maybe not. I am not particularly concerned but can understand if it has just appeared. Kia kaha ( stay strong! )

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

Have you been taking fish oil or omega 3 capsules? Chris Dwyer/CLLCanada reported this happening - he said it looked like someone had given him two black eyes. It resolved after he stopped taking the capsules. I think his platelets were low due to ibrutinib treatment at the time, if I recall correctly. Omega 3 can reduce clotting effectiveness, so you can get 'black eyes' from micro-bleeding in the thin skin around your eyes.

Neil

[Vlaminck in reply to AussieNeil]

Whoa, thanks, Neil. Never heard this. Yes, not all the time but I frequently take Omega 3 oils.

[RosettaClapp in reply to Vlaminck]

Wow, from me too! I'll try stopping it for a bit to see what happens.. Does that apply to eating oily fish too?

[Hidden]

I noticed changes to my face, including puffiness and dark rings under my eyes, one year prior to diagnosis. Looks like, per Neil, I need to take some Omega 3!

[Vlaminck in reply to Hidden]

Double check Neil's post because I read it as a caution about taking omega 3. Hope you either find a solution or if not, come to feel okay with it.

[LeoPa in reply to Hidden]

I just eat fish. No man-made capsules for me.

[Vlaminck in reply to LeoPa]

I generally take a swig of Carlson's from a bottle as I don't eat enough fish and capsules have so little in them, would need many caps for as much as a swig. Wondering if oils from eating fish can have the same negative effect Neil mentioned.

[LeoPa in reply to Vlaminck]

I don't think so. I have never heard of anybody having black eyes from eating fish 😉. Carlson's is so expensive anyways I told myself I could as well have a full meal of wild caught Atlantic salmon instead (from time to time) and canned sardines (more often). Perhaps the swigs you are taking are too large 😀. I forgot to mention that I take exactly one teaspoon of cod liver every morning. For the EPA and DHA content. Good for brain health.

[RosettaClapp in reply to LeoPa]

And bone health which is why I was advised by GP to take capsules daily

[LeoPa in reply to RosettaClapp]

I have the original tinned version. Just a piece of real cod liver. Save the plants, eat fish! 😂

[Ladylin151]

Do you have allergies or a recent new reason to rub your eyes? The dark circles can be "damage" from the rubbing, and possibly seeing it thru thinner skin from age or other causes. Culprits could be eye-glass issues, humidity/hydration, stress habits, etc.

[Vlaminck in reply to Ladylin151]

Good food for thought! I do have allergies off and on and try not to rub eyes a lot but when I have given in on a couple occasions, what I get are swollen eyes, but these are more dark circles. I took iron supplement night before last. Thinking (imagining?) it is better. Or hoping.

[RSilver in reply to Vlaminck]

I was just about to ask if you have allergies. The dark circles are frequently seen in asthmatic patients.

[Spike62]

Just saw my call specialist at Moffitt and we exploring my platelets. All three said my zinc supplements can reduce platelets. A reminder to either reduce zinc if supplementing a lot or to make sure you're getting some copper that balances the zinc. As stated above, the fish oil also thins the blood.

[Vlaminck in reply to Spike62]

Thank you. I have never heard this. Everything I hear is zinc, zinc, zinc. I knew about copper need, but given a couple white dots on fingernails (sign of zinc deficiency), I've been doing only zinc lately. Fortunately, no incidence of unusual bruising or bleeding too much (as I am always cutting one finger or another when I cook and I used to bleed for ages). So hope platelets okay. Get checked in Feb.

[SofiaDeo]

I have gotten dark circles when I lose weight quickly. As well as when I don't sleep well.

[Vlaminck]

i have lost some weight several months ago (when I started intermittent intermittent fasting). Now staying steady but 5 pounds lighter. Often having not great sleep but fortunately, I actually haven't noticed the rings in past week or so Yay!