Weird bruising on my fingers and toes.....

[tiredmum]

I suffer from lupus and APS and for the last few months my fingers and toes have been turning black.

I get a pain either in my big toe or in my finger, the vein then swells up in my finger or the base of my toe does which is very painful. The pain lasts between half an hour to a couple of hours, I have even had to put my finger in cold water to ease the pain, then all of a sudden it stops and my finger or toe has turned black.

Does anyone else get this, any ideas what it could be or is it worth a visit to the doctors?

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, I would be visiting my GP and preferably my Hughes Syndrome/APS specialist with that, and in the mean time, do photograph new things that happen, as we all know how they disappear the minute our medical appointments come up!! You may need a more comprehensive appointment to check your medication and INR etc. MaryF

[tiredmum in reply to MaryF]

I will definitely take some pictures and show them to my go thank you.

[tiredmum]

I do suffer from Raynauds but this is bruising that lasts 7-10 days and changes colour as the bruising fades it's not like how my fingers and toes normally change colour.

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

When you say "lupus" do you mean SLE ie systemic lupus erythematosus?

Take some photos.

You say this has happened only in the last few months. Has anything else happened?

Go and see your doctor and s/he can advise whether to contact your rheumatologist, who should be a lupus/APS specialists. Not all rheumatologists are experts in SLE.

It is always better to see your doctor, if only to ease your mind!

If you suffer from Raynaud's, it is not a good idea to use cold, but warm water or one of those scarves for putting in the microwave!

With good wishes,

Ros

[tiredmum in reply to lupus-support1]

Thank you Ros, I do have SLE I have been getting occasional bouts of severe chest pain too which radiates into my neck and jaw so perhaps it is time I bit the bullet and went. It is very difficult to get an app at my docs and you are only allowed to discuss one problem in your allotted 10 mins.

[lupus-support1 Administrator in reply to tiredmum]

Please go because it may be you are having a flare - blood tests may be "normal" even though you are flaring! Do you also have vasculitis as part of your SLE?

Do let me know how you are.

With good wishes,

Ros

[ndstephens49]

Yes, get what appears to be a bruise on finger. I can tell it is starting because it feels very sore in the area where the bruise appears. Bruise lasts several days then disappears. I have photos but can’t figure out how to post them. Nancy in West Virginia.

[diane1428]

Wonderful replies. I too have this and also get stabbing pains down my nails- excruciating. I also lose my nails which also can hurt. I’ve been told that my circulation is getting worse and I’m on what I describe as my g & t patches (glyceryl

Trinitrate). These help greatly but after 12 hours have to take it off and my feet go back to numb instantly.

Best of luck go is your first port of call.

[Kimu]

I suffer with this, I have always thought they were burst blood vessels, I had one on my leg recently but often get them on my hands.

They hurt for a few hours then the colour becomes darker then they gradually fade away.

would like to hear some answers as to why we get them too

[tiredmum in reply to Kimu]

Hi Kimu, I tried to get in the docs today but no appointments left after being in a queue for 15 mins. As soon as I hear anything I will post on here, it is more common than I realised.

[Kimu in reply to tiredmum]

Hi Tired Mum

I also have SLE & APS plus Fybro, and have just got over a very nasty bout of (according to my Dr) Polymyalgia,.

When I tell him about different problems like the last visit, I told him when the dentist stretched my lips to carry out dental work, my lips became quite sore and unsightly with large blood blisters forming.

I had warned the dentist about my problem again as she had also done exactly the same on my previous visit.

Perhaps we will get some answers from someone on here?

I wish you luck in getting an appointment

[Kerlampert]

Aloha from Hawaii. ..

A frightening development, surely.

Hopefully, you get in to see your Doctor asap.

Vascular anomalies can lead to serious problems.eg heart trouble, etc.

I'm astonished that the doctor's office can't get you in on an emergency basis.

Come swim with me in warm Hawaiian waters....

Kerstin

[MrsMouseSJ]

Really interesting. I experienced something like this for the first time around 4 weeks ago. Thumb swelled after a bath, I stuck it in cold water, thumb went and stayed black for next week, then slowly faded but went black again on and off with changes in temperature - usually exposure to heat. Now normal again. INR was over 3 for the entire period. Showed my GP who had no idea but raised it with the rheumatologist (who has overall management of my APS). He has said he doesn't think further vascular investigations are needed at present. But I'd really like to know what it was! So interested in anything you might discover.

[tiredmum in reply to MrsMouseSJ]

It's so interesting to hear other people's stories. Trying docs again tomorrow but will deffo mention it at my next rheum appointment too.

[Wittycjt in reply to tiredmum]

Could be a reaction to warfarin, good luck, Cindy