bruising around eyes

[gjm463948430]

I am new to this site. i experience black discoloration around my eyes. no pain. i take feverfew as a migraine preventative and 81 mg aspirin daily. An MRI has detected the early onset of MS. is this related to or the possible cause of the black eyes.

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

Welcome!

Who diagnosed MS? Prof. Hughes has pointed out the number of misdiagnosis of MS where the diagnosis is APS/Hughes. My first question, therefore, is to ask whether you are seeing a specialist in APS/Hughes.

Can neurologic manifestations of Hughes (antiphospholipid) syndrome be distinguished from multiple sclerosis? Analysis of 27 patients and review of the literature.

Medicine (Baltimore). 2000 Jan;79(1):57-68.

Cuadrado MJ1, Khamashta MA, Ballesteros A, Godfrey T, Simon MJ, Hughes GR.

Abstract

Hughes (antiphospholipid) syndrome (APS) can mimic multiple sclerosis (MS). We analyzed the clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings of MS-like expression in a cohort of patients with APS in an attempt to identify parameters that might differentiate the 2 entities. We studied 27 patients who were referred to our unit with the diagnosis of probable or definite MS made by a neurologist. All patients were referred to our lupus clinic because of symptoms suggesting an underlying connective tissue disease, uncommon findings for MS on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), atypical evolution of MS, or antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) positivity. aPL, antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-dsDNA, and anti-extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) antibodies were measured by standard methods. MRI was performed in every patient and compared with MRI of 25 definite MS patients who did not have aPL. An index severity score was calculated based on the size and number of increased signal intensity areas in MRI. In the past medical history, 8 patients with primary APS and 6 with APS secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had had symptoms related to these conditions. Neurologic symptoms and physical examination of the patients were not different from those common in MS patients. Laboratory findings were not a useful tool to distinguish APS from MS. When MRI from APS patients was compared globally with MRI from MS patients, MS patients had significantly increased severity score in white matter (p < 0.001), cerebellum (p = 0.035), pons (p < 0.015), and when all areas were taken together (p < 0.001). Patients with APS had significantly increased scores in the putamen (p < 0.01). No differences were noticed in the degree of atrophy. When taken individually, MRI from APS patients could not be distinguished from MRI from MS patients. Most of the patients with primary APS showed a good response to oral anticoagulant treatment. In patients with secondary APS, the outcome was poorer. Hughes syndrome (APS) and MS can be difficult to distinguish. A careful medical history, a previous history of thrombosis and/or fetal loss, an abnormal localization of the lesions in MRI, and the response to anticoagulant therapy might be helpful in the differential diagnosis. We believe that testing for aPL should become routine in all patients with MS.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/106...

This may also interest you:

life-in-spite-of-ms.com/ant...

My advice to you is to see your doctor regarding the discolouration around the eyes. I have a brown/purple discolouration which is indicative of dermato-myositis. If this has suddenly happened, you need a doctor to get any diagnosis.

With good wishes,

Ros

[gjm463948430 in reply to lupus-support1]

thank you for your quick response. the MS was discovered by my neuro after an MRI. the MRI was ordered because of the worsening of the hereditary migraines that i have. I had read that unexplained bruising around eyes could be an indication of muscular related diseases.

[WendyWoo50 in reply to gjm463948430]

Did u have a migraine at the time of ur MRI?

My daughter in law had an MRI when she was having as she described 'a bad headache' I sat with her for the results, the specialist said the scan showed lesions indicative of MS but they would repeat the scan when she was headache free. This was done 6 months later. Scan normal no MS.

She has lost three babies, has very bad migraines regularly- except when pregnant. (Happily she is now 27 weeks pregnant). She is always tired no matter how much sleep she has. She is my daughter in law not daughter but I have my suspicion of APS

Before u accept the diagnosis MS do some research. Good luck

Often when people r chronically ill, they have black rings round their eyes. In my opinion it indicates something is wrong. I use a good concealer and base make up to hide mine! 💋

[HollyHeski Administrator]

Hi, have you been diagnosed with Hughes/Antiphosphilipid syndrome?

Symptoms sometimes are similar to MS - we can only give you our experiences regarding APS?

Maybe worth asking your question on the MS forum or asking your doctor?

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, if you suspect you may be one of the people who have Hughes Syndrome/APS rather than MS, this is not uncommon, and a few have both, however as the symptoms and the lesions on brain etc can look similar, this is where the confusion lies. If possible I would get your main doctor to test you for it also, here are the tests below, and always a good idea at the time to do your Thyroid testing, also B12, D and Iron:

Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL)

Lupus anticoagulant (LA)

Anti-beta2-glycoprotein-1 (anti-B2GP1)

The second test is not a Lupus test, it is an old fashioned name for testing Hughes Syndrome/APS. Often other family members past and present will have autoimmune diseases including thyroid issues, and some will have had early heart attacks, strokes, or miscarriages etc.

MaryF

[ndstephens49]

Yes, I have dark circles above and below eyes since teenager.

Now I also get bruises below eyes and on eyelid, mostly on left side for some reason.

Use concealer.

Good luck,

Nancy in West Virginia