Random bruises

Hi everyone

Because I'm in sheilding like a lot of you. The gps don't want to be near me unless really necessary. So does anyone have any ideas why these keep happening? I get big bruises on my fingers wrists and toes and feet. Rarely on my elbows and knees but it has happened. I can pick up a cup wrong or my phone but I can just be sitting and curl my fingers or just move and I get a very sharp ( take your breath away)kind of pain then a dark brown bruise then for the next few weeks it turns all colors. Iv had the whole of my right wrist back and front over 6 inch bruise just because I picked up my mobile phone?

Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated. I hope your all doing as well as you can. If anyone remembers my last post I went from 11.5 stone to 7.5 stone was very very ill. Now I'm going the other way I'm at 9 stone and getting fat very very fast as the rheumy increased my steroids up however this bruising thing has been happening before the steroids so no connection. Anyway let me know your thoughts. Keep well everyone 🙏 xx

[GranTwoNine]

Hi Nikkisrf,

I have SLE, APS (on life-long Warfarin), Fibromyalgia and various other medical conditions. I am lucky that I am staying quite well but I'm shielding because my neutrophil and white blood cell counts are always so low.

Your post certainly rang a bell with me as I quite often suffer exactly the same thing, in the same sort of circumstances as you. Mine though seems only to effect my fingers or thumbs.

I spoke to my GP who did blood tests but nothing out of the ordinary was found, so I have taken photos ready for my next rheumatology appointment. Being on Warfarin probably doesn't help any, but I don't think it's the cause.

I'm not sure that I can be much help other than to say that I Googled the symptoms and came up with something called Achenbach's Syndrome, which looking at photos and description does seem to fit. Of course I can't be certain but it might be worth taking a look.

Take care.

[Hidden in reply to GranTwoNine]

Thanks gran. Iv gone and read achenbach and yes it's very very similar.....but I said rarely my knees and elbows get it. Well guess what. Lol just an hour after I wrote the post I just sat down and did my knee. However this was excruciating and I have a lump in the middle of this one. My thigh is tingling and burning. If it's like that tomorrow I'll have too ring the gp. The achenbach fits but not my feet and elbows and knees. Very frustrating. However I'm so glad you answered my post gives me food for thought. Youv been very helpful indeed so thank you. I'll try and put some better pics on of my hand and knee just so you can see. Best wishes for your journey. 👍😁 Stay safe. X

[GranTwoNine in reply to Hidden]

Hi Nikki,

Glad I could be of some help. Strange you say about your knee because would you believe it not long after I wrote the reply it happened to my finger. I had done absolutely nothing to cause it, quite spontaneous. Very spooky!! If I could work out how to attach some photos I would, it may give you a better idea of how I'm affected. I hope your knee will feel a lot better in the morning and before long you get an answer to why this is happening. Take care. x

[happytulip]

Prednisolone can increase blood clotting time and make you prone to bruises. Could that be a factor?

[GranTwoNine in reply to happytulip]

Hi,

Of course, Prednisolone could be a contributing factor for Nikkisrf but certainly not for me, I haven't been on it for some time. It's also the way it occurs, just like Nikkisrf described, but it can also happen spontaneously. The immediate pain is excruciating, quite unlike when you bruise yourself and I manage to do that often. One thing I didn't mention,is that for me, the area of the bruising becomes quite swollen and I will have to quickly remove any rings on the affected finger.

[Hidden in reply to happytulip]

No it's been happening before the steroids unfortunately 😔

[patientpat]

Hello Nikkisrf,

Long before i was diagnosed with SLE and Anitphospholipid Syndrome i was experiencing frequent unexplained bruising/swelling in my fingers.

Occasionally top of my hand and arm would bruise but no swelling.

Rhematologist said she had never seen this before.Sent me to see a Cardiologist.He diagnosed Blue Finger. That might have explained the fingers but not the hands/arm. Wasnt convinced by that diagnosis.

blood test showed low WBC/Neutrophils/platelets and Lupus anticoagulant. |My bloods and Lupus are now stable and i have had no more repeats of the unexplained bruising. As we know Lupus can affect the blood/blood vessels.

Maybe get your bloods tested for those factors.?

good luck

[Hidden in reply to patientpat]

Yes thanks for the advice 😀 I have been told by a canular nurse that she's never seen such tiny veins? I now have to have a new born babys canular fitted when I have bloods done. Having a full sized needle for bloods is excruciating and leaves me with huge black lumps that leave a permanent mark. Approximately an hour after I wrote my post I sat on the sofa and cryed out because guess what.....yep iv done it on my left knee now.!!! Who knew lol. I'd put a pic but can't see where to attach it to you. Thanks for your help though 😊👍

[patientpat in reply to Hidden]

Achenbach Syndrome seems to be the same or similar to Blue Finger Syndrome.Both rare conditions hence reasons why most GP's etc not aware of it. They say its a benign condition but a study done in 2109 still shows they dont understand it.

I developed severe arhritis in my hands alongside this condition. Attacks are very rare now but i'm left with the joint damage.

Hope yours improves in time.

[Hidden]

I'm going to try and put another pic up for you. Within the hour I sat down and did my knee too but it's got a lump in it which I must admit worries me. A clot? Bit scary. I'll do a few pics see if I can show you. Thanks for your help though 👍😁