Random bruises

[Ashtin]

I'm 67 and taking 500mg HU daily along with aspirin for PV. Bruises randomly pop up on the backs of my hands. Of course today it happened 30 minutes after I had already left the doctors office. Anyone else experience this??

[EPguy]

HU is known to cause skin side effects, see below. Most lists advise contacting your Dr if you experience bruising. Are you able to send pics to your Dr's office?

Others here should have helpful experience on bruising.

Did it start after taking HU for a while? I used to get bruising from aspirin alone, but since my MPN Dx aspirin does not cause bruising.

For skin in general HU makes one more sensitive to the sun, and sun protection is even more important while taking it.

mayoclinic.org/drugs-supple...

Side Effects:

<<...unusual bleeding or bruising >>

There is an active thread on HU and skin troubles, but I don't see bruising discussed there.

healthunlocked.com/mpnvoice...

[Ashtin in reply to EPguy]

I've been on HU and aspirin for about one year. Months ago I did show my hematologist a picture,but he had no opinion as to what was causing it. Thank you for the links!

[EPguy in reply to Ashtin]

Are your blood numbers all good on the HU? Your dose is low, but some are ok with even less than 500/day. If it's an option, you could try to reduce the HU to see whether the problem improves. Of course only if you and Dr agree it's ok to try this.

[Ashtin in reply to EPguy]

Funny you should mention that.My bloodwork today- HCT was 40.3 and my HGB was 12.7 so I've decided to try Hydrea 6 days a week instead of 7.

[EPguy in reply to Ashtin]

I saw your prior post that you had these bruises before your Dx and any MPN medications. That's a good thing regarding HU and aspirin, since it suggests the main cause is something else (maybe just age as you say)

If so reducing the dose seems less likely to help the bruising, while getting younger would be helpful...

But you seem to have room to reduce dose anyway, which is a nice option.

[Oscarsboy in reply to EPguy]

Hi, its strange as a few days ago I could have posted an identical photo of a spot on my hand. I too get them regularly usually arms and legs. I am on HU daily (two Saturday and Sunday) and Aspirin which I have cut to one a day. I have a Haemo follow up in August so will mention it, but they seem to appear from nowhere and no reason. I have had bloods done recently and all fall within normal remit.

[Ashtin]

Thanks for the info..Yes I've given up on the "getting younger" aspect

[hunter5582]

Med side effects can cause excessive hemorrhage. It was aspirin that caused this for me, particularly when my platelet levels were higher. As others have pointed out, Hu can also cause this problem. Definitely something to let your MPN Care team know about.

[Ashtin in reply to hunter5582]

Thanks Hunter.. My MPN specialist awhile back said she thought it was from the aspirin..but wasn't positive.

[hunter5582]

I would be most suspicious of the asprin. In fact i just had an unexplained bruise pop up on my arm today. First one in quite a while.

[Green1988]

Yes doctors say it’s normal to bruise my husband who was diagnosed 3 weeks ago has random bruising appearing on his arms.

[Scaredy_cat]

I get these most common on hands and feet and am not on hu. I just thought it was a feature of MPNs. I was et and have recently progressed to mf. If they appear and last for just a few days it is in likely to be cancer

[Hydrox]

My haematologist says it is the aspirin, not hydroxy.

[azaelea]

Hi, I get bruising like that constantly. I’m on 500 HU daily and Clopidogerel. I understand that HU can cause bruising and certainly blood thinners like aspirin and Clopidogerel can cause it. Whether random or not, I don’t know. I always put it down to even the slightest knock or touch which cause my bruising, mostly hands, arms or lower leg. I must admit I’ve never discussed this with Haematologist as I thought it was part and parcel of ET and meds! If you find out anything , please let us know. Best wishes, Fran

[Meatloaf9]

I get these from time to time. 72, PV, HU. I have gotten them for about 3 yrs, on HU for 1 yr. They last about 10 days then disappear. I never remember to take a photo, never there when I go to doc. Take aspirin also. Let us know if you get an answer. Best.

[falconered53]

I’ve been getting these bruises on my hands and arms regularly since my PV diagnosis eleven years ago. Have only started HU last 3 years. Heme was certain it was the aspirin. Sometimes I get a whole line of 4 or 5 of them. I haven’t been able to find any correlation with anything in my bloodwork and think it is the aspirin. Other than being ugly they seem to be harmless and clear up on their own.

[Ashtin in reply to falconered53]

Seems like aspirin is the common denominator..and yes they are ugly !

[Hopetohelp]

I get them occasionally. I am on peg so I put it down to the aspirin

[Exeter21]

Yea I was on HU & covered in bruises all over back of hands. Slightest bang did it told it was drug. Now off it & bruising gone currrently 👍

[Ashtin in reply to Exeter21]

Just last night I ever so lightly knocked my hand into a cabinet...immediately got another bruise!

[Devilgirl]

I get these too usually on the back of my hands at the slightest knock or pressure from leaning on something. I have never mentioned them to my haemo & just putvit down to the aspirin.

[Ashtin in reply to Devilgirl]

Yes..general consensus is that aspirin is the culprit. At this very moment I have 4 on one hand and 2 on the other!

[KentBee]

Yes, I get loads of bleeds under the skin, unsightly but no problem otherwise.

Lots of bleeds under the skin