Yesterday, that big, ugly, blood blob was about the same size as the one to the right of it.
About a week ago, I had "GENTLY" scratched my arm and ended up with two very similar scratch marks, that turned into the Blood Marks from Hell!
Yesterday, for no apparent reason, the mark on the left filled up with blood and started to ooze!!! (Yes, this is gross, I know and I apologise in advance!!!)
Freaking out, I held ice on it for about 10 minutes and watched as it got bigger, wider, redder and more alien like!
Am I thanking the Universe that it's not on my FACE? Yes, I am; but that still does not explain why it got worse after getting better!
OH! I neglected to mention I've been putting Arnica Cream on it... Could that have made it worse???
I hate these f*!@ing illnesses and everything they bring into my life!!!!
I have those! legs all bruised up I wore a skirt to tap class and realized the horror of my legs because of all the damn mirrors! my arms have been like yours. Ah the joys of prednisone! but we have arms!!
Hahahahahaha! Yes, we do indeed, have arms! Something to be thankful for I guess... but how can this spit mark, from an alien, get worse after getting better?
Obviously depends on the aliens spit. You got a double dose of 'now you see me, now you don't'. Put your undies on outside your clothes and go and hunt down PMR aka Pestiferous Mutant Revolter.
Not my knickers since pred weight means they barely fit. Bra extenders are great but haven't found big enough granny gruts. Mind you my granddaughter, step son and daughter-in-law call me Supergran so best up my search for matching undies and cape 🤣
I don’t think I would have put ice on it - your skin is very fragile and the ice may have aggravated it even more.
Arnica cream should be okay, but if course it may ‘bring the bruise out” more quickly - which is why it looks so angry and inflamed.
There’s a difference between a bruise and a breaking of the skin. I find Arnica okay on just a bruise, and maybe some savlon (or similar gentle antiseptic cream) for a graze. You can also get antiseptic cream or wound dressings with manuka honey. Probably from good herbal shop, or maybe some pharmacies, but definitely online.
Thank you. ...but it had already turned from a blood mark thingy into an innocuous red/brown bruise, after I had been putting Arnica on it for a week... then for no reason (I can think of!) it turned angry and blood red again; it even filled up with blood (which has NEVER happened) and started to leak (which has also never happened!) Yes, the ice may have been a mistake.... Any reason it got worse after being almost gone?
Is the skin broken at all? That allows too much arnica to be absorbed - and it CAN increase bleeding.
Purpurae should be smaller than 1cm - I can't tell how big yours are but I get the impression they are bigger. Are you on anything else besides pred? Prescription or OTC/supplements?
Thank you! The skin is broken now, where that little dot is, but when I started applying the Arnica (a week ago) it was just a flat, unopened blood mark thingy... caused by my scratching my arm; there was no broken skin until yesterday (for no good reason).
It measures 2.5 cm X 2 cm
I take 80 mg baby aspirin, Omega 3, Magnesium, Organic Vitamin B Complex, Pro-Biotic, Propranolol (Beta Blocker).. that is about it.
I took much the same with Pred, the only thing might be the aspirin make it bleed a bit more. Other than that stumped, maybe the oracle herself will be able to advise.
But one thing’s for sure.....these are going to be with you for some time - I still get the odd one now and again and I’ve been off Pred for nearly 2 years!
Aspirin (even low dose), pred (especially at high doses) and omega 3 supplements can all increase the risk of bleeding. Combine them - and who knows how much the effect can be.
Hum - not sure what to suggest. I bruise but never like that - despite being on anticoagulant therapy. Think even I might ask my GP (who is usually about as much use as the proverbial chocolate teapot ... )
Who knows? I get purpurae and I have only taken fish oil for a short time and not in a very committed manner! OTOH - I take pred and an anticoagulant...
Ah no that looks really sore 😢 I got scrapes on my legs arms but nothing like this they are taking ages to clear up. I put a mixture of apple cider vinger, witch hazel and peppermint drops ( which I made up for my face as I started to get funny bumps I did not like) together and would put it on cotton wool and rub it on my scrapes, now this can sting but it’s working for me. Not sure if I am helping or not as yours look quiet sore. Wishing you lots of good wishes for it to clear up soon 😘
Hello. In the absence of new pain, heat and inflammation, I’d put my money on reopening of previously damaged, Pred weakened blood vessels. Like a nose bleed that keeps restarting after blowing the nose and it wouldn’t take much at all. The arnica can cause bleeding if mixed with blood thinning meds. If you have the first symptoms I would think about infection and on that note it may be worth covering the broken area because your immune system is low.
Yes... I guess I may have banged it without even knowing! It was just weird how it had been healing and then al of sudden... I didn't use the Arnica or take aspirin last night, so we shall see! Thank you !
Hi Melissa, gross isn't it? I get plenty of them like that and worse. Due to a combination of old age, blood thinners and Pred! Nothing to be done except gentle pressure rather than Arnica and not massage which increases it. I think the claimed benefits of Arnica are usually from the pressure (and massage when appropriate) of applying it rather than the stuff itself. The pressure helps stop the bleeding whereas massage tends to spread it!
It looks just like the purpura I get, some can be quite large, I have just had one similar, I think it may have been caused by a rose scratch while normally I have not got a clue what causes them. I thought they would reduce as I got on a lower level of pred but they seem to be getting worse again which is annoying. It is when they bleed that I hate as they make such a mess. I find cream is not a good idea for them. Fine for bruises but not for purpura.
Yes, I get them and have no idea what I did to cause them!!!! So frustrating! I never had one that bled before, so it freaked me out! Glad to know they do that and it's normal! Thank you!!!!!
That looks nasty and as others have said I think it may be the Arnica, which is not for open wounds. I would stop it and use an over the counter Antiseptic first aid cream. Morrison's do one with Cetrimide in it and hubby uses it all the time as he suffers the same as you, he's diabetic also so a slow healer. It's a good healing cream and safe on broken skin. If it's still inclined to bleed cover also with a self adhesive graze plaster or Cosmopor E sterile dressings, they're the same, also from Morrison's but I'm sure others will have them. They come in different sizes. You'll be surprised how quickly it will heal. Otherwise see your nurse or doctor.
I keep all those as a standby as theyr'e needed quite regularly in this house!! I think you'll live through it too! xx
Both my arms and legs like that. Neighbours dog jumped up on me yesterday now the skin on my right forearm is ripped. I take clopidogrel along with my pred.
You'll look back on this and would never have believed it if someone had tried to warn you! This is part of the first year syndrome I keep talking about! it's a shock to the system each time something happens but you will/are getting stronger, believe me! xxx
No no no - PMRpro got it in one. Sorry if I gave you hope!! They don't go away my husband's haven't we're just resigned to them, doctors don't seem phased by them at all!
Me too. Walking round the supermarket recently OH asked if I knew I had blood running down my arm and dripping off my fingers. Of course I didn’t know, he might have mentioned it earlier, only just noticed he said. 🤬
EEK! Not seen anything like it before. Poor you it looks really nasty. The doc has upped my pred as I am getting bad headaches and pain in my temples again. What with being pushed into diabetes by the pred. I now have more pills. Oh Joy. By the way my great grandson is home, he weighs 3lb 12ozs now, I have seen and held him. He is so tiny fingers like cocktail stick. His big brother, all of one year old, keeps kissing him. So sweet.
I'm sorry you're having a bad time and now diabetes too! I've just escaped that! I hope your symptoms are helped by the increased pred.
Just wanted to say congratulations on the family addition, so tiny though and a one year old too, still it's nice they grow up together, there was only 13 months between mine. ATB.
OMG, you poor girl. That looks so bad. Hopefully it will heal very soon. I am so over this bloody condition as well. I have now just been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both hips. Limping and using a walking stick. Out of the blue. Although digging in my garden didn’t help. Something I absolutely enjoyed. Have to stop and try and get better as going on a holiday with family in November. I’m not blaming PMR for the hips,obviously it has been simmering away for years.
For some delusional reason I thought I was immune to sickness and hobbling around, what a laugh. X
Hi I can also relate to your problems, my legs and arms look awful. I have tried Arnca and also read that Vitamin K is good for bruising. Struggling to get the cream, but pills available. I only need to touch my skin and it bleeds and bruises. I am going to the races and because I am fat as well, I have a dilemma what fits me, don't want to buy anything new. I have one dress but it's doesn't cover my awful bruises so bought Derma blend makeup available from good chemists and it does a reasonable job of covering bruises then put tights over. Not perfect but have to make the best of this awful illness. Hope this helps.
Yup, it is a pain in the arse, isn't it? I wear jeans and long sleeve tops, even in this wether!!!! I have heard of Derma blend makeup, supposed to be good. Thanks! I may get some too.
Your very lucky this is the first time this has happened, my arms look as though I'm a battered wife permanently!!!!! It will fade but another one is sure to follow. I always have steristrips and plasters with me in case I get a tear.
Hi . I've seen this before Melissa. It's a subcutaneous haemorrhage exacerbated by the fact that your superficial blood capillaries are more fragile now and your skin is thinner. Remember you've been on high doses of pred! It will take up to six weeks to go and will turn green and yellow as the blood is broken down and reabsorbed as it recedes.
*laughing* Okay... in US a "pecker" is something TOALY different... and I don't actually have one! Although... sometimes I get an attitude and act like I do. : )
Hahahahahaha, Sorry I lost myself for a minute! The Pred made me do it!!!!
Seriously though.... you guys are like across the channel from France, but have a totally different take on the whole s _ x, thing, huh? American's are weird too... you can show a women's breasts, but people get offended seeing a woman nursing! What's up with that???
We were not like that before Victoria came to the throne, in fact we were a licentious lot, reflected by Hogarth and
Rowlandson in their prints.
In late Georgian and Regency dresses were either just covering the nipples or even showing them, French fashion.
Vicky was changed by stuffy Albert. And so the
Victorian era 1837-1901 saw a change in society’s attitude. Family values ruled.
The church as a state institution kept us in check, whereas France was a secular state.
We are not a prudish country.
Think about the saucy picture postcards bought at seasides a way to let our hair down pre 1960, before a new generation kicked the rule book. The Carry On films, which I never found funny, but very popular in their time. Oh aren’t we a naughty lot.!!
But we still kept strong censorship laws for another twenty years.
I know this doesn’t answer why,???, perhaps we want to think it’s naughty, when all the old taboos disappear we need something to raise our eyebrows about🤭 😧😵
Only got G.C.A.-I'm sorry to say that mine are bigger then yours but then I am a bit different. Yes every impact doesn't matter how small turns into a bruise because as well as Prednisolone I'm on Testosterone Replacement Therapy for my Klinefelters Syndrome and I naturally have thin skin compliments of aforesaid K.S. The fractured spine bone makes me wobble from side to side and going through doorways I invariably hit my left elbow on the door surround. I'm just getting over a bruise on my left elbow which was the result at least six hits. I wish I'd taken a photograph and could let you all see but it's difficult to do it with my right hand. All of the skin on both arms is slowly changing colour because each bruise leaves a slight shadow to show where its been.
Ohhhh thanks Colin! I laughed at the "mine are bigger than yours!" It stinks doesn't it? All this additional crap we have to contended with.. as if having GCA and/or PMR wasn't enough! xx
Whilst I was on Zoledronic Acid I developed horrible blisters and then open sores. My skin already prone to tearing would open into a sore whenever I rubbed it.
Another side effect is fearful itching and show me a patient who doesn't scratch at least once to relieve the itch. My Rheumatlogist accused me of causing all the holes and I had a lot, but I put him right by admitting to causing some but not all of them. I certainly didn't cause the huge and I mean huge blisters that sprang from the front of my left shin. I do have a photograph of the one on the front of my shin but its not a pretty sight and I'll keep that in reserve for when you've all finished eating.
I also have pictures of the sores but again I will not send them in case anyone is eating. Again I was just unlucky, My K.S. thin skin was no doubt a contributory factor to the side effects. Zoledronic Acid has 112 side effects and I had 10, so now I'm having Denosumab injected every six months by said Rheumatologist so I'm keeping on the safe side of him. Incidentally he is very good with injections.
The sun is out again here but temperatures are staying under 30 C
When I was on a higher dose of pred I accidentally scratched my leg (quite lightly) when showering. Well, the bruising and blood it brought up, looked as if I’d been hit by something. Lasted about 2 weeks as well. Doesn’t happen on lower doses. Don’t despair, you will get there Melissa. Perhaps a mozzie had a munch as well. 🙀🙀
Thanks, it's a large yellow rose, with rose blossoms around it. It is quite pretty actually! A Brighton local guy... did a GREAT job.
It's funny he put some shading around the undersides of the blossoms and it's the same colour as the bruise! I bet to the passerby, they'd never see the bruise, as it look like it's part of the tat... but to me it looks like a blood red and elephant sitting on my arm!
The new twists of the illness and Prednisone make us all crazy about what to anticipate. Coming back from Nantucket I had a 12 hour airport experience for a 45 minute flight, hit a parked truck the next morning, have been taking care of my 95 year old mother with a new caretaker and just got small purple marks on my arm. You win, yours are way worse. My Dr. said to quickly get off Pred to get rid of side effects. I just upped my dose because the pains increased.
YES! I also get tiny red dots on arms and legs fo NO REASON! 12 hour airport experience for a 45 minute flight, sounds HORRIFIC! Hope you and Mother are all okay!!!!
I keep a tube in case of an open wound. I live in Texas, and buy mine from the pharmacy OTC about $8 US.
I'm on high dose pred also and get the bleeding under the skin, no matter how care I try to be but so far no breakthrough but I know its a possibility..... even the shower beating down on my arms hurt.
I doubt benign old Arnica has played a part. I would take this latest “ plague of Job” to your doctor. It’s upsetting, I’m guessing it’s a Pred, present, as is the reluctance to heal, the function having been suppressed. Gossamer and duck down clothing for you. May this too pass quickly. Gentle hugs. X
my arms and legs are covered in them, slightest little knock or scratch and there’s another. Have heard that vitamin K cream helps to thicken the skin,I’m going to give it a try
Geez Melissa, that looks nasty. You poor woman (and others who suffer from the same type of bruising/bleeding). I can totally understand your frustration. I haven’t experienced anything like this (yet), but wanted to send you a supportive message. Hope it heals soon hon.
I have them all over my legs. I can be walking along and they will just start to bleed. Its like they start out as a bruise or a bump and then the blood puddles underneath and has to go somewhere. I hate wearing shorts now, fear everyone is glaring. I did go to my primary care doctor on Monday and his answer was, Dwight, man, I'm sorry, that's just a combination of the aspirin (81 mg every other day) and the prednisone 40 mg.
I am new to this site, since this past Sunday, but it has been a tremendous blessing to me to see that I am not the lone ranger in this.
I am covered in them and on my cheeks my arms are the worse and legs, just like you say a slight graze and swells up like a blister then disperses leaving ugly huge red marks people do stare as you look like you've been in a car crash, I try very hard not to knock myself or walk into a room without grazing my arms etc., it is horrid but seems to be part and parcel of this illness I think it's the steriods once right down to single figures very low they might stop! Good luck
They don't stare at me... I wear long sleeves and jeans!!!!! Hahahahahahaha! Yes, even in this weather... my vanity is stronger than any British Heat Wave!!!!! : ) Thank you, good luck to you too!
Savlon Healing Gel and Collodial Silver I have found to be best where the skin is broken - I spray with collodial silver, let it dry then put Savlon Healing Gel over it, together with a plaster. If the skin isn't broken, then I find a drop of peppermint essential oil helps the bruise to disappear quicker than anything else I have tried. My sympathies, I do agree they are horrible, I suffered with these on my legs before I took pred. due to thin skin caused by hydrocortisone cream for grass pollen rashes.
I have issues with them bleeding as well, so much do that I have had to give up my weekly swim at the local pool. Lately I have found that moisturising my skin has reduced the incidence of bleeding
My dad had GCA ...had these same skin problems... it's definitely from the high levels of prednisone . What worked best for him was A&E ointment ... over the counter item near diaper rash meds.
It works like magic!!!! I have PMR but thankfully haven't had the skin probs but I never had to be on the higher levels of prednisone... I've had every other problem that goes with prednisone use though...
We will get through this ... all of us supporting one another.
If I knew how to upload pics I think I can outdo you lol
Yes life’s a bum my gentle knock turned out to be blood transfusion needed transplanted kidney went to sleep but thank whoever woke up again in 27 years of having it I went into overdrive as not having this happen in all those years I was worried all this for a little knock
When and if I can bring photo I will show you and we both can have a laugh
I am SURE I will not have a laugh! God on you that you are able to have a chuckle... but then agin, I guess if we don't laugh, we cry!!!!! Cheers!
PS - You can't upload a photo to a "Chat" message.. the only time you can post a photo is when you add a new Post... like a brand new Post to the entire community. : (
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Am I heading for a flare? 
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Am I on the right track?!
Am I heading for a PMR flareup?
I am increasing my dose,
