Yesterday afternoon whilst I was putting the washing in the drier...I felt like I had water in my slipper. Looking down I nearly fainted. I had blood pouring out of a vein in the front of my leg. I hadn't knocked it or felt anything.
I couldn't stop the bleeding and I felt a wee bit faint, probably as I was on my own. Eventually managed to halt the flow..
Spoke with the doctor and he said it was a side effect of the prednisone...he said that the prednisone makes the skin very translucent and the veins are more exposed.
So folks, just be careful not to get any knocks as the veins are very vulnerable to breaking open.
Left with an inch open sore, now letting the fresh air heal it.
YuliK 76
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YuliK
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Yes Pred makes the skin so much more susceptible - especially at higher doses - to knocks, bumps, scratches. bruises etc. That would have been a scary thing - especially if you weren't expecting it. When I am in the garden I am always knocking my hands and arms - walking into branches etc (now with cataracts I have blurry vision) - so i know the feeling.
Yes Dear, unfortunately I am. I take aspirin , heart pills , ( 2 heart attacks, angioplasty, 1 stent) Lipitor, vitamin D, anti-biotics, uti's preventative treatment)
Thyroid medication 20mg.
Prednisone
Paracetamol only when I get the pmr pains in the morning. Ok
Two years ago I had fibro-sarcoma and a MOHs operation ...I'm still under the oncologist, but fortunately it didn't spread to the shoulder or collar bone.
I take life as it's thrown at me, I'm not one to sit and worry what will be, we have to be realistic and realize that it could be worse..
I love helping people and after my late husband rip died of bladder cancer, I have been supporting friends who are not able to cope for themselves. It's very satisfying believe me.
I'm doing fine, except for the occasional twinge from my PMR...if we dwell on it, it becomes a burden, just remember that there is always a light at the end of the road and say to yourself, I'm going to eventually beat this darn disease.
Recently I read in a health journal that it is no longer thought that an aspirin a day will keep a heart attack at bay. I have been taking a "baby" one for a long time, although cannot take larger as it negatively affects the lining of my stomach.
Yupik, I am on Aspirin the small amount, as I have a stent in R coronary artery, do ask your Dr about stopping it. I’m on blood thinners also, but even in hospital in Nov for a laminectomy, they didn’t stop the Aspirin at all, stopped the Apixaban for a few days pre op. Just a bit worried about you stopping the Aspirin, though of course it’s up to you. x hope you don’t mind me commenting?
I was told by cardiologist and surgeon not to stop the Aspirin. Like you I have a R coronary stent. I’m also in line for a TAVI, new aortic valve! Decision being made on next visit end of May. Scared stiff about that! Still on Prednisolone for PMR!
Hi Yulik
What a shock for you, you must have been quite frightened.
Keep a close eye on it, as it may take a while to heal. It’s fine letting the air heal it but cover it when you’re wearing tights or trousers incase you knock it again.
My Mum used to have this issue & her poor arms were covered with scars where she’s caught them.
She learned to wear trousers & long sleeves around the house to try & protect her skin.
I have been so lucky - after 9 years of pred and also being on anticoagulant therapy you would think I'd be bleeding all over the place. I develop interesting bruises occasionally - usually a couple of days stretching out the a/c doses sorts that! (Discussed with the local haematology consultant and OK'd.)
If something happens like this don't rule out using 999 if sitting with the limb higher than your heart and steady pressure on the bleed for 5 mins (more is also OK) doesn't work. Especially if you are on medications that increase the risk of bleeding - such as steroids and aspirin!
You poor thing. I am always banging into things and bleeding profusely. Fortunately I have never had a spontaneous bleed that must have been very frightening. PMRPRO has given you good advice and all I would add is to stock up with some micropore tape and Melonin dressings in case it happens again. As others have said your skin is very thin and these products are more gentle. I also use spray dressing once the bleeding has stopped.
Scary. I had a mini version of this on my arm. A place where I often get those little red marks so in the course of daily life I must somehow always be bumping it. One day I discovered the skin had peeled back and I was bleeding, not as spectacularly as you did, but a surprising amount. Like you, no recollection of having done anything, and it wasn't hurting. Unfortunately I didn't realize until it was too late that I should have carefully pulled the bunched up piece of skin back into place, after I was sure the wound was clean, so I now have a little bump, a totally unnecessary scar, don't know if it's permanent.
I'd be very careful with a wound on the lower leg as I suspect circulation often isn't as good there as in other parts of the body so the healing may take longer. Even the little place on my arm took what seemed forever and looked embarrassingly ugly for a while. I did keep it covered at night even after a scab had formed as I didn't want to either disturb the healing or get bloodied sheets. I've taken note of the advice given to you in this thread in case I run into this again. Tiresome, isn't it? I think we have enough to deal with!
Yes, I have become clumsy since Pred and my balance has gone. I am reasonable at home but out of my environment like holidays I am lethal. I was prescribed Hydrotherapy and then plain Physio and he worked on my balance. It’s definitely improved
Like pmrpro I have some amazing bruises even a huge one on my lower back from trying to sit down or the floor with my grandson and hitting the skirting board corner, but luckily no sign of thin skin. Thanks for the warningx
This happened to me several times when I was on high doses. After the second bleed I went to the doctor and the nurse bound it and gave me special non- stick dressings. I had to leave these on for five days (must not touch before that)!!!
One of the important points is that the dressing should not be removed too soon - just because it appears to have stopped bleeding doesn't mean it won't bleed again.
I knocked my leg on the end of the bed frame. Felt nothing. Looked down to see a half inch gash, bleeding. So yes, It happens and fast. I carry lots of bandages in my purse as a paper cut in the grocery store bleeds a lot.
Oh my goodness how scary for you. I am always knocking into things and I had noticed my veins are worse than normal. Hope you soon are fully healed and thank you for sharing
Been there !!! Such a shock. Glad you are okay! only advice is COVER IT!!!! Bad infections lurk! My poor grandson ran into my leg and a skin flap tore open. I thought the poor boy was going to faint.
I have found that I have to wear gardening gloves when pruning even small plants, because the smallest twig scrape can start a hand bleed. I think we must be very vulnerable to the smallest scrape, even when we don't actually feel it.
Oh heck, that sounds horrific!! Think I would have fainted. You did well to deal with it. Hope it heals soon. My few little cuts since being on pred have taken longer to heal, just another side effect. I'm going to be watching more carefully now that I don't knock myself, as I can be a bit accident prone! Thanks for the warning Yulik.
That sounds a bit nasty, of course the skin on your top lip is very thin, were you waxing it yourself? I was about to suggest threading until l read on further.....
I spoke with my doctor this morning and it seems that aspirin takes at least four weeks to leave our system. So giving a break of a week or ten days will be ok. 💃
I'm one who try's not to let things and situations get me down.
I've learned in life, something that we can't change, why worry about it. Worrying makes us feel worse.
I wonder too if wounds take longer to heal due to the pred. It seems like I've had this surgery scab for 4 weeks now and it still hasn't fallen off. Sheesh. I am suspecting the prednisone. Doesn't matter, it will heal when it will I guess.
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