Skin discolouration

[Poppylop]

Hi all, has anyone had any problems with there skin, my legs are covered in little bruises and have now started going a funny colour, they've gone all mottled and a sort of grey/purple colour in places, it's not very attractive, but then neither am I at the moment with my big puffed up face, chin and neck, I've started tapering again but still on 27.5mg, will my face still keep getting bigger even though I'm reducing, I'm getting headaches again with the recuction, it still worries me about GCA but just keep getting told I havnt got it and it's just the tapering that's causing the temple pain, has anyone else experienced this with tapering

[Blearyeyed]

You can get a number of steroid tapering withdrawal symptoms , including headaches , whooziness , Fatigue and muscle aches .

Just keep an eye on the symptoms , and make a little note book that you chart your pain level each day and where it is , or new symptoms to see if it improves or gets worse.

If your PMR pain continues to increase steadily after 5/7 days on a new taper , it is worth contacting the GP to discuss it .

Paracetamol can help with any muscle pain or headache symptoms from withdrawal. If it doesn't it may also mean you need to think again or reduce how much you drop your dose by.

I get mottled legs , I have livedo , which is part of my Circulation issues. We all get bruised and can get cuts or abrasions more easily on steroid medication as our Collagen isn't processed as well reducing skin elasticity. These can also take longer to heal.

Using compression leggings or tights under usual clothing can help the circulation and improve your skin healing from bruises.

Moisturising well with a zinc based cream also helps reduce bruising , dryness and injury , as does drinking more fluids each day.

Having a supplement with Vitamin C, D, A, E and Magnesium and zinc in it also helps skin quality .

Hope that helps x

[Poppylop in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you I will get some supplements

[SheffieldJane]

What does your doctor say about the mottled bruising on your legs? I know Pred makes us prone to bruising but this sounds more uniform. I had a little patch of bruises on my stomach last year, I couldn’t work it out. It turned out to be my baby grandson kicking my tummy while I changed him! You don’t have a boisterous dog do you?If you haven’t already, see the GP at least. My face has gone down - still not happy with it. Last passport photo was very sobering, and I’m stuck with it for 10 years. A low carb, low sugar diet makes a difference but is awfully hard to stick too. Especially at this season.

What investigations did they do to discount GCA?

You seem to be coming down from a high dose for just PMR. Are you doing a slow taper?

We all worry about GCA when we have PMR and tapering can cause headaches - I get a cap- like one and sometimes a sharp right temple pain. I am seeing my Rheumatologist early in the new year. Sometimes you just don’t know what to do for the best. So sorry that you are all worried Poppylop. Wishing you so much good will. X

PS you know the advice if you are really worried don’t you - A&E.

[Poppylop in reply to SheffieldJane]

I havnt spoken to the gp about the mottled legs yet, I'm seeing the rheumatologist in January so will ask him about it, I had a letter from him yesterday saying I'm showing signs of toxicity and need to reduce as fast as I can but I'm just doing 2.5mg a week at the moment, I've had two scans on my temples and armpits but had them both way into being on 40mg so the inflammation wouldn't show up anyway which Prof Lugmani did actually admit to

[SheffieldJane in reply to Poppylop]

So was your initial diagnosis GCA and you think that you might be relapsing?

I don’t understand his toxicity finding. I haven’t come across this, so far. I wonder what it means?. I sort of imagined that we were a bit poisoned on any strong medication until it had done its work. Please ask him to explain and let us know what he says?

What kind of scans ie ultrasound, PET or MRI?

Sorry to be so inquisitive.

I agree about the impact of 40 mgs on tests. Did he say he was looking for GCA or any large cell Arteritis ?

You are clearly a knowledgeable patient, some doctors don’t like this much. Draw on the lion avatar that you have and roar until you get some clear answers. X

[Poppylop in reply to SheffieldJane]

I was diagnosed with PMR and possible GCA but didn't have my first scan until five weeks later then another about a month later, both were ultrasound scans and both showed no signs of GCA

[SheffieldJane in reply to Poppylop]

Well back to the drawing board this won't Do!

[piglette]

I am continually covered in bruises, I look as if I have been in a pub fight most of the time, what with that and the purpura, I could probably have been in a Victorian circus.

[polymy]

Yes I have the discolouration from all the bruising. Have had it for years. In the last week or so I have developed cellulitis so do keep a look out. Should also say the bruising from my knee replacement also went that dusky colour.

[SnazzyD]

Hello

Bruises - they do go horrible colours as they age and if you’ve got a few it can look a fright. Protect the skin with extra layers and as Bleary says some

light compression like class 1.

Headaches - I alWays had headaches with reduction at all levels except below 5mg. As long as Paracetamol nipped them in the bud I didn’t worry.

Other head pains - About this far in the muscle weakness affected my temporomandibular joint and sternocleidomastoid muscle both of which made me think I was flaring but didn’t quite fit if I thought about it rather than worried. Temple pain into the ear as well were the worst bits.

Reducing side effects - I found the effect of reducing didn’t really affect me until under about 20mg and it was still then very gradual.