Blotches...Splotches...?

[Grammy80]

I used to get these spots often on arms and legs when I was on lots of methylprednisolone, I mean like 120mg to 60mg per day. I have been tapering and am now taking 12mg per day.

These were not there this morning...just took a shower and was surprised to see them on both arms and quite an assortment on each leg...not bruises. Could this still be just from the methylpred?

Since being diagnosed with GCA last August...I only take an asprin per day, no prescribed blood thinners.

I'm looking to 👬👬👬👬👬👬👬 for some insight...thx xo Marilyn

On a scale of one to ten....today was a 5~!

[Hidden]

A five day is good in my book. I know pred can cause purpura but not sure how fast they come up. I have only had a couple of small one... In my 50s.

Ithis link may help you until others come along.

skinsite.com/info_bateman_s...

[Grammy80 in reply to Hidden]

That was a great article...thanks! Since I will turn 80 in September I don't think I have anything to worry about....just thankful I have the forum to turn to~! xo😻😻

[Blearyeyed in reply to Hidden]

Nice easy to understand article on this common side effect of Chronic Health Skin , Thanks Scoops.

That is a helpful user friendly site , worth remembering, for those times we get various spots and blotches which we might need to get peace of mind and information about.

[Hidden in reply to Blearyeyed]

YEs added to my documents...

[SheffieldJane]

Aspirin can be a factor in causing this bruising under the skin. Even washing too vigorously could cause it.

I really hope you are feeling better Marilyn. A 5 for me is “ it could go either way”. Good to hear from you. You’ve been in my thoughts.

[Grammy80 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you, Jane! I'm so glad I have 'the forum' to ask....I wonder about things some times..it seems like things are changing frequently and I'm not always sure of what is going on. Maybe I need to just roll with things a bit more. Yes...I'll take a 5 any day!! My best💗

[SheffieldJane in reply to Grammy80]

You and me both. Hyper vigilance is exhausting. 🤦‍♀️🌸🌷

[Luciejc]

My arms are always badly spotted. Tried taking a photo but unable to attach it to this reply. I'm now on 15 mg of Prednisone.💖 and hoping tomorrow is a 6!.

[Grammy80 in reply to Luciejc]

Aren't you glad we don't have any beauty contests coming up real soon~? Thanks, Jean...💗

[Hidden in reply to Grammy80]

Pre pmr I had a boil on the end of my nose for Xmas.... My rudolph impression went down well with the kids in the family, especially as it pulsed. Boy it was sore!

[Grammy80 in reply to Hidden]

😂🤣Rudolph had a very shiny nose~! Where would we be without a sense of humor~!!!

[Hidden in reply to Grammy80]

I was happy to laugh but it hurt when I did....

[piglette]

When I started pred the purpura was really bad. I am now at 5mg and the odd blotch appears every so often, but it is so much better at a low dose.

[Theziggy]

I have these too! Gave posted about them previously.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

mayoclinic.org/healthy-life...

Aspirin is enough as the article says and aspirin is no longer recommended in the GCA guidelines because of the increased risks which are now considered to outweigh the benefits. Especially in older patients who manage to develop bruises anyway!

The smaller ones are called purpura, the very small ones like pinpricks are petechiae - and due to the delicate capillaries leaking.

I actually find that my bruises on my shins are due to catching my shins with my heels in the night while crossing/uncrossing my ankles. Once an area has bruised it remains a bit more delicate and likely to bruise again.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for that

[Grammy80 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, great article~!🌸🌸

[Hidden]

I get these. Bruises appear every now and then. I am on 12mg of Pred down from 80mg since diagnosis.

[Grammy80 in reply to Hidden]

...and good fortune to us all~!!!

[Thelmarina]

Battered, bruised but brave! 😂

[Grammy80 in reply to Thelmarina]

Damn straight~! 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

[Hidden]

That's odd! I have had the same issue! I got lots of these (botches and actual breaks in the skin) when I was taking 40, 60, 80 mg of Pred, but things seemed to calm down (a lot) last summer and into fall, when I was on like 25, 20, 15, mg... Unfortunately, since maybe December, they are back with a vengeance.

If I just scrape my arm, I either get an actual cut (where the skin breaks open like tissue paper) or I get several of these blood bruise blotches! My arms are covered again, and I have been on 11mg (or less) since January!

[Grammy80 in reply to Hidden]

I guess this is another one of those things that falls under the heading....acceptance~! I'll take the blothches over the skin peeling...gladly. AND....I'll take the prednisone gladly also compared to the alternative. Take good care~~😻

[Hidden in reply to Grammy80]

Yup, I agree! You take care too!!!!