It's official...

the results of my independent, and totally unscientific test results are in!

I have been trying to figure out why I've started getting those big, ugly, blood, bruises on my arms and legs, again!

Back before Christmas, when I was on much higher doses of Pred, I wasn't getting them so often... barley any, actually! When I reduced my Pred to 9.5/9.0, they started to come back, with a vengeance!

It's the OMEGA III

I have always taken a high dose of Omega III, however, last Fall, I was running low and began taking only one capsule a day and not two a day. I ran out eventually and with all the hustle and bustle of Christmas I never ordered more; so for a period of time I was taking NONE!

My skin was bruise free!

In January, not putting 2 + 2 together... I ordered more and by February I was once again covered with huge blood bruises all over my arms and legs!

To test my theory, I stoped taking them all together, and I am happy to report I have only a lot of yellow/green remnants of what used to be horrible, blood red bruises on my arms and legs.

I'm sure most of you know this... I think I knew it too, but had stupidly forgotten!

podcasts.ufhealth.org/fish-...

[SheffieldJane]

Well I certainly didn't know and would have laid it at the door of Pred with everything else. Glad you found the culprit!

I eat sardines most weeks, Mixed with pine nuts, raisons and chopped onion, garlic and a sprinkle of dill, makes a

lovely quick (shhh!) pasta topping.

[powerwalk]

Wow, very interesting! So many people take this supplement. Hard to know what to be doing! Good to keep an eye on. Thanks.

[Hidden]

Interesting to say the least!!

[Telian]

Thanks M. Hope you’re as well as can be. X

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Interesting, but the study does say the advantages of Omega 3 outweigh the risks.

If you are on blood thinning drugs or need/have invasive surgery you might be at more risk.

As usual, you weigh up your own risks and make up your own mind

[Hollyseden]

I didn't know this either, interesting. I see you say you have 'always' taken this. Even before taking pred? Wonder if the combo is the problem 🤔 Glad you have found what was causing your bruises.

[Rimmy]

Hi M - pleased for you !! - one less 'bother'. I haven't taken Omega 3's as a matter of course as I try to get 'enough' by eating oily fish reasonably regularly . But since my flare I have had much worse bruising again - just small knocks leave my hands looking awful - and I assumed it was the higher dose - but maybe as your experience suggests there is more to it ... it seems there is always 'more' to almost everything !! (LOL)

Thanks

D. XX

[Meggsy]

For years I have had fresh salmon or trout, canned red salmon and sardines all twice weekly and daily flaxseed oil and hemp oil. These all have generous amounts of omega3, but I never experienced blood spots under the skin until I was on pred.

[Rose54]

Hi

I have taken OMIGA 111 for years long before steroids and never had a problem then or with Steroids.

Its only since all the heart meds it has been a problem .

I even come off all supplements for 3 months and sill had the bruises and red marks.

But like all of us we have different experiences on our Pred journey .

At least you will be able to show your arms off in the summer without the red marks which is a advantage .

[suzy1959]

That is so interesting! I am currently on aspirin as blood thinners following my knee replacement and of course have noticed more bruising. I have only just started back on my Omega 3’s. I am on thinners for another week so will watch what happens after that.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to suzy1959]

hope you're coming along well❤

[suzy1959 in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes, pretty well thanks. Bad day yesterday, but they happen. I have truly defied all the naysayers’ predictions of doom that I was too high risk for one joint replacement surgery, let alone 4!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to suzy1959]

yes we all get the occasional bad day - but so long as the good days outweigh them that's okay.

Glorious day here today - been out for short walk and now going to have cuppa and sandwich in the garden - yippee!

Let's hope it hangs around a bit longer.

Take care.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

WE have snow again!!!!! No use to man nor beast at this stage - but it is very pretty in the sun!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Think we’ve got rain again at weekend and next week - yesterday was atrocious!

So even a morning of sunshine is very welcome.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Yesterday the forecast for the end of next week was warming up - today it cooling down again!!!

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

I would love some snow with the sun here..... I would like a week of minus temps. I might have to get my spiky ice shoe thingy and my crutch spike but just to have a real winter week would be great.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Hidden]

It’s a beautiful day Poops! The sun has been shining since early morning, the birds are singing, it’s really quite warm in the sun. Why would you not want this?🥶

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

It's been gorgeous... But i would like a beautuful week or two anticyclonic weather with nice dry, sunny cold days. That lovely feeling when you hVe a walk and return home all red faced (not from pred for a change) and cold. Most days have been far too humid and/or wet.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Hidden]

True dat!

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

🤣🤣🤣

[Highlandtiger in reply to Hidden]

You need to move up here! I drove down to Perthshire today from the Highlands and on the way down the mountains were covered in snow and there was blue sky and sun all the way. Makes you feel so much better. February was pretty horrible though, mild and wet. Winter is late!

[Hidden in reply to Highlandtiger]

Sounds lovely. Well jealous! 😏

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Highlandtiger]

That is such a wonderful drive! Did it at the end of October once - very frosty, autumn colours and sun and blue sky. Ab fab!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

I couldn't live in a country without all 4 seasons - that is the joy of the climate here.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

I thought I lived in one but its getting to be a 3 season country but you never know which one is going to be missing😕

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

I thought it had turned into 2 seasons: wet and cold, wet and less cold. Unless you are in the SE in which case it may be hot and humid on occasions ...

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

The 3rd is optional.

[Rosbud in reply to DorsetLady]

Wasn't it great , after all the rain yesterday to wake up to beautiful Dorset sunshine , fingers crossed not to much rain over the weekend , glad your recovery seems to be going well xx

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Rosbud]

Yes it was....,and coming along nicely thank you.

Surprising how productive a few days at home can be... even one handed!

Not got through everything by a long way ... so if CV hits I’ve still got plenty of jobs to keep me going!

[Hidden in reply to DorsetLady]

Sorry.... No snow down your way... I will keep it here.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Very rarely get snow In Dorset, sometimes in the north of the county - but not in the south! Too close to sea!

[Hidden in reply to DorsetLady]

That gulf stream is great. If it snows up on the east coast... The beach can be white over too.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

One January we arrived at Rimini on the way home from the south - to 6 inches of snow on the beach! Amazing sight!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It seems to be a disputed fact:

jamanetwork.com/journals/ja...

But there a lot of anecdotal reports of omega3s leading to increased bruising - would be interesting to know what other medications and supplements people who experience it are on.

[Odosmum in reply to PMRpro]

I have taken Omega 6 (anti inflammatory) for about 25 years, and added 3 about 15 years ago. The preparation I take now has 9 too. I know for sure that when I stop taking it, my arthritic pains are much worse and it takes about 3 weeks to get back to normal. I recently had a heart attack and have added both aspirin and clopidogrel to my daily drug cocktail. I have had no abnormal bruising before prednislone, with prednisolone or with the blood thinner and anti platelet meds. I also take a multi vitamin/mineral per day.

[piglette]

I don’t take Omega III and have bloody blotches and bruising like I have been having a fight. In my case it is definitely the pred.

[Mrs-CJ]

I bruise easily from eating various foods, and the prednisone did not make any difference. If you google blood thinning foods there are good listings. Fish oil pills, Vit E pills, walnuts, olive oil, antiinflammatories like Advil and Aleve, etc. Lots of foods to experiment with for those that have this issue!

[nickm001]

I am glad that it worked for you, but sorry to dispute your theory... I don't take Omega3 supplements and still bruise, even at the low dose of 2mg.... or maybe I should start with Omega3 supplements for a while and then stop