Bruising

[Portobello]

Was diagnosed with PMR in August 2019 and have tapered very slowly, with a number of hitches to 0.5mg Pred. It's taken 4 attempts at this dose, but tonight I will take what I hope will be my last tiny half. But when will I stop bruising so easily? Whenever I knock my hands a purple patch appears. Will my thin skin ever improve at age 75 (next week!).

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

It does improve in time -but you have to remember you have aged as well so not all down to Pred …. Like us all 😊

[Portobello in reply to DorsetLady]

You're right of course! And you and this wonderful forum have helped me immeasurably throughout my journey. Thank you 💐

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Portobello]

Forgot to say.. fingers crossed [but not too tightly in case they bruise 😳]..

[PMRpro Ambassador]

My bruised shins and petechiae on my arms have just about gone and I'm still on 7mg pred. I think everyone is different but it does take a bit of time.

Good luck without pred - but be ready if symptoms come back, You wouldn't be the first where 1/2mg kept it quiet but zero was a step too far.

[Kendrew in reply to PMRpro]

My father could never taper off that final ½mg ......it made all the difference.

[Exflex]

Good luck with a 100% step from 0.5 to zero!

I’m doing a 1.25% to 1 step of 5 weeks using DL’s taper plan. If and when I get to 0.5mg I’ll first drop to 0.25 then the final drop to 0.0 using the extended 7W taper.

I bruise very easily, but on the other hand (pun) take aspirin 75mg.

[GCAinCarolina]

Main thing is that everyone is different and hopefully you will improve with time.In my case (just turned 75) I finally got off prednisone after 14 months and now on Actemra infusions once a month. But I still have bruising,currently about 6 on arms and legs, and mostly no idea where they came from. Doctor says its still carry-over from prednisone, but will get better. Good luck !!!

[JR57]

I am closing in on 80 years! I was on Prednisone for three years and was able to discontinue it as of January 1, 2021! My dermatologist told me to try taking Vitamin C 500 mgm twice per day plus Rutin 500 mgm twice per day. I have been doing that for six months now. I still bruise easily but I feel they heal quicker. Every little bit helps. Good luck to you.

[Portobello in reply to JR57]

That's useful to know. Thank you.

[Grammy80]

If I could peel my skin off...I could submit it to a designer as a fabric sample, a variety of splotches of various shapes--everywhere.

I'm 82 and a partner with prednisone since 2019. Honestly, I've given up wondering if I'll ever be 'splotch-free'...I don't think so. If I even scratch an itch..carefully..the blood vessels or little capillaries or whatever they are will explode. I'm just a patterned person and thankful I don't forsee any reason to publicly reveal my body. Kudos to the 3/4 sleeve. I'm shooting for inner beauty!! I feel so much better than 2019.💞

[tempusfugi in reply to Grammy80]

So glad to hear you feel so much better, Grammy80.👍😁

[Grammy80 in reply to tempusfugi]

Aw, thanks tempus~!💞

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Grammy80]

Good -at least that’s progress then - so a bonus surely😊

[Pass7 in reply to Grammy80]

my hands & arms are a mess from bruising & peeling. I wear long sleeves all year long. My hubby hates looking at them. He has LBD & thinks I play in the woods all the time. 😆. I wish I had the energy to get outside & do something. Even weeding! I’m awaiting a hip replacement therefore in pain. I had a joint injection & I think helped heal some of the bruising but not the pain. Good luck Grammy. Love your inner beauty!

[Grammy80 in reply to Pass7]

I was doing just fine reducing have a milligram of prednisone along with my actmera every 3to four weeks. I stayed on my reduction taper in spite of a hospitalization for asthma and then an attack of pancreatititis. Enrique cavaria began to experience some issues with head and so the rheumatologist and I decided that I would coast along at 3 mg until such. Time as I returned from my trip to canada and maine. Actually it gave me time to just relax not think about the g c a until I get bact. I truly wish you all the best.💕

[Grammy80 in reply to Grammy80]

Pardon my errors that 😱are bound to come when I dictate. Sorry!

[Grammy80]

Yes, real progress! The bumps have a way of smoothing out over time. The colorful skin is easy to live with compared to many other options. Very fortunate.🍀💞