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Bruising

Posted , 7 users are following.

bryanw
bryanw

Hey all

I have a problem with easy bruising. I am 40 years old, reasonably fit and have no major health issues. For the past year I have noticed that I have been bruising very easily, and in particular the bruises are always quite hard lumps. I even had some pretty big haematomas on my legs after a few knocks playing football.

Anyway I have been to my docs, and had all the basic blood tests and everything came back normal. Then I was referred to a Haematologist for another 2 sets of tests, all of which again were normal - some of the common bruising things tested for were  - Von Willibrands, platelet functions, factor 13, all of which were fine. I think I have pretty much had all the tests that can be had for blood disorders.

So I don't really know what to do now - the specialist couldn't come up with anything really. The bruises are more annoying than dangerous, but I'd like to try and get to the bottom of the issue. I don't have any other problems with bleeding.

One thing that happened that may be connected is that just before I noticed the increase in bruising, I had a second infection of Strep throat (bacterial tonsilitis). I had to go through 3 different types of antibiotics as I was mildly allergic to 2 of them  - one gave me a mild rash, the other gave me a sore back (i though it was my kidneys but the doctor checked and said it wasn't). So it may be just a coincidence by it seem to me that this has messed with my immune system and caused the bruising problems.

Currently I am taking a course of probiotics to see if that can re-dress the balance, but it does not seem to be making a difference.

I have  a healthy diet, play tennis twice a week and football once a week.

If anyone has any ideas about what could be wrong, or what I should do to try and solve or at least improve this then I would be so grateful!

Bryan

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • anna_10764
    anna_10764 bryanw

    Posted

    Easy bruising can be symptomatic of medical conditions including autoimmune disorders, vitamin deficiencies, leukaemia and other cancers, disorders of blood vessels and surrounding tissues, and blood clotting disorders. However, I would rule out platelet abnormalities as you’ve already done tests and results are normal. Easy bruising can occur when the blood vessels are weakened by diseases (such as scurvy) and this is common with ageing. Even the medications you take, including aspirin and topical and systemic corticosteroids — which can be used to treat various conditions, including allergies, asthma and eczema — cause your skin to thin, making it easier to bruise. Excessive sun bath can lead to problem of easy bruising.

    Up vitamin c intake in your diet. Vitamin C is important in wound healing and the production of collagen, an important structural component of skin. Without enough of it, your blood vessels are out in the open and more likely to rupture. If there is swelling and pain with bruising, the first line of treatment is to apply a cold compress. If an extremity is involved, elevate the arm or leg and apply a cold compress for 20 minutes until the swelling is reduced. After the swelling is reduced, you may apply a warm compress to help re-absorb the blood.

    Hope it helps.

    Anna.

  • bryanw
    bryanw

    Posted

    Thanks for the reply Anna.

    I have already tried upping the vit C in my diet, taking multivitamins and eating more oranges. But no real change. The thing is my diet has not changed since a year ago when the bruising became apparant, so I don't think it is a diet or vitamin related issue.

  • harrishill1
    harrishill1 bryanw

    Posted

    Hi bryanw. If you are taking anything that thins the blood, it will sometimes cause bruising. I was taking fish oil supplements, in a large dose. They thin the blood and cause bruising. Not sure about cholesterol drugs, but I would suspect they may do that too. Taking lots of aspirin type drugs also thin the blood. Your doctor may have mentioned this to you?

    Good luck with finding the solution.

  • bryanw
    bryanw

    Posted

    yeah, not taking any supplements that thin the blood, or anything like that. All been checked and nothing has changed since the bruising got worse.
  • bryanw
    bryanw

    Posted

    the other worrying and annoying thing about this whole bruising issue is that I get bruises on the backs of my thighs just from sitting on hard surfaces - especially if I sit on a wooden chair like a bentwood with a wooden bead around the edge, the following day I will notice a bruise in that area on my leg that was resting on the edge.
  • harrishill1
    harrishill1 bryanw

    Posted

    Hi Bryanw. I am mystified by your bruising. Have you had a CBC (Complete blood count)?Because that can identify a lot of problems. Good luck with being diagnosed.

    harrishill

    • bryanw
      bryanw harrishill1

      Posted

      I too am mystified! Pretty sure I have had a CBC, the haematologist did all the tests she could think of. I only have a print out of the last 2 sets of tests, and had 2 more sets of standard test from the doctor which I don't have the records of. But anyway the haematologist was onto it and tested me for everything she could think of.

      I have always bruised fairly easily, but never to the extent that I have now - the problem with sitting on wooden seats is what brought it to my attention when it started last year, and the fact that the bruises are hard lumps and don't often colour up...they go away after a couple of days though.

  • Snickerdoodle46
    Snickerdoodle46 bryanw

    Posted

    I'm no specialist (just a housewife with a degree in English:  useless!), but I have had the same thing happen to me around your age. I was told by my doctor that the blood vessels in your legs become less stable over the years, and just before or during menopause they deteriorate even more so. A small bump on the leg and BAM, you have a heck of a bruise!

    Unless you have extra thick blood or take blood thinners because of a possible stroke in the past, etc., you should be fine. An, anticipate more to come as we get older and pass over menopause. Those little bugger veins can then become dangerous veracose (spelling?? Yup:  another English major that cannot spell, LOL) veins!

    Hopefully this helps. It looks like you covered your bases, anyway. What more can they possibly do? Relax, and know that IF (a BIG if) something shows up in the future, at least you have a basline for which they can depend on to help you recover faster.

    Best of Luck to you, and Blessings of Good Health!

  • Snickerdoodle46
    Snickerdoodle46 bryanw

    Posted

    LOL...Just noticed you said BRYAN...if your're a guy (that spelling is used in the States for a girl's name...)then I apologize, but even without the menopause issue (yup, even men go through a type of hormonal change during mid-life), it sounds like you've tried everything. And, it also sounds like it's just what I said, normal bruising for an aging (trying my best to be polite about the 40--something thing!!!) person who is otherwise healthy. It may get worse as you age, but now you've established that baseline I've already spoken of. Best Wishes.
  • emina
    emina bryanw

    Posted

    Hello,

    I too, easily bruise, bu today was just ridicilous! I sat in my shorts on a chair for less than 45 mins, and now I have the chair pattern all over my nether region. I am 40 years old, generally healthy, recently had a blood work and all was fine, normal body weight (towards skinny), eat healthy. I am wondering if I should go and see a doctor. Bryanw, How are you lately?

    • bryanw
      bryanw emina

      Posted

      Hey there - quite glad to hear someone has a similar problem to me, although I am sad to hear it to! My condition has not really changed, although today I have no bruises I can notice. I too have the problem sitting on hard chairs, indeed this is how I first noticed the issue.

      Do you have coloured bruises or hard lumps? Mine tend to start as lumps and sometimes colour later.

      No harm in seeing the doc, but you will need more blood tests. I had every test under the sun but they could not find anything wrong!

      fingers crossed for you, keep me updated.

    • emina
      emina bryanw

      Posted

      Hi, sorry for not replying before. Those bruises have dissapeared. New ones occasionaly appear (and go after awhile). They are always just purplish, then go green. No lumps. Haven't seen a doctor for it I am afraid. Just got used to them. Thinking it's probably that, being over 40 wink 
  • harrishill1
    harrishill1 bryanw

    Posted

    Hi Bryan. I have had bruising when taking Fish oil vitamins. It thins the blood, and causes bruising. Many drugs also do thios. If you go online and type in whatever drugs you are taking, such as aspirin, ask for side effects. It will come up, and bruising will be one side effect. I am not saying all drugs cause bruising, but aspirin will because it thins the blood. Good luck,

    harrishill 

  • patientdave
    patientdave bryanw

    Posted

    I have had autoimmune thrombocytopenia for many years - an immune response to platelets. Low platelet counts as you know, can show up as bruises, bleeding, poor clotting. Mine is a rare condition and one theory is that it can be triggered by viral infections. You mentioned having infections and the bruising increasing. I wonder if this is what has happened. Maybe by the time your blood has been tested your platelet count has temporarily recovered.

    Someone said it could Just be due to aging and football. That may be so. As you get older contact sports get more dangerous to the body.

    Too early to take bowls though Brian!

    Dave

  • stephen01053
    stephen01053 bryanw

    Posted

    Hi Bryan, I think you may already have covered this but perhaps it is worth a try. There is a rare condition known as Acquired Haemophilia.

    From my personal experince as a "normal" haemophiliac I know that often only genuine haemophilia centres will do all of the proper tests and that some haemotology units do not fully understand the condition. If you want to check this out you can find a Haemophilia Centre via this site: http://www.wfh.org/en/page.aspx?pid=1264

    All the best

    Stephen

    Emis Moderator comment: I have removed a link as users can search Google on the term rather than linking to a specific website.

    • stephen01053
      stephen01053

      Posted

      Moderator, I am sorry you removed my link as I put it there to be helpful. As a haemophiliac I am aware that there are some good and some very bad internet articles about the condition and chose one I thought quite good, although I am sure Bryan will have looked at other sites if he wished. What is so wrong with trying to be helpful?

      Also, I never use Google as it is invasive, I prefer search engines that do not track us. I am afraid your heavy-handed approach has meant my association with these fora will be short-lived.

    • stephen01053
      stephen01053 Emis_Moderator

      Posted

      And how am I supposed to know which companies you link to and which you do not? That link provided a good description of a condition and although in reply to one person specifically it was also to the thread in general and my interest in it was for its content, not its URL.

      From your T6Cs: "Other websites

      You can post links to any other website which will go for moderation. They will be approved as long as the link is to a reputable website and is relevant to the discussion. If a link is included to another web site but there is an equivalent or better article on Patient then we may edit the link to go to our article."

      How am I to know who you consider reputable, there was nothing inappropriate on the link I supplied and it contained relevant information. Plus, you did not edit to link to an equivalent or better article.

      Yes, I did see the final line of the T&C page, which means you can remove anything for little or no reason. The T&Cs can easily be interpreted to vindicate any action by you.

      Finally, you are also guilty of hypocrisy when you write about advertising. Why choose only one search engine to highlight, from the T&Cs: " . . . or the user can use Google to find the info." By your own rules it should read: " . . . or the user can use a search engine to find the info." or ". . .  or the user can use a search engine such as Google or (include any other search engine here) to find the info."

      Yes, I know the verb to google is part of the language but note the lower case g. You are blatantly favouring one of many providers of a similar service.

      I enjoyed posting to the two interesting people I replied directly to and reading many other posts but am reluctant to bother further with this site as it is impossible to know what will suddenly be censored at the  caprice of a moderator. I repeat, your T&Cs are not clear and too open to interpretations.

      I suspect my decision whether to continue or not will be taken for me, although a ban would at least save me the hassle of deleting my account.

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