1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Unexplained bruising...??

Posted , 6 users are following.

kim94523
kim94523

Hi all, I just looked at my foot and the top of it is black and blue. I didn't do anything today that would cause it except walk maybe 100 yards (not up hill - just across the street) in flip flops with my son. The bruise was not there this morning--it literally just appeared. The whole top of my foot is black and blue. Online it says it can be from RA low platelet count or side effect of prednisone. I am newly diagnosed and haven't seen rheumy yet but my numbers are high and I have been in increasingly worse pain for months... I see rheumy Wednesday. But online it says this is a symptom not to ignore and to call doc right away. So does that mean I should go to urgent care on a Sunday or can this kind of thing wait until Monday? Thanks fellow fighters, Kim (rheumy newbie)

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • kim94523
    kim94523

    Posted

    P.s. I take 5mg of prednisome-just started that Wednesday (only 3 doses). I am not on anything else for RA yet. Even cut out the Advil this weekend.
  • bronwyn97278
    bronwyn97278 kim94523

    Posted

    Hi Kim; yep, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to go and have a Liver Function Test (or whatever the dr suggests) as if bruising is occurring for unknown reason, it needs to be checked out...even for some "relief" if nothing.....I always say, "if concerned, check it out"...also it will assist your rheumatologist too, to measure/check what dosage your body can tolerate??? but go and see someone today....aand let us know what the outcome is for all of us for future knowledge.   regards
  • kim94523
    kim94523

    Posted

    Hi Br, thanks for the fast reply. It's midnight here (I am in the US) but I will call tomorrow and report back. Thank you so much again! Kim
  • Light
    Light kim94523

    Posted

    Yes. Go to emergency and present your symptoms. It probably can wait till Monday, but if you're thinking of going at all, go now, or you'll worry.

    I have had RA for 8 years and never had such symptoms, despite sometimes huge doses of prednisolone. And I have been in several RA forums and don't recall anyone presenting these either.

    Small broken capilliaries around the ankles are normal, but they come over time.

    Something that appears so quickly should be of some concern and I wouldn't wait.

    Best of luck! Keep us posted.

  • kim94523
    kim94523

    Posted

    UPDATE (Sunday a.m. US, Pacfic Coast Time 12 Noon), I all, thanks for the advice. I called my doc and they are having labs done liver function, kidney function and blood platelet count.  You were right!  I am so grateful for this forum.  I will find out the results Monday (tomorrow) morning and will post.  Bruise is fading to reddish now but I documented it's appearance and and am documenting its disappearance with pictures.  They did tell me to stop all pain meds except, if necessary, Tylenol, which I had already done.  I say this part in case someone reading this someday has the same problem and is taking Ibuprofin, Naproxin, Prednisone or any othe NSAID pain reliever... those are to be stopped right away if bruising occures.  More soon - Kim
    • Light
      Light kim94523

      Posted

      Ah! So it was the NSAIDS?

      I do recall hearing something like this with painkillers, now you've tweaked my memory.

      Good that it's under control.

    • kim94523
      kim94523 Light

      Posted

      No... They just told me not to take any as a preclusion... which I hadnt been since Friday and this happened sat night. I had blood work done. Waiting for results. Will let everyone know. Sorry if my message was confusing.
    • bronwyn97278
      bronwyn97278 kim94523

      Posted

      Hi Kim;  I have just re-read the above statement....were you taking more than one (1) NSAIDS at the same time, or alternately?   I don't think you should combine them....stick with one NSAID at a time...the one that works the best....naproxin (naprosan) is/has the same ingredients as Ibrufen (brufin) with a similar ingredient to aspirin...which dilutes the blood...???   Bron
  • bronwyn97278
    bronwyn97278 kim94523

    Posted

    Yes NSIADS can causing Bleeding....however, in most cases it usually affects the gut (stomach) first, causing a ulceration,,that usually equires taking some peptide...I thought it was unusual for the bleeding to occur in the foot first...have you ever had unexplained, severe gut pain?  If so, perhaps your doc main reccommend having an Endoscopy too???  I am really interested in what the results of your tests show....regards Bron
    • kim94523
      kim94523 bronwyn97278

      Posted

      thanks and no, no pain and very low dose NSAIDs and none this weekend at all. Bruising on the feet or lower extremities is a sign of low platelet count but I'll wait to see har the tests say, of course.  

      doc told me not to take any NSAIDS so as not to exasserbate the problem.  Stay tuned...

  • kim94523
    kim94523

    Posted

    Update Monday, 10:48 a.m. US PST, my platelet count is normal.  Still waiting for liver and kidney function tests but if those are "off" than problems are at least less imminent than platelett count possible bleeding problems, so I am relieved.  And I am taking my damn Advil and Prednison so I can function... off to work.  More as known.  Bruise sill there!  Weird!  smile
  • kim94523
    kim94523

    Posted

    Hi Danny, yes, I was officially dx diabetic (at the same time they found RA, Vitamin D deficiency, high cholesterol and menopause) on 3/6.  My doc said she would put me on insulin unless I lost 20 pounds in a month and followed a strict diet.  I did!  I changed my eating habits drastically and lowered my blood sugar to "normal" range (just tested a couple days ago) and am not considered diabetic any more! I guess the "stress" of my flip flop on my foot, combined with taking Advil made me prone to bruises because my blood platelet count is fine.  Thanks, Danny!
    • bronwyn97278
      bronwyn97278 kim94523

      Posted

      Hi Kim;  I know I have responded to your site before....but it was only last night, that I realized.."heck,  I've developed un-explained Bruising appearance around L) eye over past few months...not there in mornings , but worsens during the day, and by night-time, it looks like I've been hit in the eye"...I was putting it down to having a lesion removed from near inner eye last October.....and only after raising issue with a friend, and being on my mind, thought more about it last night....thought, wonder if same prob you are having ????  I have taken photos, and will be seeing my GP tomorrow, for regular check-up, and discuss the other issues that have arisen (eg TPJ)....so will be checking more of this site, to find out more answers...maybe even lacking vitamin D absorption....can't say I don't get enough from sun, as this summer, I browned up, even by basically hanging washing on line....talk soon....Bron
  • kim94523
    kim94523

    Posted

    Good luck Brun!
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.