Why am I bruising so much???!!!

[paddbear0000]

Almost every day, I get a new bruise. They are pretty big, and only appear on my arms and/or legs. Is this a common occurrence before starting dialysis? I haven't started any new medications. I don't even think I get them from injury. At least I don't remember bumping into things. The only bruise that appeared that I know appeared for a reason, was when my dog stepped on my leg.

[monrein]

Yes Paddbear, it is a symptom.  My legs were like camouflage skin and bruising just before I started dialysis the first time.  It sounds like you're getting very close to needing to begin.   

[paddbear0000]

What is it caused by?

[nursewratchet]

Aspirin, Naproxen, Prednisone, and any other antiinflammatory will cause bruising.  Of course, good old Heparin, but I don't think you are on that yet. 

[skyedogrocks]

Rob was the same way before he started dialysis.  He had bruises all over his legs.  It got much better after he was on dialysis for a few months.

[boxman55]

Aspirin, Naproxen, Prednisone, and any other antiinflammatory will cause bruising.  Of course, good old Heparin, but I don't think you are on that yet. 

I take naproxen for my elbow along with warfarin because I am allergic to heparin. What I find is every time I bang my hands even lightly I wind up cutting them. I would have up to 10 or so nicks and scraps at a time. I found out today that my levels where low and they want to raise the dose of the rat poisin and my hands have almost healed up. Can't win I guess I will wear gloves...Boxman

[Sunny]

I bruise easily too and I'm also pre-dialysis. Any little bump into anything at all will cause bruises. Last week I carried in grocery bags which banged on my legs and I got huge bruises from it. Sorry you get them too.

[paris]

No answer from me, but I also bruise easily.  Arms and legs are always black and blue.  I also notice that my skin seems very "thin" and scratch and bleed with the slightest scrap.   Neph keeps saying it is all part of the kidney issue.

[monrein]

http://www.aakp.org/aakp-library/Bruising/

http://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/chronic-renal-failure

[paddbear0000]

Aspirin, Naproxen, Prednisone, and any other antiinflammatory will cause bruising.  Of course, good old Heparin, but I don't think you are on that yet. 

I'm not on any of that.

[paddbear0000]

I also notice that my skin seems very "thin" and scratch and bleed with the slightest scrap.   Neph keeps saying it is all part of the kidney issue.

OMG! Yes! I'm not crazy!!! I'll look down and see blood pooling on the floor from a scratch on my foot, get nose bleeds that I can't stop for an hour, etc.

[swramsay]

Low platelets (thrombocytopenia) will cause bruising. Normal range is between 150,000 - 450,000 (sometimes reported as 150-450 - which is what I use). I've had problems with platelets since beginning dialysis 4 months ago. When they drop below 50 and into the 20's, I need my blood drawn every day to check them. You can have spontaneous internal bleeding if they drop below 10. It can be very serious. With heavy bruising or easy bleeding, I'd have them checked and followed right away. I usually can tell if my platelets are really low by how my body is reacting with new bruises, bleeding gums, blood sores in my mouth (usually following dialysis) etc. Not always though. Once they were in the 30's and I had no unusual symptoms.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrombocytopenia

[pelagia]

Low platelets (thrombocytopenia) will cause bruising. Normal range is between 150,000 - 450,000 (sometimes reported as 150-450 - which is what I use). I've had problems with platelets since beginning dialysis 4 months ago. When they drop below 50 and into the 20's, I need my blood drawn every day to check them. You can have spontaneous internal bleeding if they drop below 10. It can be very serious. With heavy bruising or easy bleeding, I'd have them checked and followed right away. I usually can tell if my platelets are really low by how my body is reacting with new bruises, bleeding gums, blood sores in my mouth (usually following dialysis) etc. Not always though. Once they were in the 30's and I had no unusual symptoms.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrombocytopenia

see also:

http://www.ikidney.com/article.php?id=20070207201058

[nursewratchet]

Aspirin, Naproxen, Prednisone, and any other antiinflammatory will cause bruising.  Of course, good old Heparin, but I don't think you are on that yet. 

I take naproxen for my elbow along with warfarin because I am allergic to heparin. What I find is every time I bang my hands even lightly I wind up cutting them. I would have up to 10 or so nicks and scraps at a time. I found out today that my levels where low and they want to raise the dose of the rat poisin and my hands have almost healed up. Can't win I guess I will wear gloves...Boxman

   There is your answer...

[boxman55]

Aspirin, Naproxen, Prednisone, and any other antiinflammatory will cause bruising.  Of course, good old Heparin, but I don't think you are on that yet. 

I take naproxen for my elbow along with warfarin because I am allergic to heparin. What I find is every time I bang my hands even lightly I wind up cutting them. I would have up to 10 or so nicks and scraps at a time. I found out today that my levels where low and they want to raise the dose of the rat poisin and my hands have almost healed up. Can't win I guess I will wear gloves...Boxman

There is your answer...

So easy so simple. We don't need Doctors we have IHD...Boxman

[Lucinda]

Not just my arms and legs, I bruise everywhere and I get really bad nose bleeds.  If I cut myself, it bleeds for ages, break a fingernail and I get a massive bruise underneath it.  Even when I give myself my EPO shots in my thigh it leaves a massive bruise on my leg.  I wore a choker necklace out on New Year's Eve and it now looks like someone tried to strangle me with a rope.  Big black bruise around my neck.  I have had to stop waxing my legs etc because I have great big strips of bruises where they pull the wax off.  It is a really attractive new fashion for predialysis patients!!