13 replies to this topic

[luvmybees24]

My numbers are all good. My platelets are normal, etc. I have noticed since I have been diagnosed that I bruise a LOT more frequently. I helped carry a TV and my arm was full of bruises. I keep getting small bruises on my stomach. Nothing big or major but I'm wondering if this is just because I have CML or the medication or just because I'm clumsy? I noticed a few bruises before I was diagnosed but mostly the bruising has happened after. Last blood test was April 19 and I'm getting my CBCs, etc next week..

Laura.

[LivingWellWithCML]

Laura,

Very interesting question.  I am a year+ into treatment and I've noticed an increased tendency toward bruising ... although it's not major.  My platelets are also normal.  For example, I do a lot of traveling (flying) for client work and I like to carry my laptop bag using a shoulder strap.  And I've noticed that I now get these small bruises on my shoulder after shuffling my way through airports and such.  Weird!  I don't recall this happening pre-diagnosis.  They are small marks and do go away quickly, so the blood must be doing its job.

[Susan61]

I have always bruised easily even before diagnosis.  I just have to carry my laundry basket up the stairs, and my stomach is bruised from holding it agains my stomach as I climb the stairs.  I bump my leg against the bed well making the bed, and sure enough I know there will be a bruise.  I do have low platelets now, but its been this way even before when my platelets were normal.  Mine do not go away that quick either. I would not worry about that.

[Floa7]

I also bruised easily even before diagnosis, on my wrist and hands mainly. And I am suppose to be on a baby aspirin, that just makes them worse. My platelets are back to normal, So why should I take aspirin?

[CallMeLucky]

TKI drugs can cause skin issues - sometimes I get these bruises that look more like an abrasion just below the surface of the skin.  I get these very frequently from carrying things, scratching an itch, rubbing up against things.  Sometimes just having a restless night sleep where I toss and turn will result in all kinds of bruise like markings on my body in the morning.  They tend to be more reddish then black and blue.

Your skin is thinner (for lack of a better word) than it used to be.

[LivingWellWithCML]

Yup, that's a good description for what I'm getting as well ... fortunately, an annoyance and not an issue.

[0vercast]

I haven't noticed any unusual bruising, except for when they put a needle in me, then I bruise up pretty badly.  I never used to get bruises from needles.  I actually bruise more now from a single blood draw then when I had inch long trackmarks on both arms following dx.

[hannibellemo]

Yes! But even more irritating is the brown discoloration that is left after any sort of open wound heals. Little wound, little brown spot. Big wound...you get my drift. Never had that before.

Pat

[TeddyB]

I had 270k wbc on DX and did not bruise prior to DX, and i was in good health (played squash and worked 110% and took care of two kids) so i guess we are all different Only thing that gave me a clue i had CML was cause of my spleen.

After starting Gleevec on the other hand, ive been bruising very easily, ive had a bit low platelets, but my last count was 141 so thats not too bad. What im wondering is, how long does it take for these bruises to heal, ive had some for 3-4 weeks now and they are still there, but now there is more of a skin flake around the bruises. Is there anything that can be put on them to heal faster? I have one on my face, and its annoying the ¤#%# out of me.

[pammartin]

A few weeks ago I used a limb cutter, you position the blade around the tree branch and then pull a string to trim the branch but I had to put the end of the pole on my upper thigh because I have to have two hands to pull the string now, I have lost some arm strength.  A few days after using the cutter my thighs looked like I had been severely beaten, I had plum sized bruises that ran into each other and covered my thighs.  There was no real weight or strength pushing on my legs, the cutter bears the weight and the string is where the pulley and strength come into play.  Just ever place I rested that cutter I had a serious bruise.  I don't remember running into things, but then I discover this huge bruise somewhere, for the way it looks you would think I should remember at least me yelling 'ouch'.  I pinched my finger in the lawn cart a week ago and you would have sworn someone bent my finger backwards and broke it off, the entire surface was several different colors of bruise.  My platelets are pretty good, they run between 170 - 210,000 so almost in the 'normal' range for the lab I use. 

TeddyB, my bruises seem to last longer also, I do not have the flaking you mentioned but I hardly ever bruised before, I would do something and think, oh that one is going to be a doozie and it was nothing, now I would look like someone beat the crap out of me.  The bruises on my thighs are finally fading, they are still visible but not nearly as dark as they were a week ago.  at one time they would have lasted only a few days or not appeared at all.  Hope you find some answers for your question and/or advice heads your way via the site. 

[WoofWoof]

I'm on Tasigna, counts are all pretty good: I bruise so easily my arms look like I've been beaten with an ugly stick. The littlest bump causes me to get a red blotch that lasts for weeks, also my skin is so thin the least little scratch causes bleeding. I just carry plenty of antiseptic wipes, gauze and tape.

[TeddyB]

Pam, Woof, Billie:

Glad to hear its not just me. I dont mind bruising, but i find it annoying that they dont heal, its been almost 4 weeks now, and i still look like ive been in a fight. Im trying different creams on different bruises to see which works the best, hopefully when ive found something that works, i can apply it on the bruise on my face, and almost look like a normal human being. (Except of course for the dry and teary skin around my eyes)

I hope the dryness and bruising is just a passing side effect, if not i will seriously have to consider switching to another TKI. If it doesnt reside within the next 2 weeks (while im on vacation) i will talk to a dermatologist when i get home. I guess if there is no chance for permanent damage, then i can live with it, but i look like im 80 years old now around the eyes, and thats not fun when im only 36