Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have increased bruising and chills going on. Normal CBC. I’m on Methotrexate, just at 10 mg a week. I always have bruised some, but this is getting out of hand, to the point that my DH is worried someone might accuse *him* of abusing me. I usually carry about five horid bruises at a time. Either I’m getting more clumsy (which is a possibility!) or something is causing this increased bruising. At the same time I’m chilling more. This could be because of losing a lot of weight (60 pounds gone-on purpose) and having less insulation. And because of air conditioning. But the chills (no fever) cause the Raynaud’s to be worse. I’m just wondering if all of these symptoms could be related to something and if I should have it checked out further. The doc didn’t seem to be concerned since my CBC came back normal.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/methotrexateforcancersyst… 02355.html Methotrexate .. causes bruising .. actually alot more .. Seems to be quite the blood thinner .. too. Hmmm .. Who loves ya. Tom http://www.angelfire.com/rebellion/watchman Jesus was a vegetarian! http://www.nucleus.com/watchman Moses was a mystic! http://www.nucleus.com/watchman/light.html
Response:
Have you done complete blood work, including liver enzymes? What other meds are you taking? Which "doc" was unconcerned? Not your RD I’ll bet. The dose of MTX you are taking seems too low to account for what is happening. You need a complete evaluation ASAP. Call your RD on Monday. If frank bleeding occurs (from nose, rectum, etc.), go to the ER. Walt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have increased bruising and chills going on. Normal CBC. I’m on Methotrexate, just at 10 mg a week. I always have bruised some, but this is getting out of hand, to the point that my DH is worried someone might accuse *him* of abusing me. I usually carry about five horid bruises at a time. Either I’m getting more clumsy (which is a possibility!) or something is causing this increased bruising. At the same time I’m chilling more. This could be because of losing a lot of weight (60 pounds gone-on purpose) and having less insulation. And because of air conditioning. But the chills (no fever) cause the Raynaud’s to be worse. I’m just wondering if all of these symptoms could be related to something and if I should have it checked out further. The doc didn’t seem to be concerned since my CBC came back normal. Thanks! Kathy W.
Response:
Are you also taking Prednisone?
Response:
}I have increased bruising and chills going on. Normal CBC. I’m on Methotrexate, }just at 10 mg a week. I always have bruised some, but this is getting out of }hand, to the point that my DH is worried someone might accuse *him* of abusing }me. I usually carry about five horid bruises at a time.
Are you on Prednisone too? It causes the skin to become fragile, and bruising occurs easily. Jim’s aunt is on a high dose of it, and she has ugly bruises all over her arms and legs. — Joan Tom the Tinpot Troll said in a newsgroup, his mother died a "raving loon". Nice, Tom, really nice.
Response:
Let’s see if I can answer the questions about my bruising and chilling. Here are the meds I’m on: -Neurontin (2700 mg daily) -Cardizem -Ultram -Singulair -Methotrexate (10 mg a week) I’m not on prednisone. I have systemic Sjogren’s Syndrome which is presenting similarly to Lupus. I have not been to my RD for about a year now, because she was very little help. She was the third one I had tried in Dallas, so I just sort of gave up for now. My internist (specialty is pulmonology but he is also a hospitalist) is my primary care physician. I also see a neurologist, gynecologist and other specialists as I have needs. I have had CBC and liver functions tested monthly, and the last test was just this past week, which was WNL (within normal limits). I go to see my PCP again in a few weeks. Do you all think this needs attention prior to that? So hard for me to tell an acute problem from a chronic one-this is acute in that it is a new problem, but it doesn’t seem urgent. I am not having any frank bleeding anywhere. About five or six years ago, I did have a bone marrow biopsy which showed ZERO iron storage. I had normal CBC, not actively anemic, by that test, but when tested for Ferritin, it was low. Thanks for any more thoughts you all have! Kathy W.
Response:
Kathy, A couple of thoughts here: 1) mtx can thin your blood a bit so even though you are on a low dose, it could have some effect. 2) Since you are also on nsaids these could be a problem as well. 3) Your doctor may want to think about doing a full liver work up, a full CBC, and iron/ferritin study including a reticulocyte count to see if your bone marrow is still producing red blood cells properly. Make sure you ask your doctor about all of these things, and like Walt said, keep an eye out for anything that may signal something more serious. If in doubt, err on the safe side and go to an urgent care or ER if you have concerns. Sure hope things settle down for you!!! Donna G
Response:
Kathy: If it will give you peace of mind, see a dr. ASAP. If you are truly not very worried, then you probably can wait. Your peace of mind is worth as much as your physical health. MomofTwo
Response:
I have increased bruising and chills going on. Normal CBC. I’m on Methotrexate, just at 10 mg a week. I always have bruised some, but this is getting out of hand, to the point that my DH is worried someone might accuse *him* of abusing me. I usually carry about five horid bruises at a time. Either I’m getting more clumsy (which is a possibility!) or something is causing this increased bruising. At the same time I’m chilling more. This could be because of losing a lot of weight (60 pounds gone-on purpose) and having less insulation. And because of air conditioning. But the chills (no fever) cause the Raynaud’s to be worse. I’m just wondering if all of these symptoms could be related to something and if I should have it checked out further. The doc didn’t seem to be concerned since my CBC came back normal. Thanks! Kathy W.
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