I was hospitalized for blood clots in my leg (issue found after a surgery, it's hereditary, under control now). But I'm taking 280mg of lovenox everyday (2 shots in the am, 2 shots in the pm) and 1 coumadin in the afternoon. My husband gives GREAT shots---no real bruising to speak of. Just little blue dots like an fine tip ink pen made a dot. However, the pokes I got from the nurses at the hospital are scary looking. 1/2" to 4" black bruises. (Weird thing is, I was NOT on anti-coagulents then, and bruised badly, but now that I'm on medication, I don't bruise with my husband). It's just the way it is, but there's one on my lower belly, about 3" to the right of my bellybutton, that started out about 3" and blue. Then 4" and black. Now nearly 6" and all kinds of colors (red, blue, black, purple, yellow, green). It's getting bigger and bigger and a bit sore to touch. Slightly raised. I stopped wearing jeans and have been living in yoga pants pulled down under the bruise so it doesn't put pressure on it, but it keeps growing. Do bruises do this as they fade, change colors, and heal, or could this be bleeding that needs attention? I would be embarassed to ask a doctor if it's totally normal, but if it's odd, I'll phone them this afternoon. Just wondering if anyone knew?
I called the doctor, the front desk chick said he wasn't in, but I have an appointment for 2pm and am going to alternate cold/warm compresses and just be a little lazy until the doctor visit. Thanks for the advice ladies.
Nope, not normal. Call the doctor asap! Esp. with the blood clotting problem, I wouldn't taken any chances.
I have a clotting disorder and bruises can be deadly. The kinds of prescriptions you're on sound like that is what you're being treated for. If you haven't been diagnosed, talk to your doctor about having the blood panels done. Clotting disorders can be problematic if you're trying to conceive or ever need surgery. And yes, vaccinations or a simple bump can turn into a bruise or worse!
Certain foods and travel should be avoided as well. Since there are so many risk factors with a condition like this, testing if you suspect this is very important. It's also a genetic disorder and runs in families, so if you have children, they should know if they are carriers as well.
I had an underwire bra cause bruising on my breast and almost had to have it removed after the bruising morphed into cellutitis. There was also a risk the clot would break off and cause a pulmonary embollism. My bruise was like what you described above, and no, it's not normal!
With that said, do not mess around if you have a clotting disorder and a bruise that is not healing properly! Talk to your hematologist or whomever is monitoring your case and prescriptions. Blood thinners can bust up clots, but can likewise cause more bleeding and ironically up the potential of clotting if you get an unexpected injury or bruise.
See a doctor as soon as possible. It can turn into infection very easily or break off and cause stroke or other complications. In the interim, do what you can to lessen the inflammation such as alternating cold packs and warm packs.
For more info on clotting disorders see:
http://www.fvleiden.org/
http://www.fvleiden.org/publications/midwife.html
http://www.med.illinois.edu/hematology/PtFacV2.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/factor-v-leiden/DS01083/...
http://www.medicinenet.com/hematoma/article.htm
http://www.healthblurbs.com/blood-vessel-hemorrhage-cause...
It sounds like you have a broken blood vessel that's not healing up and continues to leak blood - that's why it's growing.
If it's turning colors and fading, then the leak has healed up and the colors are the result of leaked blood cells breaking down (blood cells really belong in artery s and veins and nowhere else).
But if it's turning blacker and feeling more tender, I'd be afraid the leak has not healed, you're leaking more blood and it might be a hematoma (blood blister) and I hope it's not infected.
You might have to have it drained.
Please go see a doctor right away.
With your clotting issues and medications, this might be something serious.
My first thought is maybe he nurses used a bigger needle? May be the cause, but I would say since you are on blood thinners you should call.
I would actually want to go be seen because you are having to change what you wear to accommodate the bleeding underneath. It should be LESS sore to the touch than more. I think this is a red flag.
Go show your doctor who knows your situation this bruise. I'm worried that you have internal bleeding...
Dawn
You say it is dark and getting bigger. That means you should see a doctor and have it checked. If it were getting yellow and fading I would say don't worry about it. It sounds like you have a slow leak (hematoma) from a nicked blood vessel that is unlikely to heal on it's own now that you are on so much medication to thin your blood. Have it checked!
Whenever I have needed an IV or shot in the hospital, my bruises always got way way worse before they get better. It's probably normal. That being said, I love using the nurses line from our insurance. I think most insurance plans have one now. Check the back of your card or look it up online. They have stopped me from rushing to the doctors or hospital for my freak outs several times. They have also told me to go to the docs, or a minute clinic if that was all I've needed, or once they told me I should go to the ER (infected cut, got nasty and scary looking fast). Good luck! I'm sure your fine.
Not the same thing but when I had knee surgery I had some crazy freaky bruises! They kept growing and getting bigger and pooling around my ankles. It was almost two months before my body reabsorbed the blood.
Is it possible what you are on slows the reabsorption process?
I would call your doctor just to make sure but I can tell you they take a long time to go away sometimes. :(
