Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Busted blood vessels often?

lionprincess00
lionprincess00
Ever since diagnosis, I frequently receive busted blood vessels on the tops of my hands. It usually has no cause, like I'm sitting there eating lunch...feel burning stabbing pain, look and there's a new bruise over yet another busted vessel. They usually occur below my knuckles on the top of my hands. I assume from excess swelling and a simple gesture can set it off? I am not sure. I've googled and not found much info on this being related to RA, but I've never had this problem before RA. Side note, I was nursing so treatment was on hold my first 6 weeks after diagnosis so I could wean, and I got them then so I don't think it's medicine related. Does this happen to anyone else?
deleted_user
deleted_user
never had these. i think its time to talk to your rheumy. did you notice any nodules?
lionprincess00
lionprincess00
No nodules, and I see her on the 16th so I will mention it. It seems so odd that it started when I experienced my first flare, and I see no real information on it as a symptom. Thx for the input!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes, I have then all over the tops of my hands and lower arms. My Dr. says it's caused by thin skin from years of being in the sun, my age 68 and a lot of meds can make you more prone to bruising. I can get big bruises pushing a package of cereal down into its cardboard box.
Kimberley97
Kimberley97
I have the veins in my fingers break a lot but it's the palm side not the top. It's painful. I think it's either the RA is the meds.
deleted_user
deleted_user
oh my god! sounds scary.
longterm use of mtxt can make skin thin too.
who knows what exactly might be the reason for this, but sounds scary.
camba
camba
Yes and know the stinging sort of pain you mean. First time it happened the hand really swelled up too and I hot footed it to after hours doctor.

I was told by him it is caused by prednisone. I couldnt see what you take on your profile page. My rheumy nurse also says methotrexate can cause it.

(At this point I feel inclined to quip that kale will cure it.... ) I suspect any number of drugs might cause it and mine comes and goes.

It isnt serious (I am told) but is a reminder that the disease is bad and the drugs come with their added issues.
nerot
nerot
I was having a version of this. It was caused by prednisone. That is one of the reasons I am so desperate to wean myself off of it.
lynnedavidson3
lynnedavidson3
I have this on my ankles. It looks horrid. I don't take steroids at all, last dose was a 1 1/2 years ago. I think it is caused by a combination of things, thinning skin from MTX and Arava, swelling that never seems to go away and age. I turned sixty a couple of weeks ago, I do like to blame all ills on RA and age!
lionprincess00
lionprincess00
Thx you all! I am a newly diagnosed 35 yr old on prednisone since September, I believe. I'm on 15 mg now. Was on 20, weaned to 5, and as of a week plus ago went back to 20, and down to 15 two days ago. It must be that I'd think. I'm also on arava. Thanks for the info and comments! I bet it IS the steroids. Makes perfect sense.
bcatz
bcatz
Prednisone is so crummy!
Doctor's prescribe it - it helps, but AFTER we take it, we find out what it does specifically to our own body.
I was prescribed 5mg a day and knew it messed with glucose, causing many to become diabetic. (I doubt on 5mg, but who knows the magic number?)
Instead, I only took 1/4 of that. I hurt for a long time til methotrexate kicked in though. It's such a tradeoff. I hope you can slowly reduce your prednisone. Dropping by 5mg might be too harsh. I wish you luck!