purple spots on arms?

Hi there,

The fact they disappear is a good sign.  I would question you Dr. on your next appointment.

Sharon

 

How strange. Ive never really thought much about it but yes! Purplish spots on the back of my forearm that look like bruises but arent. Then they go away after a week or two. I wonder if it is lupus related??

No. Mine arent like petechiae. I usually only have two purple bruise-like spots. The pictures on google looks like there is a lot of spots

JD19,

I looked up Petechiae and it did not look the same either. It is so strange though only 2 or three at a time, no pain...just more concerning looking....hmm...

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~*~Kristyn~*~
Age - 24
Diagnosed w/UC at age 18
Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue at age 16
Acid Reflux & Drug Induced Lupus 10/07 (from Remicade)
Current Meds - Asacol (12 pills daily)
-Nexium 40mg/day
-Canasa suppository (1000mg at bedtime)
-Lexapro (10mg)
-Prednisone (40mg when flaring)
-Multivitamin, Aloe Vera Gel

Hi pooh yep but I get them on my hands not my arms. I wass told by one rheumy he thought it was CREST syndrome. I actually look like I got attacked by a redish purple pin. I have 4 on one hand and 5 on the other. Do you have Raynauds? Pred. can actually leave funny discoloration on your skin too. I would take pictures for the next time you visit your rheumy. That's always the best bet>
let us know
hugs
carol

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God Bless

Hi pooh--
Liver disease can cause problems like that sometimes, tiny red or purplish ones are usually broken capillaries (the tiny blood vessels that connect veins to arteries) and that is a normal part of aging and they dont usually go away. sometimes they occur with spidering as part of liver disease (portal hypertension--blood backs up in the top half of your body because it can get through the liver fast enough) and prednisone also causes this. People with advanced liver disease often have many large and small purplish spots on their arms, some people get brown "liver spots". I also believe there are immune system problems that cause these spots. My son had one and it went away. Kaposi's sarcoma has been the only time I've seen purplish spots on anyone's arms and they were all over and the person was very sick with AIDS. Then I've seen them on elderly people with bad liver disease. The fact they go away is a good sign. My son never found out what his was, it was about the size of a pencil eraser and kind of looked like a wine stain or hicky. With all the meds we take, it's likely something to do with our meds, but you can always check with the rheumie like carol said, or see a dermatologist if it really concerns you. I found seeing a dermatologist has been helpful to me with several oddities in my skin! And you know, I do get bruises for no reason that come and go.

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Love, Marji

has anyone determined with any certainty what causes these small purple spots spots?  I get them either individually or on small patterns that merge into one lighter spot in a few days, then disappear.  I've had this "condition" for the past year; all my liver tests are normal.

I get these quite frequently, and not just on my arms or hands or just 2 or 3 but all over my body and in huge quantities at times. I also get petichiae, which is different, so I know that this is not petichiae. I have been told that in my case this condition is due to a slow clotting time and 'bleeding under the skin'. My bloodwork has recently shown that I am VitK deficient and I am attempting to correct that dietarily before adding injections. I am B12 deficient, even with injections. I've noticed that these spots show up more when I am due for another B12 shot. I do not know if this is common in lupus, but i had intended to ask at my next appointment, as I had been told I had vasculitis years ago and it occurred to me only after i had left the office to ask if that was what this was related to.

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d.

I have Lupus....and i get these spots on my hands and arms.....mine can get as big as a quarter......getting concerned about them.....they look like skin cancer....but then go away.....i am also severely anemic....so not sure.....took pictures of them....and am going to see dermatologist.....problem is....by the time i get in....they will be gone....happens frequently tho.

Suggestion - take a couple of photos. I took my digital camera with photos of my rash to the dermatologist once
and she was so happy! Take care.

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SLE, vasculitis, nephritis, cellcept, prednisone, plaquenil, & the usual supplements

I have the same thing Kristen....I just noticed them....they remind me of "old age spots" that older people get later in

I have had the same experiences for the last several years. Mine show up on the upper arms both by the biceps and up. They last for about a week or so. Next time I am for sure going to take a pic and show my doctor. When I find out I will report back on the message board.
I will get all the blood work done as well. I'm going to get my liver tested.

Hello,

Hi , Poohbear and other members .
I've been experiencing these strange purplish spots on my arm as well .
I kept thinking I'd pinched myself in the night because I only seem to get them after I've been asleep .
They start to disappear the very next day , but stay about 4-5 days [ I haven't been paying attention ! ] .
Well , yesterday afternoon I lay on the settee as I have to take these extra strong pain killers after a spinal operation last April didn't quite cure a long standing problem [ disc erosion ] , and lo and behold there were 2 new spots on my right arm quite close to the wrist on the top of the arm . I already had a small one on my left arm .
I shall take a photo and show them to my Doctor next week and she what she comes up with .
I have to take pills for high blood pressure , pain killers [ remedeine forte which is Dihydrocodeine ] Gabapentin for nerve damage , diclofenac for arthritis .