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What Causes Bruising On Arms After Taking Coumadin?

Posted on Fri, 16 May 2014

Question: I have right atrial Fib. and am on coumadin and a single lead pace maker. About 3 weeks ago I came down with a virus that caused prolonged (about 10 days) diarrhea. My GP put me on antibiotics, cough medicine, inhaler etc. against a secondary bronchitis. The bottom line is my coumadin dose went wild, my arms became seriously bruised, saw blood oozing from pores on right arm and I felt miserable in general. Went to get blood clot tested by my cardiologist and the meter would give only an error message. He took me off the coumadin for 2 days with a restart at a lower dose today. I now have a serious cramping of the right thigh muscle after standing or stopping while walking. Should I assume this will go away on its own or could this be a serious problem? I have a call into my cardiologist, but he hasn't returned it as yet.

Thanks,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Possible side effects of high doses of coumadin

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have gone through your medical history carefully and feel sorry for the situation you are in.

Bruising problems you were facing is due to coumadin use. Your doctor has already adjusted the dose to your body needs and in order to prevent severe complications. It will take few days until the symptoms will be improved.

In order to evaluate your health status, I want to have a look at your blood work results. For the moment, I can admit that this is a temporary situation that will take few days to see improvement.

With regards to cramping of your right thigh muscle after standing or stopping while walking might be related to:
- over-functioning/tiredness of the muscles
- arthritis
- thigh blood vessels issues

Looking forward to have the reports of your blood work in for further assistance!
Thank you!
Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (7 hours later)

Dr. Albana,

Thank you for your prompt response. I did get to see my cardiologist this afternoon. After thoroughly, manually, checking peripheral pulse strength and listening for potential flow problems. He found that everything was symmetric, hence the right leg cramps were not a result of a vascular problem. Since the Coumadin levels are high he doubted there could be a clotting problem.

Basically, he came to the same conclusion that you did, i.e, that the right muscle cramping will most probably clear within a few days. He did do a ProTime coag. test and the INR had dropped to 3.6. He recommended withholding the coumadin one more day then restarting at 3 mg/day. I will see him again nest Tuesday (CA).

Although the pain is intermittently quite bad it's a comfort that there is no vascular or apparent blood flow problems. So I hope to enjoy my Grand Kids visit this Easter Sunday.

Again Thank You for your prompt response,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Happy to know that INR has dropped...

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thank you for following up.

As you are going to be together with your Grand Kids this Easter Sunday, I'd advise not to go around for long time. Try to take it easy, relaxed, take the medications as prescribed by your cardiologist and keep on massaging your right thigh.

I am happy that your INR has dropped; please do not forget to follow up with your cardiologist.

Wish you will pass Great Holidays with your Beloved Grand Kids!
Dr.Albana
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar