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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Bruising Of Arms In Elderly Patients With Polymyalgia Rheumatica?

I am a 64 year old white male and am experiencing some easy bruising of the arms, hands and lower legs. I have had my platelets checked and they are within normal limits. I have had diabetes for 45 years and am currently well controlled with my insulin pump. I have also been taking prednisone for almost six years for an autoimmune issue known as polymyalgia rhumatica. Do you have any ideas what can be causing the thin skin and easy bruising ?
Wed, 1 Jul 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and thank you for your question.

Unfortunately, prednisone can cause easy bruising. When used over long duration, it can also cause skin thinning.

I don't know what other medications have been tried for your polymyalgia rheumatica, but you may benefit from talking over your treatment options with a rheumatologist. There are some medications that are used to either help lessen the dose of corticosteroid (prednisone) that you need such as Trexall, or as a replacement for it, such a Anti-TNF drugs. These other medications may have side effects of their own, however.

I hope this information helps.
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What Causes Bruising Of Arms In Elderly Patients With Polymyalgia Rheumatica?

Hello and thank you for your question. Unfortunately, prednisone can cause easy bruising. When used over long duration, it can also cause skin thinning. I don t know what other medications have been tried for your polymyalgia rheumatica, but you may benefit from talking over your treatment options with a rheumatologist. There are some medications that are used to either help lessen the dose of corticosteroid (prednisone) that you need such as Trexall, or as a replacement for it, such a Anti-TNF drugs. These other medications may have side effects of their own, however. I hope this information helps.