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New side effect - strange purple blotch with about 40 spots
I'm in my 25th week of treatment with Pegatron.
Suddenly today I have a round cluster of about 40 dark purple spots on my lower right chest. It looks kind of like a bad bruise, but I've not received a blow or anything there and there's no pain.
It's a major holiday in Canada today, so I cannot contact my doctor and ask him until tomorrow. Is this a new side effect of my treatment and what does it mean?
Suddenly today I have a round cluster of about 40 dark purple spots on my lower right chest. It looks kind of like a bad bruise, but I've not received a blow or anything there and there's no pain.
It's a major holiday in Canada today, so I cannot contact my doctor and ask him until tomorrow. Is this a new side effect of my treatment and what does it mean?
before i started tx this time i had these horrible spots all over my legs. i thought it was from being on my feet so much at work. my skin was smooth but i had red to dark purple spots all over them. at my doc appt for tx he told me it was caused from the virus. it was my body basically fighting against itself. as soon as tx started my spots disappeared and havent returned.
Blood test results after 24 week, nothing has changed much:
Platelets: 63 (was 58 at 12 weeks, 59 at 16 weeks, and 64 at 20 weeks)
WBC: 1.7 (has ranged fron 1.4 to 1.9 during treatment)
Neutrophils: 1.1 (was 0.9 at 16 weeks and
RBC: 2.8
Hemoglobin: 96 (improved from 86 at 16 weeks)
Hematocrit: 0.3
Lymphocytes: 0.5
Monocytes: 0.2
Basophils: 0.0
Esinophils: 0.0
AST: 52 (was 52 at 16 weeks, and 51 at 20 weeks)
ALT: 41 (was 41 at 20 weeks)
Platelets: 63 (was 58 at 12 weeks, 59 at 16 weeks, and 64 at 20 weeks)
WBC: 1.7 (has ranged fron 1.4 to 1.9 during treatment)
Neutrophils: 1.1 (was 0.9 at 16 weeks and
RBC: 2.8
Hemoglobin: 96 (improved from 86 at 16 weeks)
Hematocrit: 0.3
Lymphocytes: 0.5
Monocytes: 0.2
Basophils: 0.0
Esinophils: 0.0
AST: 52 (was 52 at 16 weeks, and 51 at 20 weeks)
ALT: 41 (was 41 at 20 weeks)
I always had bruises from practically nothing while I had cirrhosis.
If someone bumped you, that very well could be it. Just wait a few days, you'll turn a lovely shade of sickly green.
If someone bumped you, that very well could be it. Just wait a few days, you'll turn a lovely shade of sickly green.
I agree with the others, Bruises can develop when blood vessels under the skin rupture. The blood then leaks into tissues under the skin and causes black and blue coloration.
Blood SPOTS under the skin may be either purpura (may be a sign of a serious infection that requires immediate medical treatment) or petechiae (may mean that a serious infection or lack of platelets). Purpura might look like bruises, but they are not caused by an injury as most regular bruises are. Petechiae don't look like bruises. They are tiny, flat, red or purple spots in the skin, but they are different than the tiny, flat, red spots or birthmarks (hemangiomas) that are present all the time.
Platelet count alone doesn't tell the full story. Most cirrhotics like myself have had platelet counts in the 50-60s for years (me at least 5 years) without any abnormal bruising or bleeding. Bleeding under the skin usually occurs when the platelet count falls below 10,000. But everyone is different and you may be prone to clotting issues for other reasons. So in addition to platelet count your doctor should order PT/INR and PTT blood tests.
The prothrombin time (PT) test is ordered to help diagnose unexplained bleeding, often along with a partial thromboplastin time (PTT) test. The test result for a PT depends on the method used, with results measured in seconds and compared to the normal range established and maintained by the laboratory that performs the test. A prolonged PT means that the blood is taking too long to form a clot. This may be caused by conditions such as liver disease, vitamin K deficiency, or a coagulation factor deficiency. The PT result is often interpreted with that of the PTT in determining what condition may be present.
Cheers!
Hector
Blood SPOTS under the skin may be either purpura (may be a sign of a serious infection that requires immediate medical treatment) or petechiae (may mean that a serious infection or lack of platelets). Purpura might look like bruises, but they are not caused by an injury as most regular bruises are. Petechiae don't look like bruises. They are tiny, flat, red or purple spots in the skin, but they are different than the tiny, flat, red spots or birthmarks (hemangiomas) that are present all the time.
Platelet count alone doesn't tell the full story. Most cirrhotics like myself have had platelet counts in the 50-60s for years (me at least 5 years) without any abnormal bruising or bleeding. Bleeding under the skin usually occurs when the platelet count falls below 10,000. But everyone is different and you may be prone to clotting issues for other reasons. So in addition to platelet count your doctor should order PT/INR and PTT blood tests.
The prothrombin time (PT) test is ordered to help diagnose unexplained bleeding, often along with a partial thromboplastin time (PTT) test. The test result for a PT depends on the method used, with results measured in seconds and compared to the normal range established and maintained by the laboratory that performs the test. A prolonged PT means that the blood is taking too long to form a clot. This may be caused by conditions such as liver disease, vitamin K deficiency, or a coagulation factor deficiency. The PT result is often interpreted with that of the PTT in determining what condition may be present.
Cheers!
Hector
I agree with can-do-man. I have that sort of thing all the time because of my low platelets (59-70 range). It doesn't even require a bump, as I often give them to myself just by absent-mindedly scratching an itch – through my clothing and not particularly vigorously! They don't look like a regular bruise (although I do get those too), and your description is very apt. I did ask my hepatologist, and was told it was quite reasonable with the platelet count being low.
Perhaps it is a bruise. I remember someone bumped into me when I was trying to get off a crowded bus, although it didn't seem serious at the time. But there is no soreness. When I look more closely, it seems to be simply a large circular cluster of dark purple spots under the skin.
Tomorrow or Wednesday, I should be receiving the results of the blood tests I had on Friday. If the platelet count has dropped lower, that will help to explain it.
Tomorrow or Wednesday, I should be receiving the results of the blood tests I had on Friday. If the platelet count has dropped lower, that will help to explain it.
I bet your platelets are low enough to fall into the category mentioned in the Link Can-Do provided:
"This is a normal side effect of having a low platelet count, which means blood doesn't clot as easily. Cancer patients with low platelets get severe bruises, and sometimes they don't even know how they got them."
I realise you probably already thought of all this but can you think of anything you may have bumped or banged against that could have caused it. Maybe trying to carry something? It could be anything miner that in the past would not have left a mark.
"This is a normal side effect of having a low platelet count, which means blood doesn't clot as easily. Cancer patients with low platelets get severe bruises, and sometimes they don't even know how they got them."
I realise you probably already thought of all this but can you think of anything you may have bumped or banged against that could have caused it. Maybe trying to carry something? It could be anything miner that in the past would not have left a mark.
Thanks for the answers in this thread.
Although it is highly visible, there is no itch, soreness, or swelling (as might be the case with an infection) and no little lumps whatsoever (although I have had itchy lumps during treatment with the rash).
The skin over it is perfectly smooth. It looks bad but feels normal.
I'll be watching to see if it gets wider, and look over my body for the same in other places. I had something like this on my leg a while back (in March if I remember correctly) but it was over a smaller area.
I think it's some kind of problem caused by the interferon and immunity system. The blood test results tomorrow or Wednesday might give me an idea if low platelets are causing it.
Although it is highly visible, there is no itch, soreness, or swelling (as might be the case with an infection) and no little lumps whatsoever (although I have had itchy lumps during treatment with the rash).
The skin over it is perfectly smooth. It looks bad but feels normal.
I'll be watching to see if it gets wider, and look over my body for the same in other places. I had something like this on my leg a while back (in March if I remember correctly) but it was over a smaller area.
I think it's some kind of problem caused by the interferon and immunity system. The blood test results tomorrow or Wednesday might give me an idea if low platelets are causing it.
Actually, I agree with OH. Best to talk with the Hep C treating doc first. He/she may be more versed in the complications of Hep C and/or the meds. If there is any question, perhaps then see or suggest seeing a dermatologist.
I had a lot better luck with my dermatologist than I did with my Hep C treating teams. They were useless when it came to side effects or med induced problems. They had no clue. My Hep C treating team ignored my rash until it was everywhere and I demanded some treatment. When I finally got to the derm doc, she did a biopsy, drew some lab for the autoimmune diseases (to see if I had them), and prescribed the appropriate medications for the rash.
The problem is, your spots and blotches sound like either what Can-do and OH are suggesting, or a manifestation of a more systemic problem caused by Hep C or the meds.
I had a lot better luck with my dermatologist than I did with my Hep C treating teams. They were useless when it came to side effects or med induced problems. They had no clue. My Hep C treating team ignored my rash until it was everywhere and I demanded some treatment. When I finally got to the derm doc, she did a biopsy, drew some lab for the autoimmune diseases (to see if I had them), and prescribed the appropriate medications for the rash.
The problem is, your spots and blotches sound like either what Can-do and OH are suggesting, or a manifestation of a more systemic problem caused by Hep C or the meds.
I'd actually reverse Pooh's suggestion and talk to your hep C doctor before talking with a dermatologist.
My experience with dermatologists isn't good. They repeatedly told me my spider angioma was caused by sun damage.
Not one suggested it could be caused by anything other than sun damage.
It was in fact a sign of my cirrhosis caused by hep C.
Like can-do mentioned, perhaps they are simply black and blue marks. Both low platelets and liver damage causing low vitamin K can cause easy bruising.
If you think they look like bruises, they'll clear up as any black and blue would.
Do talk to your hep C doc about it.
My experience with dermatologists isn't good. They repeatedly told me my spider angioma was caused by sun damage.
Not one suggested it could be caused by anything other than sun damage.
It was in fact a sign of my cirrhosis caused by hep C.
Like can-do mentioned, perhaps they are simply black and blue marks. Both low platelets and liver damage causing low vitamin K can cause easy bruising.
If you think they look like bruises, they'll clear up as any black and blue would.
Do talk to your hep C doc about it.
I did not think it sounded like a regular rash from the way you described it. That is why I was concerned it could be something more serious. Hopefully it is not serious.
I would often have that, its most likey caused from low platelets. When your platelets drop low it doesn'r take much to cause a bruise. An isolated bruise is usually not a problem, but multiple bruises and bleeding from other sites needs immediate evaluation......... Good luck
Strangely, there's no pain and no itching (very different from my rash).
I'll do some reading about immune thrombocytopenic purpura and vasculitis.
I'll do some reading about immune thrombocytopenic purpura and vasculitis.
Rashes, skin spots, etc. can be caused by many things, some minor and some serious. One thing I would be concerned about while having active chronic Hep C and/or while being treated for Hep C, would be some sort of vasculitis. I would also be concerned that it could be Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura.
What you describe needs to be evaluated by a dermatologist (not a general primary care doc) who should be able to make a correct diagnosis. It would be wise to discuss it with your Hep C treating doctor too.
I have no idea if either of those two mentioned diseases is the cause of your problem but either could be a possible cause. If it is, then you need appropriate treatment soon.
What you describe needs to be evaluated by a dermatologist (not a general primary care doc) who should be able to make a correct diagnosis. It would be wise to discuss it with your Hep C treating doctor too.
I have no idea if either of those two mentioned diseases is the cause of your problem but either could be a possible cause. If it is, then you need appropriate treatment soon.
I am waiting for the results of the June 29th blood tests.
My June 1st tests were:
64 platelets ( up from 59 at week 16)
1.9 WBC
1.1 neutrafils
90 hemo (up from 86 at week 16)
Some of those numbers may have changed for the worse since June 1, I'll know tomorrow.
My June 1st tests were:
64 platelets ( up from 59 at week 16)
1.9 WBC
1.1 neutrafils
90 hemo (up from 86 at week 16)
Some of those numbers may have changed for the worse since June 1, I'll know tomorrow.
I thought I would wear a pair of shorts the other day and I was stunned to see all these little mars and bruises. My skin is paper thin right now so it would not take much to leave a ding. What you are describing does not quite sound like that however. What you described sounds rather alarming. How are your labs looking?
Actually, either way I would have someone take a look at it. I hope someone else has a better theory but truly I would want to hear what a medical professional thinks it could be.
Actually, either way I would have someone take a look at it. I hope someone else has a better theory but truly I would want to hear what a medical professional thinks it could be.
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