bruising more easily on RA meds? | Arthritis Information

I've noticed several large, green bruises that I have no idea where they came from, particularly on my legs in the last few months. Is that related to sulfasalazine or plaquenil or ultram by any chance? My money's on the fish oil. How much are you taking each day? Hmmm...interesting:

I take 3 a day.

1000 mg each

2 =

240 DHA so 360 DHA

what do you think?

[QUOTE=Sunam]Hmmm...interesting: Very interesting. I did just have follow up bloodwork done Wednesday for my appt this week and all came back normal. The fish oil is not part of his regimin however and is something I started after my last appointment. I was planning to let him know this week. Would the effects of one or both have shown up in the bloodwork so that we would know which one it is??

ETA: I also have noticed dried blood in my night splint but only since my permanent retainers were removed. On that same note, I have had a continual sore that I thought was progressive receding gums but I can't remember when it started....hmmmm....

What should I do at this point? Cut the fish oil until/after the next appt and see if it improves? How long should that take? I'm really hoping the Sulf. works because the next step in meds is a big one (MTX+)

UGH....any insight???

Sunam2008-09-14 15:39:04Definitely write all of this down and talk with the doc this week!!! You gotta let your doctors know when you add complimentary/alternative therapies to their regimens. On the bright side, if your bloodwork came back normal it's most likely not due to sulfasalazine-induced WBC drop or liver issues. I thought about letting him know about the fish oil when I started it, which was shortly after starting the sulf. but at the last appt when I asked: what about diet, etc? and he said "I guess you could eat more fish or something" I got the impression that my calling about the fish oil would be irrelevant to him.

Considering the fact that he is mostly ignorant about anything that doesn't require a prescription, I'm going to have to figure this out on my own. I'll stop the fish oil before my appt on Wed. but I'm guessing that may not tell us anything, eh?

Sunam, please bear in mind that just because fish oil is available over-the-counter and is generally recognized as safe ("GRAS") that does NOT mean it does not have the potential for adverse reactions, sometimes severe. Please discuss with your doctor at your appointment this week. I get bruises around my joints when I flare, but that's because I am on 9mg of warfarin. But since I don't see that on your regimen, the bruises don't sound usual so DEFINITELY get this checked out- it certainly couldn't hurt to!

Bonne chance~
Audrey
I'm not sure who to quote here because I'm responding to all of the above:

I am totally appreciative of any and all input and didn't think anyone was blowing off or creating concerns. I'll definitely mention my fish oil to my RA doc on Wed just as I was planning to before posting. I just know that he is pretty much oblivious to anything that doesn't require a prescription so guessing he will assume it was the oil not the meds that is causing the bruising once I mention it. That said, if I don't mention the oil, he may assume its the Sulf and automatically bump me to MTX, etc which I'd love to avoid for at least a bit to see if things settle down after DH comes home from being gone for 3 months.

Basically, I'm just trying to sort things out before I go in so I can be more rational at my appt. I appreciate any and all insight!!

THX!
Rachel

Hi Sunam --

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I have read through your postings and would like to ask if you would participate in a 1-hour phone interview. If you qualify you would receive for your time.

To find out if you qualify, please call Tom Buhrmann at 312-475-7857.

The deadline for responses is Friday, October 24. Thanks for your consideration.

Hi Sunam,

I was wondering how you made out at your appt. I also have a lot of bruising and take fish oil & plaquenil.