Sometimes I find myself with a small shallow red/purple bruise for no explicable reason that I can recall. It's probably that I've slightly bumped against something and that I simply don't recall where/what happened. I know I'm not alone with this (when it comes to others with MS), either.
Mine are not large, quite shallow, quite painless, and disappear simply after about 5 days, leaving no mark (usually).
I know that being on Rivaroxaban / Xarelto (20mg once daily; a blood thinner/Anticoagulant, to prevent any further PE's) does not help with this, either!
I'm not on any medication for my MS.
Strangely, whenever I have an iron infusion (for my Anemia) or get pathology bloodwork taken, I rarely if ever get a resultant bruise - go figure!
Bruises and MS: Causes and Tips for Avoiding
(Last Accessed on April 05, 2022)
Some people with multiple sclerosis (MS) find that they bruise easily or develop bruises seemingly out of the blue. “Does anyone else bruise easily?” asked one member of MyMSTeam. “I don’t know if it has anything to do with having MS, but I have noticed I barely hit something, and I bruise like someone has been beating me.” Another member wrote, “I look like a bruised banana. It’s embarrassing.”
There are several possible causes of bruising that can be related to MS, including side effects of medications and injuries as a result of bumps or falls. Here is what you need to know about bruising and how to help prevent it. As with any symptom of MS, talk to a health care professional if you are concerned about excessive or easy bruising.
What Causes Bruising in MS?
MS itself is not believed to cause easy or excessive bruising. However, the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, as well as some treatments for MS, can cause a person to develop bruises more frequently than usual.
Minor Injuries, Bumps, and Falls
People with MS may be more prone to everyday injuries than those without the condition, causing them to develop frequent bruises.
In MS, immune system attacks damage the myelin sheath that acts as a protective coating around nerve cells in the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. This damage, known as demyelination, causes lesions. Depending on where it occurs, demyelination can affect your motor functions, including balance, movement, and coordination.
Demyelination in parts of the brain responsible for coordination can cause a person to lose their balance, feel clumsy, or lose their footing while walking. Demyelination due to multiple sclerosis can cause problems with depth perception and unusual sensations.
MS Medications and Bruising
Bruises often occur when capillaries (small blood vessels near the skin’s surface) break as a result of injury. Blood leaks out of vessels and breaks down, resulting in the familiar marks. In light-skinned people, the initial black-and-blue coloration fades to a greenish, yellowish mark before it disappears altogether. In dark-skinned people, bruises appear most visibly in the earliest stages, and, due to melanin, can look red, brown, or black.
Where Did That Bruise Come From?
The condition MS can cause cognitive symptoms, including short-term memory issues. If you find yourself not noticing or remembering where some of your bruises came from, you may have forgotten a bump or fall. You also may not remember small injuries due to numbness, high pain tolerance, or just growing so used to these minor bumps that you don’t notice them.
Preventing Bruises With MS
If you experience frequent bruises while living with MS, there are steps you can take to reduce or prevent bruising.
Help With Medications
If you have trouble sticking to an injected medication due to injection-site bruising or other injection-related concerns, talk to your doctor. They may have tips for how to avoid bruising or rotate injection sites to make things easier.
If that doesn’t help, ask your doctor about whether switching to an oral (taken by mouth) DMT might be safe and effective for treating your MS. There are several oral treatment options now available.
Tailor Your Environment to Your Needs
Making important areas and items more easily accessible can reduce the risk of falls or injuries, reducing the chances of developing bruises. Arrange your home in a way that is as easy for you to navigate as possible, particularly in high-risk areas such as stairs or bathrooms. Make sure lighting is good so all areas are easy to see, especially at night.
Use Assistive Devices
Assistive devices, like canes and walking sticks, can provide much-needed support on days when your balance or depth perception are particularly altered.
Ask for Help When Needed
Rather than putting yourself into a situation that could be risky for falls or injuries, ask for help. Stairs, high shelves, and slippery floors can present dangers or increase the chance of injury and bruising. You may prefer to be independent, but seeking help at the right times can prevent pain and bruising.
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