Bruised veins?

[pamyla]

Hi everyone. About a week ago I noticed I could see a spider like web on my inner thighs and a little below the knee as well. I'm guessing I'm seeing my veins? Anyways, in the last day or two it's turned into a bruise - and is really not pretty It's got me a little freaked out...... I haven't done anything differently. And I haven't done anything that would have bruised my legs like that.

Has anyone else ever experienced this? Is it pots related? What could be causing this? And should I be seeing a doctor?

Any advice would be great.

Thanks, Pam

[Guest tearose]

Hi Pam,

I have these spider veins exactly where you describe. They are in fact called "spider veins". It is one of those lovely signs of either aging or in my case, having had several jobs where I was on my feet a lot and put more strain on my legs.

Some people go to a cosmetic surgeon to deal with them. I wear compression hose so no one sees them.

As far as the bruise, I wonder if it just is a coincidence that it happens to be there at the same time.

Do you remember if you bumped yourself lately?

I don't think it is anything seriously bad, but if you have any pain or are worried give the ol'doc a call!

take care, tearose

[Gena]

I bruise extremely easily. Sometimes I can bruise and not even bump into anything. My bruises also take a while to completely heal. I've pointed this out to my docs many times and they don't seem to worry about it. I have a few spider veins too. My veins are just very fragile and I remember a previous post that talks about how many of us bruise easily. I don't think it's POTs related necessarily, but I know that people with CFS and fibro and other immune problems seem to bruise easier than others. Like Tearose suggested though, if it's really bothersome have a doc check it out to ease your mind.

(blood thinner meds, Aspirin and high doses of Vit. E or a deficiency in vitamin K can all contribute to bruising)

Hope this helps.

Gena

[opus88]

Vitamin C is also supposed to help with bruising.

[blackwolf]

I also bruise oddly. I often have bruises over spider viening, sometimes with pain in the area before bruising. I was told that I show no sign of blood clots and therefore should not worry. I bruise easily and frequently for little or no reason. Of course, once in a while I'll really wack something and never seem to bruise, go figure.

I have also been told that I have abnormally small blood vessels and they are weaker than most. I'm a "tough stick" for both IV's and blood draws. I often have the IV lines used on kids and my blood work is usually done with a "butterfly" needle.

Check your diet and vitamins for the stuff already suggested and make the changes needed. I do know that vitamins C, D, and minerals like iron and magniesium are all reconmended.

blackwolf

[StaceyYount]

Have you been checked for vasculitis? That can happen with that but saying that I bruise extremely easily and lately more than usual. Had a accupuncture needle cause a bruise the size of a plum(having trouble figuring out a size to say ) I also have spider veins and broken blood vessels in my face so it maybe a part of POTS. But maybe something to ask your doctor to check into the vasculitis I mean.

Stacey :-)

[pamyla]

Thanks for all the replies I think I'll watch it for a few days and see if it gets any worse.....if so maybe I will have it checked by a doctor just in case. What is the technical name for vein doctors? I'm not even sure I know what vasculitis is, so I'll definitely look into that. And spider veins - yikes - does this mean I really am getting old I swear by my vitamins so I imagine I must be okay in that area, unless I'm not properly absorbing them..... I also occasionally end up with weird bruises that I have no idea how I've gotten. This one is just unusually large and my bruises don't usually have a vein-like pattern.

Thanks again you guys!

Pam