bruising?

[daymay]

I woke up this morning with two huge bruises on the insides of my thighs, and then later today after wearing boots I had bruises up and down my legs. I guess I've always bruised easily, my dad used to joke that I'd fall out of bed and wake up in the morning with bruises. I never really thought about it until now...is this something that happens to you all often?

And I was just reading about pleurisy--I think I might have that. I couldn't get to sleep last night as a matter of fact. I didn't know what to do about it so I'd just take antacids but it never did anything. I complained to my mom about it but she said it was probably just heartburn and I was overexaggerating. I've had heartburn many times before...if that was heartburn then it was awfully strong.

Another thing while I'm at it! Does anyone have IBS with their Lupus?

-Dana

[Lily]

Hi Dana and a warm welcome to you.

Bruising can be from many causes but your GP can run a complete blood count to check for anemia or platelet problems which are sometimes the cause. Some medications can cause easy bruising too like aspirin and anti-inflammatory meds.

Here's a link on Pleuritis to help you decide if thats what might be going on for you. The type of pain experienced with it is very distinctive, it feels like someone stabbing a sharp knife in you and is worse when you take a deep breath.

http://www.bchealthguide.org/kbase/topic/special/tj8148/sec1.htm

Of course it could be other things too, related to reflux depending on how it is presenting in you. Many here do get reflux as part of a connective tissue disease and there are meds to help.

You can get reflux and even pleuritis without having lupus, many people in the normal population get it, so its not very specific as far as lupus goes. Of course it becomes specific if you have other lupus symptoms and should definitely be mentioned to the doctor. Even if there is another cause then it needs investigating and there are treatments for it depending on the underlying cause.

Good luck

Take care,

love
Lily