Will the GP think I am bonkers if I tell him I am bruising really badly and easily but my current large bruise appears to have come from no fall.

[TheOriginalFAB]

I am seeing him tomorrow for a follow up after my asthma attacks the other week and you are not allowed to ask about 2 things at one appointment. I am wondering if I could get away with saying I was meant to be coming for my asthma but that is fine so can we talk bruises instead. He is a very scary doctor.

Definitely. Tell him you are more worried about the bruises than the asthma.

They could both be related, were you on steroids for your asthma?? X

I meant definitely tell him. Not that you are bonkers.

Definitely tell him - it is really important.

~While you are at it - change your doctor. It is crazy to be seeing someone you are so scared of you can't tell him something like this.

I was on steroids for 1-2 weeks as the attack was so bad. I think I have always bruised fairly easily, and I am accident prone, but lately they are worse. They are darker and the one on the bag of my leg is a good 3 inches across and it hurts when I walk up stairs.

If you are bruising easily then there could be something wrong with your blood and this needs investigating - now

Ignore the two question policy, ask for it to be checked

What might be wrong with my blood?

I asked my GP about this once and I got a blood test, I think to check for abnormal white cell count. It was fine, anyway. I think I was a bit vitamin deficient after being on a ridiculous free from diet on my dd's behalf.

Steroids both oral and inhaled do make you more prone to bruising and thin skin
I think it's totally reasonable to discuss both problems

Please get this checked out immediately.

Whenever I have had blood tests done they have always come back normal, even when I have felt crap.

definitely ask about whatever is worrying you and if you think one 'slot' is not long enough it may be good idea to book 2 appt slots so that the doc has the time to listen to you.
But if you are scared of your doc then best to change as you need to be comfortable with the person looking after your health!
And don't be put off by receptionists! If they ask why you are booking two, say that is for you to discuss with doc not them! They are just the gatekeepers!
Good Luck!

I don't normally see this doctor but I was an emergency and he was the one available.

Do you also take anti d's?
Sorry, don't mean to pry remember reading another thread...

Yep, I do. On them for life which is a bit of a bummer.

A lot of anti d's have this as a side effect.
The combination of that and the steroids may have exacerbated thing.
Definitely not unreasonable to get some blood taken to check for any other causes and totally not unreasonable to discuss both issues x

lots of possible causes so definitely tell him in fact you would be unreasonable not to.

For example I have ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopaenia Purpurea for short!) and it causes bruising if your platelet count is low (and dramatic bruising bleeding if your platelet count is non-existant!) - I doubt you have it because its autoimmune and so often treated with steroids but just wanted to give you an example.

Personally I think it's ridiculous if you're discouraged from telling a doctor more than one problem in an appointment. Most good doctors from what I've heard would admit that it's the "Oh, and one more thing doctor .... " before the patient gets up, or at the door, that is by far the most important.
eg. you might only go to the doctor for an acute problem eg. you've lost your voice after a bad cold, but that gives you the opportunity to mention a more serious, and more chronic, problem such as you've noticed a lump ...
Or you've been feeling very low for a long time ...
I would change doctors if they were strict about this, as I think it's such an important issue. What about holistic care ? And as another poster says you have to feel comfortable with your doctor.

Two probs with mine ... you have to wait forever in waiting room and when you see him you can't get a word in edgeways or ever get away ... Anyone else got
one like that ?

There are signs everywhere saying One Appointment, One Problem.

One GP is always late calling you in but you know once you see him you have all the time you need and he is never one to rush you. He is a really lovely man. I will try and see him if I don't get anywhere with Dr Scary tomorrow.

Kewcumber - should I google that for symptoms?

I had something like this once - loads of bruises on my upper legs mainly.They were massive;started out bright blue and then would fade to yellow. It went on for a few weeks. They were really sore to touch, really very sore.
I had blood tests but there was nothing wrong, apparently it can be something to do with hormones though. I have asthma too though, so maybe that is a link, I would have been on a few different inhalers at that time.

Steroids can lower your platelet count and cause bruising to be evident. You could book a blood count with practice phlebotomist/nurse if you can't get a double appt with your GP this week.

FAB multiple symptoms = one problem
Unless your practice is asking people to self diagnose before they go in please don't worry.
No disease presents as a single symptom and multiple symptoms help aid a diagnosis.
It is not within their scope to limit one diagnosis per consultation and frankly it's an absurd concept.
Please don't google and you don't have ITP as it would have got better with steroids not worse.
X

Seasick - steroids cause bruising but are not know to cause thrombocytopenia

I have no idea why as all I have just done is load the dishwasher, but now I have sat down, read the new posts and my breathing is not normal. Seems like any kind of worry, stress (though I am not unduly worried) brings on a breathing issue.