HELP! Awful Bruises

Saphyre started this discussion · 6/4/2012

I started poling October 27th. I know bruising is part of poling, but it's getting really ridiculous. I pole 2-3 times a week. I'm close to being 48 years old. I take iron supplements off and on. I ice after my sessions, and I use Arnica Gel religously. At least 4-5 times a day. The inside of one thigh seems to finally be getting toughend up, but the inside of my biceps, the inside of my legs near and just above the knees, and my hips continue to get horribly bruised. It takes at least a week for them to look even halfway decent enough to cover them up with Dermablend. With summer's arrival, wearing shorts is completely out of the question. I don't want anyone thinking my wonderful husband did this to me! Does anyone have any tips?? Are there any supplements (besides Arnica) that I can take to help?

22 replies

SexyRockStarsWifeNowWidow · 6/4/2012
I went to my ob-gyn awhile back and I had bruising all over my legs and was worried he was going to think my husband was abusing me. He actually laughed and told me the bruises on my legs weren't consistent with someone who was being abused. Anyways... I've heard that eating pineapple is good for helping with bruising. Good luck! 🌸
Dancing Paws · 6/4/2012
do you take anti inflammatories frequently??? They can increase bruising.
SexyRockStarsWifeNowWidow · 6/4/2012
I didn't know that about anti-inflammatories. thanks for the info
Camkobo · 6/4/2012
Go buy the Emergen-C packets. (You can get them at any CVS or drug store) You dissolve them in water and drink one a day. It sort of tastes like Tang. The bruises literally disappear! It was really amazing for me. Now I drink one a day just to keep the bruises away.
Dancing Paws · 6/4/2012
If you rule out all trivial reasons for the severe bruising, I suggest you go to your doctor. Do you bruise easily from non-related pole things, like getting smacked lightly by something? Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth? If that happens, it could be a sign of a more serious issue.
Saphyre · 6/4/2012
Thanks for the quick replies! I do know that about Anti-Inflammatories. I should have mentioned that. Unfortunately, I do need to take them in order to pole. I take them once on the day I pole otherwise, I literally cannot move the next day. I have tried Naproxen, but it doesn't work as well. @Witchess, lol! They do look quite different than impact bruises. I love pineapple, so I will try that. @Comkobo. I will have to give those a try!
Dancing Paws · 6/4/2012
Sound like the anti inflammatories are the problem.
chemgoddess1 · 6/4/2012
http://www.health911.com/bruises
Saphyre · 6/4/2012
Thanks, Chemgoddess!
Tali Kat · 6/4/2012
Have you talked to your doc about your regular use of anti inflams? It's just they can cause havoc with your stomach lining and lead to stomach ulcers if used too often :(
Saphyre · 6/4/2012
Thanks Tali Kat. Yes, I have talked to my doc. In the past, I have been prescribed some other anti-inflammatories that are not as tough on the insides. I have actually been able to cut down on the Advil quite a bit, and expect I will continue to decrease them. So, I'm hoping to not even need the script. I am into homeopathic forms of medicine as well, so part of my weaning process has been switching to those. Believe me, this is not something I like doing to my body, but it felt rather neccessary in these early stages of learning. We all know that this is a very tough, demanding workout. Just starting it at the age of 47 has very specific drawbacks. Your body absolutely cannot do what it used to, and it fights you every step of the way. I have to balance what my body is telling me with gentle coaxing to do otherwise! 🌸
chipandchar · 6/4/2012
Arnica cream or oil. :)
chipandchar · 6/4/2012
Sorry...I know you said besides arnica but I was thinking if you'd tried the cream, maybe the oil would penetrate better. Or maybe you have some kind of deficiency?
chipandchar · 6/4/2012
I don't know why I keep hitting enter! I'm not done! haha I was going to suggest deficiencies such as iron B12, C, or K, or folic acid . I have an iron deficiency and I bruise terribly.
ShonaLancs · 6/4/2012
sensual....I bruise pretty easily and my gums bleed but dentist says they are fine...you have me worried...like what else could it be???
Saphyre · 6/4/2012
I don't have any deficiencies, but thanks anyway. I actually use the Arnica gel. I already take iron, a prescription that contains Folic Acid, Copper and Zinc, plenty of B12. B6, and C. I get my levels checked pretty regularly. I'm just old! I do not believe I bruise too easily, I just have a lot of them because I practice hard. Was just looking for a way to make them go away faster, really. I am going to try to up my intake of Vitamin C using Camkobo's advise of the Emergence-C. Already purchased and consumed! Plus, cuting back on the Ibuprofen will eventually keep them from being as bad as they are. I also am going to get some Vitamin K cream, like Stri-Vectin.
Dancing Paws · 6/4/2012
When I say easy bruising, I mean that things like rolling over an pressing your arm on the bed to get out of bed would bruise you. Light taps would bruise you. My friend said her super easy bruising and gum bleeding were symptoms of her leukemia. My coworkers kid also had bloody gums everytime they brushed his teeth and he had leukemia as well. Bleeding gums from a dentis appointment is nothing to worry about, or a mild case of gengivitis.
ShonaLancs · 6/5/2012
Ah ok... Phew, I bruise easily but not THAT easily!!
CheshireCat · 6/12/2012
Hey there, Just wanted to say I bruise really easily as well - as in my hubby can tickle me and I get black and blue. I had a blood test a few years back for this reason, and while I'm not deficient in any of the usual blood tests they give like anemia, I have been diagnosed with Von Wildebrand's Desease. It's a bleeding disorder usually found with a clotting test, and factor 8 blood test (usually about 4 vials worth so eat before if you get tested). It's also usually hereditary. Your body lacks the protein needed to bind platelets and form clots correctly. I also have a lot of nosebleeds, and menstrual cycles are also a nightmare. There are 4 classes of the desease - and it has to be monitored. Severe brusing is a hugely strong sign of having it. If iron supplements aren't helping (I have to take 3 times thenormal daily amount and I'm only class 2 just to keep bruising minimal but not gone) a specialist will need to prescribe you something. It can get serious - please, check into it. Not trying to scare you either, hon, just caution....to be safe.
Jag5303 · 6/12/2012
I bruise bad, too, and I've been doing it for a year! I do dead sea salt baths...HOT baths, that helps the cirrculation and removing the old blood. Its helped speed up the healing process. I also use self tanner on my legs to help them to not stand out so mcuh.
lefthandedpolestar · 6/13/2012
Have you tried the oral arnica?
Saphyre · 6/14/2012
So, just to close out my dilemma, here's what worked. I cut back on my Ibuprofen intake, continued to apply my Arnica gel and take iron, added Vitamin D cream, and Emergence-C. They went away pretty quickly after that. @Jag, I can't live without my self tanner! @lefthand, I do take the oral Arnica on occasion.