I've had various purple spots and bruises show up after bumping into things, carrying bags using my wrists and basically doing absolutely nothing to cause them. It seems like if the wind blows against my skin, I bruise. It started getting worse in 2021. I did have the COVID-19 Vaccine series in 2021 (required by my job) and got infected with COVID-19 in November 2022. I don't know if there is a connection but the Hematologist I saw in September 2024, for my Iron Deficiency Anemia, asked me if I had the COVID 19 Vaccine. She never explained or elaborated on why she asked the question.

Anyway, I was dealing with chronic lower extremity leg ulcers at that point along with extreme fatigue, arthritis pain, unexplained weight loss of 37 pounds and the echymosis/purpura/petechiae. She told me it was "Senile Purpura" due to me having very thin skin because of aging. Like many of you, I don't think that truly explains what is going on. As bad and ugly as it was at that point in time, it's 100 times worse now. I was diagnosed with Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis at that point - via punch biopsy by a Dermatologist. I started seeing a Rheumatologist in July 2024 also. As of today, I still do not have a diagnosis. My leg ulcers cleared up in July 2025 after a Podiatrist at my Wound Care Clinic put me on a 5 week course of Prednisone. My Rheumatologist kept me on a maintenance dose of 5 mg daily starting in August 2025. My Echymosis seems to have really gotten worse over the past 3-4 months. I believe the Prednisone is contributing but also wonder if the winter weather and constant wearing of long pants, long sleeve shirts, extra blankets, dry heat and less activity has been a factor because now it is all over the front and back of both legs, both arms, my chest and occasionally - spots on my face. I look hideous. I've tried creams and concealers but they don't help much. I saw a new Vascular Doctor yesterday. Her intake RN took pictures of my arms and legs and the doctor wrote "Covered in Echymosis" in my clinical record. It's so ugly and embarrassing. My doctor says it's largely due to my medications but said it may not resolve once I'm totally tapered off the Prednisone; I'm tapering now and I'm exhausted. It's heartbreaking for me. I was always fiercely independent and self sufficient. I raised both of my kids myself, took care of my house and yard, worked full time, looked good and healthy / then / everything changed. The person I was transitioned into a skeleton with purple marks and spots, and bruises everywhere - and no solid explanation for any of it. The changes happened very quickly after my Spinal Fusion Surgery in March 2021. I thought my Surgeon was a Genius but he turned out to be a very greedy AHole. I think something went wrong with the surgery but I will never know. So I'm stuck being sick, ugly with spots, skinny, fragile exhausted, and sad. If anybody has any information on treatments that can help, please share.

Thank you for listening.