I've been on cortisone and Imuran for five years because of chronic hepatitis. I've noticed black and blue marks all over my arms. Chronic hepatitis is defined as liver inflammation that lasts more than six months. Chronic active hepatitis, on the other hand, is serious. It is thought to be due to an inefficient immune response to the hepatitis B or hepatitis C viruses.
Diagnosis is made by liver biopsy.
Treatment includes cortisone and immune-suppressing medicine, such as Imuran, to reduce liver inflammation and retard hepatic damage. Unfortunately, these medications also affect tissues other than the liver. In particular, blood clotting may be impeded. However, the liver, too, plays a role in blood coagulation, so if your liver is malfunctioning, your clotting may be compromised by liver disease, irrespective of the therapy. You seem to be under the care of a physician well-versed in the treatment of chronic hepatitis.