Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 22 Location: South Carolina
Any Idea What This Is? Posted: 10-27-03 09:50am
I have a strange new skin outbreak and was
wondering if anyone is familiar with it.
Two days ago, my knees were itching pretty
intensely off and on. I tried not to
scratch them directly, but through my
clothing to try and keep from breaking the
skin. Yesterday, I woke up with a rash
of sores on my knees and these other marks
that look like bruises around them. Some
of the marks looked like someone poked me
with their fingers, but they don't hurt.
Others are little purple spots that are
not on the surface of the skin (but don't
really look like bruises). One knee is
much worse looking than the other.
I am still taking prednisone, but it just
doesn't seem to be very effective since I
am still breaking out in new rashes. I
have a dermatologist appointment in about
two weeks, but i'm not sure if this new
thing warrants a phone call (they seemed
irritated when I called two cays in a row
due to my mouth being in a lot of pain).
Just looking for some insight! Thanks!
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Jenn
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 78 Location: Canada
Sores Posted: 10-27-03 12:00pm
Hey,
don't worry about your doctor's office
being p'd off. It's your right to see the
doctor. Don't let them get to you,
sometimes the secretaries are having a bad
day.
You said you are on prednisone for the
rashes. Are you taking plaquenil?? It's
the only drug that keeps my rash at bay.
Also the prednisone can make you more
susceptable to bruising. When I am on a
course of pred I always end up with
strange bruises. As for the blistery rash
you should have it checked. Prednisone
also makes you prone to infection so make
sure that doesn't happen.
Hope this helps,
keep smiling,
jenn
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willow
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 22 Location: South Carolina
Posted: 10-27-03 21:12pm
Been doing some online research...Do the
purple spots and bruises sound like
vasculitis? Has anyone had this or know
anything about it? Thanks!!
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LadyBrannon
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 506 Location: TX
Posted: 10-27-03 23:56pm
Hey! I get something that sounds
*exactly* like what you are talking about
and have been told that it is vasculitis.
Is yours? Maybe, I would certainly call
the dermatologist and let them see it now!
It is so hard to get a diagnosis from a
description!
Tell your dermatologist's office staff
that this is new, it is still vivid and
the doctor needs to see it!
Let us know how it goes!
Ladybrannon
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willow
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 22 Location: South Carolina
Posted: 10-31-03 21:35pm
It has been quiet around here...
I went to the dermatologist on tuesday.
I did have the vasculitis thing, but it
seems to have gone away now. I have quit
taking prednisone (it was making me have
bad mood swings...Doesn't work well with
the hubby and two little ones) and started
plaquenil. I guess it is normal that I
will have monthly blood checks, biannual
eye exams, and ana testing every six
months. Hopefully, they'll leave me a
little blood to keep! He also prescribed
another skin cream. I suppose that
physically going to the derm's office
monthly might be good so I can let the
nurse see any changes or problems
regularly.
Since I have quit taking the prednisone
and I understand that plaquenil takes a
while to start working, will I be likely
to continue (or have an increase of)
developing new rashes and sores? I
haven't stopped getting sores since this
thing started. My hands, legs, upper
arms, and back are getting a nice
collection of scars. I have three sores
on my face now. An earlier one has
healed and, of course, left a scar. I
also have some spots in places that are
not sun exposed. Is that normal?
I hope everyone is doing well. This has
been a good support...Especially being
able to ask questions without feeling
intimidated. Thank you all!
