I've had these strange bumps that appear on my joints for years now. I can't pinpoint exactly when it started but I'm pretty sure it was after my first diagnosis of Lyme when I was 10 years old.
The bumps started on my knees, then my right wrist and most recently my right pointer finger. They get larger and smaller for no reason that I can see. They're painless but it bothers me to see them, especially the ones on my finger.
I've asked my doctor about them numerous times and they haven't really given me an answer to what it could be. Just a "Hmm, that's strange. Since it doesn't hurt it's probably nothing!"
Could this be related to Lyme? Has anyone else experienced something like this? Here's a picture of the ones on my knees:
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i have one on a toe and one on my pointer finger (right)
i have had lyme a long time...30 yrs or so
they have appeared in the last few yrs...sounds like yours and docs say the same thing to me
the nurse last time said the toe one was soft and might be a cyst...but docs say nothing
the finger one is more red and sometimes a little sore-but that whole hand is in bad shape
i hope we can figure this out...
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Kayak.. I'm getting the same thing. It is osteoarthritis.
Squeak... yours look like something different. Have you explored the dermatology websites to see?
Posted by Squeak (Member # 38599) on :
I've searched online quite a bit but haven't found anything quite like it unfortunately.
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
Squeak, I also have these. I can actually feel them itching under the skin before they pop out. Mine itch and really bother me.
They are on my elbows most often. I've also had them on the tops of my feet and also under my breasts. Adding in the breast area doesn't seem to me to be a arthritic type thing.
Mine will become active, then clear up and go away only to return again and again.
All too confusing and weird.
Pam
Posted by Squeak (Member # 38599) on :
That sounds very similar! Mine become active and then clear up and then pop back out again and again. It is very confusing and strange. I can't seem to find a pattern to it at all so I can't pinpoint what causes it to go away and come back.
The only difference I see with mine is that it doesn't itch for me. In the winter time they are more prone to drying out and cracking making it somewhat painful but other than that they don't bother me too much other than aesthetically.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
are they parasites?
Posted by Nancy2 (Member # 95) on :
I believe these are Bart-related. I had almost identical bumps which are clearing or gone with Bactrim/other Bart meds.
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
IMO, it's bart.
Pam
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Absolutely they are parasites. I have/had them also. I had some in my wrist joints that scabed and when i picked them, a parasite Idried up) would appear.
If you have these and are not taking antiparasitics, it would be a VERY good idea to do so. Lots of info on the board about pharma and herbal antiparasitics.
Gael
Posted by Jennifer70 (Member # 30280) on :
I have something called granuloma annulare that specifically is found on joints usually. They dont scab up they can be tender esp if you knock your joint into something.
Posted by Squeak (Member # 38599) on :
Granuloma annulare? I have never heard of that. Can it be treated?
How do I know if I have Bart? Is there some sort of a test for it?
Posted by hadlyme (Member # 6364) on :
I get them on and off on my elbows too.
I have thought they were more in line with yeast or fungal flare ups.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Looks like LYME CYSTS to me! Are they somewhat soft, and moveable?
My Mom had one on her thumb knuckle for several months, until she got a second tick bite and some Doxy ... voila! Cyst disappeared!
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Map and Nancy2 -
Why would you think this is Bart? I thought Bart presented with purple streaks, that look something like colored stretch marks?
Posted by Squeak (Member # 38599) on :
Yup, soft and movable. I was on Doxy for 3 weeks and now I'm one week into 4 weeks of Amoxi and they still look pretty much the same.
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
Presentation of long lists of bart sx happening during the skin eruptions. I have many skin issues that come and go.
Never has a purple streak/stretch mark rash.
Pam
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Lyme cysts are microscopic.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Lymetoo that may be so, but they also "clump" together! Mom had never had anything like this in her life.
It was fairly soft and about 1" diameter, sitting on her thumb knuckle. Her GP offered to remove it for her, then the next time he saw her, he said he would rather have a surgeon do it.
When she got a second tick bite, and was given Cipro (for a bladder infection) and doxy (because this bite sent her straight to bed for 2 weeks, unlike the first bite years before) ... the cyst miraculously disappeared.
May be anecdotal, but when I learned about the cystic form of Lyme, it made sense to me.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Squeak -
Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that neither doxy nor amoxy are cyst busters.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I imagine that could happen... who knows how??
Did they ever say it was a ganglion cyst?
ps.. amoxy is definitely not a cyst buster .. and I'm pretty darn sure doxy is NOT one either.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Some LLMDs are prescribing this as a first "drug of choice" for Lyme, because it's a cyst buster as well.
May 2011 study (Tinidazole more effective than Doxycycline)
No, I don't believe it's a ganglion cyst and my doctors have never mentioned that it could be.
I didn't think they were cyst busters either, wasn't sure though.
Posted by Jennifer70 (Member # 30280) on :
Yours actually looks like Granuloma Annulare to me. It's frequently found in people with autoimmune type stuff going on. It can be treated with a steriod tape or cream but it just comes back, plus they dont like you on that for long because it can thin the skin permanently. My dermatologist told me to just live with it. It's ugly but not dangerous or anything.
My aunt has it too so it might run in my family. It's funny but when I was on minocycline it almost completely went away. Now that im off it's starting to come back. Google it...there's tons of info.
Posted by Squeak (Member # 38599) on :
Thank you Jennifer! I agree it sounds more like that to me. It's a shame they can't really do much about it though :/
