ping
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6974
posted
My LLMD hadn't seen anything like it before, so, I went exploring. According to a semi-duck Rheumatologist, the red, sub-cutaneous lumps all over my lower legs that started showing up in late May (just when the summer heat in TX started for real) is called Erythema Nodosom.
He says I have a very mild case of it and it most often accompanies other infections such as Leprosy, TB, Syphilis... (No really, ya think?) Of course, on his chart it says as plain as day that I have Lyme, but, he failed to mention the possibility of this. He advised that the EN can be a separate disease in itself, but, just doesn't know if this is the case and that it's highly unlikely. My thoughts are that the hot weather triggered the reaction... Dr. Duck didn't like that idea and said the lumps would continue to come up then fade, possibly for the rest of my life... Lovely.
Anyone have any experience at all with this, I would certainly appreciate the info.
"We are more than a container for Lyme." ping
-------------------- ping "We are more than containers for Lyme" Posts: 1302 | From Back in TX again | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
How big are these lumps? How many do you have?
I'm asking because I have a series of small, raised, hard-ish reddish lumps that have been popping up for years -- duck said don't worry about them, LLNP wasn't sure what they are, said "maybe warts?" That idea had occurred to me, too, so I tried the at-home freeze-it-yourself wart treatment on a couple of them -- didn't do much but make them angry for a while.
I googled the E.N. mentioned above -- didn't get much that was helpful -- standard "this just happens sometimes" stuff ---
Sorry not any help here -- just more questions as I am wondering myself....
-------------------- "Looks like freedom but it feels like death.. It's something in between, I guess"
Leonard Cohen, from the song "Closing Time" Posts: 822 | From California | Registered: Jan 2006
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
The caption with one of the pictures states: ======= This picture shows reddish-purple, hard (indurated), painful nodules (Erythema nodosum) that occur most commonly on the shins.
These lesions may be anywhere on the body and may be associated with tuberculosis (TB), sarcoidosis, coccidioidomycosis, systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), fungal infections, or in response to medications.
========
I've read that some physicians think that the Lyme bacteria causes lupus and sarcoid.
Carol
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
I had my first ever bout of Erythema Nodosum this year, which was during a Lyme relapse while I was off abx.
It can be very difficult to pinpoint the cause as there are over 100 known triggers, Bb infection being one of them. There is an excellent EN support group on the Yahoo Health Groups.
There you will be able to see lots of pictures and get lots of info. Here is a quote from its home page:
"Erythema Nodosum is a form of Panniculitis that appears as Painful Red, Hot Lumps, Bumps or Nodules on the Legs or elsewhere.
It is considered either Autoimmune or a delayed Allergic response in nature. It is often a reaction to a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection and can be a side effect of certain medications, particularly birth control pills.
The vast majority of EN patients are younger women, but men, older women, and even children can be affected. Up to 50% of Erythema Nodosum cases are idiopathic, where no trigger has been found."
I encourage you to sign up -- I found a wealth of information there.
Posts: 105 | From CA | Registered: Apr 2005
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ping
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6974
posted
Thank you all so much for your insights! Actually, turns out my LLMD DOES know about this, my Lyme brain just didn't pick up the conversation. (She says she "muttered" it while talking to herself...EVS. She has Lyme too; love her to death, she's great!)
Goggled the EN and Sarcoidosis websites and found contradictory answers (what's new). One interesting think I found on a website that was listing treatment meds is under the Tetracyclines is said, "Many fo the same tetracyclines used to treat Lyme Disease also seem effective for EN." Whoa! Thought that was more than interesting.
The Rheumatologist I saw said the EN would likely never go away and may or may not get worse. He said I had a "mild case", as they're not painful to the touch. He kept saying Sarcoidosis was most probable. Then, most of the Sarc websites say that most cases resolve by themselves and the EN disappears, although it can take as long as a couple of years!
I don't know what to believe. I'll definitely check out the EN Support site and if anyone has anything more personal experience with this, please post it for me.
"We are more than containers for Lyme" Ping ("Lumpy")
-------------------- ping "We are more than containers for Lyme" Posts: 1302 | From Back in TX again | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
This is exactly what started my diagnosis of Lyme. I got a red rash on both of my lower legs, from the ankle up, not quite to the knee in the front, then straight up the insides of my calves. The bumps were raised, and rather large, not like dots. I looked at the pics on the link above, and mine were more symetrical, and more oblong and connected. They did feel warm every once in a while, but didn't itch or hurt. The dermo took biopsies twice. One came back as granuloma anularae, the other was vasculitis. When I finally reached an LLMD, I think he called it EN, but he was also referring it to STARI.
It came and went 3 times, each time lasting 3 weeks. Then they would fade to an off-color, and peel like a sunburn. A week later they would be back. That was a year ago, and nothing since. The only other place I ever got it was a small piece on my hand, which is still there.
BTW, my LLMD is now saying my Lyme diagnosis might have been a false/positive(after treating me for 4 months), and I am now seeing a neuro.
Best of luck, Jill
Posts: 203 | From Jacksonville, FLorida | Registered: Oct 2005
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bpeck
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3235
posted
Jelly:
Yes- I've had the same thing - only mine have lasted anywhere from 3 weeks to a YEAR.
Minocycline for 15 days (200mg/day) has made them completely go away in the past.
I know lumps and bumps appear on alot of people diagnosed with different things... probably never really know what they're from - but to me it's an indication that I'm still not 100%- even though I feel like I am.
treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
My mother use to call these red swollen sometimes like a carbunkle things. called them blood infection because they popped up anywhere.
Which actually makes sence because blood carries it any where in your body and then it becomes a focal point of attack by immune system when its recognized as a invader?
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