new member from England

[Baz]

my story is different to others. I found out i had vasculitis after one day at work my legs began to hurt like i had pulled muscles in both of them it was not until i got home and found that i had a red blotchy rash all over my lower legs and when the pain level hit the roof i went to the hospital and was there for 3 days while they tried to find out what was wrong. i was quite lucky as a specialist in dermatology was at the hospital the same time as me and i was told i had vasculitis caused by a virus and it would clear on its own. But it never it continued mostly my lower legs and also other parts of my body. It was not until i ended up in A &E with really bad case of gout and i was seen by rheumatology that the investigations started to find out if i have WG.i was first told i had vasculitis august 2010. my investigations for WG started February 2011 and was diagnosed and started treatment April 2011. my treatment is chemotherapy cyclophosphamide with methylprednisolone. I am happy to answer questions and I'm also happy i found some where i might get answers.

[Sangye]

Hi Baz, welcome to the group. I'm glad you got diagnosed and started treatment.

What does A&E stand for in the UK? In the US it's a cable tv channel abbreviation for "Arts and Entertainment."

[Baz]

accident and emergence department at hospital

[NicShaf]

Hi Baz, welcome to the site. You'll find a lot of useful information here and great people too.
I can't believe they told you that your vasculitis would clear up on its own and sent you home! I'm not sure if there are forms of vasculitis that do that, but WG is definately not one of them. Good to hear that the have you all figured out now.
How are you doing so far on your medication? I'm also on Cyclophosphamide and Preds, started at the end of December 2010.

[Baz]

im ok on the medication very little if any side affects but iv only just started

[freakyschizogirl]

Hiya Baz

Welcome to the group. Good luck with your Wegds journey x

[elephant]

Welcome Baz, symptom are so differnt for all of us. Glad you are getting treated. Hope you start to feel better. Need to rest too.

[Widthofacircle]

Hi Baz and welcome.
I am from Ireland and was diagnosed April 2009. Like you I was mis diagnosed initially being told at A&E that it was arthritis. Weight loss, sinus problems,swollen joints with rash, blood in urine and they said "arthritis".
I ended up practically crippled with swelling of the joints and total loss of energy.
Eventually they diagnosed Wegeners following a kidney biopsy.
Went through all of the usual meds and am now on Cellcept and 5mg prednisone and am generally well but I feel Wegs is always lurking.
Hope you start feeling better soon

[Widthofacircle]

By the way Baz.
I would like to welcome your Queen to Ireland in advance of her visit next Tuesday. A historical occasion and well overdue