Skin lesions

**Terry** · 10-06-2008, 02:29 PM

Do any of you have skin lesions? I was just telling my physical therapist the other day about these skin lesions I've been getting on my nose since the beginning of the year. These breakouts usually are in patches of three or four and are primarily on the left side of my nose. They are not zits, but blister-like things. Tonight I was reading a site about symptoms of W.G., and darned if it didn't list blister-like lesions.

I was wondering if any of you have those lesions and what you think about it.

**andrew** · 10-06-2008, 02:43 PM

I have Cholinergic Urticaria: eMedicine - Urticaria, Cholinergic : Article by Robert A Schwartz

Could what you have be close to this?

**Terry** · 10-06-2008, 03:11 PM

Andrew, that seems to be saying they pop up and then go away relatively quickly. Mine take a couple of weeks to go away.

**andrew** · 10-06-2008, 03:19 PM

Mmm...yes that's true. However (something I should have added), mine popped up earlier this year and are still to go away :-) I have daily antihistamine which calms it down nicely.

**Terry** · 10-06-2008, 03:26 PM

Well, I'll just add it to the list of symptoms for the Rheumy to consider. The lesions started when my sinuses went all out of whack and seemed to be infected. I've had what I thought was a sinus infection since the first of the year.

I thought the lesions were related to hormones and even stopped using my hormone creams but that didn't stop the lesions. I have four of them right now that are in the healing stage. When they're blistered out, I have to be careful not to mess with them. They heal much better if I don't rub them or anything.

**andrew** · 10-06-2008, 03:43 PM

Speaking of symptom lists, have the docs finalised a diagnosis yet?

**Terry** · 10-06-2008, 04:07 PM

Oh no, I'm still in the process and hoping to get a final diagnosis and get on treatment before there's any kidney damage.

However, it doesn't seem really common to get a diagnosis without being in a crisis. My appointment isn't until the 23rd, but I'm gathering up all the test results so he'll have something to go by. The immune system tests they did are quite remarkable - very low readings in IgG subclasses 1, 3, and 4, and very low readings in Immunoglobulins A, M, and E. Immunoglobulin A is so low, the reading is -14. Normal is between 70 - 400.

**andrew** · 10-06-2008, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by Terry

However, it doesn't seem really common to get a diagnosis without being in a crisis.

Heh...yeah I'd have to agree with that. Well, I hope the appointment on the 23rd gives you a result, whatever that turns out to be! It's be nice for you to finally know what your enemy looks like.

**Jack** · 10-06-2008, 05:46 PM

Skin problems - yes, I can tick that one off too!

At the same time as my sinus problems, I had a variety of skin lesions. Some like warts, others different types of blister. My hands used to bleed on the steering wheel. Nice!

I also had joint pain, eye inflamation and finally kidney and lung damage. I do hope you get a diagnosis soon Terry. I'm sure the only real test to confirm Wegener's is biopsy, you need to press for this.

**Terry** · 10-07-2008, 01:49 AM

Jack, I do intend to press for a biopsy when I see the Rheumy on the 23rd. I remember talking to my sister in law at the beginning of summer about these strange breakouts on my nose. This sure is an explanation for why I've been going around looking like a dalmatian.