Livedo reticularis question

Symptoms: I am 26 yr old female
I started having migraines at the age of 11 which included aura [radiating up my left arm then entire vision loss], my speech was affected and took a day for the migraine to completely clear. I was quite anaemic from the age of 9 and this did not subside for some time until my mid teens. At the age of 19 I started to notice a rash on my right hand [what I now know was livedo reticularis as per my dermatologist and rheumatologist] the rash along with incumbent stomach problems [nausea and incessant pain] grew. I was diagnosed about 3 years with the 1st spate of helicobacter pylori and had tablets to clear this. It was cleared after 2 attempts. I was then told I had an ulcer and medication has since controlled my stomach problems. My weight plummeted to 6 stones 2. I am 7 stones 3 now.

The livedo reticularis has now spread viciously across my body from feet, legs and thighs to upper and lower trunk. I have suffered steadily and daily with numbness in feet, arms and hands and these pins and needles episode can last for 2 days. I have been diagnosed with ulnar nerve entrapment in my right elbow which has caused a lot of pain. I have a constant burning also in the outer edge of my right foot which was triggered after an

[Kevin Pho, MD]

You have had a pretty comprehensive evaluation for your symptoms.  The tests for rheumatological disease (i.e. ANA, rheumatoid factor etc.), I would assume have already been considered by your personal physician.  A neurologist has already done an MRI as well as electrodiagnostic testing.

Regarding the livedo, unfortunately, there is no known cure for this disorder.  Rewarming the areas of concern, as well as a diagnosis for the cause can help.  You may want to consider a biopsy of the affected lesions.  Eventually, the underlying blood vessels become permanently dilated, which leads to an irreversible skin change.

You can always consider another dermatological or rheumatological opinion.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[Carol in PA]

msa2005:
It's possible that some of your problems may be due to Lyme Disease.

When someone has so many symptoms, over such a widespread area, tick borne disease should be considered.

The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation has some good information.
http://www.*******.com/

Click on "symptoms" and compare to your own.


When I did a search of past discussions at *******.org, I found these:

http://flash.*******.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=030951#000000
"This is a vasculitis condition which can be a rare dermatologic symptom of Lyme Disease."

http://flash.*******.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=034846#000000
"I did have this, but mine looked a bit different....
It is very common in hypercoagulation to varying degrees. Hypercoagulation is an indication of chronic infection.

Even though I hadn't yet treated an infection, I was given heparin for the hypercoagulation and it immediately went away. It wasn't until I started using ABX (antibiotics) that it went away and I was able to discontinue the heparin."


If you are interested in looking for more information about Lyme Disease, there is alot of info at LymeNet.org.
http://flash*************/ubb/ultimatebb.php

Wishing you the best,
Carol