Erythema Nodosum? or is it something else? Extremely painful

I went to the ER last week due to having red knots/lumps all over my legs. Some of them looked a bit bruised and I had joint and muscle pain. The doc told me I had Erythema Nodosum and that it would clear up within 2-8 weeks. The pain has progressively gotten worse over this past week. I am having trouble sleeping since it hurts the most when I'm laying down for awhile. It hurts the most in my hips, thighs, and shoulders. I have this stinging pain that goes from my shoulder down to my wrist. I am currently breastfeeding my 11 mth old daughter and can't take much pain medication. I have been taking 400 mg of ibuprofen every 4 hrs and it hardly takes the edge off. What is most efficient in taking the pain away is massage and warm compresses. The lumps on my legs are a lot better than they were when I went in but the pain is way worse. I feel so frustrated! Does this sound like erythem nodosum to you guys or maybe something else? Should I got back in to get checked out again? Any tips for pain mgmnt other than meds? I just wanna be able to get in the floor and play with my little one again. Thanks.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The symptoms are suggestive of erythema nodosum. It results in reddish, painful, tender lumps most commonly located in the front of the legs below the knees.

Diagnosis is by physical examination and biopsy of the lesion. Other lab investigations like complete blood count, ESR,ASO titer, urinalysis, throat culture, intradermal tuberculin test, and chest x-ray may also be done.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.