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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Should I panic?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
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Should I panic?
by Trippsmom, Jun 02, 2003 12:00AM
Have been sick since January. I posted last week on the Rheumatology forum and will "paste" that for succinctness:
I suppose you could just call me an idiopathic mess at the moment! Since January, with new developments weekly:
diarrhea, night sweats, Alopecia, Rash on ears,
twitching/tremors(legs, hands, neck), “Charlie horses” much worse in left leg,Stabbing/electrical shock-like pains (mostly in feet but also elsewhere),Redness on palms & feet, Petechiae – chest& breasts,Livedo Reticularis–legs, arms and breasts,Spider veining (face [malar pattern],chest,breasts), varicose veining (legs), Eyes:Retinal uveitis/Diagnosed by retinologist also itchy,dry, crusty,photophobia under fluorescent lighting,Joint pain/stiffness (no swelling or redness: hands, back/hips, ankles/feet),Myalgia and fatigue, Rib pain near sternum, Acalculous Cholecystopathy (via Hipa scan – Gallbladder out next week), neuro symptoms after sun exposure (spaciness, overemotional, confusion), newest symptom; rapid appearance of unevenly bordered freckles with no sun exposure plus growth of already present freckles.
Tests done: CBC,SED,TB,Hep-panel,CPK,anti-thyroid,protein,RPR, ANCA,ANA profile,Metabolic panel,hepatitis panel,hla-b27,stool cultures. All negative but for elevated serum potassium, and bun/Creatinine ratio (but individually not elevated.)
I want to add that the diarrhea, night sweats, joint pain, myalgia and fatigue have improved over the past month - the latter three, as long as I stay out of the sun.
I am writing to address this appearance of freckles mentioned lastly in my note. Since then, they continue to appear at a rapid rate. They are anything from pinpoint size to 1/4 inch irregular - and just keep appearing everyday with the larger ones growing. Two "liver spots" I already had have enlarged - and one small freckle I had on my leg has enlarged and gotten a rough texture though it is still light brown. These larger irregular freckles are also appearing on places that have never had sun (breasts) though I don't have a larger proportion axiallry (two under each arm). However, I want to emphasize that the number increase daily - particularly on my fingers (large- 1/4", irregular) and arms (underside of arms - many pinpoint) - honestly, I can't keep up with all of them. I just hope that gives you enough info.
My original question: to panic or not? I'm due for the Gallbladder surgery 6/06/03. My inclination is to wait until the pathology comes back on that (I'm a medical sociologist so I'm not totally in the dark here) OR should I go see Doctor's 1, 2 and 3 this week before the surgery and let them Hem and Haw over my melanin production?
Appreciate and respect any opinion - and many, many thanks.
I can be emailed at ***@**** (I have a supremo filter service) if need be.
Am very scared....
I suppose you could just call me an idiopathic mess at the moment! Since January, with new developments weekly:
diarrhea, night sweats, Alopecia, Rash on ears,
twitching/tremors(legs, hands, neck), “Charlie horses” much worse in left leg,Stabbing/electrical shock-like pains (mostly in feet but also elsewhere),Redness on palms & feet, Petechiae – chest& breasts,Livedo Reticularis–legs, arms and breasts,Spider veining (face [malar pattern],chest,breasts), varicose veining (legs), Eyes:Retinal uveitis/Diagnosed by retinologist also itchy,dry, crusty,photophobia under fluorescent lighting,Joint pain/stiffness (no swelling or redness: hands, back/hips, ankles/feet),Myalgia and fatigue, Rib pain near sternum, Acalculous Cholecystopathy (via Hipa scan – Gallbladder out next week), neuro symptoms after sun exposure (spaciness, overemotional, confusion), newest symptom; rapid appearance of unevenly bordered freckles with no sun exposure plus growth of already present freckles.
Tests done: CBC,SED,TB,Hep-panel,CPK,anti-thyroid,protein,RPR, ANCA,ANA profile,Metabolic panel,hepatitis panel,hla-b27,stool cultures. All negative but for elevated serum potassium, and bun/Creatinine ratio (but individually not elevated.)
I want to add that the diarrhea, night sweats, joint pain, myalgia and fatigue have improved over the past month - the latter three, as long as I stay out of the sun.
I am writing to address this appearance of freckles mentioned lastly in my note. Since then, they continue to appear at a rapid rate. They are anything from pinpoint size to 1/4 inch irregular - and just keep appearing everyday with the larger ones growing. Two "liver spots" I already had have enlarged - and one small freckle I had on my leg has enlarged and gotten a rough texture though it is still light brown. These larger irregular freckles are also appearing on places that have never had sun (breasts) though I don't have a larger proportion axiallry (two under each arm). However, I want to emphasize that the number increase daily - particularly on my fingers (large- 1/4", irregular) and arms (underside of arms - many pinpoint) - honestly, I can't keep up with all of them. I just hope that gives you enough info.
My original question: to panic or not? I'm due for the Gallbladder surgery 6/06/03. My inclination is to wait until the pathology comes back on that (I'm a medical sociologist so I'm not totally in the dark here) OR should I go see Doctor's 1, 2 and 3 this week before the surgery and let them Hem and Haw over my melanin production?
Appreciate and respect any opinion - and many, many thanks.
I can be emailed at ***@**** (I have a supremo filter service) if need be.
Am very scared....
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jun 03, 2003 12:00AM
, Jun 03, 2003 12:00AM
I am not able to put together into a coherent whole the array of signs, symptoms, and tests you list.
As to the freckles, I am not familiar with syndromes which produce new ones daiyl, as you describe. Definitve diagnosis will most likely involve biopsy. Hwever, I cannot think of any serious or panic-worthy condition which would mandate delaying surgery for this skin evaluation.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
As to the freckles, I am not familiar with syndromes which produce new ones daiyl, as you describe. Definitve diagnosis will most likely involve biopsy. Hwever, I cannot think of any serious or panic-worthy condition which would mandate delaying surgery for this skin evaluation.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (2)
by joy122003, Jul 07, 2003 12:00AM
Was that $19 worth it? I think not.
