Has anyone been diagnosed with Erythromelalgia?

[MrsAristotle]

Hi guys, I have been suffering with weird burning feet when hot the edges are red, and my hands now are also troublesome, pain, burning, swollen and hot. I am so fed up with all this. Anyway out of desperation as I dont usually google symptoms I put in swollen hands, and came up with a site for Erythromelalgia.

About Erythromelalgia

EM is a rare disorder that can occur at any age and affects both genders.
Most cases of EM are idiopathic (cause unknown). Sometimes EM is secondary to other medical conditions including autoimmune, neurologic or blood disorders. Lupus, polycythemia vera and multiple sclerosis are examples.
EM also can mimic other illnesses such as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
Infrequently EM may develop following an injury or surgical procedure.
Some people have the inherited or primary form of EM and usually have other family members with the disease. Recently, an EM gene was identified as were several mutations to this gene. Apparently each affected family carries a different mutation.
Both the blood vessels and the nervous system are usually involved in EM.
The name erythromelalgia describes the clinical features: erythros (redness), melos (extremity), and algia (pain). There are other ways to spell EM including erythermalgia, which emphasizes heat (thermos).
Remissions are possible, but infrequent. With the help of the members of The Erythromelalgia Association (TEA), their doctors, and future research, control of EM symptoms is entirely feasible.

Symptoms
If you have been diagnosed with EM, symptoms may include hands or feet that are very red to purple in color, are perhaps swollen, hot to the touch, and have burning pain.

Location
For some, EM symptoms may appear in the face, ears, knees or other parts of the body. The intensity of the symptoms varies from person to person. Some notice a continual burning pain while others are troubled with "flare-ups" or episodes lasting from minutes to days in length.

Triggers
Warm temperatures seem to be the most frequent trigger for EM episodes. Flare-ups are provoked by heat and exercise, and symptoms are relieved by cooling and elevating the affected extremities. Some TEA members have found that foods, spices like MSG, beverages (particularly alcohol) and some drugs can make EM symptoms worse

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I am going to mention this on Friday to my GP as I fit the symptoms quite well, and was also thought to have Lupus at the start although my 3rd bloods were negative.

The other thing I note there is a link with multiple sclerosis too.

As this is so rare, some of you could have been suffering these symptoms without any diagnoses, so I thought it was important to share this.

My hands hurt quite a lot at the moment and are swollen and hot. This all kicked off as soon as the central heating went back on.

[MrsAristotle]

yes burning feet and hands are the pits arnt they. The problems with these symptoms is that many things can cause them which makes it very hard to diagnose the cause.

I will let you know how i get on with the GP tomorrow, probably a waste of space as usual. x

[doni54]

Well, like you needed anything new to happen, huh?  I'm so sorry that you are having to deal with this and thank you for posting about this condition.  There might be others here who are suffering from this also.

Luckily I don't have this going on.  I have a similar problem when I get too warm, mine is itching, both my feet and hands will drive me crazy (short drive...haha).  

I am glad that you will be seeing your dr so that you can let him know this is going on.  Let us know what he says.

Take care and I hope this symptom will ease off for you soon.

doni