[Raynaadi]

(((((( Rhapsody ))))))))

Keep taking good care of you!!!! Let us know what the docs say Friday.

Was today your appointment, Rhapsody?

Did you have any luck finding out what it is?

[Rhapsody]

Thanks for remembering and thinking about me today...... I went in for blood work today and the appointments are for next Friday - one at 11 am and one at 2 pm... I will be sure to keep you posted to what both doctors tell me.

[January]

Please let us know as soon as you learn anything.

Hugs,

Jan

[bizi]

I am sorry that you are dealing with this rash...4 months is along time...I have had poison ivy for 2 weeks and I am going crazy from it and I feel sorry for you....
I wish you had some better answers
have you tried sarna the anti itch non steroid cream/lotion available over the counter.
I wish you well
bizi

[Rhapsody]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
January said:
Please let us know as soon as you learn anything.

Hugs,

Jan

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UPDATE from My 2 Doctor Visits Today

What can I say but.............................. GGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

All my test came back negative (yet again) and the doctors are still complex as to this RASH I am suffering from and the new symptoms that have started up with in the last week.... with no explanation, or reason other than my RA - possibly, but not 100% sure.

New Symptoms:
Rash is itching beyond words, I am having inner discomfort/pain with my kidneys & bladder when I unrinate, chest pains and flutters/shortness of breath with fluid acumilation around my ankles, feet, eyes and hands. Regurgitation of food with burning of the throat - given a Dx of GERDS for this one and given a Rx to take for it.

NEGATIVE on the Lymphoma.................... and yet my doctors still no explanation for the RASH - as to WHY? ! ? ! ? ! ?

.... I have been asked to stop one of my RA meds for the next month to see if the RASH goes away or becomes worse - I hope and pray that I make it thru the next 30 days with out both my RA meds.... for I am dreading the PAIN that might surface during this time with out both my meds - glad I have a stock of pain pills waiting.

I think I will just up on going in to see my doctors in between my regular follow up appointments, therefore, I will just go back to my yearly physical and every 6 mth check up with my Rheumatologist. They may have me go in for a biopsy of the skin for my rash and then to an allergist..... but then that is it for me.

* * * * * * * *

This is strange....... one of my older sisters had her yearly physical and her doctor is concerned about some new issue she had been having (arthritis) - and he is sending her to see another doctor to be tested for Lupus - strange just strange.

[Rhapsody]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
January said:
(((((((((( Rhapsody )))))))))))))

Second, last week I was diagnosed with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. It is a mixture of lupus, polymyocitis, schleraderma and Raynaulds. I have other kinds of arthritis, ect., all autoimmune problems. With MCTD, you have some symptoms of them all. In time, one may come to the forefront, but right now, it's like a cocktail of autoimmune problems. It's not fun. You do feel like you have the flu when the rash hits and you run a fever. Right now my face and legs are broken out again and it burns. I never know where the rash will be when I wake up.

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For JAN..........

This is an interesting fact of GERDS - my newest Dx

Multiple Connective tissue disorders. Diseases such as scleroderma (and others) that cause muscular tissue to thicken and swell can keep digestive muscles from relaxing and contracting as they should, allowing acid reflux - GERDS.

My doctors are considering this along with the Lupus...... but never the less this is still a wait and see game.

Rhapsody -

[bizi]

my doctor ordered a very good compounded at a pharmacy lotion for my poison ivy itchy/pain.
It has lidocaine 5%, hydrocortizone twice normal strength, benadryl along with other things...it was the only thing that stopped my itchies from the poison ivy.
I wonder if this would help your suffering....
you poor thing.
(((HUGS)))
bizi

[Rhapsody]

Thanks.................... I will keep that in mind if this does not get solved soon and the itch continues.

* * * * * *

Update: I forgot to mention this....

Right now my Rheumatologist has me stopping one of my RA meds (Sulfasalazine 2-500 mg 2x qd) to see if it might be the culprit.... but I am not holding my breath.

Sulfasalazine

One of its side effects:
A rash may develop which may be itchy, but usually resolves quite quickly once the drug is stopped.

[January]

Rhap,

Thank you so much for telling me about the relationship between scleraderma and Gerds. I developed it in Dec/Jan, the same time the MCTD started.

Again, thank you so much. If you find out anything else, will you let me know? I can tell I'm losing some of the control of my right hand. That's started in the last week.

Please let us know how you do going off the med. That does sometimes cause a rash.

Hugs,

Jan

[Rhapsody]

What can I say - had follow up and they still dont know any thing, but this time they are taking it more serious and ordered all types of blood work on Friday..... I think they took about 8 tubes full of blood from me - OUCH!! (need a hug)

But look on the bright side - at least I got a new Dx - Yeah Right what FUN!!!!

04/27/07 - New Dx - Phooie SPit SPit : <font color="red"> Sjogren's Syndrome </font>

[Rhapsody]

Phooie that DARN RASH is back.......

and I am scratching so hard to try and relieve what Benadryl does not control that I am now missing some skin in my scratch zone.

[wickedwings]

((((rhapsody))))) i know exactly what it's like to be going through a medical mystery. i was a medical mystery 2 years ago and it took many months before i was finally diagnosed (i had a stroke, apparently). sorry, i have no experience with rashes to help you with. but i know how frustrating it is. i wish the best for you.