Welcome, New Member, Diane S./Case History

[Guest guest]

Dear Diane,

On behalf of all our members, welcome to our Erythema Nodosum Group!

Thanks for sending in your Questionnaire. I have added the information

to our " Member Medical History " Files on the Group site and posted it

below.

You now have Full EN Group privileges.

You are receiving ALL EN Group emails, and you can also go to the EN

Group site whenever you like:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/erythema_nodosum_Group/

and logging on with your Yahoo ID:dshep7888

and secret password.

You do not have to have the group emails delivered to be a member here.

I am very glad to have a new member who has even more years experience

of EN than me. I have had it for 37 yrs. now--since I was 21. I am 58

now. I am very interested in your mold/yeast theory. Unlike you my EN

has gotten milder,only confined to my left lower leg, though more

frequent than in my younger years.

If I may ask, have you gone through menopause yet, and if so did it

have any effect on your EN? I am just starting menopause now (late

bloomer) and I am wondering if it will affect my EN.

I never have used meds, but I use a TEDS stocking and get as much rest

as I can.

I am glad you found us. We are a fairly new group--only a little over

2 yrs old, so still growing and learning. Welcome to our EN Group!

Love,

******

Diane S's Case History

11/8/05

1. Your name and age: Diane S. , 52 yo

2. Your location: Massachusetts

3. Your email address:

dshep7888@...

4. Your Yahoo ID: dshep7888

5. Describe your erythema nodosum/PG symptoms or, if you do not have

EN or PG, please explain why you wish to join this group.

I have had erythema nodusum for almost 40 years.

The beginning started with a diagnosis of rheumatic fever. This was

also the start of puberty for me, and since I was symptom free during

both of my pregnancies, I have also thought that there is some hormone

connection.

Initially it was in my feet and ankles, but over the years outbreaks

have occured higher up in my shins. Still have outbreaks in the

ankles, but with less frequency then in my younger days.

Over the years it was diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, bug bites and

being " in my head " . Finally, a diagnosis of EN in my late 20's. Also

discovered in late 20's that any time I drank beer, wine or ate cheese

I would have a full blown outbreak. Also when it rains, and in the

fall and spring when the mushrooms are growning, I would have

increased frequency of outbreaks. Have come to believe that it is

molds and yeasts that I am reacting to, and so live a restricted diet

of no fermented or mold foods.

6. List any other health conditions. Otherwise in good health, though

do ache a lot in joints(arthritis? fibromyalgia?)

7. State what medications or treatments you take for EN, and their

effectiveness: Currently take cell cept, which reduces the t-cells.

It used for transplant patients. Have tried colchicine and thalidimide

with little success. The cell cept has seemed to reduce the secondary

inflammation that I get, where my legs swell all around the nodules

and it becomes debilitating. For acute episodes I see a dermatologist

that injects cortisone into the nodules. This is painful, but is

great because it give quick relief without taking oral meds. If I

can't get to the doctor I do a 7 day round of prednisone, starting at

70 mg and tapering by 10 mg a day. This is also very effective, but

do try to avoid the prednisone route (one doctor had me on it for 6

years! I don't see her anymore....). Otherwise I take motrin in the

morning and tylenol at bedtime. Also, I wrap my legs with ace bandages

when I have nodules (which is almost all the time) This seems to

really help keep down the swelling and relieves the discomfort.

8. When did you first get erythema nodosum or PG? Puberty

9. How long have you had erythema nodosum or PG? Almost 40 years

10. Do you agree to treat all EN members with respect? Yes

11.Do you agree to post NO advertisements for any products or

services? Agree

12. How did you find this Group? (Google, Yahoo, Ask Jeeves Search,

referral from another group or person etc.) Google search - I've been

searching/ researching EN for years, and for some reason this is the

first time you came up! Thank you!