Introduction

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone!

I have enjoyed reading your posts. I wanted to take a moment to

introduce myself and share my story to see if I can get some advice.

My name is Penny, and I'm a 29 year old female living in

Texas. My husband, Mike, and I have been married since May of 2006,

and we've just moved into our first home. I'm a teacher (7th and 8th

grade English) at a middle school.

In April/May of last year, I noticed a large flat hard lump on my

right shin. It wasn't painful, red, or swollen, just... there. I

figured I had just bumped my leg and that it would resolve. By the

end of June, it wasn't gone, but had actually become red and

inflamed. I went to my GP thinking that I had a leg infection or

cellulitis. She put me on antibiotics and things got a bit better it

seemed. Then, they got worse. My right leg became swollen and

tender, but my left leg was fine. My GP then sent me in for xrays,

thinking that the " infection " might have spread to the bone.

Everything seemed clear, but the pain was getting worse. She sent me

to an orthopedic doctor for a second opinion, thinking I might have

osteomyelitis. The ortho doc basically told me that he couldn't help

me because I wasn't a surgical patient. After that, I was referred

to an infectious disease doctor, who was the first one to suggest

EN. To be sure, however, I got an MRI, which showed abnormal

behavior in my bone. I then had a nuclear bone scan, which again

showed abnormal bone behavior. Finally, I had a sulfur colloid scan,

which showed reactive bone marrow. At that point, the doctors were

discussing hospitalization and considering Leukemia and other bone

marrow disorders. My infectious disease doctor asked me to see a

dermatologist to be sure. Within 5 minutes of being in the

dermatologist's office, she has issued a preliminary diagnosis of

Erythema Nodosum, which was then confirmed by a biopsy. I had a TB

test, chest xray, and strep test to check for underlying infection,

but all came back clear. She believes that my case was probably due

to birth control medication.

She immediately started me on 20 mg of Prednisone. I was on that for

about 2 weeks and things got better. Three days after finishing

them, the EN came back. I then started 40 mg of Prednisone. After

finishing the round, one week later, the EN came back last week. I

went to the doctor and asked for alternatives. The side effects of

the steroids are difficult, since it involves me being sleepless and

irritable. After reading some postings in this group and online, I

came across Potassium Iodide. The dermatologist suggested Potassium

Iodide, but she requested thyroid tests first. Currently, I'm

waiting for the results to come back from the thyroid tests before I

can take the Potassium Iodide. She did give me 9 days of Prednisone

to reduce the incredible swelling until we move on to the Potassium.

I'm a bit concerned about the Potassium Iodide, however. I'm worried

about my thyroid becoming an issue. Has anyone had issues with

that? Does anyone have any recommendations for me on what to do

next? I don't want to be on Prednisone for a long time, because

there are some nasty side effects. I also have no idea how long it

will take for this to really " clear up " . I have been off of " the

pill " for about 2 1/2 months, but I'm still fighting the EN. Any

suggestions or words of wisdom for me?

Thank you!!!