Re: New EN diagnosis 1 week ago with rare EN locations and MASSIVE ankle swelling

[Guest guest]

Didn’t read it yet (going to right now) but your summary explains/agrees with my guttate psoriasis situation again that occurred for me at age 40 after my last pregnancy. I still have no explanation for what triggered the EN....... I had a very very slight cold at some point, so slight as to be able to continue working thru it with ease. I’m trying to remember if that occurred just before my EN or if it was during or after.....

chantelle

Hi Chantelle,

I found this when trying to see if there was a connection between AI disorders and menopause:

http://dps.missouri.edu/resources/Handbook/autoimmune.pdf

It states that AI disorders often strike after menopause and during and after pregnancy. But we are all different, so I suspect menopause changed my hormones and that may have put me in remission.

Love,

>

> I suspect that remission of many autoimmune disorders coincides with

> menopause? I had already theorized that in my mom’s case.....but this is the

> first I’ve seen anyone else say it.

[Guest guest]

Don't count on it, my first experience of EN happened years after menopause and then a complete hysterectomy.lauraTo: erythema_nodosum_Group Sent: Sat, December 11, 2010 11:13:17 AMSubject: Re: Re: New EN

diagnosis 1 week ago with "rare" EN locations and MASSIVE ankle swelling

I suspect that remission of many autoimmune disorders coincides with menopause? I had already theorized that in my mom’s case.....but this is the first I’ve seen anyone else say it. I have not been around (until now) anyone talking about autoimmune disorders. (since, until a few weeks ago, I hadn’t pondered all of this in relation to my own life/condition)

Chantelle

Hi Everyone,

Whenever I hear a member mention lungs or breathing problems with EN I wonder if they have been checked for Sarcoidosis or Lungren's Syndrome. I also think of Alpha-1 ATT Deficiency which can affect the lungs as well as the liver. Alpha-`1 is genetic but you may not have symptoms until you are an adult--and you can carry it without any symptoms and pass it on to your kids. I would run these disorders by your doctor. A pulmonary specialist should be familiar with them.

Up date on me: Have been to the gym a few times and still no flare up of the EN that has been in remission for over 2 yrs after having had chronic idiopathic EN for over 40 yrs. The remission coinsided with menopause, so maybe I was having a reaction to my own hormones--as wacky as that sounds.

Wising Everyone a Happy and Pain free Weekend!

Love,

> >

> > Oh ,

> > What you have described is like a mirror image of my worst outbreak five years ago, including the massive and excruciating ankle pain and swelling. I also have clouding on my lungs (often termed fibrosis, inflammation, granulomas etc) and even though the doctors know I have an auto immune problem, they have never diagnosed exactly what it is. In the last month my EN and swollen ankles have returned and just this last 24 hours I have developed the burning and pain in my chest, along with a nasty deep cough, much like when I get pneumonia. I get pneumonia when the EN is out of control. The only drug that has ever helped me is prednisone in large doses, and that is after 12 years of trialing everything. I do hope you find an answer, I am often tested for Ross River Fever, which sounds like your Valley fever, always negative. I cant offer much help as it seems you and I are in the same predicament.

> >

> > Regards

> > Trudi (in Aus)

> > New EN diagnosis 1 week ago with "rare" EN locations and MASSIVE ankle swelling

> >

> >

> >

> > I would first like to add that I a detest modern medicine. I don't take pain pills, I don't like antibiotics and will refrain as long as possible to take them. I, instead, turn to healing foods and herbs. I am 30, female, live in Central California, am a Psychologist and also have psoriasis. Additionally, and the hardest thing for me right now, I am a runner. I completed a half marathon just 4 weeks ago.

> > I have taken maybe 4 aspirin in the last 2 days due to not being able to handle the pain any longer. I have also been eating a VERY rich diet of raw and anti inflammatory foods and a lot of natural herbs.

> > My story:

> > Much like everyone else's beginning symptoms, lethargy, general malaise, etc, I thought I was just coming down with the flu, until the night sweats started for many nights in a row. I also had developed a very, very stiff neck around this time and thought it was still just a flu bug. I woke about 2 weeks ago and had sharp right chest pain. Not like a heart attach, but more like pneumonia. So, off to Urgent Care I went. I was prescribed an antibiotic for pleuricy (he did not do any xrays or tests). The antibiotic was Cefdinir (generic for Omnicef). I took it 2x day for 4 days and went to my Dr. when I was still not feeling good. The night sweats had continued, I had a raging headache and started getting the infamous little red bumps on my knee caps. After one look they said I probably didn't have pneumonia, but Valley Fever. Valley Fever is a central California spore that lodges into the lungs and can disseminate and be lethal.

Great. So, they prescribed me a "better" antibiotic, which I did not take because antibiotics are not useful for this fungal infection. The doctors pulled blood a week ago (when the bumps started) and I should expect to find out in another week if I have been exposed to Valley Fever.

> > Back to the EN, the topic of this group. The nodules grew and grew and multiplied like rabbits, all over my upper thighs, knees and shins. I found a few on my arms, elbows and wrists and one on the side of my neck. Painful, moderately, but debilitating? Not yet. This was Thursday last week. Friday they grew bigger, and more. Saturday it was a bit painful to walk on, and by Sunday morning I had a swollen ankle. I had read this is common with EN. I was getting around by holding onto the walls in the house, propping myself down and not moving at all other than the bathroom and to bed. Luckily, my fiance has been doing everything. By Sunday night the other ankle had swollen bigger than the first. I had, what looked like, a camel's hump on my shin that I supposed was a bout 4 of those nodules crammed together. It was HUGE. I noticed the clumping in a few areas on my body. My legs looked like (and grossly felt like) someone shoved many

sized pebbles and dirt into a big sock. The ankle has taken on a new identity at this point. For the last 3 days I have not been able to walk on either ankle. The nodules are still lingering around, but I am 100% effected by the ankles, which I have none of at this point. My ankles are the size of my thigh. In my worst, I was scooting on my butt to the bathroom, until my wrists started swelling. We finally got a wheelchair for me yesterday.

> > I have been to several places. They know its EN, but they have "gasp, never seen anything like this before." I have had numerous medical staff come into my room to check out my ankles and legs. I feel like a freak show.

> > After all of this, I am wondering if anyone else has had this ankle experience. I can tolerate a lot of pain, but this feels like broken ankles that I am forced to walk on.

> > At this point, I still do not know what caused it. I do have some clouding in my lung, so we are ruling out a few things with xrays and now ct scans.

> > I would also be curious to know if anyone has been diagnosed with Valley Fever before.

> > And, most importantly, has anyone had this BEFORE becoming pregnant for the first time and had it come back during pregnancy. I am terrified that this will surface during pregnancy, even though it was not due to pregnancy the first time.

> > Thank you so much for your time. I am so impressed with the wealth of knowleged in this forum. The research is so scarce and it's so comforting to see other people's experiences so I don't feel like such a side show freak!

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

It seems to be standard practice here that the NHS links EN to Sarcoidosis. I had this not too severely earlier this year and am now fine, but am on quarterly checks for a year and then yearly after that - breathing tests and so on. The link is clearly understood and taken, i think, as the textbook situation.

The rack of British Lung Foundation leaflets at the respiratory clinic has a sarcoidosis leaflet.

Regards Nina Baker

Failing to plan = Planning to fail

Hi Everyone,Whenever I hear a member mention lungs or breathing problems with EN I wonder if they have been checked for Sarcoidosis or Lungren's Syndrome. I also think of Alpha-1 ATT Deficiency which can affect the lungs as well as the liver. Alpha-`1 is genetic but you may not have symptoms until you are an adult--and you can carry it without any symptoms and pass it on to your kids. I would run these disorders by your doctor. A pulmonary specialist should be familiar with them.Up date on me: Have been to the gym a few times and still no flare up of the EN that has been in remission for over 2 yrs after having had chronic idiopathic EN for over 40 yrs. The remission coinsided with menopause, so maybe I was having a reaction to my own hormones--as wacky as that sounds.Wising Everyone a Happy and Pain free

Weekend!Love,> >> > Oh ,> > What you have described is like a mirror image of my worst outbreak five years ago, including the massive and excruciating

ankle pain and swelling. I also have clouding on my lungs (often termed fibrosis, inflammation, granulomas etc) and even though the doctors know I have an auto immune problem, they have never diagnosed exactly what it is. In the last month my EN and swollen ankles have returned and just this last 24 hours I have developed the burning and pain in my chest, along with a nasty deep cough, much like when I get pneumonia. I get pneumonia when the EN is out of control. The only drug that has ever helped me is prednisone in large doses, and that is after 12 years of trialing everything. I do hope you find an answer, I am often tested for Ross River Fever, which sounds like your Valley fever, always negative. I cant offer much help as it seems you and I are in the same predicament.> > > > Regards> > Trudi (in Aus)> > New EN diagnosis 1 week ago with "rare" EN locations and MASSIVE ankle swelling> > > > > > > > I would first like to add that I a detest modern medicine. I don't take pain pills, I don't like antibiotics and will refrain as long as possible to take them. I, instead, turn to healing foods and herbs. I am 30, female, live in Central California, am a Psychologist and also have psoriasis. Additionally, and the hardest

thing for me right now, I am a runner. I completed a half marathon just 4 weeks ago. > > I have taken maybe 4 aspirin in the last 2 days due to not being able to handle the pain any longer. I have also been eating a VERY rich diet of raw and anti inflammatory foods and a lot of natural herbs. > > My story: > > Much like everyone else's beginning symptoms, lethargy, general malaise, etc, I thought I was just coming down with the flu, until the night sweats started for many nights in a row. I also had developed a very, very stiff neck around this time and thought it was still just a flu bug. I woke about 2 weeks ago and had sharp right chest pain. Not like a heart attach, but more like pneumonia. So, off to Urgent Care I went. I was prescribed an antibiotic for pleuricy (he did not do any xrays or tests). The antibiotic was Cefdinir (generic for Omnicef). I took it 2x day for 4 days and

went to my Dr. when I was still not feeling good. The night sweats had continued, I had a raging headache and started getting the infamous little red bumps on my knee caps. After one look they said I probably didn't have pneumonia, but Valley Fever. Valley Fever is a central California spore that lodges into the lungs and can disseminate and be lethal. Great. So, they prescribed me a "better" antibiotic, which I did not take because antibiotics are not useful for this fungal infection. The doctors pulled blood a week ago (when the bumps started) and I should expect to find out in another week if I have been exposed to Valley Fever. > > Back to the EN, the topic of this group. The nodules grew and grew and multiplied like rabbits, all over my upper thighs, knees and shins. I found a few on my arms, elbows and wrists and one on the side of my neck. Painful, moderately, but debilitating? Not yet. This was Thursday last week. Friday

they grew bigger, and more. Saturday it was a bit painful to walk on, and by Sunday morning I had a swollen ankle. I had read this is common with EN. I was getting around by holding onto the walls in the house, propping myself down and not moving at all other than the bathroom and to bed. Luckily, my fiance has been doing everything. By Sunday night the other ankle had swollen bigger than the first. I had, what looked like, a camel's hump on my shin that I supposed was a bout 4 of those nodules crammed together. It was HUGE. I noticed the clumping in a few areas on my body. My legs looked like (and grossly felt like) someone shoved many sized pebbles and dirt into a big sock. The ankle has taken on a new identity at this point. For the last 3 days I have not been able to walk on either ankle. The nodules are still lingering around, but I am 100% effected by the ankles, which I have none of at this point. My ankles are the size of my thigh. In my worst,

I was scooting on my butt to the bathroom, until my wrists started swelling. We finally got a wheelchair for me yesterday. > > I have been to several places. They know its EN, but they have "gasp, never seen anything like this before." I have had numerous medical staff come into my room to check out my ankles and legs. I feel like a freak show. > > After all of this, I am wondering if anyone else has had this ankle experience. I can tolerate a lot of pain, but this feels like broken ankles that I am forced to walk on. > > At this point, I still do not know what caused it. I do have some clouding in my lung, so we are ruling out a few things with xrays and now ct scans. > > I would also be curious to know if anyone has been diagnosed with Valley Fever before. > > And, most importantly, has anyone had this BEFORE becoming pregnant for the first

time and had it come back during pregnancy. I am terrified that this will surface during pregnancy, even though it was not due to pregnancy the first time. > > Thank you so much for your time. I am so impressed with the wealth of knowleged in this forum. The research is so scarce and it's so comforting to see other people's experiences so I don't feel like such a side show freak!> > > >>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

This is how my first outbreak occurred: Around 4 pm on a Tuesday, at work

(worked at home) I started to feel achy, feverish, etc. Went to bed. Stayed in

bed through the following Saturday, having a fever as high as 104 with the

chills and aches that accompany such a fever. When I was able to get out of

bed, I called my doctor on Monday morning and her Nurse Practitioner was able to

see me right away. Since my symptoms were pretty much gone at this time, the NP

determined that I had had the flu (this was early Feb., 2009 so that wasn't much

of a stretch). She sent me for a chest x-ray just to be safe. The x-ray showed

pneumonia in both lungs. So, she prescribed the Ceftin and told me to take it

for 10 days. I took it. I suffer from asthma, and even though I was over the

illness before I even went for medical help, I decided to take the medicine. I

have been hospitalized for asthma before and it is no fun at all not to be able

to breathe. Anyway, that Friday, after 5 days of Ceftin, I got the first

nodules, one on each knee, and one on my left calf. I went back and saw my

primary care physician on Monday (7 days into the Ceftin), and she told me to

stop taking it. She made an appointment for me with dermatology for that

Thursday. By Thursday I could not really even walk. My legs were absolutely

covered with nodules from the knees down, and even a couple above the knees. My

left wrist had a particularly painful one. Dermatology put me in the hospital.

I continued to get new nodules throughout my hospital stay (one week). The

Rheumatologist eventually took over primary responsibility for me (the joint

involvement). He put me on Prednisone 20mg. Anyway, long story, I know - but

you asked!! LOL. After weaning off the Prednisone it all came back. The

nodules the second time were all in my feet, ankles, and lower legs. Another

round of prednisone, weaned off, and NO MORE NODULES. The joint pain stuck with

me until recently, easing bit by bit as the weeks and months elapsed. At

present, nearly 2 years since the start, I seem to be " cured " or at least in

remission.

I was so interested in your story because it parallels mine, and if, as I now

believe (because of your story), you will hopefully have the same result as I.

BTW, I am a devout gym-goer. I work out just about every day for a couple of

hours. I obviously had to stop during my outbreak(s), but exercise does not

seem to be a factor for me (lending more credence to the Ceftin theory?). I am

nearly 64 years old, had a hysterectomy at 41, menopause symptoms started at 47

and continue fiercely to this day.

I hope your course follows mine and ends quickly. Keep me in the loop.

Enjoy the rest of this weekend and the holiday season!

Pat

> > >

> > > I would first like to add that I a detest modern medicine. I don't take

pain pills, I don't like antibiotics and will refrain as long as possible to

take them. I, instead, turn to healing foods and herbs. I am 30, female, live

in Central California, am a Psychologist and also have psoriasis. Additionally,

and the hardest thing for me right now, I am a runner. I completed a half

marathon just 4 weeks ago.

> > > I have taken maybe 4 aspirin in the last 2 days due to not being able to

handle the pain any longer. I have also been eating a VERY rich diet of raw and

anti inflammatory foods and a lot of natural herbs.

> > > My story:

> > > Much like everyone else's beginning symptoms, lethargy, general malaise,

etc, I thought I was just coming down with the flu, until the night sweats

started for many nights in a row. I also had developed a very, very stiff neck

around this time and thought it was still just a flu bug. I woke about 2 weeks

ago and had sharp right chest pain. Not like a heart attach, but more like

pneumonia. So, off to Urgent Care I went. I was prescribed an antibiotic for

pleuricy (he did not do any xrays or tests). The antibiotic was Cefdinir

(generic for Omnicef). I took it 2x day for 4 days and went to my Dr. when I

was still not feeling good. The night sweats had continued, I had a raging

headache and started getting the infamous little red bumps on my knee caps.

After one look they said I probably didn't have pneumonia, but Valley Fever.

Valley Fever is a central California spore that lodges into the lungs and can

disseminate and be lethal. Great. So, they prescribed me a " better " antibiotic,

which I did not take because antibiotics are not useful for this fungal

infection. The doctors pulled blood a week ago (when the bumps started) and I

should expect to find out in another week if I have been exposed to Valley

Fever.

> > > Back to the EN, the topic of this group. The nodules grew and grew and

multiplied like rabbits, all over my upper thighs, knees and shins. I found a

few on my arms, elbows and wrists and one on the side of my neck. Painful,

moderately, but debilitating? Not yet. This was Thursday last week. Friday they

grew bigger, and more. Saturday it was a bit painful to walk on, and by Sunday

morning I had a swollen ankle. I had read this is common with EN. I was getting

around by holding onto the walls in the house, propping myself down and not

moving at all other than the bathroom and to bed. Luckily, my fiance has been

doing everything. By Sunday night the other ankle had swollen bigger than the

first. I had, what looked like, a camel's hump on my shin that I supposed was a

bout 4 of those nodules crammed together. It was HUGE. I noticed the clumping

in a few areas on my body. My legs looked like (and grossly felt like) someone

shoved many sized pebbles and dirt into a big sock. The ankle has taken on a

new identity at this point. For the last 3 days I have not been able to walk on

either ankle. The nodules are still lingering around, but I am 100% effected by

the ankles, which I have none of at this point. My ankles are the size of my

thigh. In my worst, I was scooting on my butt to the bathroom, until my wrists

started swelling. We finally got a wheelchair for me yesterday.

> > > I have been to several places. They know its EN, but they have " gasp,

never seen anything like this before. " I have had numerous medical staff come

into my room to check out my ankles and legs. I feel like a freak show.

> > > After all of this, I am wondering if anyone else has had this ankle

experience. I can tolerate a lot of pain, but this feels like broken ankles that

I am forced to walk on.

> > > At this point, I still do not know what caused it. I do have some clouding

in my lung, so we are ruling out a few things with xrays and now ct scans.

> > > I would also be curious to know if anyone has been diagnosed with Valley

Fever before.

> > > And, most importantly, has anyone had this BEFORE becoming pregnant for

the first time and had it come back during pregnancy. I am terrified that this

will surface during pregnancy, even though it was not due to pregnancy the first

time.

> > > Thank you so much for your time. I am so impressed with the wealth of

knowleged in this forum. The research is so scarce and it's so comforting to

see other people's experiences so I don't feel like such a side show freak!

> > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Pat,

It honestly brought tears to my eyes reading about your story. Your outbreak

DOES sound just like mine. That is astonishing. Even down to the left wrist

having a painful nodule. (I am finally getting rid of mine, it was placed ever

so inconveniently on my wrist bone).

I did Google search your antibiotic and mine and see what you mean- they are in

the same class, just different generations.

I did have a 2nd xray of my left lung and they found another nodule in my lung

and I had to do a ct scan on Friday. I am honestly hoping it's just a case of

pneumonia that I didn't completely get rid of because I stopped taking the

antibiotic that caused me to get EN.

I am also glad to hear that you have recovered enough to be able to continue

working out. That is very important to me. I have been running all year to train

for my half marathon in November, and now can barely lift up my legs. So strange

what the body can/can't do.

I will keep you informed. I am very hopeful I take the same pathway as you. I

will be receiving blood work back this week that was to rule out Valley Fever

(central to this part of California), Tuberculosis, and the Hepatitis'. They

wanted to cover their basis.

The doctors all said that these 3, plus Sarcoidosis, have EN as a symptom.

Regarding the first 3, I wonder if they are missing something and that perhaps

EN is NOT a symptom of those diseases, perhaps EN is a symptom of the antibiotic

they prescribe.

Just thinking...

Anyway, a wonderful holiday to you, too!

> > > >

> > > > I would first like to add that I a detest modern medicine. I don't take

pain pills, I don't like antibiotics and will refrain as long as possible to

take them. I, instead, turn to healing foods and herbs. I am 30, female, live

in Central California, am a Psychologist and also have psoriasis. Additionally,

and the hardest thing for me right now, I am a runner. I completed a half

marathon just 4 weeks ago.

> > > > I have taken maybe 4 aspirin in the last 2 days due to not being able to

handle the pain any longer. I have also been eating a VERY rich diet of raw and

anti inflammatory foods and a lot of natural herbs.

> > > > My story:

> > > > Much like everyone else's beginning symptoms, lethargy, general malaise,

etc, I thought I was just coming down with the flu, until the night sweats

started for many nights in a row. I also had developed a very, very stiff neck

around this time and thought it was still just a flu bug. I woke about 2 weeks

ago and had sharp right chest pain. Not like a heart attach, but more like

pneumonia. So, off to Urgent Care I went. I was prescribed an antibiotic for

pleuricy (he did not do any xrays or tests). The antibiotic was Cefdinir

(generic for Omnicef). I took it 2x day for 4 days and went to my Dr. when I

was still not feeling good. The night sweats had continued, I had a raging

headache and started getting the infamous little red bumps on my knee caps.

After one look they said I probably didn't have pneumonia, but Valley Fever.

Valley Fever is a central California spore that lodges into the lungs and can

disseminate and be lethal. Great. So, they prescribed me a " better " antibiotic,

which I did not take because antibiotics are not useful for this fungal

infection. The doctors pulled blood a week ago (when the bumps started) and I

should expect to find out in another week if I have been exposed to Valley

Fever.

> > > > Back to the EN, the topic of this group. The nodules grew and grew and

multiplied like rabbits, all over my upper thighs, knees and shins. I found a

few on my arms, elbows and wrists and one on the side of my neck. Painful,

moderately, but debilitating? Not yet. This was Thursday last week. Friday they

grew bigger, and more. Saturday it was a bit painful to walk on, and by Sunday

morning I had a swollen ankle. I had read this is common with EN. I was getting

around by holding onto the walls in the house, propping myself down and not

moving at all other than the bathroom and to bed. Luckily, my fiance has been

doing everything. By Sunday night the other ankle had swollen bigger than the

first. I had, what looked like, a camel's hump on my shin that I supposed was a

bout 4 of those nodules crammed together. It was HUGE. I noticed the clumping

in a few areas on my body. My legs looked like (and grossly felt like) someone

shoved many sized pebbles and dirt into a big sock. The ankle has taken on a

new identity at this point. For the last 3 days I have not been able to walk on

either ankle. The nodules are still lingering around, but I am 100% effected by

the ankles, which I have none of at this point. My ankles are the size of my

thigh. In my worst, I was scooting on my butt to the bathroom, until my wrists

started swelling. We finally got a wheelchair for me yesterday.

> > > > I have been to several places. They know its EN, but they have " gasp,

never seen anything like this before. " I have had numerous medical staff come

into my room to check out my ankles and legs. I feel like a freak show.

> > > > After all of this, I am wondering if anyone else has had this ankle

experience. I can tolerate a lot of pain, but this feels like broken ankles that

I am forced to walk on.

> > > > At this point, I still do not know what caused it. I do have some

clouding in my lung, so we are ruling out a few things with xrays and now ct

scans.

> > > > I would also be curious to know if anyone has been diagnosed with Valley

Fever before.

> > > > And, most importantly, has anyone had this BEFORE becoming pregnant for

the first time and had it come back during pregnancy. I am terrified that this

will surface during pregnancy, even though it was not due to pregnancy the first

time.

> > > > Thank you so much for your time. I am so impressed with the wealth of

knowleged in this forum. The research is so scarce and it's so comforting to

see other people's experiences so I don't feel like such a side show freak!

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I read all that thoroughly. Thx for sendingChantelle

Hi Chantelle,

I found this when trying to see if there was a connection between AI disorders and menopause:

http://dps.missouri.edu/resources/Handbook/autoimmune.pdf

It states that AI disorders often strike after menopause and during and after pregnancy. But we are all different, so I suspect menopause changed my hormones and that may have put me in remission.

Love,

[Guest guest]

Wow my heart goes out to you greatly to go from having run that marathon four weeks ago to this! I hope you start healing soon. Chantelle

I would first like to add that I a detest modern medicine. I don't take pain pills, I don't like antibiotics and will refrain as long as possible to take them. I, instead, turn to healing foods and herbs. I am 30, female, live in Central California, am a Psychologist and also have psoriasis. Additionally, and the hardest thing for me right now, I am a runner. I completed a half marathon just 4 weeks ago.

I have taken maybe 4 aspirin in the last 2 days due to not being able to handle the pain any longer. I have also been eating a VERY rich diet of raw and anti inflammatory foods and a lot of natural herbs.

My story:

Much like everyone else's beginning symptoms, lethargy, general malaise, etc, I thought I was just coming down with the flu, until the night sweats started for many nights in a row. I also had developed a very, very stiff neck around this time and thought it was still just a flu bug. I woke about 2 weeks ago and had sharp right chest pain. Not like a heart attach, but more like pneumonia. So, off to Urgent Care I went. I was prescribed an antibiotic for pleuricy (he did not do any xrays or tests). The antibiotic was Cefdinir (generic for Omnicef). I took it 2x day for 4 days and went to my Dr. when I was still not feeling good. The night sweats had continued, I had a raging headache and started getting the infamous little red bumps on my knee caps. After one look they said I probably didn't have pneumonia, but Valley Fever. Valley Fever is a central California spore that lodges into the lungs and can disseminate and be lethal. Great. So, they prescribed me a "better" antibiotic, which I did not take because antibiotics are not useful for this fungal infection. The doctors pulled blood a week ago (when the bumps started) and I should expect to find out in another week if I have been exposed to Valley Fever.

Back to the EN, the topic of this group. The nodules grew and grew and multiplied like rabbits, all over my upper thighs, knees and shins. I found a few on my arms, elbows and wrists and one on the side of my neck. Painful, moderately, but debilitating? Not yet. This was Thursday last week. Friday they grew bigger, and more. Saturday it was a bit painful to walk on, and by Sunday morning I had a swollen ankle. I had read this is common with EN. I was getting around by holding onto the walls in the house, propping myself down and not moving at all other than the bathroom and to bed. Luckily, my fiance has been doing everything. By Sunday night the other ankle had swollen bigger than the first. I had, what looked like, a camel's hump on my shin that I supposed was a bout 4 of those nodules crammed together. It was HUGE. I noticed the clumping in a few areas on my body. My legs looked like (and grossly felt like) someone shoved many sized pebbles and dirt into a big sock. The ankle has taken on a new identity at this point. For the last 3 days I have not been able to walk on either ankle. The nodules are still lingering around, but I am 100% effected by the ankles, which I have none of at this point. My ankles are the size of my thigh. In my worst, I was scooting on my butt to the bathroom, until my wrists started swelling. We finally got a wheelchair for me yesterday.

I have been to several places. They know its EN, but they have "gasp, never seen anything like this before." I have had numerous medical staff come into my room to check out my ankles and legs. I feel like a freak show.

After all of this, I am wondering if anyone else has had this ankle experience. I can tolerate a lot of pain, but this feels like broken ankles that I am forced to walk on.

At this point, I still do not know what caused it. I do have some clouding in my lung, so we are ruling out a few things with xrays and now ct scans.

I would also be curious to know if anyone has been diagnosed with Valley Fever before.

And, most importantly, has anyone had this BEFORE becoming pregnant for the first time and had it come back during pregnancy. I am terrified that this will surface during pregnancy, even though it was not due to pregnancy the first time.

Thank you so much for your time. I am so impressed with the wealth of knowleged in this forum. The research is so scarce and it's so comforting to see other people's experiences so I don't feel like such a side show freak!

[Guest guest]

No kidding, this is surreal to me.

I have been training all year and now, the last 8 days, I have had to be

confined to the couch and have people bring me everything. Last Tuesday, the

worst day, I was getting help just to sit down on the toilet!

Each day is better. I can walk about 100ft but then my ankles start swelling

more. This is a GREAT improvement though.

I have a little over a week left then I have to go back to work. I am sure

hopeful that next Tuesday I can walk!

>

> > I would first like to add that I a detest modern medicine. I don't take pain

pills, I don't like antibiotics and will refrain as long as possible to take

them. I, instead, turn to healing foods and herbs. I am 30, female, live in

Central California, am a Psychologist and also have psoriasis. Additionally, and

the hardest thing for me right now, I am a runner. I completed a half marathon

just 4 weeks ago.

> > I have taken maybe 4 aspirin in the last 2 days due to not being able to

handle the pain any longer. I have also been eating a VERY rich diet of raw and

anti inflammatory foods and a lot of natural herbs.

> > My story:

> > Much like everyone else's beginning symptoms, lethargy, general malaise,

etc, I thought I was just coming down with the flu, until the night sweats

started for many nights in a row. I also had developed a very, very stiff neck

around this time and thought it was still just a flu bug. I woke about 2 weeks

ago and had sharp right chest pain. Not like a heart attach, but more like

pneumonia. So, off to Urgent Care I went. I was prescribed an antibiotic for

pleuricy (he did not do any xrays or tests). The antibiotic was Cefdinir

(generic for Omnicef). I took it 2x day for 4 days and went to my Dr. when I was

still not feeling good. The night sweats had continued, I had a raging headache

and started getting the infamous little red bumps on my knee caps. After one

look they said I probably didn't have pneumonia, but Valley Fever. Valley Fever

is a central California spore that lodges into the lungs and can disseminate and

be lethal. Great. So, they prescribed me a " better " antibiotic, which I did not

take because antibiotics are not useful for this fungal infection. The doctors

pulled blood a week ago (when the bumps started) and I should expect to find out

in another week if I have been exposed to Valley Fever.

> > Back to the EN, the topic of this group. The nodules grew and grew and

multiplied like rabbits, all over my upper thighs, knees and shins. I found a

few on my arms, elbows and wrists and one on the side of my neck. Painful,

moderately, but debilitating? Not yet. This was Thursday last week. Friday they

grew bigger, and more. Saturday it was a bit painful to walk on, and by Sunday

morning I had a swollen ankle. I had read this is common with EN. I was getting

around by holding onto the walls in the house, propping myself down and not

moving at all other than the bathroom and to bed. Luckily, my fiance has been

doing everything. By Sunday night the other ankle had swollen bigger than the

first. I had, what looked like, a camel's hump on my shin that I supposed was a

bout 4 of those nodules crammed together. It was HUGE. I noticed the clumping in

a few areas on my body. My legs looked like (and grossly felt like) someone

shoved many sized pebbles and dirt into a big sock. The ankle has taken on a new

identity at this point. For the last 3 days I have not been able to walk on

either ankle. The nodules are still lingering around, but I am 100% effected by

the ankles, which I have none of at this point. My ankles are the size of my

thigh. In my worst, I was scooting on my butt to the bathroom, until my wrists

started swelling. We finally got a wheelchair for me yesterday.

> > I have been to several places. They know its EN, but they have " gasp, never

seen anything like this before. " I have had numerous medical staff come into my

room to check out my ankles and legs. I feel like a freak show.

> > After all of this, I am wondering if anyone else has had this ankle

experience. I can tolerate a lot of pain, but this feels like broken ankles that

I am forced to walk on.

> > At this point, I still do not know what caused it. I do have some clouding

in my lung, so we are ruling out a few things with xrays and now ct scans.

> > I would also be curious to know if anyone has been diagnosed with Valley

Fever before.

> > And, most importantly, has anyone had this BEFORE becoming pregnant for the

first time and had it come back during pregnancy. I am terrified that this will

surface during pregnancy, even though it was not due to pregnancy the first

time.

> > Thank you so much for your time. I am so impressed with the wealth of

knowleged in this forum. The research is so scarce and it's so comforting to see

other people's experiences so I don't feel like such a side show freak!

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

What do you do? (work)Chantelle

No kidding, this is surreal to me.

I have been training all year and now, the last 8 days, I have had to be confined to the couch and have people bring me everything. Last Tuesday, the worst day, I was getting help just to sit down on the toilet!

Each day is better. I can walk about 100ft but then my ankles start swelling more. This is a GREAT improvement though.

I have a little over a week left then I have to go back to work. I am sure hopeful that next Tuesday I can walk!

>

> > I would first like to add that I a detest modern medicine. I don't take pain pills, I don't like antibiotics and will refrain as long as possible to take them. I, instead, turn to healing foods and herbs. I am 30, female, live in Central California, am a Psychologist and also have psoriasis. Additionally, and the hardest thing for me right now, I am a runner. I completed a half marathon just 4 weeks ago.

> > I have taken maybe 4 aspirin in the last 2 days due to not being able to handle the pain any longer. I have also been eating a VERY rich diet of raw and anti inflammatory foods and a lot of natural herbs.

> > My story:

> > Much like everyone else's beginning symptoms, lethargy, general malaise, etc, I thought I was just coming down with the flu, until the night sweats started for many nights in a row. I also had developed a very, very stiff neck around this time and thought it was still just a flu bug. I woke about 2 weeks ago and had sharp right chest pain. Not like a heart attach, but more like pneumonia. So, off to Urgent Care I went. I was prescribed an antibiotic for pleuricy (he did not do any xrays or tests). The antibiotic was Cefdinir (generic for Omnicef). I took it 2x day for 4 days and went to my Dr. when I was still not feeling good. The night sweats had continued, I had a raging headache and started getting the infamous little red bumps on my knee caps. After one look they said I probably didn't have pneumonia, but Valley Fever. Valley Fever is a central California spore that lodges into the lungs and can disseminate and be lethal. Great. So, they prescribed me a "better" antibiotic, which I did not take because antibiotics are not useful for this fungal infection. The doctors pulled blood a week ago (when the bumps started) and I should expect to find out in another week if I have been exposed to Valley Fever.

> > Back to the EN, the topic of this group. The nodules grew and grew and multiplied like rabbits, all over my upper thighs, knees and shins. I found a few on my arms, elbows and wrists and one on the side of my neck. Painful, moderately, but debilitating? Not yet. This was Thursday last week. Friday they grew bigger, and more. Saturday it was a bit painful to walk on, and by Sunday morning I had a swollen ankle. I had read this is common with EN. I was getting around by holding onto the walls in the house, propping myself down and not moving at all other than the bathroom and to bed. Luckily, my fiance has been doing everything. By Sunday night the other ankle had swollen bigger than the first. I had, what looked like, a camel's hump on my shin that I supposed was a bout 4 of those nodules crammed together. It was HUGE. I noticed the clumping in a few areas on my body. My legs looked like (and grossly felt like) someone shoved many sized pebbles and dirt into a big sock. The ankle has taken on a new identity at this point. For the last 3 days I have not been able to walk on either ankle. The nodules are still lingering around, but I am 100% effected by the ankles, which I have none of at this point. My ankles are the size of my thigh. In my worst, I was scooting on my butt to the bathroom, until my wrists started swelling. We finally got a wheelchair for me yesterday.

> > I have been to several places. They know its EN, but they have "gasp, never seen anything like this before." I have had numerous medical staff come into my room to check out my ankles and legs. I feel like a freak show.

> > After all of this, I am wondering if anyone else has had this ankle experience. I can tolerate a lot of pain, but this feels like broken ankles that I am forced to walk on.

> > At this point, I still do not know what caused it. I do have some clouding in my lung, so we are ruling out a few things with xrays and now ct scans.

> > I would also be curious to know if anyone has been diagnosed with Valley Fever before.

> > And, most importantly, has anyone had this BEFORE becoming pregnant for the first time and had it come back during pregnancy. I am terrified that this will surface during pregnancy, even though it was not due to pregnancy the first time.

> > Thank you so much for your time. I am so impressed with the wealth of knowleged in this forum. The research is so scarce and it's so comforting to see other people's experiences so I don't feel like such a side show freak!

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I'm a forensic psychologist (prison psychologist). It wouldnt be so bad if I had

the luxury of most psychologists' days- sitting down, but at the prison we walk

very, very far from one yard to the next. I put in about 5-7 miles a day. I

hope my fat, swollen feet can put up with that.

> > >

> > > > I would first like to add that I a detest modern medicine. I don't take

pain pills, I don't like antibiotics and will refrain as long as possible to

take them. I, instead, turn to healing foods and herbs. I am 30, female, live in

Central California, am a Psychologist and also have psoriasis. Additionally, and

the hardest thing for me right now, I am a runner. I completed a half marathon

just 4 weeks ago.

> > > > I have taken maybe 4 aspirin in the last 2 days due to not being able to

handle the pain any longer. I have also been eating a VERY rich diet of raw and

anti inflammatory foods and a lot of natural herbs.

> > > > My story:

> > > > Much like everyone else's beginning symptoms, lethargy, general malaise,

etc, I thought I was just coming down with the flu, until the night sweats

started for many nights in a row. I also had developed a very, very stiff neck

around this time and thought it was still just a flu bug. I woke about 2 weeks

ago and had sharp right chest pain. Not like a heart attach, but more like

pneumonia. So, off to Urgent Care I went. I was prescribed an antibiotic for

pleuricy (he did not do any xrays or tests). The antibiotic was Cefdinir

(generic for Omnicef). I took it 2x day for 4 days and went to my Dr. when I was

still not feeling good. The night sweats had continued, I had a raging headache

and started getting the infamous little red bumps on my knee caps. After one

look they said I probably didn't have pneumonia, but Valley Fever. Valley Fever

is a central California spore that lodges into the lungs and can disseminate and

be lethal. Great. So, they prescribed me a " better " antibiotic, which I did not

take because antibiotics are not useful for this fungal infection. The doctors

pulled blood a week ago (when the bumps started) and I should expect to find out

in another week if I have been exposed to Valley Fever.

> > > > Back to the EN, the topic of this group. The nodules grew and grew and

multiplied like rabbits, all over my upper thighs, knees and shins. I found a

few on my arms, elbows and wrists and one on the side of my neck. Painful,

moderately, but debilitating? Not yet. This was Thursday last week. Friday they

grew bigger, and more. Saturday it was a bit painful to walk on, and by Sunday

morning I had a swollen ankle. I had read this is common with EN. I was getting

around by holding onto the walls in the house, propping myself down and not

moving at all other than the bathroom and to bed. Luckily, my fiance has been

doing everything. By Sunday night the other ankle had swollen bigger than the

first. I had, what looked like, a camel's hump on my shin that I supposed was a

bout 4 of those nodules crammed together. It was HUGE. I noticed the clumping in

a few areas on my body. My legs looked like (and grossly felt like) someone

shoved many sized pebbles and dirt into a big sock. The ankle has taken on a new

identity at this point. For the last 3 days I have not been able to walk on

either ankle. The nodules are still lingering around, but I am 100% effected by

the ankles, which I have none of at this point. My ankles are the size of my

thigh. In my worst, I was scooting on my butt to the bathroom, until my wrists

started swelling. We finally got a wheelchair for me yesterday.

> > > > I have been to several places. They know its EN, but they have " gasp,

never seen anything like this before. " I have had numerous medical staff come

into my room to check out my ankles and legs. I feel like a freak show.

> > > > After all of this, I am wondering if anyone else has had this ankle

experience. I can tolerate a lot of pain, but this feels like broken ankles that

I am forced to walk on.

> > > > At this point, I still do not know what caused it. I do have some

clouding in my lung, so we are ruling out a few things with xrays and now ct

scans.

> > > > I would also be curious to know if anyone has been diagnosed with Valley

Fever before.

> > > > And, most importantly, has anyone had this BEFORE becoming pregnant for

the first time and had it come back during pregnancy. I am terrified that this

will surface during pregnancy, even though it was not due to pregnancy the first

time.

> > > > Thank you so much for your time. I am so impressed with the wealth of

knowleged in this forum. The research is so scarce and it's so comforting to see

other people's experiences so I don't feel like such a side show freak!

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

That’s quite a lot of walking. Daunting im’ sure to think of walking from yard to yard right now....

Hopefully they can come up with another solution for you?

Like maybe a scooter or something until you are more healed up?

chantelle

I'm a forensic psychologist (prison psychologist). It wouldnt be so bad if I had the luxury of most psychologists' days- sitting down, but at the prison we walk very, very far from one yard to the next. I put in about 5-7 miles a day. I hope my fat, swollen feet can put up with that.

> > >

> > > > I would first like to add that I a detest modern medicine. I don't take pain pills, I don't like antibiotics and will refrain as long as possible to take them. I, instead, turn to healing foods and herbs. I am 30, female, live in Central California, am a Psychologist and also have psoriasis. Additionally, and the hardest thing for me right now, I am a runner. I completed a half marathon just 4 weeks ago.

> > > > I have taken maybe 4 aspirin in the last 2 days due to not being able to handle the pain any longer. I have also been eating a VERY rich diet of raw and anti inflammatory foods and a lot of natural herbs.

> > > > My story:

> > > > Much like everyone else's beginning symptoms, lethargy, general malaise, etc, I thought I was just coming down with the flu, until the night sweats started for many nights in a row. I also had developed a very, very stiff neck around this time and thought it was still just a flu bug. I woke about 2 weeks ago and had sharp right chest pain. Not like a heart attach, but more like pneumonia. So, off to Urgent Care I went. I was prescribed an antibiotic for pleuricy (he did not do any xrays or tests). The antibiotic was Cefdinir (generic for Omnicef). I took it 2x day for 4 days and went to my Dr. when I was still not feeling good. The night sweats had continued, I had a raging headache and started getting the infamous little red bumps on my knee caps. After one look they said I probably didn't have pneumonia, but Valley Fever. Valley Fever is a central California spore that lodges into the lungs and can disseminate and be lethal. Great. So, they prescribed me a " better " antibiotic, which I did not take because antibiotics are not useful for this fungal infection. The doctors pulled blood a week ago (when the bumps started) and I should expect to find out in another week if I have been exposed to Valley Fever.

> > > > Back to the EN, the topic of this group. The nodules grew and grew and multiplied like rabbits, all over my upper thighs, knees and shins. I found a few on my arms, elbows and wrists and one on the side of my neck. Painful, moderately, but debilitating? Not yet. This was Thursday last week. Friday they grew bigger, and more. Saturday it was a bit painful to walk on, and by Sunday morning I had a swollen ankle. I had read this is common with EN. I was getting around by holding onto the walls in the house, propping myself down and not moving at all other than the bathroom and to bed. Luckily, my fiance has been doing everything. By Sunday night the other ankle had swollen bigger than the first. I had, what looked like, a camel's hump on my shin that I supposed was a bout 4 of those nodules crammed together. It was HUGE. I noticed the clumping in a few areas on my body. My legs looked like (and grossly felt like) someone shoved many sized pebbles and dirt into a big sock. The ankle has taken on a new identity at this point. For the last 3 days I have not been able to walk on either ankle. The nodules are still lingering around, but I am 100% effected by the ankles, which I have none of at this point. My ankles are the size of my thigh. In my worst, I was scooting on my butt to the bathroom, until my wrists started swelling. We finally got a wheelchair for me yesterday.

> > > > I have been to several places. They know its EN, but they have " gasp, never seen anything like this before. " I have had numerous medical staff come into my room to check out my ankles and legs. I feel like a freak show.

> > > > After all of this, I am wondering if anyone else has had this ankle experience. I can tolerate a lot of pain, but this feels like broken ankles that I am forced to walk on.

> > > > At this point, I still do not know what caused it. I do have some clouding in my lung, so we are ruling out a few things with xrays and now ct scans.

> > > > I would also be curious to know if anyone has been diagnosed with Valley Fever before.

> > > > And, most importantly, has anyone had this BEFORE becoming pregnant for the first time and had it come back during pregnancy. I am terrified that this will surface during pregnancy, even though it was not due to pregnancy the first time.

> > > > Thank you so much for your time. I am so impressed with the wealth of knowleged in this forum. The research is so scarce and it's so comforting to see other people's experiences so I don't feel like such a side show freak!

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

We do have golf carts that some people get access too, and I am hoping to catch a ride with them to my yard. It's always best to not let inmates see if you are...disabled...in any way. I would feel super vulnerable if an inmate knew I was not 100% on it. That's partially why I am staying off work another week. With 6 days to go, I am feeling pretty optimistic that I can do it. Each day I can walk farther and farther. I also signed up for the San Francisco Bay to Breakers 12k in May, hoping to be healed then! I am always looking ahead :)To: erythema_nodosum_Group Sent: Tue, December 14, 2010 5:45:16 PMSubject: Re: Re: New EN diagnosis 1 week ago with "rare" EN locations and MASSIVE ankle swelling

That’s quite a lot of walking. Daunting im’ sure to think of walking from yard to yard right now....

Hopefully they can come up with another solution for you?

Like maybe a scooter or something until you are more healed up?

chantelle

I'm a forensic psychologist (prison psychologist). It wouldnt be so bad if I had the luxury of most psychologists' days- sitting down, but at the prison we walk very, very far from one yard to the next. I put in about 5-7 miles a day. I hope my fat, swollen feet can put up with that.

> > >

> > > > I would first like to add that I a detest modern medicine. I don't take pain pills, I don't like antibiotics and will refrain as long as possible to take them. I, instead, turn to healing foods and herbs. I am 30, female, live in Central California, am a Psychologist and also have psoriasis. Additionally, and the hardest thing for me right now, I am a runner. I completed a half marathon just 4 weeks ago.

> > > > I have taken maybe 4 aspirin in the last 2 days due to not being able to handle the pain any longer. I have also been eating a VERY rich diet of raw and anti inflammatory foods and a lot of natural herbs.

> > > > My story:

> > > > Much like everyone else's beginning symptoms, lethargy, general malaise, etc, I thought I was just coming down with the flu, until the night sweats started for many nights in a row. I also had developed a very, very stiff neck around this time and thought it was still just a flu bug. I woke about 2 weeks ago and had sharp right chest pain. Not like a heart attach, but more like pneumonia. So, off to Urgent Care I went. I was prescribed an antibiotic for pleuricy (he did not do any xrays or tests). The antibiotic was Cefdinir (generic for Omnicef). I took it 2x day for 4 days and went to my Dr. when I was still not feeling good. The night sweats had continued, I had a raging headache and started getting the infamous little red bumps on my knee caps. After one look they said I probably didn't have pneumonia, but Valley Fever. Valley Fever is a central California spore that lodges into the lungs and can disseminate and be lethal. Great.

So, they prescribed me a "better" antibiotic, which I did not take because antibiotics are not useful for this fungal infection. The doctors pulled blood a week ago (when the bumps started) and I should expect to find out in another week if I have been exposed to Valley Fever.

> > > > Back to the EN, the topic of this group. The nodules grew and grew and multiplied like rabbits, all over my upper thighs, knees and shins. I found a few on my arms, elbows and wrists and one on the side of my neck. Painful, moderately, but debilitating? Not yet. This was Thursday last week. Friday they grew bigger, and more. Saturday it was a bit painful to walk on, and by Sunday morning I had a swollen ankle. I had read this is common with EN. I was getting around by holding onto the walls in the house, propping myself down and not moving at all other than the bathroom and to bed. Luckily, my fiance has been doing everything. By Sunday night the other ankle had swollen bigger than the first. I had, what looked like, a camel's hump on my shin that I supposed was a bout 4 of those nodules crammed together. It was HUGE. I noticed the clumping in a few areas on my body. My legs looked like (and grossly felt like) someone shoved many

sized pebbles and dirt into a big sock. The ankle has taken on a new identity at this point. For the last 3 days I have not been able to walk on either ankle. The nodules are still lingering around, but I am 100% effected by the ankles, which I have none of at this point. My ankles are the size of my thigh. In my worst, I was scooting on my butt to the bathroom, until my wrists started swelling. We finally got a wheelchair for me yesterday.

> > > > I have been to several places. They know its EN, but they have "gasp, never seen anything like this before." I have had numerous medical staff come into my room to check out my ankles and legs. I feel like a freak show.

> > > > After all of this, I am wondering if anyone else has had this ankle experience. I can tolerate a lot of pain, but this feels like broken ankles that I am forced to walk on.

> > > > At this point, I still do not know what caused it. I do have some clouding in my lung, so we are ruling out a few things with xrays and now ct scans.

> > > > I would also be curious to know if anyone has been diagnosed with Valley Fever before.

> > > > And, most importantly, has anyone had this BEFORE becoming pregnant for the first time and had it come back during pregnancy. I am terrified that this will surface during pregnancy, even though it was not due to pregnancy the first time.

> > > > Thank you so much for your time. I am so impressed with the wealth of knowleged in this forum. The research is so scarce and it's so comforting to see other people's experiences so I don't feel like such a side show freak!

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Yeah its interesting that I had already thought of you not wanting them to see you compromised.....I musta picked that up form tv or something somewhere?

chantelle

We do have golf carts that some people get access too, and I am hoping to catch a ride with them to my yard. It's always best to not let inmates see if you are...disabled...in any way. I would feel super vulnerable if an inmate knew I was not 100% on it. That's partially why I am staying off work another week.

With 6 days to go, I am feeling pretty optimistic that I can do it. Each day I can walk farther and farther. I also signed up for the San Francisco Bay to Breakers 12k in May, hoping to be healed then! I am always looking ahead

To: erythema_nodosum_Group

Sent: Tue, December 14, 2010 5:45:16 PM

Subject: Re: Re: New EN diagnosis 1 week ago with " rare " EN locations and MASSIVE ankle swelling

That’s quite a lot of walking. Daunting im’ sure to think of walking from yard to yard right now....

Hopefully they can come up with another solution for you?

Like maybe a scooter or something until you are more healed up?

chantelle

I'm a forensic psychologist (prison psychologist). It wouldnt be so bad if I had the luxury of most psychologists' days- sitting down, but at the prison we walk very, very far from one yard to the next. I put in about 5-7 miles a day. I hope my fat, swollen feet can put up with that.

> > >

> > > > I would first like to add that I a detest modern medicine. I don't take pain pills, I don't like antibiotics and will refrain as long as possible to take them. I, instead, turn to healing foods and herbs. I am 30, female, live in Central California, am a Psychologist and also have psoriasis. Additionally, and the hardest thing for me right now, I am a runner. I completed a half marathon just 4 weeks ago.

> > > > I have taken maybe 4 aspirin in the last 2 days due to not being able to handle the pain any longer. I have also been eating a VERY rich diet of raw and anti inflammatory foods and a lot of natural herbs.

> > > > My story:

> > > > Much like everyone else's beginning symptoms, lethargy, general malaise, etc, I thought I was just coming down with the flu, until the night sweats started for many nights in a row. I also had developed a very, very stiff neck around this time and thought it was still just a flu bug. I woke about 2 weeks ago and had sharp right chest pain. Not like a heart attach, but more like pneumonia. So, off to Urgent Care I went. I was prescribed an antibiotic for pleuricy (he did not do any xrays or tests). The antibiotic was Cefdinir (generic for Omnicef). I took it 2x day for 4 days and went to my Dr. when I was still not feeling good. The night sweats had continued, I had a raging headache and started getting the infamous little red bumps on my knee caps. After one look they said I probably didn't have pneumonia, but Valley Fever. Valley Fever is a central California spore that lodges into the lungs and can disseminate and be lethal. Great. So, they prescribed me a " better " antibiotic, which I did not take because antibiotics are not useful for this fungal infection. The doctors pulled blood a week ago (when the bumps started) and I should expect to find out in another week if I have been exposed to Valley Fever.

> > > > Back to the EN, the topic of this group. The nodules grew and grew and multiplied like rabbits, all over my upper thighs, knees and shins. I found a few on my arms, elbows and wrists and one on the side of my neck. Painful, moderately, but debilitating? Not yet. This was Thursday last week. Friday they grew bigger, and more. Saturday it was a bit painful to walk on, and by Sunday morning I had a swollen ankle. I had read this is common with EN. I was getting around by holding onto the walls in the house, propping myself down and not moving at all other than the bathroom and to bed. Luckily, my fiance has been doing everything. By Sunday night the other ankle had swollen bigger than the first. I had, what looked like, a camel's hump on my shin that I supposed was a bout 4 of those nodules crammed together. It was HUGE. I noticed the clumping in a few areas on my body. My legs looked like (and grossly felt like) someone shoved many sized pebbles and dirt into a big sock. The ankle has taken on a new identity at this point. For the last 3 days I have not been able to walk on either ankle. The nodules are still lingering around, but I am 100% effected by the ankles, which I have none of at this point. My ankles are the size of my thigh. In my worst, I was scooting on my butt to the bathroom, until my wrists started swelling. We finally got a wheelchair for me yesterday.

> > > > I have been to several places. They know its EN, but they have " gasp, never seen anything like this before. " I have had numerous medical staff come into my room to check out my ankles and legs. I feel like a freak show.

> > > > After all of this, I am wondering if anyone else has had this ankle experience. I can tolerate a lot of pain, but this feels like broken ankles that I am forced to walk on.

> > > > At this point, I still do not know what caused it. I do have some clouding in my lung, so we are ruling out a few things with xrays and now ct scans.

> > > > I would also be curious to know if anyone has been diagnosed with Valley Fever before.

> > > > And, most importantly, has anyone had this BEFORE becoming pregnant for the first time and had it come back during pregnancy. I am terrified that this will surface during pregnancy, even though it was not due to pregnancy the first time.

> > > > Thank you so much for your time. I am so impressed with the wealth of knowleged in this forum. The research is so scarce and it's so comforting to see other people's experiences so I don't feel like such a side show freak!

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

>