?lupus rash

[Caramia1964]

Hi looking for advise whilst waiting for rheumatologist and neurologist page which will likely be in December. This is second time I have had this rash this year. First time it cleared by time skin biopsy apt came in six months later. Am again awaiting a punch biopsy. Have many physical symptoms too , worst are extreme fatigue which is really disabling and getting me down, and chronic muscle and joint pain. Any help greatly appreciated. Two doctors I have seen think it may be lupus??

[Leelee64]

Hi there

This looks exactly like my rash I get but mine is always on my chest area, it did initially start on my back just like yours and discoid lupus was diagnosed approx 5 years ago.

I take dapsone tableto but to be honest they don't seem to make much difference. A steroid cream helps though.

Good luck

[Jackpen1]

Yikes? Does it itch? Have you tried cortisone creme? My rash was the last of a long bunch of symptoms! It was on my posterior (button or behind). It was horrible! The itch and pain felt like a 2nd degree sunburn I had several years ago. I had been tested once before fore Lupus. I KNEW what this was! It looked like my Mother's, they biopsies herst and determined it was Lupus that way. By the time I had got to the Dr. Just my regular GPS, the rash had faded but I had taken pictures. Blood test were inconclusive again. The 3rd time my kidney DR sent off blood work to a different lad and it came back conclusive, Lupus. They made the appointment for a Rheumatology specialist. It may just be Disco I'd Lupus. It may already by body wide, Lupus Systemic .Erythmatosis. Either way, you'll know for sure, I wish you luck!

[Zara-LouiseD]

Hi there

It looks similar to the rash I get if I've been in direct sunlight, but it also looks similar to tinea corporis (ringworm) which is a fungal rash.

Hopefully it will still be there when you get your biopsy!

[Caramia64 in reply to Zara-LouiseD]

Hi thank you , I have had anti fungal tablets for a month now just in case its ringworm but instead of getting better , its got worse ! Seeing Gp again this thursday . fact I am in pain and mega tired surely wouldn't be ringworm ?

[GERY in reply to Caramia64]

YES I WAS TOLD IT WAS RINGWORM WHICH PROVED TO BE WRONG & A THYROID PROBLEM WHICH ALSO WAS COMPLETELY WRONG & THEN A REALLY GOOD DOCTOR GAVE A BIOPSY AND IT WAS DISCOID LUPUS. I HOPE YOU FINALLY GET AN ANSWER.

[Bronagh2015]

Hi Caramia64, I have Systemic Lupus and I have gotten this awful rash many times in the past on my back, thighs, chest and face when in a big flare. It is always accompanied by shocking fatigue, brainfog and muscle/joint pain and swelling. Thankfully since my Rheumatologist started me on Mycophenolate Mofetil this hasn't happened. I wish you well 😊

[Caramia64 in reply to Bronagh2015]

thank you for your response , I also have a rash on my face that I have had for years , but was told it is acne rosacea , but its very like a malar rash !

[GERY in reply to Caramia64]

I ALSO HAD RASHES ON MY FACE AND BACK BUT IT WAS LUPUS, I USE A STEROID GEL ON MY BACK BUT AS STEROID GELS THIN THE SKIN I DO NOT PUT IT ON MY FACE.

[larainehudson49]

Don't suppose it could be shingles, mine looked similar to that and symptoms were chronic fatigue and muscle pain which is Parr for the course. Also Lupus mimics other ailments which makes it a minefield

[Ginatay4t]

I hope you find some sigh of relief it doesnt look like shingles, and have yiur rheumy do a blood test to see exactly what it id. try oatmeal to dry up the rash and a anti itch cream and see if it helps. Best wishes on you recovering from this

[Caramia64 in reply to Ginatay4t]

I did originally get a topical steroid cream but it didn't make any difference. neither has the anti fungal tablets over a month. the rash isn't wet at all though and can be itchy at times. The fatigue and pain in my muscles and joints is really getting to me. Even showering and washing my hair today was difficult . My arms ached washing my hair!

[Mean-time]

Hi Catania, I had a rash similar to yours At the onset of my MCTD, it was called a 'discoid' lupus rash. It continued for a few years then disappeared. I've now been diagnosed with 'unspecified connective tissue disease', RA, dermatimyositis and pulmonary fibrosis (interstitial lung disease). I'm 79 this month and doing well. Keep your chin up, I'll be praying for you.

[Caramia64 in reply to Mean-time]

Thank you so much . Can I ask what is MCTD, is it a connective tissue disease? Sending you hugs x

[CQueen]

I am extremely familiar with this rash. I'm not a Dr of course but I have been getting this rash since 2001....so 15 years. I have (sle) lupus and the picture you posted could pass for a picture of my own back when I have this rash (which is unfortunately often). Prednisone has always been the most effective course of treatment for me as it is for most lupus patients. If you are able to go to your local emergency department and ask for prednisone tablets then I'd be willing to bet you will notice an almost instant improvement in not only your rash but most of your other symptoms as well. Please do keep us updated - let me know if you are able to try the prednisone and the result. It seems to be the first line of treatment for those with a lupus rash and I'm assuming that is because it always or at least almost always works wonders! As I say please update us if you are able to try the medication. Either way good luck in the road ahead - I know getting your diagnosis and treatment can be a long and tedious process!

[Caramia64]

thank you for your kind reply, I have a systemic steroid injection before and joint steroid injections which have helped with the pain , but can't get any more at present. I dread having to take steroid tablets as they make you put on weight and am currently trying to lose a bit of weight to help load on my joints! Again many thanks , take care , sending you hugs x

[Ginatay4t]

Thanks for the hug

[CQueen]

I hate the steroids too because of all of the side effects but I can honestly say that the steroids are the only thing that have ever helped with my rash. To be honest when they give me a z-pack of prednisone or medrol I usually don't take the z-pack as directed (even though I know I'm supposed to). In the past I was able to take just one or two tablets to make the rash go away and then I would keep the rest for the next time the rash flared up. I know I'm supposed to take the entire z-pack but hate the side effects. Lately my rash has been resilient to the prednisone so they have prescribed medrol which I can take only 1-2 and it clears or almost clears the rash. If you do find anything else that helps with your rash please share the info because as I said my rashes are pretty much identical to the photos you shared and I hate the steroids as well!!

[Caramia64 in reply to CQueen]

hi , will let you know how I get on when I do get biopsy, just hope it isn't away again by time appointment comes in !! Thank you for your reply x

[Mean-time]

Mixed connective tissue disease.

[GERY]

SO SORRY YOU ARE SUFFERING, IT TOOK YEARS & SEVERAL DOCTORS BEFORE I WAS GIVEN A BIOPSY WHICH CONFIRMED I HAD LUPUS. PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE FATIGUE & THINK YOU ARE BEING SILLY WHEN YOU HAVE TO GO TO BED AND LIE DOWN. HOPE YOU GET A RESULT FROM YOUR BIOPSY

[Caramia64]

its awful that it takes so long , I too have been years , though rash is only this year! Yeah the fatigue is all consuming , only relieve is to lie down!

[Hidden]

Hello,

I am sorry to hear that you are still looking for a definite diagnosis and I hope that your referral to see a specialist will provide you with more answers.

In the meantime you might want to go back to see your GP to get the rash looked at again to try to find some relief.

You might also find our blog post on itchy rashes useful lupusuk.org.uk/coping-with-....

Our general information pack about lupus might also be of interest: lupusuk.org.uk/request-info...

[Caramia64]

finally , was at Dr's this week again after being in bed for 2 days , just couldn't stay upright without the urge to lie down and sleep! Terrible headaches! Anyway when I was there I was feeling sorry for myself and started crying! Anyway he is fitting me in at end of his minor surgery clinic list next thursday to do the biopsy. Also changed my medication from gabapentin onto lyrica, which I have to increase after a few days. So fat so good , but worried about weight gain with it! My rheumatology appointment is 23 rd november, but still waiting for neurology. Gp mentioned it may be lupus or multiple sclerosis ! Just need answers and appropriate treatment !

[Amypeet]

Hi, I was wondering what happened to your results? How are you now?