Skin changes

[Pug-Mum-89]

I was diagnosed with S.L.E APS Arthritis and Raynaud’s when I was 18 I’m now 29. A good few months ago I noticed that my skin colour is changing. Some parts are darker than others. I thought to begin with I was imagining it but it’s actually really noticeable especially parts of my face. I’m due to see my rheumatology nurse in the next month or so. I take Hydroxychloroquin, prednisolone, mycophenolate, levetiracetam, clexane and a couple more things like omeprazole, aspirin, fultium etc daily would any of these cause my skin to change colour?

[PMRpro]

Not sure the medication would. However, you may find this of interest:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/304...

as one of the symptoms of primary adrenal insufficiency (AI) is changes in skin colour and it can be an autoimmune condition:

"Fatigue is the most common symptom of Addison’s disease. Another common initial symptom of Addison’s disease is the development of patches of skin that are darker than the surrounding skin (hyperpigmentation). This discoloration most commonly occurs near scars, by skin creases such as the knuckles, and on the mucous membranes such as the gums. Skin abnormalities can precede the development of other symptoms by months or years, but do not occur in every person."

I doubt the fatigue is noticeable to you - it's part of your autoimmune world anyway. And some of the symptoms may not appear because you are on pred which replaces the cortisol.

It probably isn't - but it could be.

[Pug-Mum-89 in reply to PMRpro]

That’s really interesting. Like you say the fatigue is part of my every day life anyway. But over the last few months I’ve been suffering a lot with abdominal pains to the point where it takes my breath away because it will hurt so much. It’s actually crippling!

[PMRpro in reply to Pug-Mum-89]

Have you had a look? Abdominal pain is a symptom:

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

Any more?

[Pug-Mum-89 in reply to PMRpro]

Yeah I’ve just looked. I had a Stroke in November and I’ve had irrational mood swings since. I’ve suffered with weakening on my right side since and a few of the other symptoms I suffer with too! Might be worth a mention when I see my rheumatology nurse she might suggest seeing my consultant a bit sooner.

[PMRpro in reply to Pug-Mum-89]

Always worth asking about - there are other causes of skin colour changes too and they need to look at it.

[Freckle1000 in reply to Pug-Mum-89]

I'd recommend seeing you're GP and consultant much sooner.

If you have adrenal insufficiency the prednisolone you take - if it's over 5mg should compensate up to a point ? but still - the thyroid and the bioffedback to the adrenals can be effected by the Lupus - all easily checked via a blood test.

Mico doesn't do wonders for the gut. I had to switch to Myfortic - which is easier on the gut mico.

Don't let new symptoms slide for too long. You shouldn't be becoming multicolored with sharp and nasty gut pain. Ring you're GP.

[Pug-Mum-89 in reply to Freckle1000]

I take 10mg of prednisolone daily 😊

Thank you, I will ring to see if I can get in to see my gp tomorrow morning.

[Freckle1000 in reply to Pug-Mum-89]

Good luck with it all.