Possible Drug Induced Lupus and Thyroid meds ?

[Batty1]

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds.

I have been battling a horrible rash around the entire side of my body (itchy, painful ribs, blistering like bumps, and once it clears my skin looks bruised) rash has lingered now for 7 weeks …. First rash happened a couple of yrs ago and lasted only 3 weeks and was deemed shingles but after 3 weeks worth of valtrex I still had this rash… not shingles!

So I’ve been seeing a dermatologist recently for this current rash and he did a biopsy because nothing he threw at it has helped actually made it worse… Biopsy came back as POSSIBLE lupus and/or connective tissue disease but he wants a further study from the lab anyway he mentioned possible drug induced lupus and I saw something about thyroid medication being on the list of offenders… does anyone else have or heard of this possible connection between DIL and Thyroid meds? I can’t stop meds I have no thyroid but this rash is brutal.

If this even matters my niece has lupus.

[Torquaygirl]

Hi it could be the lupus or connective issue had caused the thyroid problem. I have Sjogrens and it’s looking like that it’s affected my thyroid?? 30% of people with Sjogrens develop thyroid problems

[Batty1 in reply to Torquaygirl]

I don’t even know what to make of these possibilities . Do you get random rashes?

[Swinkie]

Have you got a photograph? Could it be Mcas? Is it like urticaria?

[Batty1 in reply to Swinkie]

Mcas? The biopsy didn’t come back as Urticaria and no photo

[Lalatoot]

hcplive.com/view/drug-induc...

Sorry you are going through this Batty. Levo is mentioned as a culprit in the above.

[Lalatoot]

google.com/search?client=ms...

Big link but it takes you to images of lupus rashes and blistering. Maybe of some help, Batty.

[Batty1 in reply to Lalatoot]

Some of those pic’s actually do look like the rash I have.

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

oh Batty you poor thing this sounds so uncomfortable. Initial reading was screaming shingles but lupus 😫 bless you how awful. Do you have an NHS endo you can discuss your thyroid treatment options in the light of this? Sending you lots of soothing thoughts. What works for relief? Is there anything calming? Would a little hydrocortisone work (not on broken skin I guess) I’ve heard nettle and plantain offer topical relief as does Oregon grape (mahonia plant berries made into a balm) could anti histamine calm the immune reaction? Just spit balling ideas 🤷🏽‍♀️ hope you find relief 🤗🌱

[Batty1 in reply to Regenallotment]

I haven’t contacted anyone yet as the dermatologist is still investigating the biopsy stuff …. He mentioned doing a level 4 allergy testing that goes beyond the food/plant life once the lab comes back with all his questions answered.

I have tried numerous skin preps including steroids and all that did was make it worse…. Its finally clearing up after almost 7 weeks.

[Regenallotment Ambassador in reply to Batty1]

Oh blimey you poor thing, so glad to hear 7 weeks on it is clearing up. Hope that continues 🌱

[userotc]

Have you considered other possible offenders on "the list" or not eg covid vaccine? Lupus is a well-reported adverse effect including someone on this forum yesterday.

[Margo in reply to userotc]

My thoughts too.

[Batty1 in reply to userotc]

I never had the covid vaccine

[asidist]

Sorry you are going through this. It doesn’t sound like allergies but just in case, because allergic rashes can present in so many different ways, have you tried taking a strong antihistamine to see if that helps?

If you have OTC antihistamines (like loratadine or cetirizine, etc) at home, you can safely double or triple the normal daily dose for a few days (when I had daily hives I was instructed to do that for many months) to give it good shot and see if you find any relief. If the meds help, that will at least tell you with certainty that you’re reacting to something you’re ingesting or in your environment.

Hope you’re able to get it sorted out soon.

[Batty1 in reply to asidist]

I use allergy medication everyday.

[Shwal]

Hello Batty, I'm fairly new here, just came across your post, not sure if you are still reading the replies. It looks like I am in a similar situation. I developed many different symptoms about three or four months after my TT and starting Levothyroxine. One of those is a rash, that doesn't itch, but tingle, and comes with more systemic symptoms of malaise, fatigue, anxiety, etc. Mine is on the lower legs, but started creeping up in the course of the last two years. It seems to come from broken blood vessels, as it doesn't blanch when you push on it, and it heals like a bruise. I think the name is purpura. Does this sound familiar? I'm in the middle of an arduous journey through a bad medical system, so I don't have a remedy or a cure. But if you read this, would you let me know if you have made any progress? Did you have your Histone Antibodies tested? Mine are positive.

[Batty1 in reply to Shwal]

Hi

Yes my rashes do resemble purpura but Im told not …. I went to derm who did a punch biopsy and it came back with a laundry list of possibilities including tumid lupus and the derm said it’s drug induced. Do I believe him not really.

[Shwal in reply to Batty1]

Thank you very much for your reply. May I ask: Does your doctor think it's the thyroid medication? If so, which one, and what course of action did they suggest? Have you received any treatment yet? And why do you not believe them?

I had to go to the ER because my legs were super bad one night. Since then, I am on Prednisone, which is an awful medication. I hate the idea of having to take this hardcore pill to mask the disease that I'm only getting from another pill.

[Batty1 in reply to Shwal]

No course of action just told to deal with it … Im on more than thyroid meds but a lot of my issues all started when I lost my thyroid.

[Shwal in reply to Batty1]

I'm sorry. Same here with the issues. But I am on no other meds. I can't imagine how they can just tell you to deal with it. I hope you find relief.