Have you puffy/ purple circles under eyes?... as "a symptom" of vasculitis?

[RareLily]

This is a new one for me, however it seems to coincide with all my other CNS vasculitis symptoms.

[vivdunstan Volunteer]

I have black shadows under my eyes - like really dark areas, very like panda eyes. I reckon it's just cos I'm on such a cocktail, and also so short of sleep due to problems like severe bladder incontinence from the cerebral vasculitis keeping me awake all night.

I've never asked a medic about it though. I just put up with it

[pinktiger53]

Dark circles under eyes are a result of veins dilating under the thin skin in that area. They can be for example- a sign of aging, fatigue ( lack of sleep etc), liver problems , anaemia and can be ' atopic shiners' caused by allergies. So in theory if the vasculitis is dilating blood vessels in that area it could be directly to blame or it may be the underlying cause via something like the other reasons - say medication.

[DevonLottie]

I developed puffiness under my eyes after diagnosis and treatment. It has been there now for about 8 years and I'm told the skin would need surgery to correct it but only after I've been constantly stable for at least 2 years. I'm inclined to leave well alone and see it as adding character to my face!

[Galaxy2]

Hi there

I too have this and also get the puffiness on my upper lids. I have wondered if the dark circles underneath could be as a result of steroids thinning the skin?

[RareLily in reply to Galaxy2]

Hi. Indeed it is possible. In my case, I've been on Prednisone for 10+ years already, and the swollen purple eye discoloration is a new one on me. It appeared simultaneously with other new CNS vasculitis symptoms (severe dizziness, nausea, night sweats, rapid weight loss, numbless/tingling, memory problems). I am noticing that as I raise the steroid dose, the puffy purple eye issue is seemingly improving.

[Hidden]

Just wondering how you got diagnosed.i saw CSS Specalist ( Privatly) as wasn't prepared to wait 7 mths.. He didn't have or read any of my medical history. Just looked at my legs and said after looking at my Bloods you don't have it

[RareLily in reply to Hidden]

I'm in USA (New York) and have a decent selection of specialists I can see. I must say that regardless, the problem persists universally of finding someone who has experience treating what is labeled a "rare" disease. I have a long history of autoimmune issues to which I had been prescribed the general standard of steroids as well as Imuran (for polymyositis). Additionally, I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis (CT scan) 4 years ago. So I think I hit the bloody rare autoimmune disease lottery. But to answer your question, I was diagnosed with a combination of MRI findings, blood tests results (high CRP, P-ANCA, SSA SSB, Anti-Jo1), together with my symptoms. Best wishes.

[HiveMind]

I have puffy upper and lower eyelids. I found my eyes have never been the same since starting with the steroids (over 5 yrs ago).