Skin Problems Associated with PMR/ GCA?

[Alliand]

I have a likely diagnosis of PMR/GCA; I also have many red marks, particularly on my lower legs , ankles and feet in various shapes; I have had many small squamous cell carcinomas removed due to a life in the sun until recently; still have a few tiny ones needing attention. I know what they are and how they look. But these are flat, reddish-pink, and popping up frequently. Could this be a side effect of Medrol? Or some manifestation of vasculitis?

[jgold]

I have no knowledge of Medrol, but what you describe sounds similar to the spots / rash (known as purpuric rash) which appear on my legs from time to time and are evidence that my vasculitis has 'woken up' from its remission.

I suggest you take some photos and e-mail them to your consultant for consideration - I take it that he / she is experienced in vasculitis?

[notoverme2 in reply to jgold]

Medrol is basically prednisone which is used to suppress the effects of inflammation. It is used in the treatment of GPA and some of the side effects is a itchy rash. It will over time go away. I have GPA and currently taking prednisone for a relapse. I had a itchy rash that occurred and thought it was the GPA, but after seeing my dermatologist he said it looked like a reaction to the prednisone. He said that the benefits of reducing the effects of GPA is worth the side effects of prednisone. Good luck and educate yourself about your treatment and keep asking questions about this relentless disease.

[Alliand in reply to notoverme2]

There are possible skin reactions to prednisone. After I had been on it about 4 months, I was feeling well and out and about. When I returned home and undressed, I noticed that my whole inner right thigh looked as though I had been in a car accident, but totally painless. ( Very bruised looking ).Given my diagnosis, I went to my dermatolgist who took a punch biopsy. The first thing she said was that the prednisone could be the cause. The pathologist, after a long technical microscopic description, concluded that it was a hypersensitivity reaction, but no clue as to what; taken together, I concluded it was a reaction to Prednisone. Fortunately, it slowly went away and now no trace of it.

At some points, it's hard to know what is the disease and what are reactions to the prednisone. What I have now could also be the prednisone as well. It seems a reflection of a systemic inflammation.

With, as you said, the disease is relentless and the questions never end.

Thanks for your reply.

[Alliand in reply to jgold]

Thanks for your reply. Medrol is methylprednisone; I am still waiting for a remission; yes, my rheumatologist is experienced with vasculitis, but it is a rare condition; and I was told that not too many with positive PR3 antibodies come their way; however, I did have a consultation with the co-director of the vasculitis unit at Johns Hopkins University. I believe this area of medicine is very complex because pieces of the puzzle do not always fit neatly. I will be returning to my rheumatologist soon enough to just show these marks to her. Thanks for your reply again.