Return of Symptoms and Question About Ecchymosis

[Pam V]

Hi All -

I feel like a fickle friend - this forum was literally my lifeline when I was initially diagnosed with LC in 2017 ~ I viewed the message board daily. Since then, I have been back again when symptoms returned - got great advice again and have been doing pretty well by managing my diet (GF, DF, Soy Free, and EF).

For the past 10 days or so I have been having a flare. Prior to the flare, I was out of the country at a family wedding which was a bit tricky with eating but I had no problems there. When I returned, it was the week of the election, which I found very stressful. Mild symptoms began that week and last weekend, I went on a planned trip with my daughters when symptoms got much worse. This week I have been eating very safe food (bananas, ground beef and rice, turkey, overcooked broccoli) and have been having to take Imodium (typically once/day) and have been having watery stool once or twice a day. About 10 days ago, I had a dermatologist appt. and she got concerned about a small purplish looking bruise on my knee. I hadn't bumped into anything and I believe it has been there for a long time. She wanted me to go to the hospital for a blood test (ANA?) to test inflammation. She got kind of alarmed when she was asking me about Reynaud's (which I have) and asked a lot of questions about family history of lupus (which there isn't). She told me the blood test was to test inflammation for an autoimmune condition or some other problem - I told her that MC was an autoimmune condition - Long story short, I wasn't able to go for the blood test and decided to hold off to talk to my general practitioner. I did google what she was talking about and believe she was referring to something called Ecchymosis. But now the flare has come up and I am wondering if perhaps it is all related or if any of you have had issues like this. As far as the watery diarrhea, my plan is to drop back to bone broth and hope that brings some relief. I don't have any pain or discomfort (other than feeling hungry).

I appreciate any guidance or advice that you might have. Thank you!
Pam

[tex]

Hi Pam,

As someone who has been taking Plavix or a generic for over 14 years, I'm used to seeing "bruises" in unexpected places on a regular basis, but they always fade away after a couple of weeks or so. If the spot has been there for months, and doesn't fade away, it probably should be checked out. But as long as your MC is flaring, your inflammation level will surely be elevated, so there wouldn't be much point in conducting an inflammation test until after you have the MC back in remission.

As many of us have found, stress can be a huge driver of inflammation. And I agree that conferring with your GP would probably be helpful, since he or she might be familiar with the testing procedure that your dermatologist was considering, and how it might be affected by an MC flare.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

Tex

[Pam V]

Thank you, Tex - I will get an appointment with my primary to get it checked out. I appreciate your help and hope you have a nice Thanksgiving!