How old were you when you first noticed your GA?

My mom had just passed and Someone I was seeing broke up with me. Then right after both of these things I saw the first spot on my ankle bone.

Theresa

It started for me about a year after a severe bout of shingles, probably about 67 then.   Did not know what it was for a couple of years until bx

First breakout of GA was fall of 2011 at age 68 (not diagnosed until Jan 2012).  I had a hysterectomy at age 41 or 42 so that had nothing to do with it.  We were on the road from Dallas to Seattle to spend November & December with our kids when I noticed the first pimple like spot.  I thought it was a fire ant bite because I'd been gardening before we left. A few weeks later, it changed into something that resembled ring worm. By the time we got home in Jan, I had several more spots so went to see the dermatologist who did a biopsy.  

I don't think it was a particularly stressful time in my life but we were getting our house in Dallas ready to sell which was a lot of work but thinking back, we enjoyed it.

As a pre-teen, I did break out with pitariasis rosea pretty much all over my body but it went away in a few weeks (as I remember) with sunlamp treatments and I don't remember any other treatments.

I did have a lot of problems with one knee & had multiple surgeries on it with the last one in 2008 being a total replacement so I had a lot of pain with it over a number of years. I damaged it playing soccer when I was 40 by planting my heel into a hole when setting up to kick, hyper-extending it, tearing cartilage & pulling tendons.  Big ouch. It was mis-diagnosed as just pulled tendons for a year before the torn cartilage slipped between the bones preventing it from going back into place.

I tried the standard "elimination diets" with no positive results (I had read about some with food allergies discovering the cause of theirs as an allergy or intolerance to one or more foods. Being a bit stubborn when I get something in my head, I sent a hair sample off for analysis (on my own, this was not recommended by any doctor) & when it came back with several things that I was intolerant of, I immediately gave them all up and am still off them.  My GA is nearly gone now with no other treatment.  Since about 30 days after I did this, I've had no new breakouts and just a very very slow fading of spots with my feet being the last to clear.  Almost there but not quite. When I started the diet, my hands, arms, legs, & feet were pretty well covered with a number of spots on my torso as well. 

I am convinced that in my case, an intolerance to some or all of these food items which were mostly things that I ate almost daily, caused my body to rebel. I had no immediate reaction to any of them so no clues to what was antagonizing my immune system without getting help. 

Hope this is helpful.  Each of us is different with different heredity, life styles, sensitivities so don't give up the search.  I am thrilled that I seem to be able to keep it under control with diet and no lifetime prescription medications.

Patty

About 63

Started at age 25/26 when pregnant with first child. Started on a toe that I had worn a toe ring (silver) on for years prior.  Had in in various locations for about 13 years.  Seems to be related to Vit E for me.  When I stop taking it, a few bumps will appear until I take it again.  Also related to heat and stress for me. 

I developed mine a year ago August  actually i was pinched on the right forearm by a student ..  It would not heal .... My Dad became sick in January  and sadly in passed in March by May I had 8 spots. Hands fingers and arms   I'm 53  generally healthy... Eat clean   Currently I use lugol iodine and DMSO take oral MSM  lysine .  I've not had new spots and have treated some.  I have some scarring but the raised ridges are disappearing  and I'm optimistic.   

I think I had it a little bit on my hand a few years before I got it all over he back of my hands and was diagnosed in 2014. I am now 64 years old. Maybe from stress and being sleep deprived. I now know I can kind of control it. I will try the Vit E again. Rest, no caffiene, no wheat, no alcohol. It flairs up it I get really stressed. I have Molarets Reacurring Menigitis which is also an auto-immune disease. I am also allergic to nuts and seeds, but not peanut buttle. It is a legume, but I think I was born with that. I was on Syntroid and switched to Armor thyroid supplement. Other than that I am pretty healthy....

I just had hair analysis today to address what I need to do to realign my health and improve my immune system.  I also have severe lower leg cramping at night. About 3 years before developing GA I had inflammatory issues with elbow joint and as it got better the other began.  I now attribute  the painful joints as the start of this condition.   I had a hysterectomy and was on HRT when the inflammatory joint condition started ... I'm hopeful 

Hi jo603

Totally agree with you re reactive stress .. my GA erupted June 2014 after the sudden death of a close friend ... mainly under and over armpits and around both knees - symmetrical.  GA was confirmed after biopsy in November 2014.  I have taken no medication.   The GA has subsided but I am aware that it can flare again any time.     One of my hobbies is walking in the countryside and I try to keep stress free as possible.    Best wishes

56 

My outbreak at 55 did not seem to happen at a time more stressful than I normally would have at any other time. Really minimal stress.  After a year and a half I continue to break out as it spreads down my arms and legs. Have only tried cortisone and Clobex. No results. I'm not really stressed out about it just annoyed. In my case, I don't think stress induced it.