Out of the ordinary events running up to my Rash Appearance

I wonder if thats what I have, see link to post http://experience.patient.co.uk/discussion.php?t=36928

I've just been diagnosed with PR, which started with a herald patch on my hip and the rash has now spread over my back, neck and stomach. Good to hear that it generally seems not to affect the face.

I did notice a couple of weeks ago for a few days I kept feeling an itching, tingling, almost stinging sensation across my back from time to time. Along with a couple of dizzy spells, I also seemed to be sleeping a lot more, several days of almost 12 hours uninterrupted sleep, which I just put down to the effects of working hard. Since the rash has appeared I feel fine in myself.

Thanks to all the posters tips on here. I'm going to try using H&S and having a few sunbeds. I've also started taking Ecchinacia to help boost my immune system.

I've not been diagnosed with PR by a doctor, but having read this and several other sites am convinced it's what I have. It's a big relief to know I'm not alone!

I am normally very healthy. I rarely get ill and have no history of skin complaints, so it really caught me by surprise.

Here are my life events which I think may have triggered it:

The herald patch appeared about 2 weeks after I'd taken on a new work contract with long, unpredictable hours. It certainly increased my stress levels!

This was also about 6 weeks after I'd run a marathon, which had evidently taken its toll on my body as I'd come down with a 'flu shortly afterwards that lasted about 3 weeks - the longest I can ever remember being ill.

So it appears the combination of stress on top of an already over-worked (normally very efficient) immune system has led to the PR.

At first I thought it was a reaction to starting a new contraceptive pill. But then I realised the herald patch appeared about the same time I started taking it - surely the hormonal changes couldn't have taken effect instantly?

I've had it twice now and the other thing that I can think that links the two events is overwork.

Certainly no hormonal thing in my case but I definitely had a sore throat and a bad flu spell a week before I got the herald patch.

I'm definitely one that doesn't suffer whilst the spots are apparent, so my sympathies go to those that suffer, and I'm able to cover them all up with clothes (at the moment) so its not been something to be self conscious about.

So does it seem the link is being run-down and a bit stressed out.

It does say that re-occurance is a rarity though, so that doesn't really fit.

Think it's such a good idea for people to post their lifestyle changes before their rash started as I was also shocked at not being questioned by my doctor when the PR was diagnosed.

Interestingly, like many other people posting here, I had a sore throat between the onset of the herald patch and the onset of the rest of the rash. I have mentioned this to my doctor who says it is not significant.

During December, January and February, work was incredibly stressful and the rash started just as work calmed down at the end of Feb. When I was younger, I developed shingles a few days after finishing my final exams and also being stressed for weeks on end. Given that some websites suggest pityriasis might be linked with chicken pox/ shingles, I find it interesting that on the two occasions in my life when I've been most stressed, I've developed a condition with a nasty rash!

Also wonder whether having a generally low immune system is relevant. I had pneumonia in December, a bad cold in January and then another around the time the rash started as mentioned before, also had antibiotics for a fortnight in January for a UTI.

How interesting.

I am on my 2nd bout of Pityriasis Rosea (15 years apart) and both times having changed to the same thyroid hormone a couple of months prior.

Both times I have had a really heavy cold that has lasted about 6 weeks, then the herald patch appears on the side of my rib cage followed by the spots.

My guess is that it is a weakened immune system caused by a change in hormones.

I have had 3 attacks of PR in the past 10 yrs and I am 48 yrs old. They have all been in the Spring time. I have put it down to stress or being run down. I have seen 2 skin specialists who have recommended exposure to UV. Since the rash is in places where I don't usually tan , I tend to agree.

After reading posts on this forum, I figured I would post my experience in order to possibly shed some light or similar pattern on this horribly confusing disease, PR. I started with a heralds patch on my right shin in Nov 2013. The heralds patch started off small and I had related it to dry skin since I had not been properly moisturizing my legs. However, in January 2014, I had noticed so many dry, small circles on the back of my thighs and calves and on my lower stomach and back and knew I had to go to a dermatologist. After my visit and taking a skin test to determine what it was my doctor said it could be PR or eczema. I believe that it has to be PR because of the heralds patch I have. I told my doctor that I had started a new birth control a week before hand from Lo Loestrin Fe to Beyaz. She wasn't sure if that could have contributed to it but she wrote it down. After reading these forums and seeing that hormones may play into this disease. Also, I am a graduate student and this skin rash started up as soon as I started classes again after my winter break. So stress could possibly be a factor in this disease as well? Stress is what I believed caused this horrible rash but what do I know, I have no medical degree or training. Also, I should note that I have been on an antibiotic for 3.5 months. Monodox. My dermatologist has me on it for acne until the end of April 2014. Has anyone been on a similar medication and broke out with this rash? Maybe there is a link! Well, that is my story and hopefully I can get some information from you guys on how to control these dry skin patches. They itch at times and are so uncomfortable to look at. I also go to the gym 4 days a week and am wondering if anyone has noticed if this makes them worse or spread? Any information would be wonderful...