To all Granuloma Annulare sufferers - what else is going on?

Hi, I'm 29 year old female. I've had GA since I was 12. It started on my ankles, spread to the tops of my feet, and now I also have spots on my elbows, hips, and trunk. I haven't experienced leg cramps. And I'm active and otherwise healthy.

I did just wake up with double vision, and after rounds of MRIs, blood work and tests, everything seems to be healthy. I wonder if it's correlated at all—anyone experience that at all?

I also went to an acupuncturist today, and she's giving me Chinese herbs to try. I've tried everything else to no avail, so I'll keep you posted if this works.

Hi Carole, I too have pain in my joints. I've had GA for over 3 yrs now. I suffered from Angiodema for about a year. That spontaneously went away. I keep praying that is what will happen with GA. I started with 2 - about the size of a dime, I still have these originals and they have grown to size of a squished 50 cent piece. I also have about 20 others 8 of which are on my torso. Most other are only the size of a pea or a grape. I hate this! I am depressed and desperate. I have found a lot more feedback on GA facebk pages. Hope to see you on there.

Just wanted to respond to the comment about GA not being painful. I had the rare type of perforating GA, and when even the slightest thing scraped against it, it would open up and bleed. I took to wearing a bandage over it all the time to protect it.  I'm just hoping my new lesions don't become the perforating type :-(

I have had GA for over 20 years. First diagnosed at 45. I was already taking thyroid meds for hypothyroidism for about 1 year. Then my apartment flooded, and about 6 months after that, the granulomas popped up on one elbow. Then one appeared on my hand. I thought they were mosquito bites because of the itching. Went to a dermatologist when they didn't go away. He diagnosed GA with biopsy. Research at the time suggested a link with molds, so I immediately moved from the apartment which had been flooded. Now, here I am, over 20 years later with granulomas pretty much on all the to nts on my hands, still the same ones on my elbow, and just got a new one on my ankle. My original doc told me that it would NOT go away if you contract the disorder as an adult. It only goes away with most children who contract it. Mine flare up when it gets cold. When they flare up they hurt like hell when bumped, or if any pressure is applied. Only new ones are itchy. I also have nerve pain and cramps at night, but I'm not diabetic. I've tried steroid creams, no dice. I'm afraid my original doc was right when he told me there is no treatment that works, and there never will be. Why? Because it is so rare, and not life threatening, so no funds will ever be raised to research a treatment or cure.

I finished chemotherapy in mid 2013. Since I have outcroppings of several GA. One of which had started small and now looks like it is "spreading on my right forearm. I also have severe right hip pain, and right thigh pain. I also suffer from jumpy legs at night. I don't know if they all relate to each other or not.

Hi Carole. Hi from the land down under. How are you going? I have recently been diagnosed with GA, at age 60, which has exponentially erupted over the last couple of weeks on my hands. Just started a course of Neotigason and light therapy? Has anyone tried this and if so has it been of any benefit? Tried the diprosone cream to really no benefit. The comments here have been interesting reading and I hope as time goes on I will be able to add value to your forum. Bye for now. 

I've had it for 2 years now. Didn't connect leg and tow cramps but do get a lot of them

Wow I am so glad I found this... I have it all over EXCEPT my face and head.  It started on my side and the derm said it was eczema, then she later said a fungus, then when I insisted found out it was GA.  Switched doctors and this one is trying everything...nothing is working. 

I had thyroid cancer so have to take thyroid meds.  I have leg cramps in my calves, shins and thighs.  I have taken meds for years for overactive nerve endings (I am unbearably itchy without the pills).

I use coconut oil a lot in the shower but am going to stop that.. someone on here said it doesn't like vasoline so maybe it is the same, I will go back to lotion but will put tea tree oil in it.

I carry a doctor note with me saying it is not a contagious disease but I feel I need to wear a shroud. I am always hot tho, partly because it is hot.  My skin is much warmer on the areas and I am nearly covered with them.  I also itch and burn.

Please keep giving ideas.

Ruth

I just got bloodwork done, which I have to get done yearly for thyroid cancer follow up and my TSH has been great for the last 15 years.  Now suddenly it is off a lot, from .5-ish the last five years to 9.77!!! 

I also am trying accupuncture.

I don't know if this discussion is still ongoing?  I have only just found you and some of the ideas put forward as to why GA starts are very interesting.  I've had GA for about 3 years now, I was under immense stress at the time, it started on the back of my neck and has since moved onto my shoulders, back, chest, neck and arms.  I am given steroid cream to apply and steroid injections into the raised rings about every 8 weeks, with limited success.  If you are still going do let me know please.  Thanks