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

Posted , 91 users are following.

FrenglishCarole
FrenglishCarole

I have GA for 8 years - we all know that this skin disease itself is not painful however I want to know if other things are going on within your body? 

I, personally, have issues with toe and leg cramps and nerve pain. Is this related or something else all together?

If you could please share your personal experience, I believe we need all info to assist each other.

Thanks,

Carole

6 likes, 207 replies

207 Replies

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  • j0603
    j0603 FrenglishCarole

    Posted

    Hi Carole, yes I will. My newest dermatologist says he does it all of the time and the key is to do only a small amount of cortisone so as not to damage any surrounding tissue.  I have heard (on this blog maybe) where people have "indentions" at the injection site which I shared with my doctor.  He said it happens when the doctor injects too much.  I had it done last week and all I notice so far is that the lumpyness has gone down.  I will give it another week or two and report back - Julie

     

  • bonnie55779
    bonnie55779 FrenglishCarole

    Posted

    In 1997, after having some mercury filled teeth replaced by crowns, I developed a mysterious skin condition called granuloma annulare, said to be of unknown cause. I speculated that mercury released from my teeth had entered my body which, in its wisdom, had transported it as far as possible from vital organs and to the surface of the skin where it is thinnest, on the backs of my hands and tops of my feet, where it appeared as small bumps in ever widening circles. After about 7 years it had mostly faded away. In 2006 I had my mercury fillings replaced by porcelain by a dentist knowledgeable in the correct procedure, with rubber dams and oxygen, etc. Again I developed granuloma annulare. It appears that my speculation about the cause of this mysterious condition was correct.

    I have also had a big problem with leg cramps at night.  This is much improved since increasing my intake of magnesium in more absorbable forms.

  • FrenglishCarole
    FrenglishCarole

    Posted

    Hello Bonnie,

    My situation is very similar to yours with the teeth fillings. It has been 8 years started at the same place than yours but has now expanded to other parts of my body. Some spots fading, new ones developing. I did a hair analysis last year and noticed to high level of mercury in my system so have always thought it was related too.

    My magnesium levels are fine so not sure what to do next but I won't quit trying stuff until I succeed.

    Please keep me posted on your successes and I'll do the same.

    Good luck,

    Carole

    • j0603
      j0603 FrenglishCarole

      Posted

      Hi Carole, here is an update on me I have taken my 4th course of ROM therapy. I notice no new spots popping up and existing ones fading a bit BUT I still have a few stubborn spots that are the same. I am losing hope but haven't completely given up on this therapy. I have one more course which I take July1.

      I just had some more injections in obvious spots one on my arms that everyone kept thinking were ringworm. It's bad enough keeping my legs covered all the time so I wanted to clear up my arms .... It's hot out! The doctor decreased my dosage of kenalog to 5 mg to avoid atrophy. I have been taking a herbal remedy (whole foods) called Zyflamend and .25 mg of prednisone daily also. Problem is if it clears up we won't really know which one did the trick so it will need to be everything.

      I will post again next month, take care 😀

    • FrenglishCarole
      FrenglishCarole j0603

      Posted

      Thaks for the update. I have tried a liver cleanse 2 weeks ago, no big difference except I feel good - not much else to report myself on my efforts but will keep on going and keep you posted.

      I am now taking something to lower my cholesterol, not super happy about it but what can you do. 

      Take care,

      Carole

    • patty98033
      patty98033 FrenglishCarole

      Posted

      Hi Carole,

      I know this is off topic for this group but if you do an internet

      search on high cholesterol longevity you may rethink taking

      anything to reduce it. It seems that when studies were done in an attempt to prove that lowering cholesterol is a good thing, they found that those with high cholesterol had better survival rates from heart attack, stroke, infection, etc.

      As for my GA, it continues to improve in the last year since I found that I have a number of food intolerances. Almost everywhere (arms, hands, legs, etc) it has dramatically improved since I quit eating these things but this has happened very slowly. My feet are the slowest to respond and they have improved. The tops of both feet are covered but are no longer flaming red-purple.

      Thanks to this discussion I'm wondering if my knee replacement in 2007 may have had anything to do with triggering the GA. I don't know for sure what metal it's made of.

      Patty

    • FrenglishCarole
      FrenglishCarole patty98033

      Posted

      Hi Patty,

      Interesting on the high cholesterol longevity. I do not like taking a prescription for anything nor do I believe in the medical system so will definitely infestigate further. Thank you very much for mentioning it.

      Best,

      Carole

    • patty98033
      patty98033 FrenglishCarole

      Posted

      I think you'll be surprised at what you find. There are some excellent books & articles out there.

      Look for a study by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology that found that women with high cholesterol (over 270) had a 28% lower mortality risk than those with cholesterol under 193 mg/dl. This is not the only one but it did have over 52,000 individuals in the study.

      Patty

    • sarah2858
      sarah2858 j0603

      Posted

      You know, I was embarrassed at first. I do wear short sleeves and capris. When asked about it , I just explain people need to havy tolerance for these types of things.
  • beekgirl
    beekgirl FrenglishCarole

    Posted

    Hello, I am so happy to find this forum and particularly this thread! Thrilled that people are looking for the root causes and not just throwing pharmaceuticals at it. I have had GA off and on since I was about 11 years old, mostly it was on the tops of my hands and feet, some on my wrists. Completely went away during both pregnancies and came back 6 wks after the births. Mostly was not a major issue and I didn't even think about it much, and it was very small, until 2005 when I had a major flareup starting and I got a steroid injection and it all went away... and it stayed away for about 8 years. THEN, it came back with a vengeance. For two years now I have had it all over my arms and legs, 10x worse than ever before. I am 45 years old now.  The timing had a direct correlation with the insertion of "Essure" implants in my tubes for sterilization... when I realized that, I had them removed by partial hysterectomy. The Essure implants are made of nickel so I thought I was really onto something... but the GA didn't go away. 

    Now I am seeing an MD who has done a ton of tests on me (not covered by my insurance of course)  sad   I have learned that I have both genes for gluten sensitivity, which I ate liberally all my life until now.  I have been off gluten for 3+ months with no changes. I also have the MTHFR gene which doesn't allow for good "methylation" or detoxing/processing of enzymes and hormones.  And I have other genes that don't allow me to process stress hormones or medications very well.  I was found deficient in Vitamin D, magnesium, and glutathione as well as having undetectable levels of igA and nitric oxide. We are supplementing now with all of these things... Also I have high levels of lead and MERCURY-- saw others here with the mercury concern.  I am getting some treatment for that, hoping that maybe chelation might work for me. When I did the chelation compound briefly for purposes of testing, I got a metal taste in my mouth for 1-2 weeks after, meaning that it's definitely in my blood quite a bit. Ugh.  I had my fillings removed in my 20s so that is not a concern anymore... anyway, will continue to share what I learn from this process.  Thank you all!  (By the way, no leg cramps for me, no other health issues really except low blood pressure/dizziness.)

    • Alkalinegirl
      Alkalinegirl beekgirl

      Posted

      It’s realky interesting reading all these threads.  I’ve had GA since I was 19 and I’m now 45.  The only time I haven’t had any marks on my body was when I was pregnant.  I have tried many treatments, Im going to go back to my alkaline lifestyle  and hope they will go away, but I definitely think it’s related to hormones as I’m starting the menopause now and my body is at its worse.  

      Are you any further on with yourself, your post is 2 years old now ?

      Thanks Tracie 

    • patty02111
      patty02111 beekgirl

      Posted

      Hello,

      Are you still getting messages from this site?  Can you update me on your findings on GN and if the MTHFR gene or Mercury has contributed.  My sister has 2 mutations of the MTHFR gene and I'm trying to get tested but they aren't thinking it is necessary.  I've had GN for about 6 years, the first spot is now the size of a dinner plate and I'm getting more and more each day.  This has been a really stressful year and I wonder if that is the main cause.  I am in the process of changing jobs because of it.  Have only tried creams and they do nothing.  Any information is appreciated.  Patty

    • Alkalinegirl
      Alkalinegirl patty02111

      Posted

      Hi Patty,

      Doesn’t seem that many people are still using this thread, but nice to see someone is.

      My GA is at its worst at the moment, my legs, my arms and stomach.  It looks horrendous.  I’m dreading summer, because I know they will look even worse by then.  I wish I understood the disease more, as to what causes it, ive always thought it was hormone related and maybe it’s why I’m so bad at the moment as I’ve started the menopause. What’s your take on it? 

      Thanks Tracie 

    • patty02111
      patty02111 Alkalinegirl

      Posted

      Hi Tracy, just got back on this after changing jobs.  I too am dreading summer and my trip to FL next week as the rash has started creeping down my legs, both my bosoms have the rash now and a new bright red spot on my waist.  It just doesn't want to end.  After my trip I'm going gluten free, trying to stay off chocolate and alcohol for 2 months to see if it helps.  I'll probably go crazy doing all of that.  I'll try to keep you posted if anything helps.

      Patty

    • wendy57614
      wendy57614 patty02111

      Posted

      Hi,

      I am sure stress has a lot to do with it.  My GA started just as I was finishing chemo - a real shock to the system.  Of course it has spread since then.  I am new to this disease but my dermatologist assures me that the sort of GA I have is caused by the sun.  Lots of advice to stay out of the sun and to wear high factor sun screen.  I am a bit dubious about this.  Anyone else had this explanation I wonder?

    • AllEyes
      AllEyes patty02111

      Posted

      Hi Patty! This is pretty interesting... I developed GA on my hand around 8 months ago? I was just diagnosed as homozygous for MTHFR A1298C about 2 months ago. Prior to this I was diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome 7 years ago and also have aquagenic pruritis. I also have a fibroadenoma in one breast which was biopsied last year. I have been gluten free for a long long time so somehow I don't think gluten is related? I have incidentally gone off all grains and included corn in that in the last couple of months. 

      It's good to put all this up here as it helps to see what's going on for others and what might be related!

      Thanks, A.E.

    • rara65
      rara65 Alkalinegirl

      Posted

      Hello Tracey,

      Mine began after menopause. I've also noticed that they become worse at times fir unknown reasons .

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