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

Cannot believe I found this forum.

So much rings a bell.

I too have cramps in my toes when I'm sleeping

This all began 4 years ago right after my mom passed away.

Wondering if triggered by stress. will contact you at later time.

Have to leave now.

Be good to yourself.

Theresa

Interesting stuff here.  I'm 51 and have had GA most of my life.  Lately it has been much worse.  It does seem like it was diagnosed about the same time that I got an amalgam filling as a young child.  My derm treats with low dose Amoxicillan, and topical cortisol creams.  I don't like taking the antibiotic long term, so I occasionally stop and GA flares up again. I don't think I've ever had a time with no GA in my life.  I have recently been diagnosed with the MTHFR gene mutation, and it definitely has connections to possible Mercury issues and gluten.  I'm still learning about it.  I've also been taking Armour Thyroid for about 18 mos.  Additionally, I have an appt tomorrow to discuss the possible diagnosis of Oral Lichen Planus, also autoimmune.  My dentist thinks I have it, now I'm confirming with a specialist.  My cortisol is all out of whack too.  I've been doing a ton of research to try to connect all of the dots.  I only have one amalgam filling, but I'm going to get it removed as soon as I can.  

I'm sorry I don't really have any answers, but I didn't see that any of you have tried antibiotics for GA.

I'm in Dallas TX.  Are you all in the UK?

Thanks!

So the GA is still there although has diminished on my elbow to being colourless with tiny bumps, reddish hue has gone.  However I have 2 slightly raised red patches on inside of each knee and I keep finding patches of discolouration on my skin (front of torso) which come and go - not sure if they're GA related or not. 

I'm now becoming more and more convinced that these skin issues are a protective mechanism and it makes sense to me and my nutritionist that the skin is reflecting a level of toxicity in my body and dispersing this to the far flung reaches of my body out of the way of the vital organs.  So that begs the question, if that is so, how to heal it?  Detox is obvious and I've already had all the dental mercury removed from my teeth about 6 years ago.  The dentist said he'd never seen anybody with quite so much - I come from the drill and fill generation rather than the preventative era.  Other detox has to be undertaken safely.  I live in London where recently a study talked about the high levels of nitrogen oxide in the air are causing early deaths.  I suppose the answer is to sell up and move to the countryside - not so easy with work.  We've still got a lot of old lead piping in our old houses so that's an issue, I do filter my drinking/cooking water and also my shower water so am attempting to manage that. 

The next thing I've been strongly advised is to make sure that I heal my gut and strengthen my immune system.  I've been advised to make sure I'm not killing off the good bacteria in my gut which I probably did kill off in the past so diet is important.  Secondly to reintroduce good bacteria in the form of probiotics and particularly fermented food.  I've been making sauerkraut (my hubbie hates the smell - tough!), a daily intake of Kefir, and now investigating Kombucha.

Work in progress is the name of the game. Will post back any 'lightbulb' moments as and when they arise. Great to know that you're all out there and hope we continue to share our insights.

Cheers

Sally

I am still eating a normal diet (with junk food) and taking a low dose of plaquenil which keeps me from getting new GA spots.  Prior to the plaquenil I was doing cortisone injections which if done at the earliest sign of a new GA spot will eliminate it.  I intend to take plaquenil for a year then wean myself off of it to see if I am "cured."  My newest theory is that GA is some form of lupus but it only affects the skin.

Best wishes to you!

Cheers

Sally