slashnothing
Apr 12, 2013, 06:50 AM
Hello. For about 8 months now Ive had a variety of symptoms, which may or may not actually share the same underlying cause, and for which I have not yet been able to find a diagnosis. Currently my main symptoms/concerns are: painful stinging hives on my face and neck that reoccur within no more than a few days of not taking prednisone, even when tapering off the prednisone slowly. Along with the hives seems to appear acne, not cystic, are are rather lots of tiny little bumps along the jaw a chin, which may be from taking prednisone for the past 6-8months, but I don't know. Also hand eczema on and off, in particular with heavy & painful blistering; general fatigued feeling, extremely tired w/ low energy, low BP, very strong pain in knees if they have not been moved in a while, esp. if any weight is rested on them; it feels like a hammer and smashed my knees if trying to straighten them, and if I stand right away I feel like ill fall but am fine to stand a few min later. Had a kidney infection just before all this started, not sure if that's relevant here. Also I have fainted a few times, have frequent light-headedness & dizzyness upon standing, easy bruising all over legs that looks like finger prints and occurs intermittently, frequent hay fever like symptoms, bouts of constipation alternating with large uncomfortable & frequent bowel movements, frequent nausea esp. upon waking and before bed. What Ive tried: Been on various forms of cortisteroids. At first doctors assumed it was an allergy. Since I have been told maybe an autoimmune disorder, but my arthritis bloodwork came back normal, other blood tests like cbc were within normal except white blood cell count which was around 11,000 (slightly high?). Have pics if helpful: