Erythema Nodosum

[mylegsaresosore]

Evening all. As per the new user name (changed because I have been moaning so much this might be outing), my legs are so sore!

My GP diagnosed erythema nodosum and said to wait for it so self resolve or come back in six weeks. It’s now been 16 weeks.

It didn’t go, so back I went. I’ve had every blood test and the one that shows inflammation markers was raised. I’ve been referred to dermatology, I can see them in August.

Has anyone else experienced this? Have you had any treatment that helps?

It’s a constant sting like a sunburn and they’re tender enough to make me yelp if they’re knocked.

Feeling a bit miserable and would be grateful for any insights. I’ll try an upload a pic now.

Thanks

Pics

I've had this before. Same as you, no real cause and nothing could be done. Always on my shins as well. They lasted for months or a year or so and then disappeared.

Sorry I can't offer any help, but I get your frustration.

Thank you. I’m sorry you had for so long too.

You’ve actually reassured me because I’ve been worrying about it taking so long to go. It’s helpful to know yours just went eventually. Gives me hope!

Are you on the pill, OP? Erythema nodosum is a rare complication of oral contraceptives.

If you can take ibuprofen, that might help a bit. GP could prescribe an oral steroid - was that discussed?

I had this as a side effect of some cancer treatment. It was so sore, I really feel for you. Do they have any idea what's causing it? Are you taking any medications?

I was prescribed a topical steroid cream- but didn't end up using it was I ended up covered head to toe and taken off the chemo as a result.

Oh my god you poor thing.. I had this year's ago, it's so incredibly painful. Luckily mine was a shorter stint than you - I can't remember specifics tbh but I really wish for you to get better soon 😻

Mine did fade and stop being painful after a while. For a long time they just looked like old bruises then just disappeared.

No, I’m not on any medication and I haven’t been for years. Thank you though.

I had this over 20 years ago. My first flare up was debilitating. I couldn’t walk for a whole day. I had tons of tests done and they couldn’t find anything. I wasn’t taking any medications, I hadn’t been sick or diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, so they could never find what caused it.

My legs stayed sore for months then occasionally I would have a flare up once every few months. After a few years it completely went away and left dark like bruises on my legs. Those mostly faded with time.

i had this with my second pregnancy.
i had no family doctor so went to my gynecologist (i thought leukemia).
he said it was erythema nodosum due to pregnancy hormones and that i was probably carrying a girl :)

I am not pregnant yet I have the same but I have been diagnosed with Graves Disease. High monocytes too. I did have postpartum Thyroiditis

I've had this 3 times, between the ages of 18 to 25. Each time the doctor asked if I've had a sore throat/cold recently as it can be your body going a bit hay wire after a virus, also asked if I've had a tummy ache (couldn't recall), then I'd be sent for a chest x ray as its also related to TB. As it turns out at 36 years old I was diagnosed with crohn's disease, which it's also a symptom of. I didn't realise I was having tummy aches as it was obviously my 'normal' to always have one!

I e had it. It took a while to go away, but it did eventually.

Mine have left slightly dark patches and slight indents when I flex my legs. I don't think anyone except me would notice though.

And each time I had high CRP blood results.

I had this about 10 years ago. I’d been feeling a bit run down - nothing major - but when the red lumps appeared I felt exhausted and found walking painful. My blood tests also showed inflammation.

i wouldn’t wait until August to see a dermatologist tbh. I would go back to doctor and make sure you get a scan because erythema can (rarely) indicate some more serious conditions. In my case it turned out to be walking pneumonia…all fine after some hardcore antibiotics and a few steroid injections.

The red swellings on my legs definitely didn’t take months to go though! Once I was on medication it resolved quite quickly - a week or so? Good luck in getting the right treatment OP x

Thank you all for posting. I’m going to go back to GP as there are now nodules on the backs of my calves as well. It’s very hard to sleep at night!
I can’t tell if my joints are stiff or if the skin is stretched so tightly that it’s impeding flexing but something isn’t right there as well.

Did this every resolve I'm in this position too

Yes and no. I’ve had a dx of sarcoidosis which explains the stiff joints. I had a course of steroids which worked but as soon as I stopped taking them they came back.

Had a steroid injection this week so hoping that will do the trick.

Relieved to have a diagnosis because I was starting to think I was inventing how crappy I felt.

Have you any other symptoms?