small bump in the road

I've been off all meds except for the one and I've been feeling pretty good. I've been walking every morning and am beginning to make plans to go back to school. Really, all good, Thank God.

But a couple of residual spots on my legs that have been there since February 2009 have "flared up". I went to see my friend Suzanne who is a dermatologist. I gave her the whole background story about how these lesions all popped up when I was in the hospital back in February and how they had about a gazillion doctors check them out and an infectious disease specialist check me out. She took a look at them and said, "Hmm, they look like erythema nodosum. Why didn't they call in a dermatologist?" Well, DUH. They did call in a dermatologist who looked and biopsied and still had no idea.

So now, from what I've been reading, I think she's right on the money. I called Dr. Schuster and brought him up to date and he said that I ought to do whatever Suzanne suggests and to let him know how it is in a couple of days. I am wearing a compression stocking and keeping it rested and elevated (when I'm not out running errands) and taking Advil. Though these measures do provide some relief, I'm still in a lot of pain, and not only in the one spot on my ankle, but in a few others too. She said that the Prednisone may have been suppressing this inflammation and now that I'm off it it's flaring up. That makes sense. But I've also recently discontinued a few other meds. So, for now, who knows?

I'm going to continue trying to rest it but I think I'm going to try to find something stronger for the pain because I'm really uncomfortable. David was doing some research and thinks that perhaps I ought to see a rheumatologist. I'm going to give it a couple of days and see how it is after the weekend.

Thanks for checking in and for all your good wishes and thoughts and prayers. Have a wonderful weekend, a good shabbos. Believe in Miracles!