AM I OVER REACTING?

[beverley]

I have been quite well for a while now apart from arthritis in my knees, hands and feet, which is a nuisance.  However I have a puffy area where my collar bones meet (the v at the base of the neck).  It's not really a lump and it doesn't feel like it has fluid in it, I just notice it.  My husband says he can see it so I think it has become a bit more noticeable.  I've had it for a few months.  Also I have a tiny (and I do mean insignificant) red mark on the back of my hand with a little raised white middle which periodically itches like mad and bleeds if I scratch it.  I now have another one appeared just above my watch strap.  These are very small and I feel I shouldn't even be mentioning them.  But for some reason the two things really bother me.  I've made an appointment for the Dr. next Friday, but I feel like I might be making a fuss over nothing.  Anyway, just thought I would tell you about it.  Perhaps someone can reassure me that I am overreacting and it will be (what it really appears) nothing.

Beverley

[Cheryl]

Beverley,
   You are right to check out these 2 things.   You are probably right about their insignificance, but you need to verify it.   (I do wonder if you have a goiter.)   Have a good check-up, and don't lose sleep over it in the meantime!
Cheryl

[Scottietottie]

Hi Beverley 

I agree with Cheryl. I'm glad yopu're getting checked out.

I think we all have a tendency to always imagine the worse case scenario and thankfully we are usually wrong!!  It's always better to be safe than sorry though. Good luck today (I think)  Keep us posted.

Take care - Scottie 

[dkpowell]

My rheum is always asking me about skin problems - rashes and bumps and itches...I would let the rheum take a look at them. I had some bumps last fall - went to my PCP and he wasn't concerned. I was concerned they might be shingles. I sw my rheum a few weeks later, mentioned them and she was kind of upset that she didn't get to look at them. She said for me ALWAYS to get in to her if I skin issues, for what that's worth.

[cport]

Hi there,
I quiet often come up with these little red spots with white heads that itch. It always starts off with one spot that spreads the more i itch. The problem is it's always disappeared by the time i see rheumy. I have now taken pictures of the latest flare up so i can show her. I think it's probably yet another symptom of sjogren's xxx

[Dolly Dimples]

  Hi Beverely,
                      No- ones  overreacting if they have something that is niggling away in their mind..

                                        Get it checked out!   Dolly x

[lynnmarie219]

I agree with the others......its probably nothing...but better to have it checked out and be safe!

Good luck at the appt...let us know how it went! 

[Kimi]

The area you talked about at the base of your neck is your thyroid area. If there is an enlargement you do need to get that checked out. Plus could the red spots be spider bites? Or is it diffrent?
Kimi

[Patze]

I'm with Kimi on the throat lump, that should be checked.  I get lump/nodule type things on my elbows all the time, and they only itch once in a while.

Good luck at the doctors, and keep us updated.

Take care -

Patze

[elise]

Beverly, everyone has to know when i have a headache with me,if your hands are itching and bleeding then it is something to explain incase someone else has it too and/or might know how to cure it or what it is.

OH! and PS. You are not over-reacting.



take care. get better!!!


Elise xx

[bloodless]

Nope! You are not overeacting. I wish I had said something over a year ago when I first got itchy bumps. I ended up losing a lot of skin to dermatitis and foliculitis. Common with those who have compromised immune systems especially if you've been on prednisone. My rheumy sent me to dermatologist to have the rash biopsied. Some rashes mean different things. The dermy gave me stuff that helped clear up most of it. It still pops up. I still have some of the bumps. The rash moves around. I don't know if the scars on my legs are going to completely go away, but at least they faded. Stop your rash before it gets ugly.

[Ohiocat]

You are not over reacting.  You know what is normal for yourself and getting something that is different checked out just makes sense.   
Don't allow any one to question that....including yourself!
Hang in there in the meantime.

[beverley]

Thanks everyone.

I go this Friday, and I do know that I will feel a lot better even if he sends me away with a flea in my ear.  It's that time of year at school with reports, leavers' assembly and trip and endless sporting events and I know when I am tired I worry more about all sorts of little differences, so I may as well check it out and get it over with.

Thanks for all your support.

Beverley

[Dolly Dimples]

   Beverley,  It's good to hear that you will be seeing someone on Friday..

         Let us hope that he can advise you on this problem..

  Please come  back and let us know how it goes.. we'll be with you! 
                                  Best wishes Dollly 
   

[beverley]

Hi,
Went to the Doc's yesterday.  He had a good prod at my neck and said he didn't think thyroid or lymph nodes were enlarged but because of how tired I am he decided to err on the side of caution so I'm having a blood test next Wednesday for thyroid and hoemoglobin (can't spell it).  I doubt if anything will come of it, but at least I've been a good girl and checked it out (unlike my teeth!)

Best wishes
Beverley