Angry rash and a lump!
I've got to wait until Thursday to see a doctor, so I wondered if any of you lot had any idea what's going on with my body?
About four days ago, a nasty, angry rash appeared on the small of my back. It's only small area, but is lumpy and very sore. It's spread in a couple of smaller patches along my back horizontally. It's flared up above my jeans-line, so I know it's not labels or washing powder or anything like that. A couple of the spots have bled where I've scratched it... ouch, not deliberately. It feels like needles sticking in if I lean on it. Eek.
The other thing that I discovered about the same time was a pea-sized lump in my groin area. It lies deep inside the crease of the leg, about halfway between crotch and hip, if that makes sense. When I sit down, it feels like there's a marble wedged in the crease, or like my knickers are digging in (sorry to be so graphic). Since I discovered it and moved it around a bit, it's got larger and really hurts if it gets any pressure on it. It feels strangely prickly as well, even though it's so deep under the skin.
Any ideas? Am I falling apart?[X(]
Tiger.
Answers:
The lump sounds like a swollen inguinal lymph node, there's a bunch of them in this area, so there may be others. Mine of been swollen since I was about 19 due to inflammation in the knees and they don't always go down again. So don't panic, but do get your GP to check it out. ;)
Probably not related to the rash though, which could be caused by all manner of things - a belt mayve? Have a look in the Allergies Forum -
Andrew.
Answers:
Tigerlily,
Hope it turns out to be nothing. x
Could it possibly be a mild attack of shingles? I am fairly sure that this manifests itself as a sore and itchy area around the mid back and around the sides? This may also correspond to your lymph nodes being up as they fight the infection.
Found this info "" The first sign is usually a tingling feeling, itchiness, or stabbing pain on the skin. After a few days, a rash appears as a band or patch of raised dots on the side of the trunk or face. The rash develops into small, fluid-filled blisters which begin to dry out and crust over within several days.""
Then again, could be no more than an allergy rash to something!!
K x
Answers:
Thanks, Andrew & K!!
The lump doesn't hurt now, just bigger. I'm seeing the doc tomorrow.
I think the rash may be mild shingles. I've sort of got painful blood blisters, now. I reckon they are going to scab over. It's definitely not clothes-related. Very painful, though.
I guess I'll find out tomorrow.
Tiger.
Answers:
Gggrrr! I've discovered another lump today!! This time in my armpit!! I guess it's some sort of glandular thing...
Tiger.
Answers:
TigerLily: Of course, you need to get this checked. So glad you are seeing someone. Please let us know what they said. Sounds like shingles to me as well. Lumps and painful blisters. Recently, my dermatologist thought I had some form of shingles on my foot, and the first thing he checked was if I had any lumps and he checked first between the crotch and the hip, where you have a lump as well.
Aromatherapy can help shingles if you are diagnosed with it.
Answers:
Shingles does sound likely, so I didn't Post again, but location of possible swollen lymph node didn't fit with location of 'rash'.
Schingles tends to be one sided only & not cross the posterior mid line.
Swollen node in the groin would fit in more with a schingles in the lower limb.
As for the arm pit, then that's likely to be an lymph node too, but more likely to related to something going on in the upper limb.
Not much help I know - good luck at the Doc's.
Andrew.
Answers:
Hiya
Good luck for today, will be thinking off you, my first thought as well was shingles......
T
x
Answers:
Hello, everyone!!
Well you were right, it is shingles!! Both lumps have gone, I still have nasty scabs, but it's on it's way out, thank goodness! The lumps were both on my left side, and it was the same side as where the rash spread along my back. The doc thought that I got it because of having a poor immune systme, due to having acute colitis for so long. My own feeling is that my body has gone into immune over-drive, as my colitis symptoms improved at the same time the shingles made an appearance. Not a coincidence, I think. A healing crisis, maybe?
My health in general is steadily improving, I'm pleased to say. Actually, I got off pretty lightly with the shingles; I understand some people can have a really bad time with it. I only had a small patch on my back, and one or two smaller ones along to the left, so I'm lucky.
Thanks for your imput.
Tiger.
Answers:
Tigerlily: I have been unable to get on-line recently (lack of time) but I came over here immediately to see how things went at the doctors.
I am relieved (but not surprised) that your condition is not serious. Shingles can be terrible - but it is usually worse for the elderly.
Most times, one only gets shingles once in one's life (but it can re-occur). Anyone who has had chicken-pox carries the virus in their bodies. I believe that in younger people (under 60 more or less) they are usually stress-induced. It could be a warning sign to take life a bit easier and not to sweat about small things.
Hope you will recover quickly. (Essential oils can be very helpful with shingles.)
Answers:
I am sorry you have shingles Tiger, but glad at the same time that the lumps are just your immune system fighting back! Wishing you a good recovery.
Answers:
best wishes for a quick return to full health tiger.
T
x
Answers:
Thanks for your support! Stress... well, that's my problem. Because of my already exsisting illness (colitis), sometimes when I go out, or do anything out of my usual 'safe' routine, I start to panic. My throat constricts, my mouth goes dry, I feel like I can't breathe. I'm trying to push myself a bit more, go out more, drive to unfamiliar places. I can't let fear rule my life anymore. Everytime I go out it's a big ordeal, a terrible worry. I hate feeling that way, but I am working on it. I am getting better, I'm not panicking quite so much.
Good grief, I just want a normal life again. I'm trying, though, I always keep going on...
With the support I get from here, I'll make it.
Tiger.
Answers:
If we have to push you to the top of that hill we will, you WILL get there..
T
x
Answers:
Awww, thank you :)
Answers:
hi tigerlily,
we havent corresponded before but i have read some of your older posts as i was researching colitis for a client.
i have posted here rather tha your other thread as i saw this thread as more postive and thats a good thing :o)
i have been seeing a client for the last 5 weeks who has had ulcerative colitis for about 7 years. coincidentally, it seems to have been triggered by the death of her father (who also suffered) and i feel their is a link with this trauma and her ongoing stress related dealings with her mother. she feels she *has* to visit her mother every day and theres never a break from it unless she goes on holiday. i am sure this plays a huge part.
anyway, she was reading a leaflet from the UC/ Crohns charity and it was suggested reflexology might help... enter me! i have also done some google searches for reflexology + colitis and there is some intersting reading out there.
now i know in an earlier post you said, dont suggest this, this and this unless you know it works... so i didnt. but maybe if its something you havent tried, it may be worth it. apart from anything else you get an hour of relaxing and de-stressing. you will also get the chance to talk... we are not councillors but we can listen.
also, this client started taking aloe vera juice and she feels the combination have been of great benefit and plans ongoing treatments with me.
i wish you well :o)
About four days ago, a nasty, angry rash appeared on the small of my back. It's only small area, but is lumpy and very sore. It's spread in a couple of smaller patches along my back horizontally. It's flared up above my jeans-line, so I know it's not labels or washing powder or anything like that. A couple of the spots have bled where I've scratched it... ouch, not deliberately. It feels like needles sticking in if I lean on it. Eek.
The other thing that I discovered about the same time was a pea-sized lump in my groin area. It lies deep inside the crease of the leg, about halfway between crotch and hip, if that makes sense. When I sit down, it feels like there's a marble wedged in the crease, or like my knickers are digging in (sorry to be so graphic). Since I discovered it and moved it around a bit, it's got larger and really hurts if it gets any pressure on it. It feels strangely prickly as well, even though it's so deep under the skin.
Any ideas? Am I falling apart?[X(]
Tiger.
Answers:
The lump sounds like a swollen inguinal lymph node, there's a bunch of them in this area, so there may be others. Mine of been swollen since I was about 19 due to inflammation in the knees and they don't always go down again. So don't panic, but do get your GP to check it out. ;)
Probably not related to the rash though, which could be caused by all manner of things - a belt mayve? Have a look in the Allergies Forum -
Andrew.
Answers:
Tigerlily,
Hope it turns out to be nothing. x
Could it possibly be a mild attack of shingles? I am fairly sure that this manifests itself as a sore and itchy area around the mid back and around the sides? This may also correspond to your lymph nodes being up as they fight the infection.
Found this info "" The first sign is usually a tingling feeling, itchiness, or stabbing pain on the skin. After a few days, a rash appears as a band or patch of raised dots on the side of the trunk or face. The rash develops into small, fluid-filled blisters which begin to dry out and crust over within several days.""
Then again, could be no more than an allergy rash to something!!
K x
Answers:
Thanks, Andrew & K!!
The lump doesn't hurt now, just bigger. I'm seeing the doc tomorrow.
I think the rash may be mild shingles. I've sort of got painful blood blisters, now. I reckon they are going to scab over. It's definitely not clothes-related. Very painful, though.
I guess I'll find out tomorrow.
Tiger.
Answers:
Gggrrr! I've discovered another lump today!! This time in my armpit!! I guess it's some sort of glandular thing...
Tiger.
Answers:
TigerLily: Of course, you need to get this checked. So glad you are seeing someone. Please let us know what they said. Sounds like shingles to me as well. Lumps and painful blisters. Recently, my dermatologist thought I had some form of shingles on my foot, and the first thing he checked was if I had any lumps and he checked first between the crotch and the hip, where you have a lump as well.
Aromatherapy can help shingles if you are diagnosed with it.
Answers:
Shingles does sound likely, so I didn't Post again, but location of possible swollen lymph node didn't fit with location of 'rash'.
Schingles tends to be one sided only & not cross the posterior mid line.
Swollen node in the groin would fit in more with a schingles in the lower limb.
As for the arm pit, then that's likely to be an lymph node too, but more likely to related to something going on in the upper limb.
Not much help I know - good luck at the Doc's.
Andrew.
Answers:
Hiya
Good luck for today, will be thinking off you, my first thought as well was shingles......
T
x
Answers:
Hello, everyone!!
Well you were right, it is shingles!! Both lumps have gone, I still have nasty scabs, but it's on it's way out, thank goodness! The lumps were both on my left side, and it was the same side as where the rash spread along my back. The doc thought that I got it because of having a poor immune systme, due to having acute colitis for so long. My own feeling is that my body has gone into immune over-drive, as my colitis symptoms improved at the same time the shingles made an appearance. Not a coincidence, I think. A healing crisis, maybe?
My health in general is steadily improving, I'm pleased to say. Actually, I got off pretty lightly with the shingles; I understand some people can have a really bad time with it. I only had a small patch on my back, and one or two smaller ones along to the left, so I'm lucky.
Thanks for your imput.
Tiger.
Answers:
Tigerlily: I have been unable to get on-line recently (lack of time) but I came over here immediately to see how things went at the doctors.
I am relieved (but not surprised) that your condition is not serious. Shingles can be terrible - but it is usually worse for the elderly.
Most times, one only gets shingles once in one's life (but it can re-occur). Anyone who has had chicken-pox carries the virus in their bodies. I believe that in younger people (under 60 more or less) they are usually stress-induced. It could be a warning sign to take life a bit easier and not to sweat about small things.
Hope you will recover quickly. (Essential oils can be very helpful with shingles.)
Answers:
I am sorry you have shingles Tiger, but glad at the same time that the lumps are just your immune system fighting back! Wishing you a good recovery.
Answers:
best wishes for a quick return to full health tiger.
T
x
Answers:
Thanks for your support! Stress... well, that's my problem. Because of my already exsisting illness (colitis), sometimes when I go out, or do anything out of my usual 'safe' routine, I start to panic. My throat constricts, my mouth goes dry, I feel like I can't breathe. I'm trying to push myself a bit more, go out more, drive to unfamiliar places. I can't let fear rule my life anymore. Everytime I go out it's a big ordeal, a terrible worry. I hate feeling that way, but I am working on it. I am getting better, I'm not panicking quite so much.
Good grief, I just want a normal life again. I'm trying, though, I always keep going on...
With the support I get from here, I'll make it.
Tiger.
Answers:
If we have to push you to the top of that hill we will, you WILL get there..
T
x
Answers:
Awww, thank you :)
Answers:
hi tigerlily,
we havent corresponded before but i have read some of your older posts as i was researching colitis for a client.
i have posted here rather tha your other thread as i saw this thread as more postive and thats a good thing :o)
i have been seeing a client for the last 5 weeks who has had ulcerative colitis for about 7 years. coincidentally, it seems to have been triggered by the death of her father (who also suffered) and i feel their is a link with this trauma and her ongoing stress related dealings with her mother. she feels she *has* to visit her mother every day and theres never a break from it unless she goes on holiday. i am sure this plays a huge part.
anyway, she was reading a leaflet from the UC/ Crohns charity and it was suggested reflexology might help... enter me! i have also done some google searches for reflexology + colitis and there is some intersting reading out there.
now i know in an earlier post you said, dont suggest this, this and this unless you know it works... so i didnt. but maybe if its something you havent tried, it may be worth it. apart from anything else you get an hour of relaxing and de-stressing. you will also get the chance to talk... we are not councillors but we can listen.
also, this client started taking aloe vera juice and she feels the combination have been of great benefit and plans ongoing treatments with me.
i wish you well :o)