petechaie question

Hi Elcamino. It's me again, Kris. Got those too. The petechaie can show up on different parts of the body. I read that it is possible that they can bleed, but I have had them for years and never had any problems with them. Please let me know if you get them on your hands or face. This is kind of rare but may be significant for scleroderma. Mine come and go and started on the trunk of my body, then arms and neck, now hands and one or two on my face. They just look sightly. Definitely bring it to the rheumatologist's attention. Like I wrote back, tell them even those things you find insignificant and odd. It can be from low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia in Lupus) although not always. Let your doctor know if you have any unusual bruising that you cannot explain how it got there, because that may signify low platelet counts. It could mean several things and you may need some tests done to find the cause. It is usually significant for autoimmune disorders, allergic reactions, injury, medication, vitamin deficiencies, sepsis, livier propblems, etc. So, it is hard to say what the exact cause would be without knowing your exact medical history and blood test results. The doctors need to see any rashes or skin changes, especially because of the other symptoms you have going on. I have a tendency to disregard the "minor" stuff and I didn't realize that these changes were also a part of the puzzle. Good luck. Kris

Do you have bloodwork done regularly? He should be seeing signs of anemia in your bloodwork if that is the cause. If your rheumatologist doesn't make you feel comfortable about it, perhaps see a dermatologist and explain your conditions.

Take care

 

Elcamino:

You may want to get the record (regarding the low platelets) from the primary doctor and give it to the Rheumy.  Please show him the rest of the petechhie.  Don't back down.  They refute everything and don't want to believe anything.  Don't give them a choice.  Get copies of all your records, show the doctors the records and any symptoms you have had and now have.  Eventually, it will be so "in their face" that they can't refute what is going on.  I have petechhie but my platelets are usually good.  My count only goes down when I get large amounts of the spontaneous bruising.  I didn't injure myself either.  Neither did my daughter who has it on her face along with the butterfly rash.  Doctors don't like to go overboard and are generally very conservative in their approach to diagnosing symptoms let alone an actual disease.  Some don't have the time or knowledge about different symptoms/diseases to check into what is going on with you.  It is their JOB however, and you need to think of them as not judges of your character, but (hopefully) knowledgeable professionals about your symptoms. Just like any other profession, if they don't have the ability to assist you then you need to look for someone who can and will.  Your doctor may be a great doctor and just need some encouragement and enlightenment.  I think if they are generally interested in their job and helping people be healthy, then they will usually open their eyes to possibilities once the symptoms start mounting up.  It is our job to gather the proof of our symptoms, i.e., tests, reports, records, so that they can see exactly what the symptoms are and how they add up.  Otherwise, it is generally an unfair fight for the doctor who doesn't have all the information.  Kind of like a puzzle, the more pieces you fit together the more of the picture you'll see.  Sorry to be so forward today.  Moody I guess.  But I hope it helps some.  Good luck. - Kris