Good morning everyone,
I just registered this site and forum,I had looked over it actually yesterday,and by suggestion of Kirei (Penny) as I had communicated with her on another forum.Now about me,I am almost 54 years old(next month),and I first was diagnosed ..get ready 32 years ago while I was in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany. In 1976, I was hospitalized 3 seperate times from November through January of 1977 with Pyoderma Gangreoseum.This condition actually ended my military service.I recall my legs became infected with ulcers,skin turned cherry red and was very,very, painful.During each hospitalization I was given I.V. antibiotics,dressings,and dailey whirlpool therapy.Each time they got healed,in no time they would return.Actually according to my medical records(service),the first time the name Pyoderma was given was in early 1974,while I was in Basic training at Ft. Knox,Kentucky,but I use the time frame in Germany as the focal point.From the time I was about 7 or 8 years of age,sores first appeared on my arms and legs,I can remember dailey soaks and baths,and having to lie aunder a heat lamp.By the time I was in my late teens to around 20,the sores were mainly on my legs,but the previous ones left small scars(which I still have) on my arms.It was believed the inital onset was Atopic Eczema,but what caused them has remained a mystery,as I came from A FAMILY OF 8,and was the only one that was affected.My Mother and I both are dark complected as other siblings are not,however my mothers side of the family were also dark complected. While I was in the hospital in Germany,a doctor noted my dark complexion and tested me for Adddison's Disease,but that apprantly came out negative.
In 2005 a few months after double bypass heart surgery,I again started having problems with the leg ulcers on both of my legs,I had been diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insuffiency(poor circulation) especially in my legs and determined to be associated Venous Stasis Ulcers.For the next few years until very recently using different treatments of Silvadene Cream (mostly) and treatments through 2 wound clinics,could not get the ulcers healed,and again they were very painful.Finally through a wound clinic at a Veterans Hospital,a wound specialist got real aggressive and started using sterile wrapping,even changed some myself,and Hydocolloid Dressings,did the ulcers finally start to really heal. I was referred to a Dermatologist(first in nearly 30 years),who has me doing "X-VIATE" or called "UREA 40%", I think it hasn't been available too long. I now put that on at night,wrap with sterile dressing and remove the next day,also wear compression stockings.I still have few small places,that the dermatologist has advised to keep an eye on.
Recently while looking my old service medical records,I began to compare a few things past to present,I began to realize I had most likely been dealing with a re-occurence of the pyoderma from the 70's, mainly looking at the length of time (nearly 4 years) fighting to get the ulcers healed.I have meeting with my PCP next week and will discuss this with him,as I have sent my Dermatologist copies of my service medical records from time in Germany.IT appears looking back since 1984 I have had a least 2 other re-occurnces,as I had a skin biopsy done in 84 by a my doctor at the time,and just recently found it.Sorry this thing is so long,but I am thrilled beyond words to have found folks who have or experiencing this horrible condition,as I have told my wife of nearly 30 years "No one can possibly understand the scope of this unless it is experienced",my wife has been my main support for most these years.THANK YOU FOR LETTING BEND YOUR EARS,AND THANK YOU PENNY FOR THE SUGGESTION. Will continue later.