Anyone familiar with long term Erythema Nodosum?

I'd try Copaiba or Frankincense essential oil on it to reduce the inflammation.

I had EN rash a couple years ago. Skin biopsy was inconclusive as to cause. The dermatologist wanted me to take steroids...initially, I refused, but then had some severe allergy issues that required steroids and the rash completely cleared up on the steroids (except I'm left with a stain on my skin where the rash was, plus the scar from the biopsy).

I've had erythema nodosum, but it's been about ten years since it flared up. I used progesterone cream on the nodules and the inflammation went away. The areas where the nodules were are still noticeable, discolored, and there are small nodules you can feel, but they aren't painful. Since I started battling with lyme I have been using essential oils (cypress, frankincense, oregano, lavendar) both on the nodules and the joints. I don't see any change in the nodules, but the joint pain is definitely better.

I know I'm late to this, but I have chronic EN and I use compression stockings (and colchicine) they both help a ton!

And, an official welcome to you, Riley!

Thanks for joining us! So sorry you had to find your way here. And, thanks for your useful post!

How long have you been dealing with Lyme? How might we help you?

Hi Riley

I know what you are going through... I visited so many doctors since I was 15yo (I'm 36,5), not one could help me. The clearest answer I got was from the rheumatology department at the academic hospital in my city, after a week's admission , and all possible tests..'Miss, there's certainly something wrong with you, but we can not find it. You are a unique case.'
It really hurts, doesn't it? Especially the shocks when you're walking around.

I know that corticosteroids are often prescribed to bring down the inflammation, but if you are suspecting Lyme or another infection, it would really be better to avoid immunosupressants. Last time I had a severe flare (6 fresh nodules appeared in just one day, on both legs) I had 1 steroid shot, but only after the approval from my LLMD, because I was having a systemic infection that wasn't cooling down with iv abx. He stressed on 'one', not more than that. Not to scare you, but this is an article on the subject www.lymenet.de/literatur/steroids.htm

If you're thinking Lyme Disease or a coinfection, I would like to advice you to see a LLMD (a Lyme literate doctor, not an infectuous disease doctor). We can help you find one.
There's the ILADS website where you can ask for a LLMD in your region of choice: ilads.org/ilads_media/physician-referral/

Or you can post a request here: 'Looking for LLMD in ____'. Our members can then get back to you with their information. But only by pm, cause it is not allowed to post dr's names on this forum. If you choose this, you will have to enable your emailaddress (My Profile, then Edit Profile, then click on Show my Emailaddress). If you wish to stay anonymous, but your address isn't, you can create a new one just for this purpose.

If you have any questions about your symptoms or which tests to take, please don't hesitate to post. We'll be glad to help you. If this is the case, it would be better to start a new thread so that the subject of your question would be visible to everyone opening the Lyme forum.

I really hope you'll get an answer soon.

MarieLS

I'll definitely try the Colchicine if my GP is willing to prescribe it to me.
I have one nodule on my right shin now, and I think a second one is forming on the exact same spot on my left shin...
I felt some of the Yersiniosis complaints coming back... I think I need to talk to my dr again.

I tried potassium iodide for a long time: horrible taste, and it did nothing. Never heard of Dapsone, I read it's an antibiotic, often used in dermatology, and against leprosy.
I looked up the antimalarial, it should be Hydroxychloroquine.
Your dermatologist is indeed well informed :)

There's more and more information available about EN, compared to when it all started for me. This is a list of possible infections that can cause EN (many of them are possible coinfections to Lyme Disease):
Bacterial infections: Streptococci, Tuberculosis, Yersinia infection, Salmonella infection, Campylobacter infection, Brucellosis, Tularemia infection, atypical Mycobacterial infection, Haemophilus Ducreyi, Meningococcus sepsis, Corynebacterium diphteriae, Cat Scratch Disease, Proprionibacterium acnes, Shigella infections, Syphilis, Leptospirosis, Q-Fever, Lymphogranuloma venerum, Chlamydia Psittaci, Mycoplasma Pneumoniae.
Viral infections: Mononucleosis infectuosa (Pfeiffer Disease), Hepatitis, Orf, Herpes Simplex, Cytomegalovirus, Measles
Fungal infections: skin fungi, Blastomycosis, Aspergillosis, Sporotrichosis, Histoplasmosis, Coccidioidomycosis
Parasites: Toxoplasmosis, Ancylostomiasis, Amoebiasis, Giardiasis, Ascariasis

I was diagnosed a few weeks ago. The doc said it would resolve in 4- 6 weeks but I'm at least 5 weeks in and still not t better. Any ideas are greatly appreated. I have a lot of essential oils. Hoping I can use some of them.

Hi Muchfaith - welcome to our community!

Did your Dr. prescribe something to treat it?


Are you also in treatment for Lyme Disease?

Hi Muchfaith!
Welcome to our community!

I'm curious as well, do you have Lyme on top of this?

Hi globug - welcome !

That is great that you got relief with the Cleavers.

Do you also have Lyme disease?

Just an FYI - the conventional Lyme Tests aren't very good.

If you are willing to spend $210, you can get the Igenex Lyme WB IgM and IgG.

When you have some time, maybe take a look at the thread at the top of the page titled "New to Lyme?...Start Here!"
There's a lot of good information there to read.

Hi Globug!
Welcome to our community! I'm so glad you found us.

​If you haven't ​yet​, it would be helpful for you to start with reading through the thread at the top of the forum titled,"New to Lyme?...Start here!!", as it is packed full of important information, symptom lists, helpful links and pdf's, how to detox when one has these infections, information on probiotics and much more.

​ And, here's another good place to find helpful detoxing routines: ​http://www.tiredoflyme.com/detox-methods.html​​

Also, Bartonella can also cause the Erythema nodosum - so you will want to check into Lyme and Bartonella - but be aware, the tests are not very sensitive, and there are quite a few that actually have these infections, but can't produce enough antibodies to get a full positive test.

Keep asking questions!!!