1. < Autoimmune Diseases

Any thought on what this is? - Face "dent"

Posted by jonfortier @jonfortier, Mar 15 3:25pm

2.5 Months I started getting an indention in my face. It has progressed in that it is getting larger and more defined. I saw the dr 3 weeks ago and he was stumped. But did say he thinks it is muscle wasting, just doesn't know what could cause it. Ordered a CT Scan which showed no deformities. A friend thought I should contact the Mayo Clinic and ask for guidance. But I don't know how.
I am 57, a controlled type 1 diabetic for over 40 years, recent history of CVA's and other vascular issues.

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jonfortier | @jonfortier | Mar 16 6:41pm
In reply to @becsbuddy "@cdesharn @jonfortier This site describes lipodystrophy/lipoatrophy as being very similar. It also talks about the treatment..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@cdesharn @jonfortier This site describes lipodystrophy/lipoatrophy as being very similar. It also talks about the treatment as being saline injections
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23441-lipodystrophy
Have you noticed if any family members have this same diagnosis?

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Thank you. Neither of my siblings have it and I'm not aware of any other family members.

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kspowell | @kspowell | Mar 16 6:51pm

interesting discussion, I have the same thing - appeared after I lost weight - my doc said as we get older we lose the fat pads in the cheeks. Normal, and some get the "plumping" injections to fill the cheeks

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cdesharn | @cdesharn | Mar 17 10:49am

Nobody but me that I know of. It started gradually a few year ago and I had a couple of Sculptra injections that were unsuccessful. Now since my anxiety and depression issues and rapid weight loss in the last couple of months it has accelerated.

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cdesharn | @cdesharn | Mar 17 10:51am

Does the Dermatologist do the saline injections because she’s only mentioned Sculptra?

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cdesharn | @cdesharn | Mar 22 9:21am

Located an expert on Lipoatrophy through NORD and GARD but now she stopped responding to me just as I was about to release my medical records to her.

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1 reply
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Mar 22 4:29pm
In reply to @cdesharn "Located an expert on Lipoatrophy through NORD and GARD but now she stopped responding to me..." + (show)
@cdesharn

Located an expert on Lipoatrophy through NORD and GARD but now she stopped responding to me just as I was about to release my medical records to her.

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@cdesharn That’s awful and unprofessional! How long since you have heard from her? Maybe you can call NORD and GARD and let them know so they don’t continue to refer her. And maybe they’ll give you another name.
Have you tried calling a comprehensive or university medical center in your area? The doctors there are usually a step above community doctors. They might have a doctor who specializes in lipoatrophy. Can you make that call on Monday?

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1 reply
2thfairy | @2thfairy | Mar 25 11:23am

Are you taking statin drugs? I had a dental patient who had severe muscle wasting due to taking atorvastatin for a very short time. It caused his right pectoralis and part of his right cheek (zygomaticus) to divot like yours. The muscle wasting is called rhabdomyolysis. I’d stop statins and ask about that.
Best wishes to you.

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1 reply
jonfortier | @jonfortier | Mar 25 12:20pm
In reply to @2thfairy "Are you taking statin drugs? I had a dental patient who had severe muscle wasting due..." + (show)
@2thfairy

Are you taking statin drugs? I had a dental patient who had severe muscle wasting due to taking atorvastatin for a very short time. It caused his right pectoralis and part of his right cheek (zygomaticus) to divot like yours. The muscle wasting is called rhabdomyolysis. I’d stop statins and ask about that.
Best wishes to you.

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I do take Atorvostatin, and have for several years. If it was due to that, why all of the sudden?

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1 reply
2thfairy | @2thfairy | Mar 25 12:49pm
In reply to @jonfortier "I do take Atorvostatin, and have for several years. If it was due to that, why..." + (show)
@jonfortier

I do take Atorvostatin, and have for several years. If it was due to that, why all of the sudden?

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Unknown. But if nothing else is noted, that’s what I would ask about. It is a common side effect of statin drugs.

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1 reply
jonfortier | @jonfortier | Mar 25 2:46pm
In reply to @2thfairy "Unknown. But if nothing else is noted, that’s what I would ask about. It is a..." + (show)
@2thfairy

Unknown. But if nothing else is noted, that’s what I would ask about. It is a common side effect of statin drugs.

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Thanks. I will ask.

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