Yes, I was diagnosed by a rheumatologist at Mayo Clinic, who I still see. The face/ear flares are similar to the ones in my feet. There’s redness, burning, and skin is very hot to the touch. Sometimes there’s some very slight swelling. I used to get swelling in my feet to the point where I could not walk. If you haven’t been diagnosed yet, take photos of the flares to bring to your doctor. It’s helpful for diagnosis. Hope this helps you.
Yes, I was diagnosed by a rheumatologist at Mayo Clinic, who I still see. The face/ear flares are similar to the ones in my feet. There’s redness, burning, and skin is very hot to the touch. Sometimes there’s some very slight swelling. I used to get swelling in my feet to the point where I could not walk. If you haven’t been diagnosed yet, take photos of the flares to bring to your doctor. It’s helpful for diagnosis. Hope this helps you.
Yes, I was diagnosed by a rheumatologist at Mayo Clinic, who I still see. The face/ear flares are similar to the ones in my feet. There’s redness, burning, and skin is very hot to the touch. Sometimes there’s some very slight swelling. I used to get swelling in my feet to the point where I could not walk. If you haven’t been diagnosed yet, take photos of the flares to bring to your doctor. It’s helpful for diagnosis. Hope this helps you.
For me it took a few months. At first, I was diagnosed with Raynaud’s Syndrome. My first rheumatologist was less experienced. I didn’t agree with the diagnosis, and due to other health issues, sought a consult at Mayo.
I brought in photos and a list of symptoms. If you go to someplace like Mayo, you’ll be asked for previous medical files and imaging that pertains to your case. But, my doctor took one look at my photos and said it looked like Erythromelalgia. Mayo tends to see the rare disorders at a higher frequency, so that was to my benefit. They also asked me to go get my blood drawn to rule out any other disorders or identify any other co-existing rheumatoid conditions. Good luck with everything.
Hi,Im getting ready to talk to a Dr. for the first time about my Erythromelalgia symptoms. He is a highly recommended Rheumatologist. My appointment is for other for other concerns,but have figured out these symptoms since then. Sorry if this is all over the place..but should I contact him and see if he is familiar with this beforehand? I think i should, but not sure how to go about it. Also, i get very tired and have trouble concentrating at the appointment. What can i do to prepare...as in writing things down to remember and such or even physically? Any advice would be great, thanks.
Yes, write down all your questions, and don't leave the office until you have answers --- AND take someone with you who can write replies on a note pad
Hi,Im getting ready to talk to a Dr. for the first time about my Erythromelalgia symptoms. He is a highly recommended Rheumatologist. My appointment is for other for other concerns,but have figured out these symptoms since then. Sorry if this is all over the place..but should I contact him and see if he is familiar with this beforehand? I think i should, but not sure how to go about it. Also, i get very tired and have trouble concentrating at the appointment. What can i do to prepare...as in writing things down to remember and such or even physically? Any advice would be great, thanks.
@januaryjane I agree with the suggestions given by @emfm4me and @lois6524 . Having things written down and photographs will help a great deal. Also take someone with you. Someone who knows you and will be your advocate. And don’t let yourself be afraid of the doctor—he is here to help you. I know you’ll do well. Can you follow everyone’s suggestions?
Hello, I am hoping there is someone here that can help me. I have a 16 year old daughter who is currently being seen by numerous specialists to determine if she in fact has erythromelalgia. Her primary problem is in her hands which swell, become very red and then subsequently severely painful after activity. She has some mild feet involvement which is generally just color change. She has been seen by orthopedics, rheumatology, neurology and today was cardiology. The majority of her providers are at Johns Hopkins. All rheumatology studies were negative. The neurologist is the provider which suggested erythromelalgia and we are looking into possible genetic testing. The neurologist recommended starting with supplemental magnesium for a month and then return to clinic for possible start on gabapentin. The Cardiologist found nothing abnormal and did not believe there was a cardiac component. The frustrating part is no one has really heard of the condition or seen a patient with it so we are sort of spinning in circles. My insurance does not cover Mayo Clinic, but there must be other providers (especially with Johns Hopkins in our backyard) who have some sort of knowledge to let us know if this is, or is not the condition. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations of what to do next so that we can find out if she does in fact have this and if not....move on to the next step. Thank you in advance!!
Hello, I am hoping there is someone here that can help me. I have a 16 year old daughter who is currently being seen by numerous specialists to determine if she in fact has erythromelalgia. Her primary problem is in her hands which swell, become very red and then subsequently severely painful after activity. She has some mild feet involvement which is generally just color change. She has been seen by orthopedics, rheumatology, neurology and today was cardiology. The majority of her providers are at Johns Hopkins. All rheumatology studies were negative. The neurologist is the provider which suggested erythromelalgia and we are looking into possible genetic testing. The neurologist recommended starting with supplemental magnesium for a month and then return to clinic for possible start on gabapentin. The Cardiologist found nothing abnormal and did not believe there was a cardiac component. The frustrating part is no one has really heard of the condition or seen a patient with it so we are sort of spinning in circles. My insurance does not cover Mayo Clinic, but there must be other providers (especially with Johns Hopkins in our backyard) who have some sort of knowledge to let us know if this is, or is not the condition. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations of what to do next so that we can find out if she does in fact have this and if not....move on to the next step. Thank you in advance!!
Hello @alangrd, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I know it can't be easy to watch your daughter suffer and not be able to find a treatment that helps. You mentioned the majority of your daughters providers are at John Hopkins. You may find the following John Hopkin's patient story helpful as his symptoms seem similar to your daughters symptoms.
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Yes, im in the process. Thanks. May i ask how long it took to diagnose? Was it ever misdiagnosed??
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2 ReactionsAlso, what was your diagnosis process?
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2 ReactionsI wake every morning with a flared face. Pink or red and the heat index varies with the color. Luckily it settles after about an hour or so.
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3 ReactionsFor me it took a few months. At first, I was diagnosed with Raynaud’s Syndrome. My first rheumatologist was less experienced. I didn’t agree with the diagnosis, and due to other health issues, sought a consult at Mayo.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI brought in photos and a list of symptoms. If you go to someplace like Mayo, you’ll be asked for previous medical files and imaging that pertains to your case. But, my doctor took one look at my photos and said it looked like Erythromelalgia. Mayo tends to see the rare disorders at a higher frequency, so that was to my benefit. They also asked me to go get my blood drawn to rule out any other disorders or identify any other co-existing rheumatoid conditions. Good luck with everything.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHi,Im getting ready to talk to a Dr. for the first time about my Erythromelalgia symptoms. He is a highly recommended Rheumatologist. My appointment is for other for other concerns,but have figured out these symptoms since then. Sorry if this is all over the place..but should I contact him and see if he is familiar with this beforehand? I think i should, but not sure how to go about it. Also, i get very tired and have trouble concentrating at the appointment. What can i do to prepare...as in writing things down to remember and such or even physically? Any advice would be great, thanks.
Yes, write down all your questions, and don't leave the office until you have answers --- AND take someone with you who can write replies on a note pad
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@januaryjane I agree with the suggestions given by @emfm4me and @lois6524 . Having things written down and photographs will help a great deal. Also take someone with you. Someone who knows you and will be your advocate. And don’t let yourself be afraid of the doctor—he is here to help you. I know you’ll do well. Can you follow everyone’s suggestions?
Hello, I am hoping there is someone here that can help me. I have a 16 year old daughter who is currently being seen by numerous specialists to determine if she in fact has erythromelalgia. Her primary problem is in her hands which swell, become very red and then subsequently severely painful after activity. She has some mild feet involvement which is generally just color change. She has been seen by orthopedics, rheumatology, neurology and today was cardiology. The majority of her providers are at Johns Hopkins. All rheumatology studies were negative. The neurologist is the provider which suggested erythromelalgia and we are looking into possible genetic testing. The neurologist recommended starting with supplemental magnesium for a month and then return to clinic for possible start on gabapentin. The Cardiologist found nothing abnormal and did not believe there was a cardiac component. The frustrating part is no one has really heard of the condition or seen a patient with it so we are sort of spinning in circles. My insurance does not cover Mayo Clinic, but there must be other providers (especially with Johns Hopkins in our backyard) who have some sort of knowledge to let us know if this is, or is not the condition. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations of what to do next so that we can find out if she does in fact have this and if not....move on to the next step. Thank you in advance!!
Hello @alangrd, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I know it can't be easy to watch your daughter suffer and not be able to find a treatment that helps. You mentioned the majority of your daughters providers are at John Hopkins. You may find the following John Hopkin's patient story helpful as his symptoms seem similar to your daughters symptoms.
No Longer Stopped in His Tracks: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/publications/hopkins_pulse/hopkins_pulse_spring_2015/no_longer_stopped_in_his_tracks
Can you contact the vascular medicine center at John Hopkins to see if they are able to help?
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