GCA or autoimmune condition appearing as rash on breast

Hi @twistedwillow, I added your discussion to the Autoimmune Diseases group as well as the PMR group. Other members like @12344 @msmerry @lilymol @brookraven @SusanEllen66 have also mentioned livido reticularis, so I'm bringing them into this discussion:

As you continue to search for answers, I thought you might appreciate this article from Mayo Clinic and the related discussion among members.
- Livedo reticularis: When is it a concern? https://www.mayoclinic.org/livedo-reticularis/expert-answers/faq-20057864

– Livedoid Vasculopathy or Livedo Reticularis (whole body face white) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/livedo-vasculopathy-or-livedo-reticularis-whole-body-face-white/

Have you previously been diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and you're now concerned that this has developed into giant cell arteritis (GCR) of the breast? Have I got that right? Do you have any other symptoms of GCR?

Thank you Colleen for your kind and interested reply. Yes, I have PMR, 7 years now, at first textbook with good response to prednisolone. My first flare came after my daughter was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. I stayed with her and her 8 year old daughter in the USA for six months and badly relapsed when I got back home to the UK. I gradually recovered and got down to 3 mags only to relapse again. The rash on my breasts started during this flare, horrible fatigue, high inflammatory markers. I also had sore scalp, jaw pain, ear pain and had an ultrasound, although my rheumatologist was at a conference and I had been on 30 mg for six weeks, which he said could confound the results. I still wonder, as every time I taper 1 mg (I am on 12 now) over two months my CRP and ESR spike again. I will take a look at the threads you suggested and again thank you for your help. I must admit at times I feel defeated.

Hello twistedwillow, I hope you can find answers. I was diagnosed with sjogrens after getting an infection. I have sjogrens related dysautonomia, SFN, livedo reticularis,and now maybe Crohn’s disease. The docs surmised that my livedo was related to my dysautonomia.

This is for Twisted Willow and Lilymol: T.W., try MSM, it lowers IL6, which may help you. L., try MSM and LDN. You will have to get a script from your rheummy for the LDN and a compounding pharmacy. I have Crohn's and it helped me immensely. I am not a doctor so do your own research but I have had good results from these.

Thank you for your kind reply suetex. I will certainly look into MSM. I live in the UK and my rheum is not interested in providing me with LDN. I know quite a few people in the USA take it but it is not readily available here.

That's a shame. I take it you have talked to a compounding pharmacy? There are a few on-line docs who will persribe ot. It is so safe that I wouldn't hesitate to use them if I had to.

I have a rash under my left breast. It's not itchy or terrible, just there. It comes and goes. I've been attributing it to the extreme heat and dampness in that area and sometimes I put a tissue or makeup pad between my bra and the rash. Never thought of it being GCA. I have a phone convo with Rheumie at end of month so perhaps she will shed some light, not that she will be able to look at the rash. This is why I despise telephone appointments.

I was diagnosed with PMR in June. My doctors prescribed 20 mg of prednisone & within 3 days I was pain free & back to normal. He has wean me down to 9 mg & the stiffness & range of motion has returned. I have not experienced any pain so far but I’m afraid if I decrease the mg, like my doctor said, I will start getting more severe symptoms. should I stay at 9mg or increase till I feel no symptoms. My doctor says to increase another mg. until I see him next month. Is it best to stay at 9 mg for a little longer hoping these symptoms will go away & then decrease at that point or increase now until I have no symptoms. Anxious to get off the meds

I agree that teleexams are unsatisfying. As for the rash, as someone who has constant heat rash under my breasts when it is warm, I suggest trying a medicated powder under your breast constantly and see if it clears up on its own. You should know in a few days if it will help.

I think this is quite different to my rash mikd835. It’s red and mottled and covers most of the breast. I occasionally the kind of rash you describe and a light application of cortisone cream takes care of it.