Hi my name is Tara I'm 43 and have always been very healthy. I had some small spots on the top of my feet that I ignored for about a year. Then in Aug I woke up one day to find myself covered in small red bumps. Maybe about 100 different spots! Legs, feet, and elbows. I was experiencing a lot of stress at the time. Over the last year my dad died, my boyfriend broke up with me, I got an eviction notice on my rental, and then the day before the GA appeared my mom told me she is selling the family house which I didn't take well. I cried all day, felt like I was on the verge of getting a cold and thought I might wake up the next day sick. Instead I woke up with GA all over.
I didn't know what it was at the time. Thought I might have bed bugs. Spent months going crazy cleaning my apartment, it was a nightmare. Finally saw a dermatologist who said it looked like a contact dermatitis. Then after 2 months with no change i went back to the dermatologist and had a biopsy, positive for GA.
The dermatologist said there's no cure and there's no reason to see her since there's nothing she can do. That was in November. I spent the next 2 months in a severe depression... can't stop crying, this is very usual for me to be this sad even with all thats happened. My b12 levels are on the low side and I asked my Dr for b12 shots and he refused. I think he thinks I'm a hypochondriac. I'm now seeing a naturalpath Dr who thinks I have an underlying parasite infection, I live in Hawaii. So in a week I'm going to start medication to kill the parasites. Praying this madness ends soon... maybe once I get rid of the parasites the GA will get better. ? Hoping
I'm now having hair loss too. And it's bad. I used to be pretty. Now every time i look at myself i cry. Was a professional athlete, I'm gluten free and dairy free, very health conscious. Now completely depressed. Sorry for the long post.... I don't really have anyone to talk to about this. At least no one that understands.
MSM worked for my wife but I think you may have to try different variations to your diet until you figure what you are lacking or what triggers it. I hope you find something that works for you.
Hi Tara! I'm 48 and type 1 diabetic for 27 years. My GA started like yours, a couple of weird spots on my feet. After about 4-5 months a noticed the red bumps all over the backs of my thighs. Tried all kinds of creams, scrubs...you name it. I didn't address it with my Dr. until it started creeping around to the top of my thighs and up my sides. He sent me to a dermatologist which confirmed it was GA (which I had never heard of before that). I have had monthly steroid (Kenalog) shots for the last 4 months and it is slowly fading but not gone yet. I would suggest a different dermotologist. I've also read that light therapy can be helpful. I hope this helps you. Oh, and I have to think that the stress you are going through is playing a huge part too. I hope things get better for you.
My deepest sympathy. Please get it biopsied before you start taking meds. I'm suprised the naturopath wouldn't suggest that first. Find another naturopath too.
I understand. No one has been able to help me either. My GA starts small and then grows into a huge ring. It's embarrassing. It looks like ring worm. I have it on my ankles, all around my lower legs, all over my forearms and now the tops of my hands which I can't hide. If something works for you let us all know.
Hi with my wife she said MSM took about 2 months for noticeable reduction of bumps then 6 months for most of them to disappear it has been 1.5 years and she has no noticeable bumps. There is some slight evidence that only she can notice.