Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis

Question: Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis? My mother was diagnosed with Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis many years ago, and has been off and on steroids for years. While her condition seems to be relatively stable, my question is, can this disease cause damage to the brain...if so what kind of damage can it do and what would some of the symptoms be, reason being, my mother is displaying some strange behavior that I've never seen before..and on her last doctors visit, she was told that brain damage can occur, she is also in her late 50's, so I'm trying to establish a possible reason for this behavior change, the most things I notice is occasional forgetfulness, deliberate lying, confusion, she gets quite emotional, this is causing alot of problems in my relationship and with my child as well, as we all live together at the moment, just in general not normal behavior for her...any help would be greatly appreciated my mom isnt going through menopause..she had a hysterectomy many years ago and they removed her ovaries as well, she has been on steroids off and on, but doesnt do well on them, so the doctors are trying her on other medications.

Answer: I also have vasculitis, but from a different disease.and yes it can affect the brain too, but just guessing here, it is possible for your Mom to be going through Menopause. Another idea could be the years of steroids? http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/ I have read that long term steroid use can cause personality changes. If your Mother is very stressed, she may not be realizing changes in herself. Is she on an antidepressant? Just a few thoughts. none can explain the lying though unless she is doing it as self preservation or denial about life's hard knocks. Good luck to you all.

Question: What are the treatments for leukocytoclastic vasculitis? I am taking a medication called Dapsone, but it doesn't seem to be working any longer.

Answer: You could try FLP Aloe Vera Drinking Gel and FLP topical Aloe Vera Gelly

Question: Anyone out there with Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis? I've been dealing with this condition for more than a month now. It never goes away completely, it seems like I always get petechiae on my hands and arms and back. I had just started seeing someone new two weeks before this happened. As soon as this happened we stopped having sex, and I wonder if it's okay to start again.

Answer: Hello, I felt compelled to respond to your posted question. I was diagnosed with leukocytoclastic vasculitis in 1996. I am very familiar with it, and the nature of the flare-ups, the many different types of vasculitis, steroidal treatments, and the fact that for me as well--it never seems to "completely go away". My understanding (I say, because I am not a physician) is that each severe flareup (and subsequent blood vessel blockage) can also cause nerve damage in that area. This can make the affected area(s) tender, even without a full-blown flare up. I also share this painful part of the condition. If you were diagnosed specifically with LCV by a physician, then I can't see where it has any relation to your sexual activity. I have not heard of that being a factor in all the years I have been dealing with my vasculitis (which initially presented itself in 1991) as a self-advocate who has researched the subject since my diagnosis was made--through blood work and multiple biopsies in 1996. Rather than dealing with bad information and wild speculations (from what I am reading in many medical-related responses here), I strongly suggest your going to the vasculitisfoundation.org website. Vasculitis is still a rare disease, and is still largely a mystery to the vast majority of the medical community, in spite of any ego grumblings to the contrary. This foundation of medical researchers and other medical professionals is the leading vasculitis research and treatment organization--without question, and can give you suggestions for regional doctors that specifically research and treat this condition. Additionally, the website is a wealth of information on the various types of vasculitis, symptoms, and support information. I highly recommend it. I know that this can help you. I hope this assists in giving you some degree of comfort, through information and support.

Question: Information regarding leukocytoclastic vasculitis? My 16 year old daughter was diagnosed with leukocytoclastic vasculitis does anyone have information regarding the symptoms and what will happen to her, ect. Thank you Deborah PS I am very worried and scared with what is happening to her.

Answer: Typically they show up as lesions on the forearms and legs. Your daughter obviously had a reaction to a drug or a bug. They usually try to rule-out what the cause is to determine treatment. She may benefit from antihistamines (couldn't hurt to try Claritin) I'd copy the information verbatim, but I'll include a few links below for you to look at. UPDATE: I agree with Alf below, anti-inflammatory medication should help as well.

Question: one week after protected sex, i got leukocytoclastic vasculitis on feet, is this symptom of hiv ? I had very safe sex with a prostitute, i used 3 condoms one on top of the other very carefully,i didn't do any oral sex with her, i didn't even kiss her, but after 5 days i got leukocytoclastic vasculitis on my both feet, it is diagnosed and treated well. i had blood tests for syphilis and herpes they were negative only, but my question is ,is that a symptom of hiv? even i used 3 condoms, while removing condoms does virus spread into my body in any way? Pl help me

Answer: No this is not a symptom of HIV infection. I can tell you this for two reasons. 1) Most people are asymptomatic well into their infections. Some people with HIV experience what is known as "acute retroviral syndrome" shortly after their infection, however this is composed of flu-like symptoms. Your condition is likely not associated with these acute HIV symptoms. 2) Your risk of contracting HIV through the activities that you have described is minimal, almost negligible. If you used three latex condoms properly, there would have been absolutely no transmission of body fluids unless they were non-sexual (i.e. needle-sharing, etc.) You don't really need to worry. However, I'm not a doctor and when in doubt, get tested. The traditional ELISA test requires a window period of up to six months (most people seroconvert in a significantly shorter period of time, but ELISAs have provided false-positives up to six months), however there are new tests available now that can detect viral loads between 12-16 days after infection. Chances are you are not infected, but get tested. It's the ONLY way to be sure.

Question: It is worth the risks to take prednisone for Leukocytoclastic vasculitis? I was diagnosed with leukocytoclastic vasculitis and prescribed prednisone for 5 weeks. I have a mild case which I can control the severity by eliminating factors such as standing at long lengths in heels and eliminating consumption of any alcohol. I fly every week which I think makes the condition worse and I cannot limit flying because of my job. Anyways, I have heard so many horror stories of prednisone and its side effects and would like to know if anyone else has taken it for vasculitis and if it worked and was worth suffering the side effects. Also, if you had vasculitis and cured it without prednisone, how did you cure it? I have had vasculitis for 5 months now (however, just now diagnosed) and the symptoms are mild to moderate petechia (red dots from imflammed blood vessels) on the feet and legs. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Answer: If it only affects the skin, it rarely affects internal organs. Prednisone is a high-power drug, with some serious side effects. I suggest discussing this with your doctor. If there is no evidence of involvement of anything but skin, and you can control it, you might be able to taper off the prednisone. Don't do anything without discussing it in detail with your doctor.

Question: Anybody out there have vasculitis of any kind? what type of treatment have you received? Just curious how many people have this uncommon disease and what treatment you have received or are receiving? Have you managed to get it into remission at any point? Did it return? I have leukocytoclastic vasculitis only involving the skin but interested in anyone's response with any kind of vasculitis. Did they ever figure out what caused it? Any and all info someone has will be appreciated. Thanks

Answer: I have vasculitis for the past 2-3 years. I think I got an allergic reaction to a medication I was taking. I just woke up one morning and started limping. I went to my doctor and had blood work done and basically it showed lots of imflamation. I went to a RH Specialist and had a MRI and he also sent me to a Neurologist. Basically I was put on Predisone. I still had symptoms even though my inflamation was controlled. I stopped seeing him because he wanted to put me on lots of muscle relaxers and I still had pain but nothing like what I had in the beginning. I can't walk up stairs because it flares up the inflamation in my legs. I also have it in my arms.