Question: Recently I went to the emergency room because I have a red spotted rash that spread over my legs, and a little bit bellow my belly button. The doctor who saw me said I had vasculitis, or that was his guess. All of my test results came back fine, except for my urine sample which had blood and protein, and my white blood cells were slightly elevated. I am on my period, which explains the blood but not the protein. The bumps itch and I've been treated with Benadryl to help with the itching and put on the steroid prednisone for inflammation on my legs (the bumps were raised and swollen, I think from itching). I've been drinking a lot of water and taking my meds which seem to have helped, I just can't help shake the feeling that I have been misdiagnosed and there is a different underlying problem. I haven't had any fevers, I've had some pain at my ankles and calves, and a persistent headache, as well as some nasal congestion, and a few weeks prior I was treated for strep. I've never used drugs and/or alcohol, never had any surgeries, and the only health issue I've had has been PCOS. My Husband was in the hospital about a month ago with a very aggressive case of HFMD, but the bumps I have look nothing like his. They are small and close together, very red and not blistery. How does Vasculitis get diagnosed when it is so rare? Do my symptoms match with what is known of Vasculitis? What should I talk to my primary care doctor about when I go in for my follow-up appointment? What questions are important? What do I need to know going forward if this is Vasculitis?

Visited with my doctor who also came to the conclusion that I have vasculitis. I did look up erythema nodosum and while it was similar, it wasn't exactly spot on. My spots are small and look almost like measles, except it only appears on my lower legs/thighs and barely on my stomach. I asked about doing a biopsy, but my doctor said it wasn't necessary and had me do a number of tests, telling me that depending on how the results came back he would either refer me to a rheumatologist or have me continue treatment with him. I finished my prednisone prescription and did a 24 hour urine test because there was blood and protein in my urine and they were worried about kidney damage.

The bumps did finally clear up while I was on the prednisone, but after my prescription finished, and from being on my feet half of the day, I once again broke out in the same rash and my blood pressure reading was high 130/100.

With the new development, I called my doctors office to try and get an appointment. Much to my dismay, my doctors office wouldn't see. I asked if there was anyway they could squeeze me in so I could come in to get a new prescription for a steroid, but was told they were booked out until november. Since they were unwilling to help me, I went to the hospital and they reluctantly prescribed me with another five days of the prednisone. After my hospital visit, I called back my doctors office and was told to come in for a walk-in appointment tomorrow (I may or may not be seen). My follow up appointment isn't until August 12th and the hospital would not prescribe me anything to tide me over until then. When off the prednisone my blood pressure rises, I get weak/tired, achy, and I break out in red spots all over again.

I'm leaving on a vacation that our family has been planning for well over a year and my prescription runs out before we leave. I'm concerned about my condition and having to be on my feet all day for five days straight without anything to help me through the day. Not sure what I should do or the kind of action I need to take, I feel like the doctors are gambling with my health.