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Suggest Treatment For Vitiligo In An Elderly Person

Posted on Mon, 4 Jan 2016

Question: I am a 63 year old female who developed vitiligo on my face, eyelashes and some hair near my face after a terrible headache. When I was 15 a developed one spot, about the size of a quarter of alapetia (sic). It went away. Throughout my life the alepetia returne. One time in my late 20's I developed one in the middle of the front of my head that grew to tho size of an orange. As, before, it grew back from the middle to where it started to the edges. Recently I have ad stomach problems even after my scared gala bladder was removed. I also was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and it can be quite painful. I have had problems with depression since I was a teen and have been seeing psychiatrists and psychologists on and off since age ten. Recently It has worsened and getting out of bed is hard to do. I want to know if this link of autoimmune diseases can be related to something that can be diagnosed. Please let me know . My family has a history of depression and crippling osteoarthritis. Could iI possibly have rhumatoid arthritis or some other related disease?
My medications:
Lexepro
STRATTERA
BUPROPION
TRAZODONE

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follows.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Thank you for posting your query on HCM.

Well looking into your problem I would like to tell you that , since you had alopecia areata and now had developed vitiligo , yes there can be autoimmune disease in you . I would advise you to get your thyroid levels checked as hypothyroidism may also present with same symptoms and also get ANA done to rule out Lupus . Rheumatoid arthritis doesnt seem to be a possibility in your case . Any other query please ask .

Take care.

Dr. Shruti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (11 hours later)

My thyroid is fine and I do not have Lupis. What other diseases could I be tested for. Thank you.
I got vitiligo 6 years before Alepecia.
I have read about new information about links between autoimmune diseases. Is there a qualified specialist in this field at this site who is linked to this new research?
Please send me an answer in a timely matter.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follows.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Thank you for reverting back.

Have you been tested for Lupus , your ANA has been done or not . Then my best bet is for Fibromyalgia . I am also a specialist at autoimmune disease and all of them are linked with each other . But to prove that we need a panel of autoimmune tests for looking into diseases .Please ask for which particular link you are looking for .

Take care.

Dr. Shruti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (13 hours later)

I have XXXXXXX tested for Lupus and my ANA has been done. As I said before, I do not have Lupus. I thought Fibromyalgia is a category that they put all diseases that are not diagnosed into. There is no treatment or proof that it is anything but a hysterical diagnosis. I live close to XXXXXXX Does The Brigham's and Woman"s or Mass. General have any program that tests for these sorts of illnesses? Do you know of a doctor who I should seek to consult with? Also, I got Vitiligo at age ten after the worst headache of my life. It actually felt like the back of my head was split open.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follows.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam ,

Well you have to look if a rheumatologist is available in these hospitals or not . You will have to see for that because physical examination is very important in determining the presence of Fibromyalgia as tender points can be elicited on examination only . Am sorry am not aware of any rheumatologist working in the hospitals that you have asked .

Dr. Shruti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (5 hours later)

MY NERVE ENDING ARE NOT THE PROBLEM. MY JOINTS AND STOMACH ARE PROBLEMATIC.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follows.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Tender points are not due to nerve endings they are due to painful muscles and joints . Also irritable bowel syndrome can be a part of fibromyalgia also that can give you stomach issues . So you need to be seen by a specialist to determine whats going on.

Dr. Shruti

Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar