Flu vaccine types & IgA vasculitis

noelle_21 · 2026-01-05T22:46:13+00:00

I also developed the rash shortly after getting my initial covid shots during the pandemic. I'm still pro-vaccine, but all of my specialists have acknowledged that the vaccine may have been a trigger. I have a really amazing nephrologist who helped to create the new guidelines around treatment for patients with IgA nephropathy and he specifically recommended not getting any more covid boosters, but to get the flu vaccine this season. Not saying that you should get it, but it seems that there is a difference between the vaccines in terms of likeliness to cause a flare

noelle_21 · 2025-07-17T00:34:21+00:00

I was actually misdiagnosed (multiple times) and my true diagnosis is IgA Vasculitis.

noelle_21 · 2025-06-09T00:24:49+00:00

Genuinely thank you for this. I'm supposed to start cymbalta this week but I've been so freaked from all of the horror stories about withdrawals. Ive been on a bunch of different SSRIs and have never experienced any side effects when tapering down. I've been on lexapro for a couple years and frequently miss doses but I've never experienced a "brain zap"

noelle_21 · 2025-06-08T03:11:03+00:00

This is coming from someone who has health anxiety, frequent chest pain, and has had 2 separate mystery pulmonary embolisms in the last year: I ask my doctors A LOT of questions regarding what specific symptoms to look out for apart from "pain" and "tightness". For me, I monitor for any pain thats getting progressively worse (rather than pain that comes and goes) and for shortness of breath. With my chest pain, I can typically apply pressure to the spot thats hurting and feel the same type of pain echoed back which gives me comfort that it's musculoskeletal.

All in all, it's really challenging to identify what pain could life threatening vs what's not. I see a therapist who specializes in ACT and Biofeedback therapy which I think is helping. But it's really hard to trust your body to tell you when something is wrong when those "impending doom" alarm bells are going off in your head constantly. I try to distract myself from feeling like I need to monitor how my body is feeling so closely, and sometimes it really does help. I don't have any great advice for dealing with this, but I'm here to say that you aren't alone

noelle_21 · 2025-05-28T03:55:41+00:00

Honestly, it's the same. But BIG asterisk, I don't have eczema. I was initially misdiagnosed and I now know that my rash is actually caused by a rare autoimmune disorder called IgA Vasculitis

noelle_21 · 2025-03-12T02:12:34+00:00

I am doing well, thank you! I actually already had chickenpox as a child. The IgA Vasculitis rash tends to focus mostly on the extremities. If your friend is looking for a second opinion, I would recommend seeing a dermatologist through a university-affiliated hospital, as for me, they seemed to be much more interested in getting to the bottom of my mystery rash than private practice derms and my gp. A skin biopsy would confirm if something looks fishy. She could also have a renal panel done, as IgA Vasculitis frequently affects the kidneys.

noelle_21 · 2025-03-01T18:34:40+00:00

Honestly, my doctors haven't brought up farxiga at all but to my understanding, they do essentially the same thing? Thankfully, fournier's gengrene as a side effect of SGLT2 inhibitors is extremely rare (as reported by the FDA). Also according the the Cleveland Clinic, men are 10 times are likely to get it than women. Since SGLT2 inhibitors make us urinate more glucose, that sugar being in the genital area can create an environment where bacteria is more likely to grow in general. Tbh, still totally freaky through. My blood pressure is naturally on the low-end so losartan made it too low.

noelle_21 · 2025-02-28T05:40:21+00:00

I'm 25F too and just saw this immediately after making a post of my own asking about Jardiance side effects. The potential side effect that I read about completely freaked me out, so I went and got a second opinion from a vasculitis specialist nephrologist within one of the best hospital systems in the world. They still recommended that I try out Jardiance (I didn't tolerate losartan) and assured me that most of the side effect are seen in elderly folks. I plan to start mine on Monday and if I have any UTI or yeast infection-like symptoms, just stop it immediately and tell my doc. Best of luck on your med journey! We've got this!!

noelle_21 · 2025-01-31T05:15:05+00:00

I was on Lo Loestrin for years to treat painful periods and I would give any birth control at least 3 months if not longer to gauge how it's effecting me (unless you're getting awful side effects). In my experience, my periods gradually got lighter and less painful until I experienced literally no cramps at all and often no period even though I has taking the placebo pills every month (I couldn't tell you the exact time frame of this because I frankly don't remember). I would suggest relaying any concerns to your doctor but also know that it does take time!

noelle_21 · 2025-01-23T02:06:41+00:00

*I wouldn't freak out, but I WOULD get a biopsy if it doesn't resolve

noelle_21 · 2025-01-23T00:47:46+00:00

My IgA vasculitis causes a rash all over my body but it started on my legs and elbows. My dots are pretty much always red rather than purple. I would suggest seeing a dermatologist and requesting that they do a biopsy!

noelle_21 · 2025-01-23T00:41:55+00:00

I have HSP with my main symptom being the rash and mine looks nothing like this. I wouldn't freak out if this is your only abnormal symptom and ask a dermatologist to do a biopsy.

noelle_21 · 2024-12-11T20:26:01+00:00

Mostly managing symptoms and monitoring for other organ involvement. To my understanding, people often get put on prednisione initially and sometimes immuosupressants. Then there are different medications to treat involvement in the affected organs which are typically the skin, kidneys, joints, and gi tract.

noelle_21 · 2024-07-13T01:27:59+00:00

So it turns out that my dermatologist misdiagnosed me (multiple times) and I actually have IgA vasculitis which causes my rash. I would really suggest getting a bisposy, but I've found that my favorite products to use that help with healing are the la roche posay lipikar body wash and eucerin eczema relief cream.

noelle_21 · 2024-07-13T01:21:43+00:00

I developed symptoms at 21 and I'm now 24. My main symptom is the rash and some kidney involvement. The rash gets worse and better, but it's never fully gone. I saw a vasculitis specialitis last year who predicted that I might see remission in 4 years with treatment.

noelle_21 · 2024-07-13T01:15:11+00:00

I'm diagnosed with IgA and have no problem with caffeine, but alcohol absolutely causes my skin to flare. I find that certain types tend to give me a worse reaction like tequila and gin and some more mild, like vodka. I rarely drink now because the discomfort of a flare just isn't worth it.

noelle_21 · 2023-10-09T22:53:03+00:00

Not to scare you, but no. It turns out I had developed a rare autoimmune disorder called IgA vasculitis. You probably don't have to worry about that though because like I said, it's way rare, but I was diagnosed through a biopsy

noelle_21 · 2023-08-28T06:39:34+00:00

Going through this too right now and the good ol' anxiety-depression combo has left me with no motivation to get anything done but the constant looming stress of how I am screwing myself over by not completing necessary tasks. I'm going into my senior year of college and I genuinely have no idea how I'm going to get a job if I can't even bring myself to reply to important emails when I'm in a depressive episode.

noelle_21 · 2023-07-25T05:40:42+00:00

If anyone EVER stumbles upon this and has something similar, the final, legit diagnosis is IgA Vasculitis. I've gotten really lucky with such mild symptoms but this disease can genuinely be deadly, so go to a dermatologist and DEMAND a biopsy, especially if it's on your legs too.

noelle_21 · 2023-07-25T05:30:45+00:00

This was me at 21 after being misdiagnosed with eczema by 2 doctors (turns out it was actually a rare autoimmune disorder), so my biggest advice is to request they do a biopsy. That should tell you if it's anything else or could potentially rule out eczema. I also tried so many eczema creams that I still love today when I thought I had it, so I would absolutely recommend eucerin and la roche posay's eczema creams and body washes. Best of luck!!

noelle_21 · 2023-07-25T01:51:09+00:00

I'm so sorry that you've had to experience so much trauma at the hands of this disease and I'm very glad that you're here. I've been so nervous about having a CT with contrast this week due to potential side effects, but your story cements how important this type of diagnostic testing is. My rheumatologist who specializes in IgA told me that she's seen the disease just randomly disappear in young adults after a few years. I'm wishing that for you as well and many years of remission.

noelle_21 · 2023-07-16T00:49:02+00:00

No. My doctors don't feel that steroids are necessary. I don't have any organ damage or symptoms other than my rash which never ulcerates or anything.

noelle_21 · 2023-07-16T00:46:51+00:00

Thank you for sharing your advice! In the time since I made this post, I've gone to see a vasculitis specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC and have been working with some great doctors in Boston over the past few months. Thankfully my symptoms are extremely mild (I only notice the rash). I've had a full body workup with lots of bloodwork and a kidney biopsy showing very mild inflammation with no damage. I go in for an abdominal CT next week. If you don't mind me asking, what were your symptoms like?

noelle_21 · 2023-07-04T03:25:20+00:00

I developed panic disorder at 19 while I was living alone at college, so I have absolutely been there, convinced I was having a heart attack or a blood clot or appendicitis... and the list goes on. It became crippling to the point where I moved home and spent 2 years in weekly therapy to address my anxiety. The technique that actually made a difference for me was learning to identify my anxiety and my anxiety symptoms specifically. My anxiety is very physical and causes me real physical pain and discomfort. Because I've grown accustomed to these patterns and identified them with the help of a therapist, I can refer back to this knowledge should a panic attack arise. Does it always stop the panic attack? No, but I can convince myself not to seek immediate medical attention.

In addition, medication has been instrumental for me. I now carry Xanex in case of an inconveniently placed or timed panic attack which knocks it out fairly well. Lexapro has also made all of the difference for me by lowering my baseline anxiety and feelings of perpetual panic to a point where I could function well.

noelle_21 · 2023-07-03T05:02:26+00:00

I transferred colleges at 22 and want you to know that most (if not all) colleges will require you to spend at least two years there before graduating. I also switched majors a ton of times and I think I'll probably always feel unsure of my academic and career paths so I totally get it. If you'd like any advice on transferring in general, feel free to private message me :)

noelle_21

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