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Painful Lumps Under Skin
A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭

I have lots nodules under the skin of my forearms and upper inner thighs They are about 5to10mm in size. They are not attached to the muscle. When you pinch the skin they are like peas under the skin. I think whitish in colour. They are painful when squeezed. They can only be seen when you pull the skin tight. You can feel the nodules when you run your fingers over the skin. I can’t find a definitive explanation as to what these lumps are. Hoping someone can help me. Ron

posted April 28, 2018
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A MyFibroTeam Member

Hi Ron
These lumps/nodules are what they call a fibro rash.
There are a number of different types of skin-related symptoms that occur in fibromyalgia. Many of them are present alongside one another or become chronic problems. Skin-related fibromyalgia symptoms include the following:

Dry Skin – Many people with fibromyalgia are plagued with dry, cracked skin. Dry flaky skin can appear anywhere on the body, but it particularly affects the hands and fingers. Sometimes this dry skin will begin to peel and cause pain and discomfort.
Itchy Skin – Itchy skin is usually one of the most common skin complaints among those with fibromyalgia. Of course dry skin and rashes can make your skin itch but most often, with fibromyalgia, it occurs without any obvious cause. It is known as a sensory itch and has to do with how our body interprets pain signals.
Rashes – People with fibromyalgia often complain of skin rashes. The typical rash associated with fibromyalgia is red and can be flat or raised and bumpy. In some cases, there is also itchiness. Scratching or sun exposure can make the rash burn.
Mottled Skin – The skin of fibromyalgia sufferers often begins to change color, appearance, or tone. Mottled skin is due to blood vessel changes in the skin that cause a blotchy appearance. These blotches can appear anywhere on the body, particularly on the inside of the forearms and thighs.
Bruising – Many of us with fibromyalgia experience unexplained bruising. I often end up with bruises on my arms, legs and other areas of the body and don’t remember bumping into anything.
Painful Skin (Allodynia) – Allodynia is a fairly rare type of pain in which your skin hurts. Allodynia is believed to be a hypersensitive reaction to temperature and stimuli that wouldn’t normally cause pain. Even a light touch to the skin can be unbearable.
If you struggle with intense itching, red rashes or see a huge bruise that you have no memory of creating, you are not alone. These are not symptoms that you would naturally link to fibromyalgia, but they are connected.

posted April 28, 2018
A MyFibroTeam Member

Anyone with these lumps or nodules under the skin should ask their doctor about Dercums disease.

posted July 11, 2018
A MyFibroTeam Member

Thank you so much for this information. Sometimes I think I'm just being hypersensitive - but the pain and discomfort can hang around for days (weeks). I'm really glad I came across this site. I'm starting to understand so much more. I lived through almost 20 years of doctors and family telling me that my pain was 'just in my head'. Finally, I found a doctor intelligent enough to send me for testing (rheumatology, neurology). It was confirmed that, added to osteoarthritis and migraines, I have fibromyalgia. That was helpful ... and not ... since at that time there seemed not much could be done to improve my quality of life. With time, it got better. Not the fibro - the quality of life. I take things one day at a time - try to appreciate the times when I can just enjoy the moment. Getting lost in work and projects really helps. I don't know how I would cope if I couldn't do that!

posted April 30, 2018

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