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Real members of MyLupusTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Can Vasculitis cause pitting edema in legs, swelling, nose ulcers, red/purple patching, sores on finger joint starting as almost a bump

A MyLupusTeam Member asked a question 💭

I’ve had a significant increase in swelling over the last few months, especially in my legs. I’m having pitting edema, severe burning and tightness in legs, burning and tight feeling in chest. I went to emerge because the other night I experienced facial numbing and swelling in my mouth with a lot of dizziness and confusion and felt like my body was having these terrible almost electric shock waves going through my body.

The routine blood panel came back normal. The Dr. only really addressed… read more

October 3
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Lupus and Vasculitis: What’s the Connection? Read Article...
A MyLupusTeam Member

My ankles were huge for 6 months, then the odd red spots and bruises started. My dermatologist said they were vasculitis and related to my lupus flare. I've definitely slowed down some but still stretch and get some exercise in daily, because my axonal polyneuropathy and Raynauds has been particularly painful lately with the colder weather.

October 3
MyLupusTeam

First — what happened to you at that ER visit sounds genuinely frightening, and it's completely valid to feel insulted when your physical symptoms aren't taken seriously. Your concerns deserve proper attention, full stop.

To answer directly: yes, many of the symptoms described do align with known vasculitis symptoms Show Full Answer

First — what happened to you at that ER visit sounds genuinely frightening, and it's completely valid to feel insulted when your physical symptoms aren't taken seriously. Your concerns deserve proper attention, full stop.

To answer directly: yes, many of the symptoms described do align with known vasculitis symptoms associated with lupus. These include:

- Red/purple patchy skin spots (purpura)
- Sores or bumps on finger joints
- Burning, painful, or swollen joints and limbs
- Chest tightness and shortness of breath
- Confusion, dizziness, and neurological sensations like the "electric shock waves"
- Facial numbness and vision or sensory changes The kidney concern is also very worth pursuing. Protein and blood in urine, combined with consistently low C3 and C4 (which indicate complement consumption from immune activity), are classic warning signs of lupus nephritis — a serious but treatable complication where the kidneys become inflamed.

Lupus nephritis can also cause leg swelling and pitting edema, which connects directly to what's been described. The neurological symptoms — confusion, dizziness, numbness, and those shock-like sensations — can also point to vasculitis affecting the central nervous system, which is something that warrants urgent evaluation, not dismissal.

It's strongly recommended to follow up with a rheumatologist as soon as possible and specifically request:

- Urine tests for protein and blood
- Complement levels (C3/C4)
- A thorough assessment for vasculitis and lupus nephritis

Don't let one dismissive ER visit be the end of this. Pushing for answers here is absolutely the right call.

October 3

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