livedoid vasculitis

Since many many have asked about it, the exact precise medical term for my mystery baikar illness is actually livedoid vasculitis.

It is related somwhat to lupus, which more people have heard of, and is similarly an attack of the immune system, which leads to the breaking down of blood vessels and circulation. It is not a skin problem, does not itch, and is not contagious.

It can be life threatening if it affects the liver and major organs, but don't worry, the docs have run all the tests and all my insides are fine and healthy. But it is also frustrating, cos my entire body is ok, except for the limbs, and they don't know the cause. So they can only treat the symptoms.

Saw yet another specialist today, hopefully the last one ever in this lifetime, at the National Skin Centre. [Yes, even though it is not a skin disease, I go to the NSC because "the problem manifests itself on the skin".]

The doc, supposed to be one of three who specialise in this in Singapore and has done research on it, basically didn't tell me anything new or prescribe any super new fancy cure-all drug.

Complete rest, no walking around, minimise risk of infection, etc. And then without even blinking, he gave me another two weeks of medical leave. So I came back to work for a day today and did pretty much nothing, except talk to my very sympathetic boss and make arrangements to take leave for the duration [seeing how I've finally run out of medical leave].

So, come visit me if you're in the neighbourhood. I'm gonna be housebound and very bored.