Mysterious Bumps

[Edgecop]

So my first post on the Forum, in fact despite being diagnosed Type 2 in April, I only discovered this forum last week- wish I had sooner.

Short background before a question regarding Bumps. Diagnosed April when BS was 23.3 - weight 111kgs a factor obviously! , BP 160/120 not good,subsequent "healthy" diet saw a reduction to current weight 98kgs and BS varying from anything between 6 and 11 with mornings averaging 9, BP 128/90.

Some good progress I thought, but couldn't square away 2 issues.

1- Was shattered at end of day by 9pm- having read forum I believe this was down to my "healthy" diet which cut down on sugar and sat fats but not carbs which I had not realised were so damaging. Now on day 3 of Low Carb diet and will see if this helps the tiredness- BS readings have dropped to 6-6.5 consistently- no reading past 3 days above so that looks promising, but still struggling with tiredness- issue 2 however not so much...

2 - I started developing lumps under the skin fairly early after medication prescribed in April (Metformin x 2 500 twice a day, statins and Ramipril)- GP switched from Ramipril to Amlodipine and dropped statins completely. The lumps feel fatty and hurt when knocked- feel softish- a bit like putty.

The lumps however spread so now a have thirteen of varying degrees- two large lumps under skin on knees- 3 inches long , two in Gluts which are very uncomfortable on hard seats again 3 inches approx., 2 inch lumps both elbows,1 inch lumps on both thumbs, 1 1/2 inch lump left knuckle index finger left hand, shins have 1 inch lumps, feet and ankles also and several more developing from little pea sizes on wrist.

GP thought they were Lipomas- ultrasound dismissed this and consultant said he had no idea what they were- at least he could rule out Sarcomas! So next I await a biopsy which will not be for 6 weeks or so.

Anyone else have any experience with this kind of lumps? My guess is a by product of the Metformin/Amlodipine but in meantime I have some uncomfortable bumps to manage?

 

[AndBreathe]

So my first post on the Forum, in fact despite being diagnosed Type 2 in April, I only discovered this forum last week- wish I had sooner.

Short background before a question regarding Bumps. Diagnosed April when BS was 23.3 - weight 111kgs a factor obviously! , BP 160/120 not good,subsequent "healthy" diet saw a reduction to current weight 98kgs and BS varying from anything between 6 and 11 with mornings averaging 9, BP 128/90.

Some good progress I thought, but couldn't square away 2 issues.

1- Was shattered at end of day by 9pm- having read forum I believe this was down to my "healthy" diet which cut down on sugar and sat fats but not carbs which I had not realised were so damaging. Now on day 3 of Low Carb diet and will see if this helps the tiredness- BS readings have dropped to 6-6.5 consistently- no reading past 3 days above so that looks promising, but still struggling with tiredness- issue 2 however not so much...

2 - I started developing lumps under the skin fairly early after medication prescribed in April (Metformin x 2 500 twice a day, statins and Ramipril)- GP switched from Ramipril to Amlodipine and dropped statins completely. The lumps feel fatty and hurt when knocked- feel softish- a bit like putty.

The lumps however spread so now a have thirteen of varying degrees- two large lumps under skin on knees- 3 inches long , two in Gluts which are very uncomfortable on hard seats again 3 inches approx., 2 inch lumps both elbows,1 inch lumps on both thumbs, 1 1/2 inch lump left knuckle index finger left hand, shins have 1 inch lumps, feet and ankles also and several more developing from little pea sizes on wrist.

GP thought they were Lipomas- ultrasound dismissed this and consultant said he had no idea what they were- at least he could rule out Sarcomas! So next I await a biopsy which will not be for 6 weeks or so.

Anyone else have any experience with this kind of lumps? My guess is a by product of the Metformin/Amlodipine but in meantime I have some uncomfortable bumps to manage?

I haven't heard or read of anyone suffering with such lumps and bumps, associating them with Metformin. It could be that if you are losing weight, that some of these are becoming more apparent, where before they might have been under a bit more padding? I accept this is unlikely on fingers, for example.

If they are painful to touch, has any consideration been given to gout or other sensitivity issue?

Other than that, at least you are already under the care of a specialist who should have the diagnostic tools at their disposal.

 

[ButtterflyLady]

I haven't heard or read of anyone suffering with such lumps and bumps, associating them with Metformin. It could be that if you are losing weight, that some of these are becoming more apparent, where before they might have been under a bit more padding? I accept this is unlikely on fingers, for example.

If they are painful to touch, has any consideration been given to gout or other sensitivity issue?

Other than that, at least you are already under the care of a specialist who should have the diagnostic tools at their disposal.

I agree with the above. I was going to suggest GP and specialist, but you are already doing that, which is great. Is the specialist a dermatologist? This is a great website for dermatological conditions... could the lumps be lipoma? If not, there are some other conditions listed at the bottom of the page. It looks like lipoma can be diagnosed by biopsy.
http://www.dermnetnz.org/lesions/lipoma.html

I just want to also mention that as a diabetic, your BP should be below 130/80. 140/90 is the threshold for non-diabetics. You might want to get it re-checked by your GP and if still above 130/80, they should prescribe a med such as an ACE inhibitor. High BP can damage the kidneys. I didn't find lifestyle measures were enough to get my BP down.

 

[Edgecop]

Thanks both. The lumps could not have been hidden by the "padding"- nearly all except Gluts in exposed areas, elbow, shins, fingers and hand and are quite pronounced.It was quite a noticeable development within 1-2 weeks of taking medication.Before most of weight loss.

They do look and feel like Lipomas but consultant undertaking ultrasound ruled this out. Biopsy looks like the only way to really understand- will advise in 6 weeks.

Noted comments on BP - still a work in progress but feel I will get there- having regular checks every 3-4 weeks.

Thanks again

 

[ButtterflyLady]

Thanks both. The lumps could not have been hidden by the "padding"- nearly all except Gluts in exposed areas, elbow, shins, fingers and hand and are quite pronounced.It was quite a noticeable development within 1-2 weeks of taking medication.Before most of weight loss.

They do look and feel like Lipomas but consultant undertaking ultrasound ruled this out. Biopsy looks like the only way to really understand- will advise in 6 weeks.

Noted comments on BP - still a work in progress but feel I will get there- having regular checks every 3-4 weeks.

Thanks again

It does sound medication related, doesn't it? I checked the long list of possible side effects of both drugs on www.drugs.com . Amlodipine has more dermatological side effects than Metformin, but nothing like the lumps you describe. Still, the list is so long and wide-ranging, it's worth a look. Hopefully the biopsy helps solve the mystery.

Here's the list:
http://www.drugs.com/amlodipine.html