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What Causes Recurring Painful Lumps On Legs And Back?
I started taking Chantix at the end of Dec. 2014, with a quit date of 1/5/15. I noticed a red painful bump on my left ankle about a month after I started taking Chantix. I began getting more and more of these red bumps on both of my legs mainly on the front, but a couple on the back. I knew this definitely wasn t normal, so I went to see an Internal Medicine Dr. 2 days ago. He diagnosed my problem as Erythema Nodosum. He had me do a Strep throat culture, TB test, chest x-ray, and lab work. Everything came back negative. He said it was idiopathic, since he found no known cause. I still think it could be the Chantix since the EN started only a month after I began taking it. I stopped taking the Chantix on 4/6/15. Have there been other cases where Chantix caused this disease? Thank you!
Thu, 27 Apr 2023
Hi,
Erythema nodosum (EN) is a condition that causes painful red bumps or nodules to appear on the skin, usually on the shins, ankles, or forearms. It can also affect the thighs, buttocks, and back. The nodules can range in size from a pea to a golf ball and may be accompanied by fever, fatigue, and joint pain. EN can be associated with a variety of underlying conditions, including infections, medications, and autoimmune diseases.
While the exact cause of EN is not fully understood, some cases have been associated with the use of certain medications, including Chantix (varenicline). Chantix is used to help quit smoking and it needs to be prescribed by a doctor. According to the drug's prescribing information, skin reactions, including EN, have been reported in patients taking Chantix. However, it is important to note that EN can also occur without any identifiable cause.
If you suspect that your EN may be related to your use of Chantix, it is important to discuss this with your healthcare provider. They may recommend that you discontinue the use of the medication and monitor your symptoms. If your symptoms persist or worsen, your healthcare provider may recommend additional testing or treatment.
In summary, EN is a condition that can cause painful red bumps or nodules on the skin. While the cause of EN is not fully understood, some cases have been associated with the use of certain medications, including Chantix. If you suspect that your EN may be related to your use of Chantix, it is important to discuss this with your healthcare provider.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician
Erythema nodosum (EN) is a condition that causes painful red bumps or nodules to appear on the skin, usually on the shins, ankles, or forearms. It can also affect the thighs, buttocks, and back. The nodules can range in size from a pea to a golf ball and may be accompanied by fever, fatigue, and joint pain. EN can be associated with a variety of underlying conditions, including infections, medications, and autoimmune diseases.
While the exact cause of EN is not fully understood, some cases have been associated with the use of certain medications, including Chantix (varenicline). Chantix is used to help quit smoking and it needs to be prescribed by a doctor. According to the drug's prescribing information, skin reactions, including EN, have been reported in patients taking Chantix. However, it is important to note that EN can also occur without any identifiable cause.
If you suspect that your EN may be related to your use of Chantix, it is important to discuss this with your healthcare provider. They may recommend that you discontinue the use of the medication and monitor your symptoms. If your symptoms persist or worsen, your healthcare provider may recommend additional testing or treatment.
In summary, EN is a condition that can cause painful red bumps or nodules on the skin. While the cause of EN is not fully understood, some cases have been associated with the use of certain medications, including Chantix. If you suspect that your EN may be related to your use of Chantix, it is important to discuss this with your healthcare provider.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician
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