C&P exam on the 13th

[ShrekTheTank]

So I am trying to give the BVA a clear picture of my disease.  I have thought about marking my entire body to show where I have Lipomas (150 or so) with a circle and then a slash where I have had 120+ removed.  I was thinking of doing this before going to the rater that morning or taking picture of it to submit.  Any advice?

Synonyms of Dercum’s Disease

• Adiposis Dolorosa
• Fatty Tissue Rheumatism
• Juxta-Articular Adiposis Dolorosa
• Lipomatosis Dolorosa Morbus Dercum's

General Discussion

Dercum's disease is an extremely rare disorder characterized by multiple, painful growths consisting of fatty tissue (lipomas). These growths mainly occur on the trunk, the upper arms and upper legs and are found just below the skin (subcutaneously). Pain associated with Dercum's disease can often be severe. Pain may be caused by these growths pressing on nearby nerves. Dercum's disease mainly occurs in adults and more women are affected than men. In some cases, affected individuals may also experience weight gain, depression, lethargy, and/or confusion. The exact cause of Dercum's disease is unknown.

Signs & Symptoms

The characteristic finding of Dercum’s disease is the slow formation of multiple, painful growths consisting of fatty tissue (lipomas) that are found just below the surface of the skin. Pain may vary from mild discomfort when a growth is pressed or touched to severe pain that is disproportionate to the physical findings. Some affected individuals feel that “all fat hurts.” Pain can last for hours and may come and go or last continuously. In severe cases, pain may worsen with movement. The exact reason for pain associated with Dercum’s disease is unknown, but may occur because the lipomas press on nearby nerves. Lipomas may be found in any part of the body, although they are rare in the head and neck. The trunk, upper arms and upper legs are most often affected.

Some individuals with Dercum’s may experience swelling of various areas of the body, especially the hands. Swelling occurs for no apparent reason and often disappears without treatment. Significant weight gain is a common occurrence for most individuals affected by Dercum’s disease.

Additional symptoms may occur in individuals with Dercum’s disease including fatigue, generalized weakness, a tendency to bruise easily, headaches, irritability, and stiffness after resting, especially in the morning. An association with bouts of depression, memory or concentration problems, and a susceptibility to infection has been noted in some cases.

Additional reports in the medical literature have linked Dercum’s disease to a variety of conditions including arthritis, high blood pressure (hypertension), congestive heart failure, sleep disorders, dry eyes, and myxedema, a condition due to an underactive thyroid that is characterized by dry skin, swelling around the lips and nose, and mental deterioration.

[ShrekTheTank]

26 minutes ago, Buck52 said:

Good points from Vetquest, take your records with you just in case the examiner don't have them in the computer?..although they are suppose to and they are suppose to pre read them before your exam.

some examiners don't always do that.

I will great advice!