Finally got to see a dermatologist

DanaC · 09-08-2011, 05:49 AM

Well, actually, not a consultant dermatologist but a GP who specialises in skin conditions.

Been waiting to get to see her for months. She only does two days a week and has had some time off to deal with family stuff. Made three appointments, two of which were cancelled by the surgery and one by me.

I seem to have been on an antibiotic merry-go-round for the longest time. Averaging between 5 and 10 courses a year for the last two years. The past year in particular I seem to have been bouncing from infection to infection, with each course of antibiotics almost clearing it then the infection gradually creeping back up again after I finish the course, until it explodes across 70-80% of my skin surface and I am back at the docs for more antibiotics.

Turns out, there's also a viral infection involved. Herpatic eczema. That then compromoses my skin and I go down with a bacterial eczema infection which clears up with the anti-biotics...leaving the viral infection untouched, which then means I reinfect with bacterially infected eczema and need antibiotics again.

Trouble is that viral infections of the skin are usually very localised. A cold sore for instance. Full on infection over large areas is very rare, except in people with eczema, where it is more common. Most GPs won't come across this and won't think to look for it, or recognise it.

This makes sense to me. She's explained the difference between the two, what to look for and when to seek antibiotics or antivirals.

Suddenly I feel like I may actually be able to get control of this. Fucking hope so, because frankly it's been seriously impacting my ability to live a 'normal' life for quite some time now.

Anyways. There we go. Feeling better and hopefully the anti-virals I've been prescribed will get this sorted.

Pico and ME · 09-08-2011, 07:21 AM

Thats wonderful, Dana, I hope the anti-virals do the trick, and you finally get some breathing space.

Griff · 09-08-2011, 07:54 AM

I hope the anti-virals come through. Feels good to have some hope doesn't it?

DanaC · 09-08-2011, 08:00 AM

Sure does. *smiles* ta guys

infinite monkey · 09-08-2011, 08:01 AM

Wishing you the best in this, Dana!

glatt · 09-08-2011, 08:06 AM

I like this doctor. Glad you are getting some sound advice now and have a plan of attack.

Spexxvet · 09-08-2011, 08:20 AM

If you need help smearing something all over your body, let me know.

Pete Zicato · 09-08-2011, 09:14 AM

Excellent! I hope this does the trick for you.

Sundae · 09-08-2011, 09:18 AM

Bloody hell, what a difference a single visit can make. Think of all the money wasted on half-assed treatment all this time. No to mention what it's put you through in terms of wasted time and actual distress.

Isn't it always the way, that once you get to see the right person it turns out you're not alone in this and there is something that can be done?!

So glad you've caught a break honey, and everything crossed that this will be a big help going forwards.

jimhelm · 09-08-2011, 10:47 AM

YAY

classicman · 09-08-2011, 01:23 PM

Happy for you. Hope all works out well with the new meds.

limey · 09-08-2011, 05:09 PM

Good good, glad you've seen someone sensible!

Clodfobble · 09-08-2011, 05:17 PM

That's fantastic, Dana! Let us know how it goes.

Aliantha · 09-08-2011, 05:23 PM

Good for you Dana. I hope it works out for you.

Now if only a dermatologist (I mean daylight robber) could fix my psoriasis!

Pete Zicato · 09-09-2011, 12:44 PM

It's possible that I've misunderstood Dana's story, but this is the sort of thing I worry about nationalized health care. Even under an HMO, as I am, I would not have to wait more than a week or so to get in to see a dermatologist. And it would be a real dermatologist, not a GP specializing.

09-08-2011, 07:21 AM	#2
Pico and ME Are you knock-kneed? Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Middle Hoosierland Posts: 3,549	Thats wonderful, Dana, I hope the anti-virals do the trick, and you finally get some breathing space. __________________ Jesse LaGreca in 2012 “Seven Deadly Sins: Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Science without humanity, Knowledge without character, Politics without principle, Commerce without morality, Worship without sacrifice.” – Mahatma Gandhi Last edited by Pico and ME; 09-08-2011 at 08:25 AM.

09-08-2011, 07:54 AM	#3
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	I hope the anti-virals come through. Feels good to have some hope doesn't it? __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

09-08-2011, 08:20 AM	#7
Spexxvet Makes some feel uncomfortable Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,346	If you need help smearing something all over your body, let me know. __________________ "I'm certainly free, nay compelled, to spread the gospel of Spex. " - xoxoxoBruce

09-08-2011, 09:14 AM	#8
Pete Zicato Turns out my CRS is a symptom of TMB. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 2,916	Excellent! I hope this does the trick for you. __________________ Talk nerdy to me.

09-08-2011, 09:18 AM	#9
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Bloody hell, what a difference a single visit can make. Think of all the money wasted on half-assed treatment all this time. No to mention what it's put you through in terms of wasted time and actual distress. Isn't it always the way, that once you get to see the right person it turns out you're not alone in this and there is something that can be done?! So glad you've caught a break honey, and everything crossed that this will be a big help going forwards. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

09-08-2011, 08:01 AM	#5
infinite monkey Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 13,002	Wishing you the best in this, Dana!

09-08-2011, 08:06 AM	#6
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I like this doctor. Glad you are getting some sound advice now and have a plan of attack.

09-08-2011, 10:47 AM	#10
jimhelm a beautiful fool Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: 39.939705 Posts: 4,504	YAY __________________ There's a Shadow just behind me. Shrouding every step I take. Making every promise empty, pointing every finger at me. _tool

09-08-2011, 01:23 PM	#11
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Happy for you. Hope all works out well with the new meds. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

09-08-2011, 05:09 PM	#12
limey Encroaching on your decrees Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: An island within the south-west coast of Scotland Posts: 7,016	Good good, glad you've seen someone sensible! __________________ Living it up on the edge ... of civilisation, within the southwest coast of

09-08-2011, 05:17 PM	#13
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	That's fantastic, Dana! Let us know how it goes. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

09-08-2011, 05:23 PM	#14
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Good for you Dana. I hope it works out for you. Now if only a dermatologist (I mean daylight robber) could fix my psoriasis! __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

09-09-2011, 12:44 PM	#15
Pete Zicato Turns out my CRS is a symptom of TMB. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 2,916	It's possible that I've misunderstood Dana's story, but this is the sort of thing I worry about nationalized health care. Even under an HMO, as I am, I would not have to wait more than a week or so to get in to see a dermatologist. And it would be a real dermatologist, not a GP specializing. __________________ Talk nerdy to me.

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