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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be fucked off with this dermatologist and want to cry/smack him?

173 replies

SneakyGremlins · 19/05/2018 15:18

Skin issues AGAIN Sad

I've been on immunosuppressants for a month to try and tackle a really bad eczema flare up, which got serious enough to land me in A+E with suspected sepsis. I was previously on steroid tablets which cleared it up, but was told I couldn't stay on them.

Saw the dermatologist yesterday and let him know that the eczema is coming back worse than ever, despite immunosuppressants, and that I've been experiencing side effects - nausea, and feeling extremely disoriented and woozy for hours on end Sad

All he said was "We can't keep switching you from drug to drug", and that was that Sad He handed me a prescription for two more months of immunosuppressants, and sent me away.

This is just too much to handle, I can't go through all this again Sad I have the doctor on Monday, is there anything I can say?

I would genuinely rather have 40 years less lifespan and have them be clear skinned years Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
SneakyGremlins · 19/05/2018 16:47

Will check out the lush product and dermalex.

It's just tiring Sad

OP posts:
LetsGoBitches · 19/05/2018 16:48

That’s rough so to speak.💐

Another vote for dream cream, and an exclusion diet.

Have your tried a blood test for allergies? It doesn’t have to be a skin prick test.

I found out I have a serious egg white allergy. My excema, hay fever and asthma cleared up when I avoid eggs. They’re in everything though, so you end up putting so many things back on the shelf after reading labels.

topcat2014 · 19/05/2018 16:51

I had horrendous side effects on cyclosporin - literally water pouring out of my skin - I was 'steaming' when outside.

Changed to methotrexate, which I cope with really well - even though it is a 'toxic' drug needing blood tests etc.

Now pleased to say my life is almost normal.

No having to take a spare shirt to work to wear if I end up bleeding etc etc.

Eczema is an absolute bitch when you have it bad - and can get you depressed - but you will find something in the end.

Original poster
SneakyGremlins · 19/05/2018 16:56

Already having regular blood tests for Ciclosporin, so don't mind them - will enquire re methotrexate.

Let's I haven't, should I ask the gp about it?

OP posts:
HotChocolat · 19/05/2018 17:11

Have you tried protopic ointment? I had so much trouble with my excema and the nhs basically told me to live with it! Finally saw a private dermatologist and he proscribed the protopic ointment. The stuff is like magic and it's not a steroid so can be used daily if needed. Perhaps you could ask your dermatologist about it?

picklemepopcorn · 19/05/2018 17:21

Hi Sneaky, have you tried giving up shampoo? There are some really nasties in it. And of course it rinses down over your whole body.

adviceonthepox · 19/05/2018 17:23

My OH had ciclosporine then methotrexate and finally aziathioprine. The first 2 made him really ill but the last one has worked really well for him. He was on ciclosporine for 4 months before they would change it and it was only because it affected his kidneys that they did. Methotrexate made him really sick for days with awful headaches and tiredness. They changed that quickly after about 6 weeks. Push for another dermatologist appointment and request to be changed to another drug. Quality of life is important and they shouldn't just dismiss you!
Unfortunately they will never let you stay on oral steroids as they are not safe.

PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 19/05/2018 17:24

I knew it would be you Grems. Right, I'll RTFT now! 😂

PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 19/05/2018 17:28

I mentioned Dream Cream before, but I think it's out of Grems's budget.

Did you check out that homeopathy website?

Original poster
SneakyGremlins · 19/05/2018 17:29

Er.... Link it again?

pickle I only wash my hair once a week as it is..

OP posts:
SecretLimonadeDrinker · 19/05/2018 17:35

Have you heard of topical steroid withdrawal? My DH had this following steroids for his eczema. He was on ciclosporine for nearly 2 years (all prescribed by a private dermatologist) but in the end cold turkey was the only think that cleared it. Good luck.

GorgonLondon · 19/05/2018 17:35

This is helpful too www.howdoeshomeopathywork.com/

MiggeldyHiggins · 19/05/2018 17:37

I would genuinely rather have 40 years less lifespan and have them be clear skinned years sad

Well ok but no dr is going to give you drugs that could do that, knowingly, are they?

Oliversmumsarmy · 19/05/2018 17:37

I have terrible eczema which I lived with for most of my life.

I too cut out dairy and it did ease a tiny bit. Went to the doctor who scoffed at it being allergy related. Told me to cut out dairy for 2 weeks then dairy and wheat for 2 weeks and then dairy wheat and eggs for 2 weeks then to come back as it wouldn't have worked and as it would be still there he would prescribe something for me
Got to seek 4 and it was all clear

RandomMess · 19/05/2018 17:41

I found oil worked better than any of the creams possibly because they are lighter? Jojoba was good but also organic sunflower oil with added vitamin E which was for baby massage was excellent.

I hope it starts to clear up, obviously allergy testing is a priority Thanks

Treesybreezy · 19/05/2018 17:42

If your consultant is determined to stick out the medication, is it worth asking for medication for the side effects? There's a few things that can be prescribed for nausea

freshstart24 · 19/05/2018 17:43

At the risk of offering too many conflicting options my experience of eczema:

Horrendous until my teens when I had a series of prescribed sun bed type treatments at hospital. Then under control but still has stubborn thick crusty itchy bleeding patches.

Had heartbreaking early miscarriages in my 30's and as part of a desperate bid to have a baby I saw a herbalist. We looked at my diet and she prescribed a hideous herbal drink daily. I basically cut out all sugar, processed foods alcohol etc.. Upped my fruit and veg, introduced seeds and nuts.

It was tough but TBH I would have done anything to keep a baby. An unexpected side effect was my eczema totally disappeared! I also conceived and kept my son (now 11).

I'll never know if it really did help with my miscarriages- could have just been lucky. I am convinced though that it cleared my eczema.

I've since returned to eating normally. I always avoid scented products, use gentle washing powders and don't wear wool. My eczema has never returned.

ZzzMarchhare · 19/05/2018 18:06

I feel your pain! I was on azathioprine for less than a week and was so sick. My blood results went off too so moved on to mycophenolate. Bit of an upset stomach at the start but gradually increasing the dose did make my skin bearable.
To be honest I needed my excema to be in a better state to get an emollient that suited. Hydromol worked for me.
I’ve definitely had more infections - I think that’s the same with all immunosuppressants.
Allergy testing helped me too but it makes life a lot more complicated- sanex shower gel is my new shampoo- it actually conditions it well.
When people talk about plastic surgery and weight loss I just want to scream ‘but your skin is lovely’ it really gets me down

picklemepopcorn · 19/05/2018 18:09

Would you be able to wash your hair over the bath or shower so it doesn't get on your body at all? I'm assuming you are using safe products on your skin, mind.

Anyway, back the the original question, not at all U to want to deck the derm!

AnnaMagnani · 19/05/2018 18:47

Shampoo wise you need to be using an SLS-free shampoo.

I am assuming that you are already using a soap substitute like Dermol or Epaderm to wash with and not shower gel - if you are, then your ezcema advice has been awful. Normal shower gel just strips your skin (even Dove and Sanex have SLS in and were too much for me and my eczema is v mild).

There are nicer products out there like Earth Friendly Baby to wash with but if your skin is really bad, I prob wouldn't risk it right now.

bumblingbovine49 · 19/05/2018 19:00

I have patches of eczema but nowhere near as bad so feel reluctant to advise much. However I have found demalex is very good for managing it. It is v. expensive but for me the only thing that works

Cheekyandfreaky · 19/05/2018 23:24

Eczema sucks.

I’ve ordered the weleda soap on this article as it’s the cheapest options and I need something! www.the-pool.com/beauty/beauty-honestly/2018/19/Elizabeth-Bennett-on-how-to-enjoy-a-bath-if-you-have-sensitive-skin

I think dream cream is amazing (but I only like the self preserving formula). Also I have an O’keefes Moisturiser which is brilliant (this one: www.boots.com/okeeffes-skin-repair-body-lotion-pump-325ml-10238657).

Also I get Dermol on prescription which works well.

The best thing for me was cutting out eggs and dairy- life changing in a matter of days.

Bodicea · 19/05/2018 23:38

I have had bad eczema flare ups in the past and my son has it severely and is in a constant battle.
One thing that really helped me was going on the sun bed regularly when my flare ups got bad - no more than 3 mins each time. Yes I know sun beds are bad used regularly but nothing is worse than your whole body covered in eczema. Stress was a big factor in my flare ups. I never really found they were diet related. I wash my hands and body with dermal 500 which helps.
My son as well as steroids is on protopics. Have you ever looked into them? The sun helps him too - although I haven’t took the drastic measure of putting him on a sunbed!!!!

justilou1 · 20/05/2018 01:03

Most of my family ended up with a dependence on very strong prescription steroid creams which manifested as eczema and perineal dermatitis. Whenever we tried to give it up, we’d have flare-ups and infections and nothing but the strong steroid cream would help at all, so the cycle would start again. Finally found a brilliant dermatologist (we are in Australia - totally different system) who prescribed a cream called Elidel (Pimecrolimus) which is an immunosuppressant cream. We used it twice a day for about six weeks, then once, then gradually weaned ourselves off it and even though it’s cold and dry here in Aus, so far so good! We are of course very careful to treat our skin gently and use non-perfumes products wherever possible, but I feel over time it will become less of an issue.