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

[SneakyGremlins]

Skin issues AGAIN

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

All he said was "We can't keep switching you from drug to drug", and that was that 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 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

I swear if one more person says "Have you tried Aveeno?"...

I'm glad to see it isn't just me suffering!

I'll give it a month but if no luck still I'm going back a la Hurricane Bianca..

dh has iffy skin and dd struggles with excema and iffy skin, plus we find something that works and then it becomes less effective for her

...stuff that has helped her is dream cream from lush...and one other Ultrabalm I think

Also recently discovered Salcura range....loads in there that has helped bioskin, zeoderm, dermaspray

and the latest miracle for her has been Aveeno ...the body oil spray and the yogurt moisturiser

She basically cycles through all these things while they are effective and rotates onto the next as required , really hope one of them works for you.

hah! ...crossed posted about the aveeno! I nearly put in "sorry if you have tried all of these" :o

I know when dd was little I was just about at my wits end with it all and she was not an extreme case!

I have tried most of the moisturisers and lotions mentioned on this thread, but I simply don't have the money to keep buying bottles of things that make no difference

Dairy takes a least 2 weeks to get out of yr system-maybe try again.Feel for you must be miserable. Think there is an Eczema association u can ring for advice.

I totally hear your frustration but I’m sorry, you are really going to have to grit your teeth, perhaps try some of the sensible and non patronising suggestions and wait. Immunosuppressant medications usually take up to 3 months and sometimes up to 6 months and that is assuming you’re on a high enough dose. Raging at your doctor won’t make them work any quicker. Take care

Certainly then do NOT waste money in homeopathy. Complete waste of money, nothing but water. Google homeopathy suicide protest if you need more evidence

I would try sticking out with the immunosuppressants, or see if you can try a different one. Azathioprine was the one that worked for DD - the result was nothing short of a miracle. Even now, 5 years after she came off it, her skin has never gone back to how bad it was before. We can now control it with steroid creams when we need them and weekly Milton baths, to keep the infections at bay.

And if I had tried every cream, diet etc that everyone suggested, we'd be bankrupt by now so I know what you mean! I know that people mean well but it sounds like you're past oats in the bath! 😉

Honestly if you have to buy them rather than have them prescribed they aren't designed for eczema. They may help some people but not everyone.

I hope you get it sorted. It's so horrible having chronic skin conditions.
To the poster that found protopic made their skin burn,it does for about a week until you get used to it. I use it for my flexural psoriasis and now just use it a day or two a week and no burning. If I forget to use it weekly it can burn for the first day. I think it's brilliant as I have damaged skin from steroids and having a non steroidal alternative is amazing.

OP I use a cream called MG217 - I know the feeling of having every lotion and potion ever recommended in the house and the frustration of none of it working, but google and look at the reviews on Amazon.

It is literally the only thing that’s ever cleared my skin and I say that as someone with 75% coverage on my legs and now one stubborn patch.

Diet really has helped (I gave up cow and food high in sulphites along with SLS-shampoos and body washes), but then I know what I have allergies to. For me it was dairy, for a friend it was leather. Really do push back on allergy testing.

Steroids really just suppressed it and made it come back ten fold when I stopped using them. I’ve been steroid-free for four years now and I have my moments, the more you can manage it the more you realise triggers - so for me - prosecco makes me itch but gin is okay. Ultimately though that one little product for £15 a go has completely changed how I feel about my skin.

I had a late onset , awful experience with eczema- caused some patches on my leg that almost ulcerated, really uncomfortable and very unsightly. I found a trigger after doing exclusion diets ( really, really strictly) and for me it was dairy. Sad, as I loved cheese.

The cream I found to be effective was Eucerin - the strongest version. That and maintaining antihistamines. I feel for you, OP, and hope you find a resolution.

Ciclosporin is horrendous, I had it for UC and the side effects were awful. Luckily my Gastro said after 6 weeks that as it clearly wasn’t helping there was no point in carrying on with it given the side effects. It really is hideous stuff so you have my complete sympathy. I hope you find something that works, and that your Consultant listens to you.

Try Cetraben emmoliant to keep moisturised. Ask dermatologist if you might be a candidate four acitretin.

Also, if you haven't already, get a PPC (pre-payment prescription) to keep costs down

Sneaky Have you actually tried the Evening Primrose Oil? Because it could be what you need, the specific omega 3 and 6 oils are important in our diets and so many people don't have enough, the modern prepared foods are to blame.

Oily fish like salmon and mackerel will help, also olive oil. Liz Earle says you need to take quite a bit of EPO to have a proper effect. Maybe you could get it on prescription?

Goodness, 19 Million suggestions!

I have come to the conclusion that we live in a somewhat toxic world now. The ingredients in household cleaners, carpet, food, not forgetting air pollution and of course stress, combine to leave us suffering.

I'm trying to cut out as much stuff as I can, going back to basics, in the hope that overall things improve. It also means I'm more likely to notice when I react badly to something because I am using fewer things!

Hydromol works really well as an emollient for my ds

I do have a PPC!

ppeatfruit would Holland and Barrett do it?

Anyway I feel your pain.

If one more person said have you tried e45 owhen my sons skin was falling off and he was red raw from head to toe, I might have lamped them.

Sneaky ( not anyway!)

Don’t want to add to the “have you tried “ list but my DH had chronic eczema from birth. Tried everything over the years including faith healers and private dermatologists. What finally cured it was taking early retirement from work. He has had nearly a decade free from eczema.
I realise this probably isn’t an option for you OP but possibly having a think about how you manage stress?

Yes Sneaky Boots would too , you can get it in capsules or small bottles . I think. I get in small bottles here (in Fr.) you do have to persevere with it. The Liz Earle book Vital Oils would help you too.

Pickmepop yes you are right that the modern world is responsible for a lot of it.

I know what MN thinks of homeopathy, so going to drop this commet and run.

My DC had the worst eczema - infected, head to toe. The GP said it was the worst she had ever seen. It ruined our lives, we didn’t sleep because he was awake scratching at his skin and crying all night. It was awful and I can say one of the worst times of my life. Diprobase kept it at bay a little bit and we went dairy free etc. Then out of desperation went to see a homeopath. I shit you not, after 2 days of treatment the eczema flared up, and the next day went down completely. Practically overnight. Since then (touch wood) it was never ever returned. He still has sensitive skin and a mild egg allergy, but no eczema.

I have never had to use the steroid creams the dermatologist gave me, and chucked the massive tubs of diprobase.

Timeandtune I actually quit university. My stress levels went down incredibly! Alas, skin didn't