Health Boards
Mon-12-03-2018, 15:50 PM
yes, rheumatologists here treat autoimmune diseases... however, I don't have psoriatic arthritis (yes). I didn't present with joint pain or anything. The minor med referral center which put me in for an urgent referral called me before 9 a.m. this morning -- amazing, but they did tell me that they were sending the info over to my PCP and the doctor they could get in the faster with was scheduling out in June. I had already called my PCP this morning to advise them of the situation, ask if they could prescribe a different topical and help get me into a rheumatologist, and the nurse said she would get the note to my PCP. With my call and the Baptist referral center calling them, I feel like they may actually get on it. I hope, I hope.
that being said... i also think a dermatologist is the way to go... don't know why they would both say rheumatology, but perhaps the swelling, etc. makes them think i have arthritis?
I know I can call a derm directly and get in without a referral from my PCP--my insurance doesn't require referrals, but for some reason, to get into a doc in this particular specialty means i need one. but with my VERY limited time to take for doctor's appointments, I hate to waste my time going to see a derm just to have to take time off in a couple of months to see a rheumatologist. But I feel like it's worth a shot to try to find a derm, because there are more of them. Still conflicted on that.
i will note that although i know the prednisone is a band-aid fix, the outbreak is so much more improved right now. Walgreens pharmacy also was able to get me 1/4 of my prescription, which cost $25, and the topical steroid cream seems to be helping, too. The pain and broken open skin is visibly improving, and the swelling does seem to be going down. And my legs aren't bright red; they are obviously still covered in psoriasis, but it's in what I call "the white phase..." not bright red, bleeding, itching.
some relief for now... working with PCP and others to get into specialists... using coconut oil didn't help much when it was so badly broken out, but as it heals up a little during this steroid burst, i'll keep trying to see if it helps
that being said... i also think a dermatologist is the way to go... don't know why they would both say rheumatology, but perhaps the swelling, etc. makes them think i have arthritis?
I know I can call a derm directly and get in without a referral from my PCP--my insurance doesn't require referrals, but for some reason, to get into a doc in this particular specialty means i need one. but with my VERY limited time to take for doctor's appointments, I hate to waste my time going to see a derm just to have to take time off in a couple of months to see a rheumatologist. But I feel like it's worth a shot to try to find a derm, because there are more of them. Still conflicted on that.
i will note that although i know the prednisone is a band-aid fix, the outbreak is so much more improved right now. Walgreens pharmacy also was able to get me 1/4 of my prescription, which cost $25, and the topical steroid cream seems to be helping, too. The pain and broken open skin is visibly improving, and the swelling does seem to be going down. And my legs aren't bright red; they are obviously still covered in psoriasis, but it's in what I call "the white phase..." not bright red, bleeding, itching.
some relief for now... working with PCP and others to get into specialists... using coconut oil didn't help much when it was so badly broken out, but as it heals up a little during this steroid burst, i'll keep trying to see if it helps