New to PC, suffering and unable to see a doctor

[Bill]

A rheumatologist was suggested because you need specialist management. I doubt an ER doc would prescribe you a systemic for p or psa even if you were otherwise clear medically. I am sorry for your plight and I wish I could provide simple solutions. Hopefully a rheumatologist will provide you with something effective.

[Fred]

Yes Bill is right the Emergency doctor can not prescribe much that will help. They suggested a rheumatologist probably because psoriasis is classed as an inflammatory problem and in their defence they don't know enough about psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. A rheumatologist may be able to help, but I still say you need to see a Dermatologist.

I don't know how your system works, but here you need to see a GP to get a referral to a dermatologist, so it may be worth you finding a GP that will help get you on the right path.

As for posting images this thread will help [Group Specific] but shout out if you get stuck someone will help.

Sorry I couldn’t be of more help myself, but you are welcome to offload here any time you like if it helps.  

[jiml]

I'm not surprised you are angry surely with your symptoms and combined with medical history they could have referred you to their dermatology department ( unless you have arthritis) but I would have thought to dismiss you in such a manner was somewhat reckless of them ...I understand not wanting to prescribe a systemic drug as ER doctors are probably not aware of what's available and what's going to affect your other diabetes treatment
Did he explain why a rheumatologist  for a dermatology problem ? Seems most odd I agree with Bill you need specialist management but I think they have done nothing to help and are leading you in the wrong direction ..but I don't know about the American health system and if rheumatology is linked to dermatology over there

So I can sympathise with your rant here and I'm glad you have got it off your chest,  

I'm lost for words ...where do you go from here . you are not having a good time and I never considered an ER department would let you back out on the street with no real help.

[araorun]

well, so i went to a minor med today operated by a different hospital system. said i needed help getting into a rheumatologist and they put a call into the their referral center for an urgent referral.something the ED didn't do. 

he also advised i take a topical steroid... i was looking at my predisone prescription before i dropped it off. 47 pills to be taken in 10 days!!!! i'm terrified of a dose that high. i have severe type 1 diabetes. 

unfortunately he could not give me a diuretic for swelling but gave me ace wraps and advice and told me NOT to take baths because could increase my risk of infection. 

in 30 minutes, the minor med did more for me than the ED did. I may still take the predisone, but not at the dose he told me to last night: 6 pills a day for 5 days? the minor med dr said they do because if i got into ketoacidsosis, where will I return? The ER. i said "Do you advise I try it at all?" he said he refused to comment. 

this sucks. i have two awful autoimmune diseases and the best treatments for one put my life at risk with the other. but i will say that minor med dr did the no 1 thing I needed, which was help fast track me to a specialist. so glad i went and that i went to that one. problems are still here, but i'm going to pick up my scrips, come home, lay down for a hour and then wrap up my feet to help with edema. worse comes to worst with the swelling, a friend of mine has diuretics I've taken before he can spare a few of. 

sucks. but i am so glad i have a group of folks to talk to about this. i never tried before for shame, etc. but when my health is drastically threatened...  my job cannot tell me i can't go a specialist if an ER and a minor med visit in one weekend led to an urgent referral to one. so steps being taken... hopefully.... 

he also mentioned tar could help. anyone have any experience using tar? where do you get it in the states? etc. 

thanks for all your help, suggestions and support....

[jiml]

Whew at last someone has taken an interest and not fobbed you off ......I'm sure now you have been referred and got some good medical advice ...your stress levels will hopefully subside... it's not perfect but it's a step in the right direction

I know Bill has used Stockholm tar which is available from any equine supplier or maybe Amazon
See this thread Topical Experiment

I hope you get some relief soon and keep coming back I'm sure some others will post some tar based ideas for you
Jim  

[Fred]

thanks for all your help, suggestions and support....

You are welcome, we feel good if we know we are helping others. You are now one of us and you may without knowing already be helping others in return, or it may encourage you to hang around. We don't mind if people come and go as there is always someone here, but the more the merrier.

I've not had much experience with tar apart from shampoo many years ago and I loved the smell, it did help the scalp psoriasis for a while but soon failed.

I think you are getting to that part of the journey where nothing is working and you need to keep going. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but for some of us it's difficult to find the light and even when we do we want it a little brighter.

[mataribot]

I know Fred is not going like what I’m about to say, but...

I wouldn’t manually adjust the amount of prednisone you are taking without talking to someone first. Your local hospital should have a free nurse line - I would call them first and let them know your concerns. Maybe they could advise the proper reduced dose.

Prednisone isn’t really a good choice (my opinion) for Psoriasis. The best case scenario it acts like a reset switch. It doesn’t do much of anything for me.

[Fred]

I know Fred is not going like what I’m about to say, but...

Say what you like Mata as long as it's not offensive to any of our members or advertising I have no problem. You are a respected member of Psoriasis Club and entitled to your opinion.  

[Bill]

Really good to see you getting wheels turning, araorun. I have had diagnosed psoriasis for nearly thirty years. Started with the topicals which failed eventually, although I persisted with them for too long. Systemic treatment was very fast and effective for me. It continues to manage my disease very well. I still use a pine tar based topical. It works so much better if I can cover the area after application. I have recently bought some silicon swimming caps so I can do this at home with some persistent spots behind my ears. Very stylish!

Good luck!

[Will20]

Hello Araorun,
I too am Diabetic (Type 2 and on Insulin) and I find when I eat foods which contain sugars my skin goes crazy and I itch like mad. Try to avoid sugar and drink loads of water.
As a suggestion you could put several drops of baby oil in the Bath water and have a 20 minute soak, pat your skin dry with a towel.
Go see your GP and request a referral to see a Dermatologist.