Saw A Dermatologist Today

[Ursa Major]

Well, this is my one shot at trying to get an 'official' diagnosis, as in a test being done other than an extremely amazing diet response.

I did eat gluten for a couple of days to trigger skin problems (I know, I am not sure it wasn't stupid myself), and sure succeded. I had a hard time sleeping last night with the insane itching and bad stomach ache, and was awfully dizzy all day yesterday!

He was nice enough, and really never considered anything other than DH after asking for symptoms and what alleviates them (I told him, going gluten free is the only thing that works). He wants me to see a GI to rule out having lymphoma in the intestines, because I found out so late in life about celiac disease. He never mentioned needing a biopsy of the small intestine as well.

What made me mad was, that he got his 'assembly line' going, and I had to wait 1 1/2 hours before I got to see him. My appointment was for 9:45 AM, and I saw him finally at 11:15, and was out by 11:30.

When waiting to book my follow up appointment to find out the results of the biopsy (in FIVE weeks), I peeked at the appointment book and was appalled! He wasn't just double booked for each time slot. For 8:00 AM he had EIGHT people booked, and then in 15 minute increments usually three people at the same time, rarely 'only' two, often four or five. So much for 'quality' care (it's more like quantity care, as in LOTS of money!).

So, he has three treatment rooms, somebody is put into each of those, and then he just goes down the line. Very efficient, and very impersonal. That's how our 'amazing' so-called free medical system works. I've had the same treatment with the surgeon who did my tennis elbow surgery, and a few others. Most specialists are like that here.

At least I had to wait only one month to see this one. With some you wait for up to two years for your appointment.

Anyway, now all I can do is wait. My follow-up appointment is on June 5th. I hope that I get a positive diagnosis to make it all worth it (especially the aching arm, he really took a deep gouge out of it).

[nettiebeads]

I sure hope you find the "official" answers you need - we all know what our bodies tell us is the most reliable, not the drs.

Annette

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Hope for the best!!

I was diagnosed via skin biopsy (DH blister)

I assume you are going back to the gluten-free diet, right?

[jerseyangel]

Ursula--Glad to hear you got it done. It would be nice if you could get an "official diagnosis"--even though you have figured out pretty much everything on your own! Five weeks--wow, that's a long time!

[Ursa Major]

Hope for the best!!

I was diagnosed via skin biopsy (DH blister)

I assume you are going back to the gluten-free diet, right?

Oh yes, of course! I've gained five pounds in two days, and have a bad stomach ache, am itchy all over........who needs it!

Thank you guys for your support. I have no doubt about having celiac disease, it would just be nice to shut up any doubters, that's all. I won't try again if this fails, it's not worth it damaging my intestines for and getting cancer.

[Guest nini]

Oh yes, of course! I've gained five pounds in two days, and have a bad stomach ache, am itchy all over........who needs it!

Thank you guys for your support. I have no doubt about having celiac disease, it would just be nice to shut up any doubters, that's all. I won't try again if this fails, it's not worth it damaging my intestines for and getting cancer.

as far as shutting up any doubters is concerned, I really don't care what other people think... My daughter's dx was not based on the typical methods, such as blood and biopsy... her blood test was negative but then the dr. didn't do the right tests anyway... He refused to consider a Celiac dx for her... her pediatrician supported me, but it was ME who insisted that we try the diet and see how she responded. It was ME that told the Dr. that her dietary response was miraculous and that is enough for me. Her ped. put a dx of "gluten intolerance" in her chart but WE KNOW it's Celiac... no one questions me on it. They wouldn't DARE!!! (momma bear is protecting her cub!)

[Ursa Major]

I like your attitude, Nisla. Still, I would like to get that 'official' paper if I can. But as I said, not at any cost. This is the last time I am trying. And as for going to see the GI, I don't think I will. I don't like doctors, and don't trust them.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Ursula, let me know how your biopsy site (or sites?) is healing. Mine was done in January, and it is still red and itchy, and it seems to have a lot of scar tissue--very thick. And after all that, it came back negative--but that was 2 weeks after a ten-day course of prednisone, so maybe that isn't so surprising after all. At any rate, I'm done with tests. I never even had major symptoms like most of you, but I feel so much better without the gluten, and there really isn't much I desperately miss. Maybe chocolate chip cookies, but I can still have chocolate chips!

[Ursa Major]

Well, at this point the itching at the biopsy site is driving me crazy, and I can't even scratch! The dermatologist didn't even have antibiotic cream. He asked me if I have a private drug plan, and when I said yes, he said he'd prescribe me some to put on it. He asked if he could just call it into the pharmacy in his building, or if I needed a script, and I said I'd rather deal with my own pharmacy. At which point he asked me if I had any antibiotic ointment at home, and when I said that I did, he said, oh, just put it on when you get home then..........which makes me wonder what sweet deal he's got with his pharmacy. So, he disinfected the cut, and got out his cheap plastic bandaids. When I told him that I am allergic to the glue in those, he told me that's all he had, if I wanted hypoallergenic ones, I would have to go to the pharmacy in his building and buy some, and replace his before I went home, as the cut needed to be covered to prevent infection. I was NOT impressed with a dermatologist who looks after people with skin problems, not having any bandaids for sensitive skin!

Of course, the pharmacy didn't even have any of the bandaids I need, so I had to go all the way home with the plastic bandaid on (nearly an hours drive). By the time I got here, I had a very red, raised, insanely itchy, blistery rash were the bandaid was (and now I realize that those actually cause DH for me, and always have!). It's driving me nuts. What a jerk! I just hope I won't scratch it open in my sleep, an infection would be all I need.

Okay, end of rant............just had to say it, doctors can be so frustrating, especially if they only care about money, like this one. And of course, he does Botox injections, he's got all the advertising for them in his treatment rooms, so people will read those little brochures while they wait patiently (like good patients ought to do ) for their turn with the 'great man' (NOT).

Fiddle-Faddle, try using vitamin E on your scar, it might help (it's cheaper to buy the gel caps, open them and put the liquid on your scar, than buying the 'official' scar cream).

[natalunia]

I have never had DH before, but I got glutened on Friday morning and the next morning (Saturday) I developed these pimple-like bumps all over my elbows, and my scalp itches like crazy. Could this be DH? I have only been gluten free since April 17th, but it was a definite gluten reaction on Friday. I just can't think of anything else causing this rash on my elbows. Even my back itches like my scalp. The elbows itch, but I can put cortisone on them and can't put it on my scalp and my back is hard to reach... I am just puzzled and wanted to know what you guys think. I go to the GI next monday. Can he do a biopsy of them if they are still there?

[Ursa Major]

I have never had DH before, but I got glutened on Friday morning and the next morning (Saturday) I developed these pimple-like bumps all over my elbows, and my scalp itches like crazy. Could this be DH? I have only been gluten free since April 17th, but it was a definite gluten reaction on Friday. I just can't think of anything else causing this rash on my elbows. Even my back itches like my scalp. The elbows itch, but I can put cortisone on them and can't put it on my scalp and my back is hard to reach... I am just puzzled and wanted to know what you guys think. I go to the GI next monday. Can he do a biopsy of them if they are still there?

Natalie, a GI will not take a skin biopsy......even though it would be nice if he did. You will need to be referred to a dermatologist for that. And yes, it could very well be DH.

[Lillyth]

I don't like doctors, and don't trust them.

Gosh! I wonder why?

Fiddle-Faddle, try using vitamin E on your scar, it might help (it's cheaper to buy the gel caps, open them and put the liquid on your scar, than buying the 'official' scar cream).

Vitamin E ROCKS!!!!!!

My husband got his face split open sparring (martial arts). He came into the house with blood gusing everywhere, saying he needed to go get stiches. "Like hell you are!" I said. "But it needs stiches!" he said. Then I explained that while I had a vested interest in his face, ER docs do not. Long story short - no stiches, lots of Vitamin E (like 3-5 times per day minimum), and voila - NO scar. None. Nada, Zip, Zero, Zilch. Nothing. I also used to get really bad cystic acne - like the kind that leaves scars for life, and with tons of Vitamin E - so scars. I can't say enough about it. (Can you tell )

Ursula, I'm so sorry you had such a messed-up experience over all this. That really sucks - as if you weren't dealing with enough already...

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Thanks for the heads-up on vitamin E--I will go out and buy some today!

Ursula--I always wondered why some band-aids left red welts on my skin for days, sometimes weeks! I never considered that I might be allergic to the glue. Sheesh. For your insane itching, try ice--that helped me, although I don't know if it's the greatest thing for your skin. Still, it's gotta be better than scratchinig!

[jerseyangel]

My MIL swears by vitamin C!

[Grandma2]

Hi

I am new to this board. Well, actually, I've been reading on here for a couple months but have never posted. I want you all to know you have been very helpful as I am new to this gluten free stuff. It wasn't bad until I decided to go have my blood drawn to check for other intolerances instead of playing the game of trying to figure it out. I am having a hard time giving up the sugar at the same time. Not sure what my symptoms of eating it are but the test went off the chart so I must have had some reaction that I didn't know what it was. Anyway, I have a couple of kids I believe and they believe have this. My oldest son (29) was very sick at the age of 4. He was a baby when my thyroid went haywire. Am wondering if it had anything to do with celiac all those years ago. We doctored for a couple weeks everyday. They tried taking him off everything figuring it was an allergy. He had the ver very frothy STINKY diahrrea. Finally, he got so weak and dehydrated he couldn't roll over in bed so of course he landed in the hospital and then they tried the "no flour". It seemed to work so they said do it for a month and then he should be ok. That's what we did. He has been ok (however I'm sure he has just been symptom free) but now that mom has been talking about this and telling him about when he was young, oh yeah that is how I feel. So he is going in to get tested. Then there is son #3 (22). I took him in when I believe he was 7 with a rash on his butt. Dr was flabberghasted and had never seen such a thing. We use zovirax on it which is for cold sores and it clears up quite quickly but now he is realizing he really doesn't feel good either and wondering if this rash is DH. After this long story, my ? is can he have the blood work done to find out or does he need to have the skin biopsy? And if he has to have the skin biopsy, do they have to be broke out at the time of the biopsy? That could be tough getting into a Dr on such a short notice. Thanks again for all your help.

P.S. Guess I probably didn't post this in the right spot but hopefully someone will respond.

Grandma2

[Ursa Major]

G'ma, your son will need to get a skin biopsy done. I think that people who's only symptom is the rash don't always have positive bloodwork (but I could be wrong).

If he gets referred to a dermatologist, and doesn't have a rash at the time he goes, after the initial visit he will be able to get in at short notice whenever he has a rash, to get the biopsy done.

Anybody who gets a positive biopsy result for DH automatically has a firm diagnosis for celiac disease, as nothing else causes it.

[Grandma2]

Thanks a bunch!!

[Franceen]

The BIOPSY!!! My allergist's office hired and Internal Med guy and he does Biopsies. So I had TWO biopsies done. One from a blister, and one NEAR a blister. The NEAR a blister was for "general pathology" and the "blister" was for DH. THAT'S BACKWARDS I KNOW! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the DH test was NEGATIVE - DUH.

The general pathology showed a very high level of Esonophils - which is related to allergy. Of course, this was while I was having my allergic "Hypersensitivity Reaction" to Dapsone. And I was taking Dapsone. And I had been gluten-free (with some excursions of a few days NOT gluten-free) for 3 months.

And I too, have terrible itching on both biopsy sites. Each site became a DH blister when it was half healed.

I finally got it healed with "Neosporin ointment" and "Udder Cream"..........and occasionally cortisone cream.

I am going to do Enterolab, which is what I recommend everyone do, if they can.

I hear it's the most accurate thing around.

[TCA]

Sorry you had a bad experience Ursula. I'm going to the Dermatologist Monday. I only have a couple blisters between my fingers right now, so I don't know if they can get that or not. I've waited 3 mos. for this appt., but I'm breastfeeding my celiac daughter and don't want to intentionally ingest gluten. How big of an area do they need?

Thanks!