So I Saw The Dermatologist...

[Lillyth]

So I finally saw MY doc last week, who (thank god!) refered me to dermatologist.

The dermatoligist says I have eczema.

I told her that in all my research, I found that one of the most common things for DH to be misdiagnosed as is eczema - "So how do you know what I have is NOT dh?" I asked.

"I don't." was her reply. "But what I'm diagnosing you with today is eczema".

GGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The thing is, I've had good friends with eczema. My arms look nothing like their eczema. (Though it looks like some of the pics I saw of DH).

Anyway, she gave me Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream for my "eczema".

Now my arms itch like CRAZY!!!!!

I must give credit where credit is due - my doc refered me to the right person. The dermo at least admitted she didn't know that I don't have DH. They refered me for a biopsy like I asked.

But the rest of it - especailly the creme...

Party this was just to vent, and partly to ask if anyone else here has been dx'd with eczema and been given Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream and had the insane itching after using it.

Anyone?

[Ursa Major]

Why didn't the dermatologist do the skin biopsy? Isn't that what they're supposed to do? The dermatologist I saw did the biopsy (will get the result on June 5th..........five weeks is a long time to wait).

If the cream makes it worse, just don't use it. Try something else. Mind you, I find that sometimes nothing works, and I think I am going insane with the itching!

You're probably right that it isn't eczema, but DH. I am sorry that the cream made the itching worse. I am sure it was bad enough before the doctor tried to 'help' by prescribing it.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Your arms, you say????!! THAT'S WHAT I'VE GOT, TOO!!!!!!! And the idiot dermatologist did a biopsy--which came back negative, as my GP had had me on prednisone for 10 days.

That was in January, and it's just come back, again on my arms. Do you have round,pink patches, about 2-3 inches across, and the same number on each arm? They're hot to the touch, and insanely itchy?

I'm trying to attack it with oral benadryl (which does help the itch somewhat) and topical anti-itch stuff. I'm also drinking as much as I can (I have this idea that I can somehow flush it out of my system and down the toilet), and being extra-careful about the gluten (I did cheat and have some real soy sauce last week, wonder if that was what did it...)

I was wondering if, somehow, my stupid immune system freaks out, and instead of givingme diarrhea when I've been glutened, makes me over-react to to things I never was allergic to before, like laundry detergent (and of course, we haven't changed a thing here that would have precipitated a topical dermatitis-type reaction).

What I can't figure out is, why is it just my ARMS?

If you find something that works, let me know, too, okay? Thanks!

[Smitten]

I was also referred to a dermatologist because of dry, ITCHY, scaley round patches on both of my lower legs. Right away he said it was just eczema. He said the DH tends to be blisters or rash that are in a snake like pattern (don't quote me on that though, that's just how I interpreted). I can't remember right off what RX cream he gave me, but it's working. Sorry, your experience has been different! I would call them back and let them know that your symptoms are worse. Hopefully, they will act on that!! Good Luck!

Shelly

[frenchiemama]

I have both.

[Pegster]

Before my official diagnosis of dh, my dermatologist gave me that same cream, although in ointment form. It helps with the flare ups. Luckily it was the dermatologist who did the biopsies without even telling me what he suspected it was. When the biopsies came back positive for dh, he explained about the gluten issues and set me up with a GI dr (useless) and a dietician (also fairly useless as I found this site before I could get in to see her.)

[Lillyth]

Why didn't the dermatologist do the skin biopsy? Isn't that what they're supposed to do? The dermatologist I saw did the biopsy (will get the result on June 5th..........five weeks is a long time to wait).

If the cream makes it worse, just don't use it. Try something else. Mind you, I find that sometimes nothing works, and I think I am going insane with the itching!

You're probably right that it isn't eczema, but DH. I am sorry that the cream made the itching worse. I am sure it was bad enough before the doctor tried to 'help' by prescribing it.

I stopped using the cream yesterday. After spending the day itching like crazy, I showered as soon as I could manage, and vowed never to put that crap on my arms again. (Interesting side note, I had this spot between my third and fourth toe on my left foot that was itching. I put the cream on that, and it worked like a charm! Why should I NOT be surprised?)

Funny, since going gluten free (after being gluten *lite* for nine months), the itching has calmed WAY down. It doesn't drive me nuts at all - if anything, it is *mildly* annoying at times. But twice now, the itching has increased to near maddening with both creams prescribed to me.

I think right now my biggest concern is *what if* the biopsy comes back negative. But I guess we will cross that bridge when we come it - IF we come to it...

Oh, and I don't know why the dermo didn't do the biopsy herself, except that it seemed to have something to do with the biopsies being done at another site. (I live in a major city & have Kaiser)...

Your arms, you say????!! THAT'S WHAT I'VE GOT, TOO!!!!!!! And the idiot dermatologist did a biopsy--which came back negative, as my GP had had me on prednisone for 10 days.

That was in January, and it's just come back, again on my arms. Do you have round,pink patches, about 2-3 inches across, and the same number on each arm? They're hot to the touch, and insanely itchy?

I'm trying to attack it with oral benadryl (which does help the itch somewhat) and topical anti-itch stuff. I'm also drinking as much as I can (I have this idea that I can somehow flush it out of my system and down the toilet), and being extra-careful about the gluten (I did cheat and have some real soy sauce last week, wonder if that was what did it...)

I was wondering if, somehow, my stupid immune system freaks out, and instead of givingme diarrhea when I've been glutened, makes me over-react to to things I never was allergic to before, like laundry detergent (and of course, we haven't changed a thing here that would have precipitated a topical dermatitis-type reaction).

What I can't figure out is, why is it just my ARMS?

If you find something that works, let me know, too, okay? Thanks!

Yes, on my arms! After reading your post, I wonder if they don't give us stuff to make it so the dx comes back negative...

As I said above, since cutting out the glten, it has been getting better slowly (VERY slowly), but surely.

The doc even went so far as to tell me that eczema is hereditary, and when I told her that no one in my family has EVER had eczema, she replied "well someone in your family must have it because YOU have it"

If I find something that works, I'll certainly let you know, though right now I would say use some of the crap I used for three days, then, when it tiches so bad you can't stand it anymore, scrub it off, and, compared to the itching on the cream, you won't even NOTICE the dh!!!!!

Before my official diagnosis of dh, my dermatologist gave me that same cream, although in ointment form. It helps with the flare ups. Luckily it was the dermatologist who did the biopsies without even telling me what he suspected it was. When the biopsies came back positive for dh, he explained about the gluten issues and set me up with a GI dr (useless) and a dietician (also fairly useless as I found this site before I could get in to see her.)

I have it in ointment form too. I called Kaiser tonight to let them know what was gong on - the person on the other line said, "funny, no one ever has a reaction with that cream"...

Where did he take the biopsies from, & what did he test for? (I find it best if I "watchdog" the whole process). If I know what he tested you for & where, I can at least try to duplicate the positive results. (Meaning that I can catch it if he tries to test for the thing NEAR the rash that is supposed to be IN the rash - I read someone else's post where her doc tested backwards)...

Thank you all for all your replies!!!!!

Lil

[Ursa Major]

Well, actually, the dermatologist took the biopsy right in the middle of the rash! I guess I won't be surprised now if it will be negative. I couldn't object, because I can see that spot only in the mirror. Meaning, I had no idea where he took the biopsy, until I looked at it at home. And it's still an awful lot worse now, two weeks later, than it was before the biopsy. He sure made it flare up, stupid man.