Unsympathetic/helpful GP.

[lipping50]

Hi.
New to this site, thoroughly depressed.
I'm 35 now and have suffered with atopic Eczema on and off since I was 18! Over the years I've had numerous steroids and emolients prescribed to me....I suffer mainly in the groin and on my breasts and backs of knees....the condition clears up usually with these treatments and can go away completely (longest free spell was a whopping 5 years free!). Over the past few months however, it's back and more severe than it has ever been. Doc prescribed Unguentum (urrrghh!) and a topical Hydrocortisone initially, which cleared up the top itch and infection, but didn't prescribe enough to treat the "hidden healing". When I returned last week to GP with weeping bleeding wounds under my breasts and in my groin (I scratch in my sleep!!!!). He was totally unsympathetic....refused to even look at my skin and sent me away with a scrip for "Oilatum" only!.....I'm in so much pain.....my skin is infected and needs treatment badly, the emolients just aren't cutting it!!!
Everyone I've spoken to says I should go see another GP, but don't they all just look at your notes and "stick together"? I also asked if I could see a dermatologist at hospital as this has never been offered to me in nearly 20yrs. He refused, saying..."Your case is not severe enough"....ahem, excuse me? You didn't even look at my skin....how would you know????
Can anyone tell me what my rights are here? Can I demand to be seen by a dermatologist? Can I buy the cream he refuses to prescribe me?.....This is affecting my life so badly...my sex life is suffering now to top it all off...as my body confidence is virtually nil!
Sorry for whining, I know people have it a lot worse than me, I just need some guidance.
Thanks x
P.S. I wish i had a pound for every time someone said "Just don't scratch it!"...lol

[sf34_22]

Lipping you must ask to see another GP in the practice. I saw a GP a while ago who was really unhelpful so the next week I went back and saw someone else in the same practice and she was brilliant.

It's your right to see whoever you want to see.

[AnnaB]

Yes I couldn't agree more. We changed hospitals to see a different dermatologist. Best move we ever made.

[admin]

You need to either find a GP in your practice that has a special interest in dermatology, and in particular eczema, or find a practice that has a GP with a special interest in dermatology. Don't give up. Not all the GP's I came across with my daughter were good, but there are some good ones out there. Alternatively, if your GP won't refer you to a dermatologist you could go for a private consultation.

Hang on in there and be persistent with the GP's. I know it's easier said than done when things are bad.

Let us all know how you get on.

Deborah Mason
Founder

[Sammie]

There is nothing worse than visiting a G.P for treatment, with not only a painful, but also embarrassing condition. Where you recieve little or no sympathy and understanding.

I have had this problem a few years back with an old G.P, and she was the skin specialist.....She was patronising, condescending and extremely rude to me. And that was after I had gone to her and asked if there was anything else that could be done for me.
I had sever eczema on the soles of my feet and palms of my hands, quite often with lots of blood and no skin on them.

I changed my P.G who could not appologise enough to me. I got a dermatologist appointment, where I was given patch tests. I now have a brilliant G.P, who has a very good knowledge of my condition and very understanding, I couldn't ask for better.

These G.Ps are paid quite a substantial amout to treat their patients, and it is their job to provide you with the care you need.
Have you thought about seeing a female G.P?
Insist that you be given referral, even if you have to visit every doctorin your surgery, every day until they do.
Don't let them fob you off as they often try to.......Put your foot down. don't let yourself be treated like that..you deserve better!

keep us posted?

I wish you well...x

[lipping50]

UPDATE.....

Thanks everyone for the advice...have since sourced a new GP and allthough I still have no referral to dermatologist, he does seem sympathetic and we are currently trying out new combinations of creams and shower gels etc............So am somewhat happier! Thanks again to all xx

[AnnaB]

That is great news. My hospital support group said set an agreed time frame for the GP to try and get eczema under control after which time they refer you to a specialist. Glad it sounds like you have supportive GP at last.

[scott6413]

It's great to hear that you're making progress. I've had eczema all my life but it was relatively under control until my late teens and I've struggled with it ever since (until recently). I appreciate your intense frustrations with doctors and their lack of understanding - they seem to think that eczema is just a mild irritaion and nothing to be too concerned about. I have lost count of the number of doctor's that I have seen that suggest that a moisturiser will sort everything out in a matter of minutes as if it's a wonder cure. Well moisturisers will not sort out inflamed and infected skin - in my experience they make it worse. To treat infected/inflamed exzema, in my opinion, you need antiobiotics and steroids. Once it's under control you can then look at managing it with moisturisers.

In the past 18 months I have suffered badly from my eczema and it just would not clear. Fortunately I found a doctor that was very supportive and started prescribing me oral antibiotic and steroid creams containing antibiotics. These courses would have an effect but would not quite clear it before the course ended and then of course it just came back. This cycle continued for about 18 months until the doctor suggested a product called Dermol 500. Dermol 500 is a lotion that contains moisurisers but also antispetics (benzalkonium chlroide and chlorhexidine hydrochloride).

So again I took oral antibiotics and used steroids containing antibiotics to try and clear as much as possible but at the same time also used the Dermol as a mosturiser twice a day. Then once the course of steroids/antibiotics ended I continued to use the Dermol. I cannot tell you how good the results were. My eczema was more or less completely cleared and has remained clear for the past 3-4 months. I am still using it once/twice every day and my skin has never been better. If you can get the initial infection/inflamation cleared and then use Dermol it may help.

I realise of course that it may not work for you, I've tried many other products that people suggested that never worked for me but I thought because I've had such a good experience with it that I should suggest it. Another bonus is that you don't need a prescription for it although it is quite pricey, approx £10 for 500ml.

[ARezai]

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I appreciate you may initially be sceptical. But please read through the blog and only if you are convinced, then consider trying it for your self. The treatment will cost you a bit of inconvenience and very little money. In time you will come to be almost cured of eczema. I have used it for years and as far as I am aware it is totally safe. If you do use the seeds, please share your experience with others.

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Ali Rezai