Dermatology Question - Long

16 years ago

I know there is a health forum but there is little activity, I think.

I was at the dermatologist Tuesday because of a very irritated scalp and all down the spine. There are little under the skin nodules down the spine - next to no flaking on the scalp. He has treated it with steroid creams and much, much moisturizer and special shampoos used alternatively on a daily basis.

It partly cleared up and then has got much worse the last little while. This is the 3rd winter that I have had this but it clears up and goes away in the spring, only to come back about mid Novemeber. This is the first winter that I have seen a dermatologist.

This time he sprayed a portion of the back - only one area, with a spray that he carries with him all the time. He didn't tell me what it was or what it was to accomplish. He looked at it shortly after and told me to arrange to see a rheumatologist.

I do have a rheumatologist as I have poly myalgia and also a cardiologist as I also have atrial fibrilation. All these things started at about the same time.

I think this man is probably very good but he is extemely rushed and spends very little time with each patient. He was having a bad day on Tuesday as he was going to be away the rest of the week. He was there early in the morning and they were still booking apoinments for him at 10 in the evening. He is a man of very few words.

I thought I read someplace that they sometimes use a spray and wait to see if there is a color change to help in dagnosis but I can't find it again. It was fine when he first did it but about an hour after, it felt like the whole area was one big burnt blister. However, nothing showed diferent when I looked in the mirror. I noticed the next morning that 1 large mole has a red ring around it.

Do any of you have any idea what this liquid might have been and the reason for using it?

Also the last little while I have a lot of tingling on various parts of my body, my fingers on one hand have turned white a few times and the palm side of the fingers are very, very purple at times. Also I wake in the night and they feel like they are numb but when I start to move them they are soon all right.

Sorry to be so lengthy but I know you are so good to answer concerns.

Thanks in advance.

ivamae

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Comments (15)

monica_pa Grieves
16 years ago
He should be talking to you....if he won't answer any of your questions - find someone else.

Remember - you are paying him.
sleeperblues
16 years ago
I agree with Monica. I find it unprofessional that he would spray something that can obviously cause side effects without even explaining what it is and how to treat possible side effects. Sorry, I don't have suggestions regarding what the bumps could be, but it sounds to me like the hand numbness and tingling could be carpal tunnel. I don't know if your rheumatologist could help you with diagnosis on that, I believe you may need an EMG to diagnose it. Sorry you are having these problems. Good luck.
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marry
16 years ago
First, I'd call the office and have someone check
your records and see exactly what it was that he
sprayed on your back, and have them forward your
records to your new dermatologists office!
ivamae
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for your replies.

I have called the office but he is away this week and all I got is the voice mailbox. I hope someone checks it periodically. I didn't expect that no one would be there to answer phones, etc. The mole has a blister on it now. I really don't think this was to remove the mole or surely he would have said something.
tami_ohio
16 years ago
If you can't get someone in his office to answer the phone, please call your primary care dr. NOW! Please don't wait until someone at the derm office answers. The spray he used caused a blister on a mole, it needs to be looked at asap. And when he gets back, he should be told what happened. And I would be personally telling him that if he doesn't have time to talk to you and tell you what he is doing/using on you, that you will be finding another derm. I think it was very unprofessional of him, rushed or not.

Tami
sjerin
16 years ago
Please don't ever be afraid to force a doctor to wait and answer your questions properly. I know some of them can be intimidating, especially when they seem to be in a hurry, but they have no right to rush you out of an appointment without adequate information. Monica's right: you're paying him! I hope a better doctor can get to the bottom of your problems very soon.
monica_pa Grieves
16 years ago
Call your Rheumatologist for an appointment, mention the tingling, cold fingers and the bumps, sprayed with blistering mole.

They could be signs of Reynaud's and psoriasis....not uncommon complications with autoimmune diseases (which is what Rheumatologist treats).
carol_in_california
16 years ago
Maybe he sprayed the mole area with ethyl chloride to freeze it....it would make a blister.
But the dermatologist sounds like a jerk.
Hope you get some answers soon.
mariend
16 years ago
Sounds like a possible skin cancer cell, and he sprayed it. It will blister, then drop off, but with your other medical condiditons, please check with one of your other Dr. It is not acceptable for this dermatologist to treat you like this. DH's has a great one, and she answers's all the questions and encourages him to call for any reason and she is a very busy Dr.
linda_in_iowa
16 years ago
I am with Monica. Find a different dermatologist.
jannie
16 years ago
Definitely find another dermatologist.
ivamae
Original Author
16 years ago
Sorry I haven't been able to answer, as my computer was down for awhile.

I really don't blame the dermatologist as much as I blame myself. I really wished I had asked what he was doing and why. I guess it was done so quickly that I was shocked and wasn't thinking too well.

I do think he is no doubt a good dermatologist and I will try to get answers when he is back so that I can tell the rheumatologist why he is suggesting this appointment. Otherwise both the rheumatologist and I are in the dark.I'll know better next time and ask questions, for sure.

I do appreciate all of your postings. When I know more, I will try to let you know.
jannie
16 years ago
Whenever I go to a doctor, I write my questions on a 3 by 5 index card. That way I don't get too sidetracked. It started when my kids were little and I took them to a pediatrician. I go to a doctor for a purpose, and it helps to write things down.
ivamae
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, I agree, Jannie. I write my quesyions down, as well, and in fact I gave him a very concise,tabulated list, as it would be quicker than asking them. And he did read it quickly and did answer with very short answers.This spraying was a last minute thing of the appoitment as I was getting dressed. I had no chance to ask a question . It was not something I was expecting, as I had never had it before.

I am just curious to know what it was and why it was done. Hopefully I'll get answers sometime.

I will do my best to get them before my rheumatologist appointment in another week or so..
susanjf_gw
16 years ago
what my docs do (and i'm up to 4 now, lol) is send reports to each other..it takes a while to get them started doing it but well worth the effort..same when i have blood drawn...the results go to all 4...

Dermatology Question - Long

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