alli
02-21-2006, 02:09 PM
I just got back from an appointment with a new derm and finally, I think I found someone I like.
I have to give background to this post. I've had plague P for 25 years. Most of those years it was minor and controlled by topicals and sun. In the last ten years, it took on a mind of it's own and over time I was 40-50 percent covered ( head to toe). During those ten years I shuttled from derm to derm, getting different advice and tons of topicals ( I would list, but I don't have all day). I never really found a derm I liked, there were a few I disliked and I never found any relief.
18 months ago I went to a derm in Miami and started on a clinical study for enbrel. Finally, relief! The derm left me a little cold , but the treatment was working....so....
Anyway, fast forward. Relocated recently and have that wonderful process of finding new docs. I still have months left on my enbrel scrip, but I figured I should contact someone in the area ( I prefer meeting a new doctor when I'm well and not when I'm sick). Located a doctor using the NPF directory and was pleased to find I could get in w/in 2 weeks.
Got to the office this morning, filled out that paperwork and started perusing the office mags and pamphlets. The woman behind the desk asked me if I was interested in the cosmetic/skin products, because, if I was , the doctor didn't deal with that stuff, he has a separate person dealing with that area. WAHOO.....a derm who doesn't deal with the 'beauty' trade. I've sat in too many offices where the woman next to me to there to get botox while I try and hide my flakes from her flawless skin.
Meet with the doctor for a good 20 minutes. I didn't have much to show him, as enbrel has been effective for me and I have maybe a plague or two on each elbow. We discussed the frustrations of this disease and the fact I was lucky that the first biologic I tried worked for me. He said a lot of people have to bounce around.
Then, for the first time ever, he discussed support groups in and around the area. Was I in need of one, did I need further information on a group, etc, etc. He said he had given some talks at some of these groups and at public forums as well. That knocked my socks off, no doctor has ever mentioned support to me before.
I mentioned that I located him through the NPF, and he said something like, oh, that's where you get your support.
All in all I was very pleased. I'm continuing with the enbrel and he'd like me to try cutting back to see how little of the drug I can use. I'm on one 50mg shot a week, so he suggested going to 8 days between shots, then try 9 days and see how my skin reacts.
I have to give background to this post. I've had plague P for 25 years. Most of those years it was minor and controlled by topicals and sun. In the last ten years, it took on a mind of it's own and over time I was 40-50 percent covered ( head to toe). During those ten years I shuttled from derm to derm, getting different advice and tons of topicals ( I would list, but I don't have all day). I never really found a derm I liked, there were a few I disliked and I never found any relief.
18 months ago I went to a derm in Miami and started on a clinical study for enbrel. Finally, relief! The derm left me a little cold , but the treatment was working....so....
Anyway, fast forward. Relocated recently and have that wonderful process of finding new docs. I still have months left on my enbrel scrip, but I figured I should contact someone in the area ( I prefer meeting a new doctor when I'm well and not when I'm sick). Located a doctor using the NPF directory and was pleased to find I could get in w/in 2 weeks.
Got to the office this morning, filled out that paperwork and started perusing the office mags and pamphlets. The woman behind the desk asked me if I was interested in the cosmetic/skin products, because, if I was , the doctor didn't deal with that stuff, he has a separate person dealing with that area. WAHOO.....a derm who doesn't deal with the 'beauty' trade. I've sat in too many offices where the woman next to me to there to get botox while I try and hide my flakes from her flawless skin.
Meet with the doctor for a good 20 minutes. I didn't have much to show him, as enbrel has been effective for me and I have maybe a plague or two on each elbow. We discussed the frustrations of this disease and the fact I was lucky that the first biologic I tried worked for me. He said a lot of people have to bounce around.
Then, for the first time ever, he discussed support groups in and around the area. Was I in need of one, did I need further information on a group, etc, etc. He said he had given some talks at some of these groups and at public forums as well. That knocked my socks off, no doctor has ever mentioned support to me before.
I mentioned that I located him through the NPF, and he said something like, oh, that's where you get your support.
All in all I was very pleased. I'm continuing with the enbrel and he'd like me to try cutting back to see how little of the drug I can use. I'm on one 50mg shot a week, so he suggested going to 8 days between shots, then try 9 days and see how my skin reacts.