Health Boards
Fri-13-01-2017, 17:23 PM
I've never joined a forum before so please forgive my fumbling as I navigate this new experience. To begin a little about me.
I retired just about a year ago and by mid spring I finally acknowledged that was something odd about this spot on my lower back that just wouldn't heal. Family became concerned so by the end of July I give in and went to the local clinic where a very young on-call doctor told me not to worry it wasn't cancer it was just an age spot. I smiled and thanked him but I figured there was more to this then a cranky age spot so I made an appointment to see one of the regular doctors.
Meanwhile I noticed a big toe nail had decided to start to lift and curl. It had been ridiculously hot here in NS so I thought, Dear Lord, I must have some kind of nail fungus... I'm a bit horrified at the thought and I pretty much cleaned and disinfected every spot in my house. I certainly never connected the two problems. I have a large selection of fungal creams if anyone needs some.
I finally did get to see the regular doctor and she looks at my back and says "I have no idea what that is"... I blink because I didn't find that particularly helpful. There is a long pause and I suggest perhaps a biopsy. She doesn't think it is a good idea to do a biopsy because if it is cancer then a biopsy may make it grow faster, but she will make a request for a dermatologist to see it. She gives me a script for a steroid cream. Keep in mind, this is early August of 2016. A week later I'm told that my appointment with the dermatologist is February of 2017. I still shake my head at that. Seriously, this is the God's truth. If that puppy had of been cancer this would have been a eulogy. I smile now but at the time I was completely baffled.
Meanwhile that toenail is quite a site and I have to get what is left of it removed. The spot on my back has spread like crazy and now there are more on my lower legs and arms. So back I go and insist on a biopsy which they did do. A few days later I am told it is psoriasis and that they can get me into a dermatologist by October. Between August and my first appointment in October I have them everywhere.
And now since October and the start of Dovobet and light treatments (twice a week) it has moved to my scalp, ears, forehead but my legs are the worst. I only have two toenails and two fingernails left. Most of toes are purple from arthritis along with three of my fingers. The treatments are controlling the scaling and itching most of the time. In between all of this they discover I have high liver counts and therefore no drugs until they can determine why. Waiting for liver biopsy and catscans for the out come of that.
So I guess that is my mess in a nutshell. Sorry to lay it all out there but I guess I needed to just yell/scream/vent to someone. That's it for a start. ... got to rub more stuff on my body. Good thing I'm retired, gives me lots of time to do that.
I retired just about a year ago and by mid spring I finally acknowledged that was something odd about this spot on my lower back that just wouldn't heal. Family became concerned so by the end of July I give in and went to the local clinic where a very young on-call doctor told me not to worry it wasn't cancer it was just an age spot. I smiled and thanked him but I figured there was more to this then a cranky age spot so I made an appointment to see one of the regular doctors.
Meanwhile I noticed a big toe nail had decided to start to lift and curl. It had been ridiculously hot here in NS so I thought, Dear Lord, I must have some kind of nail fungus... I'm a bit horrified at the thought and I pretty much cleaned and disinfected every spot in my house. I certainly never connected the two problems. I have a large selection of fungal creams if anyone needs some.
I finally did get to see the regular doctor and she looks at my back and says "I have no idea what that is"... I blink because I didn't find that particularly helpful. There is a long pause and I suggest perhaps a biopsy. She doesn't think it is a good idea to do a biopsy because if it is cancer then a biopsy may make it grow faster, but she will make a request for a dermatologist to see it. She gives me a script for a steroid cream. Keep in mind, this is early August of 2016. A week later I'm told that my appointment with the dermatologist is February of 2017. I still shake my head at that. Seriously, this is the God's truth. If that puppy had of been cancer this would have been a eulogy. I smile now but at the time I was completely baffled.
Meanwhile that toenail is quite a site and I have to get what is left of it removed. The spot on my back has spread like crazy and now there are more on my lower legs and arms. So back I go and insist on a biopsy which they did do. A few days later I am told it is psoriasis and that they can get me into a dermatologist by October. Between August and my first appointment in October I have them everywhere.
And now since October and the start of Dovobet and light treatments (twice a week) it has moved to my scalp, ears, forehead but my legs are the worst. I only have two toenails and two fingernails left. Most of toes are purple from arthritis along with three of my fingers. The treatments are controlling the scaling and itching most of the time. In between all of this they discover I have high liver counts and therefore no drugs until they can determine why. Waiting for liver biopsy and catscans for the out come of that.
So I guess that is my mess in a nutshell. Sorry to lay it all out there but I guess I needed to just yell/scream/vent to someone. That's it for a start. ... got to rub more stuff on my body. Good thing I'm retired, gives me lots of time to do that.