New here -- and so far entirely disgusted with the medical profession

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone. I've been lurking here for about a month and decided to

join today.

Is it just me, or do doctors not have a clue how to deal with

rosacea? This is the impression I'm getting from my recent encounters

with so-called specialists. For example, this is how I found out I

had rosacea: Last month my GP sent me to a dermatologist for what he

called a " steatoma " on my nose. Getting in to see the Pope would have

been easier, but I finally got an appointment. When she finally

sauntered in 35 minutes late, she asked me if I always had " red

bumps " like that. I said I sometimes had pimples, yes. Then she asked

me if I blushed a lot. Again, yes. She wrote the word " ROSACEA " on my

chart, in capitals. Wrote, not said. She told me she would write me a

prescription for a cream that would clear it up, and that I should

always wear a sunscreen. Then she walked out with a cheery wave and

her assistant came in to burn the steatoma (whatever that is) off my

nose. Elapsed time with dermatologist: 1½ minutes.

Not knowing at that time what rosacea is, I wasn't too concerned. I

got the prescription filled and went home to read about it on the

Web. Metronadizole gel. Okay. Then I read about rosacea, took a look

at a few of the pictures, and burst into tears. I mean, what if I

hadn't seen her write it on my chart?

Not happy with this, I went back to my GP to ask him to refer me to

another derm for a second opinion. The GP said it didn't look like

rosacea to him ( " not oily enough " ?!) and that he would send me to the

foremost expert in the field, who just happens to practice around the

corner. So I called up and got an appointment with him and waited

excitedly for the day to come, hoping that the 1½ minute specialist

had been wrong.

The big day was yesterday. The foremost expert in the field confirmed

that yes, I did have rosacea but that it was " mild " and " probably in

Stage 1 " . Keep in mind he never got closer than within 4 feet of me,

so he must be one of those psychic doctors. " I'm going to write you a

prescription for some tetracycline, " he said hurriedly.

I said: " Ah, but I can't take tetracycline because I have GI problems

and I once had an ulcer. You better give me erythromycin. " He nodded

and kept writing. " I'm also going to put you on a topical steroid

cream. "

Now, having read a little about this, I knew it was a big no-

no. " Isn't that dangerous? " I asked timidly.

" No, not if you only use it for a few weeks, " he sniffed.

" What's the point if it's only for a few weeks? " I asked. Silence

broken only by the sound of frantic scribbling. " Uh, should I get

some photoderm treatment? "

" What? "

" Photoderm...IPL...you know, light therapy? "

" Hrmph. We'll see about laser therapy if the condition progresses.

And I also think you might have eczema, so please book 3 more

appointments with my secretary outside so I can give you the tests. "

Outside, I looked at the prescription to make sure he'd given me

erythromycin. Nope. Tetracycline. He hadn't heard a damn word I'd

said.

Tetracycline and overproof topical steroids. I felt like I was in a

timewarp. Somehow this " foremost expert " is beginning to look like a

caveman throwback with a bad hearing problem.

*grump*