Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Year of the Doctor (for me, at least)

This year has been a doozy for me and doctors.  In February I had the flu. The flu, after it was done, turned into bronchitis.  Allergy symptoms lasted about 2-3 months. I finally had to see an ENT to get my nose straight.  During one of those ENT visits he prescribed Levoquin. After 3 doses of that I broke out in a rash, see this post.  A couple of weeks later, during my new rash research, I realized what I had was shingles!  Crazy.
 
I am currently in my 4th week of this 'new' rash.  It's all over my neck and jawline/chin.  In the beginning it was not red and did not itch. Now, it itches like crazy at night and in the morning and is red, as you can see below. 
 
After 2 weeks of self medicating with hydrocortisone, Benadryl, and an anti-fungal, I went to the doctor. She did nothing. A week later I went to the dermatologist. She said it looks to her like contact dermatitis, but she did a biopsy to be sure. I'm still waiting on those results. In the mean time she prescribed me Kenalog (steroid cream).  I am on the 6th day of using it and have seen no change in the rash.  I don't really agree with her diagnosis.  I don't put anything on my neck. I have not started using any new detergent, soap, makeup, lotion, sunscreen, perfume...anything.  She mentioned a perfume I purchased in April, but I don't think that's it since I had been using it for 3 months, and it should have gone a way once I stopped using it.  Also, that's not where I spray it. I spray more on my chest than neck.  Weird. It's gross and I feel like a reptile.  I just want it gone. 
 
 

 
She mentioned I may have to have an allergy test done, but she wouldn't recommend it until winter since I would not be able to shower for a week.  Can you imagine not showering for a week in Louisiana?!
 
I really need this vacation coming up on Saturday!  Calgon, take me away!!
 
 
 


No comments: