Ok I decided to bite the bullet and go to see a specialist privately, the £150 was a bit excessive but being able to see a dermatologist within days was well worth it!
We discussed my current condition including my current medications, moisturizers and my diet. After this the doctor confirmed my thoughts that my psoriasis had become resistant to the topical steroids I am currently using and seen as Dovobet is regarded as the one of the best steroidal medications available he thought that a different approach may be appropriate.
We discussed using Methotrexate, an immune suppressant. Methotrexate works by attacking the rapidly-dividing cells that are involved in causing psoriasis, it can be very effective however it has a long list of side effects and can be very liver toxic.
Even though I have gone private for my consultation, I will be treated as an NHS patient and not have to pay for further consultations however I will have to be referred again by my GP but it has cut about 8 weeks waiting time!
I will soon be starting a Methotrexate diary! So will be soon getting some before photos to see how I get on and can track my progress.
Showing posts with label gp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gp. Show all posts
Friday, 25 April 2014
Sunday, 13 April 2014
10 weeks to see a dermatologist?!?!
I am right in the middle of a flare up, a large portion of my back is covered as well as my arms, the 'itch' is unbearable at the moment and its driving me insane, it is starting to become a real issue and my quality of life is going down the drain again. I have been on Dovobet now for 6 years and unfortunately it is now getting to the point where it is starting to have little effect so I decided a trip to my GP was the best course of action.
I have never had much faith in my GP, I often think that I know an awful lot more about my condition than him. After about ten minutes of him searching through text books and looking on google he confirmed this telling me that basically Dovobet is the best thing for it, with no solution to my flare up insight i ask for a referral to a dermatologist. To be honest I knew going to the GP wouldn't help but for some reason unbeknownst to me you have to get a referral from a GP to see a specialist.
Ten weeks?! You have to be joking right? Unfortunately he was serious, ten weeks is an awful long time especially when it is making everyday life so difficult. I left the GP with my referral letter and headed home wondering what to do. I decided to call a local private hospital, Spire Liverpool have three dermatologists and I could get an appointment in three days not bad at all but there is a but! A consultation is £150! So here is my dilemma do I wait ten weeks, potentially take time off work and allow my skin to get even worse or do i fork out £150 and potentially struggle financially this month?
I have never had much faith in my GP, I often think that I know an awful lot more about my condition than him. After about ten minutes of him searching through text books and looking on google he confirmed this telling me that basically Dovobet is the best thing for it, with no solution to my flare up insight i ask for a referral to a dermatologist. To be honest I knew going to the GP wouldn't help but for some reason unbeknownst to me you have to get a referral from a GP to see a specialist.
Ten weeks?! You have to be joking right? Unfortunately he was serious, ten weeks is an awful long time especially when it is making everyday life so difficult. I left the GP with my referral letter and headed home wondering what to do. I decided to call a local private hospital, Spire Liverpool have three dermatologists and I could get an appointment in three days not bad at all but there is a but! A consultation is £150! So here is my dilemma do I wait ten weeks, potentially take time off work and allow my skin to get even worse or do i fork out £150 and potentially struggle financially this month?
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