Guest guest Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 , Oh my goodness- you poor thing! I am sending you a bunch of cyber hugs (((((HUG)))). You sound as if you have been through the ringer! Is there a way to put in a complaint to your insurance company about these so called " doctors " ? I would do that immediately. I cannot even comprehend these docs and how flippant they are to us. Maybe you could go to the pharmacy and see what the pharmacist recommends for your hair. hang in there sandie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 ARRRGH! I got in to see my rheumatologist (and I use this term loosely) yesterday regarding my hair loss. By then I had a swath about 1 1/2 inches wide and 4 inches long of exposed scalp, with little 3-inch frizzies stuck in here and there. Things will get better for awhile, and I think I'm over the worst, then a bunch falls out, again. He comes in, cocky as ever, and says that I wasn't on the prednisone long enough or high enough dose to cause any hair loss. He then asks ME if plaquenil has hair loss as a side effect. I start to try to tell him that I understand it is very rare, from what you guys pointed me to , but he cuts me off and excuses himself. He's gone for about 5-10 minutes, and comes back, and says that plaquenil *might* be the problem. He then says he's taking me off all my arthritis meds, and to come back in two months and let him know how I feel. EXCUSE ME? I start a new job in a week! I can pretty much tell him how I will feel. He then tells me to put some rogaine on my bald spot, and that " most of the hair usually comes back " . Gee, thanks for the advise. So, I go home, hoping to have a message from my REAL doctor, but nothing. I had called again in the morning to try to get in, but she was booked (just got back from vacation). I had a wad of hair on the seat of my car about the size of a soccer ball just form the drive to and from the rheumy. I call again, and tell the nurse I'm getting desperate. I had to pick up husband from work (his year old car broke down, just to make things even MORE exciting), so gave my cell phone number. She finally calls at about 5:30, apologizes for the delay, and tells me to call the dermatologist in her building. She also says to call her nurse tomorrow if I have any problems getting in. OK, no prob...I feel better, now. I'd like to get into her medical group, since they have all the charts computerized, and they will see my entire history with her and Dr. Jerk. I want to look into this further, because if it ISN'T the meds, waiting a week to see if it gets better isn't gonna cut it, and my doctor agrees. So, this morning I get up (bald spot is now about 2x5 inches, and getting awfully close to my front hairline, which is the only thing that is hiding everything right now, since I can pull it back into a ponytail over my offending scalp). Please remember that I am now over 24 hours without prednisone (stopped cold turkey, but it was only 5mg so not too bad) PLUS I've got PMS. Woohoo! I call the dermatologist, and she says that they are double-booked, the doctors will both be gone the rest of July, and she can squeeze me in sometime in August. Ummmm....I really DON'T want to look like Sinead O'Connor, so that won't work. I beg her to get me in today or tomorrow. Nope, no-go. I call my doctor's office, but no one knows where her nurse is, so I leave a message. I hang up and burst into tears (remember, no pred and PMS, here, combined with stress about my new job and not much support here at home). I also call my husband's doctor, whom I left because they are really bad about answering messages, renewing prescriptions (including heart meds), etc. I leave a message, whatever good that will do. My husband gets snotty about all this, prints out all the dermatologists in our health plan, and gives it to me with a very condenscending comment. And THEN he doesn't understand why I'm pissed at him. GRRRRR! Anyway, I had to vent to someone, and you guys will understand my frustration. Sorry to rant, but otherwise I think my head would explode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 So sorry you've had to go through all that you have, . Hair loss is frightening, but try to stay calm; you'll get through this. If you have to, you can vaguely explain to co-workers at the new job. People go to work all the time with different health conditions, some of them visible. I agree that it's not an ideal way to start a job, but the bottom line is, you're still you, and you bring valuable skills that are needed there. Courage! Sierra > ARRRGH! > > I got in to see my rheumatologist (and I use this term loosely) > yesterday regarding my hair loss. By then I had a swath about 1 1/2 > inches wide and 4 inches long of exposed scalp, with little 3-inch > frizzies stuck in here and there. Things will get better for > awhile, and I think I'm over the worst, then a bunch falls out, > again. He comes in, cocky as ever, and says that I wasn't on the > prednisone long enough or high enough dose to cause any hair loss. > He then asks ME if plaquenil has hair loss as a side effect. I > start to try to tell him that I understand it is very rare, from > what you guys pointed me to , but he cuts me off and excuses > himself. He's gone for about 5-10 minutes, and comes back, and says > that plaquenil *might* be the problem. He then says he's taking me > off all my arthritis meds, and to come back in two months and let > him know how I feel. EXCUSE ME? I start a new job in a week! I > can pretty much tell him how I will feel. He then tells me to put > some rogaine on my bald spot, and that " most of the hair usually > comes back " . Gee, thanks for the advise. > > So, I go home, hoping to have a message from my REAL doctor, but > nothing. I had called again in the morning to try to get in, but > she was booked (just got back from vacation). I had a wad of hair > on the seat of my car about the size of a soccer ball just form the > drive to and from the rheumy. I call again, and tell the nurse I'm > getting desperate. I had to pick up husband from work (his year old > car broke down, just to make things even MORE exciting), so gave my > cell phone number. She finally calls at about 5:30, apologizes for > the delay, and tells me to call the dermatologist in her building. > She also says to call her nurse tomorrow if I have any problems > getting in. OK, no prob...I feel better, now. I'd like to get into > her medical group, since they have all the charts computerized, and > they will see my entire history with her and Dr. Jerk. I want to > look into this further, because if it ISN'T the meds, waiting a week > to see if it gets better isn't gonna cut it, and my doctor agrees. > > So, this morning I get up (bald spot is now about 2x5 inches, and > getting awfully close to my front hairline, which is the only thing > that is hiding everything right now, since I can pull it back into a > ponytail over my offending scalp). Please remember that I am now > over 24 hours without prednisone (stopped cold turkey, but it was > only 5mg so not too bad) PLUS I've got PMS. Woohoo! I call the > dermatologist, and she says that they are double-booked, the doctors > will both be gone the rest of July, and she can squeeze me in > sometime in August. Ummmm....I really DON'T want to look like > Sinead O'Connor, so that won't work. I beg her to get me in today > or tomorrow. Nope, no-go. I call my doctor's office, but no one > knows where her nurse is, so I leave a message. I hang up and burst > into tears (remember, no pred and PMS, here, combined with stress > about my new job and not much support here at home). > > I also call my husband's doctor, whom I left because they are really > bad about answering messages, renewing prescriptions (including > heart meds), etc. I leave a message, whatever good that will do. > > My husband gets snotty about all this, prints out all the > dermatologists in our health plan, and gives it to me with a very > condenscending comment. And THEN he doesn't understand why I'm > pissed at him. GRRRRR! > > Anyway, I had to vent to someone, and you guys will understand my > frustration. Sorry to rant, but otherwise I think my head would > explode. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 , It sounds like you have a NUT for a doctor! I'm so sorry that he treated you like this. How would he like to go around with bald spots, surprised he doesn't from someone pulling it out? I can't believe he took you off all your RA meds. I have never heard anyone having that much hair loss on the RA meds. I hope you can find a dermatologist from the list, this is terrible. Please, keep us posted, and know I'm here if you need to talk. I will be praying for you, I know you are going through a horrible time. Hugs, Tawny > ARRRGH! > > I got in to see my rheumatologist (and I use this term loosely) > yesterday regarding my hair loss. By then I had a swath about 1 1/2 > inches wide and 4 inches long of exposed scalp, with little 3-inch > frizzies stuck in here and there. Things will get better for > awhile, and I think I'm over the worst, then a bunch falls out, > again. He comes in, cocky as ever, and says that I wasn't on the > prednisone long enough or high enough dose to cause any hair loss. > He then asks ME if plaquenil has hair loss as a side effect. I > start to try to tell him that I understand it is very rare, from > what you guys pointed me to , but he cuts me off and excuses > himself. He's gone for about 5-10 minutes, and comes back, and says > that plaquenil *might* be the problem. He then says he's taking me > off all my arthritis meds, and to come back in two months and let > him know how I feel. EXCUSE ME? I start a new job in a week! I > can pretty much tell him how I will feel. He then tells me to put > some rogaine on my bald spot, and that " most of the hair usually > comes back " . Gee, thanks for the advise. > > So, I go home, hoping to have a message from my REAL doctor, but > nothing. I had called again in the morning to try to get in, but > she was booked (just got back from vacation). I had a wad of hair > on the seat of my car about the size of a soccer ball just form the > drive to and from the rheumy. I call again, and tell the nurse I'm > getting desperate. I had to pick up husband from work (his year old > car broke down, just to make things even MORE exciting), so gave my > cell phone number. She finally calls at about 5:30, apologizes for > the delay, and tells me to call the dermatologist in her building. > She also says to call her nurse tomorrow if I have any problems > getting in. OK, no prob...I feel better, now. I'd like to get into > her medical group, since they have all the charts computerized, and > they will see my entire history with her and Dr. Jerk. I want to > look into this further, because if it ISN'T the meds, waiting a week > to see if it gets better isn't gonna cut it, and my doctor agrees. > > So, this morning I get up (bald spot is now about 2x5 inches, and > getting awfully close to my front hairline, which is the only thing > that is hiding everything right now, since I can pull it back into a > ponytail over my offending scalp). Please remember that I am now > over 24 hours without prednisone (stopped cold turkey, but it was > only 5mg so not too bad) PLUS I've got PMS. Woohoo! I call the > dermatologist, and she says that they are double-booked, the doctors > will both be gone the rest of July, and she can squeeze me in > sometime in August. Ummmm....I really DON'T want to look like > Sinead O'Connor, so that won't work. I beg her to get me in today > or tomorrow. Nope, no-go. I call my doctor's office, but no one > knows where her nurse is, so I leave a message. I hang up and burst > into tears (remember, no pred and PMS, here, combined with stress > about my new job and not much support here at home). > > I also call my husband's doctor, whom I left because they are really > bad about answering messages, renewing prescriptions (including > heart meds), etc. I leave a message, whatever good that will do. > > My husband gets snotty about all this, prints out all the > dermatologists in our health plan, and gives it to me with a very > condenscending comment. And THEN he doesn't understand why I'm > pissed at him. GRRRRR! > > Anyway, I had to vent to someone, and you guys will understand my > frustration. Sorry to rant, but otherwise I think my head would > explode. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 , It sounds like you have a NUT for a doctor! I'm so sorry that he treated you like this. How would he like to go around with bald spots, surprised he doesn't from someone pulling it out? I can't believe he took you off all your RA meds. I have never heard anyone having that much hair loss on the RA meds. I hope you can find a dermatologist from the list, this is terrible. Please, keep us posted, and know I'm here if you need to talk. I will be praying for you, I know you are going through a horrible time. Hugs, Tawny > ARRRGH! > > I got in to see my rheumatologist (and I use this term loosely) > yesterday regarding my hair loss. By then I had a swath about 1 1/2 > inches wide and 4 inches long of exposed scalp, with little 3-inch > frizzies stuck in here and there. Things will get better for > awhile, and I think I'm over the worst, then a bunch falls out, > again. He comes in, cocky as ever, and says that I wasn't on the > prednisone long enough or high enough dose to cause any hair loss. > He then asks ME if plaquenil has hair loss as a side effect. I > start to try to tell him that I understand it is very rare, from > what you guys pointed me to , but he cuts me off and excuses > himself. He's gone for about 5-10 minutes, and comes back, and says > that plaquenil *might* be the problem. He then says he's taking me > off all my arthritis meds, and to come back in two months and let > him know how I feel. EXCUSE ME? I start a new job in a week! I > can pretty much tell him how I will feel. He then tells me to put > some rogaine on my bald spot, and that " most of the hair usually > comes back " . Gee, thanks for the advise. > > So, I go home, hoping to have a message from my REAL doctor, but > nothing. I had called again in the morning to try to get in, but > she was booked (just got back from vacation). I had a wad of hair > on the seat of my car about the size of a soccer ball just form the > drive to and from the rheumy. I call again, and tell the nurse I'm > getting desperate. I had to pick up husband from work (his year old > car broke down, just to make things even MORE exciting), so gave my > cell phone number. She finally calls at about 5:30, apologizes for > the delay, and tells me to call the dermatologist in her building. > She also says to call her nurse tomorrow if I have any problems > getting in. OK, no prob...I feel better, now. I'd like to get into > her medical group, since they have all the charts computerized, and > they will see my entire history with her and Dr. Jerk. I want to > look into this further, because if it ISN'T the meds, waiting a week > to see if it gets better isn't gonna cut it, and my doctor agrees. > > So, this morning I get up (bald spot is now about 2x5 inches, and > getting awfully close to my front hairline, which is the only thing > that is hiding everything right now, since I can pull it back into a > ponytail over my offending scalp). Please remember that I am now > over 24 hours without prednisone (stopped cold turkey, but it was > only 5mg so not too bad) PLUS I've got PMS. Woohoo! I call the > dermatologist, and she says that they are double-booked, the doctors > will both be gone the rest of July, and she can squeeze me in > sometime in August. Ummmm....I really DON'T want to look like > Sinead O'Connor, so that won't work. I beg her to get me in today > or tomorrow. Nope, no-go. I call my doctor's office, but no one > knows where her nurse is, so I leave a message. I hang up and burst > into tears (remember, no pred and PMS, here, combined with stress > about my new job and not much support here at home). > > I also call my husband's doctor, whom I left because they are really > bad about answering messages, renewing prescriptions (including > heart meds), etc. I leave a message, whatever good that will do. > > My husband gets snotty about all this, prints out all the > dermatologists in our health plan, and gives it to me with a very > condenscending comment. And THEN he doesn't understand why I'm > pissed at him. GRRRRR! > > Anyway, I had to vent to someone, and you guys will understand my > frustration. Sorry to rant, but otherwise I think my head would > explode. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 , that's a horrible tale. I hope you will be getting competent, compassionate help soon. Not an MD I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Freakin' > ARRRGH! > > I got in to see my rheumatologist (and I use this term loosely) > yesterday regarding my hair loss. By then I had a swath about 1 1/2 > inches wide and 4 inches long of exposed scalp, with little 3-inch > frizzies stuck in here and there. Things will get better for > awhile, and I think I'm over the worst, then a bunch falls out, > again. He comes in, cocky as ever, and says that I wasn't on the > prednisone long enough or high enough dose to cause any hair loss. > He then asks ME if plaquenil has hair loss as a side effect. I > start to try to tell him that I understand it is very rare, from > what you guys pointed me to , but he cuts me off and excuses > himself. He's gone for about 5-10 minutes, and comes back, and says > that plaquenil *might* be the problem. He then says he's taking me > off all my arthritis meds, and to come back in two months and let > him know how I feel. EXCUSE ME? I start a new job in a week! I > can pretty much tell him how I will feel. He then tells me to put > some rogaine on my bald spot, and that " most of the hair usually > comes back " . Gee, thanks for the advise. > > So, I go home, hoping to have a message from my REAL doctor, but > nothing. I had called again in the morning to try to get in, but > she was booked (just got back from vacation). I had a wad of hair > on the seat of my car about the size of a soccer ball just form the > drive to and from the rheumy. I call again, and tell the nurse I'm > getting desperate. I had to pick up husband from work (his year old > car broke down, just to make things even MORE exciting), so gave my > cell phone number. She finally calls at about 5:30, apologizes for > the delay, and tells me to call the dermatologist in her building. > She also says to call her nurse tomorrow if I have any problems > getting in. OK, no prob...I feel better, now. I'd like to get into > her medical group, since they have all the charts computerized, and > they will see my entire history with her and Dr. Jerk. I want to > look into this further, because if it ISN'T the meds, waiting a week > to see if it gets better isn't gonna cut it, and my doctor agrees. > > So, this morning I get up (bald spot is now about 2x5 inches, and > getting awfully close to my front hairline, which is the only thing > that is hiding everything right now, since I can pull it back into a > ponytail over my offending scalp). Please remember that I am now > over 24 hours without prednisone (stopped cold turkey, but it was > only 5mg so not too bad) PLUS I've got PMS. Woohoo! I call the > dermatologist, and she says that they are double-booked, the doctors > will both be gone the rest of July, and she can squeeze me in > sometime in August. Ummmm....I really DON'T want to look like > Sinead O'Connor, so that won't work. I beg her to get me in today > or tomorrow. Nope, no-go. I call my doctor's office, but no one > knows where her nurse is, so I leave a message. I hang up and burst > into tears (remember, no pred and PMS, here, combined with stress > about my new job and not much support here at home). > > I also call my husband's doctor, whom I left because they are really > bad about answering messages, renewing prescriptions (including > heart meds), etc. I leave a message, whatever good that will do. > > My husband gets snotty about all this, prints out all the > dermatologists in our health plan, and gives it to me with a very > condenscending comment. And THEN he doesn't understand why I'm > pissed at him. GRRRRR! > > Anyway, I had to vent to someone, and you guys will understand my > frustration. Sorry to rant, but otherwise I think my head would > explode. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 , that's a horrible tale. I hope you will be getting competent, compassionate help soon. Not an MD I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Freakin' > ARRRGH! > > I got in to see my rheumatologist (and I use this term loosely) > yesterday regarding my hair loss. By then I had a swath about 1 1/2 > inches wide and 4 inches long of exposed scalp, with little 3-inch > frizzies stuck in here and there. Things will get better for > awhile, and I think I'm over the worst, then a bunch falls out, > again. He comes in, cocky as ever, and says that I wasn't on the > prednisone long enough or high enough dose to cause any hair loss. > He then asks ME if plaquenil has hair loss as a side effect. I > start to try to tell him that I understand it is very rare, from > what you guys pointed me to , but he cuts me off and excuses > himself. He's gone for about 5-10 minutes, and comes back, and says > that plaquenil *might* be the problem. He then says he's taking me > off all my arthritis meds, and to come back in two months and let > him know how I feel. EXCUSE ME? I start a new job in a week! I > can pretty much tell him how I will feel. He then tells me to put > some rogaine on my bald spot, and that " most of the hair usually > comes back " . Gee, thanks for the advise. > > So, I go home, hoping to have a message from my REAL doctor, but > nothing. I had called again in the morning to try to get in, but > she was booked (just got back from vacation). I had a wad of hair > on the seat of my car about the size of a soccer ball just form the > drive to and from the rheumy. I call again, and tell the nurse I'm > getting desperate. I had to pick up husband from work (his year old > car broke down, just to make things even MORE exciting), so gave my > cell phone number. She finally calls at about 5:30, apologizes for > the delay, and tells me to call the dermatologist in her building. > She also says to call her nurse tomorrow if I have any problems > getting in. OK, no prob...I feel better, now. I'd like to get into > her medical group, since they have all the charts computerized, and > they will see my entire history with her and Dr. Jerk. I want to > look into this further, because if it ISN'T the meds, waiting a week > to see if it gets better isn't gonna cut it, and my doctor agrees. > > So, this morning I get up (bald spot is now about 2x5 inches, and > getting awfully close to my front hairline, which is the only thing > that is hiding everything right now, since I can pull it back into a > ponytail over my offending scalp). Please remember that I am now > over 24 hours without prednisone (stopped cold turkey, but it was > only 5mg so not too bad) PLUS I've got PMS. Woohoo! I call the > dermatologist, and she says that they are double-booked, the doctors > will both be gone the rest of July, and she can squeeze me in > sometime in August. Ummmm....I really DON'T want to look like > Sinead O'Connor, so that won't work. I beg her to get me in today > or tomorrow. Nope, no-go. I call my doctor's office, but no one > knows where her nurse is, so I leave a message. I hang up and burst > into tears (remember, no pred and PMS, here, combined with stress > about my new job and not much support here at home). > > I also call my husband's doctor, whom I left because they are really > bad about answering messages, renewing prescriptions (including > heart meds), etc. I leave a message, whatever good that will do. > > My husband gets snotty about all this, prints out all the > dermatologists in our health plan, and gives it to me with a very > condenscending comment. And THEN he doesn't understand why I'm > pissed at him. GRRRRR! > > Anyway, I had to vent to someone, and you guys will understand my > frustration. Sorry to rant, but otherwise I think my head would > explode. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 > ARRRGH! > , I really agree with that comment! Sounds like your doctors and nurses are related to the ones around here. I think the medical " professionals " in this town just figure EVERYONE is an illiterate redneck looking for drugs, so that's how they treat everyone. I sure hope you find someone who remembers his/her Hippcratic oath soon. Judi PS And ask your husband how he'd feel if all his hair suddenly fell out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 > ARRRGH! > , I really agree with that comment! Sounds like your doctors and nurses are related to the ones around here. I think the medical " professionals " in this town just figure EVERYONE is an illiterate redneck looking for drugs, so that's how they treat everyone. I sure hope you find someone who remembers his/her Hippcratic oath soon. Judi PS And ask your husband how he'd feel if all his hair suddenly fell out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Just to clarify...my gp is WONDERFUL. She is the one who has supported me through all the hell I've been going through, especially with my rheumatologist. She's the one who insists there is something wrong, and encourages me to research things on my own. She actually likes it...I've taught her a couple of things if she is not really familiar with it . She is also the first to admit if she doesn't know something, which I've found rare in doctors. Her office help, however, leaves a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, I've found this to be true more and more often. I don't know if it is just these technical schools spitting out these kids just out of high school who aren't really ready for a profession, or just the general apathy that has become the norm in this country. In any case, I FINALLY found a dermatologist who will see me this afternoon. OK, he specializes in cosmetic surgery, but he IS trained in dermatology and is a memeber of the BOD, which at this point is good enough for me. After a lot of hunting around on the web, I'm 90% sure that this is alopecia areata, which is an autoimmune disorder. Also, since I stopped my prednisone and plaq., the hair loss has become WORSE. Yesterday morning I could still hide the spot with a ponytail. By about 3pm, it had spread to my hairline, preventing me from hiding it. This morning, the size of the area affected has doubled, and the area in the front of my head has gone completely bald. I'm quickly getting to the point that I actually hope enough hair is lost so I can just shave the rest and wear a hat or wig....which really sucks. I'll be hat shopping this weekend, I think. > , that's a horrible tale. I hope you will be getting competent, > compassionate help soon. > > > > Not an MD > > I'll tell you where to go! > > Mayo Clinic in Rochester > http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester > > s Hopkins Medicine > http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org > > > [ ] Freakin' > > > > ARRRGH! > > > > I got in to see my rheumatologist (and I use this term loosely) > > yesterday regarding my hair loss. By then I had a swath about 1 1/2 > > inches wide and 4 inches long of exposed scalp, with little 3- inch > > frizzies stuck in here and there. Things will get better for > > awhile, and I think I'm over the worst, then a bunch falls out, > > again. He comes in, cocky as ever, and says that I wasn't on the > > prednisone long enough or high enough dose to cause any hair loss. > > He then asks ME if plaquenil has hair loss as a side effect. I > > start to try to tell him that I understand it is very rare, from > > what you guys pointed me to , but he cuts me off and excuses > > himself. He's gone for about 5-10 minutes, and comes back, and says > > that plaquenil *might* be the problem. He then says he's taking me > > off all my arthritis meds, and to come back in two months and let > > him know how I feel. EXCUSE ME? I start a new job in a week! I > > can pretty much tell him how I will feel. He then tells me to put > > some rogaine on my bald spot, and that " most of the hair usually > > comes back " . Gee, thanks for the advise. > > > > So, I go home, hoping to have a message from my REAL doctor, but > > nothing. I had called again in the morning to try to get in, but > > she was booked (just got back from vacation). I had a wad of hair > > on the seat of my car about the size of a soccer ball just form the > > drive to and from the rheumy. I call again, and tell the nurse I'm > > getting desperate. I had to pick up husband from work (his year old > > car broke down, just to make things even MORE exciting), so gave my > > cell phone number. She finally calls at about 5:30, apologizes for > > the delay, and tells me to call the dermatologist in her building. > > She also says to call her nurse tomorrow if I have any problems > > getting in. OK, no prob...I feel better, now. I'd like to get into > > her medical group, since they have all the charts computerized, and > > they will see my entire history with her and Dr. Jerk. I want to > > look into this further, because if it ISN'T the meds, waiting a week > > to see if it gets better isn't gonna cut it, and my doctor agrees. > > > > So, this morning I get up (bald spot is now about 2x5 inches, and > > getting awfully close to my front hairline, which is the only thing > > that is hiding everything right now, since I can pull it back into a > > ponytail over my offending scalp). Please remember that I am now > > over 24 hours without prednisone (stopped cold turkey, but it was > > only 5mg so not too bad) PLUS I've got PMS. Woohoo! I call the > > dermatologist, and she says that they are double-booked, the doctors > > will both be gone the rest of July, and she can squeeze me in > > sometime in August. Ummmm....I really DON'T want to look like > > Sinead O'Connor, so that won't work. I beg her to get me in today > > or tomorrow. Nope, no-go. I call my doctor's office, but no one > > knows where her nurse is, so I leave a message. I hang up and burst > > into tears (remember, no pred and PMS, here, combined with stress > > about my new job and not much support here at home). > > > > I also call my husband's doctor, whom I left because they are really > > bad about answering messages, renewing prescriptions (including > > heart meds), etc. I leave a message, whatever good that will do. > > > > My husband gets snotty about all this, prints out all the > > dermatologists in our health plan, and gives it to me with a very > > condenscending comment. And THEN he doesn't understand why I'm > > pissed at him. GRRRRR! > > > > Anyway, I had to vent to someone, and you guys will understand my > > frustration. Sorry to rant, but otherwise I think my head would > > explode. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Just to clarify...my gp is WONDERFUL. She is the one who has supported me through all the hell I've been going through, especially with my rheumatologist. She's the one who insists there is something wrong, and encourages me to research things on my own. She actually likes it...I've taught her a couple of things if she is not really familiar with it . She is also the first to admit if she doesn't know something, which I've found rare in doctors. Her office help, however, leaves a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, I've found this to be true more and more often. I don't know if it is just these technical schools spitting out these kids just out of high school who aren't really ready for a profession, or just the general apathy that has become the norm in this country. In any case, I FINALLY found a dermatologist who will see me this afternoon. OK, he specializes in cosmetic surgery, but he IS trained in dermatology and is a memeber of the BOD, which at this point is good enough for me. After a lot of hunting around on the web, I'm 90% sure that this is alopecia areata, which is an autoimmune disorder. Also, since I stopped my prednisone and plaq., the hair loss has become WORSE. Yesterday morning I could still hide the spot with a ponytail. By about 3pm, it had spread to my hairline, preventing me from hiding it. This morning, the size of the area affected has doubled, and the area in the front of my head has gone completely bald. I'm quickly getting to the point that I actually hope enough hair is lost so I can just shave the rest and wear a hat or wig....which really sucks. I'll be hat shopping this weekend, I think. > , that's a horrible tale. I hope you will be getting competent, > compassionate help soon. > > > > Not an MD > > I'll tell you where to go! > > Mayo Clinic in Rochester > http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester > > s Hopkins Medicine > http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org > > > [ ] Freakin' > > > > ARRRGH! > > > > I got in to see my rheumatologist (and I use this term loosely) > > yesterday regarding my hair loss. By then I had a swath about 1 1/2 > > inches wide and 4 inches long of exposed scalp, with little 3- inch > > frizzies stuck in here and there. Things will get better for > > awhile, and I think I'm over the worst, then a bunch falls out, > > again. He comes in, cocky as ever, and says that I wasn't on the > > prednisone long enough or high enough dose to cause any hair loss. > > He then asks ME if plaquenil has hair loss as a side effect. I > > start to try to tell him that I understand it is very rare, from > > what you guys pointed me to , but he cuts me off and excuses > > himself. He's gone for about 5-10 minutes, and comes back, and says > > that plaquenil *might* be the problem. He then says he's taking me > > off all my arthritis meds, and to come back in two months and let > > him know how I feel. EXCUSE ME? I start a new job in a week! I > > can pretty much tell him how I will feel. He then tells me to put > > some rogaine on my bald spot, and that " most of the hair usually > > comes back " . Gee, thanks for the advise. > > > > So, I go home, hoping to have a message from my REAL doctor, but > > nothing. I had called again in the morning to try to get in, but > > she was booked (just got back from vacation). I had a wad of hair > > on the seat of my car about the size of a soccer ball just form the > > drive to and from the rheumy. I call again, and tell the nurse I'm > > getting desperate. I had to pick up husband from work (his year old > > car broke down, just to make things even MORE exciting), so gave my > > cell phone number. She finally calls at about 5:30, apologizes for > > the delay, and tells me to call the dermatologist in her building. > > She also says to call her nurse tomorrow if I have any problems > > getting in. OK, no prob...I feel better, now. I'd like to get into > > her medical group, since they have all the charts computerized, and > > they will see my entire history with her and Dr. Jerk. I want to > > look into this further, because if it ISN'T the meds, waiting a week > > to see if it gets better isn't gonna cut it, and my doctor agrees. > > > > So, this morning I get up (bald spot is now about 2x5 inches, and > > getting awfully close to my front hairline, which is the only thing > > that is hiding everything right now, since I can pull it back into a > > ponytail over my offending scalp). Please remember that I am now > > over 24 hours without prednisone (stopped cold turkey, but it was > > only 5mg so not too bad) PLUS I've got PMS. Woohoo! I call the > > dermatologist, and she says that they are double-booked, the doctors > > will both be gone the rest of July, and she can squeeze me in > > sometime in August. Ummmm....I really DON'T want to look like > > Sinead O'Connor, so that won't work. I beg her to get me in today > > or tomorrow. Nope, no-go. I call my doctor's office, but no one > > knows where her nurse is, so I leave a message. I hang up and burst > > into tears (remember, no pred and PMS, here, combined with stress > > about my new job and not much support here at home). > > > > I also call my husband's doctor, whom I left because they are really > > bad about answering messages, renewing prescriptions (including > > heart meds), etc. I leave a message, whatever good that will do. > > > > My husband gets snotty about all this, prints out all the > > dermatologists in our health plan, and gives it to me with a very > > condenscending comment. And THEN he doesn't understand why I'm > > pissed at him. GRRRRR! > > > > Anyway, I had to vent to someone, and you guys will understand my > > frustration. Sorry to rant, but otherwise I think my head would > > explode. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2005 Report Share Posted July 14, 2005 , I am a little behind on my e-mails. I am sorry that your hair is falling out. Mine has also been falling out. But nothing like yours. I hope you get some help soon. Don't use shampoo that has dimethacone in it because that makes hair fall out also. I just recently changed shampoos and didn't look at the label, that is when I noticed my hair coming out. I hope everything gets better soon. Beth(AR) --- tandarat <mflinder@...> wrote: > ARRRGH! > > I got in to see my rheumatologist (and I use this > term loosely) > yesterday regarding my hair loss. By then I had a > swath about 1 1/2 > inches wide and 4 inches long of exposed scalp, with > little 3-inch > frizzies stuck in here and there. Things will get > better for > awhile, and I think I'm over the worst, then a bunch > falls out, > again. He comes in, cocky as ever, and says that I > wasn't on the > prednisone long enough or high enough dose to cause > any hair loss. > He then asks ME if plaquenil has hair loss as a side > effect. I > start to try to tell him that I understand it is > very rare, from > what you guys pointed me to , but he cuts me off > and excuses > himself. He's gone for about 5-10 minutes, and > comes back, and says > that plaquenil *might* be the problem. He then says > he's taking me > off all my arthritis meds, and to come back in two > months and let > him know how I feel. EXCUSE ME? I start a new job > in a week! I > can pretty much tell him how I will feel. He then > tells me to put > some rogaine on my bald spot, and that " most of the > hair usually > comes back " . Gee, thanks for the advise. > > So, I go home, hoping to have a message from my REAL > doctor, but > nothing. I had called again in the morning to try > to get in, but > she was booked (just got back from vacation). I had > a wad of hair > on the seat of my car about the size of a soccer > ball just form the > drive to and from the rheumy. I call again, and > tell the nurse I'm > getting desperate. I had to pick up husband from > work (his year old > car broke down, just to make things even MORE > exciting), so gave my > cell phone number. She finally calls at about 5:30, > apologizes for > the delay, and tells me to call the dermatologist in > her building. > She also says to call her nurse tomorrow if I have > any problems > getting in. OK, no prob...I feel better, now. I'd > like to get into > her medical group, since they have all the charts > computerized, and > they will see my entire history with her and Dr. > Jerk. I want to > look into this further, because if it ISN'T the > meds, waiting a week > to see if it gets better isn't gonna cut it, and my > doctor agrees. > > So, this morning I get up (bald spot is now about > 2x5 inches, and > getting awfully close to my front hairline, which is > the only thing > that is hiding everything right now, since I can > pull it back into a > ponytail over my offending scalp). Please remember > that I am now > over 24 hours without prednisone (stopped cold > turkey, but it was > only 5mg so not too bad) PLUS I've got PMS. Woohoo! > I call the > dermatologist, and she says that they are > double-booked, the doctors > will both be gone the rest of July, and she can > squeeze me in > sometime in August. Ummmm....I really DON'T want to > look like > Sinead O'Connor, so that won't work. I beg her to > get me in today > or tomorrow. Nope, no-go. I call my doctor's > office, but no one > knows where her nurse is, so I leave a message. I > hang up and burst > into tears (remember, no pred and PMS, here, > combined with stress > about my new job and not much support here at home). > > > I also call my husband's doctor, whom I left because > they are really > bad about answering messages, renewing prescriptions > (including > heart meds), etc. I leave a message, whatever good > that will do. > > My husband gets snotty about all this, prints out > all the > dermatologists in our health plan, and gives it to > me with a very > condenscending comment. And THEN he doesn't > understand why I'm > pissed at him. GRRRRR! > > Anyway, I had to vent to someone, and you guys will > understand my > frustration. Sorry to rant, but otherwise I think > my head would > explode. > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2005 Report Share Posted July 14, 2005 , I am a little behind on my e-mails. I am sorry that your hair is falling out. Mine has also been falling out. But nothing like yours. I hope you get some help soon. Don't use shampoo that has dimethacone in it because that makes hair fall out also. I just recently changed shampoos and didn't look at the label, that is when I noticed my hair coming out. I hope everything gets better soon. Beth(AR) --- tandarat <mflinder@...> wrote: > ARRRGH! > > I got in to see my rheumatologist (and I use this > term loosely) > yesterday regarding my hair loss. By then I had a > swath about 1 1/2 > inches wide and 4 inches long of exposed scalp, with > little 3-inch > frizzies stuck in here and there. Things will get > better for > awhile, and I think I'm over the worst, then a bunch > falls out, > again. He comes in, cocky as ever, and says that I > wasn't on the > prednisone long enough or high enough dose to cause > any hair loss. > He then asks ME if plaquenil has hair loss as a side > effect. I > start to try to tell him that I understand it is > very rare, from > what you guys pointed me to , but he cuts me off > and excuses > himself. He's gone for about 5-10 minutes, and > comes back, and says > that plaquenil *might* be the problem. He then says > he's taking me > off all my arthritis meds, and to come back in two > months and let > him know how I feel. EXCUSE ME? I start a new job > in a week! I > can pretty much tell him how I will feel. He then > tells me to put > some rogaine on my bald spot, and that " most of the > hair usually > comes back " . Gee, thanks for the advise. > > So, I go home, hoping to have a message from my REAL > doctor, but > nothing. I had called again in the morning to try > to get in, but > she was booked (just got back from vacation). I had > a wad of hair > on the seat of my car about the size of a soccer > ball just form the > drive to and from the rheumy. I call again, and > tell the nurse I'm > getting desperate. I had to pick up husband from > work (his year old > car broke down, just to make things even MORE > exciting), so gave my > cell phone number. She finally calls at about 5:30, > apologizes for > the delay, and tells me to call the dermatologist in > her building. > She also says to call her nurse tomorrow if I have > any problems > getting in. OK, no prob...I feel better, now. I'd > like to get into > her medical group, since they have all the charts > computerized, and > they will see my entire history with her and Dr. > Jerk. I want to > look into this further, because if it ISN'T the > meds, waiting a week > to see if it gets better isn't gonna cut it, and my > doctor agrees. > > So, this morning I get up (bald spot is now about > 2x5 inches, and > getting awfully close to my front hairline, which is > the only thing > that is hiding everything right now, since I can > pull it back into a > ponytail over my offending scalp). Please remember > that I am now > over 24 hours without prednisone (stopped cold > turkey, but it was > only 5mg so not too bad) PLUS I've got PMS. Woohoo! > I call the > dermatologist, and she says that they are > double-booked, the doctors > will both be gone the rest of July, and she can > squeeze me in > sometime in August. Ummmm....I really DON'T want to > look like > Sinead O'Connor, so that won't work. I beg her to > get me in today > or tomorrow. Nope, no-go. I call my doctor's > office, but no one > knows where her nurse is, so I leave a message. I > hang up and burst > into tears (remember, no pred and PMS, here, > combined with stress > about my new job and not much support here at home). > > > I also call my husband's doctor, whom I left because > they are really > bad about answering messages, renewing prescriptions > (including > heart meds), etc. I leave a message, whatever good > that will do. > > My husband gets snotty about all this, prints out > all the > dermatologists in our health plan, and gives it to > me with a very > condenscending comment. And THEN he doesn't > understand why I'm > pissed at him. GRRRRR! > > Anyway, I had to vent to someone, and you guys will > understand my > frustration. Sorry to rant, but otherwise I think > my head would > explode. > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.