My old dermatologist moved back!!!!!!!!

[irish]

Boy, I sure was thrilled to have my dermatologist/dermatopathologist move back to my medical center where I have couple other specialists. He is the one who diagnosed my bullous pemphigoid.
This was my first diagnosed autoimmune disease-2002 and sjogrens was diagnosed 2003.

If a person can get one autoiimmune disease diagnosed it is a lot easier for the doctors to take us seriously. This is one reason that it is important to always get the thyroid checked out for Hashimotos. If that autoimmune disease shows up there sure as heck are bound to be more.

He left about 6 years ago and this clinic was never able to find a replacement. Dermatologists are very hard to come by. Don't know why docs don't go into this as there are few emergencies and pretty stable office hours.

Anyway, I had an appt today for a skin check and reviewal of my autoimmune skin disease. First of all, I told him that I still put on the sunscreen on my face every day. He told me he could tell as I didn't look my age. Wasn't that sweet!!!!lol I hope he wasn't kidding.

He also told me that years ago when I first saw him he would have bet that I had lupus. He always tested me for it and I continue to get tested for it. He said that it can take many, many years sometimes and even then the treatment for the lupus isn't much different than from many other autoimmune issues.

I told him that I sort of keep track of how much I pee. He told me that I might as well cause nobody else was going to do it. I figure if I just note the color of my urine and the amount I urinate plus how many times at least I will not be totally stupid if something develops and might catch it sooner. I don't measure or anything, but just sort of keep my self slightly aware of what is going on.

I asked him about the redness on my arms since starting the plaquenil. I always wear sunscreen and long sleeves if out for any length of time and my arms will just start to burn (sensation and get pink). He said that the plaquenil causes the tissues to plump up or swell and it is worse when in the sun with the heat.

I had some precancerous actinic lesions frozen off today. I have a lot of these on my forhead and the skin just hurts. He said that the reason that these lesions hurt is because of the autoimmune activity in them. He said that if all of us had perfect immune systems we would not have moles, etc.

I imagine that our immune systems vary from one hour to the next and are not always lined up perfectly causing the body to kick out some of these strange cells that make up these lesions.

Anyway, that is some of the stuff I learned today. I am thrilled to have the guy back. Irish

[Meld256]

I can tell you are thrilled, Irish.  That's fantastic your dermatologist moved back! 

He really sounds like a highly knowledgeable doctor who cares about his patients.

That's interesting what he told you about Plaquenil; makes sense that the med would "plump" up things.  I've been lucky that I don't burn quickly since starting on it last April, but the heat makes me feel ill.  It's hard to describe; I feel tired and my knees swell more and I feel awful all over.

I hope you're feeling ok after having the lesions removed from your forehead.  Are those spots sore or painful?

Again, I'm so glad you have your "skin guy" back. It's wonderful to have a good relationship with a doc we trust and don't mind going to see! 

[Gayle]

Hi!
He sounds like a dream doc, wish he was in my area! To far to share. Glad he is back, it IS great to have a Dr you can feel so comfortable with!
No I understand why my skin looks so puffy. Amazing what we learn on here! Thanks

Gayle

[Bucky]

Irish - yay, your doctors back!!   

It's so nice to have a doctor that is familiar with your medical history and knows when things have changed, etc. since they are familiar with your case (in your case, your face    ).

I like seeing the same doctor all the time, not a different one every time you go.  We'll be lost if our family doctor ever retires or moves away - we've been going to him for the last 18 yrs.

I get the redness through my clothes when out in the sun - and I'm a firm believer it's due to the Plaquenil.   

Glad your docs back!

Bucky

[eye2dry]

Hi Irish.

As your derm may have told you.....approx 10% of AK's can evolve into squamous cell carcinoma...the 2nd most common skin cancer out there.

I have had several frozen (cryo) off my face and did end up with squamous cell this spring on my face anyways....... that needed a wider excision with repair.
I am considering using Carac this winter to mop up any lingering AK's.

I work for a derm/dematopathologist and see just what the sun does to skin.
Yes...slather on the sunscreen and wear wide brimmed hats.


I am glad you are happy to have your wonderful derm dr. back. May you both enjoy many more skin exams together...tee=hee.


eye2dry

[eyeamdry]

What is carac?  What is AK?  I've been mobbed by moles, brown spots, skin tags etc.  Part is age but I know some is SJS.  Dr will not say it though.  I've had some "things" burned off for the past several years.  Also I did have squamous cell skin cancer on my forehead 4 or 5 years ago.  I had the dr do MOP or something on it.  It kept coming back and back and they'd burn (cryo) it off.  Finally, they checked it and I said I want this certain kind of surgery.  My forehead felt like the derm had taken an ice pick to my head.  Oh, the surgery is MOHS.

[irish]

AK is actinic kerotosis---I don't know what carac is but sounds like it may be a drug/soap, etc.

I have had actinic lesions removed many, many times over the years.They usually use the freezing method. I got some more info from him though about those kerotosis that we call get on our body as we get older.

He said that many times or most times in the past docs would removed them. The British did a 20 year study on them and have discovered that these little buggers are present in us upon conception. Sort of a genetic thing passed down from our relatives. If you have relatives with lots of skin lesions chances are you will too. Sooo, I get to blame my dad for my ugly hide.

Anyway, he said that another thing the British study discovered was when a lesion is removed the body then says to itself "by jove, that mole is gone" and the body then kicks itself into gear and makes another skin lesion to replace it plus probably a couple more. Sort of genetically programmed and don't mess with mother nature,

So my skin doc says, unless they are bleeding  painful, crusting badly or have big changes then leave them be. He said that he wonders how many people are walking around with more skin lesions then they had previously because of removal. Sort of a catch 22 situation. He said they don't remove nearly as many as they used to but watch them closely. I am speaking of the sebacious keratosis, I believe.

I know what you mean by getting sick from the sun. I have done that for years. I have to be very careful cause if I go sit my a lake in the shade and even covered up with long sleeves and suntan lotion I still get ill. I will end up on the couch for a couple of days just fatigued big time, weak, feel like passing out, etc. The joy of autoimmune disease. Irish

[justdebb31]

Hello Irish,

Congrats on wonderful news of the return of your old dermatologist!  Due to some of my personal experiences, I know how painfully difficult it can be to lose someone in the medical field that you have grown to trust and depend on.  That is not to mention the sense of loss, frustration, etc. that you must have endured every time you were forced to see the replacement dermatologist, who probably couldn't compare to the one you needed. 

I suppose that what I am saying, is that when you are blessed to have a doctor that is able to come through for you and all the craziness that autoimmune diseases can throw your way, it is very special.  The "average healthy person" probably could not understand the joy you must feel, but I get it, and I am happy for you.  May he stay put for a long time! 

Best Wishes,
Debbie

P.S. Your post is my very first response!

[irish]

Hi deb, Welcome to Sjogrens World. I bet you have been lurking in the bushes waiting to get the nerve to start posting. That is what I did and a whole lot of others on this site. Sort of scary at first.

Hope all goes well for you. Irish

[Meld256]

Interesting stuff, Irish.  I've been checking some moles and "things" I have for a while, and keep an eye on them for change.

Debbie,

Let me welcome you to the forum!     I'm glad you jumped in and responded.  Please feel free to do that anywhere you like; we're a friendly crowd of people just helping one another long.

If you've not already looked around, there are loads of topics to look through from present and past postings.  We discuss pretty much anything!

Again, welcome!  We look forward to hearing more from you.
Melinda

[justdebb31]

Hello Irish!

Thank you so much for the welcome.  Words could never adequately express what that means to me right now.  It wasn't until today that I have been able to check for a response to my first post because I have been in the hospital with esophagitis.  For so long, since I gave birth to my first child, who was stillborn, and discovered I had Sjogren's antibodies suspected in causing his death, I have felt alone.  Until now, I have never even know of another person with Sjogren's Syndrome, much less had so many of them together in one space to communicate with.  Although, I have other autoimmune diseases, I believe  Sjogren's has done the most physical and emotional damage in my life.  Also,I am so very grateful to know there is someone else that may feel some of the things I have.  Having illnesses like these, I have to think we have to share somethings in common.

It is nice to meet you.

Debbie

[artistangie]

I am so happy for you!  it is so important to have folks around that we trust