Atopic Dermatitis

I was born with Atopic Dermatitis. I am currently 20. The condition, instead of becoming less of a problem, has become worse and worse over the years. More so in the last 2-3. . .In July I was Hospitalized. From my neck down, I was broken out in wounds and rashes I couldn't control myself from itching and making worse. I was infected and in agony. . .Problem being, I had and have no insurance. So I was being seen by over-worked people at a local Hospital. They put me on an IV for a day and a half - then sent me home until they could schedule me with their Dermatology Clinic. They gave me some pain killers until then. A few days later, I was seen. . .all that was done for me, was to be put on Prednisone for 2 months. A second medication for my bones, but otherwise. . .Not even a follow-up appointment. I just came off the steroids a week or so ago. And, my body has reverted. I am in agony again and don't know what to do. I can barely walk because I have opened up the backs of my knees - and I am not sleeping as I am so horribly uncomfortable. What should I be doing for myself? Who should I be looking for? Because obviously the Dermatology people at Jackson are not going to help me. Worse - I have no insurance. The Medicaid people have given me the run around - I have to re-file for aid, and I don't know how long it will take. So I need some tips now to help me get threw this pain until then. . .Please. What can I do?

[cctx]

Hi Justine, I have Lyme Disease .. and for many years now, have had to take a lot of histimine lowering natural substances and one prescription med that helps the itching.  If you can call a doc, Im sure they will not have any problem in prescribing you Vistaril, generic is Hyrodroxyzine HCI .. the first few days it will make you sleepy, and you will most likely have to take it several times a day, I take 50mg 4 times a day, but everyone is different.  In your situation Id just have them put you on a high dose and you can adjust dose as needed.  Its fairly inexpensive and you can get the name brand by applying for pharm program, look up needymeds.com (i keep most meds and other in the frig to expand their life).  I take so many supplements and Im so foggy brained, I cant recall what I take for what .. Quercitin may help with the pain while you heal, its natural .. look it all up .. so you know what it is and how its helping, it will help in the long run in possibly you figuring a way of controlling it.  Also look up natural Antihistimines or Natural Immune modulators.  Most supplements I find the best price at luckyvitamins.com, but still compare.  I suspect your diagnosis is just a label like many diagnosis, because they dont know what it is .. should like an immune system problem either in itself or reacting to some pathogen.  Id try to see a Immunologist that deals in more complex cases that effect immune systems, ie aids has so many symptoms, that these docs might know more .. but make sure they specalize in Immunology(sp).  Steriods/cortisone hurt your immune system and your adrenal glands .. if any other way .. do the other way.  Im no expect of course, just have dealt with a ton of symptoms, go or call your local college, science dept and ask if it would be okay for you to look at your blood using one of their microscopes.  Normal blood is free flowing, cells not stuck together or chained etc .. it just looks happy... I use one slide on top of another so I can get a true picture of whats going on .. manipulate pressure with my finger to see just how sticky the blood cell platlets are etc.  If sticking together or chained, your immune system has caused Hyper Cogulation which you need to regulate because your blood can not flow correctly, thus nor can any part of your bod that all depending on blood flow to carry nutrients in and waste out .. if not treated over time it will cause your vessals and arteries to harden and cause heart problems and heart attack like I experienced...  Before you go to any doc, you have an idea of what you need, call them and ask to talk to the head nurse and ask what the doc specalizes in and if hed be likely to know about your problem.  Doctors have absolutely NO accountability and it really tourqes me !!   I am limited because Im ill and remember Im just guessing based on what Ive learned about how the immune system reacts .. but, Ill help you in any way I can .. do become proactive and research online trying to fit pieces of the puzzle together .. Im guessing you may have other symptoms too, youll get better at it as you do it more.
Take care, CC

[JustineS]

Thank you do much for your reply! Yes, I have heard talk with my mother [a RN] and the Doctors I have bounced between about something to do with my immunity. My mother has said she feels very strongly I have some sort of auto-immune problem. I have thought maybe I need to have IT looked into further - because treating this as only Dermatitis has never helped. I am on Hyrodroxyzine, but a very low dose. And they never mentioned having it more then once a day to me. I assumed it to be something like Zytrek - you take it once every 24 hours. So I stopped bothering with it when it did NOTHING for me but knock me out. I very much like that you pointed out more natural things for me to use in place for pain - I need something desperately for it. Just this morning I woke up cry for my mother! I was in that much pain, and I was that frustrated with lack of rest. . .

Now my biggest issue now? I have no way to pay for a Doctor. I make very little income, I work from home. No insurance, nor does my family have any. . .I owe a lot to the local Hospital even. Is a Doctor going to be hard for me to find with this being said? As for the steroid use, I unhappily had many of the resulting issues come forward. Such as in the first month+ I gained 30lbs. I got acne my first two weeks, I never have that. . .I was anxious, depressed, I had mood swings. My bones and joints, even with the Vitamin D + Calcium use daily, had become weak and hurt me. And the Doctor that gave that never warned me of such things at all. I really never want to have to use them again but currently they think that putting me on a 6 day treatment of it would at least heal me up enough and stabilize me to further the things I have to do. Such as soaking in bleach water, and perhaps looking more into my diet.

I know I am deathly allergic to all nuts. Otherwise my only listed food allergy when I was tested was Egg Yolk. And I am starting to wonder how egg exactly is affecting me. . .perhaps it is adding to the issue if egg is in my foods?

[JustineS]

Bump.

[JustineS]

Bump.