How do you get to see a frickin dermatologist?!?!?!?

Something is seriously wrong here.

I have some sort of rash on my hand - I have had eczema before there and I am 99% sure thats what it is. I also had a few ???'s for the doctor. I know it takes some weeks to treat and I'm going away in December, so figured now is a good time to take care of it.

I call my normal dermatologist and they say I can get an appointment in very late FEBRUARY. Are you sh*tting me? 5+ MONTHS out? Thats insane. By then my hand will look like the elephant man. I called a few other places and they are all telling me January-February.

So....if I have a spot that I think may be cancer, I should wait around for half a year and let it fester and get worse before I do anything about it? Thats insane. There HAS to be a better way. I simply do not believe that there is such a backlog to see dermatologists in Massachusetts that they are booked solid for 5 months at every place. How can it be? I can call a dentist and get an appointment probably tomorrow or next week. My regular doc would be happy to make an appointment for a few days from now.

There HAS to be something I am missing. Is it like if I go see a regular doc first and he sends me to a dermatologist, I skip to the front of the line? Can someone help me out here - what can I do? I'm not just ranting - I really need to see a derm about a few things, none of which are life threatening but I really want to get seen this month. A girl at my office went to her regular doc about some rash on her neck and he called to another derms office who said "send her over this afternoon". Is that the key? Help me out here... this is nuts!

 

Don't you have socialized medicine-light in MA? Thanks Mitt. This is what you get. If I say much more, this will move to P&R.

Most doctors set aside times for emergency/serious cases. Call them back and tell them it got worse. If they still won't let you in, there's always New Hampshire.

 

Believe me, NH is no better. Its unrelated to the health care issue, just seems theres a massive backlog. I am 10 minutes from NH and I have called everywhere within a 30 minute radius of me.

Good idea on the "it got worse" thing. I will tell them I may actually have leprosy and see what that nets me

On the healthcare thing, it is bogus for the most part - mandated health insurance coverage. I am not sure it was a Romney thing. Our state like most pays gigantic amounts in medicare/medicaid costs. The major problem is lack of planning peoples parts, policies that enrichen HMO's and deprive doctors of their right to a fair wage, and end of life issues where a guy who will definitely be dead in a year, will gladly spend $250k (not of his own money, of course) to live an extra 2 months given major surgery and expensive meds.

Oh well.. I am close enough to NH that I'm moving there before too long. Even car insurance isnt mandated there!

 

90% of rashes can be treated by your regular doctor. Why see a dermatologist?

Oh, and here is a little secret about dermatology: With any rash, there are really only 4 things you can do:

1) Smear steroids all over it and hope it goes away
2) Smear antibiotics all over it and hope it goes away
3) Smear steroids AND antibiotics all over it
4) Remove it

Any joe schmoe can do 1-3...

The truth of the matter is that most docs are VERY envious of dermatologists (and allergists). Primarily because we weren't smart enough to chose these fields, and rather chose medicine/surgery/etc. Big mistake on our parts. Every dermatologist and allergist I know will openly admit that their fields are easy/pay more/better lifestyle than anything out there. Now, I don't want to upset any dermatologist/allergists on here, and I applaud you for picking the fields that you did...

And, derm is booking out 6 months in the midwest too, in most practices...

 

Back in high school I worked at a medical library, making copies of articles for doctors. After looking through hundreds of dermatology journals I can safely say that you couldn't pay me enough money to deal with some of those people every day Talk about some nasty ****!!!

-R

 

Go see the smokin' hot lady in Human Resources. She has nothing to do with it but just play dumb and use that as an excuse to ogle. She'll point you in the right direction. You don't have an HR BABE? damn. Ours must think we're all idiots.

 

I couldn't agree more with this statement.
My dog's got a boo boo on his paw....and the vet picked option (1) here in Cow Hampshire. Only one day to get an appointment!

Regards,
David

 

if all else fails, head to the ER, may take a few hours of waiting, but definatly beats a few months!

 

Have you tried sticking it in cider.

 

Seriously? Hey I'll give it a shot!

I have some Elidel (or whatever its called) but its expired by about a year. I've been using it on and off but its taking forever to do anything and when I stop , it comes back kinda quick. I had something before that cleared it up in about a week and it didnt come back for about 8 years. But the doc I got it from retired and no others will give a script by phone. I have a few other ???'s for the doc but I'll try the cider thing if you think it'll work!

 

spray it with windex;-)

 

Switch to Astroglide!

 

In cid her

 

Ok ok I get it... LOL

Hey maybe that was what caused the problem in the first place?

 

I had something on my back that concerned me so I saw my doctor. He too was concerned and asked I see a dermatologist, but I could not get an appt for 4 months no matter who I called. So, he made some calls and got me in the very next day. I was fine--no issues.

Here's the deal. They limit the number of Dermatologist that are accepted into school so their field remains tight, their schedules booked, their pockets full. This is not a joke or a poke at them. The Derma told me this himself.

Have your doc find an appt for you.

 

OK, it is the board Dermatologist speaking here. Dermatology is tremendously understaffed, mostly a result of not enough programs training folks. Waits are long all around the country. FWIW, most Dermatologists are increasingly appalled and dismayed by the situation--it is beginning to impact patient care. But that is a long and complicated discussion, so to the point at hand.

1) bpu699's comments are a bit simplistic, but actually not that far off of the mark. Go in and see your primary care doc--they can take their best quess (which is quite likely to be correct) and prescribe something for you. I would be a bit cautious using Eilidel alone--its onset is a bit slower than a potent cortisone cream, and it can initially be irritating (meaning it can make the rash worse).

2) A call from your primary care doc to a Derm they refer to should get you in same day, or next day--if for some reason your primary care doc is concerned.

3) Even an ER visit (or urgent care center) visit can work in a pinch, but I still like the first option above better.

4) Fly out to Portland--I'll see ya.

Good luck. If you have further issues feel free to PM me.

Scott

 

Ahh, Leprosy can be cured now with modern antibiotics, they'll probably just call in a script for a Z-pack over the telephone.

I have a great Derm and Derm surgeon in the metro Detroit area, always get me in with days, not months notice....if you wanna make the trip, it's further than Mass, but closer than Portland

 

Really any joe schmoe can do 1-4, just takes guts and will-power....oh, and a belt sander

 

That's pretty bad when your dog can be seen in less than 24 hours and YOU have to wait months! Any doctor that makes you wait more than three weeks does not need your business. These are the same doctors that make you wait 45 minutes before your name is called to go into a waiting room to wait another 30 minutes while he's bang'en a nurse in the back room.

 

StallionRX-I'm sure you know this, but for the benefit of the board and those who might read this thread:

1) Dermatologists HATE to recommend Neosporin. About 10% of the US population is allergic to Neosporin. Polysporin has a much lower incidence of contact allergy.

2) Neosporin, polysporin, bacitiracin are all poor anti-infectives. They can be better than nothing, and if there isn't an established infection they may be worth trying.

Just FYI.

 

If you get really hard up, do what Chris Rock would....rub Tussin in it.

 

Too bad you are not in New Jersey.

I would recommend someone that I had no problem getting an apt. with in two weeks.

 

Scotty: I am aware of the incidence of contact derm from neomycin. My cousin gets gets an allergic reaction from it and therefore can not use it. I was unaware that the incidence rate was that of 10% though. Most literature that I have found mention the incidence to be significant, but not that of 10%. One multifactorial analysis on contact derm from AG abxs included an incidence rate of about 2% out of 40,000+ patients. Granted, quite significant, but certainly a little less prevalent than 10.

Yes, topical neo and poly are poor contenders to alot of other Rx meds out there. However, I serve an impoverished community and many of my patients have no insurance and are unwilling to see a physician. Id rather have them leave with something that will offer SOME protection rather than nothing.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

I've had my hand stuck in a belt sander - not fun.

If the coworker who gets your hand stuck in a sander's name is also Brian, you too can say, "Way to go, Brian!"
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I'm one of the 10 percenters allergic to Neosporin.
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Use Cortisone Cream - not ointment. Don't bother with a "compared to" active ingredient - use a "compared" to Store brand. Even if it's from a (2) Dollar Store - as long as the active ingredient is the same - it works. If a 10 dollar larger size tube of name brand stuff is on sale for 5 bucks - buy a whole bunch of 'em. Apply religiously. Don't wait until it bothers you.