Most people have a specialist for something. Some have a rheumatologist for fibromyalgia, a psychiatrist for depression, a fertility specialist for endometriosis, a dermatologist for dermatitis...okay so these are all mine. There are so many types of specialists out there, but are they really any more special than your family doctor? They cost more so they should be right? Well that's not always the case.
I had an amazing pediatric rheumatologist. She save my life and actually gave it back to me. She was so intelligent, and could answer any question I had for her. Plus she was always on my side. My gynecologist (a fertility specialist) was the same, and so was my psychiatrist. My dermatologist was another story and he will be the star of this blog.
My pediatric rheumatologist told me she would see me until I graduated college, and help me find a doctor when I moved. Well I never moved, and never found another rheumatologist. In fact she's the one who moved. My gynecologists office started only seeing patients for IVF, and I never looked for another one. After a while I was paying my psychiatrist for a five minute visit to get a prescription refill, so I left. My family doctor took on all of these rolls. She brilliant by the way. I still had my dermatologist. For now...
Last spring after my dad died I noticed my dermatitis returning. My dermatologist did take my insurance, so I tried having my family doctor prescribe me what had cleared my skin before. It didn't work, and in fact made it worse. I'm allergic to the best medication for my condition, so we tried a different oral medication. It started to clear, but came back when I was finished with the medicine. When I switched insurance I went to see my dermatologist. He told me to use a sulfuric wash he sold. Well that dried up my skin and made it worse. I tried various over the counter creams, and some gave me what I called "angry chin". My chin was red and burning. I went back to my dermatologist for a follow up and he was shocked I had trouble with the wash. He prescribed a compound for me, and told me to come back in six week. Well I was going to be on vacation, and since it was the end of the year I wanted to wait to see what insurance I would have. If he didn't take it there was no point in making an appointment. When I called to see how much the compound would cost I found out my insurance didn't cover compounds. It was $120! Ummm....I don't think so. I had already spent $75 on each visit to my dermatologist. Now I needed to figure something else out because as an actress this was not gonna fly.
I realized one of the ingredients in the compound was in the benzol gel my family doctor gave me for acne. I asked her if I should try it, and she said since some of the ingredients were the same that it could work. I also realized that my chap stick, tooth paste, mouth wash, and sunscreen could be irritating my skin. I bought all organic products. That combined with the gel cleared up my skin in a matter of weeks.
Was my dermatologist stupid? I don't think so, but I tend to think the worst. He would always rush my appointments and barely let me speak. I felt he was just trying to get money for me. I couldn't afford what ever it was he was doing, and that didn't seem to matter. I was constantly told what he was doing was the best treatment. He was completely different from when I first started seeing him. So are specialist special? Well he sure wasn't. But I believe many are special. However, no one knows your body better than you. If you feel something isn't right find a different solution. I felt that what my dermatologist was doing was wrong for me and not helpful. He wouldn't listen so I took matters into my own hands. My family doctor was the one who gave me information on products that can irritated and trigger dermatitis. She was the one who cleared it, and she was the one who listened to me. I am not a medical expert, but I am an expert in my body. Don't ever be afraid to be one for yours either.
Keep Livin'
Kayla Dawn
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