Dermatologist

Today I saw a Dermatologist for the first time in about five years.

For almost two months I have been extremely broken out. When I was a younger teen, I had severe acne. So when I say I have been extremely broken out, I don't mean I've had a few more blemishes than normal. I mean it is from my shoulders all the way down my back. It's up my neck. It's pretty much everywhere.

I went to see the campus doctor July 28th for my acne and he put me on antibiotics. My Rhuem. specialist put me on my emergency drugs long-term while this is dealt with, since I can't be on autoimmune suppressants and antibiotics at once. I've been on prednisone ever since.

About a week ago I went in again because I've got these little bumps that are definitely not acne on my arm. I was afraid there was another infection going on along with the acne. The campus doctor referred me to the local dermatologist.

Basically here's what he did:

• He prescribed me like 4 skin washing things. I have to shower twice daily.
  
• He named the little bumps, but I don't remember what he called them. Hopefully I'll find out tomorrow after I pick up the paperwork.
  
• I've also got these bruise-like colorings on my legs, but they aren't bruises. He thinks these are side effects of being on prednisone.
• I had him look at my damaged toe, which is really, really bad right now. It looks like the nail is about to break at the bottom. He said to watch it closely, keep it trimmed, but not to remove it right now.
  

Unrelated to this: Lately I've experienced pain in my arms. It's happened off and on over the last month. The pain is similar to the early stages of RA in my thumb - I bend/stretch my arm, and unbearable pain floods up my arm to my shoulder and burns. The pain has been so severe that I've stood gripping my arm and crying out quietly. Afterwards, the arm feels fevered/hot inside for about a half hour to an hour, depending on the severity of the original pain. The pain feels like it's in my muscle, but I remember that with my thumb I thought the muscle was the effected part, too.

I'm not sure if this is because of my syrinx, RA, or something totally different. Praying that it won't get any worse, because it's already starting to interfere with what I can lift, pull, or move.

The Up-Coming Doctor Events:

• Early Sept: I see my Rhuem, Endo, and all-around doctors
• Later Sept: Follow up with campus doctor
• Early Oct: Follow up with dermatologist
• Mid Oct: Full-body MRI
• Nov: Follow-up with nuerologist.