Male Doctors still do not believe this is a true illness, Told "all in your head"

[rabuf]

This is the 4th time I'm trying to write this, every time it turns into a RANT instead of a question and I'm have a very hard time concentrating and following through ...I keep getting lost in what I'm writing and forget what  I'm trying to say...this is one of the problems I’ve BEEN having since I got sick.  and my current condition due to situation and health getting worse, makes this almost impossible, so please bare with me and see if any of this makes since to you..if not call the guys to come put me in the white jacket, OK.  . I have been sick for over two years and very ill with infection for well over 2 months (since end of January).  I have just come off a long (20 days on) and high dose  (up to 120mg ) of Prednisone (as treatment for what condition ? my Doctor says he does not know! OMG) .  I just finally ended the prednisone two days ago.  HERE IS ONE OF MY QUESTIONS: Four days ago my lymph nodes became engorged swollen under chin-neck area was hard as a rock.  I was getting ready to go to E-care when I noticed a RASH on my upper back and a little under breast and cleavage area..(mostly on my back).  The rash was tiny red dot pimple like but no white.  The area where the rash was on back is an area that has been causing me discomfort, that began two years ago, as yet undiagnosed.  I normally have very good skin, pimples or rashes are very uncommon for me, so this was very unusual.   I went to E-care and that doctor said this was caused by an allergic reaction to the Prednisone and he prescribed  zyrtec for this.  I do not believe this was due to allergic reaction.  because wouldn't I have had a reaction when I first began to take it, and not after taking it for over 20 days?   what else could this be from?

[jme3510]

My Dr. was male- the one that diagnosed me. I went for another opinion from a female Dr. She did the rubber hammer test...didn't hit any tender points, and basically, shrugged me off. It depends on the Dr. and how far they are willing to go. Been Doctoring for Fibro since 1996. It's much worse now than it was then, and I thought it was bad, then. Anyway, my experience with Prednisone is that, the last time I took it, I broke out. I break out from anything, I swear! But Prednisone plays big-time on my head. I tend to go berzerk from it if I'm on it for a couple weeks. It does have side effects- and can cause side effects. Whatever you do...don't go off of it all of a sudden. You will
be doing your body no good. I now have resorted to using prednisone for severe infections only- not as a pain reliever. It was not meant to be taken long term, anyway.
If you are only seeing a "general practitioner", I recommend a Rheumetologist. I've seen them all. It's only a waste of time and money. But, on the other hand- if you don't find the answers you seek- don't give up. All the tests in the world might come up negative for everything else- but then you have Fibromyalgia. It's not an overnight diasgnosis, it takes time, pacience, and determination. I'm still doctoring because I think I have more going on than Fibro, but have gotten nowhere. My last test was last Tuesday- I'll know tomorrow how it came out. Then I'll accept the final diagnosis. It's a very long road to wellness. Keep your head up, and your mind strong.

[lindaminda]

It is funny no ha ha here but my dr is male and believes in fibro where his partner is female and does not believe in it........ but I have fibro and artritis and i am always in so much pain. good luck with what ur dealing with

[johnnymutt]

Prednisone can have so many side effects. For longer term usage of it, things can get pretty nasty. Prednisone can either shut down, or exhaust your adrenal glands. I hope you did not stop the prednisone abruptly, because this can lead to a lot of unwanted side effects. A gradual taper from the drug is highly recommended.

Sorry, I know I'm not a lot of help here. I just thought you might like to know about your adrenals.
I hope you start feeling better.
John

[dustybrown]

Hello,
It is possible that you are experiencing an allergic reaction to the prednisone. I always break out when I have my steroid injections into my spine and I either get the break out on my shins or last time I got them under my breasts and on my rib cage and my upper back in the areas you are describing in the manner you are describing as well. Now, I am not you so it's possible your doctor could be wrong, but I've been on steroids several times in my life including prednisone and I have had break outs before.

If you are concerned ask him to refer you to an allergist. That's what I did at least for my spinal injections. They may be able to test you to find out if you do have an allergy. If that's the case than perhaps they can find some other medication to put you on. If you are not allergic than it will force your doctor to look at other options. I am not sure if they can test for prednisone allergies, but you could call an allergists office first before you bring it up with your doctor to make sure he's not giving you the run around. Just a thought.

Now as far as your comment about male doctors. I have had horrible female doctors as well as male doctors- it's really a horse a piece. I hate stereotyping. It's good to keep an open mind- you never know what doors you may be able to open that way.
-Dusty