Do doctors make you feel like a number???

Do you sometimes feel that you are just a number when you walk into your doctor's office? Maybe I experience this because I live in New York City and the sheer number of people makes it difficult for doctors to be personable and compassionate - but, this past year, I've been to many different doctors, and I don't think any of them really gave a damn about my well being, or what I was feeling at that time.

The first dermatologist I visited for acne had me in and out of his office within 5 minutes. He took a quick look at my acne and prescribed me Solodyn and Clindamycin. He never asked about my acne history, he never asked about my reactions towards medication, and he never warned me of the possible side effects of minocyclines. I tried to ask him about the possible side effects, and he only told me about stomach aches, which could be remedied by taking the pill with food. That was it. He never told me that I needed to take the pill sitting up, with a lots and lots of water. He never told me that solodyn was a time released pill that should not be taken if broken. He never told me that it could cause ulcers and even lupus.

When I started experiencing rashes on my face almost immediately after taking the medication, he told me that it was most likely the cold weather and that applying lotion daily should solve the problem. To me, it doesn't take a medical degree to conclude that the rashes were caused by the medication, especially since I NEVER had them before. Yet, I still followed the doctors orders. When the rashes continued, I set up an appointment for the doctor to look at it. I tried to explain to him that it started when i took the medication and it just gets worse, but he quickly cut me off and prescibed me desonide lotion - of course, I should continue the previous medications as well. I was in and out of his office in 5 minutes. (after waiting for 30 minutes!) I can't even get a word in with this guy!.

Anyway, when I started having breathing issues, I asked the doctor if I'm having an allergic reaction - Of course the doctor immediately said that I probably was not experiencing an allergic reaction from the medicine. If it was an allergic reaction, I would have rashes all over my body, not just my face. And as for the breathing problem, he didn't know what it was caused by. He assured me that it was definitely NOT the medicine, but he still told me to stop taking it.

I decided to see another dermatologist - but I had a similar experience. I tried to tell him all about my experience with solodyn and warn him about my sensitivity with minocyclines, but he didn't want to hear it. He cut me off and prescribed me doxycyline, differin, and benzaclin. This time around I was smarter - I was going to listen to myself and respond to my body. I wasn't going to wait for the doctors orders. But of course, I still wanted to hear what they had to say. When I started using differen and benzaclin, the rashes around my nose worsened and I also started to get rashes on my neck. I asked the doctor about them and tried to share my experiences with different, but he snapped at me, saying "Do you want to cure your acne or not? If you do, then continue taking the medicine I told you". That's when I stopped taking the medication, and of course, the dry skin subsided. My neck is fine, but I still have rashes around my nose, buts its not as bad.

Based on my experiences, its seems the doctors that I visited didn't give a damn about my acne or me. Everytime I tried to explain a new side effect, they were quick to cut me off and assured me that it definitely wasn't caused by the medication. They would prescribe me medicine and told me to come back in 5 weeks - How can you send someone off for 4 weeks with solodyn without monitoring how he / she is feeling? While many people don't have any major side effects, there are people who do experience harsh reactions!

Ehh - it just seems that the doctors are only concerned with getting you in and out of the office as fast as they can. I understand that some patients MAY be dramatic, but I still think its worth listening too.

EthniC SKIN!

With the risk of additional hyperpigmentation, I concluded that scar treatment was essentially unavailable for people with darker skin tones. Based on how my skin heels, any kind of trauma to the skin will just cause darker spots. However, after searching on the internet, I found this video that gives me some hope and encouragement. Last year, Al Roker did a short segment on ethnic skin and the treatments available. In a nutshell, people with ethnic skin do face the issue of additional hyperpigmentation, but with the technological advances over the recent years, it is possible to receive treatment, as long as you go to doctors are knowledgable and experienced with patients with ethnic skin.

I think that's the most important thing to stress - go to doctors who are EXPERIENCED with ethnic skin.

http://www.womensderm.org/ethnicskin/video/index.html

Hyperpigmentation - Dark-skinned people

So I'm a filipino guy with darker skin. As most people may know, people with darker skin, such as myself, suffer from hyperpigmentation. Basically, each pimple I get on my face will leave a dark blemish and it takes a while or forever for the blemish to fade. Even if I leave my pimples alone and not pick at it, it undoubtedly leaves a mark. I'm pretty good about that, but sometimes I convince myself that picking the pimple early will decrease the size of the black mark - if i let it grow, the black blemish is usually huge! But anyways, that's not the point - the point is I hate hyperpigmentation.

My question: What can be done? I understand prevention is key and I'm trying. But getting these pimples is sometimes inevitable, and I'd like to get some ideas about what can be done to 'fix' the marks that are already there.

1. Is the sun really bad for these blemishes? I've always had these blemishes - and when the summer comes around, I usually get as dark as possible (no sunscreen ! I know its terrible) in order to cover up these marks. I guess over the years, the blemishes from my teenage years have disappeared. I really only bear the scars from the last 3 months. So based on my experience, the sun does not really make these blemishes darker or anything like that. But after what I read on this site, its seems the the hyperpigmentation will get worse in the sun! I guess I should limit my time in the sun and wear sunscreen eh???

2. Creams? Do creams really work? and how do creams lighten these scars? What are the most effective creams to use? Will these cream lighten all your skin, not just the scars? I bought this new product from Kiehls, a skin tone corrector. I haven't used it consistently, because I'm interested to know if someone else has used it. Does anyone have any pictures of progress using any kind of creams?

3. Peels? Sooooo far dark skinned people, do peels really work? Since I suffer from hyperpigmentation, I'm afraid that any rupture in my skin (let alone a peel) will leave dark marks all over my face - which would probably be a lot worse than its current state. My dermatologist said it was fine, but I'm not convinced. And even if there aren't any adverse effects, will it improve the hyperpigmentation on my face?

4. Microdermabrasion: Again, this seems ot be also out of the question - because any rupture in my skin will probably cause hyperpigmentation. BOOO!

hELP!

Chemical Peels???

I'm a 25-year old Filipino guy with moderately tan skin. I've had acne all my life - so I definitely have blemishes and scars on my face . Usually, in the summer time, I just give myself a good tan so that the blemishes aren't as noticeable. But now that its winter, my face looks crazy. I was wondering if an Filipino guy with tan skin would benefit from a chemical peel. I went to see my dermatologist and he said that it would definitely help after several sessions. obviously, they told me all the things they want me to hear so that they can bag $250 per peel. But I'm very skeptical.

I've done research, and chemical peels benefit people with light colored skin the most - people with my skin tone suffer from hyperpigmentation - so there might be a possibility that a chemical peel will only make things worse no??

And if by chance, the chemical peels do work, what will happen to me and sun exposure? In the summer time, I spend a lot of time outside and I tend not to put on that much sun screen (I know its bad...)..I don't get burnt or anything,, just dark. But after several chemical peels, will I be way more susceptible to severe sun exposure for the rest of my life? do I have to use SPF 100 everytime i go out? Or do I just have to allow ample recovery time? I don't want to get chemical peels and be restricted to the indoors!

Also, with a chemical peels, what will happen to me when I do go out in the sun? Will my face be pigmented?? will I look all blotchy! ? UGH!

Too much risk, huh?? I should just chill out and not risk it....does anyone have any thoughts? It would be great to hear from people who had chemical peels...esp people with a similar skin tone?!

25yo M with Acne!

I'm a 25-year old Filipino guy who has recently been suffering from a bad case of adult acne. I've had acne pretty much all my teenage life - localized around my temples and jaw line, and sometimes on the forehead. It never really bothered me growing up, because I always figured that it would disappear when I got older. I never took any oral medications, but I did use the over-the-counter products with not much success.

Over the past year, 2007/2008 my acne has subsided and my skin was 'clear'. But just this January 2009, I started to get cystic pimples (which don't go away) and pimples on my cheeks, which I never had prior. My dermatologist prescribed me 90MG of Solodyn, which I started taking in the beginning of January, along with a mild cream. I took it for a couple of days, and immediately I started developing localized rashes around my nose. After a week, I noticed my breathing getting heavier - I became more aware of my breathing, which is weird because it's supposed to be an involuntary act. I didn't think it was a reaction to the medication - i just thought I was having anxiety about my pimples among other things. However, the rashes on my face were getting worse, so I visited my doctor after 2.5 weeks on solodyn. He said that the rashes were probably not from the Solodyn because they were localized. An allergic reaction would be more widespread (I didn't buy it bc I never rashes on my face and I've lived in NY all my life!). Regardless, my pimples were not improving, so he upped my dosage to 135MG. At the same time, I started to take fish oil pills (supposed to help skin) (I asked the doctors and pharmacist if it was safe, and they said yes). After 2 days of taking the 135 MG and fish oil pills, my breathing was extremely heavy, as if something was stepping down on my chest the entire day. Breathing became a voluntary act and it consumed my mind - I couldn't relax or find any relief... I had to make myself breathe. Although my doctor said its NOT from the solodyn, I finally decided to stop the Solodyn, and my breathing calmed down. However, my heart rate and intensity were still very high for a few days after. For the next 2 weeks, I've been having panic attacks and 'out-of-it' experiences, which I never had prior to the medication. I still find myself watching how I breathe, but I can amuse myself with other things. I am thoroughly convinced that the reactions are from the medication and not any kind of anxiety or stress (I've been stressed a lot more). I'm feeling a lot better now, maybe just a bit tired / lethargic - but let me tell you...I never want to go through that solodyn/fish oil experience again. When breathing and heart rates are affected, it adds this emotional strain that changes your whole being - like nothing will ever be the same. It might sound dramatic, but the emotional rollercoaster (due to the physical side effects) were insane...

I saw my Primary Care doctor just to check out my breathing and what not and she said I seemed perfectly fine...

I decided to get a new doctor and he prescribed me Doryx, benzyl and differin. After my bout with Solodyn, I was extremely scared to start anything new. My pimples have subsided since I have been religously using benyzl, but I still have some pimples. I've done research and apparently, Asians suffer from hyperpigmentation due to pimples, leaving noticeable scars. I just started on the Doryx in order to prevent any further pimples and scars. I've been on it for 2 days, and I haven't had any side effects.... YET. I think I can handle upset stomachs and what not, but when I find it hard to breathe and my heart rate increases, I am going to immediately stop.