Willow Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 I'm hoping some of the medical types on here can give me some advice. I had a weird dark red mark on my stomach about an inch diameter that wasn't going away so eventually (after a couple of months) I went to the dr who decided it was an infection under the skin although there was no sign of the original entry point. He prescribed antibiotics which improved things but a week after finishing the course it still hadn't completely healed. They prescribed a second course which made a further slight improvement but didn't completely clear it. Now two weeks after the last course finished I realised it's not just stopped improving but is a little worse. I will go back to the Drs but I'm not sure what to ask for another course of antibiotics ? Stronger antibiotics ? A biopsy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 I would want to know what they and you are trying to fight here. Maybe biopsy or blood tests could give you a more tailored course of action. If two courses of antibiotics aren't solving, it's a rather persistent bacteria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 I agree; what they have tried obviously didn't work, and without further investigation, they won't have much to go on when suggesting a course of treatment. I would press for blood tests and a referral to a dermatologist. Hope that you get it sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 I would ask for a referral to a dermatologist as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted July 12, 2015 Author Share Posted July 12, 2015 Thank-you, I was worried I was over reacting. Percy - sorry for the dim ques but why a dermatologist? Just so I know why I'm asking for that if the Dr queries it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 Because its' to do with your skin, and a dermatologist is a skin specialist. Your GP is a General Practitioner who knows a bit about everything, but needs to refer on anything which they can't deal with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 I would deffo go back to your GP, whatever it is, its not 'normal for you'. A couple of years ago I had a bizarre red mark on my collarbone - it appeared suddenly and got bigger. This was after I had been very run down for a few months with minor issues like styes and cold sores. Having ascertained whatever it was didn't correspond with anything on the internet, I was worried and went to a doctor (here in Portugal). He asked if I had been bitten (no), said it was 'an infection' and prescribed ABs and a cortisone cream (ie steroid). Within 24 hours I was back to 'normal for me'. It was only after the event that I wondered if I had scratched myself pruning plants I wasn't used to, which I had been doing in a T-shirt although maybe the 2 issues weren't connected. Anyway, sorry for the ramble, I'm just saying definitely go back to the doctor, you aren't over-reacting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted July 12, 2015 Author Share Posted July 12, 2015 The infection is under my skin rather than on the skin. Edited to add - there has never been any pus coming out or any discharge through the skin, it appears to be in the underlying tissue. Not particularly sore. I think I may have got an insect bite originally but there is no obvious point of entry. Right up early tomorrow to queue outside the doctors for an appointment to get a referral, hope it isn't raining Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 Definitely something that needs to be sorted out though, I hope you get a constructive appointment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted July 13, 2015 Author Share Posted July 13, 2015 Queued at 8am, which is when surgery opens. By the time I got to head of queue all appointments gone receptionist offered me a phone call so I insisted I had to see a Dr not a call and got added to end of morning surgery but not an actual app. If I could have booked an app for tomorrow I'd have been quite happy to come back but you can only get apps on the day. Which is one reason this has hung around so long as previous attempts for apps I've been fobbed off as it isn't urgent Crazy system, here's hoping I get so where when I get into the Dr. Thanks for all the advice, I feel more comfortable asking for a referral. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Gosh I thought my surgery was hard to get an appointment with, that's crazy! Good luck; you definitely need this moving on, if your GP doesn't know what it is and antibiotics haven't worked then you need to see someone with more specialist knowledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 That is a crazy system! At my GP practice I can make an appointment for whenever I want. Today, tomorrow, next month.... As long as there is an opening. Hopefully you'll get somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted July 13, 2015 Author Share Posted July 13, 2015 1.5 hrs wasted today. New Gp at surgery, refused to do anything for another 2-6 months insisted this was a minor ailment and (I quote) 'the NHS doesn't do these anymore' The only thing she would refer me for if I insisted on using medical insurance was a referral for an ultrasound. And this was after we'd already both agreed there was no sign of a cyst it was general tissue infection. When I asked her what that would do she said 'nothing' She seemed to feel I needed to give antibiotics a few more months to fully work. No idea whether to believe her as I was being fobbed off from the start. I'm going to leave it another month and if it's still there go back and see the Dr I saw first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 sounds like a fobbing off to me. I feel for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 I am not a Dr just a lowly nurse - can I ask have you had any other signs of an infection, eg high temp, fever, fluey feeling etc. Have you travelled abroad or anywhere else in the UK? Any new medications ?Anyone else in the family had same problem and have you any animals or been to forrested areas? Just to rule out the obvious like bites, fungal infections , Lymes etc. I would ask to speak to the Practice Manager and also put your worries in a letter - it is not acceptable to keep palming you off with antibiotics. I am no expert on rashes but if a pt came to me and was worried I'd speak up on their behalf - its not like they have to write the letters only dictate. I am glad you havent googled it (you havent have you?) as you'll frighten yourself to death. If you have a nice Practice Nurse you could probably ask her advice. Do hope you get it sorted. Ali x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Beggar's belief I wish I could suggest moving to my town in Sussex, I can get an appointment more or less whenever I want it and our doctors are courteous and thorough. I have lived in much bigger places with dreadful GP service, so I know what its like for you, but even so, dreadful bedside manner, and it does sound like a fobbing off, although obvs I'm no medical expert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted July 13, 2015 Author Share Posted July 13, 2015 Thanks all for support. Ali great idea re practice nurse, I'll give it a few days and go see ours, she's lovely and very sensible. At the moment it's not bad but I'm worried about it getting worse now we've established it won't clear up with the main antibiotics prescribed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Can you see a different GP at the same surgery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 referral to a dermatologist You might be in for a bit of a wait, I have to wait 3 months (after a referral) until I can see a dermatologist. I would try a 3-4 week course of antibiotics next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 referral to a dermatologist You might be in for a bit of a wait, I have to wait 3 months (after a referral) until I can see a dermatologist. I would try a 3-4 week course of antibiotics next. Just a suggestion; when you have a referral for an appointment or procedure, mention to them that you're happy (if that is the case) for them to call you if an appointment/cancellation comes up at the last minute - cuts the wait down dramatically and there are always cancellations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted July 14, 2015 Author Share Posted July 14, 2015 Good point re cancellation Clare. I can go back and see the original doctor, will do that in a few weeks if still not healed. My diet has improved recently and stress is right down as I'm taking the summer off work I think I'll look into best foods for boosting my immune system and fighting infection, will also maintain levels of exercise and lots of sleep and really focus on looking after myself and see if that helps me clear this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
