D
Denise_Shae
Guest
Dear Brethren in Christ,
PAX CHRISTI VOBISCVM!
(This was originally posted in another forum before I realized that it belongs here, in Spirituality. I made a few minor changes due to updates since my original post.)
I was scheduled to make a retreat this weekend. (My first ever)
Fr. Mitch from EWTN is going to be the Retreat Master, and I was so excited. I signed up a few months back, when I first found out he would be there and had been looking forward to it for quite some time.
Sadly, I had to call and cancel my retreat.
My problem: Over the past 4 1/2 - 5 yrs, I’ve been to Dermatologist after Dermatologist, trying to find out what’s been causing such intense burning on my skin.
Sometimes I get small break-outs with it; other times, it’s just the burning.
The last two Derms I’d seen, said there was nothing wrong with my skin and suggested I see a Neurologist because they think it could be hypersensitive nerve endings that are causing the intense burning.
Unfortunately, by the time I get to the doctors’ offices, the break-outs subside, so they can’t actually see what’s going on.
They refuse to take a skin sample until everything else is ruled out. (They refer to a skin sample as a “Biopsy”)
And I don’t know what they mean by, “everything else” being ruled out.
Last Friday, my mother called me from work and told me she’d spoken about my symptoms to a few women she’s close to. (The burning gets so intense that I’m unable to leave my bedroom, because I cannot tolerate anything touching my skin from my waist up to my chin.) It feels like someone is rubbing sandpaper on sunburned skin.
Anyway, she’s very worried about me and mentioned her concern to the few women. They knew of others with this same problem and said that it sounded like Shingles.
The only thing is: I’ve never gotten blisters. Just a few break-outs here and there, but my main complaint is the burning.
I immediately called my physician and asked if he would give me a blood test to either confirm I have Shingles or rule it out.
The test was taken the next day (Saturday), and I was supposed to call for the results after 1:00 P.M. the following Wednesday (Sept. 20th).
It is, now, Friday.
I called the office for three days, trying to find out the results of my blood work. As of 20 minutes ago, they are still on his desk “in a pile of other stuff he has to look at, as he is very busy” (That from the nurse to whom I spoke)
However, I believe the test will come out negative.
You see; the area, where the sticky part of the band-aide touched my skin is all enflamed, itchy and burning. Also, affected is the area where the chain of my Sacred Heart pendant rested against my skin.
(I explained about the chain marks, in previous visits to the Dermatologists, but since they weren’t visible at the time of my exams, they couldn’t suggest anything to me.)
I cannot predict when the visible symptoms will appear.
I’m thinking; maybe I need to see an Allergist before going to the Neurologist? But I’m just not sure; especially since none of the five Dermatologist who’ve seen me ever mentioned trying an Allergist.
Brethren, I am at the end of my rope. I don’t know what else to do or where else to go. I’ve been misdiagnosed over the years by three other Dermatologists, tried some prescription medications and topical creams. Eczema has been ruled out, along with allergic reactions to medications.
The reason I’m writing this rather lengthy medical history down, is because, along with your prayers, I’m hoping that someone out there may have heard of symptoms like these and could possibly point me in the right direction as far as physicians are concerned.
I am not asking that the Lord heal me, and I don’t expect miracles; but I’m praying He’ll guide me to someone who can at least alleviate my symptoms to a degree where I’ll be able to spend less time alone in my room and participate in life, again.
I used to be a daily communicant, but now, I can’t even consistently keep my Sunday Obligation. I never know, from day to day, if (and for how long) I’ll be able to bear anything on my skin.
I can no longer celebrate holidays and special occasions with my family. I am desperate.
Please remember me in your prayers? I truly believe in the power of Prayer and I know how strong that power is in numbers.
Thank you, my dear Brethren in Christ, for taking the time to read this lengthy post.
May God Bless you all and your families.
In His Most Sacred and Merciful ,
Denise
PAX CHRISTI VOBISCVM!
(This was originally posted in another forum before I realized that it belongs here, in Spirituality. I made a few minor changes due to updates since my original post.)
I was scheduled to make a retreat this weekend. (My first ever)
Fr. Mitch from EWTN is going to be the Retreat Master, and I was so excited. I signed up a few months back, when I first found out he would be there and had been looking forward to it for quite some time.
Sadly, I had to call and cancel my retreat.
My problem: Over the past 4 1/2 - 5 yrs, I’ve been to Dermatologist after Dermatologist, trying to find out what’s been causing such intense burning on my skin.
Sometimes I get small break-outs with it; other times, it’s just the burning.
The last two Derms I’d seen, said there was nothing wrong with my skin and suggested I see a Neurologist because they think it could be hypersensitive nerve endings that are causing the intense burning.
Unfortunately, by the time I get to the doctors’ offices, the break-outs subside, so they can’t actually see what’s going on.
They refuse to take a skin sample until everything else is ruled out. (They refer to a skin sample as a “Biopsy”)
And I don’t know what they mean by, “everything else” being ruled out.
Last Friday, my mother called me from work and told me she’d spoken about my symptoms to a few women she’s close to. (The burning gets so intense that I’m unable to leave my bedroom, because I cannot tolerate anything touching my skin from my waist up to my chin.) It feels like someone is rubbing sandpaper on sunburned skin.
Anyway, she’s very worried about me and mentioned her concern to the few women. They knew of others with this same problem and said that it sounded like Shingles.
The only thing is: I’ve never gotten blisters. Just a few break-outs here and there, but my main complaint is the burning.
I immediately called my physician and asked if he would give me a blood test to either confirm I have Shingles or rule it out.
The test was taken the next day (Saturday), and I was supposed to call for the results after 1:00 P.M. the following Wednesday (Sept. 20th).
It is, now, Friday.
I called the office for three days, trying to find out the results of my blood work. As of 20 minutes ago, they are still on his desk “in a pile of other stuff he has to look at, as he is very busy” (That from the nurse to whom I spoke)
However, I believe the test will come out negative.
You see; the area, where the sticky part of the band-aide touched my skin is all enflamed, itchy and burning. Also, affected is the area where the chain of my Sacred Heart pendant rested against my skin.
(I explained about the chain marks, in previous visits to the Dermatologists, but since they weren’t visible at the time of my exams, they couldn’t suggest anything to me.)
I cannot predict when the visible symptoms will appear.
I’m thinking; maybe I need to see an Allergist before going to the Neurologist? But I’m just not sure; especially since none of the five Dermatologist who’ve seen me ever mentioned trying an Allergist.
Brethren, I am at the end of my rope. I don’t know what else to do or where else to go. I’ve been misdiagnosed over the years by three other Dermatologists, tried some prescription medications and topical creams. Eczema has been ruled out, along with allergic reactions to medications.
The reason I’m writing this rather lengthy medical history down, is because, along with your prayers, I’m hoping that someone out there may have heard of symptoms like these and could possibly point me in the right direction as far as physicians are concerned.
I am not asking that the Lord heal me, and I don’t expect miracles; but I’m praying He’ll guide me to someone who can at least alleviate my symptoms to a degree where I’ll be able to spend less time alone in my room and participate in life, again.
I used to be a daily communicant, but now, I can’t even consistently keep my Sunday Obligation. I never know, from day to day, if (and for how long) I’ll be able to bear anything on my skin.
I can no longer celebrate holidays and special occasions with my family. I am desperate.
Please remember me in your prayers? I truly believe in the power of Prayer and I know how strong that power is in numbers.
Thank you, my dear Brethren in Christ, for taking the time to read this lengthy post.
May God Bless you all and your families.
In His Most Sacred and Merciful ,
Denise
P.S. – To any Priests who may happen upon my post: In Jesus’ Name, I implore you, good Fathers; please place my name on your altars when you celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?
Thank you, and may the Lord bless and keep you, always.