I’ve had several bcc excised, I have AK and Bowen’s. I was prescribed Fluoroucil 2 years ago as on going treatment for AK. I have always had a severe reaction from using the cream, fatigue, malaise, nausea, diarrhoea, severe insomnia, lack of appetite. No one has checked me for dpd deficiency. I have been prescribed immiquimod but have similar flu like symptoms. Last week I ended up hospitalised because I tried the fluoroucil for new AKs on face. I can’t do this anymore. My doctor isn’t sympathetic. He has incompletely excised 2 bccs one of which has left me with really bad scarring. I showed him the photos of my scar which was clearly inflamed but he did nothing and I now have a raised keloid there. I have begged to be referred to dermatologist again so that they can look at all my new suspicious lesions with specialist knowledge but he is reluctant to do so. I am at my wits end.
Hi and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is an informative and supportive place to be.
I'm sorry to read all that you've been through over the last couple of years to remove BCCs and to treat your AK and Bowen's and I can completely understand why you're feeling at your wits end.
If your GP doesn't want to refer you to see a dermatologist has he explained why he doesn't feel this is necessary?
Another option for you would be to pay to see a dermatologist privately. An initial consultation usually costs between £150 and £200 and has the added bonus that you can usually see someone within a few days.
When I had a suspicious lesion on my arm I paid to see a dermatologist as the wait to see one on the NHS was about 10 weeks. However, the treatment I then had was back through the NHS. Might this be an option for you?
It would be great if you could pop something about your diagnosis and treatment so far into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
I'm sorry it wasn't my intention to upset you. It was just that you said that you were at your wits end because your GP wouldn't refer you to see a dermatologist so I thought I'd suggest an alternative way of seeing one.
I realised that you don't need an 'initial diagnosis' but that's just what a first consultation with a private consultant is called. If you saw a dermatologist then you'd be getting the second opinion on alternative treatment that you're looking for.
As for people in the UK having to resort to seeing private dermatologists that simply isn't the case. I saw one because my lesion wasn't considered 'urgent', which I didn't think it was either, and if I'd waited until the date available to see a NHS dermatologist this would have fallen into a period of time when I was due to be out of the country for quite a while.
Wishing you all the best
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi
I thought I'd check in with you to see how you are and whether you've managed to persuade your GP to refer you to a dermatologist yet.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
That's good to hear that he's changed your medication to one which will hopefully suit you better. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that your new lesion doesn't require any treatment.
Take care x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
