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Permalink Reply by BaldGirlsDoLunch.org on March 17, 2009 at 11:28am

I think the discussion title is misleading because the issue should be brought to the doctor's attention but is not something she did. Very few medical practices are run the way we would like. As patients and consumers we have an obligation to tell the doctor what's going on in his/her front office....and if things don't improve take our business elsewhere if we're not satisfied.

It will be useful have a private chat with your dermatologist about the knee-jerk and uneducated response of someone on her staff. The only way doctors know what is being said to their patients by their office and phone staff is when patients speak up and tell them. A caring doctor will be concerned about how her staff is behaving and responding to patients.

Thea
baldgirlsdolunch.or

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Permalink Reply by Eileen Simpson on March 17, 2009 at 9:20pm

True very true, first she should be reported to the doctor himself or agency. Second I would reconsider my doctor?
Hugs and so sorry this happened to you. Fight back don't take this treatment, she has probably already said nasty things to others. She is in the wrong porfession.

Eileen

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Permalink Reply by Lee on March 18, 2009 at 12:10am

When my AU first happend, my derm. assistant said to me, "I want to cry for you". NOT the right thing to say. I said, "Well, that's not gonna make my hair grow back, is it?". I understand that she was sad for me, but WHY would you show it??? Her words will stick with me forever.

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Permalink Reply by Joshua on March 18, 2009 at 10:59am

Hi Char,

The receptionist has acted in a most unprofessional way. She should be given an official "warning" from her employer. Doctors are bound by the medical practioner oath and this includes the dermatologists. If they or a medical practitioner does not have the skills or equipments or drugs available for certain treatments, they are also obligated by work ethics or professionalism to propose a proper referral where the treatmeants are available.

The receptionist would have had a hard time if I was there. Even if is the true that they dont treat hairloss, It must be proven in "black-white" unless they violate the code of practice.

I suggest you to speak to the dermatologist directly over the phone and in the mean time start looking for another dermatologist/ clinics. Unprofessional supporting medical staff can give you trouble (i.e. poor quality of service) even if you have a good doctor. God bless.

Thats all for now.
Joshua
http://joshuablogspace.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Blessed Soul on March 18, 2009 at 11:37am

I understand how u feel. I hav been told the same thing, though i did come with the prob. of treating alopecia. Most of them giv indirect ans. like "ummm....i hav to try....i m not sure....but i can try". I do get the signal that they mean they cannot cure it. :(

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Permalink Reply by Char on March 18, 2009 at 8:42pm

I really just want to see him because of my scalp breaking out so bad and itching all the time. I will mention it when I go in with my husband. Especially since majority of the dermatologists here say they don't treat hairloss. It's like okay, so basically I have to suffer from dry scalp too because my body isn't producing and spreading the sweat secretions naturally . I know I the title is a bit misleading but almost all the places I call say that to me before I even get two words out. Endocrinologists and Dermatologists, it's like they are afraid to see me. Oh it makes me angry to think about it. I know there isn't a cure but could they atleast put in an effort to releive me of some of my symptoms.

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Permalink Reply by BaldGirlsDoLunch.org on March 18, 2009 at 9:01pm

I understand how you feel about the skin as I have extreme itchiness, too. I don;t have break-outs, so I can't speak to that symptom. My derm also recommended showerig with Neutrogena Rainbath gel rather than my usual spa gels in case there was some ingredient giving me the itches. You can get allergic to some ingredient even if you used that product for years. Keep a log of everything you use and try to use process of elimination to see if one product is causing excess dryness/itch.

Topical coristone cream: There are a gazillion different brands of prescription-strength cream that have some form of topical hydrocortisone as the active ingredient...keep trying until you find the one that works for you. The dermatologists have samples so get a fistful of those little sample tubes and try them out.

In the meantime, get SARNA anti-itch cream over the counter. It used to be by script only and is a good anti-itch cream for skin. Some days I slather it on my head. No joke.

Keep a plastic bag in your freezer filled with ice cubes and place it on your head for immediate itch relief. A plastic bagged package of frozen peas will work well, too.

The last suggestion is that since many are on auto-pilot when answering the phone and since hairloss is such a common complaint, try to book the appointment by just saying you have an acute skin rash.
Ask if they have a waiting list for cancellations and ask what time of day is best to check with them for next day cancellations.

I hope it improves really soon.

thea

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