Greetings all, near and far,
Anyone else experience a disturbing lack of interest of their v symptoms by their physicians? My first "diagnosis" was only when I highlighted my white patches to my primary care doctor. He looked at them and casually said :you have vitiligo." End of story.
Ditto for the dermatologist which I sought out on my own for a professional specialist's opinion, He visually examined me and told me there's nothing I could do about it. (At this point it was over 95% of my body!) I went to an Endocrinologist; same thing. "Medical apathy."
No doctor suggested looking for a cause (there is no genetic history of it in my family), no one suggested what treatments have worked with some people, no vitamin therapy suggestions (although bloodtests showed a drastic low deficiency in Vitamin D). No in-depth thyroid testing or any other exploration of physical/internal possible causes. No warnings about avoiding sun, foods, drugs, etc. How dangerous is direct sunlight to me? I do not know.
Basically, the doctors don't seem to know much at all, and they really don't seem to care. ( I found out SO MUCH more online and on this site.)
I understand that the various snake oils, magic potions, special blends offered by unscrupulous venders are bogus, but I am I expecting too much for some real medical investigation or constructive advice?
No one even suggested a support group or counseling for what is, as we all know, often a great emotional and psychological challenge.
Okay, that's about it for my pity venting for today! ;)
Replies
I've had vit for 20 years. Never once has a dermatologist or doctor recommended a product to me except a steroid cream. I've had to ask for every test and even UV light.
My first experience was at a large research hospital. At 12 years old, my parents were sent out of the room. A group of students and a "doctor" stripped me naked and looked up my rear end by spreading my cheeks. I was unbelievable embarrassed and scarred at 12 years old. At the end of the "exam", they handed me a pamphlet that explained the term vitiligo and said to me that there was nothing they could do. Good bye.
Chris, Doctors don't really know anything about this disease. We have to research ourselves. You are doing great job with your research. If you don't mind, I'd like like to merge it soon with mine.
Please do, I simply want this to be cured.
If a fungal infection is a root cause, it also would explain many other maladies that are slightly related. Eczema & psoriasis seem like close relatives to vitiligo.