* * * Sonata's Story * * *: Malassezia Yeast Doctor Visists -Tests Done

( June 11 )

Doctor Visits - Tests Done - Results

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Four Doctors, Four Dermatologists, Several Tests, Thousands of Dollars!

* ... ZERO Results!... *

* Overwhelming Disappointment and Frustration! *

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25 Aug 12

Considering how far i have come through my Own endeavours

and completely Unaided by the Medical profession since my unfortunate

and unforgettable Specialist Visits Experiences, i have been thinking that

Acknowledging –or not– the Presence of Malassezia Yeast

and then been handed a Paper about ‘Parasitophobia’

is not just Unfair and Insulting to the Patient as much as it is Indicative

to Glaring Appalling Ignorance, Comparable to the Medieval Ages

when if one suffered a Seizure was Proclaimed as ‘Possessed by the Devil’

In the end i am Proud and Happy with the tremendous progress i have achieved

through my own efforts, so far - and the fact that this may also benefit others.

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.............. . /. .............

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The Details...

June 11

(Also updated below, on November 11 and December 11 )

Doctor Visits * Tests Done * Results

When the suspicion from head lice progressed to the possibility of scabies

and all natural home and pharmacy remedies failed, we decided it was time,

since we both experienced similar symptoms but varying in severity

to see a Doctor for Prescription treatment.

To cut a very long and very frustrating story short i will say that

Both of us saw Two doctors together and a different Third one each

without any results and none of them having any clues whatsoever.

Several –unrelated– tests were done all returned negative.

A couple of samples sent to the Lab also returned without any findings.

We were referred to see a specialist with a near 5-6 month waiting list

even worse if elected a public hospital.

Luck had it there was a sudden opening for only one person

but due to the unfortunate and inaccurate description of my condition

on the GP's referral, which i discovered after returning home, as "pimply rash"

and distressing me highly realising it would not be taken seriously

we elected for my husband to go first.

( "pimply rash" was a more suited description of his symptoms at the time)

The Dermatologist (Nr1) assured him that there were no signs of Scabies

and "nothing of any significance" and was alluded to

"Delusional Parasitosis" without any further tests or treatment prescribed.

I still had not made an appointment and after the disappointing result

of my husband's visit i was not in a hurry to pay someone $200

to tell me that it was all in my mind, despite the presence of lesions...

Soon after and while deciding what to do, i experienced a severe attack

so we purchased an electronic digital microscope and were able to take

some close photos of the different types of lesions at the raw severity stage

especially in areas too difficult to see and rather embarrassing to present

even to a specialist.

Having now both the photos and the lesions fresh and certainly not resembling

anything like a "pimply rash" i saw the third doctor who also could not tell

what was causing all this mess he was witnessing. He sent away some tests
-which returned negative- and he gave me a referral to see a Dermatologist (Nr 2),

marked -after my desperate pleading- as Urgent ...

which resulted in an appointment ... Three months away!

When i finally saw the Specialist, much of the appearance had improved

although there were still many Lesions healing and a number of Bumps

in various stages of development, so i thought them together with the photos

of when at their forte, and a detailed list of symptoms with my medical history

typed neatly and attached, would finally get me somewhere...

I was talked to about a 'holistic approach' which at the time i did not realise

that what it meant was... not focusing on the problem!... at all!

and neither did the meaning sink in when i was told that the crawling sensation i felt

... was due ...to ... my Nerves! ...

I thought it was meant that the crawling sensation was affecting my nerves

- not that my nerves were causing the sensation...

Flipped upside-down faster than a copper coin...

Was this another way of alluding to "Delusional Parasitosis"?...

It sure was as i discovered during the following couple visits.

The Biopsy hopefully would prove this notion wrong (and it did.)

But this did not change the Specialist’s preconceived position.

Several Blood tests, Urine tests, Herpes 2 types tested, Genital Swab tests,

all returned either normal or negative.

The Biopsy was done on a Double Bump on my Back at its final healing stage.(1)

Unfortunately, although i presented the photo above with the details and tried

to bring attention to the fact that there were two bumps with two blood spots

(maroon dots) possibly points of entry or exit of a parasite,

the sample was not taken from either bumpy impregnated area but from the

most likely empty flat middle -just above the white hair- where there was

nothing in it...

If only a few millimeters to the left or right a creature might have been caught!...

(OCT 12 : actually it would not, as this was Not the right test prescribed

–should have been taking scrapings, not a biopsy)

Nevertheless, the Biopsy still confirmed the effect of an Arthropod bite.

Despite the above result or the presence of lesions, there was no change

in the Specialist's view that the crawling was due to my nerves

and instead of focusing on finding the "Arthropod (parasite) bite reaction"
i was suggested to have a CT brain scan!... (nice one thanks!)

Three visits, several tests, hundreds of dollars and nowhere near a complete

diagnosis, let alone treatment/cure -other than prescription of antihistamines

and antidepressants to numb the sensations- and the focus getting further

and further away from the real problem: i.e. arthropod -parasite- bite -reaction.

I was sad, disappointed and frustrated yet not trying to discredit our doctors,

they are as helpful as can be – ignorance and patient prejudice cannot be helped.

No doubt though, something, somewhere is definitely wrong within the system,

whether protocol, method, mentality, or general approach

or i would not be still here without any resolution or proper treatment after 18 months.

I know i am not the only one going through such experience,

nor is this happening only in Australia. There are so many other people

in other countries with similar experiences and frustration

after being treated by Doctors and especially Dermatologists:

a) Inadequately in regards to the ‘specific’ parasite problem,

b) Been alluded to ‘Delusional Parasitosis’ (its all in your mind medieval attitude)

c) Prescribed antidepressants to numb and mask the effects

while leaving the cause untreated.

Is it really possible that both my husband and I - both developed DP simultaneously?

Or is it the easy way out for a profession that is not up to and /or does not know

how to deal with this type of problem, other than prescribing antihistamines

and antidepressants numbing the patient's brain without curing the cause?

I could keep on sending self collected specimens to the Lab with an off chance

of anything successfully identified or having one biopsy after another

at $200 a pop and hoping that something may be caught in that small sample

of skin but then again would i be treated for curing the cause or still...for my nerves?

There was Resistance, in fact outright Refusal to try Parasite treatment

yet No hesitation prescribing medication with severe and potentially dangerous

side effects (heart attack one of them!)

without any medical tests done or proof of a neurological problem.

I am quite puzzled and sincerely have difficulty understanding the basis

of this approach which appears to be pretty much standard not only here

but in the US as well, judging by people's email communications or posts in several forums.

So here i am ...

Three Doctors, Three Dermatologist Visits, Several Tests, Hundreds of Dollars!

* ... ZERO Results!... *

Still Suffering, more Dollars and the pest Eating my Life steadily away...

(At the time this was written, the bill was still running in the hundreds,

a recent calculation on receipts since then and excluding items

purchased with the Groceries, is currently running well over $4000!...)

-----------------------------------

( November 11)

Having found recently the two most helpful ways to combat it on the outside

i.e Neutrogena mixed with Canesten, Clotrimazole and Head and Shoulders shampoo

i was still left with either inaccessible areas such as intestinal and Vaginal areas

and possibly uterine or even in the blood which could explain the persistence

and resistance, i resorted in trying a two week low oral dosage Itraconazole

prescribed privately by my GP but unable to prescribe for longer or stronger dosage,

i found it totally ineffective. At this stage i cannot assess if it would have worked

if longer and stronger dosage, so i accepted the recommendation to see a new

Dermatologist (Nr3) who -presumably- is the right person for the treatment.

While waiting for the appointment, i have added to the treatment list some strong

acidophilus capsules, taken orally as well as inserted in the affected areas twice daily

and a hard scrub brush for brushing body and scalp morning and evening.

December 11

"Parasitophobia" ... again!...

This was the professional diagnosis of the third Specialist we have seen to this point

and this diagnosis was not even the result of any tests conducted.

I was told that Malassezia -easily accepted as the possible cause of the problem-

is ubiquitous - i.e everywhere and everybody has it, including ...the professional

that was telling this - and it is a matter of my long lung problem and the low immunity

that manifests those extreme symptoms -part of it undeniably true- but no tests

were conducted to confirm the right species of fungus or possibly a different type,

and no medication was prescribed, denied categorically and initially pronounced

as ...'non-existent' for this problem, but pressed about it was subsequently changed

to ... "it would not work" and therefore was not recommended

but instead the recommendation was to see a psychotherapist to help cope

with the emotional burden that the (long lung) illness has placed on me

and make me appreciate life and bla... bla... bla... and... ‘nauseatum infinitum’....

Was also told that the lesions and dry scaly effect and all

was due to scrubbing my skin which i have only started recently

and does not explain the lesions appearing prior to that desperate method-

and the sensations felt ... due ... to my ...nerves / anxiety ...of course!...

So, the initial by the first specialist 'Delusional Parasitosis" and the

"Strongly recommended Brain Scan and the sensations due to my nerves"

served by the second ... 'specialist', was now served again liberally at the cost

of $190 per 20 minute consultation, with a different more glamorous

-and more degrading and humiliating- name, as "Parasitophobia"...

I was given a tiny sample of Cetaphil lotion in place of the previously tiny Oatmeal one

and that was the glorious end of this highly unfortunate and regrettable visit.

I dont know if there are any lucky people living in a country

where the Diagnosis comes as a result of a Test
and not as a Predetermined Fixated Ideology
of a Specific Category of 'professionals?' known as " Dermatologists"

but from our repeated experience of Three different ones,
i believe that Australia is not that kind of country.

I have fought for life and the establishment of good quality in it during my long

Lung Illness accepting its limitations as my lot and was fortunate to be treated

with respect by my Lung Specialists all throughout

but these latest experiences now have me been faced with a side of
Cyborg like 'professional brain' programming, with an evil fixity and fixation

of the part of professional medical establishment i have dealt with

that at this point i am solemnly making a promise to myself, i will never break:

NEVER - - EVER- - - AGAIN - - - FOR AS LONG AS I LIVE

SHALL I VISIT OR PLACE MYSELF UNDER THE CARE OF ANY MEDICAL PERSON
EVEN IF I AM WRITHING ON THE FLOOR WITH EXCRUCIATING PAIN
OR BROKEN BONES, HEART ATTACK, OR OTHER AND CANNOT MOVE.

I WILL CHOSE TO BEAR IT AND SUFFER UNTIL THIS MERCILESS UNIVERSE

FINALLY RELEASES ME FROM MY TORTURE.

It will take me a long time to recover from this last experience and wash off the poison

that has corroded my soul and mind but i hope that i will eventually get over it

buy never - ever put myself through this kind of humiliating experience again.

They cannot give me back my immunity - fair enough- this was never expected of them.

I have been fighting on my own in the area of rebuilding it.

I have only expected or hoped of them for a direct treatment to cure my problem

and in that - they have failed me dismally!

I will never again allow them to rob me of my dignity, due to their ignorance.

In the meantime ... on my own once more as i have been for a very long time...

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