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CTyankee

(63,912 posts)
Sat Jul 29, 2017, 12:59 PM Jul 2017

Anyone else have Numullar Dermatitis

Just my luck to get this rare condition. I am itching all the time. He has prescribed Lyrica, which forbids any alcohol (and I am a wine lover). I have blisters and discoloration on my arms, legs and back. I am using every known commercial product in the shower and then after I dry off. They are marginally effective.
Triamcinalon ointment is not doing the job.

So my dilemma is this: one month of Lyrica costs $203, which I can't afford. I will ask my doctor for an alternate drug that is not as expensive and is wine friendly. If that is not possible I will ask if it is possible to alternate days where I do not take the Lyrica. I will also ask him when I will get better on whatever drug I am taking...

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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CTyankee

(63,912 posts)
6. good lord, I had no idea! Thanks so much for this...
Sat Jul 29, 2017, 03:12 PM
Jul 2017

if doc tells me that all the meds will be as expensive, I will use this!

fierywoman

(7,683 posts)
2. Have you seen "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead"?
Sat Jul 29, 2017, 01:04 PM
Jul 2017

He had a different skin malady (urticaria) but it sounds similar to yours.

KT2000

(20,577 posts)
3. Look into Neurontin
Sat Jul 29, 2017, 01:11 PM
Jul 2017

It is the drug that Lyrica was developed from and it is generic and inexpensive. According to my doc it is not much different and has been used for years. Not sure about the wine issue though.
For severe itching - and I know the kind you are experiencing - use ice packs to numb an area.
Sorry you are having to go through this.

https://www.pharmacychecker.com/generic/price-comparison/gabapentin/300+mg/

pansypoo53219

(20,976 posts)
8. yeah. maybe cold showers. UGH! i had an allergic reaction to a med & had to ER detox. i wanted a
Sat Jul 29, 2017, 03:33 PM
Jul 2017

blanket cause i was cold & they said it would make me itchier. moot, but that is what they said.

murpheeslaw

(110 posts)
4. You could try Manuka Honey for healing the skin in addition to the drugs.
Sat Jul 29, 2017, 02:03 PM
Jul 2017

I have roasea and did not like the topical antibiotics as they make you sun sensitive. I spread the honey on, leave it 5 to 15 minutes then rinse off. It comes in several strengths. I would start with the 5 MU (manuka units) and they say nothing thing stronger than 10 MU on your skin. I use the 10. It has a creamy consistency with tiny soft/easily melted crystals. It tastes slightly bitter and smokey.

It is honey made from Manuka tree flowers (where Tea tree oil comes from).It comes from New Zealand and I paid $25 for a lb jar a couple of years ago (a little goes a long way). Just looked it up on the Wiki and apparently there is a lot of adulterating going on lately so research the packer. I got mine at the Whole Foods.

My child has Morphea Scleroderma on their left side. I made a massage ointment to loosen/soften the resulting scars. This was suggested as an eczema treatment. Equal parts by weight: manuka honey, olive oil, and beeswax melted then whisked together as it cooled. it was used in conjunction with oral and injected steroids. Currently in remission (knock wood)

Good luck!

Lint Head

(15,064 posts)
5. I've had a problem that is similar. No blisters but sores and discoloration. I went to a great
Sat Jul 29, 2017, 02:42 PM
Jul 2017

dermatologist and she said I should take a bleach bath twice a week for three weeks then once a week. Then as needed.
The results has been great for me. It kills bacteria and fungus on the skin that caused my problem. Medicines can also cause skin issues.
Also internal problems.

Not exactly sure of your issue.

I'm suppose to pour 1/4 of a cup of bleach in a full bath then soak for 15 minutes. I've actually cheated and use 1/2 a cup. When I'm done I shower off then apply lotion to my skin. Coconut oil.

You don't have to try this but it is safe. It's even recommended for some babies with skin conditions.

CTyankee

(63,912 posts)
7. sounds good but I cannot negotiate a tub bath...
Sat Jul 29, 2017, 03:19 PM
Jul 2017

I am simply too old to manage it. We use a handicap tub bench...

Warpy

(111,255 posts)
9. Are you seeing a dermatologist or a GP?
Sat Jul 29, 2017, 03:54 PM
Jul 2017

If you're not seeing a dermatologist, find one. Dermatologists will find the cause (infection, auto immune reaction, etc) and treat it from there. While daily baths and application of moisturizers can help, especially with small outbreakd, bigger ones require stronger treatment, often systemic drugs.

Definitely get that Lyrica changed. Unfortunately, I can't think of any alternative medications are wine friendly. They're all hostile. However, with appropriate treatment decreasing the extent of the outbreak, you might be able to skip the medication and drink once or twice a week on good days.

Here's the scoop on treatment: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/nummular-dermatitis#treatment

CTyankee

(63,912 posts)
11. yeah, I could but I like my wine, it soothes me and it is a lifestyle issue...
Sat Jul 29, 2017, 04:27 PM
Jul 2017

dinner with my husband where we often linger and have a second glass of wine. I'd prefer that he find an alternative. He's a really brilliant guy, teaches at Yale Medical School, developed some breakthrough treatments.

I have had phototherapy. When my memory began to fail I started having problems driving to places I had been before. My daughter gave me her Garmin but I am nervous about getting lost again...in fact, it makes me panicked just to think about it. I am taking cabs to dr.'s offices nowadays.

CTyankee

(63,912 posts)
12. The Lyrica was prescribed by my dermatologist. He's set up a series of five
Sat Aug 19, 2017, 05:53 PM
Aug 2017

blood draws one a week to see what is going on and has replaced the Lyrica with Gabopentin. However, that medication makes me drowsy and dizzy.

Opilhala

(2 posts)
13. Advice
Tue Jul 9, 2019, 05:51 AM
Jul 2019

I advise you to purchase a UVB lamp for treating dermatitis, its price is near 250$. If you spend on treatment $ 230 every month, then you will significantly save your budget. Look their blog, There is a lot of useful information about the treatment of dermatitis. I hope my information will be useful to you.

wishstar

(5,269 posts)
14. The 3 things that have helped me are antihistamines, zinc oxide and diluted bleach
Thu Jul 11, 2019, 09:28 PM
Jul 2019

I find it difficult to get up and down taking baths so instead I use a metal basin of warm water to which I add some bleach and I soak my washcloth and then pour the diluted bleach over the places that I have dermatitis outbreaks, keeping my eyes closed to protect my eyes from bleach. I also wash thoroughly with Dial antibacterial soap as well before thoroughly rinsing off. I do this routine almost every time i take a shower since I started having skin problems last year. When my first outbreak of skin infection and extensive rashes started, I took a Benadryl for several nights before bedtime for relief and it worked quite well to clear up the rashes. But I only take Benadryl as a last resort as Claritin is preferable for mental alertness. I have an allergic reaction to most skin ointments but have found Rite Aide's basic zinc oxide with just zinc oxide and vaseline to be very helpful in treating my rash prone areas, especially in areas on close contact with clothing.

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