After three visits to urgent care and WEEKS of waiting Steve finally got to see the dermatologist about his mystery body rash. A shot of cortisone, a prescription for histamine blocker that is too powerful to use during the day (says doctor), a suggestion to invest in Allegra...and "see you in a month if things aren't better and we will test for allergies." Also "we might never know the cause. Could be bug bite was trigger...or your gout meds...or something environmental. Sometimes it just disappears." At least the shot seems to have stopped the itching so now maybe all the scratches can heal.
The White Dogs gathered together to, as White Dog explained, "come up with some ideas that might help dad REALLY figure this out." Since the human medical route was not scoring very well so far, I agreed to hear their ideas and seriously consider their analysis.
"Remember, momma, that you found out that chicken is the number one allergen for dogs? Well, with his gout Dad eats an AWFUL lot of chicken. Maybe the rash could be a reaction to that? What if we use Dr. Julia's method of trying three things and if there is an improvement we slowly add them back one at a time until we get a reaction? Dad could avoid chicken, wear a jacket and shoes that he leaves on the porch when he comes in, and wash up his hands and arms and legs when he touches us. That way we could start by seeing if food, the outside or the WDA might be the trigger. If he gets better it points to one of these. If not we try three new things." Hmm, I thought how come none of the DOCTORS have suggested that? Good idea WDA.
"Stress certainly cannot be helping Dad's situation," White Dog read from her notes. "I know work is busy and that causes anxiety with deadlines and changes. I know you have been streamlining meals and evening demands so that he has fewer things to do here but what if we could figure out a way to give Dad an hour to meditate or just read for pleasure or do something that is relaxing? Even if we could do that a couple times a week maybe that will at least ease the severity." "Why is it that we are paying a medical professional," I asked My Girl. "This is also a very profound thought."
"Massage might help. You know, repetitive motion to move the fluids under the skin around. Maybe the rashy areas have some kind of toxic build up and moving the circulation will break up the concentration so it can be filtered and removed from his body. Massage helped Yo and Benson and Ferguson. It would not hurt to try...and it might aid in relaxing." White Dog continued.
"We also think Dad needs to keep a notebook about where he is, what he is doing and what time it is when the itching is worse or the rash flares up. Maybe we can find a pattern that will reveal something we have missed," White Dog concluded. "I agreed we should propose such a journal to Dad. Seeing patterns is one of the best ways to problem solve." A well deserved round of salmon treats, brain food, was shared. "We just want dad to be well and not scratch himself up from the itchies," Nilla said as she thoughtfully finished her cookie.
My White Dog Army, the best medical team...ever!
No comments:
Post a Comment