Last yr I developed a skin rash that lasted for 3 months before settling down. I've now got it again and this is the third monthand it's just spreading. I've seen my GP 3 times. They've tried anti fungal, steroids cream and I've tried various home remedies. The rash started on my chest spread to my kneck and now is mostly on the arms and belly with the odd spot elsewhere. It's bumpy, red and the itching, while not constant, is intense and disruptive.
I have vascular liver disease (liver blood tests normal range) and mesenteric panniculitis, for which there is a possible link to increased lymphoma risk. I've read medical authority suggesting that monitoring for lymphoma is advisable with MP. I have never been regularly monitore. My GPS have been poor. I've sought a dermatology referral and the hospital have rejected the referral back for a local dermatologist. No sense of urgency when I press my surgery. My last request for another Dr appointment has been triaged on a await and see basis. This happened once before when they 'mistakenly' cancelled my request.
I have been very tired during the day - falling asleep mid afternoon perhaps for an hour or two.
What to do? One gp said go private. I will now ask for an urgent referral as this spectre of possible lymphoma is back on my radar, but I have little confidence in my doctors and the dire state of the NHS. GPs often seem resistant to patients who try to direct treatments and investigations in my experience.
Ideally I would have a quick referral for possible lymphoma but how do I achieve this with so much resistance? Your thoughts would be appreciated. My partner had a rare lymphoma over 10 yrs ago. At the time, the system treated his worsening problem as trivial by many drs and only when we leap frogged local dr's and dentists did we eventually get a diagnosis. So, I have experience of the terrible inertia and poor diagnostics in the NHS. And now I'm concerned I will fall foul of it myself.
I live in South east London, NR crystal palace, so have easy access to various medical centres potentially. Do walk in centres exist for dermatology. Somehow I need to get beyond the unhelpful triaging at my local level. Any help or suggestions pls?
