"Bullous Phemphigoid - Psoriasis"

Late December 2023 - Covid.  Minor itching on my back.

Mid January 2024 - increasing, first doctors appointment, followed by 4 more.  The last generated a close diagnosis plus steroids (6 diminishing course).  The itching, blemishes and blistering was checked by the drugs but came rushing back.  I was in despair as this was now late March, I couldn't sleep and my whole body felt like it was on fire.

Toward the end of that month my GP contacted our local Dermatology Department for an urgent emergency appointment.  This generated a date of early June(!) as the next available.  

I tried going to the private sector, this is Devon so the next date at Exeter was exactly the same.  Deep despair.

I persisted and a cancellation resulted in a 15 minute consultation and biopsy a week later  No drugs administered however, so back to my GP as I had never felt so depressed in my life. Very good response: the same steroid treatment as before which helped enormously.

I've just had confirmation of my condition: Bullous Pemphigoid.  Treatment: Ongoing steroids @5 plus 2 doxycycline per day.  Telephone consultation at the end of this month and face to face in early June.  Letters to me and copies for my surgery.

Day one of treatment started very badly, within 5 minutes from waking large new weal's appeared on my shoulders and the underside of my forearms accompanied by pain and increased itching discomfort. 

I ripped the box open for my medication and after about 30 minutes the issues though uncomfortable were just tolerable.  A bath then followed using a handful of Epsom salts followed by emollient creams all over my body.  It is now six hours later;  I feel raw, but making the best of things, trying to reassure myself that it is day one!