Thank you for all the advice!

Im so happy to let everyone know that I did get in to see a different doctor today about the skin problem. The man was very nice to me, explained that I have developed a staph infection.. He told me how to take care of the blisters/sores if and when they pop.. He gave me antibiotics and some cream to use.. He also discussed with me what to use in the skin folds to help prevent further rashes.. He was great! He did take pictures of this skin infection to put in my medical records so that the insurance company can see just how bad things are.. He also put in detailed notes of almost every scar I have from the skin rubbing, sores, etc.. I had a very detailed exam today! Quite humiliating in ways, but it needed to be done. And I didnt leave the office defeated and hating myself! I actually left with my head held high! Im not happy that I have a staph infection, but atleast I know what it is and its being treated! It wasnt just a simple case of roll rash!! Thank you for all the support and advice! Yesterday was more then I could handle and as I fell apart you all picked me up and put me back together.. Amber

Oh Amber, We will always be your SMO glue lol....... Hugs Marge

Lookin' good, Amber !! Glad today was a better day and the doctor was a better one. Hang in there, friend, Myra

Hey Amber! Im soo glad you got in to see a Doctor and finally got some answers and solutions! And that is great that he wrote all this down in your chart for you! Your 2 steps ahead of the insurance fight! Have a wonderful weekend. Steph

Good luck Amber...sometimes staph infections don't heal so well! Try and keep on top of it! I use an antifungal foot spray under the folds because I get the same problem. I guess when I'm ready for plastic surgery, I need to let it kick up again, so I can try and get insurance to pay for it. It is just so damned irritating, I don't know how I can let it go, now that I know how to control it! Lori

While we're on this subject ... This is advice I received from my BS this past Monday when I talked with him regarding my excess skin and problems from it: Seek treatment from your PCP no matter how trivial the complaint in order to get it into your medical record. Ask that a record of any phone consultation be placed into your medical record for later insurance qualification. Be taking photos of all skin problems *as they occur*. They are the best evidence of on-going problems (and it's the *on-going* part that will help get insurance to pay). Make sure the date is showing in each photo. Then show the photos to your PCP when you seek treatment and ask him/her to include a statement in the visit's office note that you have shown photos of on-going problems. Keep the photos, don't give them to your PCP to be filed into your medical record. This part is from me: I worked in a large medical clinic for 32 years. Medical records departments can lose essential data, and if your PCP is in a big practice, you don't want your photos to be handed from employee to employee during the filing process. People are human, and even if there are rules against it, photos are scrutinized and talked about internally (and in some unfortunate cases ... outside of the doctor's offices). You want your doctor to see the problems you're having in between visits, but keep your photos in your possession. Again from me ... the result of growing up as a Professional Photographer's daughter: If you don't have a digital or instant camera and have to send film in to be processed ... completely block private parts away from the camera when taking the photo so that the processing center won't *skip* developing some photos based on what they might consider inappropriate or lewd content, and always count the negatives you receive back from the processing center to assure yourself all have been returned to you. And, yes, negatives can be copied ... a very good argument for instant or digital cameras. Also, if you do use digital, keep the photos on a CD or Media card away from your computer. The last thing you need is to compile all kinds of documentation for PS and have your computer crash taking it all with it. Myra

Amber I'm sorry to hear you aren't feeling well but now you know what it is and are on the road to recovery. Please take care of yourself and if you need me I'm always here. Myra Lovin' the new pic!! WOO HOO!! Jamie