Saturday, November 16, 2024

Flare

After a long and grueling week, I'm grateful that the weekend is finally here. Outside my window, the sky is deep blue and the fall color in the trees is about as good as it gets. There's a sharp chill in the air this morning, and the hot cup of coffee I'm sipping really hits the spot. 

Monday night I had another extremely nasty eczema flare, one of the worst ones I've ever experienced. I'd just spent the whole day at work trying to function while pretty much having low key panic attacks all day. I had to close my office door to cry over and over, that's how bad it was. I've been under loads of stress, and it seemed to reach a boiling point that day. So then...that night I woke up just after midnight with painful, swollen, hot-to-the-touch skin in patches all over my body. My fingers were maybe the worst, so swollen with small hard blisters breaking out that I could barely bend my fingers. Large red welts had appeared around both elbows, and all the places where I normally have eczema (ankles and tops/sides of feet) were on fire. It was really, really bad.

 I did go in to work despite all this but called my allergist's office as soon as they opened. They weren't able to squeeze me in for an appointment until the next morning, but they immediately called in a prescription for prednisone to the drug store for me. I was able to start it that afternoon. 

When I finally saw the doctor the next morning, something good came of all this: he said he was pretty sure he finally had enough evidence to get my insurance company to cover Dupixent injections for me. It's a new and incredibly expensive biologic treatment that's supposed to be a total game changer for uncontrolled eczema. He took pictures of my skin to use as evidence and did all the paperwork necessary to send to the insurance company, and it worked! I was approved two days later! And since he was so sure he could get it approved for me, he gave me two sample injections to get me started. I'll be getting the refrigerated shots in the mail from an online pharmacy by the time I need to take my next shot, which will be in two weeks. 

It seems that a majority of people who use this drug have outstanding results, with over 75% achieving at least a 75% decrease in symptoms. Lots of people seem to be totally cured while taking it. After all these years of suffering through these skin problems, that's going to seem like a dream come true.

So at least one good thing happened this week.


42 comments:

Bob said...

I had no idea that eczema could be like that; I just thought it was an annoying rash.
I had shingles a few years back, and, while it wasn't as whole body thing, it was quite painful.
Hopefully you'll get the Dupixent and it will help!

jabblog said...

I taught a little boy with severe eczema. He was covered from head to foot and also had bad asthma attacks. He had to be wrapped every night before bed. I've often wondered what became of him, poor child.

Ms. Moon said...

My daughter Jessie is on regular injections for her autoimmune issues. And she does them herself, too. I truly hope you get relief that is not just temporary. I also hope that the stress in your life is soon relieved. At least some of it.

Yorkshire Pudding said...

I really hope that the "Dupixent" works for you Jennifer. Apart from anything else you need to be fit and well for Gregg. Monday's eczema attack sounds awful.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Oh my, I sure hope those Dupixent injections work to the greatest possible extent for you! May this be the last severe eczema attack you ever have to live through.

angryparsnip said...

iI am playing catch-up and how did I destroy my computer
I hope you can start the new meds !

Latane Barton said...

Wow, I sure hope you are feeling better very soon. Perhaps the new medicine is just what you need.

Michael said...

Gosh Jennifer, that sounds just awful. I hope the injections help. Finally an insurance company comes through!

Claudia said...

GOOD news about the the insurance go ahead. My son suffered all summer with a bad case of eczema. every day at work he dreamed of getting home to soak in an oatmeal bath. That seemed to be the only relief that he got. His hands were so swollen and red that he couldn't turn the door nobs. He had to wear white gloves over his steroid laden hands. He said that he felt like a mime. He is better now but not completely over it. The skin is just so thin and fragile. I am anxious to see how the Dupixent works for you.

Dave R said...

Most people will never understand that we were given science for this reason. Hope you feel better soon.

anonymous said...

What you've been going through sounded horrendous. I'm so happy the doc got the 'OK' from the insurance co. for the new med. Hope you can close the door on this miserable condition. Good luck and best wishes....may the new year bring you some peace and serenity. We can all use a boat load of that these days!!
Paranormal John

Linda Sue said...

Geez, one must be half dead to get insurance to accept better medicine! So sorry for your discomfort ( excruciating pain) , damn, girl! Maybe now they will pay attention to your needs better.

Jennifer said...

Thanks, Neil. I do think Gregg's doctors are gearing up for proposing some kind of treatment...and I'll need to be well to help him through it. I hope I'm wrong about that, but that's my gut feeling.

Jennifer said...

Oh, that's just terrible. I know that sometimes children can grow out of eczema. I didn't develop it until around age 20 and I've been struggling ever since. Stress makes it so much worse, too.

Jennifer said...

It can be so much more than an annoying rash, as I've learned so well. Thanks Bob! I've been approved for the Dupixent so fingers crossed that this is the cure!

Jennifer said...

These injections are self-administered, too. I did the first two after the nurse explained exactly how. It wasn't too bad. As for the stress, I'm doing what I can, but it just keeps coming and coming this year! I'll be glad to see the end of 2024.

Jennifer said...

Thank you so much, Debra.

Jennifer said...

I've been approved, so I can! Yay!

And good to see you here. :)

Joanne Noragon said...

I hope this treatment is your light at the end of the tunnel.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

I hope this new medication is a game changer for you! I had no idea it could get that bad! Take care. - Jenn

Cro Magnon said...

You poor thing! I hope your new meds will make all the difference. xx

Moving with Mitchell said...

I’ve been thinking about you and Gregg. What great news about Dupixent.

Debby said...

You are really having such stressful time now. An eczema flare is exactly what you didn't need. I will be quite interested to see the results from Dupixent.

Jennifer said...

I'm really interested in how it's going to work out, too. My regular doctor and allergist have both been talking about this drug for a year now. I'm glad it's been approved!

Jennifer said...

I'm excited to try it! Thanks Mitchell. I hope the move is winding down and going well for you. xx

Jennifer said...

I'll be sure and report back!

Jennifer said...

Thanks Jenn. Maybe this will finally be the answer for me.

Ellen D. said...

The stress keeps piling up on you and I am sorry to hear about your flare up. I'm glad you have been approved for the new drug and hope it helps quickly. Thinking of you and Gregg and hoping for good news and good health for you both. xxoo

Jennifer said...

I hope so too. It's been a rough time.

Jennifer said...

These injections have an out of pocket cost of almost $5000 per month, which is why the insurance companies don't want to cover it without making the patient and doctor jump through hoops. Drug prices are way out of control....like so many other things in this country.

Jennifer said...

You said it! May 2025 be better for us all. Or at least not as bad as we're afraid it's going to be.

Jennifer said...

Thank you Dave. By the way, I'm STILL having trouble adding you back to my sidebar.

Jennifer said...

Oh, your poor son! I know all about those greasy steroid creams. They're so messy and gross, and they make the skin very thin and fragile, as you say. I'll be sure and report back on the Duprixent. Maybe his doctor can get him approved, too.

Jennifer said...

Seriously! I'm really tired of fighting with this disease.

Jennifer said...

Thank you!

Jennifer said...

You're very kind, Ellen. Thank you for the good wishes. It's always nice to see you here.

Steve Reed said...

I'm sure all this stress has had a huge effect on you. How could it not? I'm sorry you had to endure this awful flare but yeah, at least you've had a potentially positive outcome. Sending best wishes to you and Gregg too!

Margaret said...

That's wonderful news about the medication. I'm so sorry for your flare; it sounds agonizing--on top of all the other stress. I hope you still work in a supportive environment. I know you loved your new job at the beginning and hope that's still the case. Sending hugs!

Jennifer said...

I absolutely love my job. It's never caused me even one iota of stress! And the people are really supportive and kind. I'm very lucky.

Librarian said...

Dear Jennifer, I am so sorry that you have to go through this, but like the rest of us here I very much hope that the injections will work their magic, and fast!
As a kid, I had exzema on my hands and feet, and suffered not only from the skin condition as such but also because I found myself repulsive and thought other kids would find me horrible, too. It‘s a terrible spiral when stress makes it worse, and then you stress even more, making it worse, and so on…
Wishing you and Gregg all the best, dear friend!

Colette said...

I suffered from eczema until I retired and moved. Then it disappeared. That's all I know. Could have been so many things that caused it. It's a mystery. I'm really happy that you have been approved for this new treatment.

Jennifer said...

Thank you Steve. I'll take all good wishes!