bullous pemphigoid

[oliver 2001]

My mother was just diagnosed with BP. Would like to hear from anyone this problem. Thanks

 

[SpecialK]

My father suffered from this for years until we found a doctor who actually knew how to treat it instead of pretending to know. It's an auto-immune disorder that causes blisters to form all over the body. Until he was treated correctly, my father was in a lot of pain from the blisters.

The dermatologist he originally saw had him on 5mg of prednisone daily. When we finally convinced him to see another dermatologist, he upped the dosage to 40 mg daily for a couple of weeks. The results were almost immediate. After that initial blast, he was eventually weaned down to a dosage that would maintain the results.

The second doctor told us that until steroids were developed in the '50s, bp was usually fatal as blisters would eventually form in the throat and block the airway. My father was experiencing blisters in his throat when his treatment regimen was changed. I shudder to think that his death would have been hastened by this disease if he hadn't switched doctors.

Edited to add: Because it's fairly rare, you'll run into a lot of medical professionals who don't know what it is. When my dad was briefly in a nursing home, the doctor there discontinued the prednisone without consent because he didn't see a need for it even though it was in my father's chart. Be prepared to explain whenever your mother faces a hospitalization or a new doctor.

 

[oliver 2001]

Special K -Thank you for answering my request.. I went with my mother to the dermatologist the other day. She was given corticosterolds cream. They also took a blood test to test her blood she is diabetic and was told she can't take prednisone. They are checking to see if she can take azathioprine (Imuran). She also has them in her mouth.. Is very depressed and is with drawing. She dose not want to go out of the house because the blisters are draining and getting all over her clothes.. Lynne

 

[SpecialK]

Exactly what happened to my dad. Prior to the bp, he was always out - golfing, dining with friends, etc. He became so self-concious about the way his skin looked, he took to wearing long sleeves and long pants in the middle of the summer.

I know you haven't asked for advice, but I would encourage you to call around to some other derm. to see if there are other treatment options of which her current dr. may be unaware. Most have very little experience with this disease. Best to your mom. Let her know it can be treated and will get better.