22 February 2008

Mystery Diagnosis, Part 2

So, picking up where we left off.

I promise, this is it. Just a two-parter. Everyone have the usual poop/sex/ass jokes out of their systems?

Good. Moving on.

So, hydrocortisone suppositories didn't work (surprise) and the GI doc decided to perform a sigmoidoscopy (count is now 8), well-documented here. I managed to live through that embarrassment (it's a problem, I know) and what did he find? Nothing. No reason for this taking over of my life ass-itch. What did he suggest? Take Benadryl pills and rub on the Benadryl cream.

Riiiiiiiight.

Did I mention I had already tried that with no success?

So, I go back home, in tears, scratching like crazy, not sleeping, and losing my friggin' mind.

Then, in steps Dr. Miracle and his diagnosis of surgery on the nethers because the reason for my itching, he says, is a reduced perineum.

Ooooooooookay. I know many other women who have had to have this surgery due to multiple childbirths and such and it wasn't because their asses were itching. But, he is the doctor who gave us the miracles that are our children. Soooooo, he must know what he's talking about.

Meanwhile, the itching has gotten worse. The itching has moved forward. The itching is driving me to the brink of a straight-jacket and a padded cell.

I call Dr. Friggin' who prescribes me Ambien (to hopefully help me sleep through the itch - what a concept!) and tells me to "PLEASE go see a dermatologist" because he didn't see the need for surgery. Bless him.

Off I go to my dermatologist. The same dermatologist who has cut out warts and burned off pre-cancerous.... things. All I can think is that if she comes at my ass with a cannister of that liquid nitrogen stuff, I'm going to run screaming, pants around my ankles, through the streets of Marietta only to get arrested for indecent exposure when all I wanted was a cure for my ass-itch.

Anyhoo. She takes one look at my posterior and says, "Yep, that's lichen sclerosus, here's an ointment for it, you'll be a new woman in four days, apply the ointment for two weeks, and you don't need surgery."

I started crying and there, in her exam room, with pants around my ankles, I grabbed her, hugged her, and smeared tears and snot on her clean, white, doctor coat.

And? Seven years later? Six days of ointment application later? Five doctors later? Eight over-the-counter pills and ointments later? Five prescription pills, ointments, and suppositories later?

I don't itch.
I do sleep.

I. Am. Back.

And my ass? Well, after three kids, a sigmoidoscopy (9), and multiple examinations, it has no problem being exposed to the general, medically-trained public. Or to the Ty-man.

You guys? Sorry. You'll never see it. Unless I reach Britney Spears-like fame and "forget" to wear undies on a social outing. Then, you'll see everything I've got and more!

9 comments:

jayna said...

Glad your ordeal is behind you now :-)

Congrats on no surgery. Now go catch up on your sleep!

Unknown said...

YAY!! No more stinky fingers! I mean, congrats on a simple solution to getting back to "normal." ;-)

Anonymous said...

After reading the description of that dreaded affliction which gave you the seven-year butt itch, my main reaction is: I have never been so happy to be circumcised. Seriously.

RiverPoet said...

OMG. Honey, I am SO glad you saw the dermatologist. I wish for you that he/she had been your first stop. There is nothing more humiliating than having to repeatedly bare your ass to the world (and I know something about that).

So glad to know that you're sleeping. So glad there was a happy ending!

Peace - D

Avitable said...

That's awesome to hear. Glad you finally got to a doctor who had a clue.

Mrs. Booms said...

Here's a little TMI for you.

I relayed the first half of this story to my husband last night...

While we were naked in the shower.

He told me I was the worst pillow talker in history.

So it goes.

Anonymous said...

Seven-year butt itch, holy. Having three kids can be enough of a pain in the ass. You're a saint. Congrats on the proper diagnosis and recovery.

Anonymous said...

In all seriousness, I am really impressed that you went for treatment. Repeatedly.

I honestly don't know if I'd be able to overcome the embarrassment of "my ass itches" that many times.

Of course, now my crotches itches just reading all of these links.

Gypsy said...

Thank Jebus you don't need surgery!