Trying to Get Pregnant

Doctor versus Pharmacist. Confused and frustrated.

I just returned from my doctor's office to look at a rash on my stomach that I thought was pityriasis rosea. After being told a dermatologist would be on call, I learned this meant to look at pictures of my rash. So after a few snapshots of my stomach and a couple spots on my back that maybe could have been part of it, I waited to learn that the dermatologist decided it wasn't pityriasis rosea because it's impossible to get it three times. Instead, it was diagnosed as atopic dermatitis (eczema) and I was given an ointment to use for two weeks and come back if it's not better within 3 weeks. Besides the fact that this looks and feels nothing like eczema and I didn't get to see a dermatologist in person, the doctor told me not to TTC because it's Category C. The kicker? My PCP had the cutest baby bump, which I kept staring at as she gave me this news.

Fast forward to the pharmacy. I decided to ask my pharmacist the same question about TTC/pregnancy and the meds. Her answer? Well, it's topical and won't go into the bloodstream, so it shouldn't be a problem.

So based on these conflicting answers, it seems I have the following choices:

1) Use the meds as directed, although my gut tells me they won't work, and wait to TTC according to doctor's advice.
2) Use the meds as directed and TTC according to pharmacist.
3) Don't use the meds and maybe try DS' eczema cream and see if that works.
4) Do nothing and have an ugly rash, which if it is eczema, is otherwise harmless.

Any thoughts on any of this? Does anyone here have eczema and use ointments/cream? And sorry for the rant like post...it's been a long morning.



Re: Doctor versus Pharmacist. Confused and frustrated.

  • I don't know anything about eczema but if you are questioning your doctor, I would get a second opinion. 
  • bsckgb7bsckgb7 member
    edited August 2015

    Have you looked at the RX information to see what class the drug is in?   Maybe your doctor just misspoke?  And since it's a cream it may just be don't use once you get a positive, but up until then it's ok. 

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  • kgbbsc7 said:

    Have you looked at the RX information to see what class the drug is in?   Maybe your doctor just misspoke?  And since it's a cream it may just be don't use once you get a positive, but up until then it's ok. 

    So it's definitely a Catergory C, which means they don't know. As DH likes to tell me though, doctors need to err on the side of caution with these things for fear of being sued.

    My biggest concern is that I do it, it doesn't work, and then I have to return to the doctor anyway. I am likely ovulating in about a week, but my irregular periods make this a crapshoot.


  • AgGal2010AgGal2010 member
    edited August 2015
    Maybe get an appt to see a dermatologist in person if it persists? I know it's frustrating but I would hate to be out of TTC for no reason, especially if the medicine isn't even going to help the rash.

    Edit:typo
  • AgGal2010 said:
    Maybe get an appt to see a dermatologist in person if it persists? I know it's frustrating but I would hate to be out of TTC for no reason, especially if the medicine isn't even going to help the rash. Edit:typo
    This is exactly it. I'm leaning toward using DS' eczema cream that I bought over the counter and just dealing with an unsightly rash on my stomach for 9 months plus if need be. It's not itchy or hurting me, just gross looking. This just feels like a situation where they are trying to rule everything out, rather than diagnose adequately the first time. Just so frustrating! 


  • I just had a similar situation with my acne meds which were also category C. My case may vary differently because I have used them twice a day for the last 2 years and she was concerned that levels could build. I would definitely check with your MD and share the info that the pharmacist provided you. Maybe if it's something short term she would feel comfortable with using until you conceive? But I do think it's better safe than sorry. Maybe MD can suggest a natural remedy...coconut oil or something along those lines. Sounds strange but my stepson has horrific eczema and we use an emu oil cream that we order off amazon. It cleared him up in 3 days.
  • cattlebridecattlebride member
    edited August 2015
    Topical meds do go into the blood stream. Your pharmacist is full o baloney. Think fentanyl and nitro patches. I would take something you know is safe for pregnancy or deal with the rash.

    Also many doctors say not to ttc because many women don't know they are pregnant until 6 weeks or so. If you are charting you could take the med until you ovulate. The med should be out of your system by the time baby would be sharing a blood supply with you. After you o stop taking it until af.
  • Topical meds do go into the blood stream. Your pharmacist is full o baloney. Think fentanyl and nitro patches. I would take something you know is safe for pregnancy or deal with the rash. Also many doctors say not to ttc because many women don't know they are pregnant until 6 weeks or so. If you are charting you could take the med until you ovulate. The med should be out of your system by the time baby would be sharing a blood supply with you. After you o stop taking it until af.
    Thank you for this information. Unfortunately, this was a month we were just going to go with it and my ovulation would purely be based on inferring from my other irregular periods. Although I don't think I'm ovulating until next week, I just don't know. However, I e-mailed my doctor and asked if something like Aveeno would be appropriate to try.


  • I feel your pain, been battling it out with Patient First and my pharmacist all morning!!  Having my records from Patient First sent to my GYN for 2nd opinion.

    I don't have much advice, but I would agree with Cattlebride. 
  • If you're doubting the diagnosis, I'd suggest getting an appointment with a dermatologist in person.

    In the meantime, if you do have eczema, you can try the Aveeno Eczema Therapy lotion - it's lotion with colloidal oatmeal, which helps relieve eczema (often triggered by dry skin). I usually try that before using any steroidal creams. I'd also make sure that any cleansers you use (body wash, laundry detergent, etc) are as low in chemicals as possible.
      

         TTC #1 --- BFP #1 5/15, loss at 5 weeks --- BFP #2 12/15, loss at 4+3 --- RE testing 3/16 normal, still trying for our rainbow    

  • If you're doubting the diagnosis, I'd suggest getting an appointment with a dermatologist in person. In the meantime, if you do have eczema, you can try the Aveeno Eczema Therapy lotion - it's lotion with colloidal oatmeal, which helps relieve eczema (often triggered by dry skin). I usually try that before using any steroidal creams. I'd also make sure that any cleansers you use (body wash, laundry detergent, etc) are as low in chemicals as possible.
    Thank you for the advice. I'm not sure if you're familiar with the Kaiser medical insurance system, but meeting with a specialist is a headache in itself. However, I'm requesting to do just that; I also asked my husband if we could switch companies because I'm tired of having to jump through hoops to get what I need.


  • edited August 2015
    *Lurker.  Ticker Warning/pregnancies mentioned*

    What were you prescribed?  I use Ketoconazole and Desonide for my eczema and dermatitis.  I've been using them for years even when I was pregnant with DS.  My flare ups have been bad with this pregnancy and even though they are category C, my OB told me they were fine to use last time as well as this time.  Not only was it all over my hairline and in my scalp, I was getting it on my neck and hands.

    I don't have to use them too often though because the patches clear up within a few days and stay away for a couple of weeks.
    Then I use the medicine again.  I do find that adding a water softener/purifier for the house helps as well as soaps and shampoos without sulfates.

    I hope you can get some relief!

    ETA:  Though it never worked for me, my sister-in-law's friend has had good luck with using straight up coconut oil on her skin.  Perhaps you could give it a try!
    Married 05.19.07 | Together since 03.11.00 | Dom Born 02.06.12 
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  • *Lurker.  Ticker Warning/pregnancies mentioned*

    What were you prescribed?  I use Ketoconazole and Desonide for my eczema and dermatitis.  I've been using them for years even when I was pregnant with DS.  My flare ups have been bad with this pregnancy and even though they are category C, my OB told me they were fine to use last time as well as this time.  Not only was it all over my hairline and in my scalp, I was getting it on my neck and hands.

    I don't have to use them too often though because the patches clear up within a few days and stay away for a couple of weeks.
    Then I use the medicine again.  I do find that adding a water softener/purifier for the house helps as well as soaps and shampoos without sulfates.

    I hope you can get some relief!
    I was prescribed fluocinonide twice a day for 2 weeks. After reading more about eczema and everyone's replies, I would rather start out with something over the counter before going to the corticosteroid and am pressing my doctors further, especially since this patch is not itchy at all. 


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