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.
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.
Edit:typo
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.
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