Doctor experiences

[metiner]

I apologize in advance if there's a similar thread, but I didn't see one.

I had my long awaited appointment with my derm a few weeks ago. She's an extremely knowledgable doctor in her 70's. Has seen thousands of rosacea patients as I was informed. I had seen her before for other issues, which she treated really well. It seriously takes her seconds to diagnose and write a prescription.
She entered in, nodded me and started writing a prescription-metrocream -for my rosacea. These happened in 5 seconds. Didn't examine my face, didn't ask me how often I get flare ups, didn't mention sunscreen creams or cleaners or moisturizers. I understand she's seen so many cases and can recognize rosacea in seconds from afar, but I was expecting so much more from this appointment. I was prepared and had many questions which she patiently answered, but I also had a feeling that she thought I was one of those patients who is terrified at the sight of antibiotics. I understand she's an old school doctor and won't spend much time discussing each and every possible trigger.
She wants to see how I react to metrocream and if it doesn't work, she told me she'll have to prescribe doxocycline.

I'm so confused. I read so many types of medications pronounced as rosacea treatments, I'm at a loss. I don't know if metrocream is the right one to start.
My rosacea is mild on cheeks with rare flareups, 1-2 short flareup a month.. It doesn't even bother me unless I look in the mirror. I'm only worried that it might progress..
How were your doctor appointment experiences?

[flying_er]

I apologize in advance if there's a similar thread, but I didn't see one.

I had my long awaited appointment with my derm a few weeks ago. She's an extremely knowledgable doctor in her 70's. Has seen thousands of rosacea patients as I was informed. I had seen her before for other issues, which she treated really well. It seriously takes her seconds to diagnose and write a prescription.
She entered in, nodded me and started writing a prescription-metrocream -for my rosacea. These happened in 5 seconds. Didn't examine my face, didn't ask me how often I get flare ups, didn't mention sunscreen creams or cleaners or moisturizers. I understand she's seen so many cases and can recognize rosacea in seconds from afar, but I was expecting so much more from this appointment. I was prepared and had many questions which she patiently answered, but I also had a feeling that she thought I was one of those patients who is terrified at the sight of antibiotics. I understand she's an old school doctor and won't spend much time discussing each and every possible trigger.
She wants to see how I react to metrocream and if it doesn't work, she told me she'll have to prescribe doxocycline.

I'm so confused. I read so many types of medications pronounced as rosacea treatments, I'm at a loss. I don't know if metrocream is the right one to start.
My rosacea is mild on cheeks with rare flareups, 1-2 short flareup a month.. It doesn't even bother me unless I look in the mirror. I'm only worried that it might progress..
How were your doctor appointment experiences?

It sounds to me like that doctor didn't give you the attention you deserve. Many doctors start every patient with Metro, then try finacea, then try doxy and then mino, then sulfur and sulfacetamide. It's a bit of a predictable routine. I've found that I need to do my research and tell the doctor what I want to try. Some doctors are not receptive to that but others are. Sorry you had a bad experience but your doctor is like many out there. It's tough to find a really good dermatologist.

[metiner]

flying_er, thank you so much for your response.
She told me that if metro doesn't work, she'll prescribe doxocycline, without even asking me my medication allergies.
I can't use doxocycline, my stomach had a very bad reaction to it, nausea and discomfort. I had use it before for something else.
She told me, we will try low doses.
That I don't get, I'm sure there has to be an alternative to it, or a better answer than you'll only have low doses...

[Brady Barrows]

5 seconds

I have added your experience to my list I have been accumulating for some time now. Thanks for posting your diagnosis time period (5 seconds).

[johnabetts]

I had my long awaited appointment with my derm a few weeks ago. She's an extremely knowledgable doctor in her 70's. Has seen thousands of rosacea patients as I was informed. I had seen her before for other issues, which she treated really well. It seriously takes her seconds to diagnose and write a prescription.

Knowledgeable or not, a medical practitioner of that age should have considered retirement some time ago.

Whenever you are dissatisfied with your practitioner it is time to move elsewhere. Someone younger, perhaps.

I'm not being ageist, I'm around that vintage myself but there is always a matter of psychology and faith in your medical practitioner and if that is missing, any medication will be that much less effective. (a roundabout way of describing the placebo effect.)