Long story short, I am the first patient my dermatologist has ever depigmented. I don't mind being a guinea pig. After all, any good physician is going to research an unfamiliar drug before even thinking about prescribing it to his patient, right? Right????
So after having to find a compounding pharmacy with monobenzone in stock MYSELF (which he seemed to think was some great feat...but all I did was Google it), I went in for my first appointment after using monobenzone for 5 weeks.
After quickly marveling at the fact that I was able to get my hands on a bottle of monobenzone, he asks which areas of skin I am looking to "lighten". I blink. I tell him that monobenzone doesn't lighten the skin. It kills the melanin, which means *no* color, not a lighter color. He tells me that I am definitely gutsy, but which areas am I looking to depigment? I blink again, and tell him I plan on depigmenting all over. I explain that my results thusfar are more reflective of the systemic properties of the monobenzone (laymen's terms: the drug actually enters your blood stream, effecting areas of skin other than the area where the cream was applied) than the test patch where I first applied the cream.
Without even looking up from his clipboard, he says, "That is very disturbing to me. I had no idea it was a systemic drug. That makes me concerned for any adverse effects it could have in the future for the patient."
Oh. My. God. This man wields a prescription pad and he didn't know even a few very basic facts about a drug he was prescribing. He didn't even know what category the drug fell under (systemic). I found this information online on multiple, reputable sites affiliated with the American Medical Association and the National Vitiligo Foundation. It wasn't difficult to find, nor was any of it in fine print. I'd also like to note that I am neither a doctor nor a pharmacist. I have no medical background whatsoever, and I found this information in less than two minutes. Even after finding this information readily available, the compounding pharmacist called to make sure I was aware of the effects of this drug. Included with my bottle of the cream was a three page printout explaining again the effects of the drug, as well as other warnings. How is this news to my board certified doctor 6 weeks *AFTER* he prescribed the drug to me? How does a responsible doctor write a prescription for a drug he literally knows nothing about?
I'm frankly horrified and looking for a new doctor.
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I don't know if you also post/read on VSI but there seem to be quite of struggle with Vitiligo patients who are seeking to depigment and finding a dermatologist who is knowledgeable enough to help them with that journey.
I bet that they spend more time learning about cosmetic fillers in this industry than focusing on actual skin disorders!
That would not surprise me. This doctor flat out lied to me about monobenzone being discontinued (not!) and then tried to sell me on skin lightening (a procedure that would be very expensive and require a doctor to administer repeatedly with minimal results).
I know that depigmentation is not a cash cow, but after participating in this forum for long enough, I am seeing more and more patients express interest in depigmenting. I find it very disappointing. My experiences have thusfar shown that many doctors I have seen are more interested in making money than they are helping me.
That said, I would like to give a shout out to my primary care physician and my dentist (neither of whom will ever read this, but whatever): Thank you for always giving me your 100% undivided attention, for listening to my concerns, and for always making my health and well being a top priority over your profit margin. Your professionalism and friendly demeanor have not gone unnoticed.
I made sure to get my prescription refilled on Monday, and I won't be firing my doctor until I find another doctor who will depigment. Meeting with a new doctor who is friends with my father in law soon. She practices both dermatology and internal medicine. Sounds perfect!
Your experience with the derm is so unbelievable, really. I had to read your thread second time just make sure, am I reading this correctly. I am sure, you are beyond frustrated. Do not know what to say. One would expect that a board certified physician means "something". I will leave it there simply.
Obviously, you need another derm. Good Luck on that and good luck on your goal as well.
Just reiterating. I wrote multiple times (atleast dozen times minimum) in the past the very first thing I learned in this vililogo journey is the selection of Derm. Derm is KEY. Everything starts there. We had to FIRE our first derm, who always had his hand on the door knob while talking to us. Plus, never looked into our eyes while talking. I faxed him a one page letter saying why we are firing him and the skills he was LACKING hoping that, he would never do this to another patient. The guy drives S class Benz, he has NO basic class at all. Luckily, we found another good derm. Our journey has been fine so far.
good luck.