Dupixent

thank you for such kind words.


Those first few months were very difficult and when I finally went to the MD I have now, things were very bad. Mentally I had become pessimistic that my condition would ever get better, and kept reasoning that I would sink further into the abyss. On my first visit my doctor evaluated and interviewed me, and gave me a cortisone shot. I was optimistic because up until then I had only used corticosteroid ointments and this was the first time with a steroid injection for the eczema, and ten years earlier it made a significant overnight improvement to an asthma condition.


The doctor had scheduled for a two-week follow up and my optimism soon met reality I saw little improvement from the cortisone, but my confidence in the doctor was very high because of her thoroughness on the initial visit. Like the first time I had only a hospital gown on the second time, because my condition was on 80-90% of my body. The doctor asked me two questions toward the end of the examination as she was stadium behind me. 1) how would you rate your discomfort on a scale of 1 to 10. Because mentally I felt things could get even worse, and trying to be stoic, I said “3” and there was no reply. 2) The second question was do you feel you are doing better from the injection. I said “maybe a little”. She was still standing behind me but she replied “I don’t think you’re doing better at all, I think you’re worse! This told me I had a doctor that was honest, thorough and critical in evaluating and interested in my care. It took a to really improve but she always thoroughly explained every medication benefits and side effects and risks. And because my prednisone and all the other orals had been used she scheduled blood work and always explained the blood results and explained the effects it the drugs could have on my liver and kidneys. Before the cyclosporine I had been on pred and the other drugs for almost a year. Due to the danger of long term usage, she scheduled me for a bone density exam and we found my bone density was above average. What impressed me was her knowledge and the feeling we were a team working on the eczema. That’s how I feel to this day.


You must have a open, honest relationship with your dermatology MD during extremely severe eczema treatment where the problem solving approach is in that manner. And you must trust the doctor and do everything they recommended and be able to report thoroughly the symptoms experienced between visits.


Sorry for such a long reply but I will add one more thing. I had a weight gain on the pred, and last July I weighed about 210-215. Because the Dupixent worked so well, I knew it was time to focus on nutrition and exercise. I found an on line teaching/coaching and accountability program and enrolled in late July. I am at 172 lbs and very close to a BMI of 25. I have not been at this weight since before I left college. My life and health are excellent and I have completely gotten out of the abyss. Life I’d wonderful, I feel how George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) felt in “it’s a Wonderful Life” when Clarence returned him back from the brink, and Clarence got his wings!

, How wonderful to find such a caring doctor, it sounds like it really changed your life. And congratulations on the weight loss. I know personally how difficult that is, having finally lost and kept off 60 pounds for over 10 years. Yours is a true struggle to success story, thanks for sharing it to give others hope. Cora Lyn, AtopicDermatitis.net Team Member

Thanks, , I know they’ll appreciate your experience. Cora Lyn, AtopicDermatitis.net Team Member

Thank you for your close attention and care with this forum that you created for this community member. - thank you for sharing your personal Dupixent experience. This insight is very valuable and helpful! -Sarah (AtopicDermatitis.net Team Member)