CBarrett

Hi,
I am posting an original message I had posted over 2 years ago. After that I will add on with whats happening now. Its quite long. ( medical history of the problem / medications prescribed, etc. ) but I would appreciate your help. Please read it and if you have any suggestions please get back to me.
thanx

Chris


ORIGINAL POST -

For the last two years I have had an ongoing problem which started out with a slit in the corner of my mouth ( right corner ) since then it developed into a small red swelling which looks very unusual and awkward. It basically looks like my lips are spreading outward. It is usually quite red and raised, and looks quite obvious when I even talk or people look at me, it has been the toughest thing Iv'e ever had to deal with. Below is a history of me seeing doctors and what theyv'e said and/or done. Please let me know if you can help.
chris

1/30/02
PCP PRESCRIBED CORTISON CREAM FOR MOUTH SORE.
TRIAMICINOLON 0.1%

2/12/02
PCP SCRIBED ANTI VIRAL MEDICATION FOR MOUTH “SORE”
FAM VIR 250MG

2/19/02
1ST APPT WITH PHYSICIANS ASSISTANT AT BOYNTON BEACH DERMATOLOGY. PRESCRIBED ANTI FUNGAL PILL ( 2 ) AND LOTION.
LOTION – LOPROX
PILL – DIFLUCAN

3/25/02
2ND APPT WITH P/A. SCRIBED MORE ANTI FUNGAL PILLS. (7)
PILLS – LAMISIL / LAMISTAT

4/10/02
1ST APPT WITH DR. SCHOOR. PRESCRIBED CREAM.
CREAM – KETOCONAZOL 2% HC VALERATE 0.2%

5/11/02
1ST APPT WITH DR. BENDINSON. GAVE SAMPLES OF “PROTOPIC” LOTION.

6/7/02
2ND APPT WITH DR. BENDINSON. DR. CAME WITH A STRONGER OINTMENT.
OINTMENT – DERMATOP

6/12/02
1st emergency appt with "Dermatology Associates" in Delray. appt was with Dr. Sarro. Dr sarro came in and confirmed that the condition was called "angular chelitis" he said i have been on a "potpourri" of medications, ranging from anti fungals to anti inflammatory's. asked if i had had any previous lab work done. i answered yes, he asked if i had been tested for things like folic acid, vitamin b12 etc. i said no. i told him that a few days earlier i brought a multi vitamin from gnc, and yesterday i brought a b complex from gnc that i had started using, he sent me for more bloodwork to test for a vitamin defficiency. he then also put 4 stickers on my back to test for allergic reactions. i have a follow up appt. in 48 hours. i went to quest diagnostics and gave blood that same day.
6/14/02
Follow up appt with "dermatology associates" had two allergic reactions. ONe was wool alcohol / lanolin. and another a metal rarely found. Blood work came back with vitamin B panel and zinc pending. awaiting results. doctor said to discontinue using the "aquaphor" do to the fact that it contained wool alcohol. sold me a 14 dollar lip balm instead.
6/19/02
SPOKE WITH DOCTOR ON ANGULAR CHELITIS. DOCTOR TOOK CULTURE OF THE “SORE”. HE PRESCRIBED CREAM –SPECTAZOLE

7/1/02
DR. KASABIAN PRESCRIBED – EIDEL CREAM
. 7/ /02
emergency appt with dr. kasabian. However, doctor was on vacation. Saw another doctor. Told doctor of mouth sore getting worse. He looked and told me he doubts it was a fungal infection, and told me to use vitamin a and d ointment and a mild moisturizer. Also told him of erectile probs he referred me to a urologist. However, I am unable to use ointment and moisturizer due to them containing lanolin / wool alcohol.

8/5/02
2nd appt with dr. kasabian. Showed doctor I had been using cetaphil lotion, without alcohols and cetaphil facial cleanser, also told him of using vitamin e oils from inside capsules. Doctor prescribed another corticosteroid ointment.
Mometasone 0.1% ointment 15grams
9/02
Seen allergist. Tested for food allergies, came up negative. Asked me to use clarinex once daily for two weeks to see if their was any relief, none.
11/08
Seen DR. Showed him history, told him that redness in the corner of my mouth now looks permanent, also told him of swelling in skin and feeling of abcess. He pushed the skin and said he could feel a slight abcess but that this type of thing is usually not drained. He said he could offer no advice but would refer me to another dermatologist.
I have also tried using things such as aloe vera gel, emu oil, gator balm, a lot of natural remedies to no avail. please help if u have any suggestions.
Thanks
Chris


OKAY NOW WHATS HAPPENING NOW.
WELL ITS BEEN ALMOST TWO YEARS, IV'E MOSTLY TRIED CONCEALING THIS PROBLEM BY SMILING 16 HOURS A DAY. I STILL SEE DOCTORS FOR IT. BUT FOR THE MOST PART IV'E GIVEN UP. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. I REALISED THAT THE REDNESS HAD GONE DOWN QUITE A BIT. I WAS NOW LEFT WITH A KIND OF "DROOPING CORNER OF MOUTH". WHICH DIDN'T BOTHER ME AT ALL IN COMPARISON TO WHAT IT USED TO LOOK LIKE. I USED VASELINE FROM TIME TO TIME JUST A DAB BEFORE BEDTIME JUST TO MAKE SURE THIS WHOLE THING WASN'T FROM ME DROOLING IN MY SLEEP. I STARTED TAKING A DIFFERENT B COMPLEX WHICH I DONT THINK REALLY HELPED. NEWAY, IT GOT BETTER. HOWEVER, A FEW DAYS AGO, IV'E NOTICED ITS GOT RED AND SWELLED AGAIN, AND EVERY TIME I LOOK IN THE MIRROR I SEE MYSELF HOW I USED TO LOOK 2 YEARS AGO. ITS VERY NOTICEABLE EVEN PEOPLE AT WORK STARE AT MY MOUTH WITH THERE JAWS DROPPED WHEN I TALK. ITS QUITE EMBARESSING. NEWAY, IV'E COME TO SOME NEW REVELATIONS I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU. THESE MAY BE UNDERLYING POSSIBILITES.
1) IV'E BOUGHT ANOTHER B COMPLEX JUST TO MAKE SURE AND SEE IF THE ABSORPTION RATE IS BETTER ON THIS PARTICULAR BRAND.
2) IV'E ALWAYS NEEDED BRACES I STILL HAVE A BABY TOOTH ON THE RIGHT SIDE ( THE SIDE / CORNER OF MY MOUTH IM HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH ) IN FACT ITS ALMOST DIRECTLY BEHIND THIS CORNER OF MY MOUTH. I WONDER IF THIS COULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. I SAW A DENTIST A FEW YEARS BACK AND HE SAID NO BUT MAYBE A 2ND OPINION WOULD BE IN ORDER. I HAVE AN "ADULT" TOOTH BEHIND IT. SO EITHER WAY THIS BABY TOOTH HAS TO GO SOMETIME, IV'E BEEN KEEPING IT FOR LOOKS SAKE. BESIDES THAT I DONT REALLY REMEMBER WHAT COULD HAVE SPARKED IT AGAIN. I REMEMBER EATING AND GETTING MY FACE ALL MESSY ( RIBS U KNOW HOW THAT GOES ) AND FEELING THE CORNER OF MY MOUTH GETTING QUITE IRRITATED. NEWAY IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS PLEASE LET ME KONW. I AM POSTING THIS IN THE DENTAL SECTION ALSO TO SEE IF ANYONE HAS HAD ANY SIMILAR PROB WITH THE BODY'S REACTION TO A TOOTH THAT IS LONG LONG OVERDUE TO BE REMOVED. I NOW JUST USE A MOISTURIZING LOTION TO SOOTHE IT ( EVEN THOUGH IT MAKES IT STAND OUT 100 TIMES MORE ) AND VASELINE AT NITE. BESIDES THAT I HAVE A HEALTH INSURANCE APPLICATION PENDING AS I HAVE JUST RETURNED TO THE U.S AFTER BEING OVERSEAS. THE MINUTE THAT GOES THRU IM BACK IN THE RINGER AGAIN. NEWAY, SORRY SO LONG. HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU. THIS IS MY LAST HOPE. ITS FUNNY HOW WE FIND OURSELVES BACK ON THE BOARD FOR MORE TIPS AND SUPPORT.
THANKS
CHRIS