In November of 2012 I had a pea sized spot on my underarm that didn't look right, so my PCP referred me to Woodson Dermotology.
I saw the PA, John. I made a 7:15am appointment and was seen immediately, literally no wait. He was VERY nice and examined the spot and informed me that it was ringworm. I was surprised, as I had ringworm a number of years ago. But I trusted him and took the pills and cream I was prescribed. I had a follow-up appoint the next month, and explained to him that it's only getting bigger (MUCH bigger) and didn't look or feel like ringworm. It was not itchy, did not spread, not scaly, and didn't seem to be contagious. He reassured me that it "just presents differently in the armpit" I was frustrated but took the new pills and creams I was given. Again, nothing happened except it was getting BIGGER. I again had a follow up the next month and expressed my concerns AGAIN. Nothing, just more creams and pills. This went on and on every month until JULY!!! For 8 freaking months this man told me I had ringworm... ringworm that was not contagious, not itchy, and didn't even resemble ringworm, and NO drugs he gave me had ANY EFFECT WHATS SO EVER. To me, that would be a red flag that maybe, just maybe I got this diagnosis wrong, but he refused that he could be wrong. Upon googling it, I read that even UNTREATED ringworm lasts a maximum of 4 months.
I would much rather hear "I'm not really sure what this is! Let's do a biopsy, or call in Dr. whoever to get another opinion" rather than swear you're right when you know you're wrong. But he is too proud to do that.
In July I went in and there was a PA fresh out of school that John was training. This PA took ONE look at my "ringworm" and said there's no way that's ringworm!!! He said it looked like Granuloma Annulare. He said he would talk to John and come back in. All of a sudden John thinks it's this now. But just to be sure, he gives me yet another cream. I recognized the name of the cream, so I told him, "I think you have given me this before" he said "hmmm, let me look.... No, we haven't given you any creams before" I was flabbergasted! I have had a minimum of 5 creams prescribed to me. I bit my tongue just wanting this appointment to be over. He said if this cream didn't fix it they would do a biopsy (why he didn't do that 8 freaking MONTHS ago is beyond me!) so I get home and find the exact same cream that did nothing 3 months before when he prescribed it to me the first time! I was furious! I just kept telling myself, "just get the biopsy and you will never have to go here again!" So of course nothing changed except it got bigger (about the size of a half dollar now, very visible as it is growing beyond my armpit and onto my arm and looks like a huge human bite mark) and another one growing next to it. So he decided to do the punch biopsy.
At this appointment as well as all the other appointments they asked what I am allergic to. I read off the list, among them is polysporin. The assistant was very nice and when she was done she grabbed a Q-tip with a cream on it. She got about an inch away and I said "what is that?" she said "polysporin" I quickly yell "I'm allergic to that!" before she can get any on me. Why do you even ask what I am allergic to? Seriously! I was supposed to come back 2 weeks later to get the results and get my stitches out.
So 2 weeks later I come back to get my Biopsy results and stitches removed. She took out my stitches and started to leave. I said "Excuse me, do you have my biopsy results?" she said "No" and started to walk again. I said "Are you sure, it's been 2 weeks" She sighed and actually opened my file this time (imagine that!) and said "oh yeah, here it is, it's benign" I said "ok, but is it the granuloma annulare?" she said "yes, that was positive" I said "ok, can you tell me what that is or anything about it?" She said she wasn't familiar with it. OK...... "can I talk to John or anyone else that does know?" She said "no, they're all busy, but you can make another appointment in a few weeks to talk to him if you have questions" I was done, didn't give an answer just stormed out, said goodbye and thank you to the only person worth a crap there (the front office) and went home.
Why would you have someone give you biopsy results and not tell you anything about it?!? I have wasted almost a YEAR of my life and missing work to go to these appointments every month, because John was too proud to admit he was wrong. I would love to thank the new guy that diagnosed me at first sight, but never saw him again. Please don't waste your time here! If you get a super early appointment there is no wait, John is VERY nice, however none of that matters if you can't get treated for what it actually wrong.