Horrible depression due to rosacea

[tiltwall]

i blame Aurelia for my post-bomb.... she encouraged me to share my complicated story...

[Aurelia]

i blame Aurelia for my post-bomb.... she encouraged me to share my complicated story...

Nooo, I don't remember that. Perhaps you were hallucinating?

Yours tearfully,

Aurelia the Innocent

[Aurelia]

Hi Dan T,

One of the few good things about rosacea is that, as with most kinds of suffering, people often develop a deep (or deeper?) compassion for others, and some of the male rosaceans are every bit as warm and caring as the women, although few feel comfortable in showing that openly. One thing we all learn is never to judge by appearances.

Good to hear that you got some catharsis from your post. It is healthy to express how we feel and, as you put it, take ownership of our problems. Yes, it is common for those close to us to downplay the issue, especially by pointing out others who are worse off, or the many awful conditions we don't have. That can be hard to take - although it never bothers me personally, knowing that they mean well.

Sorry to hear about the lack of good, sound medical help especially at the medical school and from the local laser specialist. Reality checks are good, but preferably expressed tactfully and served up with strong advice on how to get help.

Having the correct diagnosis is a crucial first step on the path to recovery, so well done on that major achievement, despite all the difficulties that lay in your way!

Yes, sun does play a crucial role for many rosaceans. However, as Lisa M has said, it is important to maintain good levels of Vitamin D (preferably D3) in the body and that can be manufactured from as little as a few minutes of sunshine each day. Of course, one must take care not to burn, and people who might suffer other damage from the sun might prefer to take vitamin supplements instead.

Some rosaceans can look back at sun damage as a major trigger factor, but there are others whose conditions improve in sunlight, as long as they are careful not to risk getting burnt. People in that category might possibly benefit from trying the fluorescent form of Red Light Therapy, but the rest seem to do best with LED light, which is why almost all of the RLT lamps on sale now utilise LEDs.

Twickle Purple was kind enough to share with us the highlights of her considerable knowledge on the subject of RLT, so her threads summarising what she had learnt are relatively easy for a newbie to get through.

Thanks for the link to your house. It is amazing, but too monumental for my budget, although I could probably afford a mini gazebo. It looks as if it would be gloriously cool in hot weather. I guess the airconditioning would need to be set on arctic chill to get any use from that vast fireplace. Love the pool, but I would want a water-tight guarantee that no alligators could ever find their way in. (Am a very slow swimmer. )

As for accidentally losing part-written posts, it helps if you hit Save every so often to preserve a draft copy, especially if there's any risk of you dipping out to access another page.

Kind regards,

Aurelia

[rednosed1]

Hi there...I know it's really hard, I started getting the flushing at 17 too,and it was awful, but try to stay positive. If you flush easily you are more likely to get the classic rosacea. I started to get the acne with it at a later stage so was lucky there. I exercised alot which worked very well to make me relaxed and happy but caused temporary facial flushing at times-you can't win! But I kept positive and had plenty of friends. Attitude is what you need. Dont let it beat you. Get off any street drugs if you can.
I am now 47 and have it every day for past two years, mostly on my nose. Stress of being a single mum to 3 teenagers and working full time (and no my husband didnt leave me cos of my red nose! I left him..) doesn't help the outbreaks at present! However I am old enough to not let it rule my life. I havent been good at following my own advice re food intake so it probably doesnt help. I like a glass of wine every now and then, love chocolate and hot food, and caffeine..
Up until a couple of years ago the best treatments for me were to remove make up at night, lots of sleep in a well ventilated room(not too hot around your face), use a non drying soap-free cleanser, stay as calm as poss, reduce exposure to heat (maybe exercise at night in the cool) keep busy to keep your mind off it,have cool showers rather than hot ones, not to drink alcohol too often if at all. Also reduce spicy foods, chocolate (damn it) and hot drinks...have them occasionally only. be stronger than me! Try iced coffee and tea. Try not to over exercise to the point of redness and try something like hypnotism if you are so worried about it that it makes you flush due to anxiety. Anxiety can make it worse so deal with that also. I take minomycin (antibiotic for skin) for a month or two when flare ups of acne occur. It helps alot. Every 2 months I would also have IPL and more recently laser from my dermatologist. Both work v v well. The laser got rid of the two raised veins and the ipl helped hugely.. I have been told I look youthful and have good skin at times so theres hope! At the moment though it is bad again so I might go back to the IPL as I havent had that for two years. I read aloe vera helps too? Just try the lot all at once!
The rosacea comes back if your face continues to be exposed to triggers but IPL should give you a month or two or maybe much more of relief.
Be careful not to have too much laser as I have heard it can scar..
Short of cutting your nose off (an even worse look!) you will have to adapt to it. Blood vessels are prolific things that grow again unfortunately but we need some of them in our nose or it would turn black and drop off. It is a common thing in celtic people, like myself. My mum gets it too. But she doesnt seem to care and my dad still loves her! Perhaps move to Scotland where you would merge in?!!
I am sure you worry more than others care,( I am old enough to realise that now!) but I totally understand as I was also mortified at that age. Try the IPL initially and antibiotic. See a Gp about hormone levels, get a referral for a dermatologist or plastic surgeon for those procedures. Mine is free with the dermatologist under medicare as it is a medical problem. Try a concealer also, for men or women..I always have one on me! A lifesaver at present.
Try really hard to keep a sense of humour and you WILL cope! Its not the end of the world but yes it really sucks! However it is not as bad a some disfigurements.I am a nurse and have seen a few. Take care.

[Lisamouries]

Welcome rednosed1.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. It's real important to show positivity to those who have just been diagnosed and think it's the end of the world. Doctors should be reassuring the patients before letting them loose but for some reason a lot of them prefer to let their poor patients fester and do their own research. It's a classic. So the more we can inform in a realistic way, the better.

[Aurelia]

Welcome, Rednosed1.

Many thanks for your splendid post. You certainly put a lot of hard work into it and, as Lisa M said, such positive but realistic posts are very helpful to members.

Every 2 months I would also have IPL and more recently laser from my dermatologist. ... Try the IPL initially and antibiotic. See a Gp about hormone levels, get a referral for a dermatologist or plastic surgeon for those procedures. Mine is free with the dermatologist under medicare as it is a medical problem.

Sorry if I am misunderstanding, but are you saying that Medicare paid for you to have IPL and then laser for rosacea? Or that Medicare was paying for the hormone tests and prescriptions for antibiotics, etc? It would be very helpful to have whatever info you would be willing to share, thanks.

I am a nurse and have seen a few.

How interesting! Without wishing to be intrusive, may I ask what kind of nursing you do?

Kind regards,

Aurelia

[debdeb1957]

You need to seek help for your depression. Anxiety is a huge trigger for Rosacea, and it sounds like you have both. Self medicating with alcohol and pot only make it worse, and hope deferred makes the heart sick. Their is hope, this skin condition can be managed, but you will have to make some life changes. Give up smoking and drinking for two months, use the medication your doctor has prescribed and see what a difference it makes. You will be surprised! I will be praying for you!