Hi, I'm new here and was diagnosed with P & P in January. History as follows:
Diagnosed with P & P rosacea in January and given metrogel which did not work (no information given to me about rosacea).
Always blushed easily since teens
Diagnosed with occular rosacea by optician in May after my dr said I had an eye infection despite me insisting that the problem would not go away (MGD)
Currently taking 250mg of clarithromycin twice a day since Friday - I was on 250mg once daily since mid March but the rosacea started creeping back this month (saw dermatologist on Friday who was shocked by low dosage!). Always worsens during 2nd half of cycle).
Cannot take any tetracyclines or penicillins as I react to both.
Now 47 and feeling extremely depressed by this horrible condition as it has impacted EVERY aspect of my life - my marriage, family relationships, what I eat & drink, my job, my faith etc...
The dermatologist also diagnosed me with a condition that I cannot remember the name of, which causes mast cells on the skin of my back to produce histamines so that my back itches and produces bumps if it is rubbed or if I eat certain foods e.g chocolate, ice cream, nuts.
No one in my family understands so I avoid contact with my mother & sister and now don't want to talk about it at home. My daughter doesn't know what to say and my husband has taken up golf and only seems to eyes for that. My 19 year old son is autistic so I have to try & hide my emotional turmoil from him otherwise he will get upset too!). I keep breaking down in tears because I see no way out of this living hell - I have lost 19 Ibs since January through cutting out gluten (I used to have terrible cravings for bread, biscuits, pasta and sugary foods) but my skin still gets bumps and itching (as well as my scalp). Going on holiday to Zante next Sunday but so worried about the sun & what I can eat. My manager at work had a go at me because I refused to do an online course in March as I couldn't face it (I work in a school as a teaching assistant).
Currently use: tea tree oil antiseptic wipes in am, Vichy Aqualia moisturer (many others burn) and a zinc oxide based factor 40 sunscreen every day. At night I wash my face with gentle tea tree oil soap and shampoo my eyelashes, eyebrows, nose and ears with tea tree oil shampoo (I don't use it on hair as it dries out my scalp and hair). Always wear wide brimmed hat in sunshine.
Sorry this post is so long - I desperately need encouragement to lift me out of this depression, please. :(