Hello All, Newbie Seeking Help, Please

[Val Sebastian]

Hi Everyone,

So glad to find this forum! I'm a 42 year old female with Rosacea. I have had redness across my nose and cheeks for a few years, I just thought my complexion had become a bit ruddy. But several months ago the Rosacea really came on with a vengence. I was drinking red wine thinking I was doing myself good, and the next thing I knew I looked like I had been severely burned. I went into a terrible flare that lasted for some time. I've had no p&p's yet, but persistent redness and swelling.

My main worry is that I'm getting Rhinophyma, it has been getting progressively worse. The mornings are the worst when I first get up and it is incredibly swollen, I don't look like myself. My nose, that used to be quite small is growing daily it seems and the pores are enlarging and it's getting very oily (never had oily skin), and the skin seems to be thickening. I'm quite scared.

From everything I've read the standard treatment for Rhinophyma is Accutane, but I cannot possibly take it because I also have full-blown Osteoporosis due to Early Menopause in my 30's. I can't take Rentinol anything either... Going to the Dermatologist on Monday, and don't have a lot of hope that it is going to help...

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thank you! V.

[Mats]

Hi Val
If you can't take Accutane maybe try vitamin B5 it’s suppose to dry the skin I will try it when I go off the Accutane some people here have tied it do a search or maybe try the Red Light even if I think Peter is a #**# he maybe have something going there.
Good luck with your derm visit
Regards

[Twickle Purple]

Hi Val,

I'm your age (and post Menopause 16+ years) and my rosacea went full blown this year as well. I also had the nose shape change until I began oral and topical antibiotics. My swelling has gone down remarkably along with the pustules and red bumps. My nose is it's regular red self again! My nose tip has it's defined edge back.

My meds are listed below. I'm just beginning to attack my Rosacea so I am on a lot right now, but with time and results the list will get shorter and shorter. I am seeing results.

I also follow Peter's theory on Red Lights. Peter has worked hard and I am very grateful for his efforts. David (you'll find him here) has his own red light set up that he uses and has shared the build directions with others on the forum. I'm going to be trying this as well. From what I've read I'm pretty excited about it.

You can find a lot of information and plenty of experienced people here, many of whom have tried different treatments.

If you wouldn't mind, please let us know what you Dermatologist had to say.

Good luck.
Twickle Purple

[Val Sebastian]

Hi Mats & Twickle!

Thanks so much for your replies! I am definately going to try the Vitamin B5, Mats, and I'm also thinking about the red light therapy too. Don't think I could build my own though, might have to look into buying one online.

Twickle, you went through early meno too?! It's nice to be through with the worst part of it (hot flushes, insomnia, etc.), but wish it hadn't led to Osteoporosis...I'm not taking anything, just trying to get by on Calcium and Vitamin D. I was working out quite a bit to try to build up the bones, but can't now because of the Rosacea, have to do bits here and there.

I'm thinking of trying Minocycline, can't take a lot of anti-b's because of allergies, but hopefully that one will be okay.

Thanks again for the advice! I'll try to post sometime after my visit.

Best,
Val

[Twickle Purple]

Hi Val,

Regretably my flushes, flashes and poor sleeps have not followed the standard timetable and persist still! I was relatively symptom free until a lady MD :evil: I saw once put me on Evista. She extolled the virtues and I was a believer. From then on I was in full symptom mode -- I cannot take premarin (only because it makes me terribly emotional, no other reason than that). The Evista changed my life. * sigh * Black Cohosh and other herbs help the flashes a bit. I believe that I wouldn't have the Rosacea I have if I hadn't met that lady. 16 years later and I'm still flushing, flashing and tossing and turning. I went through a few very scary months that they actually believed I had Carcinoid Syndrome because I was flushing so frequently and dramatically through out the day (blue-red).

However, I do love being spayed :D

Twickle Purple