New and looking for advice

[bunnyo]

This seems like a really good forum.

I am looking for advice on how to control my rosacea. I am very red all the time with a few P&P from time to time. I am currently using Metrogel to help - I use it once a day - twice if I remember. My morning routine is good - gentle soap and water or a quick scrub in the shower - I do use a scrub bud as I have a build up of dead skin from day to day. I don't scrub hard, but gently - if I don't my P&P is MUCH worse.

A fairly recent picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebunnyo/221637401/

This was May 2006. I am literally red all over my face - the only place that really isn't is around my eyes - where my glasses block the sunlight I guess.

I have been looking online at the Z cream mentioned in other posts. I don't really have oily skin that much - most is really dry.

The rosacea showed up after I fractured my skull in an accident 9 years ago - I also fractured the plate between my sinuses and my brain. Prior to that I had fairly pale skin - in fact if I had pink cheeks my husband knew I was sick. No acne, not oily - quite perfect skin.

I am not so concerned about what others think - I tend to forget that I even have it most of the time - but I will be doing a practicum in January and I would like to see if I can have better looking skin by then. A lot of makeup seems to dry my skin even more.

Suggestions are most welcome!

Shauna :)

[Twickle Purple]

Hi Shauna,

Nice to 'meet' you :D
It's interesting that you can pinpoint your rosacea to a traumatic event like that. It was pretty bad too by the sounds of what occured to your poor head. I wonder if it was just what pushed your rosacea to the forefront, with inflammation and all that. You do seem to have very fair skin and, as odd as it sounds, we can flush without 'seeing' it.

I have found that the doxycycline helped me a lot, in combination with the MetroCream. I understand that the MetroGel can be drying so you may want to give the Cream version a try.

Good luck!
Twickle Purple

[bunnyo]

Thanks for the welcome - I see you are also from BC - I am in the lower mainland.

I figure I do need to try something else. I tried Rosacel (sp?)when it came out - but it did nada. At least with the Metrogel I keep my P&P under control. If I don't use anything it is even dryer.

Flush without seeing it? New saying to me. I am always sunburned looking 12 months of the year. If I get REALLY cold I will look pale - but if I over heat I am SUPER red - especially my cheeks. I have temp control problems since my accident as well. My son speed skates and during the day long times at the meets I will get nice and cool - then I re-heat- and overheat - literally about 103 - on rare time I will get really cold - near hypothermic - and stay cold taking hours to re-heat back to normal. But hey, I could have been dead - so it isn't that bad :wink:


I am concerned about long term anti-b's - I am diabetic and also prone to yeast infections. Would the doxy help with the red? The P&P isn't horrible. It is mostly the red.

If you are in the Vancouver area - do you know a good derm? The one I have seen takes a look for 30 seconds and gives a RX for a cream and says nice seeing you again. No follow up. Only comments on how red my face is. We do have good medical coverage so an RX is my best choice - funds are tight, but with 100% RX coverage - that works for me!

Thanks again!

Shauna :)

[phlika29]

Hi welcome to the group.

I have found that washing in just plain water is the only thing the allows my skin to calm down. I wouls never scrub my skin even lightly as it just irriates it. The dry and flaky skin could be seb derm. I would definely go see a derm and get started on some treament.

It may also be worthwhile looking at your diet and this can often help symptoms. Alot of people look at cutting out acid and histamine producing foods such as tomatoes, chocolate, etc.

Best wishes

Sarah

[bunnyo]

Interesting - I have never had broken blood vessels - maybe that is more advanced or still to come?

I ordered some Z cream and will see what happens with that I guess. I know that my face without Metrogel is very dry, red and lots of P&P - just little zits and a few of the bigger deeper red bumps.

I hadn't looked at seb derm before.

The one interesting thing about my rash area - is that I don't sweat where the rash is - even burning it up good at the gym won't bring on a sweat there. The rest of the face will though.

Shauna :)

[rooney2009]

i think it's very interesting that after a head/sinus injury is what first caused your rosacea. a few years back, i have sinus infections like crazy...wonder if there's any connection??

[bunnyo]

I am not sure - I am really looking at changing my diet - looking at Bee's Candida diet to see if that might not be a big part of the problem.

The head bonk could be coincidental - but who knows eh?

Shauna :)

[Warren]

Welcome to the forum.

You mention soap, perhaps you could try switching to something else to cleanse your face as it could be causing some irritation and see if things get a bit better. There are some recommended products listed, and linked from the main page of this site.

[bunnyo]

I have decided to stop the Z as my face is feeling really burnt - I don't mind looking a bit worse, but my skin is HORRIBLE and SORE - and itchy like crazy!

I have made an appointment for Sept 19th with a great naturopath - Dr. Matsen - he is one of the best in the world.

Shauna :(

[bunnyo]

I have updated photos posted at: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/brainbash.geo/album?.dir=/802ascd

[natalja]

Hi Shauna,

can you keep us updated on your appoinments with Dr. Matsen perhaps?
Is there any medication you take for your rosacea?

natalja

[bunnyo]

I am using Metrogel which helps with the P&P control and the extreme dryness.

I will for sure keep it updated with regards to Dr. Matsen.

[bunnyo]

I am re-thinking about Z cream - now that my face has healed I am noticing that my face is looking BETTER than it has in a LONG time - less red, less P&P, smoother...

I am thinking that I might do a couple more nights of Z and then take it from there and see what happens - maybe back to Metrogel for a few days again to "heal" and see what it is like.

Interest eh?

Shauna :)

[redhotoz]

Hi Shauna

Please do let us know how the Z cream goes, if you decide to try it again. I started it a little while ago and my face is a mess. I am told that things have to get worse to get better. I have been in e-mail contact with a few others who started the cream a little bit before me and they are seeing good improvement now. They also went through a bad time in the beginning. Maybe I am not using enough? I don't know but I will continue with it for a while longer and will report what happens either way.

Good luck!

Jen

[bunnyo]

I will for sure - I am holding off for a few days - I applied for a job recently and the short list should be out by the end of the week - would hate to go in and scare them! :lol: I think seeing as I am this close to going to the NP doc I might just wait and see what he says. I will be sure to report anything he says!

Shauna :)