42 yo w/diagnosed rosacia trying diff prescrips

[jmtietjen]

This is my first visit to the Rosacea Forum, and it's terrifically reassuring somehow that other folks are in search of an adequate treatment. I'm deducing from other posts that finding a management strategy comes from experimenting until I have an effective remedy. I go back on the job market in the next year, and while I try to remain mellow about how my appearance is adversely affected, I'm very conscious of the increasing severity. .

My doc has now put me on another medication called Prascion-AV 10-5% emulsion, and I begin taking same in the next 24 hours. Clindamycin made my face sting and even more red in appearance. Used metrogel (1%) all last year with no visible results. My cheeks are now almost permanently red, and have spider veins and white bumps. I haven't yet gone to see a dermatologist b/c my PCP hasn't yet referred me. I've always blushed and flushed easily, and it's in the last several years that the veins and redness and bumps have become noticeably more severe.

I'm 42 and have no major health issues. Had a healthy delivery of a wonderful now 3 year old. Am on a diet to get my weight down, and enjoy working out. I need to lose about 40 pounds total added to the five I've lost in the last 2.5 weeks.

Questions:
Should I request a derm referral from PCP?
Anyone have the same pharmaceutical experience to then have prascion work?
Anyone have laser surgery success? Our health coverage does not classify Rosacea as a dangerous medical condition, and therefore....

Feel free to reply on or offline, and thanks in advance!!!
jmtietjen@yahoo.com

[phlika29]

Hi and welcome

It appears that you have been prescribed a sulphur based face wash. I would advise that you just try using it on a small area of your face for a few days to see how you react. I have never tried it but I know others have found that it irritates their rosacea, making them redder,etc.

You have summed things up well, it really is a matter of trial and error and it is usually a combination of topicals, prescription meds, diet and supplements that all help get it under control.

If you are interested in lasers then you need to do a fair bit of research into this area (check out the sub section) as it is a big commitment in terms of money and has many pitfalls.

I always point new comers to this link (http://rosacea-research.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page) as it nicely rounds up what may help.

I am moving your message to the newbie section.

Best wishes

Sarah

[jmtietjen]

Hi Sarah -- thanks for your reply -- I'm reluctant to do any surgery (for money and other reasons) until I've exhausted pharm, lifestyle, etc. Not quite sure just why it is insurance in US does not cover rosacea when it does severe acne, but I'm guessing there's a thread in this forum discussing that.

[Melissa W]

Hi,
Insurance may cover your rosacea treatments if you are persistent enough. I had my derm write a short note explaining the debilitating nature of the burning and flushing and so far they have been covering my VBeam treatments for the last year plus (even though I switched laser derms after the first 2 treatments and no new letter has been written). Of course I expect this may change at any time and I might have to call them and be prepared for battle but in any case it is worth it. You are 100% correct in that rosacea treatment should be covered. It is a disease that is not just debilitating to our appearance but to our everyday quality of life and not just because of the cosmetic issue. Many of us experience burning, itching etc and you have a good argument with which to begin and ultimately receive coverage for these treatments.

These threads may be of help to you.
http://www.rosaceagroup.org/The_Rosacea_Forum/showthread.php?t=13492&highlight=insurance+coverage

http://www.rosaceagroup.org/The_Rosacea_Forum/showthread.php?t=13660

Good luck!

Best wishes,
Melissa

[tompkin]

There is some research (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0PDG/is_4_4/ai_n14790827) indicating that using both Metrogel and sulfur can help reduce erythema (redness) significantly -- more than either medication alone. If you have been using the sulfur for a few days and seem to be tolerating it well, see what happens if you use Metrogel in the morning and sulfur in the evening. (However, given the drying effects of suufur, switching to Metrocream rather than Metrogel may be a good idea.)

That said, there are, of course, no guarantees. I wasn't able to make this combo work because sulfur makes me break out badly. But it may work for you.