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jsack214
11th March 2006, 08:40 AM
Hey everyone--

Have been following the board for the past few months (and thank you to everyone for sharing their good/bad/embarassing/triumphant moments, etc) and thought I would finally introduce myself and my wonderful condition with which you are all familiar.

I have always flushed easily (duh) but of course never found it to be disruptive to my life. This past summer I began noticing ocular symptoms and, of course, continued to ignore them. I was 18--what could possibly be wrong with me? Anyways, I took the semester off to go to Spain and perfect my Spanish and ended up coming home after only one month because of my intense flushing/burning/stinging/throbbing. (I was taking a wine tasting course, that couldn't have helped...)

Anyways, probably based on my extensive research and self-diagnosis, I was quickly given 200mg/day doxy and finacea. The few p&p cleared and my ocular symptoms became at least bearable. My derm told me this would take care of the problem and I would never have to worry about it again. Ha. Ha. Ha.

I now use noritate but my flushing has progressed to the point that I can not hang out in my friends dorms rooms (central heating), work out whatsoever (i was formally addicted to exercise), or eat sugar (god, i miss ben & jerrys). I have very little perm redness and when I am not in a flush, my skin appears extremely healthy.

After purchasing Dr. Nase's book, I began using Vita Oil and Zinco which don't irritate my skin but don't seem to particularly help (I've only been using them about a week or so--does it take time to notice a difference?). I also just had my 1st Photoderm treatment, but the doc, who is supposedly very experienced with treating rosacea, does not preflush. I was initially worried because I seemed to be flushing more easily after the 1st treatment, but read enough posts to assume that this can be considered normal and I have to have much more patience to determine the results.

All I want is to go to my friend's dorm room, sip on a beer (I miss my Heineken/New Castle), and eat a slice of pizza. How much hope is there for this happening in the next 3 years before I graduate? Sorry this is such a ramble, even if no one reads it at least its therapuetic to put in writing. Any words of encouragement, advice, etc, are greatly appreciated.


I want my life back.

rielynn
12th March 2006, 12:27 AM
wow...i hear ya!!.. i am also in college..and my life was awsome b4 this stupid rosacea thing!!.. i would drink..party...go everywhere!!.. ..now i cant even leave my room... seriously if im not in front of my fan 24/7 my face is bbuurrnniinngg!! it's horrible!!... i bring ice cubes where ever i go!! (which usually isnt alot of places) i hate watching my friends go to bars.. go bowling... go pretty much anywhere.. while i sit in my room in front of my stupid fan :( ....... i have also tried noritate.. dunno what it was supposed ta do.. but it didnt change anything 4 me... i just tried clonidine.. and that didnt help at all!!.. it probablly doesnt help that my doctor and derm kno pretty much nothing about this disease....
yea... i guess this is just some words of encouragment lol .. ur not alone!! i also want my life back!!!!!!!

mehcreature
16th May 2007, 07:08 AM
ya my rosacea started in college too, and it has been the worst thing int he world, absolutely controls my life. I miss my Asahi, my miller, parties, being normal, not worrying about if my face is red or not, and I just got this a month ago. I never really blushed before, and I have a twin brother who doesnt have it. How is that fair?????

Vicky06
12th August 2007, 10:06 PM
Same here, recently diagnosed and progressing quickly before soph year of college. I'm so angry about it! I would kill to be able to go lay out in the sun, drink as much as I'd like and not wear makeup without worrying about flareups. Ugh!

ninal
22nd August 2007, 02:40 AM
I was diagnosed half-way through my senior year of high school and have, just this day, moved into my dorm at CU Boulder. However, after this first day of orientation, I'm almost positive I'm dropping out.
I can't bear it any longer. My self-esteem and confidence are at an all time low, all because of this fucking disease. Less than a year ago I was a radically different person, mentally and physically.
I despise the insurance companies that label Rosacea a cosmetic issue, because I feel it is on the verge of ruining my life, all I want to do is get treated with something that has actually shown to work, but I can't afford it, nor can those ignorant pricks apparently... damn, ain't life just the fairest?

patty
22nd August 2007, 02:54 PM
Ninal, It upsets me to hear the pain and frustration in your words. I don't think there is a person on this forum that hasn't felt the way you do right now. Having said that, let me tell you that what a mistake it is to let rosacea ruin your life. By giving up, dropping out, IT has taken control, not you. You have an incredible opportunity to go to a fantastic school, and pursue your dreams. You do have a future, make it happen. Rosacea unfortunatley may be part of it, but it can be managed and there are treatments. We are all here to help. Just don't give up. Good luck. :)

ninal
22nd August 2007, 11:47 PM
Thanks a lot, Patty and Duke.
Some time, non-fearful social interaction and your kind and sensible words calmed me down quite a bit.
Not to mention arranging an appointment with the supposed best dermatologist in Boulder, so now I'm at least a little optimistic.
My plans are IPL following the Darm's TRIPLC protocol, maybe a low dose of Accutane a few weeks after the Clarithomycin.
But thanks again, really.

bentherebefore
23rd August 2007, 03:08 AM
I am 23, and just finished college a year and a bit ago.

By advice: College and education is important, but your health is more important. Some may disagree, but I feel this strongly. If you feel you need to leave college to actively or successfully treat your rosacea, then do it. If you can find a great derm, and actively treat it while you're in school, then that would be the best scenario.

Just don't ignore rosacea. It is your health, and it is likely to get worse if left or put to the side. I should have agressively treated my rosacea while in school, but it was just too hard to find the time, money, docs, etc. Now I am making up for lost time.

patty
23rd August 2007, 01:40 PM
Ninal, I'm so glad you have found a derm and are feeling better about your situation. I sincerely hope you find a treatment that works for you.
Sometimes it's hard to fit your life around this stupid disease, but it can be done. Best wishes to you! :D

onomatopeon
23rd August 2007, 08:15 PM
Same here, recently diagnosed and progressing quickly before soph year of college. I'm so angry about it! I would kill to be able to go lay out in the sun, drink as much as I'd like and not wear makeup without worrying about flareups. Ugh!

:lol: Look at it this way - by avoiding the sun you'll look YEARS younger than your peers when they are all sun damaged and wrinkly down the line... You'll be pale, but look 20 years younger than your actual age! By avoiding the hooch, you won't have to worry about the alcohol poundage that so often comes along with it and is hard to get rid of....

I agree with you about the makeup though. I never wore it before, but now I feel I have to to cover everything up as best I can, knowing that if I cover it up today, I'll only be making it worse tomorroow. That part totally sucks.

One good thing I've found - since I've been dealing with acne since I was 12 I've grown up with the habit of wearing high SPF sunscreen and hats - so I've hardly gotten a ray of sun. That, coupled with the rosacea, often makes people think I'm much younger than I am.

Today's a half full day, I guess... :?