What does everyone do?

[NikkiLou]

For a living?

I was just wondering what you all do - and whether you feel that your job - or stress from your job worsens the state of your skin. I also wondered how everyone copes when their rosacea is really bad, I mean with going in to work everyday and not only getting all the 'looks' but feeling so uncomfortable cos your face is stinging and throbing. How do you get through the day - and has anyone ever felt so bad they have taken a sick day or holiday because of it?

My last job used to be in marketing for an engineering company and so I was meeting people all the time - before my problems became worse, I used to quite enjoy it, but afterwards It became more like an ordeal because I was so self conscious.

Do you ever feel that your skin holds you back in work situations or when it comes to getting a job in the first place?

Just interested to hear your views.

Thanks.

[nikkitn]

Marketing and knowledge management for a consulting company. I feel lucky because at this time my face does not hurt and my rosacea isn't too bad. But I do feel that stress makes my rosacea AND my IBS worse. I've read on other boards that some people have taken sick days because of their face though. I hope I don't get to that point...

[Kelli]

I'm an Art Director for a non-profit organization that works with radio around the world. (I know... I'm a graphic artist working in RADIO... kinda funny...)

I am also a student working towards my degree in Marketing. (Nikki, I'd be interested to hear what you do in Marketing!)

I'm a mom and wife.

Does my face interfere with any of them - Yes. It's embarassing to show up at work with an already young appearance, and then add "acne" on top of it. I literally get no respect for my position. I'm a Director and I've been with the company for almost 8 years, but I'm still viewed as "little Kelli." I think a lot has to do with my face and that I blush.

I go to school online, so no worries there.

It hurts like hell when my son decides to play with my face, but how can I deny him sometimes? It's touch... that's how he learns.

It hurts like hell if my husband, who has a gotee, tries to kiss me when my face is irritated.

[bethanne]

This may sound strange, but having had to deal with
Rosacea for more than a decade has made me MORE
confident. I think it has to do with the countless times
I've just decided to look people in the eye and not
invest anything in how I think they are perceiving my
face. I feel so much more free than many of my
female friends who are victims of the beauty myth.
Mind you, this phenomenon did not occur initially
when I first got Rosacea in my early 30's --it has
evolved over a decade.

Beth

[Callien]

Wow, Kelli I admire you. You have a young child, husband, work and go to school. Dealing with rosacea on top of everything else. Your life is certainly not stress free. Do you ever get stressed out by all of it? If so what do you do to handle the stress? I just wonder because sometimes I feel overwhelmed with my life.

[PeaceFroggy]

I'm a university student. Successfull IPL treatments have meant that the stuffy lecture theatres are no longer a problem for me but blushing when talking in front of the class in small lectures or tutorials can be a nuisance. I feel much more confident since getting IPL but before then I often skipped classes and went home in the middle of the day because I was so exhausted from worrying about it.

[Callien]

Those university classes are not very rosacea friendly (hot and stuffy). I always have my cup of ice tea with me. The ice really helps.
I took a public speaking class and it helped me because my hands used to shake, my voice would tremble and my mind would go blank. The only thing it didn't help with is the fact that my face still turns bright red whenever I have to go up there. I can feel it getting warm and it feels like my face is on fire.

[Kelli]

I don't know that I do any more than many women out there. I just have an ugly face to deal with on top of it all.

It's a lot to deal with, but it'll be worth it. I can get my degree out of the way before my little man gets too old and before we have another one.

[NikkiLou]

I am also a student working towards my degree in Marketing. (Nikki, I'd be interested to hear what you do in Marketing!)

Kelli - wasn't sure whether you were asking me or the Nikki below me, so I won't go into details here!

I am facing a career change and returning to university to study physiotherapy (something I have wanted to do for quite some time). But as stress can be a factor for me, I have wondered whether I am mad considering a career that could be quite stressful - but at the same time I am angry and feel silly that I am even letting my skin factor in the decisions I make about my life. Sometimes when things are pretty bad - It can be quite difficult to imagine a time when it will be better. What are you supposed to do though - put your life on hold while you wait for improvement?

[Jordan]

I work at a convenience store and go to school at Idaho State University. The thing that bugs me is my face is CONSTANTLY on my mind throughout the day. I don't even remember what it felt like to just be worry free, I wish I had a time machine and I could just go back to being a kid again. It's like not only am I working and doing stuff during the day and then my body is tired at night, but also my mind is just completely exhausted at the end of the day from worrying about how I look.


Jordan