New Here Too-Glad I Found This Forum!
I'm a 50 year old woman in Northern California. Always been the healthiest person I know until April 1st of last year when everything changed. Without any previous warning signs, I woke in the middle of the night violently ill with an intestinal bleed (diverticulitis) that sent me to the hospital. That wake up call forced me to change my eating habits immediately, and I thought it was over and I was on the road to recovery. After a week of antibiotics, and a visit to a spa for a "deep pore facial" I had my first facial problems. Redness and swelling on one side of my face that quickly over the next few days spread all over my face. An allergist tested me, and diagnosed me with "my grandmothers Rosacea" and sent me to a dermatologist. I have seen 4 dermatologists since then, all with different opinions about my Rosacea due to the fact that I have flushing and sensitivity on my arms and legs too. Not one derm will agree that it's possible to have arm and leg involvement too, so therefor I must have something other than Rosacea. From there the Rhumatologist tests found no Lupus or Scerlederma, but still thinks I have some sort of connective tissue auto immune disorder and wants me to try taking Plaquinil which I object to taking since I am medication free. The docs are not denying I have Rosacea on my face, but they feel there is more going on in my body related to auto immune and that Roseaca is just my body's way of showing it.
I have no doubt that I have Rosecea. My grandmother had the nose thing, my mother and my brother were diagnosed with Rosecea in recent years. After reading all this great info on this board I feel somewhat relieved, guess knowing others are finding answers gives me hope.
I still don't have any real answers as to what is happening to my legs and arms too. I do not have the P's & P's or any kind of acne, just bright redness with swelling, burning and stinging on my face.
I was reading an interesting thread last night on this site about "what caused my Rosacea". My onset was similar to many others who said they felt one traumatic or major event brought on their first flare. For me it was the diverticulitis bleed. Something changed in my body following that episode. My inner guidance tells me that traumatic illness triggered an auto immune response in some way that I don't understand that kicked my possible "pre-rosacea" face into a full blown disease. I still don't have all the answers, but I feel such relief knowing I will find so much helpful information here on this board and from the members here. I was diagnosed with fibromyalsia 8 years ago, and while I was briefly depressed being diagnosed with a life long illness, I did bounce back, and now live a fully functional life without any medications or significant limitations.
I know I can do the same with Rosacea.
For me I have found the best products for my face are Cepephil bar soap, Vaseline Creamy Moisturizer, and Solbar sunscreen. I'm struggling with the flare triggers. I have been working out every day for 20 years. At this point I've decided the benefit of exercising to my overall health and well being outweigh the minor face flare I am left with after a vigorous workout. I am very aware of what my other triggers are and am trying to modify my life and eating habits to feel better. It's hard!!!!!!!!!!!! I am having to give up a lot of what my life was.
Thanks to those who have already offered support. I will continue to read and post and hope to become an active member of this forum.
Roxanne
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