Hey everyone

[peacefuljo]

So I've been stalking a few months---I've been in denial--keep thinking that I will wake up and face will be back to "normal." I'm 33 years old and I've had problems since January.

My cheeks are red and inflammed--like a rash that burns. My nose gets red and swells. My cheeks,around my mouth, and around my eyes also swell. Sometimes my forehead, chin and temples itch. I've been on tetracycline for 3 months---just stopped taking it---wasn't doing much. I had good days and bad days on it. But now I am experiencing more swelling since I have been off of it.

I use metrocream and acnezone---since I have also developed acne. I had very clear skin before all of this. I had a horrible stomach flu and lot of stress during Dec.and got physical problems from this. I've lost about 20lbs---which isn't good, since I am skin and bones. I found that soy, hot foods, spicy foods, gluten, dairy (haven't had in ages), sugar, and salty foods seem to be major triggers.

I've been seeing a therapist, internist,and a naturpath dr. to see what I can do to get healthy. I started taking probiotics, fish oil and a vit/min. powder in a smoothie 2 x a day. My acne has gotten better, my skin "looks" better, but I still flush, burn, swell, and turn red. I feel like I'm at a loss. I can't take yoga anymore since being upside down hurts my face. I try not to let it get me down, and keep trying to keep positive, but it's hard. I don't want to go back on the antibiotic, but I might have to.

Do low dose antibiotics help with redness,swelling, and flushing? I get bumps, but not pustules. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks--
Joanna

[phlika29]

Joanna

I am sorry I am not sure how I missed your post

A much belated welcome to the forum. When I was on antibiotics I didnt find that they helped with the flushing, in fact I found they made me worse. But as I am sure you will have picked up everyone with rosacea reacts differently.

Perhaps you might like to consider trying something else instead. Are you taking vitamin D3 at all. People are having some great success, have a look at this thread:
http://rosaceagroup.org/The_Rosacea_...ad.php?t=17085

Another medication that is still popular is low dose accutane. This is usually used for acne but if the level is very low (5-10mg a day or every other day) it seems to also have an anti inflammatory effect.

Having said all that hopefully someone will be able to help you more with the antibiotic question. I am not very up to date with this info. I know missy takes oracea with good results.

Best wishes

Sarah

[Melissa W]

Hi Joanna,
Ditto to the so sorry we missed your post!! I hope you are still around to read this!

Sarah is right in that I have had good results with Oracea. It is low dose timed release doxycycline and acts purely as an anti-inflammatory and can help decrease your papules/pustules and any redness and inflammation associated with them. I also get papules and not pustules and it has helped greatly with that as well as the redness and inflammation associated with them.

You also should be careful of any acne or harsh topicals you may be using on your face as that can aggravate your rosacea. It is a fine balance/balancing act sometimes to find the right combo for you.

Welcome to the RF

Best wishes,
Melissa