Re: Oral Meds

[Guest guest]

Esther, I am still searching for a treatment which works in my individual

case. Like you, I take an oral medication (tetracycline) periodically, for

a short period of time (usually no more than two weeks) when the cea

seems to be getting out of control. The tetracycline seems work well

resolving any bumps (which up to now have been few), but has little, if

any, effect on the redness. I seem to have a consistently red and blotchy

complexion.

The topicals I have tried, which have been many, have either aggravated the

rosacea (or sub derm) or reddened my skin intolerably.

I know I have to keep experimenting to find something that works, but I am

a little " gun shy " given the several bad experiences I have had with

topicals in the past.

Moreover, like everyone else I avoid my personal triggers (and anything

that is possibly a trigger) to the extent of being paranoid. Other people

may think I am strange in this regard, but they do not have to live with

the problem. This course of action seems to work very well, but there are

some triggers in my line of work, like stress or excitement, which are

always present.

By the way, for all the rosacea newcomers, AVOIDANCE OF TRIGGERS MAY

POSSIBLY BE YOUR BEST TREATMENT FOR ROSACEA. It took me years to figure

this out. Sorry, for rosacea, for many, you cannot have your cake and eat

it to, not even if it is a small cup cake. I have found that I get best

results if I stay away from my triggers and potential triggers absolutely.

Others may be different.

Finally, I have developed a mental attitude to treat this medical

condition: Sure, it is frustrating, but it is not cancer or some other

serious disease. Certainly, there are many cancer patients who will gladly

trade places with us. If you look at the big picture, in a world where as

we speak people are facing many terrible situations, our rosacea is a

minor, minor problem. And as a practical matter, no one out there

typically cares how we look -- except ourselves. Our frustration and grief

over this problem is, in many ways, self generated.

I mean, a person's life is short, and there are many things in this world

to do before we die; we should not let this rosacea prevent us from doing

these things. Lastly, rosacea, for most of us, is a life long problem.

What other choice to we have but to go out and live, really live, with this

problem. It is not going to go away, accept it as the frustrating and

often depressing problem that it is, and move on with life. We simply

cannot let rosacea prevent us from leading fulfilling lives.

Well, I am sorry about this long post and the philosophical rambling at the

end. But, like many of you, this has been a very difficult medical

condition to treat and accept. And if something any of us say helps

another rosacea patient, then the post is worth while. Best regards,

.

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> From: Esther231@...

> To: rosacea-supportegroups

> Subject: Re: Oral Meds

> Date: Friday, February 19, 1999 6:20 PM

>

> In a message dated 2/16/99 9:04:50 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> sgyesq@... writes:

>

> << Does anyone else treat thier rosacea solely with oral medications? I

have

> tried quite a few topical medicines and everyone, more or less, has

aggravated

> the rosacea or otherwise aggravated my skin. >>

>

> I react to a preservative in most of the topicals, so I don't use much of

the

> normal rosacea topicals. I so spot treat bumps with Cleocin T when they

come

> up, but that's it. I mainly use Claritin (but zyrtec really is better

with

> rosacea). I can and do use zinc oxide and vaseline daily. Thank

goodness for

> both of them. I avoid triggers like crazy. I take aspirin if I'm

flushing or

> going to be somewhere a lot of my triggers are going to be - like a mall

or a

> school function. I use compress on the back of my neck if I start to

flush.

> If I have burning, I use a tea rinse - plain ordinary tea - and it takes

the

> burn right out. I do cycle onto minocin as soon as I have a flush I

can't get

> down any other way. I usually am on it only a day or two. If none of

that

> works, I take hydroxyzine and it works like a wonder. Just puts me to

sleep

> so it's my last ditch effort. I can and do treat seb/derm when it comes

up

> with Mycelex. I love the stuff.

>

> How about you?

>

> Esther

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Bill,

I do believe that I may try the rest of the Eucerin products. Remember

me? I'm the one who likes the Eucerin Cleansing Bar! I have never tried

the creams or lotions that Eucerin has on the market. I'll check those

ingredient labels next time I'm at the drugstore

Carol

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/16/99 9:04:50 PM Eastern Standard Time,

sgyesq@... writes:

<< Does anyone else treat thier rosacea solely with oral medications? I have

tried quite a few topical medicines and everyone, more or less, has aggravated

the rosacea or otherwise aggravated my skin. >>

I react to a preservative in most of the topicals, so I don't use much of the

normal rosacea topicals. I so spot treat bumps with Cleocin T when they come

up, but that's it. I mainly use Claritin (but zyrtec really is better with

rosacea). I can and do use zinc oxide and vaseline daily. Thank goodness for

both of them. I avoid triggers like crazy. I take aspirin if I'm flushing or

going to be somewhere a lot of my triggers are going to be - like a mall or a

school function. I use compress on the back of my neck if I start to flush.

If I have burning, I use a tea rinse - plain ordinary tea - and it takes the

burn right out. I do cycle onto minocin as soon as I have a flush I can't get

down any other way. I usually am on it only a day or two. If none of that

works, I take hydroxyzine and it works like a wonder. Just puts me to sleep

so it's my last ditch effort. I can and do treat seb/derm when it comes up

with Mycelex. I love the stuff.

How about you?

Esther

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[Guest guest]

,

EXCELLET reply on the rosacea topic! I couldn't have said it better. Yea,

rosacea isn't cancer or something life threating but it can be and is very

frustrating to people. My wife says that I still look the same. I don't

think so. But do you know what? If she had the rosacea and not me I would

probably tell her that she looks the same. Unless your single and trying to

pick up girls (or guys) who cares what a little redness and bumps can do?

(well, for the most part.)

Most people don't even know what the word " rosacea " means. I didn't even hear

of it until recently. Unfortuantaly, my vocabulary starts with it now.

Well rosacea victims out there, have faith. You keep trying stuff and I'll

keep trying stuff until we get this thing right!

later all,

LANCE

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[Guest guest]

- Very eloquently put!!! You are absolutely right, rosacea is not a

life threatening disease, but sometimes it is very frustrating!!!!!! I happen

to live in Southern Florida where it can be very hot and humid especially in

the summer. I love to exercise outdoors and this does effect my rosacea, but

I am not going to give it up because of the flair-ups!! So I guess it is a

very individual issue, if you are willing to give up the things you love to

prevent the flair ups that's fine, or if your willing to live with the flair

ups to do the things you love that is fine too. The main thing is you have to

feel good about yourself! This support group is a wonderful way to share and

vent!

Priscilla

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[Guest guest]

hiya Lance

I keep telling people...this is not life theatening, but it is life

changing....I agree with you keep the faith!!!!

donna

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