Rosacea

[bam007]

Thank you all for your replies. I've actually been through so many doctors, it's not even funny. I originally went to a derm back in Dec. of 03 and he did nothing for me, but give help me start my own presciprion inventory for a pharmacy. I then in the summer of 04 decided to go see a general doctor, cuz I started with just dry red patches on my cheeks. He then thought, of course, that it could be lupus. I was referred to a rheum. then, tested for lupus and came back with MCTD (mixed connective tissue disease). The rhuem thought the red patches was seperate from my rheumtoid problem, which by the way is just slightly positive, so it could be a good chance I don't even have that. Any who, a saw a new derm and he diagnosed me with rosacea, which is also called acne rosacea. He gave me an anti-biotic (Adoxa - doxycycline) and Elidel for a topical creme. All in all, the creme helped one side of my face, but made the other much worse! I started getting pus papules and my face was so red and irritated, that I wanted it just ripped off! I went to Monterrey, MX to get a second opinion, don't ask me why I did this, but I thought maybe I could get a straight answer on the lupus, MCTD, rosacea thing. Waste of time and money that was. I was told exactly the same thing, but confirmed, according to them, that I have lupus. I don't have lupus, and MCTD is questionable. At the moment my main concern is this stuff on my face. I've never had skin nor acne problems.. and all this is new to me. I want my normal face back! I've been told about, accutane, Omnilu Blue light therapy, and Intense Pulse Light. So far, accutane is in the lead.... though I have to get on a birth control for a month before I even start the accutane, which my derm said I only have to take it for a month and a half at the lowest dose. I have very sensitive and dry skin. To tell you that I even went out to get tested for staph, which came back negative and it hurt like heck when they scraped one of my bumps to get the liquid sample. Any way, that's why I want to ask around and see what other people have gone through with the same problem I have. Proactiv is definitely out!

[Takara]

Accutane will make your skin so dry it will hurt. If you already have dry skin to begin with then accutane is definitely out. Give the aminogenesis a try and see what you think. I'm sorry you are going through this. I know it must be tough, but there has to be a solution out there for you.

[Sman]

bam007--
accutane is an option, but only in VERY low doses. The dose should be no more than 5-10mg a day. Any dose higher then this would probabily make things worse.

IPL is definitely good for getting rid of facial redness and veins.

Omnilu Blue light therapy would be good for getting rid of the acne lesions, but I wouldn't expect any difference in redness.

Red light could also be good as it's supposed to have an anti-inflammatory effect (reducing redness)

[evy38]

IPL is the way to go on this one, but not IPL/RF.

[bam007]

Originally Posted by Sman

bam007--
accutane is an option, but only in VERY low doses. The dose should be no more than 5-10mg a day. Any dose higher then this would probabily make things worse.

IPL is definitely good for getting rid of facial redness and veins.

Omnilu Blue light therapy would be good for getting rid of the acne lesions, but I wouldn't expect any difference in redness.

Red light could also be good as it's supposed to have an anti-inflammatory effect (reducing redness)

According to my derm, Omnilux Blue will not help me much since I don't have the teenage acne type (pimples). I have red bumps on my cheeks. I did have pus papules, which he told me to take an OTC medication called Domeboro (aluminum acetate) to mix with distilled water and apply to my face for 15/20min. twice a day to dry out the pus and refresh my face. It worked.. but I still have the bumps. He said my condition is hard to treat or it takes a while to control since I'm at an accute stage, which the bumps are referred to as granulomous.

The IPL is more for the red veins, which I don't have, and dialated capillaries. Like I said, my stage is too advanced for this treatment to help. Also, you have to consider that these doctors pay $15-30,000 on these equipments that they have to sell this to you.