Overdue update -- almost 100% rosacea free!!!!!!
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
| Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:29 am Post subject: Overdue update -- almost 100% rosacea free!!!!!! | |
| Hey everyone--
I haven't been on the forum in forever because well, rosacea, for the most part, has stopped being the main focus of my existence, as it was for quite some time. For those of you who don't know/remember me, I am now 21, and was first diagnosed with rosacea at the ripe old age of 18. I went through absolute nightmares with doctors, meds, anxiety, and the complete loss of hope that I'm sure many of you are all too familiar with. Mentally, this disease (condition, syndrome, who knows what the hell it is) absolutely destroyed me. Though I was previously extremely social, I locked myself in my room for over a year. I lost contact with nearly all my close friends and they all postulated that I had just "lost it." Where I was once extremely active and physically fit, I stopped exercising entirely from the fear of the intense exercise flush and gained a substantial amount of weight. I was really not ok. However, through lots of work, and research, and life style changes, and wonderful support through many of the people on this forum, I have really gotten my life back. I feel like myself again. I'm not constantly worried about my red cheeks. I'm not constantly burning and flushed. For me, I think the key lie in a multi-pronged approach. I changed my diet significantly--went gluten-free (although now once in a while I can cheat with no obvious disadvantage), and significantly decreased my sugar intake. I did a complete detox diet for about a month which seemed to really help. Also--I bought a red-infrared combination lamp that I used everyday for about a year. I still use it, although only a couple times a week because I'm just so busy that I often forget! I take 60mg/day of propranolol ER and 20mg/day of celexa (a very small dose.) I underwent psychotherapy to help me deal with the psychological and emotional consequences of living with rosacea. Now, I do almost anything I want. I drink wine in small amounts. I exercise all the time. Yea, I get warm sometimes and red. But it generally subsides quickly and no longer entails the INTENSE burning and redness which left me feeling as if my face would explode. My eyes are no longer constantly irritated and bloodshot. I hope this gives people some hope, it amazes me to think how far I've come in a generally short period of time. If anyone has questions--feel free to PM, I would love to help however possible. Best, Jessica |
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Joined: 23 Jul 2005
| Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:11 am Post subject: | |
| Hey that's great, congrats. So the RLT helped a lot? _________________ KNOWLEDGE = POWER |
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Forum Moderator
Joined: 08 Jan 2007
Location: new york
| Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:54 am Post subject: | |
| Hi Jessica,
I am so happy for you Jessica! That is wonderful news! Thanks so much for sharing your success with us. It does give us all hope and shows us that rosacea can be overcome! I also wanted to add a personal thanks as it was due to your success (and a few others) with low level light therapy that convinced me to finally take the RLT plunge. Thanks for your encouragement! I wish you all the best and thanks again for coming back to let us know how well you are doing!! 
Hugs, Melissa |
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Joined: 28 Aug 2006
| Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 1:38 pm Post subject: | |
| Hi Jessica!
Wonderful to hear you are doing better in all areas of life...that's just awesome!! Is this the DPL machine you have been using? http://www.ledtechnologies.org/info/defaulth.aspx I have this one and was too chicken to use it a year ago  I know I know...I have just dug mine up 2 days ago and started using it for the recommended time of 9mins....what's sooo strange is that right after the session I look "pale" no redness for about 1-2mins....I haven't seen myself pale in over a decade  Think I am gonna stick with my treatments and not chicken out again!!_________________ Dx 1998 No meds Used low-dose accutane successfully |
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Joined: 22 Apr 2007
| Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject: Thanks | |
| Thanks for the positive post. It gives me hope that things can get better.
So happy to hear you are doing well. Naun |
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Joined: 08 Mar 2006
| Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject: | |
| Yup Lookout--thats the exact machine I have been using--definitely seems to have helped! When I first started, it was like I could FEEL my skin tightening and my flush response lowering--very cool. Hope it works for all of you!
Jessica |
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Joined: 11 Oct 2005
Location: Toronto (Canada)
| Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 5:08 pm Post subject: | |
| Jessica,
I am so happy to read your report. Congratulations on everything you have accomplished! You are an inspiration to all of us. Heather |
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