I have an odd Question

kmenurse
kmenurse Member Posts: 217
edited April 2013 in Breast Cancer #1

I was wondering if anyone has had problems with their face breaking out.. As a side effect to cancer.  I am being treated for rosacea but the dermatologist wasn't sure that, that was what the rash was...I use the Metro Gel as ordered but it's not helping much.. I haven't had any cancer treatments yet so that can't be the cause.  I was wondering if anyone else has had a problem with their face breaking out while they had breast cancer and was it before treatments?  My face get very, very red and I get fluid filled blisters. I know that stress makes it worse. Why would I have any stress... right... lol  Wish I knew what to do with my face Dr's are at a loss...

 God Bless!... Kathy

Comments

  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #2
    I'm struggling with rosacea, but way before cancer

    Kathy,

    Your question is very timely, as I was thinking about posting to see if anyone else here struggles with rosacea.

    Mine has nothing to do with cancer -- the redness started in my late 20s and got steadily worse through my 30s.  I saw a dermatologist and got diagnosed probably 3 or 4 years before I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 40.

    I used Finacea (prescription topical cream) for 6 or 7 years, and it always worked well for me, even through cancer treatment 3 years ago.  It seemed to stop working as well about a year ago, and, a couple of months ago, I decided to get proactive about it and started seeing a different dermatologist.  She tried me on Metrogel first -- I tried it for 5 weeks, but it just didn't do much for me.  So now we're trying Oracea, which is a daily low-dose oral antibiotic.  I've only been on it for 4 days, so too early to tell!

    The point is -- don't give up!  There are lots of treatments out there for rosacea.  If your dermatologist isn't suggesting other approaches, look for another dermatologist if you can.  When I was going through treatment, my dermatologist was so understanding that I really, REALLY needed to do things to help me feel good about myself and how I looked.

    (And yes, stress most definitely is a trigger for me -- can't understand why you'd be under any stress right now, Kathy!) Smile

    Traci

  • kmenurse
    kmenurse Member Posts: 217
    #3
    TraciInLA said:

    I'm struggling with rosacea, but way before cancer

    Kathy,

    Your question is very timely, as I was thinking about posting to see if anyone else here struggles with rosacea.

    Mine has nothing to do with cancer -- the redness started in my late 20s and got steadily worse through my 30s.  I saw a dermatologist and got diagnosed probably 3 or 4 years before I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 40.

    I used Finacea (prescription topical cream) for 6 or 7 years, and it always worked well for me, even through cancer treatment 3 years ago.  It seemed to stop working as well about a year ago, and, a couple of months ago, I decided to get proactive about it and started seeing a different dermatologist.  She tried me on Metrogel first -- I tried it for 5 weeks, but it just didn't do much for me.  So now we're trying Oracea, which is a daily low-dose oral antibiotic.  I've only been on it for 4 days, so too early to tell!

    The point is -- don't give up!  There are lots of treatments out there for rosacea.  If your dermatologist isn't suggesting other approaches, look for another dermatologist if you can.  When I was going through treatment, my dermatologist was so understanding that I really, REALLY needed to do things to help me feel good about myself and how I looked.

    (And yes, stress most definitely is a trigger for me -- can't understand why you'd be under any stress right now, Kathy!) Smile

    Traci

    Thanks Traci

    My rash started about 5yrs ago before my diagnoses.  But as your rash did, mine has also slowly got worse. What I was wondering is that my tumor was probably there 5yrs ago just not detected yet at the time the rash started.    And because the cancer is slow growing I thought maybe the stress of the cancer on my body may be contributing to the rash in the first place.  Just wondering... Kathy

  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #4
    I've heard of rosacea, but, I

    I've heard of rosacea, but, I admit I don't know much about it.  What is it exactly?  I am sorry that you Kathy, and, Traci are dealing with it and I hope both of you can find something to help you. 

    If you aren't getting good results with your dermatologist, maybe it is time to get a 2nd opinion?

    Hugs to you both!

    Diane

  • kmenurse
    kmenurse Member Posts: 217
    #5
    DianeBC said:

    I've heard of rosacea, but, I

    I've heard of rosacea, but, I admit I don't know much about it.  What is it exactly?  I am sorry that you Kathy, and, Traci are dealing with it and I hope both of you can find something to help you. 

    If you aren't getting good results with your dermatologist, maybe it is time to get a 2nd opinion?

    Hugs to you both!

    Diane

    Thanks Diane... I was

    Thanks Diane... I was thinking the same thing... If after my surgery things don't clear up, I definitely will....

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