Anybody got any good ideas?
For many years I have had poor facial skin - spotty etc - was treated on many drugs over the years (now 43) - now having ‘the works’ with regard to treatment for BC and facial skin and scalp are complaining - spotty and not very healthy looking. Have a really good balanced diet and exercise - good cleansing regimen but nothing seems to help. It obviously gets a bit depressing when you feel unattractive anyway and no hair etc!
I know I sound VERY vain in relation to the seriousness of our condition but it would be nice to at least look a bit better than I currently do.
The girls want me to go out with them tonight but I feel disinclined with this skin and a wig plonked on the top of my bonce!
Sorry to moan!
Janey x
dear janey, just read your post, and hope you went out last night. if you want to go out with spots and a wig on your bonce, then you should, but if you dont want to go, then thats fine ok. too…its how you feel about yourself that really matters, dont worry about what other people think…its irrelevant…and, no you are not vain, you just need to be comfy with yourself, honey…how far are you into your treatment? i have had 2 lumpectomies in the past, both benign, but am now waiting to good into hospital for surgery on 19th…i am having full mastectomy, and lymph node removal, but am wanting to have a double mast, because of family history, so am going to talk to surgeon on weds about it. i wish you well on your journey, and will be thinking of you…as will all the others on here
regards, jaki x
ps…wear blingy earrings…whip the wig off…nobody will notice the spots, lol xx
Thanks you two - your comments made me smile a lot! (Didn’t go out after all - but for many reasons). About to go for my second chemo this morning and feeling much better as although don’t want it - know that it is one less on the journey ahead.
Jaki - have had WLE and axillary clearance on 3.01.08 - now chemo - then more surgery as marjins not clear then radiotherapy - should all be over about September lol. Good luck to you in your treatment - put pressure on those medical bods to get what you want!
Jusmejp - might just go to chemo bald headed!
Love Janey x
I had very bad skin until I was cured with roaccutane. It was bad for my liver though and I had to sign something to say I wouldn’t have children as it caused birth defects. It was fantastic, cured me completely. I don’t know whether it would fit with chemo tho
Hi Molennium
I had roaccutane five years ago - it lasted a good two years and then gradually skin declined - never quite so bad as it had been thought - because this drug itself is fairly toxic I don’t think dermatologist would entertain giving me it - thank you for your message - given your experience I am sure you will understand how I feel!
Janey
Hi Janey,
I had quite bad spots in my early thirties - now 39 - and found the only thing that helped was the pill. So I was annoyed to think I would break out again when I was dxd last Feb and had to come off. However, since being on tamoxifen, so less oestrogen floating around, I have the clearest skin I have ever had - and need to wash my hair less often - I think I’m prepubescent!!
Pity my thighs aren’t though lol!
Maybe you’ll be on tamoxifen when you’ve finished your other treatment - are you er positive?
Love,
Sally xx
Hi Sally
You may be the answer to a large dilemma in my life - I have been struggling with the prospect of taking Tomoxifen following my treatment - er and pr positive (just had second dose of chemo this week) - mainly in relation to many of the side effects that can be encountered and my ability to carry on with my job etc once I am back on the road to ‘normality’.
However, having clear skin could be something to really look forward to. I know that many people reading this will think I’m bonkers worrying about bad skin when we have so many other things to deal with - but you will know what it’s like - awful skin - awful days!! Those of us who have had acne for many years know some of the psychological effects that can be encountered -the bald head is not a patch on how I have felt over the years about my skin - the two things together well!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.
Janey x
Hi Janey, just a quick thought. I too am into my second round of chemo (taxotere/avastin). I have come out in spots each time, and have been told it is a reaction to the steroids. It is miserable, isn’t it? I never thought at the ripe old age of 47 I would be suffering from acne!
Deirdre
ps - I’ve also got acne on my scalp. Lovely.
Dear Janey
I had acne from age 11, so do empathise, and know what it can do to your confidence. Eight yrs ago, when I was 45, it got worse, and at that point I saw a specialist and had a course of Roaccutane. It worked brilliantly (not perfect, but much improved), and there’s not a day goes past when I’m not appreciative of the benefits of having a clearer skin…so nice not to have to spend ages in the morning with the concealer trying to camouflage various blemishes and eruptions that used to appear overnight. SInce starting tamoxifen 3 1/2 yrs ago, I have had no bad skin reactions at all. Like Sally, my hair doesn’t have to be washed quite so frequently. My skin is slightly drier, but I make sure I use moisturiser morning and night on my face, and smother myself in body lotion after bathing. Have actually had a number of compliments recently about how healthy and glowing my skin is looking (one from my Mum who knows nothing of my encounter with breast cancer).
I think you’re being very positive trying to sort out something that is bothering you…that’s not vain in the least. I do hope your skin improves once you finish your course of chemotherapy, if not before.
Very best wishes, Timetraveller
Thanks to you both for your valuable comments - skin okay today on day 4 following 2nd chemo - but dreading next few days if anything like last time - oh well - can always put good use to all those paper bags in my understairs cupboard!!
Keep smiling girlies.
Janey x