Guest guest Posted October 30, 2000 Report Share Posted October 30, 2000 Hi Margaret, You're not alone! Your symptoms sound very much like mine. Even the mildest warmth has been a major trigger for me the past few years and sets off intense flushing with burning and pain. Like you, I have been living in the cold, often unable to go out, and I know how miserable it is for you. The one thing that has brought me some relief is photoderm. (I'm sorry i can't recommend a photoderm clinic in the UK) The treatments haven't been a cure, but they have definitely helped reduce the severity of the flushing and burning and are the best thing I have done. Good luck with your upcoming appointment, I hope it works out for you. I have never found that oral antibiotics affect the flushing at all, but they do help my ocular symptoms. Another medication you might consider is clonidine, an anti-hypertensive drug that is often helpful in relieving some of the flushing. I find that it helps somewhat, and other group members use it with success. You may have read about the zinco cream that many in the group use. It was developed specifically for ultra -sensitive skin by Dr. Sy (www.lindasy.com) and is a physical sun block, anti-inflammatory and protectant from the elements ie heat, cold and wind. There are both tinted and untinted versions, and samples available for $2 plus shipping. Best wishes, Jen >Although I have managed until now without taking medication, albeit not very >well, I am now at the stage where I'm going to have to take more drastic >measures and hit this beast right between the eyes in order to have a life. >Because my face flares at the slightest hint of warmth, I'm unable to go >anywhere and even when I brush my teeth it brings on a flush and my skin >begins to burn. I am unable to put the heating on in the house, even a low >background heat makes my face burn. The summer was just as traumatic, only >venturing out after dark. > >I have an appointment at the London Homeopathic Clinic in December, but >unfortunately I haven't seen any positive postings regarding homeopathy and >rosacea. Has anyone had any success using this method of treatment? > >I also have an appointment at a PhotoDerm Clinic, but to be honest, I feel >terrified at the thought of a machine blasting my already sensitive skin. >Again, has anyone had any success with PhotoDerm in the UK? > >Just to round off, I also suffer with sebborrheic dermatitis and >blepharitis. > >I have learnt a lot from reading the messages on this board and I would be >grateful for any input regarding homeopathy or photoderm in the UK in >combating this debilitating condition. If neither of these work, I'm afraid >I will have to resort to taking the antibiotics. > >Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2011 Report Share Posted December 23, 2011 Hi, everyone! I'm new to the group -- actually I was a member for a while earlier, but kept changing my mind about what approach to take to my compulsive eating. My subscription was on an e-mail address that I hardly ended up using at all, so the posts kind of got lost in the shuffle of my life. Now I'd like to participate in the group and really commit myself to the Intuitive Eating approach. I read the book a long time ago and am re-reading it. It really makes the most sense for me of all the many approaches I've tried. I've spent my whole adult life either trying to follow the dictates of the food police or rebelling against them. Recently I told my therapist that I'm just dropping the whole thing -- the food rules, the guilt (dropping it is easier said than done), the desperation and despair, and hopefully eventually the self-destructive rebellion. I've just had it with the struggle. The worst thing about it is, when I think about it, I know the whole reason I care so much is about wanting to look a certain way -- a way that I've never looked, even when I was thin, and a way I certainly never can look now that I've reached 65 years of age! It's kind of insane, but it's what our culture teaches girls, and I think in some ways it's worse than ever these days. I'm just afraid that the battle against child (and adult) obesity is going to result in more shame and desperation than healthy changes. Anyway, I'm glad to be here and am looking forward to being part of the group. Sue Portland, Maine, US Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2011 Report Share Posted December 23, 2011 Welcome, Sue. I'll look forward to reading your posts. I just turned 67 and still have those young, thin, beautiful perfect pictures to live down to. And diet rebellion, oh my. Good time to join. Sandarah > > Hi, everyone! > > I'm new to the group -- actually I was a member for a while earlier, but > kept changing my mind about what approach to take to my compulsive > eating. My subscription was on an e-mail address that I hardly ended up > using at all, so the posts kind of got lost in the shuffle of my life. > Now I'd like to participate in the group and really commit myself to the > Intuitive Eating approach. I read the book a long time ago and am > re-reading it. It really makes the most sense for me of all the many > approaches I've tried. > > I've spent my whole adult life either trying to follow the dictates of > the food police or rebelling against them. Recently I told my therapist > that I'm just dropping the whole thing -- the food rules, the guilt > (dropping it is easier said than done), the desperation and despair, and > hopefully eventually the self-destructive rebellion. I've just had it > with the struggle. The worst thing about it is, when I think about it, I > know the whole reason I care so much is about wanting to look a certain > way -- a way that I've never looked, even when I was thin, and a way I > certainly never can look now that I've reached 65 years of age! It's > kind of insane, but it's what our culture teaches girls, and I think in > some ways it's worse than ever these days. I'm just afraid that the > battle against child (and adult) obesity is going to result in more > shame and desperation than healthy changes. > > Anyway, I'm glad to be here and am looking forward to being part of the > group. > > Sue > Portland, Maine, US > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2011 Report Share Posted December 23, 2011 Welcome, Sue. I'll look forward to reading your posts. I just turned 67 and still have those young, thin, beautiful perfect pictures to live down to. And diet rebellion, oh my. Good time to join. Sandarah > > Hi, everyone! > > I'm new to the group -- actually I was a member for a while earlier, but > kept changing my mind about what approach to take to my compulsive > eating. My subscription was on an e-mail address that I hardly ended up > using at all, so the posts kind of got lost in the shuffle of my life. > Now I'd like to participate in the group and really commit myself to the > Intuitive Eating approach. I read the book a long time ago and am > re-reading it. It really makes the most sense for me of all the many > approaches I've tried. > > I've spent my whole adult life either trying to follow the dictates of > the food police or rebelling against them. Recently I told my therapist > that I'm just dropping the whole thing -- the food rules, the guilt > (dropping it is easier said than done), the desperation and despair, and > hopefully eventually the self-destructive rebellion. I've just had it > with the struggle. The worst thing about it is, when I think about it, I > know the whole reason I care so much is about wanting to look a certain > way -- a way that I've never looked, even when I was thin, and a way I > certainly never can look now that I've reached 65 years of age! It's > kind of insane, but it's what our culture teaches girls, and I think in > some ways it's worse than ever these days. I'm just afraid that the > battle against child (and adult) obesity is going to result in more > shame and desperation than healthy changes. > > Anyway, I'm glad to be here and am looking forward to being part of the > group. > > Sue > Portland, Maine, US > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Welcome back, Sue! I think you're right that the battle against obesity can lead to some not-so-desirable outcomes. I have read a few so-called health and popular media articles that actually advocate shaming kids and adults into losing weight. Don't they know that these people are already ashamed and despairing for not fitting in? I think the idea must be that obese persons are just willful and lazy and need a good kick in the pants. This is so misguided. Anyway, glad to have you on board. Mimi Subject: New to the groupTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Friday, December 23, 2011, 10:04 AM Hi, everyone!I'm new to the group -- actually I was a member for a while earlier, but kept changing my mind about what approach to take to my compulsive eating. My subscription was on an e-mail address that I hardly ended up using at all, so the posts kind of got lost in the shuffle of my life. Now I'd like to participate in the group and really commit myself to the Intuitive Eating approach. I read the book a long time ago and am re-reading it. It really makes the most sense for me of all the many approaches I've tried.I've spent my whole adult life either trying to follow the dictates of the food police or rebelling against them. Recently I told my therapist that I'm just dropping the whole thing -- the food rules, the guilt (dropping it is easier said than done), the desperation and despair, and hopefully eventually the self-destructive rebellion. I've just had it with the struggle. The worst thing about it is, when I think about it, I know the whole reason I care so much is about wanting to look a certain way -- a way that I've never looked, even when I was thin, and a way I certainly never can look now that I've reached 65 years of age! It's kind of insane, but it's what our culture teaches girls, and I think in some ways it's worse than ever these days. I'm just afraid that the battle against child (and adult) obesity is going to result in more shame and desperation than healthy changes.Anyway, I'm glad to be here and am looking forward to being part of the group.SuePortland, Maine, US Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Hi, Ellie! Thanks for your response to my post! It's kind of painful to embody a stereotype, and I feel that I do. It's the stereotype of the fat, gray-haired middle-aged (well, the "old" side of middle aged!) woman. It does a number on my self-esteem, which isn't great to begin with. I'm lucky to have a therapist who understands the struggle with food very well (she was bulemic years ago) and who used mindfulness to help her get to a balanced and healthy outlook on the issue. She's good at helping me work through these feelings of unattractiveness and unworthiness, which have been made so much worse by being older and overweight. What's hard, too, is giving up the idea that I can look young and attractive by society's standards if I only lose weight. As you said, Ellie, I'm never going to look like a young woman again. The ironic thing is that when I look at other older women, I see their beauty. But I don't see my own. Part of me actually likes my gray hair -- but I just realized that I like it as gray hair on a young-looking person (wishful thinking about myself!) -- not gray hair on an older-looking person. I dislike thinking that my gray hair automatically slots me into the category of "old," in the view of younger people -- and therefore invisible as a person to be taken seriously. I'm using gentle and soothing self-talk to help me counter these negative feelings. I've decided that I'm going to try to post here every day. I get so much out of everyone's posts. It's kind of like when I got into AA -- I'm a sober alcoholic -- and felt immediately at home. I feel that all of you know what I'm talking about. Sue  Hi, Sue! Here's what jumped out at me in your post: "The worst thing about it is, when I think about it, I know the whole reason I care so much is about wanting to look a certain way -- a way that I've never looked, even when I was thin, and a way I certainly never can look now that I've reached 65 years of age! It's kind of insane, but it's what our culture teaches girls, and I think in some ways it's worse than ever these days." This is one of the issues of reality I'm struggling with. I'm 60. I'm never going to look like a young woman again. Not only have I decided to quit subscribing to the thin-is-pretty mindset, I'm letting my colored hair grow out. This is what a 60-year-old woman looks like, world. This is what you look like at 60, Ellie. Ellie From: Sue I've spent my whole adult life either trying to follow the dictates of the food police or rebelling against them. Recently I told my therapist that I'm just dropping the whole thing -- the food rules, the guilt (dropping it is easier said than done), the desperation and despair, and hopefully eventually the self-destructive rebellion. I've just had it with the struggle. The worst thing about it is, when I think about it, I know the whole reason I care so much is about wanting to look a certain way -- a way that I've never looked, even when I was thin, and a way I certainly never can look now that I've reached 65 years of age! It's kind of insane, but it's what our culture teaches girls, and I think in some ways it's worse than ever these days. I'm just afraid that the battle against child (and adult) obesity is going to result in more shame and desperation than healthy changes. Anyway, I'm glad to be here and am looking forward to being part of the group. Sue Portland, Maine, US Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Hi, Ellie! Thanks for your response to my post! It's kind of painful to embody a stereotype, and I feel that I do. It's the stereotype of the fat, gray-haired middle-aged (well, the "old" side of middle aged!) woman. It does a number on my self-esteem, which isn't great to begin with. I'm lucky to have a therapist who understands the struggle with food very well (she was bulemic years ago) and who used mindfulness to help her get to a balanced and healthy outlook on the issue. She's good at helping me work through these feelings of unattractiveness and unworthiness, which have been made so much worse by being older and overweight. What's hard, too, is giving up the idea that I can look young and attractive by society's standards if I only lose weight. As you said, Ellie, I'm never going to look like a young woman again. The ironic thing is that when I look at other older women, I see their beauty. But I don't see my own. Part of me actually likes my gray hair -- but I just realized that I like it as gray hair on a young-looking person (wishful thinking about myself!) -- not gray hair on an older-looking person. I dislike thinking that my gray hair automatically slots me into the category of "old," in the view of younger people -- and therefore invisible as a person to be taken seriously. I'm using gentle and soothing self-talk to help me counter these negative feelings. I've decided that I'm going to try to post here every day. I get so much out of everyone's posts. It's kind of like when I got into AA -- I'm a sober alcoholic -- and felt immediately at home. I feel that all of you know what I'm talking about. Sue  Hi, Sue! Here's what jumped out at me in your post: "The worst thing about it is, when I think about it, I know the whole reason I care so much is about wanting to look a certain way -- a way that I've never looked, even when I was thin, and a way I certainly never can look now that I've reached 65 years of age! It's kind of insane, but it's what our culture teaches girls, and I think in some ways it's worse than ever these days." This is one of the issues of reality I'm struggling with. I'm 60. I'm never going to look like a young woman again. Not only have I decided to quit subscribing to the thin-is-pretty mindset, I'm letting my colored hair grow out. This is what a 60-year-old woman looks like, world. This is what you look like at 60, Ellie. Ellie From: Sue I've spent my whole adult life either trying to follow the dictates of the food police or rebelling against them. Recently I told my therapist that I'm just dropping the whole thing -- the food rules, the guilt (dropping it is easier said than done), the desperation and despair, and hopefully eventually the self-destructive rebellion. I've just had it with the struggle. The worst thing about it is, when I think about it, I know the whole reason I care so much is about wanting to look a certain way -- a way that I've never looked, even when I was thin, and a way I certainly never can look now that I've reached 65 years of age! It's kind of insane, but it's what our culture teaches girls, and I think in some ways it's worse than ever these days. I'm just afraid that the battle against child (and adult) obesity is going to result in more shame and desperation than healthy changes. Anyway, I'm glad to be here and am looking forward to being part of the group. Sue Portland, Maine, US Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Hi, Ellie! Thanks for your response to my post! It's kind of painful to embody a stereotype, and I feel that I do. It's the stereotype of the fat, gray-haired middle-aged (well, the "old" side of middle aged!) woman. It does a number on my self-esteem, which isn't great to begin with. I'm lucky to have a therapist who understands the struggle with food very well (she was bulemic years ago) and who used mindfulness to help her get to a balanced and healthy outlook on the issue. She's good at helping me work through these feelings of unattractiveness and unworthiness, which have been made so much worse by being older and overweight. What's hard, too, is giving up the idea that I can look young and attractive by society's standards if I only lose weight. As you said, Ellie, I'm never going to look like a young woman again. The ironic thing is that when I look at other older women, I see their beauty. But I don't see my own. Part of me actually likes my gray hair -- but I just realized that I like it as gray hair on a young-looking person (wishful thinking about myself!) -- not gray hair on an older-looking person. I dislike thinking that my gray hair automatically slots me into the category of "old," in the view of younger people -- and therefore invisible as a person to be taken seriously. I'm using gentle and soothing self-talk to help me counter these negative feelings. I've decided that I'm going to try to post here every day. I get so much out of everyone's posts. It's kind of like when I got into AA -- I'm a sober alcoholic -- and felt immediately at home. I feel that all of you know what I'm talking about. Sue  Hi, Sue! Here's what jumped out at me in your post: "The worst thing about it is, when I think about it, I know the whole reason I care so much is about wanting to look a certain way -- a way that I've never looked, even when I was thin, and a way I certainly never can look now that I've reached 65 years of age! It's kind of insane, but it's what our culture teaches girls, and I think in some ways it's worse than ever these days." This is one of the issues of reality I'm struggling with. I'm 60. I'm never going to look like a young woman again. Not only have I decided to quit subscribing to the thin-is-pretty mindset, I'm letting my colored hair grow out. This is what a 60-year-old woman looks like, world. This is what you look like at 60, Ellie. Ellie From: Sue I've spent my whole adult life either trying to follow the dictates of the food police or rebelling against them. Recently I told my therapist that I'm just dropping the whole thing -- the food rules, the guilt (dropping it is easier said than done), the desperation and despair, and hopefully eventually the self-destructive rebellion. I've just had it with the struggle. The worst thing about it is, when I think about it, I know the whole reason I care so much is about wanting to look a certain way -- a way that I've never looked, even when I was thin, and a way I certainly never can look now that I've reached 65 years of age! It's kind of insane, but it's what our culture teaches girls, and I think in some ways it's worse than ever these days. I'm just afraid that the battle against child (and adult) obesity is going to result in more shame and desperation than healthy changes. Anyway, I'm glad to be here and am looking forward to being part of the group. Sue Portland, Maine, US Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 I think many of us are marginalized in our culture, whether it is because of weight or gender or age. Older women, especially, are given a hard time. Just look at our Hollywood movies. A woman over 40 portrayed as sexy or appealing? Forget it, she's gross and old. Such women are exceptions, not rules. A male friend of mine said the other day, "no one wants to see a 40-year-old woman strip." Great. Thanks. Glad that we are only appealing for such a short time and then it's into the trash bin with us. I say we forget apologizing for who we are and accentuate our beauty, no matter the age. Mimi Subject: Re: New to the groupTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Friday, January 6, 2012, 4:27 PM Hi, Ellie!Thanks for your response to my post! It's kind of painful to embody a stereotype, and I feel that I do. It's the stereotype of the fat, gray-haired middle-aged (well, the "old" side of middle aged!) woman. It does a number on my self-esteem, which isn't great to begin with. I'm lucky to have a therapist who understands the struggle with food very well (she was bulemic years ago) and who used mindfulness to help her get to a balanced and healthy outlook on the issue. She's good at helping me work through these feelings of unattractiveness and unworthiness, which have been made so much worse by being older and overweight. What's hard, too, is giving up the idea that I can look young and attractive by society's standards if I only lose weight. As you said, Ellie, I'm never going to look like a young woman again. The ironic thing is that when I look at other older women, I see their beauty. But I don't see my own. Part of me actually likes my gray hair -- but I just realized that I like it as gray hair on a young-looking person (wishful thinking about myself!) -- not gray hair on an older-looking person. I dislike thinking that my gray hair automatically slots me into the category of "old," in the view of younger people -- and therefore invisible as a person to be taken seriously.I'm using gentle and soothing self-talk to help me counter these negative feelings.I've decided that I'm going to try to post here every day. I get so much out of everyone's posts. It's kind of like when I got into AA -- I'm a sober alcoholic -- and felt immediately at home. I feel that all of you know what I'm talking about.Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 True, but for a niche market that mostly encompasses older women themselves. The only woman I can think of who has achieved sexiness past a certain age in the blockbuster movie market is Demi , but there could be others. Mimi Subject: Re: New to the groupTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 6:37 PM I can think of a few older women still portrayed as sexy: Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep, Diane Lane and I think there are a few others.Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone--- Original Message --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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