I took Accutane.... now I don't know what I have HELP

[antwantsclear]

Hello again, I wanted to share some updates.

It seems to me that I don't get tomato red from embarrasement as easily as I did during and shortly after accutane. But the (what I believe is) Rosacea "attacks" keep happening. I've noticed that I usually get them in the evening, specially when I'm having an abundant dinner, or a beer, etc. (the normal triggers). But these "attacks" only last for 1-2 hours, and then they go... and they can come and go several times a day. The feeling on my cheeks is similar to when I get sunburned...

I also have circulation problems in my hands, they are always cold, my nails always look blue... this is because my veins in my extremities contract very easily and don't let much blood pass. But then again whenever I have a face flare-up, some patches of my hands (always the same patches) turn bright red, and my hands get red, hot and super blotched, as if suddenly the veins expanded a lot.

I'm wondering if what I have is rosacea, or if I could have experiencing something else, because of the ears, hands... Anyway, thank you!

I think you are answering your own question in part about one way to control rosacea or erythromelalgia flushing: avoiding alcohol will be very helpful and also avoiding wheat and rice and sugar.

[owldog]

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[Jamoverton]

Hey, I have something very similar. I was on accutane too and it's been a year since I stopped. Mine looks very similar to your photos. I get the flaring/ flushes on my ears and really bad on my cheeks. I also now get it on the tip of my nose, the palms of my hands and my toes. I've actually recently been diagnosed with atypical facial erythromelalgia. The treatment is similar to rosacea treatments for flushing and for the neurogenic type so there's definitely some cross over.

I have circulation problems too and have Raynaud's as well in my hands and feet. Both conditions of erythromelalgia and Raynaud's can coexist.

I think the most important thing is to avoid anything that may be exacerbating the flushing. I get it nightly too even when avoiding all the potential things that can cause it, it still happens. If you are getting the flushing while you sleep or throughout the night mirtazapine may be helpful. I take it at 15mg a night. I've had no side effects from it and it really helps my sleep. Also beta blockers may be a help to you, perhaps something like propranolol.

Otherwise if you can try and get an appointment with a neurologist they may be able to diagnose erythromelalgia. None of the derms I saw acknowledged the condition.

Do you think facial erythromelalgia and neurogenic rosacea are different in some ways? My symptoms sound spot on to yours.

[owldog]

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[Niña de Fuego]

Have you ruled out Erythromelalgia?

No, in fact I didn't know about this condition. How do Erytromelalgia symptoms differ from those of Rosacea?

[Brady Barrows]

No, in fact I didn't know about this condition. How do Erytromelalgia symptoms differ from those of Rosacea?

Are you able to click on the link to Erythromelalgia?

As Jamoverton points out, you may want to also rule out Neurogenic Rosacea, one of thirteen variants of rosacea.

[RosieRiveter]

Hey I have this as well, 7 months off after taking for only 2.5 weeks, any improvements?

[Brady Barrows]

Hey I have this as well, 7 months off after taking for only 2.5 weeks, any improvements?

How much isotretinoin did you take in mg per day for 2.5 weeks? Seven months is a long time after taking isotretinoin. It maybe possible that the isotretinoin hasn't any relationship with what your are experiencing now. Have you been to a dermatologist for a diagnosis of what you are experiencing now?