Topic: Look horrible...only ladies will understand this.
RZR
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20953
posted
I can't even stand to look in the mirror anymore. Since lyme & co, my face has aged at least 10 years....I look older than my 60-year-old sister! I am 47 years old and was starting to need cosmetic work done even before lyme...just much worse now.
I keep trying to wait until I am off abx and fully recovered, but just don't think I can stand it anymore. I am seriously thinking of fat grafting or juvaderm and botox.
I know aging is part of life and doesn't bother some, but I am not one of those people. I honestly think I would feel so much better about everything I have been through and still going through if I could just look better. Everybody I see automatically says, "Have you been sick?"
I have a new LLMD and would like to discuss it with him, but don't want him to think I am crazy! I just don't really know him well yet.
What's your opinion?
-------------------- Tick bite May 2009 Diagnosed June 2009 Posts: 2329 | From SouthEast | Registered: Jun 2009
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posted
My "face" has returned to almost normal after long term treatment. I know its hard to see yourself turn into someone you don't recognize but give it time before doing anything drastic. Get plenty of sleep and DETOX and see only a qualified LLMD for long term treatment. You're body is going through a trauma and nothing will fix it without proper care and then everything else will get better in time.
-------------------- Margaret Posts: 103 | From CT | Registered: Feb 2007
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In the same age category as you...so I can relate. When i had my relapse I felt and looked ten years older. After a few months of antibiotic treatment people commented on how much better I looked! And I did. So health is the best medicine.
That being said, there are cosmetic procedures that don't involve sugery or much risk. Mild chemical peels can give your face a glow, and I believe there are fillers such as hyaluronic acid (don't know commercial name) that could be safely used. I am considering it myself, as I really feel that trying to keep a normal routine and feel good all around is key to moving on the road to health. A good haircut/style helps alot as well. Lyme can be a long road, but you need not deprive yourself of things that make you feel good as long as they are not dangerous. Fortunately, there are non-toxic beauty treatments. A good facial and massage will make you feel alot better. Keeping fit/trim is the key to staying young, walking every day helps. good luck!
Posts: 172 | From ohio | Registered: Feb 2010
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posted
Eat healthy. Drink Kombucha. Use only natural skin care products with no toxins. Exercise as you are able.
I look younger now than I did 10 years ago. You can reverse things. I think Kombucha is HUGE for this. Plus detoxification. I had a friend who was using coffee enemas for detox and everyone wondered what she was doing to look younger.
Detox, detox, detox. I get it, I really do.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
I am also 47. I have had juvaderm type fillers. The last one I just had done "Sculptra". This can actually be used in the temple area as well, which on me had become absolutely concave.
Putting some fullness back in my face made me look better, so I felt better, at least regarding that. I know how you feel.
Posts: 113 | From CA | Registered: Jun 2010
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RZR
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20953
posted
quote:Originally posted by Sophie1234: I am also 47. I have had juvaderm type fillers. The last one I just had done "Sculptra". This can actually be used in the temple area as well, which on me had become absolutely concave.
Putting some fullness back in my face made me look better, so I felt better, at least regarding that. I know how you feel.
Can I ask how long the fillers last on you? I honestly don't know how I will afford it, but feel I desperately need to do something.
-------------------- Tick bite May 2009 Diagnosed June 2009 Posts: 2329 | From SouthEast | Registered: Jun 2009
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17hens
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23747
posted
jennie,
I'd be more than happy to give you some of my face fullness!!
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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Hi, I joke that I need Botox, but that I have enough neurotoxins in my body for now. Maybe when I am better?
Fillers depending on which one can last 6 months or more. Restylane and Juvaderm say about a year, but most of my patients would come about every 6 months for treatment. Perlane can last longer. I personally did not like Sculpta, It is not actually a filler, but a product that stimulates your own body to produce more collagen.
I would say overall, the fillers give good results. I preferred Juvaderm. They are soft and natural if not overdone. Really the only risk is infection (Very small), allergy (very rare) and if you have a history of autoimmune dx I would let your provider know.
I have let myself go. It certainly can add to depression. If your bothered and you think it will help, why not? One syringe was around $500, several patients required 2 initially for the first treatment. Best of luck.
Posts: 747 | From Utah | Registered: Apr 2010
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blinkie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14470
posted
Listen, I have felt this way the past few years. My complexion got to be so bad I hated the sight of myself in the mirror. I have done many combos of hardcore abx.
I think I kicked bart and really nailed down lyme. While I was on abx, my skin was better but when I stopped, it would all come back.
Then, I had a miraculous change when I treated for parasites. Ivermectin and biltricide. My face and skin cleared right up from rashes, dullness, and acne. My skin looks better than it has in nearly 10 years. I can even walk around with no makeup and look in the mirror and think I actually look "cute". My skin looks lush and hydrated. It looks healthy.
My LLMD, who is a VERY intelligent man, thought I had internal as well as external skin parasites. He was right.
Please try prescription parasite meds before you do anything drastic. Some other facial treatments are very dangerous and damaging. Treatment is cheap and fast. Two weeks to start and yo uwill se big changes, if parasites are a problem for you.
Posts: 1104 | From N.California | Registered: Jan 2008
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posted
i feel the same, i ve gained weight, my hair loss is extreme. i will not look good bald and i can't stand anything itchy on my scalp so forget wigs and then there is my dry, blotchy, wrinkled skin. i have such deep fret lines i look angry or irritated all the time. i ve always looked a bit younger then i am now i look at ten years older.
i hope everyone is right and with treatment some of this "old dried up" look will lift.
i am doing retina a cream and that has helped a tiny bit. if i had the cash i would do regular good facials.
i think about botox a lot because my forhead is in a constant pull spasm above one eye, but i am scared abouit adding a neurotoxin.
i am not overly vain but being single and looking as bad as i feel is hard. i would never do anything extreme but a little help if it didn't hurt my health it would be nice.
if anyone has done botox it would be great to hear how it went.
Posts: 161 | From sonoma county | Registered: May 2009
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posted
My medical records state 'patient looks older than stated age'...and I did, especially at 88 lbs. I look better today after some treatment (and weight gain), but I still look old. And it happened overnight.
Posts: 495 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2010
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I look awful! After loosing 25 pounds, now at 103 and then just being so ill for 4 years, what can you expect?
Hopefully if I ever start gaining weight back and can stop running into hurdles, I will finally get well and look well.
I don't really care as much about the looks anymore. Just wanna feel good!
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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I went to her with the same issues. It was more pronounced when I was on western abx. Not so much, now.
Posts: 564 | From Tick Hell | Registered: Oct 2008
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posted
Detox, detox, detox. Raising intracellular glutathione levels may help you a lot.
Botox is a toxin produced by the bacteria that causes botulism. It isn't good for anyone.
Protandim is marketed as an anti-aging supplement. There are several medical journals that demonstrate that is raises glutathione levels up to 300% and other studies that demonstrate its anti-cancer properties.
The ingredients in it are herbs you can find at any health food store.
I would think adding things like NAC, Whey Protein, and Alpha Lipoic Acid along with Protandim, would help raise your glutathione levels even further, creating even better anti-oxidant and anti-aging effects. I was B12 deficient, and supplementation with methyl B12 helped me detox a ton for whatever reason.
Get the toxins out, don't put more in. Get your cells healthy. What's your detox protocol?
posted
Before I was diagnosed with Lyme, I received botox injections from my neurologist which were for muscle spasms in the face/jaw/eye. These had no side effects and reduced all the discomfort associated with contractions,twitches, spasms. Insurance covered it. The only "side effect" was that the forhead creases went away I now know that the muscle spasms were/are caused by Lyme. I am still using this therapy to manage distressing symptoms and have only had beneficial response. That being said, given the choice, I wouldn't inject it into my body for cosmetic reasons. I hope soon to be rid of that type of therapy forever. I would definitely choose non-toxic beauty regimens...there are many! Looking good is important for overall mental/emotional well-being.
Posts: 172 | From ohio | Registered: Feb 2010
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payne
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26248
posted
accept your smile your wink your voice your life youre all beautifull love your self it isnt the cosmetic we all really look at... be you tee full, from within. or just stand next to me i look like what the dog dragged in.. and i use to clean up pretty handsome too.
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