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Does your face look different during a flare-up?

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Posted 2/8/2015 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
They always say that fibro and cfs are silent diseases and you can't tell by looking at someone that he or she is sick. However, when I get a flare-up I actually look like I'm dying. My face is pale and droops, and I have bags and dark circles under my eyes. I look completely different than I normally do.

Does anything like this happen to you? smhair
Posted 2/8/2015 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
In public places, I've had perfect strangers ask me if I was okay, during a flare.

I could probably win a prime part in a Zombie movie. Little makeup needed.
Posted 2/8/2015 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
LOL...I needed that. Hey, that's a good part-time job idea. I wouldn't have to shower or anything. Stinking, etc. would just be considered "really getting into the role." YES! I'm geting on craigslist right now to see if I can pick up any zombie gigs next week.
Posted 2/8/2015 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
I know the Michael Jackson Thriller dance!!! I know some good Zombie moves.
Posted 2/9/2015 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Michelle, Ive had people that I know ask me if I'm ok. I just look really tired and if it lasts more than a couple of days my neck will break out and I've ne had acne, even when I was young.
Posted 2/9/2015 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, I can stagger like a zombie if I don't sleep well. Throw in no baths for several days, my roughest clothes, and I will be a shoe-in for the next Walking Dead show.😱
Posted 2/9/2015 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
I have had people notice that my whole face changed as i began feeling bad..it can sneak up on us in a few minutes at times...feeling ok to suddenly very not...

Lj
Posted 2/9/2015 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
I get very stiff when getting up after sitting for long time. People around me see that and usually make a comment. People are always asking me how I feel today because they remember my old days where I was so sick all the time. I wish they would forget that because I sometimes don't want to remember those days. Because someone's always asking me how I feel I wonder if I really do look bad. Lol
Posted 2/9/2015 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
i feel the same way about standing in for a zombie hahah. i get the "head tilt" are you ok?? when i am flaring or just unwell! i get dark circles under my eyes, my face swells and to top it off i have a port stain birthmark on my forehead which glows red when i am sick omg lol I've had people ask who hit me in the face hahah. oh gosh its not easy for us zombies ;)
Posted 2/9/2015 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
I know exactly what you mean. I had the cashier at the supermarket ask me if I was okay. I also can be kind of vague while in a flare. sometimes I think my mind just likes to check out until the big pain is over.

I also think I sometimes forget to use face creams every day. I looked in the mirror a couple of weeks ago and thought ... when did I get so old? I'm not a kid. I'm 50. But I suddenly had huge lines. I just got motivated to drink lots more water and make sure that I use my face creams every day and night.

It's better now - the lines I mean. However, the bags under my eyes are collecting. I think they are going for the full luggage set. It's starting to look like I have everything but the weekender bag ......

I found a great cream that helps that from Burts Bees. It didn't bug my contacts and was working wonderfully until .... I lost it somewhere. I keep meaning to get a new one . I had been down to just the primary baggage set .....

LOL
Posted 2/9/2015 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
I cannot believe you asked this. I was just wondering the same thing. My husband knows just by looking at me how I am feeling. But the dark circles under my eyes are so bad for me. I have tried every cream under the sun. For years I thought it was sinus issues, and it was in part, but it's the dark circles that get me. Yes, I have had people ask me if I am o.k. because I feel so awful that I just cannot speak and am quiet.

And akangel, this is exactly how I feel now. Sometimes at work I am embarrased to get up to go to the copier because I cannot walk briskly and feel so stiff. I am shy and don't like to talk about it so I try to hide it. I have even gone into the ladies room and just cried which gave me a bit of relief. Sometimes explaining to people who are well meaning I'm sure is as hard as going through the symptoms. Please tell me how you got to a place that it is behind you and you feel better?
Posted 2/9/2015 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for this thread, lol. Yes, some bad face days.
Posted 2/10/2015 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
I can get even more pale one bad days and if I push myself too much that comes on or I get red as well. People can always seem to tell when things are getting super bad. I'm glad it's not just me lol
Posted 2/27/2015 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
I never noticed it until my daughter told me that she can tell when I have a flare because I have big dark circles all around my entire eye. I guess you could call it flare face.. :)
Posted 2/27/2015 11:37 AM (GMT 0)
I was wondering if anyone has the butterfly rash almost like in lupus. I've had one for years, it just won't go away.
Posted 2/28/2015 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
Mom, have you've been checked for lupus?
I hope your rheumatologist is not basing it totally on blood work, because there is 11 indicators for lupus and you need to meet only 4 of them.
Posted 5/25/2015 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
I get dark circles and my eyes kinda sink in a bit. I even swell in cheek area. You guys?
Posted 5/26/2015 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
Yep, SP. That describes my face except I turn pale too, with red blotches.
Posted 5/26/2015 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
When I am in a flare I think I look like I have been crying....definitely have those dark circles under the eyes.

I have been tested for Lupus repeatedly - all negative - but I can get a mini butterfly rash. It is across the bridge of my nose and down the sides into the crease but doesn't spread across my cheeks. I can usually feel it a bit - sort of a warmth. Huh.
Posted 5/26/2015 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
Let me go take a look in the mirror. I will tell you that when I look at pictures of myself I can see in some that I was in a lot of pain and could not even say cheese.

I am sitting in much head pain. I went to my pool therapy this morning. Our weather went from freezing on the weekend to so hot today. No rain yet. I need to lose weight so I have to keep moving. I am borderline for Diabetes. I am making changes to the way I eat. Also, been on a med for low thyroid for a couple weeks. Was hoping the pain might let up some. Not yet.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...
Posted 5/26/2015 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Lol my bf calls it my ferengi forehead. He knows I'm hurting when I wrinkle up.
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