Blushing!!!!!!!!

[Handymandy73]

I'm 48 and have spent everyday thinking about blushing!!! I've tried hypnosis, CBT therapy...these haven't worked. When I was 18 I went to London as I wanted surgery, I was told that I wasn't effected enough by this condition so I couldn't have the surgery...I am angry....blushing is having such a negative impact on my life, it makes me feel different, I feel as if people are looking at me....I'm jealous of people who don't blush!!!! I've heard it all before, people don't notice your blushing, don't let if take over life and don't think about it your make it worse!!! I can be ok one minute and terrible the next....I can be talking to a really close friend, family or a stranger and have an attack. I've just had enough....I wear make up to hide, I cant be me....I don't know who I am? I have a voice in my head trying to control this condition....I just want to be free, it's like being in a prison!!! Frustrating I love to be with people, talk and share experiences, but has been such a challenge....I know my life would be so different if I didn't suffer from this "blushing!!!!"....anyone out there who can suggest a treatment, it would be a dream come true to not blush!!! And yes I know blushing is a natural physical reaction, but mine isn't "normal"....you should not go bright red when just having a everyday conversation! Thank you for taking the time to read this, just need to feel able to experience life without this barrier, this weight heavy on me!

Hi ! I don't have any helpful advice but just wanted you to know you're not alone. I blush constantly too. And I don't mean just a pretty little flourish of blush , I mean a giant scarlet face 🙈 I'm really pale normally so I feel like it's extra noticeable.

It usually happens when im talking about something emotive, lying lol, if I'm talking to a large group if people (I'm quite happy talking in front of lots of people apart from when this happens) when I've had a drink, or when I get self conscious about what people are thinking of what I'm saying. Sometimes though it just seems to randomly happen.

People will ALWAYS comment and say how red i am when it happens, which inevitable makes it worse. Also how the hell is anyone meant to respond to that.

I just tend to wear concealer and foundation most days, it doesn't disguise if completely but definitely helps it be less noticeable. Ive found myself turning around or looking down sometimes in the middle of conversations or holding things in front of my face to try and stop people seeing. I know when it's happening as my face gets really hot!!

It's really crappy and I do feel your pain. It annoys me as it's like my skin is giving away how I'm feeling inside when I'm nervous etc.

Going to follow this thread for any tips etc, good luck with it.

Thanks for your comment. I have let this be such a big part of my life ...I'm angry that it has so much control. Hopefully we will both get some ideas on how to improve our conditions....I just want to know what it's like not to go bright red....and how this would impact on me! The positives which could come from this.....

Who told you you couldn't have the surgery? Were you referred to a consultant?

I have had the same surgery (albeit twenty years' ago). The operation I had was to cure my sweaty hands as they dripped constantly. It was called a cervical sympathectomy. I'm not sure they go down that route anymore though.

My point is that this as I understand it is the same procedure to stop blushing. The surgeon who did my op told me this as it's the same nerve they operate on. Although mine wasn't for a blushing problem as such I haven't blushed or flushed since. I did use to get a nervous chest rash when I was younger and I haven't had that since. Also my hands hardly sweat at all since I had the operation which is the reason I had it.

I had to speak to two GP's before I got one that took me seriously enough to refer me.

You've got rosacea Op, can be controlled somewhat with tetracycline antibiotics.

Sorry for the slow reply...thank you for taking the time to comment. My doctor was really great she referred me to the London hospital, but the consultant didn't think I needed the surgery ( but I did!). My doctor also referred me for hypnotherapy...this didn't help...I just didn't know what to do...I know that my life has been so impacted by my condition and I feel so frustrated. I haven't try medication, maybe it's worth a go...I get so down about my blushing, I just want to know what it is like to live without it...I think about it everyday!

Hi, thank you so much for the information. I will book myself an appointment and try this treatment. Many thanks for passing this on...fingers crossed this will be the answer I have been looking for for over 30 years! X

Hi Op. Will you update your post with how you get on at the appointment please? This is a problem I have too and it gets me down and upset. It's held me back over the years in work as well. I wish there was a simple cure! X

Were you blushing profusely when you saw the specialist? I wonder why they thought you didn't need the treatment or operation?

When I went to see the consultant about my sweaty palms it was the middle of winter and they were dripping when I saw him and he actually took hold of my hands and straight away said yes you have a problem!

So once I got past the GP stage it was pretty easy for me. About two years waiting on the NHS though but that was twenty years' ago. At the hospital I went to they did this operation once a week and as I say from what I understand the nerve they sever is the same nerve that controls facial blushing. I never ever go red now either. Although it was never a major issue for me (facially) although my upper chest used to go mottled and beetroot if I was nervous but it doesn't anymore. So it kind of killed two birds with one stone really.

Afternoon, I believe that due to the side effects from the surgery he didn't think that just suffering from blushing warranted taking the chance....he did check my hands and commented on them being dry. I don't think non suffers realise the impact this condition has. I have to wear foundation to give me confidence to face the world. I have my better days, but equally I have my bad days which really bring me down. I must get an appointment with my doctor to try and get this sorted once and for all...it will be like a weight of my shoulders...I can experience life to the full! X

Mmm, it depends how much it's affecting you. With me I couldn't even write on paper without getting the paper soaking wet. I couldn't drive etc and I wouldn't hold my boyfriend's hand. It affected everything I did.

I've had no side effects from my surgery. There are risks with any operation and the only risk I was told about was the nerve they operate on is near to the one near your eyelid so if they severed the wrong nerve it could give you a droopy eye (which I was assured was rare and if it did happen could be sorted).

Yes go back to your gp as there may be other less invasive routes you can go down.