I'm concerned that as we age we let ourselves go!! Come now ,don't you agree?

[Twinkly]

When we don't feel up to par the worst thing to do ,is let your appearance slip !! I sometimes wonder ,if my encouragement is falling on deaf ears ... What are your thoughts on this matter ??

[Karen1970]

Hi Twinkly. These ears listen I assure you x

[eastwood1932]

I think a lot depends on who you have been all your life. Clean matters but the rest can just be society making judgements. If it makes you feel good to put on the make up etc etc then fine. If has never been your thing then that is fine too. Sometimes a MPN is enough to deal with and clean comfy is all we can manage

Janet

[Twinkly in reply to eastwood1932]

I'm just so glad I promote some discussion ..love to read your comments and air some views ..thanks folks . Ill just keep twinklin then!!

[Val_P]

Sadly it has only been recently that I have really thought much about my appearance other than being clean, and presentable with my dress code. I never appreciated just how important it was to increase your fluid levels and moisturise especially when taking Hydroxy. Over past few years the effects of dehydration & ageing are showing in my skin. Recently I have been suffering with excessively dry itchy skin. I was referred to a dermatologist who reported that my skin is "much older than was years"

I have now invested in creams and lotions (and actually use them), increased my fluid intake and take much more care of my appearance than ever before. I'm even having my hair cut & coloured regularly.

[Phelpsy]

Hi Twinkly, I love reading your posts alway a pleasure , I have recently taken a lot of care with my appearance

1 ,it's a must as MPNers know our body does need TLC now ,& plenty 02

2 ,mentally I feel ready to take the world on when I'm looking my BEST x

Keep on Twinkling xxx

[Nickthedevil]

I can't leave the house without my face on!! But I have always been the same. I agree that if I look my best I feel able to tackle anything!

[beetle]

Hi, Twinkly. It's the old saying "fake it 'til you make it" isn't it. Making yourself look as good as possible makes you feel as good as possible - (of course both those may have limitations!!!). I feel privileged to be able to share your always positive thinking and even though my appearance is not always my top priority I always enjoy reading your contributions. Keep us smiling

[lizzziep]

Where did you get that picture of me??!!! Lol. I never leave the house without mascara and lipstick, never have done. I am a casual wear person, but I can dress up when required. Since being on the hydroxy my skin has been soooooooo dry, I use lotions and potions everyday, although on the plus side my hair used to be so greasy I had to wash it every day and now I don't have to! My hair is getting thinner but I try to use products to create the illusion it is thicker, and have it cut and coloured regularly. I sometimes get asked for proof when asking for pensioners rates (not often enough though!) X

[Twinkly in reply to lizzziep]

Great reply lizzie ...love it ..thanks for the encouragement ....xx

[Little-friend-Susan]

I have started having a manicure every month because my nails are splitting as never before. Now I have had both cataracts done and don't need to wear glasses since I was 13, except for close work, I am putting on the mascara for the first time in years. Neer give up, I say.

[Twinkly]

Good for you Susan ..I'm so glad your eyes are good,, I have French tips ..on my nails that split nowadays ..very posh ,by a little Chinese girl .offered me a job in her salon as booking receptionist ..you will be looking good x feeling better ..with your positive attitude ,,,x

[blulou]

As we age, certain faculties do erode. Example, eyesight - when I first saw your note with the two exclamation points, I was shocked to think that we might let ourselves golf.

(US Open, Chambers Bay on Puget Sound, this week)

[Twinkly]

Why not ,if it floats your boat ,I say go for it ,golf sounds good to me ..

[Loubprv Volunteer]

'Ere! Who've you been looking at? Not me I hope! At 61, I weigh 8stone 6 lbs am 5ft 5ins and wear size 8/10 jeans! I too wear a bit of make up - not loads don't want to overdo it and look like Sadie the painted lady - but I jolly well make an effort.

Without wishing to offend anyone, living here in the north of England, I'm constantly APPALLED by the plethora of overweight porkers wobbling about, aged anything from about 20 to 80. With massive derrières like one of Lockhardt's elephants,

Big sloppy folk, munching fish and chips , pies, sandwiches, sweets, crisps, anything they can lay their great greedy mitts on, in the street, dressed in outfits resembling marquees, with fat feet usually encased in trainers. I could go on and on and on.

Quite frankly these people are simply ghastly to look at - our doctors must be wringing their hands in despair.

As my 93 year old mother says ( not a pain, doesn't take a pill, never been overweight in her life ) - no one fat came out of Belsen.

Eat less, move more, have a little pride in your appearance, and look forward to a healthier future if the former description applies to you!

Well done Violet for raising this topic!

xx

[mol56 in reply to Loubprv]

Just a little insensitive - my beloved father would have been only too pleased to have had a little fat on him when he began his long walk home from Poland to Berlin when he left his P.O.W. camp after two and a half years incarceration.

He always said that you have to take what life throws at you and just get on with it the best you can. A philosophy he followed until his death aged 92. I try to think of his words when I feel down with MPN symptoms which are really nothing to his suffering when he was a young man.

Incidentally, I find trainers very comfortable to wear.

[mol56]

I, too suffer from very dry.

Just be aware that Hydroxycarbamide can increase the chance of skin cancer. I had treatment for a basel cell carcinoma on the bridge of my nose last year. Very successful treatment but was advised that it could return so I use a very high factor sun screen all the time.

I think that standing out in the school playground for many years on lunch time duty probably started it off. My doctor was concerned that I was on Hydroxycarbamide and got me an appointment with the hospital photographer so that I could be seen quickly.

I now plaster on the moisturiser and the sun cream every day.

[Twinkly]

While we are on this subject ,can I ask you ladies ,give me some ideas for the moisturisers you use ?? We all seem to have these problems with the dry skin because of the drugs we need .even my feet seem to suffer ,help me out ...keep twinkling . Xxxx

[piggie50 in reply to Twinkly]

Hi Twinkly,

I use L'Occitane extra rich body cream with Shea butter. Almond oil on my shins, dry skin hand cream and foot cream, all L'Occitane. I use Liz Earle super skin cream on my face and all Liz Earle facial products, cleanse and polish etc. I find it works for me.

I hope you are keeping well, love to Bob.

Judy xx

[mol56]

L'Occitane hand cream is wonderful but a little pricey so makes an ideal Christmas/birthday present. Nivea (in all it's forms) is also good for me.

For itching I have Dermol 200 to use as shower wash.