My Huge Face

[Smarti99]

My face has become so big, it actually hurts and I don't want to see anyone. I have trouble looking down because my chin in in the way. I am so miserable. I finally got a job interview after 1 1/2 years of unemployment and I really don't think I can do the job and i really look funny with this huge face. I am so down I don't know what to do

[55grove]

I am so sorry for you. It will go when you get better. Meanwhile get rid of the mirrors. They just remind you of your temporary looks. All the best.

[trish29]

Hello Smarti99 .. Yes I can sympathise with you over your face .. I've been going through this for a long time now and hate having my photo taken especially with my Grandchildren .. I look back at photos of my 60th Birthday in my early years of PMR and its nice to see that I had a Normal slim face . I have done a lot of reading up on other sufferers comments on this Forum and I believe it gets better as you go down on the steroids.. My family say it doesn't matter ..that I am still me . Good luck with your new employment .. That is a great achievement to work again .. I worked for the first year or so of PMR ,it wasn't easy but maybe meeting new people and having different interests will help you ..Best Wishes trish29

[Jan1961]

Hi. Great news re your interview.. If they didn't think you can do the job you wouldn't get an interview... Go, be confident and show them they would be fools if the didn't employ you... Your face will eventually go down, as mine did ... Remember you're still that same person inside... Looks change, inside doesn't ... Good luck and go and take that job

[PMRpro Ambassador]

As the others have said - it will improve, honestly. And I agree with "avoid mirrors" - when my face was at its most "hamsterish" I hated going to the hairdresser and, into the bargain, my daughter got married. The mother of the bride spent her time avoiding the photographer believe me!

However - whilst I do really appreciate the agony of being fat-faced when you never have been before, maybe going out and looking at the people around you when you go shopping might help you feel a lot better about yourself. I have just spent over a month in the UK and I couldn't help feeling almost skinny - I have lost 15 kilos since the last time I was there. Observation suggests that at least half the UK population must be on pred judging by the midriff bulges and chubby cheeks. Cold reflection tells me that can't be true - they are overweight because they eat too much and exercise too little.

I'm not being unsympathetic, but obesity has become so common in the UK that other people are less likely to judge you, or even notice, that you are heavier than you should be. And YOU have a good reason - you need medication for a chronic illness that could have left you blind or in a wheelchair if untreated. My granddaughter at 14 years of age was on very high doses of pred for severe brittle asthma - she went from a stunning young woman who shared mum's size 8 clothes to a size 16 (and really, probably larger at over 80 kilos) and developed the hamster cheeks and horrendous stretch marks on her arms. Horrid yes - but she is alive and has just managed 4 months without a hospital admission for the first time in 5 years or so.

If you are really so down you need professional help. Whether you can get it or not I can't say since the NHS waiting list for CBT (talking therapies) is horrendous and possibly private is the only option but talking to your GP may achieve something. And sometimes there is a place for medication.

I hope you are successful in getting a job - because that too is affecting your feelings of self-worth - and that you cope with it. You will - did you by the way have GCA? If so, that is covered by disability discrimination law and you would help the company's figures!

[Hidden]

I've put on 3 stones since I started 60 mgs pred last year. Couldn't stop eating and I just gave up on beauty altogether whilst I felt so ill. I now look just like my father (and I'm female!). I can always spot another steroid hamster when I'm out and I feel a surge of love and empathy towards them. There was a lady on Countdown the other week who looked just like us and I was rooting for her.

Be kind to yourself. It can't be helped and we would be goners without our drugs. It's temporary. I hope you get your job. Take a picture of gorgeous old you and tell tell them that's what you look like when you are off your drugs.

[Smarti99]

Thanks everyone for your support. I am so glad I found this site as I don't have to explain the illness or the drug side effects. I really want this job, but I am anxious about my stamina as well. I am hoping if I get the job, i will be so excited, it will give me the energy to do well and get better. I have had a rough 1 1/2 years and PMR and GCA was the most recent set back. I am hoping this job will be the turning point and my life will improve. I have a nice loose outfit and I will do my hair and makeup. Smile and feel the positive energy from my friends on this site

Cheers, Smarti99

[MJJ7960]

Smarti99, congratulations on the interview. You sound primed to give the interview a good go. There are many of us in this forum who are working in spite of this illness. I hadn't really thought of it this way, but I do believe having good work to do does give me energy, as you suggested. There are certainly days when I have to accept the limitations this condition brings with it and accommodate to get through the day. But in general the work brings focus and purpose to my days. I wish you well in the interview. If it is right for them and for you, it will happen.

[Smarti99 in reply to MJJ7960]

Thanks for your good wishes

[Badgergirl]

Good luck with the interview Smart 199! Well done. Just getting an interview these days is such an achievement.

[Smarti99]

Thx, wish me luck

[5lupins]

Hi "huge face". I called myself " fat face " , for quite some time and grew to ignore it and how I looked. I also just have my hair very plain now. Use a good shampoo and just go . Any energy I have goes on life, and that is still very little. My face now? Very wrinkly . I love this site after five years of feeling alone and wish you well for the future. Take care " crinkle face".

[tomasina]

It will get better, believe me. My friend said it reduces wrinkles, and she wanted some of it!! There were times when I though a burka was a good idea.

Good luck with the interview.

Tomasina x

[Caroljoy60]

I had moon face so bad when I was supposed to go to a big celebration and get my 30 year pin. I did not attend. Some people did not recognize me, even ones I saw regularly. Do not look in the mirror until it goes away.