question: Hi, Im 41 years of age turning 42 this year. My main problem is that I have been struggling with hyperpigmentation of the face which started 5 years ago. It started above my upper lip area and is now around the upper cheeks and spots around lower cheeks. Ive used every atopic treatment that the dermatologists and plastic surgeons have given me. I ve spent lots of money on laser treatments at the Epiclinic in Adelaide as well as at the Medical laser clinic. I ve even gone off the pill in attempt to get ride of this depressing skin disorder , only off for 2 months as I had developed other problems with the skin( i.e) acney over the chest area. I have one blood test and in the process of another tomorrow as I requested the Dr to check my Thyroid Function again and Hormone levels. I do know only that my cholesterol was up alittle last test and have been very dilligent in exercising and detoxing and eating right. I am not over weight and have been told I look great. Its a genetic thing this high cholesterol , however I m still taking it seriously. I dont like not taking Dianne 35 (the pill) as I experience irregular periods and cystic breakouts on chest and some on my face when I dont take it.Hence why I ve asked for the hormone tests etc. I have been on the internet recently and have read alittle about Addisons scleroderma . I may be clutching at straws but experiencing frequency and dehyration mood swings,fatigue ,back aches and stomach upsets also faint when standing from a lying position. My blood pressure has always been normal to low . I ve had an ultrasound and they only found a 2.5cm cyst in right kidney. I dont think this is causing the freqency so I put it down to nervous tension and anxiety which I experience from time to time or pelvic floor weakness and went to see a pelvic floor Dr. After reading about addison scleraderma Im leaning more and more in its favour. What test do I NEED tO ASK MY DR FOR? She is not that cluey and I need to prompt her every step of the way. My dermatologist has given me another hydoquinone mixture to apply alternatively with Kojic acid cream which i know isnt going to work.It lightens it by peeling affect but comes back in colour over time again. Also suggested changing the pill over to Yaz to try something different.The thing is up until 5-6 years ago the Dianne 35 pill was my best friend and fixed everything. My skin is olive in complection and as been discribed as type 3. I ve had dermabrations and laser hair removal of the face in the past which I thought triggered the whole thing in the first place. Drs are saying it s partly hormonal,age and skin type, sun exposure, pregnancy etc.I didnt have the pigmentato during pregnancy and I have been very careful to always apply sun screen and always wear a hat when in the garden or in the sun. I ve always tanned easily and still do without trying. My skin problems truely started in my early 20s with adult acney. I don t have scaring and consider myself lucky to miss the adolescent brakeouts everyone else had at the time but am sure paying for it with this other problem. Can you give me any advise because I feel like locking myself in a room and never coming out . I m sick of trying to cover it up with makeup and quite sick of dermatologist and plastic surgeon and the large amounts of pigmentation products I ve purchased that claim to work but don t. Many thanks Sandra .D dbdemasi@iprimus.com.au