9/24
I could write pages about my battles, but I'll save you all that. I'm a 26 year old female. Struggled with acne since I was a teenager. Started getting cysts about the age of 22. I've been a acne.org lurker for years, on and off. I've struggled with what I think is hormonal acne. Some years are better than others. This year has been an off year. I used to get one cyst per month along with my non-inflamed acne. So far this month I have four. The random pimples do not bother me in the slightest. There's nothing more damaging to your self-confidence than having nickle-sized lumps on your face. The cysts have became so frequent that I've starting getting scars in the last year.

So, I've started on my Minocycline journey. I know it isn't the best option. But right now, it's the only one I've got. I've taken it before, for a short period of time, with results. I just started a week ago. I'm taking 100 mg twice a day. When I started last week, I had a cluster of three "smaller" cysts on my chin. And one lone cyst on my nose.

Today the cyst on my nose has went down and not caused too much ruckus. But, the three on my chin, apparently, are not intimidated by the Mino. I had a couple non-inflamed spots appear in the last couple days. I'm thinking I may try and use an epsom salt soak on my chin area. Has anyone tried the epsom salt? I've heard it helps draw the cyst to a head.

good luck! if you think its hormonal, maybe if mino doesnt work, a hormonal treatment might?

i'm also currently on antibiotics, so if you need any support or advice, feel free to let me know!

Thanks. I'm willing to try anything once. I've been on birth control before and it did help somewhat. Now, it's just an issue of money. BC isn't covered by insurance so it's either I pay $50 a month or $8 for a month's supply of mino. I've never had too much luck with the topical creams like Retin-A or differin. Hope your current regimen is working for you.

Day 11 on antibiotics:

So far no new bumps to report. One of the cysts on my chin popped a couple days ago. I know you aren't supposed to pop them. But usually I can apply warm compresses nightly to a cyst and after a week, it will come to a head. The other two beside it have not improved. If anything, they've gotten worse. And they really hurt too! I'm really worried that they are too far below the skin to ever come to a head. I'm dying to go have them injected with cortisone. But, I'm honestly too embarrassed to even do that.

Today I bit the bullet and got a cortisone shot in the twin sisters on my chin. I was so worried if I didn't that they were going to permanently scar my face. (If they haven't already, seeing as they were there about a month). I go to a family doctor to get my cortisone shots because it takes weeks/months to get into my derm. The women there are always nice but I can't help feeling like a freak. I'm praying that they flatten out and don't atrophy badly. I've had a few smaller breakouts on my left cheek but none that I'm worried about lingering. Along with my minocyline, I'm going to start my Aleve daily for the next 7 days before my period. We will see if something works.

Well, I'm happy to say that the cysts on my chin have flattened out. There's still a dark mark where they were but I'm sure that it will fade. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't return. I'm still on my aleve. I have a few small breakouts on my forehead and nose but nothing noticeable with makeup. It's amazing how any sign of imrovement of your acne just lifts your mood drastically. So far, I don't think the Mino is helping. I guess I need to give it more time. It definitely hasn't helped the cysts I've had. I'm hoping it is just pushing all the bacteria and gunk through my skin right now.

I'm taking spironolactone 100 mg.(a.m.), solodyn xl(minocyclin)45mg.(p.m.), putting atralin gel .05% on (p.m.) only, and washing w/cetaphil 2x/day. It's working!! But, if I wouldn't pick at my face, it would clear up more quickly!! I've been using the atralin gel for 8 days, and taking the 2 meds. for 32 days. Before the atralin, I was using differin gel 0.3%, which caused redness, irritation, and itching along my jawline and my cheeks. My face also became swollen, along w/my eyelids, which also became leathery and scaly, my eyes began seeping, and my vision was blurry. My derm told me I'd contracted contact dermatitis. I used verdeso foam for a week and it cleared up. I'm pleased w/the improvement in my complexion. However, i'd rather not take so much medication!! Hope you're doing better and haven't had to go for more shots. continued success to you. Please keep posting.

Well, if I said the cysts returned, would you be surprised? I wasn't either, just disappointed. So, here I am months later and the cysts are still there. Some days they will cover really well and others it looks like crap. I'm still on minocycline and have even added Ocella (generic for Yasmin). No new huge eruptions. Just the usual small whiteheads and such. I've resorted to leaving the cysts mostly alone. I'll put Mario Beduscu's buffering lotion on once at night. And I'll usually ice them every other night for five minutes. Ever had the urge to just grab a knife and start slicing at a cyst. Not that I would. But, sometimes I wonder....