Advice

i'm clear which is great as my regime has worked wonders for me, and i suppose after our 3 years of being and living together my boyfriend has finally come around to the idea that its time to do something about his condition.

he has fairly severe back acne, with some pretty nasty scaring. I personally don't see him as any less attractive, (i think he's sexy as hell) but i know its a major problem for him as he won't go swimming and always wears an undershirt, he rarely takes his shirt off if ever or does so in private as its SUCH a huge deal for him.

so I told him if he wanted to i'd take the first step for him, so i referred him to my dermatologist (who does self referral) within 2 days he had an appointment. I told him to mention the years he's suffered (he's 24 so thats 10 years) and how he can't swim etc. and ask about accutane due to the scaring (the pimples he gets are pretty huge, like quarter sized) the doctor signed him up on the spot and he got a blood test today.

he's still a little nervous about taking the plunge as i suppose he's spent 10 years living in fear. I'm really knowledeable about the whole situation and have offered any help he would like including what kind of chapstick to use if he starts getting cracking lips and the possibility of suggesting to the derm minocycline (one of the wonder drugs that worked for my mild but persistant hormonal acne) to prevent some of the potential IB as he's only scheduled for 12 weeks so i'm assuming thats a pretty heavy dose.

he is terrified of medication, won't even take a tylenol.

any words of encouragement or am i doing everything right so far? i've tried to just sort of be there and not make it a huge deal just keep telling him that he's doing something for himself he's wanted for awhile and so not to worry that we all have to sometimes take care of our health (i have a psychiatric condition so i'm basically taking a health care year while i get more intensive treatment myself)

but have any of you had the experience of finally being clear and then dealing with a partner's acne and their road to recovery? any points of advice of dealing with a guy afraid of pills but desperate for a very effective solution?

i just want to be sure i can be the girl who can be the one he goes to as he will not discuss this with anyone else so i'm sort of the main support system here and i set the ball rolling (with his permission) so i want to be sure i can give him all the help i can.

i've referred him to this site to the galleries so he can see the accutane logs to help him understand the healing process.

i think i'm doing everything right but maybe i'm missing something?

let me know, as much as its a huge deal for him it is for me too as i want to be able to be the person who he can count on for support as i know its a bit of an ordeal for many.

what the hell happened?

i know the server was down but now my gallery has completely disappeared as well as all my recent posts. what the hell happened? is this a permanent problem? will i have to upload images all over again?

Seroquel

Odd question but i figured i'd give it shot.

i have been perscribed for several months now Seroquel, a powerful antipsycotic for my many psychiatric conditions. Now this drug is a pain in the ass as about 30 minutes into it and i'm passing out cold and wake up feeling hung over and unable to wake up regardless of when i take it. I've TRIED to lower the dose...doesn't work so i decided as an experiment to stop taking it. Rest assured i'm really educated and wouldn't recommend anyone else doing it. i'm doing this as i have done this in the past (been on and off this stuff but haven't been on it as long as this time) Also i'm doing this as my doctor is on vacation so i have no other real point of reference. This is not reckless behaviour on my part in the least as its quite safe to stop taking seroquel as it was mainly perscribed for sleep regulation and to stop psychotic episodes when i become altered which hasn't happened in awhile and if it did i would go back on it faster than you could snap your fingers. /end disclaimer

well as of late i've been breaking out a bit on my jaw line (nothing major, very very small pimples like 2 so i'm not taking major breakout..... but i've had ultra clear skin for awhile now so it definetely means something)

I also even tho i'm on diane 35 which regulates hormones as well as spirolactone (but more importantly diance 35 is considered a BC pill) i somehow wind up with my period a week early WHILE taking the BC pill? i haven't missed a day on the pills so this is actually quite implausible. i'm not talking spotting which is normal if you miss a day, are under extreme stress or double up on your pills with no "week to menstruate" in between i mean this is full on out of the fucking blue.

but back to the question. Has anyone experienced hormonal fluctuations with seroquel which is NOT indicated as having any real hormonal properties as compared to other medications in its "family"

if it is causing this then i'll just reluctantly go back on it. however if its NOT i'd sure as hell like to know whats fucking up my hormones.

posting some new pics for a new album

these pics posted fine onto facebook, similar in type to how they load here however when i go to "browse" and select from "my pictures" the picture in question (which is a jpeg for reference) i get a 500 error and a time out.

what gives? what can i do?

Ask Christina

I find that often enough i seem to be drawn to giving advice, and i've gotten some postive comments, so i'm offering myself here (i am not licensed mind you) as a dear abby kind of person, if you have something thats bothering you, weighing on your mind, feel free to comment and i'll see if i can help.

I have gone through a lot myself so i do understand frustration and i can't promise answers but hey, its a start right if you have someone who is willing to listen and not judge

if it turns into a joke or a flame war tho mods feel free to close it.

im just here if you have any questions or concerns. I am planning on a career in social work so i DO care. I find that its hard to find someone willing to listen, but i'm here and trust me nothing is too weird. i don't scare easily.

however if you are suicidal i suggest you call the sucide hotline 1-800-SUICIDE and a mod will be notified so that nothing bad happens as i want everyone to feel that they have someone to go to if they need it.

anyways here i am so....ask Christina i'm no expert but hey, i'm willing to listen and trust me i'll learn just as much from you as you ever could from me so its win win

consider this an outlet, and someone who cares.