My experience going off of Doxycycline.

Hello all. Considering the amount of information about antibiotics, both informational and misleading, I thought I would keep this miniature log of mygradual stop of the anti-biotic Doxycycline.

Some facts:

- I've been on it for 18 months.
- My dosage was 100mg twice a day. This seemed quite strong considering the other dosages I have read about for people half my size. (I'm 5'6 and around 114 lbs).
- I had moderate acne beforehand, but now have mild.
- I have been using Duac gel for 2 years now as a spot treatment in the mornings and Differin .1% for almost a year at night.
- I wash with Cetaphil daily facial wash (not the gentle version). I moisturize with a 50/50 mixture of Cetaphil moisturizing cream and 100% Aloe Vera gel.

My strategy to completely stop this antibiotic:

I have given myself one month. This means 14 days of lowering the dose to once a day (100mg insted of 200mg). Because I forgot to order probiotics I am eating a cup of yogurt every evening, to hopefully replenish my body with good bacteria.

After the first two weeks, I will be taking doxy every other night, and continuing the yogurt use. I have also started taking 1000mg of Vitamin C once a day, because my immune health isn't as great as it could be.

Anyways, I thought this mini-log would be handy for those of you considering going off your anti biotics. Honestly, if I knew now what I knew then, I wouldn't of went on them. I had no adverse side effects, but it's not a long term solution, and I realize that now.

Days 1-3

So far, so good. It's too early to tell if I am going to have a breakout or not. Let's see what happens from here!

A bit of optimisim...

Hey all. I rarely visit this thread anymore, but the past couple days I have somehow found myself here. I understand that acne can be a depressing thing to have, and to deal with. But I was still somewhat surprised to find members making threads about how wretched their life is because of acne.

I know that some days can be harder than others, but you really only have the present and the future. Acne, while it does suck, should not prevent you from doing whatever it is you want to do. Believe it or not, most people are self-centered, cognitively speaking. Most of an individual's thoughts are centered on their own life and problems. People rarely notice yours. And okay, you may have moderate acne, but really, the only people worth having in your life are those who see past physical appearances. I know it's hard, but it's worth a shot...pretend you don't notice people making remarks about your appearance (if they do). If you are worried about such occurence, don't be. I have never had someone say anything about my face in a derogatory manner.

There are really amazing people in the world...I just thought I might share that. And this song, which always get's me to thinking about life. =)



Yesterday is a wrinkle on your forehead
Yesterday is a promise that you’ve broken
Don’t close your eyes, don’t close your eyes
This is your life and today is all you’ve got now
Yeah, and today is all you’ll ever have
Don’t close your eyes
Don’t close your eyes

This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be
When the world was younger and you had everything to lose

Yesterday is a kid in the corner
Yesterday is dead and over

This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be
When the world was younger and you had everything to lose

Don’t close your eyes
Don’t close your eyes
Don’t close your eyes
Don’t close your eyes

This is your life are you who you want to be
This is your life are you who you want to be

This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, is it everything you dreamed it would be
When the world was younger and you had everything to lose


Don't let acne hold you back. The world is too wonderful to hide away forever.

Frustrated...but I try to remember...

The days have trickled by, yet the next two weeks I anticipate going quickly.

I have been terribly frustrated the past few days, and here is why:

My face is breaking out...

Now, that is to be expected with my current regime. I started Differin about a month ago, so I understand that the IB has to occur, and that I have a good two months before the 12 week mark, but I am going back to school in two weeks. Therein lies the problem.

I wanted to go back to school with a clear face, but it does not look like it will be happening. One of my best guy friend's is having a get together in about a week, and I pray my face doesn't look like crap. We are almost in a dating relationship...and I'd rather be clear when I see him next. =/

Another problem: Today at work, (I temporarily work at a resturant this summer) a guy asked me out to dinner with him. At first we were all joking around, but then later he asked me if I thought he was joking. I said yes. He asked why and I said I just thought he was. Then he sorta got offended and wrote down his phone number on a piece of paper and told me he wasn't joking. I was, and am, confused. He's a very arrogant guy, but hot, and I have no idea why he would want to go out with me. =/

When I have such crappy days I try to remember that I am soooo very fortunate to have only acne. I know that most people don't focus on that aspect, but in the wake of the olympics I am reminded of my place in the international community. I am so fortunate to be in a country as prosperous as the US. Yes, I may not agree with a lot of the policies passed in recent years, but I am lucky to be where clean water, food, and shelter is avaliable to me.

I just needed to get a couple things off my chest...I don't want to sound preachy or telll you to just shut up and deal with your acne cause people in the world would love to have your problem instead of the one in which they have been dealt...but I know that doesn't help. Trivializing the problem doesn't make it go away and at times I hate people for doing so. I just want to extend a hug to everyone who needs it and I hope that we all are cured of this affliction as soon as possible. Just hang in there. =)

I CANNOT believe this!!!

Okay, so I thought I was finally clearing up for good, but not now. All the sudden I"ve started breaking out again. The past couple of weeks I have had a gradual buildup and now I have a few pimples and loads of bumps. WTH?!

Since november of 2007 I have done this regime:

Wash twice a day with Cetaphil
Take 100mg of Doxycycline twice a day
Use DUAC topical gel at night.

NOW, I went to my derm around 2 weeks ago, and she said to continue what I was doing, but to add in Differin at night and use the Duac in the morning.

I haven't picked up the Differin yet, but I will be in the next couple of days. Should the combo of these two help stop my acne, and potentially help with my current red marks? I'm really frustrated right now that I have noticable pimples. =(

Just of the shower: (very scary...)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v87/moonmyst1/019.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v87/moonmyst1/018.jpg

Much happier with makeup!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v87/moonmyst1/007-1.jpg

I have a dermo appointment next week. tips?

So, I've been going to the derm since about October-ish of last year, and I am going back yet again. I am starting to break out a bit, and would like advice on what to talk to her about.

This has been my regime since November:
I currently take 100mg of Doxycycline twice a day.
Wash twice a day with cetaphil
Spot treat with Duac

These were taken last night, at around midnight, so I don't have any makeup on. Sorry if they are a bit blurry. I was tired.lol

Side with most red marks:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v87/moonmyst1/007.jpg

Other side:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v87/moonmyst1/008.jpg

For fun!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v87/moonmyst1/003.jpg

As you can tell, I'm not 100% clear. What should I maybe ask about?