14 replies to this topic

[Iwantniceskin]

Hi,
I'm a newcomer to the site. I have had acne since I was 10 and it drove me nuts as a teenager, but for the last year or two I have been relatively okay - i/e a number of spots that I can deal with. I'm now 22, but about 5 months ago, my skin got really bad again and I started having to cover it up more with more make-up etc and it was really starting to get to me. But in the last 8 weeks it has got unbearably bad - but this time a different type of acne to the type i had as a teenager - now it is pustular, widespread and non healing and RED RED RED! So inflamed.I'm obssessed, driving my family crazy and there are at least 50 pustules on my face. i feel like everyone is recoiling from me and it is noticeable. It's affecting me badly - I don't want to leave the house and I am dreading going back to college on Monday after the Easter break because it is worse than before I left. I had been prescribed 4weeks of a topical treatment by the student doctor and then in despair went to my own doctor this week - I'm now on erythromycin tablets and a topical as well. Things aren't getting any better - tho i know it takes time, and worryingly, I have spots appearing on my back (I have only ever had acne on my face.)I'm on the waiting list to see a dermatologist as I live in N.Ireland.
Anyway, if you've got to the end of this, well done, I'm just wondering how long I should giev the antibiotics to kick in before beggin g for accutane. I hadn't heard of it until today when I logged on in despair. Any advice is very welcome, thank you,
E (Iwantniceskin).

[A-Shizzle]

Hi, and welcome to acne.org
I'm sorry you're having such a horrible time right now with acne.
I don't have much experience with antibiotics or perscription topicals since I only took 3 (that didn't work)
Where is most of your acne? Have you ever had a food allergy test? Do you eat dairy products? What's your diet like? Any big changes that happened around the time of the acne returning?
I have a fantastic regimen, but I had hormonal acne only and now it's under control.

[hunterntylersmom]

So sorry to hear about your flare-up. i have had bad skin on and off for years, i am 36 now. after a bad flareup last year, i was put on antibiotics and was frustrated at first cos it did not improve. As bad as it is, give it a few weeks, after about 6 weeks i started to really see an improvement. It takes a while to get in your system and working.

i can't take erythromycin, i am allergic. they put me on tetracycline. I am not on it anymore, but i did take it for almost a year slowly weaning myself off. i have been on accutane twice in the past as well. Good luck, i have been there, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, HUGS

Do you use Dan's regimen. try doing both, i used bp during the time i took antibiotics too.

[eve12]

I know how you feel! There are so many days when I just don't want to leave the house. I am currently trying Dan's regimen, but I don't have a lot of experience with it yet. I wish I could give you more advice but I just want to say that you're not alone

[Iwantniceskin]

Hi, and welcome to acne.org
I'm sorry you're having such a horrible time right now with acne.
I don't have much experience with antibiotics or perscription topicals since I only took 3 (that didn't work)
Where is most of your acne? Have you ever had a food allergy test? Do you eat dairy products? What's your diet like? Any big changes that happened around the time of the acne returning?
I have a fantastic regimen, but I had hormonal acne only and now it's under control.

Thanks for your reply!
The acne is over both sides of my face, and especially on my cheekbones and all along the jaw line, tho I have isolated pustules on my forehead. I did ask my doctor about a food allergy test, but he seemed reluctant as he said that these often don't show up any relevant info for skin problems??? I don't eat a lot of dairy products at all - I hate milk and rarely eat anything like that apart from cheese.
I have jsut been stressed out at college, but no more than usual I'd say.
I think I've calmed down a bit since yesterday - I'm hoping that the antibiotics will kick in soon and if not, I;m hoping to get accutane in the near future.
Thanks so much for your sympathy!!
E

So sorry to hear about your flare-up. i have had bad skin on and off for years, i am 36 now. after a bad flareup last year, i was put on antibiotics and was frustrated at first cos it did not improve. As bad as it is, give it a few weeks, after about 6 weeks i started to really see an improvement. It takes a while to get in your system and working.

i can't take erythromycin, i am allergic. they put me on tetracycline. I am not on it anymore, but i did take it for almost a year slowly weaning myself off. i have been on accutane twice in the past as well. Good luck, i have been there, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, HUGS

Do you use Dan's regimen. try doing both, i used bp during the time i took antibiotics too.

Great, thanks for the hope that it will work after 6weeks!!! I'm a bit calmer today! Was a bit concerned tho that I now have spots on my back seemingly as a result of taking the antibiotics because this is not an area that I ever had acne on. Did anything like this ever happen to you? Is it indicative of an allergy or do you think that it has to get worse before it gets better?
Thanking you,
E.

I know how you feel! There are so many days when I just don't want to leave the house. I am currently trying Dan's regimen, but I don't have a lot of experience with it yet. I wish I could give you more advice but I just want to say that you're not alone

Thank you very much. Just knowing there is a whole community of us out there helps!!
Dan's regimen, I guess you can buy this online here?? Is it sold commercially as well?
)
E

[eve12]

Thank you very much. Just knowing there is a whole community of us out there helps!!
Dan's regimen, I guess you can buy this online here?? Is it sold commercially as well?
)
E

Most of the products in Dan's regimen can be found in a drug store, although the one's sold from this site seem to be better. There is a lot of information on this site about how to use the regimen, when to expect results, success stories, etc. I have actually used it in the past with some results, but never stuck to it precisely. I am trying to do that now.

[Brandy]

Dan's regimen, I guess you can buy this online here?? Is it sold commercially as well?
)
E

All the details about Dan's regimen can be found here: http://www.acne.org/regimen.html

You can get suitable products in your local drugstore, or use Dan's signature products available at www.dankernsregimen.com

[hunterntylersmom]

I know that when i have flare-ups, i tend to break out on my back as well, and that does not happen often. It could just be your skin trying to normalize? I am keeping my fingers crossed for you, don't give up hope:) Antibiotics take a while to get into your system.

[TheQuietEngineer]

PM sent

[olivetree]

I can relate quite a bit. I had my first pimple when I was 10 or 11, acne since I was 13, and my worst flare hit me when I was 22. At the time, I was vacationing and not washing my face thoroughly enough to remove makeup, but I was still putting on foundation everyday, which is why it was so bad. My whole face was red.

[Smuckers]

I feel the same way. II'm 22 too, and I've been struggling with acne for a few years but the last few have been the worst. I'm covered in cysts. I won't go anywhere, and I make up reasons for why I am always busy. It's so hard to go to my classes, I always want to skip, or hide instead. It sucks but it takes time to find what works for you. And I doubt you find a derm who's going to reccomend accutane before you exhaust ALL over options because of the possible side-effects. I'm on birth control, which helped alot the first year and a half, and now seems to be not helping as much. Try BP. I'm also on spironolactone but I just started so I don't know if it will work or not. And using an ACV toner.

[eggtooth]

"Dan's regimen, I guess you can buy this online here?? Is it sold commercially as well?"

Hi,

It's been a few days since your last post. I hope things are going well and that you are seeing a reduction. There is some excellent information on the Acne.org and Dan Kern's site about similar products available in the UK, which means you wouldn't have to wait too long to get started.

Best of luck

[sunil 2007]

im 20 its been since 3 yrs ive been struggling with my acne my skin condition was better a month back, but now its become worst i used some topical gel based cream ( Adapalene + Clindamycin Phosphate Gel ) which caused the reaction to my face prescribed to me by a dermatologist. I look very ugly now with extremely oily skin, pinkish patches all over my face, my nose is so fucking red and my face is full of pus filled pimples. Im so depressed and home sick that ive not stepped out of the house since last 30 days i jus keep crying the whole day and even thoughts of suicide have come to my mind. Ive been bunking my classes, my gym and this is my last yr frm me completing my grad i cant concentrate on my studies at all. I dnt socialise at all i dnt have any 1 to share my problems with i feel very lonely...plz... sum 1 help me get out of this.

[eggtooth]

im 20 its been since 3 yrs ive been struggling with my acne my skin condition was better a month back, but now its become worst i used some topical gel based cream ( Adapalene + Clindamycin Phosphate Gel ) which caused the reaction to my face prescribed to me by a dermatologist. I look very ugly now with extremely oily skin, pinkish patches all over my face, my nose is so fucking red and my face is full of pus filled pimples. Im so depressed and home sick that ive not stepped out of the house since last 30 days i jus keep crying the whole day and even thoughts of suicide have come to my mind. Ive been bunking my classes, my gym and this is my last yr frm me completing my grad i cant concentrate on my studies at all. I dnt socialise at all i dnt have any 1 to share my problems with i feel very lonely...plz... sum 1 help me get out of this.

Hi,

Sorry to hear of your situation. I've had times like this. The painful part is even when you are doing all the right things, it takes time to see improvements.

In the meantime we just need to focus on a day in the future when our skin is better. Also, try not to anticipate what others are thinking about us. People will look, but people look even at people with clear skin. It doesn't mean that they are having the same thoughts that we are having about ourselves. People are more likely to notice that we are being shy and withdrawn.

When feeling vulnerabe and hideous, this is the time when I am my loudest and most forthcoming in class and work. This is a conscious effort and takes a lot of energy, because it is at a time when I would rather hide under a duvet. We must never let this beat us.

When you complete your course you will look back and know that you did it despite how you felt and what you were going through at the time.

[sunil 2007]

im 20 its been since 3 yrs ive been struggling with my acne my skin condition was better a month back, but now its become worst i used some topical gel based cream ( Adapalene + Clindamycin Phosphate Gel ) which caused the reaction to my face prescribed to me by a dermatologist. I look very ugly now with extremely oily skin, pinkish patches all over my face, my nose is so fucking red and my face is full of pus filled pimples. Im so depressed and home sick that ive not stepped out of the house since last 30 days i jus keep crying the whole day and even thoughts of suicide have come to my mind. Ive been bunking my classes, my gym and this is my last yr frm me completing my grad i cant concentrate on my studies at all. I dnt socialise at all i dnt have any 1 to share my problems with i feel very lonely...plz... sum 1 help me get out of this.

Hi,

Sorry to hear of your situation. I've had times like this. The painful part is even when you are doing all the right things, it takes time to see improvements.

In the meantime we just need to focus on a day in the future when our skin is better. Also, try not to anticipate what others are thinking about us. People will look, but people look even at people with clear skin. It doesn't mean that they are having the same thoughts that we are having about ourselves. People are more likely to notice that we are being shy and withdrawn.

When feeling vulnerabe and hideous, this is the time when I am my loudest and most forthcoming in class and work. This is a conscious effort and takes a lot of energy, because it is at a time when I would rather hide under a duvet. We must never let this beat us.

When you complete your course you will look back and know that you did it despite how you felt and what you were going through at the time.

the thing is when i asked my dermatologist she told me tht the treatment which she gave me dint work well on my skin and made it worst but she said it will subside in a mnth or 2 am i sum kind of a rat used by a doctor for their own experiments i feel very annoyed at times.
ur rite but is not easy for me to focus on sumthin bcoz in my mind im constantly thinking abt my face i feel ashamed to go public coz many ppl know me so they keep asking me or comment abt me.
when i look good i feel good and my confidence level is at the max when i look bad i feel sad and my confidence level is zero.