349 replies to this topic

[Q_P]

@ pisha: Hi there! Thank you for your supportive post!

I definitely break out more the more I worry about my skin, too. It's a bad cycle! But I'm slowly getting better at ignoring it and moving on with my life.

Which one of your supplements has helped you the most? I already take selenium, magnesium, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and am going to be adding zinc soon! I think many supplements make my acne worse for some reason, but I'm glad that you've found some that have helped you.

Also, I make "hot chocolate" with coconut milk, vanilla extract, stevia and cocoa powder sometimes and it tastes pretty good!

Being happy and getting sleep is definitely important, and I do my best.

--
Breaking out a bit with small pustules on the right side of my nose, one on my chin, and a few papules on my right outer cheek and forehead, probably from Friday night. Have an appointment with the derm tomorrow and I'm gonna ask her about my thin, papery, slow-healing skin problem to see if she has any ideas about the cause. Hopefully everything will go OK and I'll actually get there on time for once, as something bad has happened to make me either late for or completely unable to go to my other appointments with this derm. I'm kind of afraid of what will happen tomorrow morning given my track record.

[Q_P]

Walked 1.5 mile to and 1.5 mile back from the derm this morning. I think the walk was better for my skin than the visit, since the derm told me yet again to keep doing what I'm doing. She said the Retin-A is making my pimples look much better but I was a little dry, so she gave me some samples of Cerave and Cetaphil moisturizers. Score! I like my derm because even though she doesn't spend a ton of time looking at my skin or telling me what to do, if I ask questions she is happy to spend the time answering them. She said that I'm definitely doing the right thing by getting my thyroid checked out after commenting that my hair has a lot of breakage, and said that stress can really make your thyroid crap out sometimes.

Had chicken liver tonight; about 14000 IU of vitamin A, and a ton of B Vitamins. Tasted really funky, so I kind of just forced it down to get the vitamins in, haha.

[Q_P]

Huge red pauple popped up on my left inner cheek this morning, ughhh. Other than that, face looks good. Going to a wedding party tonight and the wedding tomorrow; will enjoy myself and try my best to stick to the paleo foods.

[Pisha]

Hi
I hope you are well. I think if your acne is getting worse due to the supplements-- you are only detoxing. It takes time. The body are getting rid of the toxins so you get more pimples.

Have you ever tried fasting? Maybe you should try that out.

I have read some books that have helped me alot. A new earth and Skin deep.

I dont know which supplements actually. I started to take them all together, didnt have any break outs or anything but I have been very healthy for years. My only biiiiiig problem is that iam a emotional eater. I eat when I am bored. I eat when Iam happy blabla.. and I eat a lot!!!! It takes a lot of control from me to eat as I should.

You must not think of acne as a curse, think of it ... as somehting that makes you healthier and stronger emotionally because it makes you work on yourself and your emotional problemes.

It will pass, dont worry....

Edited by Pisha, 10 September 2010 - 04:03 PM.

[Q_P]

@ pisha: I haven't tried fasting aside from skipping a meal every now and then. I have stomach problems, so it hurts too much for me to be without food for long periods of time. Thanks for the suggestion, though!

I have the Skin Deep book on my computer but never finished it; I'll definitely read it when I have time!

I used to eat emotionally before I changed my diet; now I'm full most of the time so I don't snack as much. It's great! But I know the feeling of wanting to eat all the time and how hard it is to control.

Acne has definitely made me work on my emotional problems, but I think it has also caused some more problems, as well. It is both a blessing and a curse, and I hope it will pass soon. Thanks again for the support!

--

I ate a bunch of junk at the wedding this weekend and am breaking out in rashy patches again, mostly on my forehead, which is normally pretty clear. I also started supplementing the new zinc on Friday (?) or around then. I don't know if it's a coincidence or not, but I got a large papule under my chin, and I almost never break out there unless I take zinc. If another one pops up, I will discontinue the supplementation, but I'm going to keep taking it otherwise because I'm sure I'm deficient and it may also help my thyroid problems.

I got really bent out of shape last night after looking closely at my scars. I have a LOT; literally, my whole face is shallow scarring of various types. I also have some pretty deep boxcar scars on my left cheek that I have no idea where they came from. I'm guessing they were hyperpigmented and once the pigment disappeared they became more visible. I hope using topicals isn't the cause, because I'd hate to be responsible for making things worse, but I can't get rid of the acne without them at this point and I scarred before I used them anyway, just not as extensively. I can't shake the feeling that I've ruined my skin.

Edited by QuirkyPixy, 16 September 2010 - 08:51 AM.

[Q_P]

Breaking out on upper lip by right corner of nose, right cheekbone, and above the right and left corners of my mouth in bigger pimples. Booooo. This is still probably from last weekend, so hopefully it will pass.

Edited by QuirkyPixy, 17 September 2010 - 07:39 PM.

[Q_P]

Definite TMI but important for this log; I've got butt pimples, aaaah! Dunno why I'm breaking out so badly there; it's mostly papules in the area below the small of my back. I noticed it at least a week ago, but it seems to be getting worse. Hope they don't scar.

No more jawline pimples so far. *knock on wood* Still breaking out on the right side of my upper lip under the corner of my nose, though. Weird spot. And the two other big pimples above the corners of my mouth are still healing.

My face was really red this morning; I think it was because I hadn't slept well and was really stressed out about taking my driving test for my license (which I passed, yay!) But the inflammation seems to have calmed down now.

Going to visit my boyfriend tomorrow and Monday, then going to the endocrinologist on Tuesday to get all sorts of fun blood tests done. Still trying to figure out what I want them to test, but I know I want TSH, Free T3 and T4 tested again, along with reverse T3 and my Vitamin D serum levels. Other possibilities are DHEA, Testosterone, Estrogen, and Progesterone. I don't know if I can avoid passing out if they take enough blood for all of those tests, though!

[Q_P]

Stuck to primal eating pretty well this weekend; had one large glass of red wine, but aside from that everything was good. I got a random hive on my left cheekbone last night, but I didn't eat anything different aside from a peach I got for free from a farmer's market that afternoon. Maybe the peach had some pesticides on it that affected me, because I couldn't wash it. Anyhoo, the hive was white and raised with a red rashy circle around it; it went away after I put some hydrocortisone on it. Really weird.

Had an appointment with an endocrinologist today. Basically, since my numbers from my last thyroid test are in the range listed (which is long outdated), they think I'm fine, despite the fact that I have almost every single symptom of hypothyroidism. They're going to test my thyroid again to see if my numbers have changed in the past two months since I last got it tested, and are also going to test my cortisol in the morning. I'm going to get those tests run ASAP, then promptly try to find another doctor who will listen to my symptoms and not just go by the numbers.

In better news, I got a job at a bakery with my cousin so I can make some money to pay my student loans. This should take my stress level down a notch.

[Q_P]

Been spot treating some scars with CP serum to see if it would help or break me out like before I was on Retin-A. After a few days of twice daily use, I have some new papules right where I applied the stuff. Clearly my skin is still not a fan. Oh well, at least I know for sure!

[Q_P]

That stupid hive has appeared again on the exact same spot on my left cheek under my eye. Today I ate bacon, eggs, macadamias, blueberries, some apple and almond butter, and took my Vitamin D and C; nothing strange. No idea what causes this thing.

Felt a bit crampy this morning and took some Motrin. Seems to be better now.

Using argan oil for a night moisturiser after Retin-A instead of emu oil, starting tonight.

Edited by QuirkyPixy, 24 September 2010 - 08:54 PM.

[Q_P]

Ate a small amount of apple pie and some whiskey last night. I'll count that in my 20%.

Large pimple on the right side of my chin under my lip surfaced this morning; probably hormonal. Small pimples scattered elsewhere, but nothing too bad. Liking the argan oil so far.

EDIT: Got a big one coming up on my right inner cheek. Hrm.

Edited by QuirkyPixy, 26 September 2010 - 07:08 PM.

[Q_P]

Got a few tiny pimples scattered around my face, on my forehead and my upper lip. It might be from the argan oil, as I typically don't get tiny pimples with heads like this. I also think I remember getting the same things from jojoba oil. I'm gonna stick with the argan oil for a little bit because I like it otherwise, and these tiny pimples won't scar. I hope it's not causing the larger ones, though.

[Q_P]

...aaand still breaking out in a lot of tiny red pimples. Think I'll be switching back to the emu oil soon, and using the argan oil on my super-dry hair.

EDIT: Got lots of good food this week: grass fed ground beef, Icelandic lamb chop, lamb neck with bones for broth, maple bacon, canned sardines and salmon, DHA-enhanced organic eggs, organic kiwis, organic frozen broccoli, organic carrots, fresh garlic, macadamias, coconut, and ghee. This came to $55, which is not bad for a Whole Foods run. I would have liked to get more veggies and I don't think I got enough meat for a week, but otherwise things are good. I may cut the macadamias and get more meat instead next week.

Edited by QuirkyPixy, 29 September 2010 - 07:35 PM.

[Q_P]

Stressed out at work, and stressed because my period is over a week late. Got a HUGE cyst on my left jawline on Friday, some larger zits on my left inner cheek, and some tiny zits on my chin and right cheek that look like the last ones popping up from the argan oil mess. Ate out on Sat. night and tonight: coconut chicken curry with veggies (and likely sugar/crap in the sauce) and grilled chicken and steak with asparagus, broccoli and butter tonight. Also went apple picking and have been munching on those, but not excessively.

[theamericanswede]

just gon on accutane. Best decision you'll ever make. 6 or more months on the pill and your acne will be gone.

[Q_P]

just gon on accutane. Best decision you'll ever make. 6 or more months on the pill and your acne will be gone.

I've considered it, but I already have health problems and I don't want Accutane to make them worse.

[Q_P]

Grocery goodies this week: 1 lb grass fed ground beef, 1 lb 85% conventional ground beef, 0.80 lb New Zealand lamb chop, 0.80 lb grass fed beef liver, 1 can wild salmon, 1 dozen organic DHA eggs, 3 bags frozen organic veggies, organic kale, organic chard, kim chee, 1 organic daikon radish, organic coconut oil, dried shredded coconut, organic rooibos tea, and organic ginger tea Total = $54. Not bad, I think! My goal this week is to further improve my omega ratios, so I'm swapping ground beef for bacon and dried coconut for the macadamias I usually eat.

Breaking out on back, likely due to the new detergent my mom bought. Blargh.

Called my derm to see if I could get a cortisone injection for my cysts, and they told me they couldn't do it until the 25th of October. The procedure literally takes five minutes. Hahaha, what a freakin' joke.

[DireStraits]

I have to agree with americanswedes sentiments here.
You've had this log since June '09! Thats ages!
And tbh from what ive read you've mainly being going around in circles with a bunch of different diets and you've taken a shitload of different supplements which of course haven't even gone close to clearing you. Not to mention every second entry here has you complaining about some new breakout you've got lol.
I think what you said about your health problems and accutane making it worse is probably an underlying excuse because you've been spooked from all the horror stories on this board.

Have you actually spoken to your derm about accutane? Seriously if your still around here with your log at the turn of the year them im just going to shake my head.
Im just saying this for your benefit, if i come off as a dick then fair enough but come on your 23.

Edited by DireStraits, 06 October 2010 - 04:58 AM.

[Q_P]

@ DireStraits: Lol, I guess my log must seem really negative, but even though I'm still breaking out, my skin is actually clearing verrrry slowwwwly. It is definitely clearing, though! I will probably be clear within a few months. My boyfriend even commented recently that my skin is looking good, and I hadn't brought it up or anything.

My derm has never even mentioned Accutane, and seems to think the Retin-A/Aczone is working well. Anyway, it makes no sense for me to take Accutane when my skin is already super-dry, slow-healing and paper-thin, my hair is falling out, and my gut is screwed-up, as Accutane can cause all of those things and would be even more likely to seriously mess me up. My body is trying to heal, and using such a strong drug that will stress it out is not an option right now. That, on top of the posts on this forum by people on their 3rd or 4th Accutane course (saw one up to her 7th!), make me think that Accutane is not the right path for me to take. My approach isn't even about curing my acne anymore; it's about fixing my health, which will, in turn, fix my skin. I'm sure of it.

I'm glad Accutane is working for you, though!

(P.S.- I'm 22! )

[sick of cystic acne]

I love your recent grocery trip - sounds like you are an awesome 'paleo girl'!!!! And for $54??? Not bad!!! Keep it up girl! I bet things will just get better and better for you Good job with the diet