63 replies to this topic

[aprilmay]

That sounds like a gigantic cyst. They SUCK. OMG. I'm sorry for you. I am with you on the hormonal cause, however. I'm pretty damn sure that's what happened to me last fall when I suddenly started breaking out badly - worse than ever in my life. I literally had 12 when I bothered to count them one day. They hurt, swell up, and rarely ever come to a head, not to mention they distort your facial features. I can't say mine were as huge as you describe but I did get several in a row like a "colony" all moved in and setting up camp to stay a while. I think it was related to my hormone replacement medication, continual night shifts (little or no sunlight for months), and heavy work outs (which affect the hormonal balance). When I cut dairy, that helped the hormonal issue, as well as changing my replacement hormones - since I had that hysterectomy I don't make my own estrogen. Then I added vitamins and minerals that I believed I was deficient in - probably due to my somewhat limited "healthy" diet and running 20+ miles a week w/weight lifting. You've really got to be gentle with cysts, also. Don't over wash or over treat with medications. No touching them except to ice them. No picking, prodding, obsessing over them, etc. Avoid hot water, they'll just swell up more. Good going with the motrin - I do that when I am breaking out also!

I've discovered that dark chocolate in very small amounts is OK for me on occasional days. Finally, a way to have something sweet and chocolaty without suffering a breakout! YEA!! Milk chocolate = cysts.

Thanks for the advice milgirl. ive got to keep my hands off my face for sure!! what is the hormone replacement for? i know alittle about it, but my knowledge only extends to what was taught in bio. im not exactly sure what its for?

cyst is shrinking and is no longer tender. however i got one on my ARM?!?!?! wtf..... thats new. luckily i have a derm appointment tomorrow so i can finally show him the shit thats been showing up on my face. all the other times ive gone, ive had normal zits (therefore the RAM prescription) but never a juggernaut cyst. well now i have one to show, and thank goodness its on my arm, not face (knock on wood). hopefully we can get this shit figured out!!

[MilGirl]

I don't have ovaries to produce my estrogen and keep me on an even keel. Basically, I'm 28, and without hormones I'd be fully menopausal. It SUCKS!! I am glad I found this site and learned about EPO, though. It really seems to be helping me maintain my equilibrium better. Far fewer hot flashes since I quit dairy & started EPO. I still get them but only like 2x a day vs. 2-4x an hour!! Hot flashes feel like your blood suddenly lit on fire with the help of an accelerate. Your blood immediately starts boiling in your veins - your head wants to pop off. It irritates the ever living hell out of you SO quickly and you can't control it other than to try to breath, remove as much clothing as possible (depending on where you are) and hope that nobody gets in your way because murder is a high probability.

Glad you are seeing some improvement. Hopefully the Derm can help you. I have a "cyst-like" thing on my neck, it's very round though. I'm really not sure what it is. And I think I have one starting near my ear. Either way, they aren't on my face, and for that I'm thankful.

Edited by MilGirl, 15 January 2010 - 10:47 PM.

[Mishie]

im using RAM 0.04% too~~ but only a week.. having bad initial breakout and skin peeling off around my chin area.. overall HORRIBLE.. hopefully it will go away soon.. trying to stay positive =/

[aprilmay]

A year and seven months later....


Well retin a micro works. It was a very bumpy road...that road being my face....hah. Anyways here is my timeline.

August 2010: Acne back, panic ensues. Regret ever stopping.

September 2010: Begin retin a again.

Sep 2010 - Dec 2010: Zits, initial break out, embarrassing but toughed it out. Face looked like a war zone.

Jan/Feb 2011: Started to clear up but still the odd zit here and there.

Mar 2011: Started ortho tri cyclen low. Still random zits and dryness.

June 2011: BC working. Breakouting about twice a month, SO MUCH better than 2-3 times a week.


What I've learned:
Combination of retin a and BC works wonders.
Stress and diet does affect acne. Grapes are good for skin so eat lots of grapes (or drink lots of wine heheheheh).
Tough out the retin a micro since the results are great. My new boyfriend (who has no idea that I've struggled so much with my skin) likes to touch my face and tells me I have crazy soft skin (thanks retin a!). THIS IS THE GREATEST FEELING. I never thought I'd hear a boy say that to me. Ever. But more than that, I feel good about myself.

If anyone has questions feel free to ask! I don't have any terrible pics of what my acne was like before but believe me, it was bad.

Also use a tiny bit of retin a (like a dot this __ big) and make sure to wait 20 minutes after washing to apply!!

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Edited by aprilmay, 01 August 2011 - 01:05 PM.