31 replies to this topic

[moxie1]

Day 33

One more active on my jawline. The last two are scabbing up. I must have unconsciously picked them. Lighting is a little dark, but here you can see redmarks on my jawline.
 2010_03_14_neck_smaller.JPG   18.89K   30 downloads

I think my chest is improving though.
 2010_03_14_smaller.JPG   31.02K   33 downloads

[moxie1]

Day 35

So yesterday I was itching. Before I panic, and decide I'm allergic to my antibiotics....

I recently joined a gym. I've been using the gym towels and the gym soap. I've had problems with gym/hotel towels before, but I figured as long as I'm careful and pat myself dry rather than rub myself dry, that I could get away with using gym towels instead of bringing my own. Maybe not. I've got a 6" by 9" itchy area on the side of my abdomen. It looks generally red, more than bumpy. So, I'm thinking contact dermatitis. Part of my skin looked a little dry there (I'm never dry there - it must be the antibiotics), so last night and this morning I covered the area with moisturizer - not an area I normally moisturize. I used some cortisone cream on it last night too. At home, I've used free & clear type laundry detergents for years. So, I'll keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't spread or look rashy, and I'll start bringing my own towels to the gym.

Scratch, scratch, scratch...

[moxie1]

Day 39

Got a new inflamed active on my chest yesterday. Bummer. Face still clear, neck just has 1 hard lump, and a bunch of redmarks. Got a couple small pustules on my jawline, but they went away fast. Chest and back still have acne, though I wouldn't call it active.

I am itching less, and decided it must be a gym towel reaction, not an antibiotic reaction.

I was out in the sun (yeah spring!) a bit this weekend. I wore my Neutrogena SPF 70, and no burning. Solodyn makes you more sensitive to the sun, and I already burn easily. I do have to look at my face after I put it on though, because I had dried white blotches after the first time I put in on.

[moxie1]

Day 44

Its that time of the month again. As a result a few days ago, got more actives. One next to my lip, one in the middle of my neck, three on my chest. Sigh.

Switched to using my own towel at the gym. Still have an itchy spot on my side. Not sure why. But, don't think its from the antibiotics.

I used to use Olay for Sensitive Skin SPF 15. I had an old bottle from pre-formula change, and then ran out. What to do????? I need to use SPF in my daily moisturizer - I have had 4 immediate relatives who have gotten skin cancer, so I need SPF. I saw a post on the forum that there is a generic version of Olay, which still has the original formula. I found it at KMart or Walmart. Brand is called Care One. Yahoo! I tried it, and it works fine (no reaction).

So, I guess tomorrow I'll be halfway through my antibiotic treatment. Disappointed that I'm still breaking out, but still my skin looks so much better (if you ignore the redmarks) than it did before. My skin also feels so much better. My neck used to be so lumpy - and now it feels much smoother. Still am considering accutane, because I assume once I stop with the antibiotics, skin will go back to normal, especially since I'm still breaking out while on them. And I really don't want to do long-term antibiotics. I'm going to try to schedule my derm visit for day 80 or so I guess. She gave me a 4 month prescription actually, in case 3 months didn't clear me up I assume. But she told me I was free to come back before the 3 months are up.

[moxie1]

Day 73.

I've had 2 moderate breakouts since the last time I posted. So, it does seem I still break out every time I get my period. Probably gives me around 10+ new actives each time. I did have another moderate breakout in between periods. Not sure why. I do still see very slow overall improvement of my skin though. Especially my neck. I only feel 1 under the skin lump on my neck right now, which is pretty amazing compared to how I started out.

I still have mild itchiness on my side. I treat it with hydrocortisone when I need to. I'll show it to my derm, though you really can't see much in the way of bumps/rash. The itchiness sometimes has shown up on other spots, including my cheeks.

I set up a followup appointment with my derm, for day 88 or so. Even though I'm not keen on antibiotic usage, I must say it is easy. After the initial side effects which lasted a week or two, I haven't had any side effects. I'm starting to spend my weekends outside. I covered myself in SPF 70 sunscreen multiple times during the day, and wore a wide brimmed hat and long sleeves. I saw a tiny bit of color on my neck, but not really noticeable. So, I must have done a good job protecting myself from the sun. It might be harder as it gets warmer out.

I'm still considering accutane. I'll see what the derm says next time I see her. I have to come up with a list of questions I want to ask. I think she said she would put me on it for 4 months, so I would want to know the dosage. Another thing I think is important is, what happens if I have side effects that I have questions on. Who would I speak to if I called the office? The derm or a nurse? What if I was so concerned about a side effect that I wanted to come in right away. Could they see me? It can take multiple weeks to get a regular appointment. Then I want to ask how many people she's treated with accutane. What was their success rate? Did any have lasting side effects. Can I go out in the sun if I wear sunscreen? In the spring/summer/fall, I spend a lot of time outside (all day) on weekends. Can the dosage be dropped if the side effects are too bad? I guess my biggest concern is handling side effects. I want to know that if I have problems, there will be a concerned person there to handle them with me. What is the best way to politely phrase this to the derm?

[khagema1]

Hey, Moxie!

I'm also on Minocycline, 200mg/day to be exact. I have been on it for four months, and although it only works moderately for me, I also find that combining it with benzoyl peroxide has had really good results for me. This, coming from a girl who has acne from her face all the way down to her legs (there could also be some form of folliculitis present). I must mention that even if adding benzoyl peroxide into the equation doesn't solve all your problems, I think it would be wise to keep using it because multiple studies have shown (Dan even mentions this on the site, plus my family doctor and my dermatologist both told me this) that when combining BP with antibiotics, it reduces the chance of antibiotic resistance.

So there's my two cents for you. Good luck!

Edited by khagema1, 29 April 2010 - 04:47 PM.

[moxie1]

Hi - yes, I do use BP on actives at night. Only on acne that is really active/inflamed. Once it starts healing, I don't put BP on. My neck is pretty sensitive to BP, and even using it 2.5 a day is really irritating. It is much less irritating on my chest & back.

How long are you supposed to stay on minocycline?

I love the low side effects of Solodyn, but don't like the idea of being on antibiotics long term. And I know when I come off of them, the acne will come back.

[laura317]

When you are on the antibiotics make sure you drink plenty of water. At least three 20oz bottles. This will help with the dizzy spells and being tired. I have been on antibiotics twice for my cysts and both times I became very dehydrated if I wasn't drinking tons of water.

[moxie1]

When you are on the antibiotics make sure you drink plenty of water. At least three 20oz bottles. This will help with the dizzy spells and being tired. I have been on antibiotics twice for my cysts and both times I became very dehydrated if I wasn't drinking tons of water.

The dizziness only occurred when I first started the antibiotics. How far apart were your 2 cycles of antibiotics. How idd your skin do in between them?

[moxie1]

I had my 90 day checkup with my derm. She was happy with how my skin looks. She wants me to stay on Solodyn for another 2-3 months though, since I've had a long history of flare ups. I asked her about going off, since I've heard a lot of people breakout really badly. She said Solodyn isn't known for doing that. After reading the boards I'm skeptical. But she said I can wean myself off if I want to. Also, she said if I break out really bad, I can just restart on Solodyn right away again. She said if I continue to have bad breakouts when going off of it, she might put me on a lower dose for maintenance. She said I would need something to spot treat with afterwards (after I stop taking it). She gave me a sample of Ziana. I think I can use it now instead of BP, which irritates my skin. But, when I read about Ziana, it isn't used as a spot treatment. Hmm.... When I call for a prescription, I'll ask. No mention of accutane, since she is pleased with how my neck looks. I'm disappointed & relieved at the same time. She didn't look at my chest or back. At least with a couple more months of antibiotic, it will give me a couple more months for those red marks to fade before gettng a lot more new ones.

[moxie1]

Skin has been super itchy since I went to the derm. I'm scratching my chest and back a lot. I have no rash, just itchiness. This sucks. I was reading that itchiness is a normal side effect. More cortisone tonight I guess. Moisturizer doesn't seem to help.

Neck is looking good, and my red marks there are gradually fading. Chest seems broken out, not so exciting. I tried the Ziana (spot treat only) once. I fugre is best to use it gradually, like every other day at first. My derm gave me no instructions on it. I'm not eager to use it because of my itching.

[moxie1]

I ended up having to stop Solodyn, when I had been taking it just under 4 months. My skin was 90% clear, but I was having 2 side effects:

Severe itching - Had by second period of severe itching. Lasted around 10 days. Covered myself in cortisone cream. I didn't have a rash where I itched, though I tended to get bumpy after I scratched

Blotchy rash - I had areas between 1-2 cm. that were red & crusty & flat. They were mildly itchy.

After getting the rash, I called my derm. She said to stop taking Solodyn. So, this is the end of my Solodyn log. I am to continue on Ziana topical & Sulfacetide wipes.

The itching didn't go away immediately after stopping Solodyn. And I have problems putting on Ziana daily, because it also tends to make me itch. I put on a very small amount as per the instructions, but it can make me itch too.

So, I've been off Solodyn for a month now I think, and the red rash has not gone away. The same spots are now larger, though less red. I also have new smaller rash spots - in places where I've put the Ziana. This is strange - as I am 90% sure the original rash was caused by Solodyn, not Ziana.

Going to look for Ziana logs, and will probably end up going to the derm so she can look at the rash.

Oh - and the good news is, I didn't have a massive breakout when going off Soloydn. I didn't wean myself off, I just quit cold turkey. My skin isn't doing too bad for being off of it. Breaking out a little more, but not too bad. Right now, my rash looks worse than the acne!