27 replies to this topic

[Summer5150]

Thanks, Gia!! I will begin more thorough research into Candida. I have read some, and am following a lot of the diet recommendations. I have also had vit d levels checked and I was doing D, but stopped. Will add that back. I am not on birth control due to intolerable depression/headaches and family hx of breast cancer. I truly will do anything but really, really want to cure this from the inside out. I want to believe that I can. I know I can do even better with my diet but as I have written on other posts, I know that hating myself and feeling ashamed and putting myself down is not helping. I think if I can have some faith, just a tiny bit, that I can get to the other side, then I can stop the hating on myself and put my energy into healing and health. Thank you.

[gia1]

Make sure you get the liquid vitamin d. Follow the candida diet exactly how it tells you to. If you do have candida you have to starve it. I ate only vegetables, chicken, turkey, all gluten free snacks, pau d'arco tea, chamomile tea, apple cider vinegar for my salad, almonds and pumpkin seeds. You cant eat sugar, carbs, soy, bread etc... because the candida supposedly feeds off of it and gets worse. Triple your probiotics unless you feel it is to much. Just go by what your body is telling you as you take all these supplements. Dont buy these supplements in supermarkets because they are usually close to their expiration date. go to a health food store. you really have to be consistent with the food. It is a lot of work but you can do it. I cooked all my own food, usually pretty bland, but it was all worth it. I didnt give into cookies or cake i just kept reminding my self it will all be worth it. To curb my sweet tooth i eat coconut and vanilla ice cream, got it at the health food store, it has no sugar added and tastes great. If you are going to do the candida diet you have to do it 100% or you will be wasting time and money. Just think of the possible results. Eventually you will be able to introduce other foods. Keep me updated. If you can try and get out of your depression it will be alot easier to follow the diet. I had a nervous break down about 3 months ago because of my skin and after the breakdown i was determined to fix myself. It is all about motivation. DONT GIVE UP. GIa

[rubygem]

Hello, I am writing from the UK, I am 28 years old and have been battling 'cystic acne' breakouts for the past few years. It has brought me to tears many times over the past years, it's not just the overwhelming effect on your self-esteem but also the endless frustration of buying and trying so many products (both medicinal and herbal) and getting no where! I have suffered from large swollen spots mainly on my jawline and temples and have tried so many things but I have had a 'break through' recently. Im not sure whether its sheer luck, whether my hormones have naturally calmed down or whether its the products and routine I started a few months back but other than the odd blemish every month my skin has improved incredibly. I wanted to share with you the products I now use, these are all relatively inexpensive, as I said it may be pure coincidence but it may just help someone else out there whose also suffering from cystic acne.

Firstly I'd like to say I have always suffered with an oily t-zone, the rest of my face remains fairly 'normal'. My skin has definitely become more 'sensitive' over the years.

Ok, these are the products I now use:


Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clarifying Lotion (great for oily skin, I find the Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 has worked as well)

Freederm Sensitive Facial Wash

Avon Clearskin Professional daily correcting lotion (spot treatment with salicylic acid) used on whole area's prone to breakout

Avon Clearskin Professional invisible blemish treatment (2% salicylic acid) applied directly to breakouts

Simple clear skin oil balancing moisturiser.


The avon products really are great, I found them by accident but see their reviews on the avon website. If anyone wants to know anymore about my routine then please feel free to contact me. I hope that this may be of some help.

[PinkBunny41]

I just turned 42 in November and Ive also experienced one of the worst break outs i ever had, Ive been battling acne since the age 14!!! Its so frustrating at this age to still have acne!!!! My derm added something called Aczone to my morning routine and i still have to use the retin-a at night, plus take 2 Minocycline pills a day grrrrrrrrrrrr. If this fails then he wants me to take Accutane, but im not willing to go down that road, been there, done that twice in my life time. I hope we all can find a solution to our acne problems one day, its taking its toll on me

[cvd]

Hi Summer --- don't lose hope! Easier said than done...I know. I absolutely freak out anytime anything shows up on my face because I have been dealing with this for so long! There is emotional work than can be done to help lessen the impact while you're trying to find what works. I think it helps to have a daily routine to go along with your diet routine...one that you follow faithfully. Doing it daily will help when the big flare-ups happen.

I recommend listening to Eckhart Tolle...google it...ie "Eckhart Tolle pain video" He has all kinds of talks on how to deal with physical and emotional pain and still remain present. His voice is very soothing.

There's a book called "Healing Adult Acne" by Dr Fried. He's both a derm and a psychologist and understands the emotional pain.

Doing daily yoga and meditation helps me. I like the book by Yongey Rinpoche called "The Joy of Living". He overcame debilitating anxiety through meditation and has very clear instructions on how to meditate effectively.

I hope this helps. I also can't use birth control or HRT due to family history of cancer and I used antibiotics for so long that now I can't use that either. Scary. Especially when I'm so afraid of returning to bad cystic acne. Knock on wood...thus far since following my dietitian's recommendations and using tretinoin cream I am maintaining pretty well. All I have at present is a little red bump on my chin that may not develop into anything. I think fear of things getting worse is what gets to me. I do a mental number on myself and think the worst. That's what I'm working on right now...giving myself better feedback...like "this too will pass"...or "it's not that bad"...or "I'm healing slowly but surely"...that kind of thing.

[gia1]

Hi CVD
love your posts. try adding pro biotics to your regimen it might get rid of any acne that you get. it is very good just to take for the rest of your life. keeps your gut in check.

[cvd]

Thanks Gia! This site keeps me sane...especially when I feel overwhelmed by what I call "acne PTSD". Yes, I do take a probiotic. In fact a new derm I'm seeing who doesn't believe in antibiotics is starting me on "Tyler Yeast Balance Complex" which has probiotics in it and other herbs that support good skin health.

[liz90210]

I am a 40 year old female who has delt with acne my entire life. I think I have finally found the solution for me. I did accutane years ago, only to find my acne returned. I have been on all the usual meds from retin a to antibiotics. I have come to the conclusion that this is an internal issue stemming from inflammation. I decided to go on a gluten free diet (no wheat, barley, or rye), I switched from milk to almond milk for coffee and cereal (I still eat some cheese), I eat pineapple (fresh only) every day (google plastic surgery and pineapple....the surgeons use it for wound healing). I started taking vitamin supplements of vitamins A, E, Bromelain (pineapple enzine), zinc, and D. I also drink ginger tea (found in asian markets) and green tea if possible. I also eat a tsp of bee pollin just for kicks. I switched from raw sugar when possible to honey. My skin has never looked better. It has been amazing!!!! I really think the key in all honesty has been the gluten free diet (I saw immediate amazing results with that) and the pineapple. Frankly, there is no way to know for sure because I did this entire diet and supplement switch at the same time. I would be interested if you have the same experience. Every one is different and what works for me may not work for someone else, but cutting out gluten and buying fresh pineapple are less costly than many altenatives. Best of luck....I hope this helps.