7 replies to this topic

[calvarious]

I have suffered from a very aggressive and resistant strain of Acne since I was nine years old. It started with mild blemishes on my upper cheek and forehead but then by the time I was eleven it spread rapidly and covered my entire face, arms and upper and lower back in very inflamed cystic nodules (all before I even had a menstrual period). I started buying Proactive Solution when I was twelve (we had to order it from the states at that time and pay BIG money because it was not available in Canada back in 2001) which made little ''difference'' though I continued to purchase it every month anyway, I was also placed on birth control (Yasmin) and tetracycline by the time I was thirteen (By my G.P) to help control the Acne, but it still didn't respond and the Acne continued to multiply and become even more nodular. Through the years I have tried this:

- Various birth controls.

- Accutane three consecutive times through the ages of fourteen to eighteen (from 2004-2008)

- Raw food Veganism since I was sixteen

- Scan for Candida over growth (which came back negative)

- Facials

- Blue light therapy (for five years)

- Steiva-A topical gel and various other prescription Acne creams and gels in combination with several (expensive) hydrating serums,creams, moisturizers (to ensure the skin didn't become dried out), toners and the famed ''Clarisonic''.

- Tested for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome more than eight times by three difference endocrinologists for severe Acne and mild Hirsutism, failed to meet the criteria for the diagnosis as my ultrasound results were free of cysts, my periods 20 days apart (five days long and the normal ''ebb'' and ''flow'') and an androgen count on a blood test below a ''1'' - which indicates very normal androgen activity, no elevation. My acne and excessive hair growth were diagnosed as idiopathic with no cause and only ''Androgen sensitivity'' was listed as a possible contributor.

- On Spironolactone (an androgen receptor blocker) since 2009, still taking it to this present day

- Liquid diet (for one year) - which failed to serve any results.
.
- I got desperate and used urine to cleanse my face, as it was recommended by a doctor (what a quack), it did nothing for my Acne and was absolutely disgusting.

- Put in a year long Acne study in Toronto

- Liver analysis (to see if I was filtering normally)

- Take vitamin A and B for skin health.

- I rarely wear makeup (foundation), only when it's required and I keep it minimal and use products of only paramount quality and that won't irritate my Acne further.

- Took an experimental trial of Prednisone for two months (suggested by my G.P to see if it would assist in clearing my skin)

... But despite all of ''this'' my Acne has never changed, I mean ever! it is one of the most aggressive and severe forms of Acne you probably could ever see in a ''woman'' and sometimes It almost looks like a ''Conglobata'' type of strain (especially in 2007 it was at its absolute worst ever, largest lesions I had ever seen) and covers almost my entire body, sometimes I even break out on my knees and thighs which is just down right bizarre. I honest to God break out in new ''lesions'' nearly 60 times a day especially around the back of the neck and jaw line (I know that sounds impossible but I promise you I'm telling the truth and not exaggerating for shock value). It has had a ''profound'' effect on my life as well as the Pityriasis Lichenoides ( A bad type of shingles -like rash that I have outbreaks of on my body every few months), and has robbed me of so many things including meaningful relationships and has virtually ruined my body, I will never look normal and the damage done to my skin is irreversible ( sometimes even Dermablend will not cover it). I recently turned 22 years old in mid December and fell into a deep depression as I always believed that by this age the acne would be gone or at least ''mild out'' a bit, but still nothing has changed and I believe the Acne will remain with me for most of my adult life and never go away. I was also diagnosed with a rare benign tumor in my salivary gland called a Warthin's tumor (which I require major surgery for), a lymph node inflammatory disorder and Multiple Sclerosis (Relapsing Remitting strain ) just a year ago - all of this combined has brought on a large sense of despair and today after being criticized for my skin for the thousandth time I really felt like I wanted to die, I don't understand why I have to suffer so much. Some days, especially today I get sick of living and I just feel out of luck. Can anyone else relate! somewhat!

Edited by calvarious, 21 January 2012 - 08:54 PM.

[godawfulface]

Sounds like you've put your body through a lot. Have you ever tried doing nothing and leaving your body alone and free from chemicals for a while?

[calvarious]

godawfulface, on 19 January 2012 - 05:42 PM, said:

Sounds like you've put your body through a lot. Have you ever tried doing nothing and leaving your body alone and free from chemicals for a while?

Yes I have actually for two years I stopped all treatment and just used a moisturizer and toner for my skin and ate normally, ditched the Vegan diet and frequented Taco Bell and enjoyed real food though with a healthy balance, and cut out all medication just to see what would happen. It actually got more severe so I decided to go back on the meds and return to my strict routine. Believe me I've tested this theory, I know all these chemicals aren't great for me and I believe being on Accutane so many times contributed to the additional health problems I have now (but I'll never be able to prove anything) but I don't have a choice. Between a rock and a hard place type of situation.

[godawfulface]

Do you have any photos? Do you use fluoride in your toothpaste? Is it actually acne or dermatitis?

[calvarious]

godawfulface, on 19 January 2012 - 06:28 PM, said:

Do you have any photos? Do you use fluoride in your toothpaste? Is it actually acne or dermatitis?

Well over the years I've used tooth pastes with and without fluoride (I'm assuming there's some type of connection right) and no it is definitely not Dermatitis, it is Acne for certain. I've asked about that too before to the different Derms I've had if there was a chance I was failing treatment because it was maybe ''folliculitis'' or something, and they assured me it definitely wasn't anything but Acne.

Edited by calvarious, 19 January 2012 - 07:00 PM.

[Brandy]

I'm so sorry you have had such a frustrating time with your skin. Did Accutane not help at all? It's often the last thing to try and the only thing to work for many people. It sounds like you've been through it all. My heart goes out to you. I know it isn't easy to be dealing with such stubborn acne but to have the other health conditions on top of it just does not seem fair.
I hope it gives you some level of comfort to know you aren't alone. We may not all have the same severity or sameness in our experiences, but we do relate to what you're going through. I hope you find this to be a supportive place to hang out.
You didn't mention it but have you tried any of the strong antibiotics like Bactrim (Septra)? It's not the first thing that is usually tried but I've heard from a few people that it has worked when other things may not have. It's stories like yours that really makes me wish we had a cure for this. ((hugs!))

[pianotaffy]

calvarious, i admire you tremendously for all that you have endured. i'm also 22, and i have dealt with moderate/severe acne for the past 4 years. i know i can only relate a little to what you're going through but... i can still relate. there's not a minute i don't think about my skin, and am faced daily with the fear that this may be a lifelong struggle. i am currently struggling with depression/anxiety as well.

but on the flipside, i have grown so close to God through all of this. He understands our frustration and sorrow, and i know He does want to heal us. it's just not right now, for only reasons He knows. i have realized that our suffering in this lifetime, as painful and long as it is, isn't all there is for us. we will not only have flawless skin in heaven, but be content and whole in every way possible. we will be exactly the way He meant for us to be: perfect.

i know you have tried many things so i won't offer any practical advice. but if it's alright with you, i would like to keep you in my prayers! as i pray healing for me, i will for you as well. the verse below is currently hanging on my mirror, so in the morning, it's the first thing i see before i look at my face. i pray it can give you some hope as well. keep fighting, sister! you're not alone.


2Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

[calvarious]

Oh yes I did take Trimethoprim when I was fourteen years old for both the Acne and chronic yeast infections - that was back when I was told to go the ''Antibiotic'' route shortly after tetracycline failed to deliver results for me, It never worked for me because my Acne is not a bacterial strain and never has been and I swear to God taking that medication made my hair fall out, I know that's not typical or anything but I remember my hair falling out like crazy and me having some subtle bald patches while taking it, once I discontinued I never had hair loss issues again. And as far as Accutane goes, well for me it was a very ''futile'' medication and I didn't even go through a single period of remission Acne wise while taking it, and my skin was still oily lol while I was on the medication (isn't the most infamous side effect supposed to be extreme dryness of the skin, go figure). I may not have a hormonal imbalance but my Acne is still highly hormonally influenced it is not from a bacteria I am well aware of that now, as it flares badly around my period and the worst of it is around the jaw line (very typically hormonal by definition), I'm simply just extremely sensitive to my own Androgens (that's why I take Spiro) and I'm sure there's other components too but the true and exact cause is really elusive as nothing really does the trick.