update

Wow, I haven't been here in ages it seems. Just dropping in to post an update. My skin is finally clearing after many months of getting worse. Late Nov I started back on Spiro 50mg once daily. I did this for about 2 months without the BCP. Then I added the BCP but only took it for one month because I didn't like the changes I was experiencing on it. I'm still on the Spiro (need to go in for a new RX soon). Stopped the BPO a while back (can't remember when exactly) b/c wasn't seeing results with it like I did initially and got tired of the bleaching. I have been using the AHA and Salicylic Acid routinely but was still having some breakouts until last month. I started doing an internal cleanse regimen and an antiacne vitamin. In the last 30 days I've seen a dramatic improvement. I'm using a product called Renew Life Original CleanseSmart and Futurebiotics Acneadvance I'm going to continue with the internal cleanse and once done hopefully the Futurebiotics product will maintain it. We'll see. It's only been 30 days so far but I'm definitely pleased with the results. Also the last two days I've run out of SA and started Green Cream Level 3 just to see if I get any better results. I'll reorder the SA when I'm out of the AHA again. So to summarize my current regimen is:

Cleanse with gel/liquid soap cleanser (been using various ones)
Apply Dan's SA/AHA
Moisturize with Collective Wellbeing Weightless Daycream

Repeat this at night (except right now I'm just doing the AHA during the day and the Green Cream at night.)

RXs/Supplements:

Spironolactone 50mg once daily
Futurebiotics Acneadvance (3 pills)
Renew Life Original Cleanse Smart (2 pills in the morning and 2 at night)

Ill try to pop in and post more frequently. Hope everyone's doing well.

starting on spiro & bcp again

Finally decided to go back to my doc. Saw him today and got Rxs for spiro which I started today and bcp--Loestrin (Junel FE). I've never taken that particular pill before. He prescribed it b/c it's very low dose estrogen and I've been incredibly worried about restarting my migraine headaches. I took Ovcon 35 for years and then switched to Orthotricyclen due to their incredibly effective marketing. I don't think there was any real difference in it's effectiveness for acne over the Ovcon 35. I also think I took another type pill for a short time but I don't remember which one. It was when I didn't have insurance and got free bcp from the health department. Anyway I'm hopeful b/c the best my skin ever looked was when I took the spiro & bcp combo. I just really hope those headaches don't start again. My doc just said I could always take another drug for the migraines! Been there, done that. Great, one more pill. I'll just dig out my old lady weekly reminder pill box for the Topomax & Maxalt! Maybe I need to write all my medications on one of those cards that I can keep in my handbag! I'm also really impatient and want my skin to be clear tomorrow. The minocycline really cleared my skin fast. I hate that I'm allergic to those abxs. I'll start the Loestrin this weekend. Wish me luck.

progress update

Well, I've been having a bit of a set back recently. I stopped the minocycline last month b/c I realized I was definitely allergic to it after taking it for a full 30-31 days. My skin was wonderful on it-- completely clear even through my period (except for the annoying abx rash on my neck!). So I stopped the abx and everything was fine until my cycle this month. I got the three normal premenstrual bumps along my lower face/jaw. They cleared-- then I got two on my forehead. They cleared--then I got three more on my cheeks and these most recent one's are giving me fits. They were so red and inflamed, they're actually clearing a bit now. I really thought things were under control. Another thing that set me back was that I ran out of BP a few days before payday and so had to wait a few more days after that to get it and get started back on it again. I really don't think being off the BP was the main cause though. I had had my period and was breaking out before I ran out of BP. It may have made it worse this last week though with these three last ones. I really think it was b/c I stopped the abx and when the hormonal shift came again it didn't have the abx to suppress the inflammation. I can't live on an abx forever anyway. It's just not practical. I'm back on the regimen now and contemplating what my next move is going to be. I want to try getting back on Spiro again but I may try Saw Palmetto first, I think it has a similar action. It'll be easier to access although I think generic Spiro may end up being cheaper. It's just finding the time in my schedule to make a trip back to the doc. I even was reading up on the BCP tonight but I don't know if that's my best option. I had terrible migraines and I don't want them creeping up again. Also I'm not sure what age at which it's not a good idea to be on the pill anymore. I think I may be rapidly approaching that point. I'm sure decades of synthetic hormones can't be good for you. My posts are sounding rather repetitive so I'll stop now. If anyone out there is reading this and has any words of wisdom please pass them on.

minocycline rash

Okay so Friday I finally decided the rash I'd been having on my neck since about day 6-7 into treatment was due to the abx after all. The rash just seemed to get worse and I thought was going lower towards my chest. After doing some research on the side effects and looking at previous posts here I realized I was indeed having an allergic reaction to the drug. Thankfully it was only a mild and limited reaction. I had tried Doxy (8+) years ago and broke out immediately in red spots all over my face within about 15-20 of taking the first pill. Then maybe 5-6 years ago I went on Mino with great results and no rxn that I remember or could tell. I can't remember now how long of a time period I ended up taking the Mino for, probably no more than a few months but I just don't remember now. See I was expecting a quick allergic response like I had to the Doxy but apparently you can have an allergic rxn to Mino as much as 1-3 weeks into the treatment. I just keep taking the drug after I got the rash because I had convinced myself it was the moisturizer that was doing it because of the sting even though I didn't have the same rash face. See I started the Regimen, the abx and another non-acne med all within a day of each other so when I got the rash I wasn't sure what was causing it because the moisturizer seemed to sting and I didn't remeber having a problem with the abx before. Okay so sometimes it takes a while for the obvious to sink in with me . I've been putting the jojoba oil on my neck since Friday night and it's getting a lot better. Hope this post helps somebody else.

strbckjnkee's acne update

Just wanted to update everyone on my progress with the regimen. Okay, so I've been on the regimen for about 3 & 1/2 weeks now and I've had definite and steady progress.

I'm using: DKR Cleanser, BP and Moisturizer plus I'm on Minocycline 100mg once a day.

My skin is not completely clear but it is so much better. Not long after my first post I broke out with 3 new bumps all under my jawline, 2 on the right and one one the left. 2 of them went away pretty quickly but one on the right side was so stubborn and took forever to clear. It's not swollen anymore but if I run my finger over the spot I can still feel a lump under the skin. Then maybe a week ago I got one bump breakout on my right cheek but it also went away pretty quick too. I think that one my have been premenstrual because I just started my cycle again a few days ago. So other than those 4 zits I've had no new breakouts since starting the regimen. I still have these small noninflamed bumps along my left temple that are slowly clearing. And of course I still have red marks left from previous bumps.

I really like Dan's cleanser. It's similar to other mild cleansers I've used in the past and I've always had the best luck when I used something mild & neutral to wash my face. I'm also really impressed with the BP too. My skin's super sensitive and I've never been able to tolerate any BP before even other 2.5%. I'm still undecided about the moisturizer but I'm still using it. There are things I like about it and others that I don't. I think it moisturizes really well and doesn't leave me dry later in the day like some other moisturizers. I think it's the jojoba oil in it that makes the difference. But there's definitely something in it that is irritating, stinging especially the skin on my neck. My neck looks horrible. It's red dry flakey, but not as itching as at first though. I left off the moisturizer for day or so and it cleared up. Now my neck is broken out again. I need some suggestions on an alternate moisturizer please.

I think I'm ready to start the AHA now and I'm really excited about it. I'm going to order it tomorrow. I may also order the jojoba oil to try adding to other moisturizers. Back in JAN/FEB/MAR I tried the Patricia Wexler products at Bath and Body Works. I got significant improvement with that line but the cost was such that I couldn't afford to keep it up. That product line used salicyclic acid and was mild to treat adult acne with aging skin concerns. It also had glycolic acid treatment pads and I really think those made my skin glow again. I still wasn't completely clear then but definitely improved. I think my skin needs some exfoliation to really make it better. I don't think the BP really helps to exfoliate your skin. However I am concerned about using the BP and AHA together since when I've used SA and BP together in the past it was always a disaster--too irritating.

I'm trying to get into the habit of daily sunscreen. I've had issues with the BP, antibiotic and sun. I'm trying Neutrogena Age Shield Face SPF 70. I only appy a little bit because it seems really heavy and greasy if I put too much on. I don't know if I'm using enough to protect myself though. It also has this horrible chemical smell.

I've been out of the habit of wearing daily make up for a long time. Since my skin has given me so much trouble over the years I figured the least I was putting on it the better. However I really want to start wearing it again, not to cover up but I think it makes me feel better, more self confident and prettier. I think I've gotten lazy with things like that (and gained weight, etc.) and I really want to start taking better care of my self and appearance besides my acne. My acne/skin has ruled my life for so long.

I'm in my late 30's and I'm really getting concerned about the skin around my eyes. I'm really getting lots of lines there and my age is showing. I hate it!. I'm trying to deal with acne and wrinkles at the same time. It's like fighting a losing battle. I'm going to try to find a going eye cream this week. I have one in mind. It's Origins Eye Doctor but it's $29.50 for 0.5 oz. Anyone have any opinions on this?

I mentioned in my last post that I was thinking of trying spironolcatone again (switch it out with the minocycline--I don't want to build a better acne germ). After reading some posts about the affect on sex drive I had 2nd thoughts, but I think I may still try it. I had been on BCP and Spiro for years with excellent results overall. But I had to get off BCP b/c of migraines. I never thought at the time that the spiro was affecting my sex drive but now I really think it was. I was also dealing with alot of stress, depression then and I just figured that was it. I even asked my gyno about it which was completely humiliating(just getting up the nerve to approach the subject) and he just chalked it up to stress too. I just thought there was something wrong with me or thats how I was. That was normal for me. Right now sex is much better for me more enjoyable than it's been in awhile. I don't know how much was due to spiro and how much was stress/depression. If I take the spiro again and run into the same problem I'll have to rethink things then. It's like the acne vs wrinkles again! Just trading one problem for another.

If anyone has made it to the end of this incredibly long post you deserve a reward! LOL. Thanks for reading. Any advice is appreciated.