24 replies to this topic

[mdp703]

I have decided to create this log both to track my progress on minocycline, but also to track my progress coming off minocycline, since we all know that can be difficult.

First some history....
I am a 30 yo female who has suffered with a combination of acne and acne rosacea since I was 15. I have tried everything, including topicals (BP, clin, retin-a), birth control, Accutane, PDT, and OTCs. Accutane worked very well, but every time I come off of it, my acne returns. Same for birth control. Same for minocycline.

I've been off of any prescriptions for the past two years, hoping that my skin would slowly 'normalize' itself. Well, my skin was just getting worse, particularly in the last few months. My breakouts are all around my mouth and chin.

I decided I couldn't take the embarrassment of my skin getting worse at this age, so I went back to my derm and she put me on Minocycline 200mg. The plan is for a 6 week course and then we will try to manage any post-breakout after. This began on October 23rd.

I am now 10 days in. When I took Min in the past it usually took a full 30 days to begin working. However, I've usually been on a smaller dose (100). This time, I've been pleasantly surprised that I began seeing results after about 7 days. When I started I had probably around 20 red inflamed bumps, plus about 5-10 whiteheads. I now only have about 10 red bumps and 2-3 whiteheads. I am extremely pleased.

I will keep posting my progress. I apologize that there are no pics. I find it too embarrassing to take or post pics.

[mdp703]

Day 13
It looks like I jumped the gun a bit too quickly by assuming the Min started working already. I have about 7-10 new comeodones that have formed in the last 24 hours. I'm just hoping that the Min starts working soon. I need to remind myself this is only day 13! I do still only have 2 whiteheads so I appreciate this improvement.

[mdp703]

I think I'm on Day 17. No major changes. The comeodones have mostly come to a head so I've been using tea tree oil to dry them up. I still think my skin is better compared to when I started, but it's a subtle improvement. All the spots are there, but they seem to be less inflamed.

[mdp703]

Day 21:
Well, if I had posted yesterday I would have said things were looking good. Everything seemed to be calming down and I had no whiteheads. Yay!!!!!........wrong. I woke up this morning with about 5-10 new whiteheads starting. It's so disappointing. Overall, I would say either no change or a very small change from day 1. I am reminding myself that I was told it would take 30 days. Let's hope.

[shadylee]

hi mdp..im on day 32 ..it was working quite well, i was pleasantly surprised bc i have literally tried everything..unfortunately today i woke up with a niced size lump near my nose ....very frustrating..i was on accutane a couple of months ago but had to stop my course after only one month bc it wreaked havoc on my eyes..which im still dealing with unfortunately..i hate being on antibiotics again, but i needed to do something bc when i came off accutane had a really bad breakout..the mino really cleared it up but i have this new spot, im hoping it goes away fast..gl to both of us!! i hope it works!

[mdp703]

Thanks for the reply. When did it start working for you? I'm unfortunately on day 27 and still getting plenty new breakouts. I'm very disappointed bc the last time I took it, it worked so well.

[mdp703]

Day 32
I wish I had better news to post. Still no real change. I am getting about one to two new whiteheads per day. I find myself confused BC one day it will look like I am clearing and the Min is working, but then the next day I get new breakouts. It's frustrating. I am supposed to be on it for two more weeks so I am still hoping something changes shortly.

[Brarei200]

When I was on Doxy (same thing pretty much), it took 3 months for it to completly clear me, keep at it. But, sorry to say this, but afterl ike 7 months I broke out again and the pills stopped working. So don't abuse the pills (taking it when your clear like I did) or your body will grow immune to it.

[mdp703]

Day 37ish
Well, I am hopeful that the Min is possibly helping now, but I've also added some other components to my regimen that could be affecting things. As I mentioned above, this log is not only about the effectiveness of Min but also how to come off of it and manage post break-outs.

First, the state of my skin. I have no whiteheads at the moment and about five comeodones. I do have a lot of red marks that are healing though. Overall, this is progress for my skin,but the 20 or so super red marks still look hideous.

Second, I've made some nutrition changes. I already was eating a paleo diet (for a couple months) and havent had dairy in 10 years. I don't eat sugary foods, don't eat processed foods, and don't eat transfatty foods. I've been quite healthy for awhile. I was also already on the following supplements: multi, zinc, omega 3, evening primrose. In planning to come off Min in a few weeks, I started taking vitamin A and E two weeks ago, and one week ago I started B5. It's possible these are helping, but more importantly I hope they help when I'm done this round of Min. I most recently bought a juicer and beginning yesterday am starting my day with freshly juiced veggies (carrots, cucumber, celery....with an apple for taste).

Overall, I am feeling better about my skin. Without makeup my skin doesn't look much better bc of the really red marks, but because I have minimal comeodones and rarely have whiteheads I can manage to cover everything quite well. This has been great. I am just hopeful things continue on this path.

[mdp703]

6 week update
Well the original plan was for six weeks on Min, but I saw my derm today who suggested I stay on for another six weeks. She said it often takes 12 weeks for Min to take full effect. In discussion of the post-Min breakout, she wants me to start using differin .3 gel once per day.
As for my skin, the results are ok thus far. I currently have 3 active inflamed pimples on the right side of my face. Otherwise I have a ton of PIH and a couple comeodones on the left side. Looking back at my original post I can see this is an improvement. I form about one new pimple per day (whether a comeodone or whitehead), but when i started was having like 5 or more form overnight. This is a huge change i guess. I am still hopeful with a few more weeks, I will quit getting as many new ones forming.
My plan- sticking with my diet and supplements and I will start the differin today as well. I guess this is now turning into a Minocycline/Differin log.

[mdp703]

6 weeks and a few days....
Just wanted to update that i decided to only use differin on a part of my face (lower chin). I made this decision for two reasons. First, I don't want the IB to occur everywhere at the same time if it happens. Instead, I will slowly increase the areas for which I apply differin. Second, by not putting it on all my face, maybe I will be better able to see its effects compared to the other areas.
As for my skin, no major changes. I had a few more whiteheads pop up over the weekend. I have a couple coming up today where I started differin. Not sure if it's from the differin. Will keep you updated.

[Brownilocks]

Good luck girl! Adult acne SUCKS!!! I'm 29 and mine's mostly on the chin. I've been doing the topicals (differin, then tazorac) constantly and (mino on and off) for years and had clear skin for 5/12 years until this September... Back in the day when I had this under control, an Rx face wash seemed to help a bit more, too. I used the Plexion cleansing clothes twice a day first then later was put on the Rosula cleansing wash. I will warn you though, they both reek of sulfur. Trying the accutane now. Just got started recently and hoping for the best. I see where you used it in the past. Don't get discouraged! I hope we can get clear once and for all! Keep us posted on your progress and best of luck to ya!!!

[mdp703]

Thanks for the encouragement. The last two days I've had no new whiteheads. I'm getting hopeful, but know this could just be the normal fluctuations. Since starting differin, I've only had one pimple form on my chin area. Crossing my fingers that the Min will reduce any possible IB.

[mdp703]

Week 8
Well things are going ok. I've developed a few whiteheads where I started differin, so I'm assuming this is the IB. I'm hoping it doesn't get much worse. I also have a few whiteheads along my left cheek.. Altogether, I have about 6 whiteheads, which is the most I've had in awhile. I will be patient with the addition of differin.

[mdp703]

Week 8 and a bit
I've developed no new pimples in the last couple days. This has been encouraging again, bc I usually developed at least one red spot or whitehead per day (at least in the last few weeks). Its nice to have a 'break' so-to-speak every once in awhile. I do still have two extremely small whiteheads where I started differin, but they aren't really inflamed which is nice. Otherwise I just have a ton of PIH on my cheeks and chin - probably around 35 red spots in total. I can cover them with makeup though so they don't bother me much.

Edited by mdp703, 21 December 2012 - 09:00 AM.

[mdp703]

Week 9
I've only had one new comeodone in the last few days. Crossing my fingers that I've turned a corner.
Many many red spots are still in need of healing, though. Haven't had any more breakouts where I'm applying differin. Maybe the minocycline has reduced the IB....or it just hasn't fully happened yet.

[mdp703]

2 months and some...
Well, I had a breakout this week. I developed three larger inflamed bumps on my right cheek/chin and then a couple really red inflamed, but relatively flat spots on my left cheek. I'm not sure what triggered this breakout, but I feel discouraged. I was quite hopeful that I had turned a corner. I am still using differin on my chin area. Thus far, there doesn't seem to be a difference in my acne on my chin vs anywhere else. I intend to stick with this regimen for at least another month to give it a full attempt. Overall, my skin still is better than when I started. I just had hoped that I would be much clearer by now.

[mdp703]

2 months and some more....
Well, overall no change in my skin since the last post. The last few healed really quickly, but I've had three whiteheads come up where I am applying differin. I also had a couple new red spots come up in other areas, but at least they are flat. Super frustrating, but I'm sticking with this routine for at least another month. I'm still hoping that the breakouts will continue to lessen.

[mdp703]

11 week update (and 4.5 weeks on differin)
Well, there isn't really much change. My chin area (where I apply differin) has continued to break out. I currently have three inflamed whiteheads there and a ton of red spots. The rest of my face is actually doing ok, except I've been getting a few large red spots forming. I have a really weird one on my right cheek that formed a few days ago. It's completely flat, but developed into about the size of a dime. I'm not sure what it is or what it's from, but it's new for me. Well, my acne has always consisted of developing red spots, but just never this big before.
Overall, I am still hopeful. At 11 weeks I really had hoped the minocycline would be more effective, as it had been in the past. However, compared to when I started, I do have less whiteheads. Let's see what another few weeks brings.

[mdp703]

Week 12
Well, it's finally here - the 12 week mark. Time to evaluate my progress in a lot of detail.

My current skin - I currently have no whiteheads and haven't had one since my last post. I think those last whiteheads were from the differin IB. They've left some red marks and indented scars which sucks though. However, I can at least cover the marks easier. I have no pimples on my cheeks, forehead, or nose. However, I do have red spots that seem to come and go on my cheeks. They don't really form into anything, but they worry me because I feel like I'm always waiting for them to. Maybe it's the minocycline that's keeping them at bay?

overall, there is clearly much improvement over the last 12 weeks. Am I clear? No. I think I will give at least another two to three weeks to this regimen to see if I can get clearer, letting my marks heal. If I still breakout, then I will consider Accutane or birth control again. I am hoping I don't break out again and then I can see how well the differin helps reduce any resurgence after I'm off the min. I guess I first need to see how the next three weeks go. For now, I at least am able to look like I have clear skin with a little bit of make up. Thank god for that!