november rain

I'm not tanning because I want to be super tan. I'm trying it as a last resort to clear my skin. I could care less about how pale I am. I just really want clear skin.

I've been contemplating tanning for the past month and decided I really want to try it and see if it helps clear my skin. My skin is ALWAYS better in the summer. It's worth a try.

One question though, can you wear makeup? Like if I were to go about 3 hours after putting on makeup, would that be okay? There's no meds on my face, just moisturizer and foundation.

Hmm this is interesting. I've wondered about this before, because it seems like my acne was at its worst on lexapro. sometimes i wonder if it could be any type of drug, antidepressant or not.

since ive stopped my antidepressants, ive had a lot less flare-ups, i think. my face still looks like shit cuz i have so many red spots. not even bumps just like spots. and my mineral makeup barely covers it, and then wears off after a few hours.

i started spiro 10 days ago and i believe i am having an IB but its not that bad.. knock on wood.
hopefully spiro works. facial and back acne suck big time, but chest acne kills me. so. awful.

Ugh antibiotics suck.

I took minocycline twice a day for like a year and a half. Started during senior year of high school. Towards the end of the year, I started getting stomach problems: reflux, indigestion, heart burn, distention bloating, gas, pain, etc. Over the summer it got really bad. In the beginning of college I switched to doxy, because mino did abs. nothing for my skin. I also started taking yaz. I stopped both the doxy and yaz in January of my freshman year after being diagnosed with Candida.

The fall of my freshman year at college was awful.. I was exhausted all the time, my stomach problems worsened, I gained weight, anddd i developed cystic acne on my cheeks, which i have NEVER had before. I also got acne on my chest. And tonss more acne on my back (I had a bit prior to all the anti-biotic/bc nonsense, but never as bad.) Oh and I started getting re-occuring yeast infections for the first time-- it was awful.

Anyways, I went to see a doctor who practices functional medicine. Not sure if he's a hollistic doctor but something like that. I did a stool sample test that showed I had a significant amount of yeast in my colon.

I am still being treated for Candida (I'm about to be 20). My acne is worse now then it was when I was 17.. which wasnt even that bad. It's annoying when I see traditional medical doctors because they don't believe in the whole candida theory. I've been diagnosed with chronic fatigue, IBS, acid reflux. all of which are symptoms of Candida.

Antibiotics can be a great thing to treat bacterial infections. However, I am disapointed how doctors and dermatologists perscribe them so loosely. Long term antibiotic use is bad because it messes up the flora in your body. From my knowledge, antibiotics cannot dicifer bad bacteria from good bacteria. Therefore, antibiotics kill ALL bacteria, so the good bacteria is gone as well. Our bodies normally have a certain amount of good bacteria and yeast. This is normal. However, the good bacteria keeps yeast in control. Therefore, without good bacteria, yeast will grow out of control and symptoms such as chronic fatigue and IBS will occur. (at least in my case, and many cases I have read about)

I also think the combo with the birth control didn't help. I have heard that messing around with hormones can cause Candida as well.

I think you would benefit from seeing a doctor who practices functional medicine. I have a different doctor now, but both have been very helpful. My doc knows my whole medical history, and really listens to me. He takes time to put 'two and two together' and isn't so quick to shove a perscription slip in your hand (like most medical doctors).

Anyway, I hope this helps and I hope you start feeling better soon

thanks everyone for your replys!

i really do believe it is hormonal. and topicals just make it 1000x worse. i started using carly's bp thing cuz of the reviews, but it just made everything worse. i've always made sure my bras and clothes are always clean and i never wear something more than once without washing it. about a month or two ago, i switched to a "clear" detergent. and i don't use dryer sheets cuz i got hives from them once. i have extremely sensitive skin i guess.

anyway i switched back to my cleanser--caudale foaming wash. its all natural i believe. it doesnt aggriavte my skin, and so far nothing has gotten worse.

i really want to try spiro.