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Recovered from my jaw breakout so when I put concealer over the two red marks on my right cheek I look clear..
I can never relax though! I always feel like I live one day at a time and I can't make plans.. For all I know today could be good but tomorrow I wake up with a collection of new spots!
Like hell. Had my acne controlled somewhat with low carb dieting, then I started getting cystic acne again. Cut out all alcohol and smoking recently, and my face was flawless for a good 2 weeks. Now, cystic acne seems to be coming back. I just don't understand this disease.
Freaked out cause I have't had a new bump in 4 days. This must be the calm before the storm. Funny how I worry more when I have no actives than when I have a few...
Tired of people diminishing my feelings regarding my acne. Everyone will not have the same severity of acne so why do people feel it's their God given right to tell others to stop complaining because it's not that bad? You would think having been a survivor people would be more compassionate. Let us remember that this site wasn't created for only severe acne sufferers. Just because you're clear, don't forget where you started from as its by the Grace of God you're not back there.
Bad but not as bad as I usually get with breakouts. It's small and localised that I am greatful for. But still. I just wish for a week without a breakout. Like I feel it's not even that much of a big thing to ask for after going through around 500 weeks with breakouts lol.
I (finally) have a derm appointment tomorrow! I've been on a waiting list for a few months now. And even though I've had acne in varying severities since I was about 13 (I'm 22 now), I've never actually been to a derm. I've just gone with the advice from my GP which was fine, but it'll be nice to see a specialist and get their opinion / advice now. It'll be weird for me to leave the house without makeup to go the appointment, but it'll be fine.
Overall, my acne / skin doesn't get to me as much as it used to even though it's still moderate acne in my opinion. I of course still have my moments where it does get me down, but I've been managing it a lot better now.
Hope you're all doing well. Hang in there 
Finding my center in something more profound than my skin. This life is fleeting and we're all in transition. The lessons to be learned from this can be priceless. You learn a lot about yourself and other people. I hate going through this but I figure it could always be worse.
For everyone feeling like they're struggling, know that:
You're not alone
There's a plan for your life
You were made for so much more
You'll see people for who they really are (good and bad)
You'll learn a lot about yourself
Sometimes being down on your face means that you can finally start looking up.
Time to vent a little after the derm appointment I had today...
The derm thinks that what I'll have to end up doing is to take accutane. I'm not too keen on that and I was annoyed that it was pretty much the first thing she said to me when I walked in. She was great though and just explained it all to me, but wasn't pressuring me into agreeing to take it. She just wants me to consider it. For now though I have a prescription for epiduo and a lot of erythromycin. I'm a little cautious about taking so much of it (it'll start off at 400mg AM/PM and work up to being 800mg in the AM and PM) so I think I might seek another opinion from my GP first just to ease my mind a bit before starting it (and the epiduo).
Overall, I'm a bit worried about starting something new and having my skin break out more than it already is. But starting soon would be good - might have clearer skin by the time I graduate at the end of the year 
And I know I need to try something new - what I'm doing now isn't helping so much.
alright i've been doing a lot of thinking and it honestly pisses me off that SO many people today have acne and dermatologists don't have good options to help us. either the options 1. don't work or 2. are dangerous drugs that could potentially kill you or have permanent negative side effects. the drugs prescribed for acne weren't even meant for acne. it's ridiculous! acne is a skin condition and dermatologists today need to be able to figure something out. scientists and doctors need to create something better. i don't care if it's a cream, or some sort of magical device, but there has got to be more done for acne sufferers.
alright i've been doing a lot of thinking and it honestly pisses me off that SO many people today have acne and dermatologists don't have good options to help us. either the options 1. don't work or 2. are dangerous drugs that could potentially kill you or have permanent negative side effects. the drugs prescribed for acne weren't even meant for acne. it's ridiculous! acne is a skin condition and dermatologists today need to be able to figure something out. scientists and doctors need to create something better. i don't care if it's a cream, or some sort of magical device, but there has got to be more done for acne sufferers.
I hear your frustration loud and clear. You can't blame derms though as they prescribe what they've learned about. The same can be said for the holistic people I have seen. Acne is so unique that no one thing will help 100% of people 100% of the time. From a Christian point of view, we live in a word that is chock full of sin so bad things happen to everybody no matter if you deserve it or not. The best way to deal with it is however you can. For me, I am trusting that God has this as part of my growing/maturing plan.
Time to vent a little after the derm appointment I had today...
The derm thinks that what I'll have to end up doing is to take accutane. I'm not too keen on that and I was annoyed that it was pretty much the first thing she said to me when I walked in. She was great though and just explained it all to me, but wasn't pressuring me into agreeing to take it. She just wants me to consider it. For now though I have a prescription for epiduo and a lot of erythromycin. I'm a little cautious about taking so much of it (it'll start off at 400mg AM/PM and work up to being 800mg in the AM and PM) so I think I might seek another opinion from my GP first just to ease my mind a bit before starting it (and the epiduo).
Overall, I'm a bit worried about starting something new and having my skin break out more than it already is. But starting soon would be good - might have clearer skin by the time I graduate at the end of the year
If the regimen didn't work I'm wondering If epiduo will help. I wouldn't recommend taking the antibiotics as it is just a crutch. Definitely try topicals for a few months before accutane. You may even want to try spiro before accutane.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Went to my derm and got a diagnosis of rosacea, acne and peri oral dermatitis. The PD Is definitely frustrating. I've been prescribed elidel for the inflammation, Oracea for the inflammation and spiro for the acne. Not gonna lie, I am extremely upset but being upset never got anyone anywhere. Gotta just keep moving one foot in front of the other.
Sometimes you just have to accept that it's ok to not be ok and keep it moving.
Hi there guys my name is Nate and I am new to this site. I started taking Accutane About 2 months ago The first month was great I was taking one pill a day At 40 milligrams I was doing so well That My dose was increased 2 two pills Every 3rd day Everything was going good Until one Day August 1st When i My two pills early in the morning I went over and got me a coffee. Now I did drink coffee When I was taking one pill a day... After 20 minutes Give or take of drinking the coffee I started feeling really anxious Chills Mind racing, Strange weird thoughts I understand that caffeine I can do this to you So I thought it was the caffeine That was causing me this severe Anxiety attack So I contact to my dermatologist And she told me That was more likely An overdose of caffeine And that I should Refrain from lots of caffeine while on Accutane Now I understood Because I am a health nut I lift weights And I'm in good shape... So three days later i took two more pills And unfortunately had another spell Of anxiety In mind racing now this is freaking me out Because I didn't have any caffeine This time But yet I was still having similar symptoms As last time And they were scaring me. I contacted my dermatologist And she told me To go back to one pill a day. Honestly guys I haven't taken One pill a day yet Because I'm still kind of freaking out I'm still kind of feeling Weird And I haven't taken Accutane for 4 days And I'm still feeling really weird It's scary Cuz I don't know what's going on Do you guys think I made the right decision By stopping Accutane Until I find out what's going on Or do you guys think I should just Try the one pill a day And see if my symptoms go away eventually
Nate, I personally would keep on with it. Anxiety is a side effect, but little bursts of anxiety won't kill you. Do the episodes last long?
Also many times I have taken my accutane with red bull and suffered no ill effects (I know I shouldnt), so perhaps its more the mental side that you're expecting an anxiety attack that it happens?
If it does carry on, but is only short bursts and goes away, maybe try seeing a doctor to get prescribed xanax? Just until you finish
Feeling terrible today.
My skin is so bumpy, I can't stop looking at it like I really need a hobby or something. I've stayed home all day today and supposed to have a date tomorrow night but I can see me cancelling, as per.
I just hate feeling this unattractive guys, and nobody understands but people on here or the ODD person that had skin issues in my town or work...All my friends have amazing skin and don't know why I feel so bad about mine because they "can't see it" etc.
I hope everyone is doing the best they can.
I have been under a lot of stress and haven't maintained the regimen as best as I could, though I'm trying to get back into it, so I've taken quite a few steps back and my skin looks .. err not so great sadly. So I'm a bit bummed but everything else is good so I should focus on that. Or try.
Feeling pretty bad.
I had TCA cross and dermapen performed two weeks ago for my scarring, and as per usual, a week later (aside from the residual scabbing from the TCA) my skin in general was looking quite promising and clear (still scarring pretty much everywhere, but seemingly slightly shallower in depth) - from micro-swelling, I imagine. A couple of days after that and things have changed dramatically. I'm now suffering from deep breakouts on both cheeks/neck area. I'd like to think it's just an initial breakout from starting back on isotrexin, but I'm feeling quite self-conscious about it. After I get a treatment done for my scars, it's generally the same outcome each time: I always start off feeling optimistic, but it doesn't take long for me to start realising again that there's no magical cure, and as the healing process goes on and swelling decreases, my skin starts looking more and more blotchy and stressed out once more. I even start to wonder if these treatments are doing anything at all, or start becoming paranoid that they're even making my skin worse... such is my messed up perception and the sensitivity of my skin, I struggle to tell.
Not helping my stress is that I recently met a person online who is keen to meet me, and I him if it wasn't for the fact I feel too embarassed about my appearance. I hadn't intended for it to happen, but through writing we've gotten along so well that it would be a shame to never find out if that could translate to offline. There's two things going on in that respect, really: 1) having my flaws be seen rather than being able to hide behind my screen and 2) the issue of my self-consciousness getting in the way of being able to project my 'true' personality, even if my scarred, broken out, blotchy skin isn't in itself enough to turn somebody off. Really wish I knew how it felt to have a mind unoccupied by worries about my appearance, even if just for an hour or two, or to be able to have photographs taken of myself, feel confident being looked at, etc. etc..
Trying to do the right thing, though, and keep myself from touching my face. And just writing today off as a 'healing' day that will hopefully soon pass. 
Pretty mixed.
On my 7th week of differin and woke up with 1 small papule and 2 tiny whiteheads after being 100% clear for over a week. I am obviously upset but I feel guilty for being upset for 2 reasons. 1. I am only on week 7 of the recommended 12 to start seeing results. 2. If I am upset over 3 tiny unnoticable to most people spots then I have made progress. Hell I still remember when I had severe cystic acne and it was only 2 years ago. I used to have papules, whiteheads, blackheads, and monstorous cysts that would bleed and weep throughout the day. I guess I need to learn to stop being so damn shallow and cocky and let my differin work without worrying every tiny zit is gonna make me somehow turn cystic again.
I saw a dermatologist at the beginning of June. She told me that I had moderate inflammatory acne and prescribed me Solodyn(antibiotics), Onexton cream for the morning and Retin-a cream at night. I've been taking these everyday. After the first couple of weeks, my forehead, nose, upper lip area and chin cleared up, but they weren't really that bad to begin with. The huge problem areas were my cheeks. I saw no improvement in my cheeks for a while. After maybe a month and a half, I went back to the dermatologist and I had only dark red scars on my cheeks. Now, a few weeks later, some of my acne is coming back. I'm getting some tiny zits on my forehead, and I have some cysts on my cheeks again, plus the scars from before. I don't know if it's because of the stress I've been feeling lately or what. So I guess I'm feeling kind of sad and irritated right now. I hope it gets better.