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Hmm. It's been a little over three weeks since I started avoiding gluten. Sure seems like longer. No improvement as far as I can tell.
I love this!! keep it up. I'm like you trying diffrent sh** all the time ( mostly vitamins and home remedy treatments, diet changes etc) . I love reading what you've tried and what does and does not work for you.
Just curious?? What sort of cleanser do you use? and What do you think of lush products?
I've been using their stuff for a few weeks now and It's ok but i'm just curious what you think might be better? Also, in case you didn't know be careful with some of the Nature's made vitamins alot of them have other crap added, make sure it's dairy gluten etc... free. ( you probably already knew that but just thought i'd tell ya )
Thanks!!
I use cetaphil in the evenings when there's makeup to be removed and usually just water in the mornings. Sometimes I oil cleanse with castor oil and jojoba.
Just found this about ACV and vinegar helping headaches/sinus. So I guess I really should try drinking ACV. I will start today when I get home.
It says to inhale the vapor from hot water ACV in equal parts, so I guess I'll do that with a small amount, then dilute and drink throughout the day.
So, it's been over 4 weeks since I began avoiding gluten. There's been no clear change. And I'm going to visit mom and grandma for over a week on Friday. There will be gluten. And any change from adding gluten will still not be conclusive as flying (bad) and climate change (good) will have an effect on my headaches.
Hey, are you still using NAC at all? Also, what brand did you use before? 
I've been doing the whole "treating my body as if I'm diabetic" method (as mentioned in your sig) for almost a couple months now, and it's definitely working. Now I'm just trying to find the best supplmenet to control my insulin levels and reducing insulin resistance. NAC seems to be very promising from the studies I have read...
^I haven't been taking NAC because I was traveling for nearly 2 weeks and I reduced my pills to my multi and C. And then a few days after I got home, the hurricane hit and I didn't bother digging out all the vitamins during my 11 days without electricity. I'm starting them again now.
Update:
I think the mint tea has been having the most effect on my hirsutism. Remember, I was taking the NAC because I read somewhere that NAC and GLA may stimulate salivary glands. Remember I have this thirst problem.
RE: The thirst problem. Since I also have dry nasal passages and I guess my eyes are somewhat dry, I've been wondering if I am dehydrated. My skin doesn't seem to be dehydrated. But anyway, I read that sodium is needed to trigger the cells to take in water, and they do rehydrate people with saline. Since I don't eat that much salt most days, so I've been adding a pinch of salt to my water a couple of times per day. I did that several months ago too, and quit. Because I went to the dentist and she took my blood pressure and said it was getting a little high. My blood pressure had always been very low and my father had high blood pressure so I am at risk. So I'm cutting out the salt. And anyway, I just took my blood pressure with a home device that may not be so accurate, and it was something like 135/85. I am going to call my gynecolegists office and see if they will tell me what my blood pressure was on my prior visits over the last 2 years. Because they never said anything, so I would think it was low then, and if so, maybe it's something I'm doing.
Have decided to take hyaluronic acid to see if it helps with hydration. I've tried it before, but I was taking just one or two capsules per day. The dosage on the bottle is 2 and it says some people should take as many as 4. So that's what I'm trying.
So my thirst/dehydration issues may be caused by Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Or one of the other forms of diabetes insipidus, which have nothing to do with blood sugar but with the kidneys and inability to retain water.
http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...t&p=2417553
What needs to be tested:
http://www.emedicine.com/med/TOPIC543.HTM
The clinician should measure serum electrolytes and glucose, urine specific gravity, urinary sodium, simultaneous serum and urine osmolality, and ADH levels. A urine specific gravity of 1.005 or less and a urine osmolality less than 200 mOsm/kg is the hallmark of diabetes insipidus. Random plasma osmolality generally is greater than 287 mOsm/kg.
I'm avoiding nightshades this week. Started Tuesday.
Next I'll avoid all citrus, which means the lemon and lime juice in water and on food. I was going to try a hypoallergenic diet, but haven't done the planning.
My tests were inconclusive and very expensive. I did show low sodium which could be because it's diluted by the amount of water I drink. But I don't eat much salt. I was making an effort to use more, but then I discovered my blood pressure was high so I cut it out right before the doctor visit. So who knows. I am supposed to go back after restricting water overnight for another test, but I'm currently arguing about the outrageous charges.
My zero gravity was 1.006, so not an indicator of diabetes insipidus. I don't see urine osmolality in the test results.
Also, re my thirst issues. I was reading on another forum someone's complaint about dry mouth and a dentist responded by asking if it feels dry under the tongue. If not, then there's nothing wrong with that person's salivary glands.
So why the hell didn't the ENT I saw last spring think of that? So there's nothing wrong with my salivary glands and I shouldn't have been tested for sjogrens syndrome or prescribed medications to stimulate salivary glands. Expensive medications. Wasting my time, money and limited insurance benefits.
On top of that, I've seen a dentist, endodontist, GP and an optometrist since then. On the forms they ask you to fill out, they always ask about dry mouth, nasal, eyes, etc. And I always check those. Yet not one ever offered any comment.
Really, the traditional medical industry remains completely useless to me. Expensive wastes of time.
I hope everything's okay! Good luck with the thirst issues... hopefully its nothing very serious.
Also, are you still taking NAC, GLA, and drinking mint tea? If so, how's that combo treating you so far?
I'm just drinking the mint tea. I'm pretty sure it's made a big difference to my hirsutism. The androgenic hairs are a lot less coarse so it feels like the growth is slower.
Well, I avoided nightshades for nearly 2 weeks. I also avoided lemon/lime for most of that time. Ended last night when I went out to eat.
I'm now avoiding most of the hits on my allergy test that I hadn't tried before, which are egg whites, baking powder. Not avoiding dairy (although it's yogurt only) right now though. I've tried that for over a month before. Anyway I've had very little of the other things on the list and mostly eaten hypoallergenic foods for several days now.
This is probably not being methodical enough, but I have felt less fatigued the last couple of days. Definately too soon to tell though. And I've still had headaches of course with the weather changing all the time. A new cold front arrived today. Yesterday was warm and muggy.
Going to go try making my yummy baked oatmeal recipe leaving out the egg and hope it turns out. Don't see why not.
The day after I eat yogurt I get a migraine. This happens with butter too. Milk has a diminished effect. I hate to say it, but chances are the one thing you are not testing is what is causing it.
Well, thanks, but I don't get migraines. I get congestion and mild headaches that worsen with weather changes which occur every couple of days here so it's next to impossible to make a connection to food when what I feel is more related to the weather. And like I said, I already avoided all dairy for over a month, in addition to avoiding it years ago when I first heard of it potentially causing acne.
And just like in my last post, it's warm and muggy with a new front arriving tomorrow.
At the risk of sounding persistant, I really believe your congestion, fatigue and headaches are caused by dairy. After consuming dairy like milk or yoghurt, my cognition slows down. I feel happy for a period of hours. All the while I am less able to breathe easily. My throat is coated lightly at the back near my tonsils. The next day I wake up tired with a coated tongue. During the evening of the next day I often get a headache if I have had only one serving. If I have 2 servings in one day, my headache the next day will be more severe. 3 servings = migraine. It will take me three or four days to completely heal all symptoms. I also get congestion from rice and soy milk, nut milks, etc. although not headaches. Unmelted butter will give me a headache within 4 hours.
Dairy products may not cause acne, but they negatively effect my health and well-being. I can consume small amounts of clarified butter daily for cooking. I have small amounts of cream (just enough to lighten slightly) in a half cup of coffee often, which is not a problem either.
At the risk of sounding persistant, I really believe your congestion, fatigue and headaches are caused by dairy.
Which is why I already tried eliminating dairy for over 5 weeks just a few months ago. And also once years ago for I don't know how long, but it was way back before I learned that it was citrus that caused my cysts. I know I kept it up for a long time hoping for an improvement to my acne. I also eliminated it for a period when I was first diagnosed with rosacea. And again when I did a candida cleanse.
Besides, it sounds like I eat no more dairy than you. I have about 1/4 cup of yogurt, and sometimes cook with butter. And I haven't had any for several days. Also, my symptoms are nothing like yours.
And update, eliminating eggs still seems to be helping. Dec 15 was my last post on this, and I know I've only taken a couple of aspirin since then. And the type of headache I've had, in the back of my head near the neck, not related to congestion, is a posture issue. It occurs whenever I sit leaning back or slouching, but holding my head forward, usually on the sofa or recliner while working on my computer. I find myself doing it sometimes when driving too. It's neck tension/stiffness.
Stuff I just wrote in another post that I thought was pretty good and want to save to use again in the next argument:
The diet acne connection is way underblown here. Because there is a connection in many ways. There are some studies that directly prove it. And there are many studies that directly prove connections between acne and factors such as androgens. And many studies that directly prove connections between diet and androgen production. And there are studies that prove a direct connection between diet and other androgen related conditions. Put it together.
And hormone balance is not the only way diet affects acne.
----And another argument
Yes, we've had that discussion here before specifically about the RMIT study when it first started being published in so many periodicals, from medical journals to Redbook. But it doesn't matter that the RMIT researchers didn't determine exactly what about the GI improved the subjects' acne. What matters is that the diet they thought would help, did. That hardly makes it 'poorly designed' or difficult to interpret. It's perfectly simple.
In addition, it probably isn't exactly the same for everyone as a hormone balance can have many varying factors and degrees that make the subject more sensitive to high blood sugar and their effect on hormones and/or the hormone levels themselves. Such as liver function, as it's the liver's job to remove excess hormones from circulation, which it doesn't do well when it's busy removing other crap from a person's system. A nutrient dense, low-GI diet also tends to increase SHBG levels which would reduce free testosterone.
So there isn't necessarily one thing that can be 'pinpointed.' There are dozens of ways a low GI diet affects hormones. And other ways it can affect acne such as inflammation. The body is balancing a lot of functions. There's lots of give and take going on. What gives can vary from person to person.
And it's not necessarily entirely the low GI. When you cut back high GI foods, you tend to replace them with more nutrient dense foods as they did in the study. Nutrients are what your body uses to function. A few might also have lost weight, which can effect hormone levels.
And I don't get what you mean by 'there were so many dietary changes for the low glycemic group...' They followed a pretty common lower GI diet replacing sodas, potato chips and white bread with veggies, whole grains and legumes. This is cause for puzzlement?? We know how the GI works. It's been studied too.
Besides there are many other studies that do pinpoint specific effects of GI diets on hormone issues. Just google 'diet and hormones' and you'll find a million articles, books and studies. In fact, a low GI diet seems to be the number one thing to study in relation to hormone issues from PCOS to Prostrate cancer or anything to do with Androgens. Why would that be? Because there have already been tons of studies proving a relationship between diet and the factors involved in those conditions. And some of those studies involve a low fat and low GI diet, which has nothing to do with promoting the meat industry.
We know that androgens play a major role in oily skin and acne. That's been studied, proven and accepted. We know that things like SHBG levels affect hormone balance. We know that blood sugar affects androgen production. We know that SHBG levels tend to increase on a low GI diet. Studied, proven, yada yada. Etcetera.
And finally, all of these interconnected things can affect acne and be improved by diet, sleep and exercise:
Digestion, allergies and intolerances, liver function, adrenal function, hormone balance, SHBG levels, Insulin resistance, inflammation, cell function and turnover, sebum quality, nutrient deficiencies, body fat, stress etc, etc.
You all agree that only holistic approach can make a difference. What do you mean when you say this magical phrase "holistic approach"? How should food habits change? What influences our look? It's a pity that we can't conduct an experiment and not eat for a specific amount of time and then start adding products and notice a difference. I've heard about raw food diet (for example, on the site [Removed]) that claims to make a difference in your appearence. Is it true? Does it really help?
Nastyanova said:You all agree that only holistic approach can make a difference. What do you mean when you say this magical phrase "holistic approach"? How should food habits change? What influences our look? It's a pity that we can't conduct an experiment and not eat for a specific amount of time and then start adding products and notice a difference. I've heard about raw food diet (for example, on the site [Removed]) that claims to make a difference in your appearence. Is it true? Does it really help?
well, I don't think I've ever actually used the phrase 'holistic approach.' But diets should change to be mostly real food with these things I like to call nutrients. So cut out the crap processed foods and drinks with their refined carbs and bad fats, which are all the things they've been telling us to eat because they claimed saturated fats were bad. Margarine, crisco, hydrogenated oil, most vegetable oils, etc. turn to trans fats. The purpose of eating is not to fill you up, it's to provide nutrients. Just eat real, nutrient dense foods.
Also, avoid anything you have difficulty digesting or have an allergy or any kind of intolerance to. Gluten and dairy are the most common, although they aren't a problem for me. Eggs, citrus, and soy are probably the next most common. Citrus causes cysts for me.
And I've never looked into or considered Raw food diets, but I think it's a gimmick. You should eat plenty of raw fruits and vegetables because many nutrients and enzymes are destroyed by cooking. But there are also many nutrients that are more accessible when cooked. And some vegetables that are not digestible unless cooked.
Well, I've had my mother and Grandmother visiting for nearly a month and we had to eat old school S.A.D., acceptable to them meals. so I haven't been able to eat at all hypoallergenic or to really avoid eggs in foods. I'll have to start again.
However, we have continuously had freakishly dry for this semi-tropical climate for way over a month now. And I have felt quite a bit better almost the entire time, going several days at a time without a headache. Supporting the theory I've always had which is that I would feel better if I moved to a dryer climate.
My dry hands and eyes are absolutely killing me though.
Hi,
I am new tho the board but have been ready your comments and they have been s helpful to me. I am wondering if you would have any advice for me about my situation. I am 27 and seem similar to you in your struggle with acne, yet now you are clear:) I have had problems starting from when I was 10 years old. I have been on multiple types of BCP to using none at all which was terrible to now being on yaz (which doesn't seem to help) just the last two weeks of pills in the pack make my skin terrible.
I have tried everything else, every topical treatment, spiro, antibiotics, etc. I am now reduced to having such sensitive skin that I can not even use water to wash my face. My skin reacts poorly to everything put on it topically. I can't use cleansers, lotions of any kind, water unless it is distilled. Also temperature affects my skin I just moved to Boston and my skin is so bad now with dry heat inside and cold temps outside it is bleeding a flaky.
I also have tried asprin on my skin, aloe, and on and on.
I simply use witch hazel on my skin right now and nothing else.
I feel like I have gone to 30 or so dermatologists, 2 acupunturist, 1 nutritionist and still no answers.
The most helpful was the nutritionist. We took allergy tests and hormone tests and found my testosterone levels were at 90, pretty high, now probably down a bit that I am back on yaz. But I have to be on some hormones because my body won't regulate them on there own my gyno said, I basically am stuck on them now because I have messed them up so bad.
Also I found I am allergic to wheat, dairy, eggs and nuts, and pineapple.
I still eat a little wheat right now and only cream in my coffee. I am wondering if you would guess that my inflammed skin and acne are mostly hormonal and are diet related.
Should I not be drinking any coffee at all? Should I eat not wheat at all? I am a vegetarian and eat a veges a bunch but not enough. I don't get enough protein. I find that I when I take zinc 50mg, my omegas and multi it helps. I also feel dehydrated a bunch.
My skin has a hard time healing itself. I get scabs and they stay for over a month. It is constantly peeling.
I have been breaking out on my cheeks which I never did years ago??? And on my jaw line? I find that I get breakouts in the same places all the time?
What advice could you give me on my situation? Should I take Saw Palmetto, I just bought some but haven't started because I didn't know how it will affect my hormones?
Any help would be great.
Best
Stuff I just wrote in another post that I thought was pretty good and want to save to use again in the next argument:
The diet acne connection is way underblown here. Because there is a connection in many ways. There are some studies that directly prove it. And there are many studies that directly prove connections between acne and factors such as androgens. And many studies that directly prove connections between diet and androgen production. And there are studies that prove a direct connection between diet and other androgen related conditions. Put it together.
And hormone balance is not the only way diet affects acne.
----And another argument
Yes, we've had that discussion here before specifically about the RMIT study when it first started being published in so many periodicals, from medical journals to Redbook. But it doesn't matter that the RMIT researchers didn't determine exactly what about the GI improved the subjects' acne. What matters is that the diet they thought would help, did. That hardly makes it 'poorly designed' or difficult to interpret. It's perfectly simple.
In addition, it probably isn't exactly the same for everyone as a hormone balance can have many varying factors and degrees that make the subject more sensitive to high blood sugar and their effect on hormones and/or the hormone levels themselves. Such as liver function, as it's the liver's job to remove excess hormones from circulation, which it doesn't do well when it's busy removing other crap from a person's system. A nutrient dense, low-GI diet also tends to increase SHBG levels which would reduce free testosterone.
So there isn't necessarily one thing that can be 'pinpointed.' There are dozens of ways a low GI diet affects hormones. And other ways it can affect acne such as inflammation. The body is balancing a lot of functions. There's lots of give and take going on. What gives can vary from person to person.
And it's not necessarily entirely the low GI. When you cut back high GI foods, you tend to replace them with more nutrient dense foods as they did in the study. Nutrients are what your body uses to function. A few might also have lost weight, which can effect hormone levels.
And I don't get what you mean by 'there were so many dietary changes for the low glycemic group...' They followed a pretty common lower GI diet replacing sodas, potato chips and white bread with veggies, whole grains and legumes. This is cause for puzzlement?? We know how the GI works. It's been studied too.
Besides there are many other studies that do pinpoint specific effects of GI diets on hormone issues. Just google 'diet and hormones' and you'll find a million articles, books and studies. In fact, a low GI diet seems to be the number one thing to study in relation to hormone issues from PCOS to Prostrate cancer or anything to do with Androgens. Why would that be? Because there have already been tons of studies proving a relationship between diet and the factors involved in those conditions. And some of those studies involve a low fat and low GI diet, which has nothing to do with promoting the meat industry.
We know that androgens play a major role in oily skin and acne. That's been studied, proven and accepted. We know that things like SHBG levels affect hormone balance. We know that blood sugar affects androgen production. We know that SHBG levels tend to increase on a low GI diet. Studied, proven, yada yada. Etcetera.
And finally, all of these interconnected things can affect acne and be improved by diet, sleep and exercise:
Digestion, allergies and intolerances, liver function, adrenal function, hormone balance, SHBG levels, Insulin resistance, inflammation, cell function and turnover, sebum quality, nutrient deficiencies, body fat, stress etc, etc.
The most helpful was the nutritionist. We took allergy tests and hormone tests and found my testosterone levels were at 90, pretty high, now probably down a bit that I am back on yaz. But I have to be on some hormones because my body won't regulate them on there own my gyno said, I basically am stuck on them now because I have messed them up so bad.
Also I found I am allergic to wheat, dairy, eggs and nuts, and pineapple.
I still eat a little wheat right now and only cream in my coffee. I am wondering if you would guess that my inflammed skin and acne are mostly hormonal and are diet related.
Should I not be drinking any coffee at all? Should I eat not wheat at all? I am a vegetarian and eat a veges a bunch but not enough. I don't get enough protein. I find that I when I take zinc 50mg, my omegas and multi it helps. I also feel dehydrated a bunch.
Yes, you should try avoiding anything you are allergic to. And try avoiding coffee. Try decaf green, spearmint, chamomile etc teas. Spearmint has anti-androgenic effects--studies and my experience have shown that it's helpful for hirsutism. Caffeine is a problem for many reasons, including being a diuretic and you say you feel dehydrated. Drink water and caffeine free teas.
What about sugar and processed foods and drinks? Sleep? Sunlight or D supplements? Caffeine can also interfere with sleep even if you don't notice it having a stimulating effect. I found that out a few years ago when I was taking those Excedrin pain relievers with caffeine in them. I still fell asleep as easily as always, but woke up at least every 2 hours. Do you have any digestion issues? Binge eat? Not chew your food properly?
Did your gyno give you any reason why your body 'can't' regulate hormones? Do you have adrenal fatigue? Liver problems? Circulation issues? Insulin resistance? If you've been reading my posts, then you know that diet does effect hormones as does sleep and exercise. Because diet, sleep and exercise effect all those conditions and more.
I would think that witch hazel would be harder on your skin than water, aloe, etc. Witch hazel contains a lot of alcohol. It's benefit is that it also contains a lot of tannins, but so does tea. Green tea can be soothing topically. You could try mixing a lotion with some aloe, green tea, and jojoba. And wash with plain water. Can you just wipe your face with a soft damp cloth? This is all I do in the mornings. In the evening, I have makeup to remove.
You could also try oil cleansing. Google it and you'll find lots of instructions. There are a few threads here on it as well.
Also, consider if you have rosacea now. I got it about your age or a little later. And it can flare up with extreme temperature changes. I found that aloe vera was just as helpful as the prescription topical i was given.
And keep up the supplements. You might add some C throughout the day, or eat foods high in it throughout the day. And concentrate on eating primarily nutrient dense and anti-oxident rich fruits, veggies, fish, seeds etc. Pumpkin seeds are a very high quality protein source and are also high in nutrients helpful for acne such as zinc and magnesium.
But always try to watch out for hypersensitivities.
Try visit drlam.org and PCOS related sites that discuss diet. I get a email newsletter that talks a lot about diet improving PCOS symptoms including acne and PMS, but I don't have one at the moment and don't remember the name of the organization. And I used to have a link to a study in which a low GI, low fat diet improved PMS in women with PCOS. But that link is broken.
Current and ideal Vitals:
For the last several weeks I've weighed 117.something. I was 113.something for quite a while, then when my mother visited for a month I gained 6-7lbs. I'd like to think it's not going down as low because I gained some muscle.
So I calculated my ideal vitals for my height (5'4") and age(43):
Max HR = 177
Target HR = 115
Ideal body weight = 120
Resting HR: This applies to everyone:
Good: 67-70
Excellent: 35-57
I want to try monitoring my heart rate to see if it seems to go up after eating a food I have an intolerance for so I can try to use it to find more so I can eliminate them. But my tests get such varying results. I've had everything from excellent to bad. I keep meaning to take it first thing in the morning before i've done anything, but I forget.
Also, I have pedometer with a pulse meter that tests using your finger, but the results seem to vary according to how hard you press on it. It doesn't work at all if you press hard. And I have a BP tester, which I assume is more accurate, but I'm not positive I'm using it right as in having the cuff turned the right so the monitor is hitting the right spot. And the HR results from it are always high, from just barely in the good range to quite a bit higher. And your BP can vary according to how high you rest your arm.
----------------
Also, I've been getting some sun around noon each day with arms, upper chest, usually legs below knees exposed.
I've still avoided eggs other than having a little in some baked good and I don't think it's made a difference.
And I'm starting to think that most of my headaches are tension from posture. I've been having neck and upper back pain along with headaches in the back of my head. The upper back pain isn't a new thing. I've often gotten that after long hours of working at the computer, which is what I do. Then I started getting these headaches in the back of my head, which I eventually figured were posture. And just the last few weeks, my neck is actually hurting. Don't know why I'm suddenly not strong enough to hold up my own head without it hurting, but I think I'm going to have to go buy a fancy neck pillow for sleeping, so at least I'm not adding to the problem at night. And it's never mattered before what kind of pillow, how thick, dense or whatever, or even if I used a pillow.
I tried some acupressure points and there's one at the base of the skull in the back of your head and if I press on it, I cause a sharp pain in my temple. And that's the kind of headache I have most often and have had for years. So I'm wondering if all along they were actually neck tension. Because it sure feels connected right now. Also, I haven't been able to relieve any pain with these accupressure points. Just cause it.