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Day 31, my face is a mess. Covered in healing scabs, cysts, whiteheads etc but this time it's mainly my fault for bad diet and picking.
Today I'm going to try and eat very little and only vegetables and fruit (in moderation), drink plenty of water.
I had leg pain in the night 
hope it's not DVT!
Day 37, three small pimples on my cheek but clear overall. I think mainly from not touching or picking my skin. I've been eating badly, craving junk food because of Dianette and anti depressants
My stress levels are better this week too and I'm getting a lot of sleep, even napping in the day. I'm going to do the 7 day break this month and see what happens
Day 39. My skin has been so much calmer and clearer this past week. I don't remember being happy with my skin for an entire week in ages. I have one pimple on my cheek that's noticeable but that's it. I'm breaking out much less.
As for side effects my boobs are SO BIG, I love it. However I'm hungry all the time and eating all the time and I'm putting on weight but I'm not going to worry about it for now. I saw the doctor today who said I can be on Dianette for 2 years at a time, then take a 6 month break and then take it again if the acne comes back.
We've also said I'm going to stop antibiotics from next week and see how that works out.
I hope my skin stays like this!
And by the way my diet has been terrible but still my skin is good so clearly it's hormonal?
Unsure about whether I should take my 7 day break or skip it again.
Hi! I'm happy to hear things are looking up for you! 
I'm starting Diane in a couple of days, I'm so excited! Haha 
I went though a phase of cutting out potential acne trigger foods and I realised that basically it made no difference in my acne. I guess mine's mainly hormonal too.. of course I suppose a lot of sweets or dairy in naturally hyper-hormone times of the month would still be a bit damaging. But the good news is I don't need to give up cheese. Wahoo! 
Day 42 I broke out again but to be fair I've eaten only junk food all week and wore foundation the past couple days (I've been with my man). Today is the first day of my 7-day break. My first break since starting Dianette. A bit scared but looking forward to getting a period! (Even if its fake).
Side effects: insatiable appetite, increased libido
Day 44, skin is quite bad, breaking out quite a bit but it was so nice having pretty much clear skin for over a week.
I'm on my 7-day break from Dianette, I've stopped using Differin at night and stopped my antibiotics. Want to see how I do without them (doctor said its worth a shot). Obviously will resume use if my skin gets terrible!
I FINALLY got an appointment to see a dermatology specialist! Next Wednesday afternoon, I can't wait! Going to write a list of questions for her etc I hope she helps me!
Day 46, breaking out so badly. I've been off Doxycycline and Differin for 4 days, restarting both today. Also on my 7-day break from Dianette. Don't know what has caused this breakout. My diet has been bad and not sleeping well. Stressed at work. Probably a combination. Looking forward to restarting Dianette on Sunday and dermatologist Wednesday
Day 50
So... Treating acne is all about trial and error (frustration and tears too!).
It is day 50 of my taking Dianette and although I see a definite improvement in my skin and breakouts, I still have problem skin. I hope it just keeps improving.
I took a break from all acne medication for FOUR DAYS a week ago and my skin went nuts and is still healing from that breakout.
I've learnt from this and never will I stop my antibiotics or differin again. I won't take a 7 day break from Dianette again either, I don't care if it isn't healthy.
I see a dermatologist for the first time in 2 days and I hope I get help or try something new. I am going to try and get Accutane but I highly doubt I'll be prescribed it.
I have a really big cold sore too right now, I've had a horrible lonely weekend and I've hit another low. Acne is a horrible, horrible thing. The only thing that cheered me up is watching YouTube videos of Elaine Mokk, savannahandstuff and other acne sufferers. Savannah's channel is my favourite and we chat too which is awesome. On December 23 it will have been another 50 days. I really hope and pray that by then my acne will have cleared. Here's to another 50 days of fighting.
Lizzie
Day 53
*Finally* saw a skin specialist yesterday...
We discussed so much and she was so helpful and understanding!
She said my current combo of meds was pretty much the best treatment available and that she thinks it will still improve but she agreed to refer me to the dermatology team at the hospital so that I can hopefully be put on Accutane (I was so happy, especially as I didn't even have to ask her!).
She said that it'll be a 2 month wait though and that because my acne isn't severe there's a chance they refuse but I live in hope.
I asked her for Epiduo (to replace my Differin) as I'd heard so many good things about it. I used it last night for the first time. It felt tight and stingy (from the BP). I'll review it once I've used it a few weeks.
She also said that what I eat doesn't affect my skin (...) and that I shouldn't pick/touch basically.
Ok so I feel better for seeing a specialist who fucking took my skin and feelings about it seriously, I was lucky. I'm just going to wait for my referral letter and my hospital appointment now!
Skin update: my skin hasn't been bad this week, I have a few tiny red spots here and there but my scabs have healed and there's nothing major going on except my cold sore which is healing still and looking ghastly (can't cover that up!).
I felt hope for the first time in so long yesterday
Day 54
Ok I don't know if its the epiduo or dianette but my skin is drying up it used to be SO OILY. Really really happy about that, it feels like I'm getting my pre-acne skin texture back!!!
However I'm still breaking out, I have an angry, painful red spot under my mouth and the inflammation is so bad one side of my lip swell up pretty bad
I also picked last night
Despite all this I'm feeling hopeful as I'm less oily and I feel it's all slowly but surely getting better
Day 57
My skin is the worst it's been in a long time, the epiduo has caused a huge breakout, eczema and cystic acne.
Where the cyst was I now have the biggest brown scab ever. It isn't coverable.
I couldn't spend the weekend with my boyfriend and I'm dreading work next week.
I've spent the day in bed can't eat or go out.
I'm so depressed, I feel like I can't go on and want to die.
I'm holding on tightly to the thought of receiving the letter for my hospital appointment soon to see the dermatologists and hopefully be put on accutane.
I feel it's a losing battle and I'm utterly depressed. I don't know how to cope or what to do anymore except smoke and feel sorry for myself
Day 57
My skin is the worst it's been in a long time, the epiduo has caused a huge breakout, eczema and cystic acne.
Where the cyst was I now have the biggest brown scab ever. It isn't coverable.
I couldn't spend the weekend with my boyfriend and I'm dreading work next week.
I've spent the day in bed can't eat or go out.
I'm so depressed, I feel like I can't go on and want to die.
I'm holding on tightly to the thought of receiving the letter for my hospital appointment soon to see the dermatologists and hopefully be put on accutane.
I feel it's a losing battle and I'm utterly depressed. I don't know how to cope or what to do anymore except smoke and feel sorry for myself
Don't give up! Literally, I've seen photos of your skin and if I can get relatively clear after the horrific breakouts I had this summer then you most certainly can as well.
I just feel too beat and embarrassed to fight or cope anymore. I feel dianette isn't working and epiduo has destroyed my face. I have just lost hope and the will to fight
Believe, I've been there, but I can assure you that it does get better if you stick it out. Birth control always takes a long time to work because it works by adjusting the levels of various different hormones which takes time to have a visible effect on your skin. I didn't start seeing any effect from it until near the end of month three but since then it has been steadily improving. Epiduo maybe wasn't suited to your skin, but from what you've said it sounds like you were seeing improvements from the Differin so I would advise going back to that. This breakout won't last forever and you do have a dermatology appointment coming up as well so there is still hope! Keep fighting. One day when you have beautifully clear and radiant skin you will look back on this period in your life and be really glad you did.
Yes I was feeling hopeful even Wednesday after my derm appointment because things seemed to be moving forward as I'm going to be seen by dermatologists at the hospital and maybe put on accutane, and my skin seemed to be improving but right now I feel hopeless.
God knows how long it'll take for my scab to fall and my skin to go back to normal.
Have you ever had one? How did you deal with it emotionally?
I feel the breakdown of my relationship adds to my feeling of despair because I love him so much and if it wasn't for my acne problem things would've turned out different. I can't live without him
Yes I was feeling hopeful even Wednesday after my derm appointment because things seemed to be moving forward as I'm going to be seen by dermatologists at the hospital and maybe put on accutane, and my skin seemed to be improving but right now I feel hopeless.
God knows how long it'll take for my scab to fall and my skin to go back to normal.
Have you ever had one? How did you deal with it emotionally?
I feel the breakdown of my relationship adds to my feeling of despair because I love him so much and if it wasn't for my acne problem things would've turned out different. I can't live without him
It's so difficult when something like this happens to disrupt the process of improvement but it really won't last forever and it is just a blip along the road to recovery. You name it, I've had it on my face. In my opinion a scab is infinitely better than an active cyst because they really hurt. However, in my experiences scabs don't tend to last too long and if you leave them well alone and don't pick at them or anything when they do drop off you usually have really nice healed skin underneath so at least that's something to be hopeful for. The relationship troubles must be so difficult to deal with, but as I've said before, if he's worth your time then he should love you with or without acne. Acne is such a confidence killer, but if you explained to him how it makes you feel you'll probably find he's much more understanding than you expect.
Day 58
My skin is still quite bad, the redness on my cheek from the epiduo has subsided but I still have dry patches and flaky skin.
I also have small active spots on my cheek and chin and my scab is still healing since I picked at it a couple nights ago.
I missed work yesterday and had to have an emergency counselling appointment as I was feeling very low and hopeless.
My relationship is suffering very much too which brings more anxiety.
I'm taking it one day at a time, I feel that ultimately dianette isn't working for me but I will stick it out just in case.
I'm eating very little and feeling very exhausted from the depression and distress caused by my skin. I wish it could improve so much, this is my 9th week on it!!!
Day 61
The Epiduo-induced eczema subsided nicely thankfully however I am still breaking out mainly on my chin/around my hairline
I returned the MAC prolongwear concealer as I'm pretty sure it was breaking me out...
I'm trying to stay positive as I'm convinced stress can cause breakouts. Had a fun week so far apart from Monday, I'm ok so long as I keep busy basically.
But I'm so fed up with the constant breakouts!!!
Day 67
My skin is still holding up, looks and feels amazing.
I eat whatever I want, not using Differin, feeling happy, relaxed and confident.
I've managed to see friends I haven't seen in months this past week which is incredible.
I hope it just keeps improving, I just started my 4th pack, I've skipped the 7 day break as I broke out when I attempted to do it last month.