once i had HUGE swollen cystic pustules(i usually dint get those big ones) and they were painful.they would hurt even while i wouldnt touch them or anything.

so i think i understand u.

i was given azithromycin later(i had done accutane before that).

how is ur diet,lifestyle or activity level?

Cystic acne has got to be the worst! And for some reason that was the type of acne that dominated my face. They were all over my jaw and chin. It made sleeping on the side of your face such a pain. Very uncomfortable and can also cause scarring.

Hey, I don't know if you've tried any acne medication before but antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide might help? If you go to the doctors they will be able to prescribe you something. Antibiotics are usually just a short-term solution but at least you'll be clearer whilst you're finding your long term solution. A lot of people on here are pro-accutane and see amazing results in the long-term, it might be worth seeing a dermatologist for some advice?

@ aanabil, that does unfortunately contribute to my current acne problem some I believe. I am into bodybuilding so I workout a lot and I think that and some of the nitric oxide stuff probably doesnt help a lot. I eat all natural though, no chips, sodas, candy, or fast food. I dont drink or smoke. My genetics is fully to blame for it, my dad has cystic scars that are raised areas all over his back bc of how bad his acne was. I had those for years but got them removed with cortisone injections(i think thats what theyre called, they are injected into each scar, painful) also taking accutane for 5 months at max dosage made my skin peel and helped that. My question would be" do i need to leave cystic acne lesions alone, or should I get rid of the puss and blood inside, bc leaving it there when I was younger is what caused the raised scars. " Ive had horrible self esteem for years, bc I am shy also, but am learning to be confident with who I am.

@elliew8 I have been on every other option before Bactrim D and accutane, as far as antibiotics. They did not work. Bactrim D worked miracles and I unfortunately stopped taking it for the first time in two years for a period of two months, just recently and had a horrible flareup of back, chest, shoulder, and some face cystic acne. So i am taking it again. I just hate taking it bc I feel like it "messes" with me. I tried accutane for 5 months and yes it was miraculous, I will say please get morale support around you if you take it bc it really made me feel depressed and suicidal while on it. It does mess with your head, not sure how, it all stops when you stop taking it for a month though. I have seen dermatologists for the past three years, it has gotten better im just so exhausted mentally of the same pain. I am doing well though. thank you guys for taking so much time to talk to me , thanks

There's one on my back that's been hurting for the whole day as I am typing

It sucks!

But one thing I learned is that we can take aspirin to decrease the inflammation and pain, I never do it though.

I get cystic acne on my jaw/chin, between my shoulder blades, and also in my armpits. So painful to sleep on your back when they flare up and also horrible to wear a bra because the wires or material poke into them. I feel ya. Cysts suck.

I get cystic acne on my jaw/chin, between my shoulder blades, and also in my armpits. So painful to sleep on your back when they flare up and also horrible to wear a bra because the wires or material poke into them. I feel ya. Cysts suck.

I have three cysts on my neck... To say that they hurt would be an understatement... I also sometimes get cysts near my earlobe and like you in my armpits... it is disgusting and painful!!!

read all the comments here :

do u have dairy,sugar(in general) and too much salt?

do u take those protein shakes?

too much exercising specially weightlifting is not good for acne.

excessive work out is inflammatory.

using a topical antibiotic like clindamycin(with differin or nicotinamide) or using bp(2.5 to 3.5 %) is good for cystic acne.

also,regular use a bha wash in place of cleanser helps.

dnt mess with it for otherwise it will probably leave scar.

also,it has maximum chance of spreading bacteria.

i also had swollen hard skin all around it.

have ever heard of azithromycin?

i'm saying this because from what u say tane hasn't done u total good.

please check ur diet and lifestyle.

i can assure u that it does have a connection with acne.

now,cystic acne could be due to what u eat.but not all acne is food related in the sense food may not have started it directly.(i mean its nt like u had a thing and immediately had a spot!)

but ur overall lifestyle(sleep.stress.activity level) and diet(specially if u r intolerant to something can cure u).

check out TREATACNE and alternativista 's profiles to get a fair idea.

also,browse through thr diet forum.

check ur diet.

figure a diet thats good for YOU.

'healthy' is subjective!!!

since its cystic i'd also suggest treatment along with dietary changes(which is good for long term route + over all health).

if u start with elimination tests ,let me know if i can help u in any way.

I hope things get better for you!

Time can heal? The less you think about the pain, the less presence it will have over you.

Good luck!

I guess im hoping just to vent some, ive had cystic acne since I was 14 and now am 21. I have been in pain for the majority of those years. Last year it was so unbearable I had to take accutane and ended up having 2 inch open lesions that would not cover back up with skin. IT was this way for about a month and a half. I was unable to wear white shirts for the past 6 years bc I would get blood and puss all over my shirts. Its been better lately, dont get me wrong, but im exhausted of always being in pain, and having cystic lesions that must be popped or allowed to turn into scars. Hoping someone out there can feel what im going through. I feel really ugly and unwanted a lot of the time. Im tired. I dont understand how or why I have to have this. I guess Ive learned to deal with it, but I am in so much pain its rediculous. I wondered for a bit if i have "over sensitive nerves" or something bc I am in pain all the time. Oh well, thanks for reading.

Would you brief me about your diet and the things you put on your face?

read all the comments here : http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/328081-severe-jawline-acne-pics-help/

do u have dairy,sugar(in general) and too much salt?

do u take those protein shakes?

too much exercising specially weightlifting is not good for acne.

excessive work out is inflammatory.

using a topical antibiotic like clindamycin(with differin or nicotinamide) or using bp(2.5 to 3.5 %) is good for cystic acne.

also,regular use a bha wash in place of cleanser helps.

dnt mess with it for otherwise it will probably leave scar.

also,it has maximum chance of spreading bacteria.

i also had swollen hard skin all around it.

have ever heard of azithromycin?

i'm saying this because from what u say tane hasn't done u total good.

please check ur diet and lifestyle.

i can assure u that it does have a connection with acne.

now,cystic acne could be due to what u eat.but not all acne is food related in the sense food may not have started it directly.(i mean its nt like u had a thing and immediately had a spot!)

but ur overall lifestyle(sleep.stress.activity level) and diet(specially if u r intolerant to something can cure u).

check out TREATACNE and alternativista 's profiles to get a fair idea.

also,browse through thr diet forum.

check ur diet.

figure a diet thats good for YOU.

'healthy' is subjective!!!

since its cystic i'd also suggest treatment along with dietary changes(which is good for long term route + over all health).

if u start with elimination tests ,let me know if i can help u in any way.

aanabill,even i workout real hard.I mean i know weight lifting does elevate the testosterone levels in my body,but i don't take protein supplements cause i know it for a fact that they make acne worse.I mean is it like a choice between two? Toned body or acne?

You and everyone here are awsome, its hard to feel accepted sometimes, or that people understand me, and I find that here, thank you guys

Thank you @ Helton, ambitious one and meowza , it does suck hope it gets better for us all.

@ anabil not much on salt, milk yes, should I try to minimize dairy? I do take whey protein shakes, but not often, half a serving once a day, everything else is natural protein(eggs ckn beef etc). not much sugar either, try to stay natural with it, honey most of the time, some brown sugar though. I have been getting slowly better as the Bactrim D is building back up in my system. I took Z-paks for a while(i think arythromycin is that) they didnt help me well though, digestive problems and not much help with acne if i remember correctly. I take benzoyl peroxide creams on them to help dry them out, I did have good success with clyndomicin when I took it, its just soooo expensive, i had to stop taking it. I had my acne in control for probably the last 6 months before the recent two month flare up ive had. I just want to be normal so I thought maybe if i tapered off the bactrim D itd be fine, but I was wrong Im not feeling bad about it I guess, just trying to learn to cope with it and accept myself for the person I am.

@Kylenea thanks I hope it gets better for you too, you are right, I need to try and remove it from my mind.

stop dairy for at least a mnth or two and check its effect.

(pls note that sometimes it takes more than that to see any bit of result.it took sleptember about a year after dieatary changes.but most see it after 1-2 mnths).

stop taking protein shakes.limit sugar.

that does the a lot for acne.

whats bactrim D?

arythromycin is probably differnt?

do u know its degree or mode of action?

check for gluten.

and other food items.

see i cant guarantee u u'll be intolerant and thus cure but there are very very good chances.

how's ur vitamin level?

Hi I am a new member of this forum I would like to share my knowledge and experience over here..

Hi I am a new member of this forum I would like to share my knowledge and experience over here..

please do.

u're welcome.

@ annabil, havent been on in awhile bc of work, my bad. THanks for the advice. Bactrim Ds is an antibiotic, very strong. ITs also called SEPTRA Ds and generic form is SMZ/TPS. I take vitamin a regularly(sometimes I forget to take them every day) vitamin C, and a multivitamin. I take Zinc and magnesium before bed. What are key vitamins for helping with acne?

There's one on my back that's been hurting for the whole day as I am typing

It sucks!

But one thing I learned is that we can take aspirin to decrease the inflammation and pain, I never do it though.

don't take advil or aspirin, it worsens acne long-term

@ annabil, havent been on in awhile bc of work, my bad. THanks for the advice. Bactrim Ds is an antibiotic, very strong. ITs also called SEPTRA Ds and generic form is SMZ/TPS. I take vitamin a regularly(sometimes I forget to take them every day) vitamin C, and a multivitamin. I take Zinc and magnesium before bed. What are key vitamins for helping with acne?

did u take bactrim in the past? I suggest stopping antibiotics

vit b complex,vit c and zinc are really effective for acne.if ur's has some nicotinamide ,u'd be better.

getting adequate vit d from sun regularly is enough unless u have some processing issues.

(15-20 minutes of sunlight is enough.not necessarily on ur face.anywhere of ur body).

batrim Ds is anti-bacterial.

i wonder why ur derma used that instead of arithromycin or azithromycin.

are u having enough fluids daily?

please do,for this anti-biotic increases the chances of kidney stones.

is it helping??

for how long are u taking it and for how long will u continue?

I will probably see my dermatologist again soon and ask about arythromycin or azythromycin then. I am nearly petrified of getting kidney stones Bactrim D is the only one that I found that worked so I dont know if any others will work for me. I drink a lot of water and no soda, what can I do to decrease the chance of kidney stones?

 

There's one on my back that's been hurting for the whole day as I am typing

It sucks!

But one thing I learned is that we can take aspirin to decrease the inflammation and pain, I never do it though.

don't take advil or aspirin, it worsens acne long-term

>@ annabil, havent been on in awhile bc of work, my bad. THanks for the advice. Bactrim Ds is an antibiotic, very strong. ITs also called SEPTRA Ds and generic form is SMZ/TPS. I take vitamin a regularly(sometimes I forget to take them every day) vitamin C, and a multivitamin. I take Zinc and magnesium before bed. What are key vitamins for helping with acne?

if its working,just finish the course and give ur body some rest.

have enough water throughout the day.

its a simple routine that can prevent kidney stones in anyone(including u).

dnt overdo drugs of this sort.

dnt frequently take in so much.

I havent been on as much as I would like, work and all keeps me busy I guess. I cant express what a weight it takes off my shoulders talking to you and others on here that are helpful and understand what Im going through, thank you so much for that. I will stay on my bactrim D routine then, I take 1/2 a tablet a day, although technically she(dermatologist) orignally said to take two a day. I had to stop that though bc it was drying me out real bad, so she agreed if 1/4 tablet was doing the trick to stay at that. That was like a year ago though. I am planning to schedule an apt soon. I am drinking a decent amount of water as I need it so hopefully wont get kidney stones.

i cant explain how pleased i am to know i can make someone feel okay if not great!

thank u=)

are u taking the antibiotic for a year?

is it helping u?are u still dry?

do u take probiotics?

how's ur acne?

am sorry for so many questions i am just trying to figure out.

and i am glad u're busy with work and life,thats the best thing that can happen to anyone with acne or otherwise!

My cystic acne was from allergic reaction to the stuff I was putting on my face. I went to face reality and they figured it out in 3-4 months. This is after spending 10 years going to dermatologists and them telling me I had rosecea.

Have u tried an acne clinic? Your cystic acne sounds worse than mine was but damn did mine hurt and itch. It felt like my skin was crawling all the time. It was horrible. I'm completely clear now and no antibiotics or accutane needed. All over the counter stuff. Please look into an acne clinic. I've lost all faith I dermatologists. They do not care about acne. Please try an acne clinic or call face reality.