Background: (For those who are already up to par, scroll down to the bottom) I basically always had average skin. I would get the occasional monthly pimple (well...small cyst in retrospect) and just deal with it. These would always go away. Some months, they wouldn't come at all.

For the past five years, I've had clear skin then suddenly in July of 2004, something went terribly wrong and I'm not really sure what but the reactions were horrific. My face broke out in this joined rivers of cysts and some of them were so big and swollen, it looked as if someone sucker-punched me. I ran crying to the dermatologist: "Cure Me!" After trying minocyclen and various topical lotions and creams and washes, he determined that Accutane was my last resort unless I wanted scars all over my face and to have to spend my life with a paperbag over my head. It took me about a month to make the Accutane decision, and thus far, it hasn't been all that much fun.

It appears that the only thing the Accutane did was push oil out all over the place, cause more breakouts and bigger cysts. The only thing that worked to cure these cysts were injections of cortisone. For a week, the doctor put me on an oral steroid which brought down the swelling but I later discovered that it also contributed to my last breakout.

I had gotten to the point where I was so completely frustrated that I walked myself into a health food store and started to look for various supplements. The man there took one look at me and said "that is hormonal" and went on to explain that he had seen this before. This upset me because my dermatologist didn't run any hormonal tests prior to me being put on the Accutane. If hormones were the cause, wouldn't there be a more direct cure for my acne then Accutane? If any girl reading this has not been put on Accutane yet and her doctor is suggesting it, make sure he tests your hormone levels first.

So, I made an appointment with an endocrinologist and went yesterday. I don't think I have ever had such a thorough doctor's appointment in my life. Granted, some of the questions were weird like had I noticed my breasts getting smaller. I concluded that if I could still fit in my bra, then "no." And he did some strange things like feel my ankles and was nice enough not to point out the chipping polish on my toenails. I can also add that this is the first doctor I have been to in a while who didn't write me a prescription immediately. He insisted at finding out what exactly was going on prior to doing the medication trial and error thing that Americans are so accustom to.

The results of this examination are: I need to go for more bloodwork and have all my hormone levels tested. The problem that the endocrinologist saw was the fact that I have been on the birth control pill for the last couple of months and the tests might be inconclusive. If my acne is related to my hormones, it will difficult for him to tell since I am on the pill. I might need to take a month or two off the pill and go back for more labwork afterwards.

So, in conclusion, this was not the immediate cure I was looking for but I am feeling more confident since I now know that all my doctors, gynecologist, dermatologist and endocrinologist will be working together in an effort to cure this thing that plagues me. If anything comes of the bloodwork, I will post and let you guys know. I'm sorry that there isn't a lot to post but I hope this helps someone anyway.

P.S. On the bright side, I lost two pounds and now weigh 123!!!!