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Feeling overwhelmed by acne

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(@mia897)

Posted : 04/21/2017 1:25 am

I'm starting to get so overwhelmed by acne. I feel like it's never going to go away. I start work in an hour and all I want to do is wash all my makeup off, crawl under my sheets and pretend that I don't exist. I've been trying to fix my skin since I was a teenager. I'm almost 25 now. It feels like I've tried everything and my life has revolved around my skin for so long.

I recently went off Diane-35 after giving it another shot for a year. It didn't seem to change my skin and I suffered from some pretty awful side effects. Since then, I've tried Clindatech, and then Duac. I've been taking Saw Palmetto. I stopped eating dairy. I eat healthier than anyone I know. I stopped drinking coffee. I feel like I try so hard to fix my skin but it always looks so terrible. I have the most disgusting inflamed pimples all over my chin. I hate looking in the mirror.

I've just started using Epiduo and taking Doxycycline. I'm so scared that they won't work because then the only thing left to try will be Roaccutane.

Anyway, this is my first time posting after a lot of lurking and there wasn't really much point to it.
I guess I just want to be sad about my skin without my friends telling me that no one notices and that it only bothers me (which is very sweet and I don't expect them to let me wallow - but I guess I just wanted to say this to people who might understand).

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(@skyesthelimit)

Posted : 04/27/2017 4:36 am

You've got this hun! *hugs*

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(@edithharms)

Posted : 04/29/2017 12:58 am

I've been in the same position for nearly 7 years, and I'm 30 years-old. The sad feelings never really go away, but life moves on. My advice? Avoid the doxycycline. It will clear up your skin, and you will feel awesome, but about 6 months after you stop taking them your acne will come back with a terrifying vengeance. It will shock you. Plus, it isn't great for your digestive system or your immune system. The only thing that helps me is regular acne facials. It doesn't address the root cause, but I have tried literally everything and am convinced it's hormonal and unaffected by diet.

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(@harleyz)

Posted : 04/30/2017 7:50 am

hey honey i can totally relate. this was me last year. i tried different birth controls and diets and numerous topicals but nothing worked at all. two months ago i made up me mind to take accutane. i had waited for so long because i was scared to death by those side effects that people talked about on online forums. however, it was the best decision. i regret that i did not start earlier and i missed so much in my college life. talk to a dermatologist and see if your body could handle accutane. it is a miracle.

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(@mia897)

Posted : 05/01/2017 5:52 pm

@edithharms Yeah I get that doxy won't clear me for good but I'm just so desperate to have clear skin - even for a short time. I thought maybe I could start getting regular peels and stuff once my skin is good because right now I can't even consider leaving the house without makeup but if it was clear i'd be more confident to do that stuff? Probably make no sense but alas....

@HarleyZ Hmm... I'm thinking this will be the only option. Do you get your acne mostly around your mouth and chin? I think mine is hormonal too but I rarely see people with acne in the areas I get it so I'm not sure if accutane will work for me? I really hope it would... how are you finding the dryness?

@skyesthelimit thanks :( I woke up with probably the work skin of my entire life today :(:(:( 

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(@mia897)

Posted : 05/01/2017 6:38 pm

 I just want to give up. This is way too hard. 

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(@harleyz)

Posted : 05/01/2017 8:22 pm

@Mia897
I used to get acne everywhere. On my forehead, on my cheeks, along my jawline, on my chin - you name it. Miraculously my face is not over-dried at all, at least for now. My skin just feels normal now - it was way too oily before. I use cetaphil day and night, and my skin feels amazing. However, my lips are constantly chapped, which can be easily fixed by slathering on aquaphor. The only side effect for me is the chapped lips, and it does not bother me much at all, because my acne used to be so horrible. Give it accutane a try if you think your body can handle it. It has been working wonders for me.

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(@mia897)

Posted : 05/02/2017 12:58 am

@HarleyZI'm so happy it's been working for you. That sounds like such a huge relief. I don't have that oily skin (which is weird - because I have acne) so I'm not sure how well I'd fare. I'm going to a different GP again tonight just to get a second (millionth) opinion about epiduo and maybe to ask for some more tests. I might ask for a referral to a dermatologist so I can get the ball rolling for accutane if it comes to that.

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(@hannah-brown)

Posted : 05/02/2017 4:27 am

I could have written your post. I have been struggling for 6 years at age 37 my acne came out of nowhere and I'm still looking for a solution. I have tried cutting out all sugar, dairy, gluten. I take multivitamins, fish oils and I exercise regularly but still I suffer. The only thing that helped me achieve clear skin was Tretinoin .1% but I began to suffer a rare side effect of my hair falling out in handfuls and got worse as time went on. Each time I stopped, the hairfall stopped so there's no way I can even consider going on accutane even though I feel I've battled long enough and would like to try. Don't give up looking for your solution, remember you're not alone with your struggles with acne. I hope you manage to get across to your GP just how this is affecting you - good luck.

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(@skyesthelimit)

Posted : 05/02/2017 5:54 am

@Mia897 Awww... giving up is not an option. I know it's hard but we're all in this together dear. :) 

Bwill24 liked
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(@joe-valu)

Posted : 05/02/2017 6:33 am

I feel the exact same way, I have to go to work in 30 minutes and all I want to do is call in sick and hide in my room. I'm 30 and it's been a struggle since I was a teenager. Every once in a while it clears up but then boom huge break out. I've tried everything except accutane, I'm at my witts end. I'm supposed to have a date tomorrow evening and now I'm gonna cancel

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(@mia897)

Posted : 05/02/2017 6:37 am

@Hannah Brown Oh wow that sounds really scary! I didn't know your hair could even fall out from topicals. Just another funthing to go with acne yipeee! What do you use now?

I got a referral to a dermatologist so that's exciting. I know that GP's can prescribe all the same things as derms in Australia (except accutane) but there's something comforting about having a specialist dealing with it. Hopefully it helps.

@skyesthelimit :( Thanks, this has just been a really tough week. I'm hoping it's just an 'initial breakout' and will start improving soon. 

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(@bwill24)

Posted : 05/02/2017 11:36 pm

First time posting... I have really oily skin and have been getting HUGE bumps that don't pop or come to a head. When I try to pinch it's only oil and then the skin breaks and ugh I know I'll be getting yet another scar. I just purchased these acne patches which actually have worked wonders to draw out the oil and just purchased a bunch of essential oils but I'm not sure they r doing anything or may be making it worse. Has anyone tried essential oils specifically to target acne? Darn things r expensive and these large bumps I'm afraid r the cause of it? Just curious if anyone has tried essential oils.... So tired of looking in the mirror! And endless blackheads . Any suggestions for those as well.... I've tried pretty much everything I read online...exhausted! I eat well... not vegan but I try to eat healthy! Any suggestions? I feel like I pretty much have all issues... oily skin, blackheads, and the worst bumps that don't pop....

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(@skyesthelimit)

Posted : 05/03/2017 5:33 am

@Mia897 I'm hoping for the best for you dear. :)

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(@hannah-brown)

Posted : 05/04/2017 9:37 am

On 02/05/2017 at 0:37 PM, Mia897 said:
@Hannah Brown Oh wow that sounds really scary! I didn't know your hair could even fall out from topicals. Just another funthing to go with acne yipeee! What do you use now?

I got a referral to a dermatologist so that's exciting. I know that GP's can prescribe all the same things as derms in Australia (except accutane) but there's something comforting about having a specialist dealing with it. Hopefully it helps.

@skyesthelimit :( Thanks, this has just been a really tough week. I'm hoping it's just an 'initial breakout' and will start improving soon. 

Im currently using azelaic acid and a salicylic toner but im not sure the azelaic acid actually does anything anymore but im petrified of stopping it. That's great news you have a referral. Ive got an appointment in 2 weeks to see my GP to ask for the same as im sick of battling this alone. I saw a dermatologist 2 years ago who told me to wait until i had grown out of it - so helpful, not!

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(@mia897)

Posted : 05/04/2017 8:49 pm

11 hours ago, Hannah Brown said:
Im currently using azelaic acid and a salicylic toner but im not sure the azelaic acid actually does anything anymore but im petrified of stopping it. That's great news you have a referral. Ive got an appointment in 2 weeks to see my GP to ask for the same as im sick of battling this alone. I saw a dermatologist 2 years ago who told me to wait until i had grown out of it - so helpful, not!

@Hannah BrownOmg that's so frustrating. That's not even advice! My GP told me to stop using Epiduo (which I'm also petrified of doing) and double my dose of doxycyline to 100mg a day. One exciting thing was that I convinced my GP (who is actually wonderful and supportive) to take blood tests for my hormone levels and a swab of my skin to see what bacteria are wreaking havoc. It makes me happy that I might actually get some answers rather than just continuing with trial and error. My appointment with a derm is in about two weeks also! Maybe we'll both have perfectly clear skin at the same time! haha fingers crossed.

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