Long difficult acne story... still there - Share Your Acne Story Message Board

doudeli · 02-13-2008, 12:28 PM

First of all, I apologize for my English (not my first language).

I have been looking through many other acne stories tread and I didn't find any that I can compare with my experience.

I have been dealing with acne since at least 15 years. I don't really have much hope anymore. I've got days that it get me very frustrated and upset. They are days I don't dare going out. The first thing people see between each other is the face and that's my worst body part.

I tried practically everything over-the-counter products. I tried 3 or 4 different kind of birth pills (which every one of them made me very nauseating) and which didn't help my acne & my PMS. I tried Tetracycline and a couple other antibiotics and prescriptions creams. Without success...
I got an appointment with a dermatologist. I had so much hope on that. First of all, she checked my skin for 2 seconds under a light and gave me a prescription. I felt really rushed... and in-and-out appointment. She practically threw me out for the next patient. I never got the chance to try to get some answers to my numerous questions and she never explained what she prescribed me. They only thing she said to me is to go back to see her after 4-6 months if there wasn't any improvement. I went to get my prescription the same day. Of course, my insurance doesn't pay anything on acne prescriptions and the bill was $150 for a month. The pharmacist started explaining to me how to use my products. Come to find out, the dermatologist had practically prescribed the same medication that I was on before I went to see her. I left the drugstore empty-handed.

The only other option at her opinion was Acutane. I read a lot about Acutane and I'm absolutely convinced to never try that medication. I work outside most of the time and there is a big warning to avoid direct sunlight with it. Along the side effects list is depression. I already have really bad PMS and feeling depress is on my list of symptoms.

Afterward I tried Burts Bee, Zenmed, Revivogen and others. The only reason why I did try those last products was because I had a money back guarantee. I can't imagine how much money I spent on acne products... and I don't think I want to know.

I completely stopped using acne products for about 1 year now. Why should I keep spending if nothing works!? I thought that maybe it would give a break to my skin. It's been so many years I kept applying harsh creams!

Since the past 2 years, I noticed that I don't just have small "normal" pimples. I've got more cystic acne... hard, big and deep inside my skin. It's bad when I can feel throbbing pain all over my face. And those ones take so long to go away.

Few years ago, I would have a little break the week after my period. Now my face never really clear up. It's constantly and just keep adding. I feel, as I will never win this battle. In good days, I say to myself:"stop being a cry baby, you've got above your head and you've got love". But unfortunately there is more bad days. I didn't think having a clear skin would be one of my biggest dreams that don’t come true. I just want to look at myself in the mirror and not only see all my pimples and a face under it... a face that I'm happy with.

Right now I'm considering acupuncture. I read it could be very beneficial to regulate hormones and help acne. I really have to push myself and be positive... It just seems that I get more and more upset with less and less hope each time that I try something new and it don’t work.

I just want a clear face... I want something called confidence!

karm0099 · 02-13-2008, 02:10 PM

Hi there - You are not alone! I was near tears yesterday

Don't give up hope. I went off bcp pills 4 months ago and the result is not pretty. I have done a lot of research and am convinced that I am androgen sensitive. My testosterone is not too high, I am just very sensitive to it. You can get a book called "breaking out, a woman's guide to acne" that really explains it. What you may need is an androgen blocker. A natural anti-androgen, and good for PMS is saw palmetto found at any drug store. It's ok for women to take it, my dr. said so, but not if you are going to get pregnate. I've been taking 6 a day, 2 at a time. My dr. also prescribed spironolactone, which is a blood pressure med, but doubles as an androgen blocker. I am hoping this will work, takes 2-3 months. I started the saw palmetto yesterday and I think my skin calmed down overnight. A way to naturally decrease the oil in the skin is to drink about 4 cups of spearmint tea a day. I also take a product called frutels (look up online) which helps calm acne down. And take a tablespoon of flax seed oil a day, it helps with acne and PMS. I am also going to try vitex (chaste tree berry) supposed to be good for acne and PMS. I think blocking the androgens is the answer for me and the evil cysts. I am going to give it a try. Good luck to you.

doudeli · 02-13-2008, 02:24 PM

Thank you Karm0099 !

I know I'm not alone in this acne situation. But knowing that a perfect stranger write back on my tread kinda help. I don't really know why I decided today that I was writing here... not typically something I would do... and I never really talk about my feelings about it to people. For the few times I kinda say something.. I get the "ho... you're not that bad, stop it!". Well... it is a big deal to me... I'm the one that have to look in the mirror for the past 15 years with "bipppp" pimples all over my face.

Thanks again !

I hope the treatment you just started work for you !

krlsgrl · 02-26-2008, 07:09 PM

i understand your frustration with the dermatologists. mine has prescribed at least 2 rx's which were over $100 each.
today when i saw her, i politely asked for generic prescriptions. i was totally surprised when she agreed nicely and changed the meds to ones i can afford.

i agree -- it's a long road. my diet is so restricted due to stuff i avoid due to headaches and stuff i avoid for my skin health (dairy and now trying to eliminate wheat, which is in everything!!!!!!!)

hang in there, you aren't the only one :-)

AddySarah · 04-13-2008, 06:39 PM

Doudeli,
I do empathize with you and your situation. I tried everything too. The only treatment that worked for me was Accutane, and it worked terrific! It took away my big cysts and my face cleared up! No more pimples!! I had no side effects whatsoever that I can remember. Its been a while now since I took it. You just have to be sure that you do NOT get pregnant while on this medication. If you can do that, then you are safe. You should try a course of Accutane. I have had acne for 30 years. Over the years I went on Accutane a total of 3 times. The wonderful effects of the medicine last a few years and then you may get acne again, or you may not. I did get some acne after about about 5 years each time, but the acne wasn't as bad. Now as I am getting older, I still get a small painful cyst type acne on my chin before my period almost every month. But thats about it. You may notice your skin is drier on this medicine. So you just put more lotion on. Easy to deal with! GIve it more thought.