Otc

[Teresa470]

Hi all,

I just thought I would mention something. My acne is/was mild-Mod. I would always have a couple pimples in one place or another on my face. Just when they would clear up another one would arrive. I could never go more than a day without having one. And gosh forbid I tell myself out loud my face is clear. That's a sure way to bring another one on. Very frustrating as you all know. Then I would get the occasional big cyst (once or twice a year) and have to have them injected.

I have always had a hard time sticking to medications, creams, etc.
If it didn't work in a week or two weeks I didn't continue with it.
That included birth control pills for acne. I would go on them for a few months and they wouldn't do what I expected so I would go off of them.
But this time I stuck with it. I have been on Ortho TriCycline for approx. 9 months now and I am totally clear.
It did not happen in 3 or even 4 months. I think it was about month 6 when I really noticed great results, finally. For me, and I have known this all along, my acne is hormonal. But I would get so impatient if the bcp's wouldn't work in a month or two.

Another thing I should mention about those occasional cysts I get. I use the antibiotic Cephalexin/Keflex 500mg's 2x day x 7 days for them. (prescription medication used to treat certain skin infections) I get the prescription from my family doctor. That stuff works like a charm on them/me.

So that's all I really wanted to say. After being an acne sufferer for 20 years I have finally learned these things take time. Apparently I'm a slower learner than I thought. lol

Good luck to everyone and hang in there.

[BostonGirl44]

Teresa,
I was on a 2 week treatment of Cephalexin (500mg 3x/day) in conjunction with Accutane. I had a very persistent cyst on my cheek that was there for about 3 months. I'm not sure if it was the Cephalexin or Accutane or both that made the cyst go away, but it was a godsend lol. Anyway, like you, I always moved on to something else if the medication, cream, whatever didn't work for me right away. Time and patience was something I never thought I had.

[lacy33]

Must be nice. I have about acne cysts right now. Been on ortho BP for 5 years and on an off with antiobiotics. No noticeable improvement. If there is any improvement, it is very short-lived.

[skimom]

lacy33 - what is ortho BP?

Teresa - my daughter is on month 2 of orthotricyclen and her face is not doing well. It started to clear the first month but now it's regressed to breaking out quite a bit. I have a call into the doctor to maybe get her on an antibiotic to get her over the hump while she's waiting for it to work for her. Maybe I'll suggest the cephalexin. I'm feeling bad for her right now.

[Teresa470]

Hang in there! I wasn't doing much at month two either. But like I said earlier, this time I decided to stick with it for the long haul. And it paid off! Now of course we all know certain meds work for some and not for others. But if her problem is hormonal it should work for her.

I wish her the best of luck.