Can I just moan that my skin looks like shit?

[Sallystyle]

Because I need to vent somewhere.

I'm under a dermatologist for acne. I have to try two different types of antibiotics first before he will consider giving me anything else.. fuck knows why, I've already been on three types from my GP throughout the years.

Started the antibiotics a couple of months ago, my skin was fine, a few little breakouts but nothing major. I woke up a week ago to two massive cystic spots on my chin and I'm not even due on. I now have two cystic spots on my jaw line and my neck and to top it all off I have a spot on the end of my nose. I don't know how bad that one is going to get yet but I feel self-conscious and don't want to go to work today looking like this.

The rest of my skin is like sandpaper, gone all dry and horrid so foundation isn't going on nicely like normal. I have no idea why this has happened and I've got to wait until the middle of Oct to see my derm again. I have noticed that when I get these outbreaks the skin with no spots still goes all dry and shitty, even though I haven't change my skin care routine.

How the fuck am I going to face people at work if that spot on my nose sticks out like a beacon? The chin and neck ones are bad enough.

It's unlikely I will get roaccutane anyway with my MH issues and slightly high cholesterol.

[minipie]

Ah massive sympathy from me, I've had acne for most of my life and there are days I just don't want to leave the house.

I hate the "must try antibiotics first" rule, antibiotics do nothing for me. In fact I've actually gone privately to a dermatologist to avoid that rule and am now on roaccutane privately but it's costing an absolute fortune. By the way I also have slightly high cholesterol, and did have some PND, but doesn't seem to have stopped her giving me roaccutane...

One suggestion I read on here was Spironolactone, it's not an antibiotic, can be quite effective apparently. I wonder if you could suggest that to your derm instead of the second round of antib's? Might tick the NHS "must try other things first" box?

Also, are you on the Pill? Dianette has really helped me in my 30s (didn't help much at an earlier age but does now).

Make up wise I find BB cream works better than foundation because it's more moisturising - I really like the Nivea one and it's v cheap. Then concealer, I use MAC select moisturecover.

Much sympathy.

[Sallystyle]

I had never heard of Spironolactone. I will mention it to him.

I am not on the pill no. I don't really do well with hormones but if this keeps happening I would probably try anything. My skin had been really good until a couple of weeks ago.

I have some BB cream and good concealer so I will give that a go. Thank you.

[minipie]

I gather from my dermatologist that Dianette and Yasmin are different from most other pills, different hormones I think and ones which are specifically good for hormonal acne - so might be worth a try.

Hmm if your skin was good till a couple of weeks ago then maybe this is the antibs kicking in - with many meds there is a "worse before it gets better" phase so maybe this is it? fingers crossed anyway...

[cheeseandmarmite15]

Panoxyl has given me perfect skin. Apply and then moisturise.

[Sallystyle]

I have been on the antibiotics for far too long for it to be the worse before it gets better stage.

It just reminded me that two months ago my period was over 2 weeks late and the next one was 2 weeks earlier than it should have been. I wonder if this outbreak is connected.

I will do some research on those two type of pills. Cheese I'm allergic to anything with BP in it.

[Sallystyle]

Apparently you can't take Yasmin if you are over 35? I am 35.

I like the sound of Dinaette. I am going to ask for it :)

[MoonlightMojitos]

I just wanted to say that I struggled for years and years with acne, cystic lumps, whiteheads the lot and it shattered my confidence until I went on dianette 2 years ago and it completely transformed my skin. I'd tried antibiotics and everything topical of corse too first. I'd tried several pills before and none of them helped apart from that so it really is worth a ago. It did however, give me a migraine every time I stopped taking it for a break so have to way up pros and cons. As much as the migraines were absolute agony I'd run 3 packs together so much rather have a migraine for 2 days every 3 months and clear skin than no migraines and suffer the way I did. And the migraines might have just been me anyway :). I hope you find something that works for you.

[Sallystyle]

It looks like I might be too old for that too :(

[Greypuddle]

Is it possible that it could be rosacea rather than acne? I have the spotty type of it rather than the 'flush all over after a glass of wine' type. No help anyway, because I'm struggling with my skin and presumably your dermatologist has already considered it...

[taybert]

Sympathies. There's a lot of variation in how acne is managed even by dermatologists. If you've already been on antibiotics it's a bit silly of them to insist you try two more courses. How annoying for you. I too was offered spironolactone (decided in roaccutane instead) but it isn't common and in fact I think it might be mainly one dermatologist doing it- it isn't licensed for that use, its effect on hormones is a "side effect" really but it apparently works well.
Vaguely where in the country are you?

[MoonlightMojitos]

Oh that sucks :(.

If anyone has any suggestions for things to try that are safe ttc it'd be appreciated. I stopped taking dianette 5 months ago now and the spots are slowly but surely creeping back. I know nothing non medicine will clear it up again but even if it helps a bit it'd be good. It's the one thing I was dreading about coming off the pill. I'd rather try and control now than solve once fully broke out again.

[Sallystyle]

I'm in Norfolk.

[taybert]

Hmm, sorry, don't know anyone in Norfolk. Shit innit?
Pill restriction over 35 tends to be if you smoke though dianette and Yasmin do carry a higher risk of blood clots so people get twitchy about you being on them as risk also increases with age.

[minipie]

I'm 36 and on dianette. GP was twitchy about it but dermatologist was not bothered as I don't smoke, not overweight and no family clot history.

Duac is your best bet if TTC - but IME it's a control rather than cure.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

I hear you.

What antibiotics are you on?

I found limocyline to be the dogs bollocks. My skin went in to meltdown when I was pregnant for the entire time. That antibiotic and dusc helped fix it. Highly recommend Cetaphil as a completely basic cleanser.

[OlennasWimple]

I had trouble getting Dianette prescribed a few years ago - the GP flat out refused, gave me Yasmin instead, which didn't work for me skin-wise and made me feel crap.

I am an advocate of spironolactone, which has done wonders for my skin in just one course (those horrid jaw spots don't really come up any more, or if they do they are up and gone in a day - seriously - rather than lingering for weeks). It's particularly effective with an antibiotic gel and a retinoid gel to tackle scarring and encourage healthy new skin growth. I'd ask if you can try it before going down the roaccutane route, particularly if there's any chance of getting pg

[Sallystyle]

Spironolactone sounds interesting.

No chance of getting pregnant (well unless dh's snip fails) but I am wary of going on roaccutane and would like to avoid it if I can.

I was on limocycline for ages but it stopped working and I hate the idea of being on antibiotics long term, I don't think it is good for you and they just come back with a vengeance when you stop them- well they do for me.

Thank you everyone. I have a few things to ask the derm about now :)