Acne Archives

Acne / Health

Dr Stoll,

I am 23 years old and have had acne since I was about 16. I have cystic acne and have been on some form of antibiotic for the past 4 years. I went from tetracycline to doxycycline and lastly zithromax. During my time on doxycycline (about 2 years), my acne was pretty well under control. I would get occasional cysts but probably in the range of 4 or 5 a year. I had other breakouts that didn't result in cysts sporadically with 2-4 month clear times in between. My diet had consisted of pretty much whatever I wanted from the ages of 16-22 with lots of meats, steak, pasta, and everything else under the sun. I started smoking cigarettes and drinking at about 16. I also have been a drug user since about the age of 17 with heavy drug use from 17-20 years old . Drugs used were MDMA, LSD, marijuana, nitrous oxide, painkillers, xanax, valium, ketamine, mushrooms, and a few others. I slowed down my drug use a lot at age 20 but was still using pharmaceutical drugs on a fairly regular basis and drinking and smoking a lot. About 9 months ago I got fed up with having to take antibiotics everyday and just not taking very good care of myself in general and decided to have a look at some of the things my mom is interested in and see if there were any answers in those areas. I also had just recently lost my best friend to suicide and was pretty shook up about that. I went to see an acupuncturist and he did a profile on my and made some dietary recommendations to me as well as some relaxation tips. He told me that I would need to concentrate on clearing my liver due to the fact of all the poisons I had put in my body over the years. I had acupuncture done once a week for about 5 weeks and stopped eating red meat completely. I also tried to incorporate more leafy greens in my diet and more vegetables in general. I still occasionally (once or twice) took MDMA and nitrous oxide and was eating pharmaceutical drugs on the weekends sometimes. In august of last year I got a DUI and that was my wake up call to take it easy with the alcohol. I have worked as a Sr. Systems Administrator at a major company for almost 5 years (stated off as a help desk tech) and was informed in February that the company was starting a random drug test policy. I stopped all drug use the last week of January 2002. I was still smoking about 1/2 pack a day and drinking fairly regularly. In the beginning of march I got to large cysts on my face and neck and went to the doctor to get them checked out. My complexion had not been as good as it was since about December 2001 and I thought that the doxycycline may have been not doing its job as well so I went to another dermatologist who gave me cortisone injections and prescribed me Zithromax. The cysts went away fairly quickly and I stayed on the zithro for a while <250mg every other day> About a month later I got another cyst and then 2 more about 2 weeks after that. At this point I knew the zithro was not working well at all and decided to go back to the doctor. I had spent about 20 hours researching Accutane on the internet and had determined that it was a powerful drug that had the ability to completely clear up people skin problems but often with a hefty price to pay. I went to the doctor to see about getting back on doxycycline and she talked to me about accutane. I decided I would go ahead and give it a try because of how tired I was of dealing with all of the hassle. I went and got my blood taken and then came back to work and really started thinking about what I was doing and why I was going to put myself through possible hell for vanity. I decided to do some more research before I actually got on the drug and that when I found your site. I looked through all the posts in the archives and started understanding what I consider the key fact, acne in adults is a warning sign of other problems, and fo

james

Follow Ups:

• Re: Acne / Health (Archive.) Walt Stoll 17:33:50 4/26/02 (2)
  • Re: Acne / Health (Archive.) James 09:12:50 4/29/02 (1)
    • Re: Acne / Health (Archive.) Walt Stoll 11:32:36 4/30/02 (0)
• Re: Acne / Health Jeannie 11:48:23 4/26/02 (0)
• Re: Acne / Health Rob 21:32:48 4/25/02 (1)
  • Re: Acne / Health James 11:59:29 4/26/02 (0)
• Re: Acne / Health kmd 13:28:28 4/25/02 (1)
  • Re: Acne / Health kc 13:47:37 4/25/02 (0)

In Reply to: Acne / Health posted by James on April 25, 2002 at 10:35:47:

Hi James, what a story and I am impressed with the way you are really turning your life around. I applaud your efforts and wish you the best in continuing to conquer the rest of your addictions as well as continuing to change bad habits into good.

As far as supplements, just a few comments. Ester-C is superior to regular C, there's not such thing as a good "one a day" multi supplement. Look into adding EFAs to your plan.

As far as diet, probably no need to give up all meats, etc. but rather to look into whole foods more and eliminating refined carbohydrates. Alcohol is a refined carb, just like a sugar.

Good for you to choose against the Accutane!

Keep going like you are, keep learning, and you'll be OK. You're acne will get better also. You might want to look into doing some cleansing programs (bowel, liver, etc.)

Follow Ups:

• Re: Acne / Health kc 13:47:37 4/25/02 (0)

In Reply to: Re: Acne / Health posted by kmd on April 25, 2002 at 13:28:28:

Hi James,
I have only one thing to add to what kmd said, take some pro-biotics. You have been on anti-biotics for such a long time, you REALLY need to replenish the good bacteria in your gut.

In Reply to: Acne / Health posted by James on April 25, 2002 at 10:35:47:

Your story is very inspiring to me, James, due to my present situation. I'm 16 years old (When you first started having acne) My acne is also cystic and it is safe to say it is ruining my life.

I don't do drugs and I dont smoke. I might get drunk or high if there's a party (Typical of people my age) But I'm not addicted.

I don't eat particuarly well

I've tried doxycycline, like you, it worked well for me for a year. I guess I grew immune to it and my acne returned.

I am interested in SR but I don't know the best way to go about doing it. I'm taking 5 grams of B-5 a day, and use Tea Tree Oil soap in the shower every day.

Good luck with your treatment and thank you for letting me know that it isnt just me who has to deal with this ...

Follow Ups:

• Re: Acne / Health James 11:59:29 4/26/02 (0)

In Reply to: Acne / Health posted by James on April 25, 2002 at 10:35:47:

Just wanted to say that I am incredibly proud of how you've taken this great step to loving your body and mind. It will pay off I promise you that.

In Reply to: Re: Acne / Health posted by Rob on April 25, 2002 at 21:32:48:

Rob,

They thing I can definitely tell you about dealing with acne over the years is just don't worry about it. You would be suprised how many poeple who you probably think to be perfect actually are very hung up on things like their weight, hair, height, money, clothes, and a bunch of other things. I definately notice that when I just do what I can to help my acne and live my life normally it doesn't bother me at all. No one really cares if your skin isn't perfect. I have had many serious relationships with beautiful girls over the years and have had plenty of friends and they never care about that. If you are hanging out with the right people your imperfections won't bother them because everyone has them. This definately might be harder to do in high school but it will get easier. Just remember to have fun and try to be carefree, it will make you happier and you will look better to yourself and everyone else if you are not concentrating on the negative things in your life (because there will always be good things and bad things its just how your percieve them)

james

In Reply to: Acne / Health posted by James on April 25, 2002 at 10:35:47:

Thanks, James and congratulations!

As you have noted, since all the things you are doing are making you feel healthier even though your acne has not totally cleared up yet, you are probably glad that you have done all this anyhow.

The only thing I can see that you are missing is the EFAs. I would suggest a 3 months trial of them and see, in combination with all the rest you are doing, now much that might help.

Let us know.

Namaste`

Walt

Follow Ups:

• Re: Acne / Health (Archive.) James 09:12:50 4/29/02 (1)
  • Re: Acne / Health (Archive.) Walt Stoll 11:32:36 4/30/02 (0)

In Reply to: Re: Acne / Health (Archive.) posted by Walt Stoll on April 26, 2002 at 17:33:50:

Thanks walt.

I picked up some Flax oil supplements, they are made by sundown. They have 1g of flax oil (seed) and 950mg of Evening Primrose Oil (seed) and 50mg of Borage Oil (Seed). It suggests taking 2 tablets twice a day. Just curious if these sound alright. Also I picked up some Live Cleanse by the same company, it contains Milk Thistle extract (seed) 175mg Standardized to 80% Silymarin, 140mg and 75mg Paisley (aerial part) and 75mg Burdock (root) and 50mg Dandelion (root) and 25mg of N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine and 25mg of Trimethylglycine. Wow....thats a lot. Just curious if those sound any good or if I should hold off all together on a liver cleanse process. If I shouldn't hold off and these are no good can you please suggest one keeping in mind my heavy drug and alcohol use over the past 7 years. I am also finding that since I am not taking any drugs, not smoking as much, and not drinking as much I am a bit more anxious and edgey and stressed. Is there anything besides SR that could help with this? SR seems to help but doesn't cover me the whole day. I have been in contact with a local shop that does BIO-feedback analysis to determine if I am getting "in the right zone " Anyways maybe some type of Kava Kava or St Johns Wort. Let me know as soon as you get a chance.

Thanks,

James

Follow Ups:

• Re: Acne / Health (Archive.) Walt Stoll 11:32:36 4/30/02 (0)

In Reply to: Re: Acne / Health (Archive.) posted by James on April 29, 2002 at 09:12:50:

Hi, James.

Your supplements sound about right. While you are trying to recuperate, each cancer stick and each small drink has at least 10 times as much damaging potential as when you were just going down the path to destruction.

The experience you are having with the SR says tht you do not yet know that the short term results you are talking about are not what you need. The long term accumulation of benefits is what does the job--the short term are just a bonus.

Let us know how you do.

Walt