Acne Support Group

I can relate to that. I never had acne this bad before, I got Differin thinking that it would make it better. I have been using it for two weeks straight I think, and I've been breaking out more. If you need someone to talk to about this I will.

I dropped three of my classes this semester because I woke up one morning and couldnt face going in. Two is still hard enough, but I have to do something.

It sucks so bad, and its not in our head either. People do judge based on appearance. All I can say is try to focus on the things you can control. Try to eat well, try not to overstress yourself. (Not always possible.)

As far as what to use, that just depends on what works for you. So much is hit and miss its frustrating and depressing. I'm trying to get accutane online but thats not so easy either.

Goodluck, and I hope you pull through. Try to talk to someone you trust and say specifically how your skin is making you feel.. dont dodge around just say it. That may help.

I feel like dropping by classes this semester as well. I'm practically suicidal my acne is so bad. Part of me wishes this was high school though. I look around campus and 99.8% of the people are acne free. At least in high school I would fit in.

and I know people judge people with acne, because I'm only a recent acne sufferer myself. And... I used to judge people with acne. I'm ashamed of it... maybe I deserve my cysts.

Hey FSU girl...cystic acne is Treatable and Curable :) Make take a little while to clear up but there is Treatment. Stressing, worrying and being self-absorbed by it is going to make it worse. I know it's hard to not stress about it when you see it every day you wake up. However, as I said before you have options- you need to drink a lot of water, keep exercising, include veges and oatmeal into your daily diet, tons of fruits and acne medication given by your doctor. The great thing is that - it's TREATABLE!!!! You should be thankful that you have cystic acne and not an incurable disease. Acne is a common condition. People judge-yes. So what? You used to judge. Use this situation you're put in to build your character. You used to judge but by being in this situation- i'm sure you're gonna change that personality trait :) You're gonna become more healthy and fit by paying more attention to yourself and would be more equipped to study at school :). Acne is common and so is Herpes (STD). People judge both. You want to know the difference? Herpes is incurable. You have a choice and option my dear. It is not the end of the world and definitely not worth to end you life.

what treatments have you tried? I take the Contraceptive pill, it seems to help. The one i was on made me get acne like skin and so i changed it, now my skin is slowly clearing and im just getting breakouts near my period.

Have you see your gp? maybe you could get accutane? This is for severe acne. I never had to take it though, but i think there is some bad side effects.

I know, but it's just so hard sometimes. And I feel like so many people don't understand. My boyfriend asked me yesterday if I would rather be blind or have severe acne and it took me a long time to answer... then he got on me for being vain and how a few months with horrible acne isn't comparable to your whole life not being able to see.

I don't know, some how it seems like the better option. I can't understand why or give any logical reason for it, but... it's just how I feel.

and I'm going to my first derm. appointment in 10 minutes. I can't get on accutane though. I have way too much unprotected sex (you have to be on like 3 forms of birth control or something ridiculous like that!!) I can't even name 3 types of birth control let alone apply it.

FSUgirl, same thing happened to me last year so I know how you feel! Eventually I started accutane and am glad I did. You do need to be on two forms of birth control (most likely the pill and condoms) but as long as you tell your doctor the same ones each time and don't get pregnant it's fine. It's also a pain in the neck because it's regulated because of the birth defects, but if you feel like I did, you should at least consider it. It really helps.
Antisocial, please don't buy accutane online! It could be expired or maybe even fake. The reason it's regulated, other than the birth defects, is the side effects some people get. Can you get it from a doctor? If not send me a message and I'll tell you anything you need to know (how to start taking it, etc). You should get blood tests before and during the treatmenrt and it could make you extra tired or sore.

hey beautiful :)
its all going to be ok, we all go through these things for a reason. and it will end, I'm guessing you've been stressed a lot latly, this can be a huge contributing cause to your acne...and I know how much of a vicious cycle it is because you just get stressed out more BECAUSE of acne...but eventually, I know its hard, and it will take a while, you just need to accept where your at, do what you can then more on, don't obsess about it, its ok, you'll be ok, i know it feels horrible, I know you feel like you're hideous, but we're not...we just beautiful people with a bunch of red dots on our face, its ok, a lot people have worse, and we have to deal with what we've been given, it'll teach you lessons, and it will make you stronger
I know how you feel, and I'm here for you when you need support, just message me
this sounds strange to some people: but therapy really does work: a lot of where our acne comes from originates in our emotions, so if we are going through really bad stuff the "toxins" in our body may be excreted by our skin...this sounds new age-y but there have been studies, if this applies to you, please do somthing about it: write, vent, go to therapy, run, anything to cut the stress out your life, and be happy
that should be the priority...not "curing" your acne...and if it cures your acne in the process, then thats twice as good
Much love to you, and peace and hopeful thoughts for the future
you'll be ok, I know it :) One step at a time
Love,
Lucy

I went to the dermatologist a few days ago. He put me on tetracycline twice a day, retinal A for my face, and birth control (ortho-tricycline). He said I should be clear in 2 months.

I decided to keep an acne journal, for this 60 days. It's kind of a way to count down the days and I might take pictures to remind myself of how bad it was compared to how it is at this day if I happen to feel depressed. Maybe not pictures every day, but once a week or something.

And thank you all for the support. Some days are better than others. This weekend went really well, my bf took me out and we carved pumpkins together... but then other days I feel like dying. Days where I have to go meet people, or go to weddings, or anything of that nature.

I have considered therapy, I heard we have great therapists on campus. I just feel really alone here. Without my best friend or boyfriend up at school with me, there's no one to sit in zit cream with and play Twister or Yahtzee or watch movies with, you know? If I just had a friend who I felt didn't judge me to be with me... I think I'd be handling it a lot better. I go to school far away, and I can't come home every weekend... especially with pharmacy school being so difficult.

I just need a friend so I'm not so lonely right now. But my acne is so bad I refuse to make friends here.

Oh my gosh i know exactlyyy how you feel!!! I never had acne during high school either then i went on a trip over seas and POW! It came on. I would just cry and cry saying that this isnt me and I just want to be normal again. So your not alone in this!! People keep telling me that this will go away but its hard to believe sometimes.... so i know how your feeling!