Well, when i went on lithium i got acne as well, so i know how you feel, & ya it really sucks. My doc told me going off lithium is not an easy thing to do & if its keeping you stable, i really dont think you should stop it. My suggestion is keep trying different creams, there has to be one out there that works for you.
Good luck
HUGS
dee

There are other stabilizers besides lithium so talk to your doc about switching. Acne is terrible, no matter the cause. I underwent treatment for acne as a teen and it was painful but effective. I've used lithium for 30 years with no acne, just goes to show.

I think it's something to talk to your doc about, you have to weigh the pros and cons. If the lithium is keeping you stable then I'd say keep trying to find other remedies for the acne. I know it really sucks. Big Hugs

Thanks guys, I just know behind these big cysts on my face are scars...... that's not okay with me.

I can't remember what you said on your other post sweetie.. are you seeing a dermatologist?
Lamictal has helped me a ton with stability... huge hug for you and a blessing..x

I'm sorry things haven't improved for you yet Gren but there are still other options available. There are a number of antibiotics available to treat stubborn acne, information can be found here:
http://dermatology.about.com/cs/antibiotics/a/acneabx.htm

There are also oral medications to treat acne as well, one being accutane which can be very effective. Having said that, I'm making the assumption that you are young and may not have heard of the side effects regarding this drug. It's probably not the type of medication one with BP or any type of depression would want to be on as it makes certain individuals prone to suicide and there are in fact a number of lawsuits against the makers of this drug for that reason.
I'd suggest seeing your General Practitioner in addition to your PD and explain to them how this is affecting you emotionally and physically. If you have access to a dermatologist that would be very helpful too, just make sure to disclose the psychiatric issues and meds you are on.
I do empathize with you, remember having it in my teen years and many a day I did not want to go to school because of it. Take care.

if your stable you may have to find a couple months to change meds because going up and down on meds can cause a change and there is no guantree they will work so if you can get some free tiem maybe it would be worth a try but if there is none i would change my life for looks and discomfomart so just think it throught and deside what is best and if you have the time

I'm with you, grenadine. I wouldn't want to take lithium if it is causing all this skin damage either. Meds that give me bad skin, or stack on the weight are just not worth it to me, in terms of contributing to a reduction in quality of life (er- hiding under the covers?? How is this good?). That's just not good enough, plus it sounds like an allergic reaction building up there. Normal acne doesn't feel like that sweetie. I've been allergic to a number of meds and the reaction starts with the skin, but more serious consequences can develop. I don't think it's just a 'cosmetic' issue, but really evidence of your body succumbing to some pretty undesirable toxicity and probably giving your liver, etc a hard time too. Even if, as your Mum said, it was from stress (chemical toxicity stress, imo)- the lithium shouldn't be contributing to more stress, but reducing it....sounds like a shit med for you!

I really hope you do ditch the lithium and find something that does the job a whole lot better!! Good luck with it, I hope you find the right one soon. Oh- if no one has said this, can't remember but evening primrose oil is a great supplement for reducing inflammation and getting salts out of your skin!! (hugs)

I can definitely understand wanting to switch from Lithium if it's giving you acne. What good is being stable if you're uncomfortable in your own skin? Definitely talk to your pdoc about it...maybe there's another mood stabilizer out there that will help you without that side effect. If your pdoc isn't receptive to changing your mood stabilizer...maybe see a dermatologist. Not like I'm saying anything that hasn't already been said. I do hope you get this situation under control. Good luck and ((((BIG HUGS))))

Oh ya when you look into the mirror you can see your soul so I know what you mean.

Grenadine,

I would definitely get off the Lithium asap. There are other mood stabilizers out there.. I get a little bit of acne from Lithium and I use Burts Bees Peach and Willowbark deep pore cleansing scrub and it keeps my pimples and I use their Rose Water toner which helps a lot and keeps my skin soft

I'd talk to my pdoc and get off the lithium. Try other mood stablizers. Some side effects just aren't worht it to me.

Amen! Thank you guys. My apt with my pdoc is later this month, I could probably see my dermatologist earlier, but she doesn't really do much for me.

Ugh! You know what's worse? It hurts to smile big because I have acne all along my jaw.... Not cool. And it's been way worse! Much much worse where I really couldn't leave the house and it was so painful...

I didn't think it could mean my lithium is toxic.

I don't think I could do accutain, a family my family knows had a perfectly normal and great individual as a son anc was at college recently ands had been on accutain, he hung himself in his closet.

Horrific.

It's really nice coming home from a long day and all my peeps wrote back giving me advice! Thank you!

In the meantime you may want to check out this support group if you have not already:
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Acne/support-group

Oh that's awesome, thanks!