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Post by grate on Jul 30, 2014 23:48:43 GMT
I am at a loss and would love suggestions. My soon to be 15 year old has been dealing with acne since she was 10. Not just a pimple here or there. She has been on different meds, which I had a hard time with her trying as I am one who goes to a naturopath. Topical creams make her skin raw, over the counters have not worked, holistic and diet were a bust. She is getting scaring and does not want to leave the house. She really is a beautiful girl but this is really a difficult thing to deal with.
The latest that was suggested was birth control pills. I have never taken them myself because I was always worried about controlling my body like that... my hang ups. I am asking for advice from those you who have found things that have worked. Maybe the BC pills are the way to go, has anyone ever used them for this? It breaks my hurt to see her like this. I was to get a prescription filled today and she was so excited but the pharmacist told me it would cost me $1000 a MONTH, totally not something I can do. She understands but is crushed because she thinks that it must work then if it is so expensive.
Thank you for any suggestions.
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Post by myshelly on Jul 30, 2014 23:52:08 GMT
Have you taken her to a dermatologist?
I had horrible deep huge cystic acne. The only thug that ever worked for me was getting a shot in each cyst at the dermatologist. It was painful, but they went want within a day.
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 30, 2014 23:53:38 GMT
I assume since she had prescriptions that she is under the care of a dermatologist. I have no real advice but wanted to wish you the best in your search.
I like that you recognize your hang ups and are doing your best not to put them on your daughter. I would allow her to try the BC pills if they would help.
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Post by grate on Jul 30, 2014 23:53:41 GMT
I have, she normally does not get the big cysts.
ETA-- yes Chatterbox, she has been to a few dermas, regular dr and holistic.... I guess it is a normal thing but sometimes I feel the drs are just throwing one med after another. Was hoping someone had the same experience and found something that worked :-)
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,840
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Jul 30, 2014 23:53:44 GMT
Go to a dermatologist.
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,768 
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Post by valincal on Jul 30, 2014 23:54:18 GMT
When I was just her age the dermatologist prescribed antibiotics for my acne. Poor kiddo--I feel for her.
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Post by Scrapbrat on Jul 31, 2014 0:00:07 GMT
I'm a little confused. You seem to be indicating that she has been to a dermatologist, yet many of the things that you say haven't worked don't sound like doctor prescribed things. Is the dermatologist the one suggesting birth control pills? If she's under the care of a dermatologist, and one or two things he has tried haven't worked, maybe you should trust him to find the solution that will work for her. The birth-control pills is a personal decision, but they're fairly commonly prescribed as an acne vontrol measure.
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sharlag
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I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,580
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Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Jul 31, 2014 0:08:28 GMT
I just assumed that when the derm tried one med after another, that was accepted approach. Stronger and stronger antibiotics, etc.
What worked for me and my son was Accutane. It's a big fuck*ng deal, though-- with the side affects and some alarmist information out there. The doctors monitor it BIG TIME with monthly bloodwork and there's a protocol for users to sign up and take a pledge, etc regarding pregnancy and so forth.
I feel for you and her. I've been in both positions (self and mother). It's so disheartening.
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Post by Outspoken on Jul 31, 2014 0:12:46 GMT
My daughter is 13 and has some pretty bad break outs. Currently she uses prescription Epiduo and over the counter Cetaphil wash. For the most part it works really well. But, just in the last two days, she has a breakout on her forehead but they don't look like normal acne. They look like little splatters of a tomato based sauce. I know that's weird, but I can't think of anyway to describe them. If they don't go away in a day or two, I will have to have them looked at again.
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Post by grate on Jul 31, 2014 0:24:31 GMT
She has been seeing a dermatologist since she was 10 (that is how I got prescriptions) and the antibiotics have not worked, the medical grade washes have not worked, the medical creams made her skin raw. We would take breaks and try more natural approaches which did not work. I am afraid that it is leading to accutane which is a big fuc*ing deal to quote Sharlag and since I am not one to love using even the antibiotics she has been given, it totally scares me.
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
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Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Jul 31, 2014 0:27:27 GMT
What worked for me and my son was Accutane. It's a big fuck*ng deal, though-- with the side affects and some alarmist information out there. The doctors monitor it BIG TIME with monthly bloodwork and there's a protocol for users to sign up and take a pledge, etc regarding pregnancy and so forth. Yup, it sure is a big deal. Huge deal. And then, for some people, it doesn't work. Like for my kid. Many others have experienced success with it, but it's disheartening to go through all that for nothing. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 22:41:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2014 0:29:59 GMT
I'm sorry. I know it is hard.  $1000 per month for birth control pills seems like a LOT of money? Isn't that a lot of money for a BC prescription? Can you call the doctor back and see if there's a reason he prescribed it or if there is another type she can try that might be cheaper? |
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Post by grate on Jul 31, 2014 0:31:41 GMT
the $1000 a month was for yet another antibiotic. I sure hope it would not be for BC!!
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Post by grate on Jul 31, 2014 0:33:01 GMT
Yup, it sure is a big deal. Huge deal. And then, for some people, it doesn't work. Like for my kid. Many others have experienced success with it, but it's disheartening to go through all that for nothing. oh my!! so sorry it did not work |
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johnnysmom
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Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Jul 31, 2014 0:34:27 GMT
I'm sorry. I know it is hard. $1000 per month for birth control pills seems like a LOT of money? Isn't that a lot of money for a BC prescription? Can you call the doctor back and see if there's a reason he prescribed it or if there is another type she can try that might be cheaper? That's an extreme amount for BC. Hell, that's more than a baby would be each month   When I had to pay cash for my pills it was about $25/30 a month. OP, I have no advice, but hopefully the dr can find something that works. Teen years are hard enough w/o dealing with acne too |
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Post by hop2 on Jul 31, 2014 0:34:36 GMT
My DD went thru similar and at the end of all the meds the dermatologist we had at the time suggested hormone therapy ( birth control ) which DD chose not to do. It was either that or accutane which I said no to.
DD's skin did improve as she got older but with the topical a it does get worse before it gets better. DD just had to ride it out and stick with the one regimen for a few months to get past the worse part. How long did your DD stick with each topical regimen?
Now it's getting worse again so I'm waiting for this dermatologist to suggest it, now at 17 I would actually be ok if DD decided to do it. The birth control I mean
Eta birth control for acne is a low dose and wasn't anywhere near $1000 per month even with no insurance. If I remember correctly the one they wanted her to get was like $39/month now it has to be covered anyway no?
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 22:41:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2014 0:36:46 GMT
the $1000 a month was for yet another antibiotic. I sure hope it would not be for BC!! Oh, I see now. I didn't understand the 1000 dollars was for a different prescription. I hope you can find something that works. I understand being leery of unnecessary medication, but I think that medication has been invented and is needed for cases where other things don't work. |
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Post by myshelly on Jul 31, 2014 0:40:11 GMT
the $1000 a month was for yet another antibiotic. I sure hope it would not be for BC!! Oh, I see now. I didn't understand the 1000 dollars was for a different prescription. I hope you can find something that works. I understand being leery of unnecessary medication, but I think that medication has been invented and is needed for cases where other things don't work. I was confused by the OP as well. OP, call the derm office and tell him that particular rx is $1000. My dr is always happy to consult with me about something like that and send in a different rx without charging for another office visit. |
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Post by omarakbt on Jul 31, 2014 0:41:21 GMT
We like you tried everything for our DD, under the care of a dermatologist and nothing worked. She had terrible cycstic acne on her face and her back We even tried one treatment that was not really for acne but rather for skin cancer which worked on her back but we didn't have it done on her face, just too difficult and really too painful. They suggested we try acutane but found she was not a candidate because she has a hereditary form of high cholesterol so that was out. I had fought the birth control pills because she was late into puberty and I wanted her body to have a chance to develop the way it was supposed to. BC pills did turn out to be the answer for her. She was on and off of them through college, tried different ones with lower and lower doses because she didn't like the feeling she had on them but it's really the only thing that works for her long term.
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mnscrapper
Junior Member
Posts: 52
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Post by mnscrapper on Jul 31, 2014 0:48:33 GMT
I'm 42 and have been dealing with acne since I was a teenager. I did the prescriptions, creams, etc and none of it really helped. I've also been on bc pills and they helped a little but by no means did they solve the problem. I recently discovered Lush facial products and have been using some of them. They are all natural products without all the drying alcohol and other harsh ingredients. So far I've been really pleased with how my face is looking. It isn't perfect, but it's MUCH clearer than it's been in years.
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Post by peasful1 on Jul 31, 2014 0:51:03 GMT
I use spirinolactone for the little bit of acne I get as a result of the increased testosterone in my system. Something like that might help.
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Post by grate on Jul 31, 2014 0:51:57 GMT
The topical meds were used for about 3 months but she had to stop as her skin was really drying out and cracking..horrible. I have this gut feeling that birth control may be the way to go since the multiple antibiotics have not worked. Thank you everyone!
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Post by grate on Jul 31, 2014 0:53:45 GMT
I will look into Lush and spirinolactone (never heard of it!) thank you!
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Post by stephofalltrades on Jul 31, 2014 0:56:10 GMT
In my personal experience, BC was the only thing that helped. Even in my 20's if I quit taking it, the acne would come back. Like other peas said, you should be able to find an inexpensive variety. I got it for 5.00 a month at Planned parenthood when I was in HS.
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Post by ~Sherri~ on Jul 31, 2014 1:11:50 GMT
My youngest DD used to have acne. Nothing bad, just plain old acne. My Mom had us try having her wash her face with a bar of new, never used Dial soap. We got her some Dial soap and she used it to wash only her face. After a few days, DD's acne began to clear up and was gone in week or so. Whenever she would get a breakout, we would get her a new bar of soap. My Mom learned this from a neighbor's MIL many, many years ago. It was what they used before acne meds were developed. I don't know if this suggestion will help or not. It worked for my DD and I hope your DD can find something that will help her.
I take Spironolactone for CHF. It is a diuretic. I have not heard of it for acne. But researchers are always finding new conditions that older meds can now treat.
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jeanninem
Junior Member
Posts: 97
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Post by jeanninem on Jul 31, 2014 1:20:26 GMT
My DD, now 18, did antibiotics and various topicals (epiduo, acanya, tretinoin, retin-a, benzoyl peroxide washes), kenalog (a steroid) injections into the acne, salicylic acid peels and isolaz (machine sucks out the bacteria in your skin) treatments in the dermatologist's office. Nothing worked. Seriously, I work in a dermatologist office and they threw EVERYTHING at her. Her face, chest and back had cyctic acne mixed with blackheads and whiteheads. Her face hurt.
Accutane
I fought it too but in the end I gave in. She was on it for 5 months and it cleared everything. In hindsight, she didn't feel great while taking it - mostly just increased fatigue. But she would do it all over again.
The i-Pledge is easy once you get the hang of it. Monthly blood work wasn't that big a deal.
She is very happy and her face looks and feels great.
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Post by grate on Jul 31, 2014 1:27:48 GMT
dial, that is interesting! Wow Jeanninem, what your daughter went through a lot! Glad she is happy now!
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brandy327
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,353
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Post by brandy327 on Jul 31, 2014 1:56:45 GMT
I don't have acne issues but I do have SUPER sensitive skin with rosacea and psoriasis. For years, I've dealt with super red cheeks and bumps. I've tried the meds my dermatologist recommended and nothing worked. I just gave in to the fact that nothing was ever going to help.
About 6 months ago, a friend of mine recommended Rodan & Fields Soothe Regimen. I debated back and forth due to the super high cost. And in all honesty, I really dislike buying a product that is that high priced. But I finally broke down and spent the money knowing that they have a 100% empty bottle guarantee. But I didn't need it. Within 2-3 weeks, I saw a HUGE HUGE improvement in my skin.
With that, I've only ever used the Soothe regiment. But they also have an acne regimen (which is what my friend actually buys). She's posted many before/after photos (of herself and others that have used it) and the results I've seen are amazing.
Rodan & Fields are the dermatologists that created ProActiv. And from what my friend tells me, their acne regimen (called Unblemish) is similar to ProActiv but not as harsh on the skin. I know if my kids ever have acne issues that we can't control, I will definitely try their Unblemish.
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Post by disneyjunkie on Jul 31, 2014 2:10:19 GMT
I'm not sure if this will help your daughter but I've had great luck with Nerium. I've been using it for about a year and before I started, I was dealing with adult acne that I never had as a teen. The Nerium cleared it right up and has mostly kept it away. I don't sell it. I'm just suggesting a product that has worked for me.
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Post by anniefb on Jul 31, 2014 2:11:42 GMT
I had pretty bad acne as a teen and was prescribed various things. From personal experience I can say BC pills did help me. A good friend was on Accutane for a couple of years, but I think doctors would want to exhaust all other avenues before prescribing that.
As I understand it, the FDA has only approved some types of BC for acne so you would want to check with your dermotologist which those are.
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When I had to pay cash for my pills it was about $25/30 a month.
