Acne.

[DesertRain]

When I lived in the Northwest, I had flawless skin. So I move to hot dry desert land and slowly but surely my face turns to polk-a-dot city. For 2 years I tried everything (yes, literally, everything, I am willing to bet there is nothing you can suggest that I haven't tried) and have been put on several medications by my dermatologist with no luck. He finally tells me that I'm one of those people who really need to just use the most potent acne medication out there...Accutane / (Isotretinoin). It's very very strong and scary. I have to have a contract with my OB/GYN that states that I promise not to have babies because of the severe birth defects. I have to get blood work drawn every few weeks....all for those stupid dots on my cheeks.
I've really wanted to avoid using this Accutane stuff and since I've been on Atkins (day 10 of Induction today) my face, for the first time is starting to clear up.
Here's my theory: very very resistant bacteria, who used to feed and thrive off the sugar in my blood are starting to starve and die leaving my face clear......
I don't know if there's any truth to that, all I know is that bacteria love sugar.
So I'm supposed to start this medication on the 10th of July. I'm wondering. Should I go ahead and do it, or just see if I can clear this up on my own for a bit. Also, does anyone know if Accutane is one of those meds that can be totally bad while on Atkins?
Sorry to ramble but I've gotten so much info from so many people here, I thought maybe, just maybe, someone might know.
Thanks guys, so much,

[chinadoll]

Hi Jane, I agree with you. My skin never looks better than when I am on Atkins. I also think the water consumption helps and the exercise gets you sweating and cleaning out those pores. I would take a wait and see attitude and then show your dermatologist before jumping into such a strong drug therapy. Besides, the fact that you didn't always have bad skin tells me that it isn't you.

Here's my potential explanation. You were in a cool moist climate, The Arizone heat may be overdrying your skin and irritating it. The oils and fats from Atkins may now be soothing the overdryness and irritation. I know we tend to think of Acne as an oily problem, but overuse of drying agents can also produce acne, so why not arid conditions and too much aircon? Anyway, I am glad the problem is alleviating itself no matter what the cause.

[Lyssie]

Uhm. Accutane shouldn't be scary, even I was debating starting it for the odd outbreak... The course of treatment is 15-20 weeks. During that time is when you're not supposed to get pregnant, but it's not saying that you can't ever get pregnant because of the birth defects that it could cause.

Honestly, there are also a lot of antibiotics that you should not take while pregnant so it's not like this drug is so much worse than them.

I stick by that if you don't want to take a medication, then you shouldn't be taking it, but while you may be scared about taking this, ask yourself whether you are planning to become pregnant in the next 4 months...

[DesertRain]

Thanks China and Lyssie,

Lyssie have you ever taken it before? Can you tell me about your experience with it? There's so much negative chatter about it that I'd like to hear a positive outlook on it. I have no plans on having babies. I'm done. My kids are at the self-sufficient stage and I'm loving diaperless days, quiet afternoons when they are at school. (I'm hoping for a tummy tuck in the future instead ) Nevermind the fact that I'm working on my Bachelor's full time. So the whole pregancy thing isn't what scares me. It's the talk about depression and suicide and psychosis associated with Accutane that makes me think twice.
Also, I just wouldn't want it to effect my success with Atkins. So if I need it, I'm wondering if it would be better to wait until I'm at goal just in case?

[Sherri]

Hello Jane,
How ironic! I was just watching one of Doug Kaufmanns show last week to where he was addressing this very same thing. He had a guest on his program named "Chris Gibbons" and he was promoting a book he wrote called "Acne Free In Three days" They discussed the bacteria connection as well as the yeast connection with acne. What was suggested to take was a good Pro-Biotic, and anti-fungul as in Olive leaf Extract and using tea tree oil on the out breaks. You are on the best diet for acne, no sugar- no grains and also important to destress. According to Doug and Chris.
They also discussed the accutane. Chris had had severe acne for many years and the doctors had him on anti-biotics, accutane, which severly dried his skin out. It didn't work. He personally seeked out a cure and wrote a book about it.
Worth checking into. You're better off taking the natural approach on this.
If you went the Prescription way ask for Diflucan a prescription anti-fungul.

Sincerely, Sherri
www.knowthecause.com
www.Acnefreein3days.com/ChrisGibbons

[Lyssie]

I actually never got around to going to a dermatologist to get it - as annoying as breakouts are, my skin has gotten much better since I started exercising again, stopped eating refined sugar and I switched to a different cleanser...

That being said, one of my coworkers is on it, she hasn't had a problem with the depression or anything associated with it like that. She said that it *can* make you more dehydrated - some people experience dry skin and the need to constantly have lip balm around.

I know that she would not have recommended it to me if she had experienced any of those side effects. If you have a history of depression, I would talk to my doctor about that, and I would probably ask them if they thought that there was any issue with a low carb diet and taking it. Then again, I also look at the package insert of any drug that I think about taking, and it's available online for Accutane...

P.S. Tea tree oil can help (I have used that before)- don't use it all over your skin, it can cause dryness as well, don't use on any open cuts, and it smells kinda funny. If you want to try out a couple cleansers (not sure if they'll help you or not), LUSH has a soap called "Fresh Farmacy" that helped, and L'Occitane has a new Rice cleanser (and moisturizer) for problem skin - which is what I currently use.

[Greeneggs&ham]

I took Accutane when I was a senior in HS (yes, it's been around a LONG time). While on it, I had cracked and bleeding lips and I'd get a nose bleed once or twice a week. My heels cracked from dry skin and to this day I still get dry (deep) cracking on the soles of my feet that OTC medicines do nothing for. Prior to Accutane, I would tan very darkly, but since Accutane, I pretty much just burn. I can't say that I ever got depressed (aside from being a zit-faced, nose-bleeding teenager!), but it was a concern back then too. I still have acne breakouts, although they are not nearly as bad as the pre-Accutane puberty years. When the dermatologist suggested I take a second round, I quickly declined.

Personally, I think you should consider all your other options first. What can it hurt if you start a little later versus immediately? Accutane does do what it claims to do -- dry out your sebacious glands, but if there had been another option in the late 80's, I definitely think I would have tried it first.

If you do decide to take it, plan to do it during the coolest or least dry time of year (if that exists in Las Vegas!).

[DesertRain]

Originally Posted by Sherri

How ironic! I was just watching one of Doug Kaufmanns show last week to where he was addressing this very same thing. He had a guest on his program named "Chris Gibbons" and he was promoting a book he wrote called "Acne Free In Three days"

Oh my goodness, I need to get on the ball with Doug Kaufmann, since you suggested him before I've been so intrigued....I must accomplish that! And I will definitely look into those suggestions

Originally Posted by Lyssie

P.S. Tea tree oil can help (I have used that before)- don't use it all over your skin, it can cause dryness as well, don't use on any open cuts, and it smells kinda funny. If you want to try out a couple cleansers (not sure if they'll help you or not), LUSH has a soap called "Fresh Farmacy" that helped, and L'Occitane has a new Rice cleanser (and moisturizer) for problem skin - which is what I currently use.

Originally Posted by Greeneggs&ham

Personally, I think you should consider all your other options first. What can it hurt if you start a little later versus immediately? Accutane does do what it claims to do -- dry out your sebacious glands, but if there had been another option in the late 80's, I definitely think I would have tried it first.

I think this is exactly what I'm gonna do, gosh my skin gets pretty darned dry already, I can't imagine how much dryer it can get...that must be uncomfortable....lot's of great suggestions I thought I had heard them all.....

and....you're right, it's always dry over here, however....it does get cool. So maybe I will postpone until winter and that might give me time to see if it heals up!

Thanks everyone! (I love this site)

[sallyseachange]

If your face has started to clear up since you've been on Atkins, I'd certainly put any treatment on hold and see where you get to, just naturally.

Loads of people report improved skin conditions since starting Atkins, so this might just be the answer to your problem. I really hope so!

[cookiecate]

I agree with everyone who says to hold off on the medication and give Atkins a chance. My sister - in - law who suffered from acne for many years found she had a food allergy (wheat). You have probably had all the tests but do give this great way of eating a chance.