Sunday, February 15, 2009

FInally some relief

A while ago I asked all of you for any advice you may have for me and my acne problem...
You girls were so helpfully and gave me some really great advice. There we also quite a few of you that said you were dealing with the exact same problem. This post may have too much information but hopefully it will help those of you who are dealing with the same problem. Feel free to skip it though!
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Let's just say I tried all of your suggestions and nothing really helped my type of acne. I decided that something was very different was going on and FINALLY decided to make a dermatologist appointment.
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My hubby went with me and really wanted me to tell her I pick my face all the time. Gross, I know but seriously it hurts so badly if I don't pop them. She replied with a simple "I can tell" and went on like it was no big deal! I was so happy that she seemed to understand and that he knew the solution would be to clear up my face so that I wouldn't have anything to pick at.
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She gave me samples of two different creams, Duac and Tazorac, and an oral antibiotic. I had tried an antibiotic before but it really didn't make a difference but I figured it couldn't hurt to try again with these creams. I started using these all right away and found such a difference. I was still getting acne but they came right to the surface and once I popped them they didn't bug me anymore. This was completely the opposite of the cysts that I use to get that would be large and inflamed for days on end. I no longer had my hands constantly on my face when I was bored since there was nothing left to pick at. I used up my sample of the antibiotic that she gave me and went to fill my prescriptions!
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When I picked them up I knew they would be expensive so I wasn't too shocked that the total was $158. I didn't realize that they had only give me one of the three though till I got home. When I called back they explained they had to order them and would have them in tomorrow for me. A few minutes later they called back though and informed me that the oral antibiotic would be $550 and the other cream would be $250. I almost started to cry, I found something that was working but now this was happening. The amazing woman at Walgreen's called my dermatologist though and found me some other great solutions! The whole process took a few days though and while I was still using the cream samples I no longer had anymore pills to take. My face started to get nasty cysts again that were painful and wouldn't go away.
I finally have a new antibiotic though that was only $40 a month and I am going to get a very similar version of the cream that I have samples for so that it will be cheaper. It has been quite the journey but I hopefully have found a solution!
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If any of you are having the same problems make an appointment with your dermatologist not just your doctor. Also another downfall is that we have to "actively" prevent any pregnancy for the next 3 months. I am not a big fan of the pill and it really isn't a solution for only 3 months of prevention. At least I have my wedding ring to prove I am married so that the clerk can see I am married when I go buy condoms at the store! It still feels naughty though.

14 comments:

Freck said...

Oh wow, I had no idea skin meds could be so expensive. I'm sorry to hear that, but that's great that the painful cysts don't happen anymore. Those hurt so effing bad! I bet it's weird having to go buy condoms again, haha. I hope your skin gets even better, good luck!

~Mrs. Guru~ said...

Glad it is working for you!

Gwen said...

Isn't sticker shock on acne meds the best!!! I was under the care of a dermatologist for the past 2 years. One trip to the pharmacy had me dropping $500. I ended up doing a year long treatment of acutane (I too had cysts). The worst part of the acutane was the extremely dry lips (we're talking bleeding) and the blood work every month to make sure I wasn't pregnant. Thank goodness you have found something that is working for you!!! Keep us updated. :) {HUGS}

Randall @ Happy For This Moment said...

So glad to hear you've found some solutions to help out. I had an issue with little surface blemishes and after visiting the derm now use a Retin-A that does the trick! Enjoy your new skin!

Perfectly Imperfect said...

I think it's so funny you're nervous about buying condoms from the store!! My hubs and I order them offline just to avoid this situation!! What children!! Glad to hear you've found some solutions.. I'm on the quest to find a good soap right now too...

charitynacole said...

I am fairly new to your blog but I too suffer from this same form of adult on-set acne after having had one blemish as an adolescent! I went through over a year of trying to find relief and finally mine came through herbal vitamins and Dr. Patricia Wexler's Anti-Acne line that can be found at Bath and Body Works. I also am under the care of an esthetician (spelling error I am sure) for monthly facials. I have also started drinking ONLY distilled water and changed ALL of my make-up to water based/all natural. You may have already done all of this but after knowing my struggle I no I can't possibly NOT share this someone else because it has brought me SUCH relief!! Good luck with your battle!!

Sweet Simplicity said...

Those are some pricey meds! I'm glad they found some cheaper ones. I feel the same way when I buy condoms at the store. haha!

Abbi said...

i'm glad you got some advice and got something that will work for you! your face can make a girl real insecure!!! glad to hear your making progress!

Blue-Eyed Bride said...

hey.... my cousin is a dermatologist in denver. i'm not sure which clinic she works for, but email me if you're interested and i'll let you know. are you in denver? i may be way off! haha-- you're probably somewhere else in colorado.

anyway-- she just had a baby and i have a friend who is using tazorac but is trying to get pregnant and my cousin told me to tell my friend to stop using the tazorac while she's trying to get pregnant. just wanted to point thato ut. you obviously know that since the doctor told you to prevent pregnancy for a few months, but i just wanted to reiterate.

i have suffered some of these same problems and thank goodness pregnancy hasn't made it tons worse.

Elizabeth said...

Oh, I know how frustrating this is. I went through Accutane two times and I stil struggle with breakouts. I don't know if you have tried Proactive or not, but I use it and love it. If I stop using it my face starts breaking out. Good Luck!

Sassafras said...

just found your blog.

fun!

and im glad you found some relief.

:]

Rachel H. said...

I've been in the same shoes with buying these types of medicines...It's SO expensive. It's unreal how expensive it is. Hope it continues to get better!

The Pink Chick said...

I had no idea the medicines would be so expensive! Wow! The cost of medicine is outrageous! I am glad you found an alternative!

ASC said...

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