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Posted 10/8/2007 7:35 PM (GMT -8)
I haven't had acne this bad since high school.  After I was diagnosed with UC September 2006 I started breaking out. Even when I haven't been on a prescription medication I still break out.  I was on Dipentum, Mesalamine Enema and Entocort from September 2006 to mid October 2006.  I only did the supplements from November to July. A Mesalamine enema maybe once a month.  Went on Asacol in July.

My T-zone on my face, neck, chest and back are terrible.  Anyone have any idea why I am breaking out so bad. The doctor I am seeing has no clue.

It definitely is not sexy and my self-esteem has really been hit hard.

Snookiebow

 

Posted 10/8/2007 8:15 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Snookiebow,

I am so sorry to hear that your skin is going though a rough acne flare. I get face outbreaks as well from time to time. When I tried Asacol some years back my face had a bad acne breakout. I think one of the side effects of Asacol from what I remember was acne. I remember this from reading the pharmacy printout of side effects. I do not take Asacol anymore since I got pancreatitis from it. Also, I just tried Tumeric(curcumin) this summer and also had a bad acne flare on the face. Once I stopped the acne cleared up. I think Turmeric in large quantities can be warm for the body. I just thought that I would share my experience with you.

Have you thought about stopping all your supplements, except any required prescription meds, to see if your acne clears up.
And then maybe adding one item at a time slowly to see if anyone of them is the cause of the skin problem. Possibly, you may find some answers this way. Just an idea.

Either way, I hope you get better soon.

Regards,

Red Plum
Posted 10/9/2007 3:58 AM (GMT -8)
I don't have acne - but I do break out easier now then ever before. You'd figure that we wouldn't have to suffer from this as adults huh??? I break out especially easy on my chest and shoulders for some reason and I use Clearasil wipes 3x's a day to help the break out. Maybe you should see your doc for some acne meds. My daughter uses an easy swipe on roller and it works great for her - she's a preteen (no UC) so she's got all the hormonal surges going. I do notice that my T-zone is extremely greasy and I'm constantly battling the shine all day. I have tried numerous things and have yet to find one that controls that thru out the day. So right now my face only breaks out during that time of the month.
Posted 10/9/2007 7:21 AM (GMT -8)
I recommend looking into Proactive (yeah, that stuff on tv) it has really helped my friends.

I had acne from 11 to 28 and then began to have cystic acne at 28, I took accutane and it was a miracle for me. Also, my sister took 2 courses of accutance for cystic acne. This is a last resort and took great consideration for me. There are many other types of drugs and topical solutions that may help you.
Posted 10/9/2007 8:14 AM (GMT -8)
I also took Accutane and wonder if that is not why I have this awful disease!
Posted 10/9/2007 9:56 AM (GMT -8)
Yes Accutane is a major no no for Uc'ers. I got curious and did a search and I couldn't believe how many lawyers are ready to sue Accutane's manufacturers (for the client) because of the connection of this and Ibd's. I also read that they are trying to make the FDA have the manufacturer labels state that this could be a possible trigger for Ibd's.

Accutane May Have Connection to IBD
Researchers now have evidence that the common acne drug isotretinoin (Accutane) may be a trigger for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in some people. The authors of the study indicate that this connection should be taken into consideration before isotretinoin is prescribed for people who have a strong family history of IBD or people who already have symptoms of IBD. The connection had been suspected for several years, and the patient information for isotretinoin includes a warning that the drug may be associated with the onset of IBD.

http://ibdcrohns.about.com/b/a/257647.htm
Posted 10/9/2007 10:40 AM (GMT -8)
well for me, I was dx'd w/UC in 2000 and did not take accutane until 2005. My sister took accutane twice; once at age 17 and once age 21 she is almost 27 and does not have any UC symptoms. Also, our mother has UC so the UC is heriditary and she never had any skin problems such as acne. Acne is from my fathers side.

My husband also took accutane when he was 18 and he is now 33 and has no UC.

Maybe it could be one of those triggers that the study in mice that was recently posted was talking about.
Posted 10/9/2007 3:00 PM (GMT -8)
I have had acne since I was 14ish (now 23)...it isn't horrible, but really annoying/painful and I hate it. I've tried Proactive and it did nothing for me. I haven't tried anything else besides various over the counter face washes w/salicylic acid and Clearasil...nothing works for me. I feel like I get less acne, the less I wash my face and the less stressed out I am. I want to look into getting some prescription acne meds b/c I am sick of it.
Posted 10/9/2007 3:11 PM (GMT -8)
You might try Acnomel (otc) skin cream. It's not that easy to find, but definitely better at treating adults' pimples than Clearasil. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])

Post Edited (Old Hat) : 10/9/2007 5:18:18 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/9/2007 6:38 PM (GMT -8)

Thank you for your thoughts.  I guess this is harder because I am 40 years old. I started taking the FYI in January 2007.  The FYI has Turmeric in it. I started breaking out more in the spring and then it got worse this summer, especially this fall.   I am wondering if it may be a combination of the Turmeric and the Asacol. I just started the Asacol in July and am now taking 5 pills.  I know I have been told that is not a treatment dose.  I should be taking 9 pills a day.  So I don't know if it is the Asacol or not. 

I think I will give my body a break from the supplements.  What do you think a week or two?  I think I will continue my normal multivitamin and calcium.  I always took them before the UC and never had any problems.  I'll see what happens. 

Would probiotics cause acne?   I wouldn't think so, but what do you think? 

snookiebow

Posted 10/10/2007 4:49 AM (GMT -8)
I took Accutane years ago and am completely shocked to hear that it has been linked to IBD!!! Anyway, I use proactive and it really works for me. I don't know if probiotics would cause acne, I know that many antibiotics are prescribed to treat acne, but I wouldn't suggest them for two reasons: 1) it is not good to be on antibiotics for an extended period of time and 2) especially for people with IBD. I would go for topical solutions first.
Posted 10/10/2007 11:46 AM (GMT -8)
Hey snookiebow,

i posted on this a while back. After finishing on Pred (for the first time) I had such bad Acne you wouldn't believe.

I've tried, this, that, the other, and more besides. I can honestly say the following regime works a treat for me.

AM: Exfoliate with scrub, apply 2.5mg benozyl peroxide cream + moisturise
PM: before bed, apply thin layer of Differin

That's it, but it's fab!

hope this helps
Posted 10/10/2007 11:52 AM (GMT -8)
HI Snookiebow,

I forgot to mention that I use Tazorac gel every night, and Duac to spot treat outbreaks when necessary. The Tazorac works really well for me. It pretty much keeps my face free of all acne, except for small outbreaks before monthly cycles. I was prescribed these creams from a dermatologist. They are other retinoid prescription creams also available. These are good alternative if Accutane is not an option for you.

I took accutane 13 years ago, and in one week, I broke out with a mouth full of blisters. I had to stop taking it. Also, the dermatologist warned me that the drug could severely aggravate my UC. It is a very potent drug. Ask a dermo about topicals--that may be a good way to start.

Regards,

Red plum

Post Edited (redplum) : 10/12/2007 11:10:17 AM (GMT-6)

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