Acne Conglobata

[Nullifidian]

Some of you may have read my post about tren, and the horrible acne it gave me.

Well, it turns out, it may not have just cause any kind of severe acne; it is likely I have acne conglobata.


For those not familiar with the term, acne conglobata is pretty much the most severe AND the most persistant form of acne one can ever get. It is characterized by interconnected cysts of irregular shape and large size coupled with abcesses. After onset, it typically does not subside until the person is well into their 40s. It is highly resistant to all forms of treatment. It causes extremely extensive and deep scarring.

I can tell you from personal experience that the cysts that result are very painful and the abcesses are prone to bleeding. All of my t-shirts are covered in blood stains. I have to wear several layers of shirts in order to prevent blood from getting on our furniture.

Due to the cysts, and broken abcesses, simple things like lieing on my back or even leaning my back against a hard surface are extremely painful. When I sit in a wooden chair, I can't lean against the back fo the chair without cringing in pain.


My current treatment has lessened the acne in some areas only to have it spread and worsen in others.


To make matters worse, it turns out this form of acne has systemic effects, not just topical ones. It is almost always accompanied by depression which can be severe and typically results in loss of motivation to do even mundane everyday tasks. All this time I thought I was just feeling down about my job or being worn out by my commute, and now I discover my friggin acne is the root of my feeling like dirt and not wanting to do anything. Great.


To sum things up, tren has ruined my life. I now have to look forward to 2 decades of depression, disfigurement, and pain, followed by a lifetime of disfiguring scarring. Thank you tren.


Thanks to tren, I can never again spend any fun time at the beach or at a waterpark. This is all the more depressing since I live next to Wild Water Kingdom. I love waterparks, and now I can't go. I'm going to the Carribean in December and now I can't do jack at the beach. Wonderful. Just friggin wonderful. Life. ****ing. Sucks.

 

[tattoopierced1]

so they cannot do anything for it, and basically they say "tough luck"? that friggin sucks man.

 

[Knowbull]

at this point a doctor should have you on doxycycline for an extended period of time, you will not be able to take any supplements, not even vitamins, i have seen exactly what you are talking about and it can be sucessfully treated, find the right specialist quickly

 

[Nullifidian]

at this point a doctor should have you on doxycycline for an extended period of time, you will not be able to take any supplements, not even vitamins, i have seen exactly what you are talking about and it can be sucessfully treated, find the right specialist quickly

I'm on doxycycline currently. 100mg 2xDay. However interestingly enough I've read doxycycline is typically taken once daily, not twice. I wonder why my doc has me taking it twice daily.

And yes, I'm off all my supps and even my multi. Haven't taken a dang thing since going on the treatment. Obviously I won't be going oncycle as long as I'm being treated. This essentially destroys my contest plans for next year.

 

[JonesersRX7]

to be a kick in the pants....

I think you need to change your attitude Null. You are an awesome guy so I know you got the right mindset to look at this in a different persective.

We can always be pissed at what has happend in the past or causes of our misfortunes but if we focus on what can be done for the better... you're whole view on this will be better for not only your health/mindset but for the loved ones around you.

I know part of this was a rant about tren. But just think about looking at it from a different persective. Hopefully you understand my point of view here and don't take it in a wrong light.

You'll pull through man.

 

[jjohn]

Just be faithful, and I hope everything will go better over time.

John

 

[Apowerz6]

Null, I cannot say how much inspiration you have given me in training for my first show, how much you overcame, and even on Outlaw there were haters bro, and you showed them all... In this you can show them all, giving up is NEVER the answer, taking it easy yes I can understand, but one thing that I KNOW helps with depression is Lifting, and staying healthy. And due to your current condition and the fact that your PCT is prob. non existent, you are not thinking positively... This is not the NULL I know bro, keep your head up, and if you need anything email me bro...

 

[Beowulf]

This ****ing sucks, Null. Best of luck getting this resolved. Anyone would get depressed by this, never mind the fact that depression is an additional effect of this type of acne. Hang in there!

 

[Ziricote]

From the pictures I found on google I'd say I have it, it wasn't so bad on my face but my shoulder, back and chest was rediculous. Right now I'm around 5 weeks into treatment with roaccutane after a long time of having my doctor do next to nothing about it.

Just have to hold in there, things will get better.

 

[Mr.50]

Bro please go to the dermatologist if you have not already. I have had very severe acne for almost all of my life. I have done 2 courses of Accutane over the years and I am constantly on antibiotics. Also as difficult as it is try to let as much time pass after your cycle before reaching any conclusions about how bad it might be for the long haul. After cycle I usually have some prett severe acne problems for almost as long as the cycle length.

Also if you are depressed please look into some depression medication at least for a little while. It is not something to fool around with as I can tell you from first hand experience.

Hang in there.

Mr.50

Some of you may have read my post about tren, and the horrible acne it gave me.

Well, it turns out, it may not have just cause any kind of severe acne; it is likely I have acne conglobata.


For those not familiar with the term, acne conglobata is pretty much the most severe AND the most persistant form of acne one can ever get. It is characterized by interconnected cysts of irregular shape and large size coupled with abcesses. After onset, it typically does not subside until the person is well into their 40s. It is highly resistant to all forms of treatment. It causes extremely extensive and deep scarring.

I can tell you from personal experience that the cysts that result are very painful and the abcesses are prone to bleeding. All of my t-shirts are covered in blood stains. I have to wear several layers of shirts in order to prevent blood from getting on our furniture.

Due to the cysts, and broken abcesses, simple things like lieing on my back or even leaning my back against a hard surface are extremely painful. When I sit in a wooden chair, I can't lean against the back fo the chair without cringing in pain.


My current treatment has lessened the acne in some areas only to have it spread and worsen in others.


To make matters worse, it turns out this form of acne has systemic effects, not just topical ones. It is almost always accompanied by depression which can be severe and typically results in loss of motivation to do even mundane everyday tasks. All this time I thought I was just feeling down about my job or being worn out by my commute, and now I discover my friggin acne is the root of my feeling like dirt and not wanting to do anything. Great.


To sum things up, tren has ruined my life. I now have to look forward to 2 decades of depression, disfigurement, and pain, followed by a lifetime of disfiguring scarring. Thank you tren.


Thanks to tren, I can never again spend any fun time at the beach or at a waterpark. This is all the more depressing since I live next to Wild Water Kingdom. I love waterparks, and now I can't go. I'm going to the Carribean in December and now I can't do jack at the beach. Wonderful. Just friggin wonderful. Life. ****ing. Sucks.

 

[Mr.50]

Also experiment (with your Doctor) with different antibiotics. Go tanning as much as possible. And look into the Accutane (some risks but its worth it IMHO). Tanning really helps. Also addin in B-5 with the Antibiotics usually helps. Topical glycolic acid has been a lifesaver for me, even more so then salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. All three in combination can be harsh on skin that is currently broken out but once it has calmed down (and have faith, it will) then you can start with a banzoyl peroxide topical for a few minutes before showering, salicylic acid wash in shower and topical gylcolic acid cream after.

Mr.50

I'm on doxycycline currently. 100mg 2xDay. However interestingly enough I've read doxycycline is typically taken once daily, not twice. I wonder why my doc has me taking it twice daily.

And yes, I'm off all my supps and even my multi. Haven't taken a dang thing since going on the treatment. Obviously I won't be going oncycle as long as I'm being treated. This essentially destroys my contest plans for next year.

 

[Apowerz6]

Mr. 50 he has done all that esp for his comp, accutane he has not tried, but being that depression is part of it Acne ..., I would not suggest it, as Accutane has been linked to suicide...

 

[Ziricote]

It definately doesn't make you feel mentally strong at times, I've found keeping away from alcohol and direct sunlight/heat helps a lot, I've only been very angry or depressed if I've been out in the sun too long or if I've been drinking (2 cans of beer one night = lesson learnt).

 

[Nullifidian]

Also experiment (with your Doctor) with different antibiotics. Go tanning as much as possible. And look into the Accutane (some risks but its worth it IMHO). Tanning really helps. Also addin in B-5 with the Antibiotics usually helps. Topical glycolic acid has been a lifesaver for me, even more so then salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. All three in combination can be harsh on skin that is currently broken out but once it has calmed down (and have faith, it will) then you can start with a banzoyl peroxide topical for a few minutes before showering, salicylic acid wash in shower and topical gylcolic acid cream after.

Mr.50

My Dermatologist currently has me on:

100mg Doxycycline 2xD
10% Benzoil Peroxide WASH 2xD
topical Klaron applied 2xD after shower and dry

He told me explicitly I should not go tanning or spend too much time out in the sun because of the doxycycline (photosensitivity is a side effect). He also said that when you tan mostly it dries it out and only temporarily appears to clear things up. Plus he said darker skin tends to hide cysts better which gives the illusion of it clearing up. He said when you stop tanning, anything that had dried out typically comes back. I had thought that in the past when I went tanning it seemed to clear my acne, but the truth is, a lot of what looks like acne on my back in the past was really mostly scarring from puberty.

 

[idunk42]

Dang Null Im so sorry to hear whats going on. I've dealt with acne my whole life and still continue to deal with it, but nothing like what your going through man.

Hang in there bud, and Im sure everything will eventually work out for you.

 

[Mr.50]

I hear what you are saying AP but the actual research I have read on the Senate investigations into the Accutane and Suicide link has not found any true link especially in adults. The evidence is anecdotal so far. The warning was added to the lable of course for legal reasons. Additionally the depression should be addressed also, unfortunately, likely with medications. At least for a while.

Anyway I am just tying to help with my experience with both severe acne and depression.

Just my 2 cents. But anyway Null just good luck.

Mr.50

Mr. 50 he has done all that esp for his comp, accutane he has not tried, but being that depression is part of it Acne ..., I would not suggest it, as Accutane has been linked to suicide...

 

[bioman]

I have this condition too, Null. I don't own any light colored t-shirts anymore and it's one reason why I don't really post my pics here. It does suck, but at the end of the day..it's just skin. I've given up on antibiotics (hardly work anymore) and will never do accutane again because of all the sides. I mostly use 20,000 to 40,000 iu of vitamin A per day and this helps a lot except during cycles when nothing really helps. This particular acne is heavily fueled by androgens of any kind as I'm sure you're figuring out.

Sun does seem to help a little with this type of acne because we're dealing with skin growing too quickly and closing off the pores which leads to the ingrown hairs and cysts. B5 has helped me a little, but the dosing schedule is crazy to keep up with. Avoiding sugars and processed grains can also help as insulin spikes also seem to fuel this form of acne indirectly.

 

[Mr.50]

I hear what your doctor is saying bro. My derm actually told me that routine sun exposure (not one sudden day in the sun for hourse but building up) actually has an antiinflammatory effect. If this is all new for you I would say try to find out what, if anything can help. Acne sucks bro, I can personally attest.

Please look into the accutane, as Bio said the sides can be killer but for some people it really creates relief. Also as far as the depression goes please see a doctor. it can take over your life in a very insideous way but it can be treated. Please take care bro.


Mr.50

My Dermatologist currently has me on:

100mg Doxycycline 2xD
10% Benzoil Peroxide WASH 2xD
topical Klaron applied 2xD after shower and dry

He told me explicitly I should not go tanning or spend too much time out in the sun because of the doxycycline (photosensitivity is a side effect). He also said that when you tan mostly it dries it out and only temporarily appears to clear things up. Plus he said darker skin tends to hide cysts better which gives the illusion of it clearing up. He said when you stop tanning, anything that had dried out typically comes back. I had thought that in the past when I went tanning it seemed to clear my acne, but the truth is, a lot of what looks like acne on my back in the past was really mostly scarring from puberty.

 

[ArnoldIsMyIdol]

You should be using salicyclic acid too. Also use ice compresses on the inflamed areas

 

[ArnoldIsMyIdol]

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/steroids/45059-ways-decrease-androgen-induced-acne.html?highlight=acne

Here is a good earlier thread.

This WILL go away eventually. I know you are probably very self consious about it but take heart in knowing it will get better.