What is my acne solution?

Hello,

I'll start by giving a history of my acne treatment. Around age 16 I got acne and it got progressively worse. I used OTC's and when they were ineffective, I went to the doctor. There I used topicals (clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide) which did not work and irritated my skin. I then started minocycline which would prove to clear my acne almost instantly and consistently for the next 2 years. (Also when I first started taking it, I noticed my face would feel flushed and warm while I was on it. Later on this would fade and the other antibiotics I would try would not have this effect.) I must mention that before minocycline, I was constantly thinking and stressing about my acne and it only got worse.

This past February I decided to go off of minocycline because I was experiencing emotional and physical problems (blurred vision, headaches, post nasal drip, extreme fatigue) that the doctor thought the minocycline might be causing.

To my surprise, immediately coming off minocycline my face stayed clear and any small region of acne that appeared was simply handled with some salicylic acid (.05%). During this time acne became manageable and I felt in control. I knew if something came up, it would go away fairly quickly and I was okay with this. My face would continue to stay clear for about 4 months until June. This is when I got the first big under the skin lesion that I had not had since before mino. After this, I continued down a downward spiral of worry, looking in the mirror every ten seconds, picking, touching, popping and looking for an answer that literally consumed me. I must also mention I was about to start dating a girl for the summer and was extremely self conscious.

My acne got progressively worse. This time however noninflammatory acne covered my cheeks and the occasional inflamed lesion would come (this got progressively more common) leaving a red mark. HOWEVER, to be truthful, my acne was not as bad as I made it out to be. When I first went to the doctor to get a new prescription he said he didn't see anything that noticeable until I went out of my way to show him the bumps and convince him it would get worse.  

So I got minocycline (100mg twice a day like before) just knowing it would work wonders like it had before, but it didn't. Then I tried tetracycline (250 mg twice a day) and it didn't really work either. Mind you, during this whole time I grew increasing impatient, frustrated, and depressed about my condition, especially cause I had a girlfriend at this time. I even tried a three day apple detox fast (which helped marginally) to end my condition but it didn't cure anything.

Now I am in college (my girlfriend and I broke up because of distance) and my condition has only gotten worse. In turn, my constant monitoring, anxiety and worry have escalated. When I got here, I started on (ampicillin 250 mg twice a day) and my acne has gotten worse while on it, possibly the worst it's ever been. This has caused immense social anxiety, constant worrying, fear, anger and depression.

I am at my wits end. I have searched high and low for answers on acne.org looking closely at holistic methods but wary after zinc and chromium pilconate made me break out even more. I have tried dieting, although admittedly loosely, by limiting western food known to correlate with acne (sweets and such) to little avail. I am on the verge of trying a water fast. I do not know what to do, but I know I want to get clear. I want to get clear as quickly as possible just so I can live and gain some self-esteem. Then I will evaluate long term options while I'm thinking soundly and not so extremely desperate, depressed and downtrodden.

MY IMMEDIATE QUESTION IS:
How do I get clear as quickly as possible? (prescriptions and other methods are viable options, topicals are less of an option and accutane is even less of an option in my mind given its side effects. ) On a side note: Could minocycline ever work again like it once did?

MY LONG TERM (2 part) QUESTION IS:
Preface: Looking back at pictures just before I broke out, I realized how absolutely clear I was, how I did not worry about acne and how I was off minocycline. It was just me vs. acne and I was winning for 4 MONTHS. NOW I wonder what changed and the only thing I can think of is stress and worry.

Was it just a matter of time before my acne came back after the minocycline or could I have stayed clear had I not worried like I did? My second question is how I should eventually ween off prescriptions and look at long term solutions? Ie. holistic methods, possible stress reduction methods

Your serious consideration and advice is thanked a thousand times over.

[BeeFree]

Well this is absolute perfect timing. I am dealing with mysterious and terrifying breakouts right now as well and I have been obsessively researching to find out what might be the cause. I haven't had any real issues with acne since my teen years and this is a real reminder of how hard it was for me during that time. But I think I've found the culprit: a supplement I was taking. It is unreal how certain medications can affect the body and from personal experience, it is always more drastic and lasts longer after stopping than you expect.
My thoughts on your situation are this:
The minocycline was still in your system after you discontinued use and therefore continued to keep your acne under control.
I agree that stress can contribute to breakouts because the hormones increase sebum production, but from my observation the breakouts are short instead of continuous.
It doesn't make sense to me that minocycline wouldn't work a second time, but may just take a little longer to get a response like you did the first time.
Personally what I am doing right now to get my skin under control is to fast. I  can't stand the emotional effects from facing this everyday and to me a water fast is worth it. Once I am clear, I will carefully add each type of food to my diet while closely monitoring my complexion. I honestly believe it was the supplements I was taking (CLA) that caused an overproduction of oils so flushing my system out seems like the best solution.
If you need a fasting buddy, I'm your girl! :-)