u/The_Huffle_Fluff325

Hey guys, I'm gonna post this here in case someone has had a similar question before. I'm a 28F who's had acne since puberty, have been prescribed multiple mostly topical treatments (ex: benzoyl peroxyde) with limited effectiveness.

In recent years my acne has become more typically "hormonal" : primarily on my chin/jawline with bad flares ~7 days before my period, and often deep cysts that leave scarring. Before you ask about Accutane, I've struggled with mental health issues for years so that's not an option I want to consider (the risk is just too high).

My older sibling, who has similar skin to mine, recently tried spironolactone and got good results from it; that's why I became curious about it in the first place. And I admit I wouldn't mind some of the possible side effects like having bigger boobs or generally looking more "feminine."

I spoke to a nurse practitioner about this and she mentioned birth control could also be an option. I'm not as keen on that, mostly because I've never been on birth control before and there seem to be so many different meds that it's a bit overwhelming.

Has anyone here hesitated btw spiro and birth control, or tried both before?

Has anyone else been really proud of themselves for a long streak without picking, only to feel the urges coming back after a new breakout?

I've been using the SkinAware app and enjoyed a few weeks of relatively clear skin. Then I accidentally used a towel with essential oils in it, and now my neck is covered with deep, red and itchy pimples with cysts along my jawline.

Not sure if it's contact dermatitis or what but it's really bumming me out... Like what's the point of denying myself the satisfaction of picking if I'm gonna end up looking gross anyway smh

I've already scheduled an appointment at a clinic bc I've never had acid reflux this bad before, just woke up after falling asleep in bed because it felt like acid was coming back up the side of my throat

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Is anyone up to talk in PMs ? I'm sorry I've been trying so hard to be strong but I'm so grossed out and so so scared rn

To people who struggle with GERD or even occasional acid reflux: I would really, really appreciate your insights

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Acid reflux had never really been a problem for me... Until last week, when it got really bad all of a sudden and hasn't stopped since. It could've been caused by some foods I ate (very oily pasta + oatmeal with blueberries and maple syrup). It could be caused by stress (there were a lot of layoffs at work). It could've been my period.

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But all of those things have happened to me before without ever causing acid reflux that's lasted this long!! Now I feel it less in my stomach and more in my mouth, like an acidic, burning feeling on my tongue and teeth. It's gross and sometimes I get the thought that "it's basically like having vomit in your mouth all the time" and that sends me into a panic attack.

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Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with this or what could be causing it? I'm gonna try to eat sandwiches and noodles this week to give my stomach some starch, and also take famotidine x2 a day.

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For info I don't think I have many factors that would predispose me for a medical condition: 28F, skinny, don't smoke or drink alcohol/coffee. I do occasionally skip meals and enjoy soda.

Your period can cause heartburn/acid reflux right? This has literally never been a symptom for me before but now I've been struggling all day.

I already took a Tums and drank a lot of water but it didn't help, now I'm eating bland crackers and sipping on miso soup

I've never been sick or even gotten nauseous from acid reflux in my life before but it's also never lasted this long. I'm really scared

Hi everyone, I'm new to the sub and not sure if this specific question has been answered before. Last Friday a doctor gave me cortisone shots for keloids on my shoulders, after numbing them with liquid nitrogen.

Since then they've been a bit painful and WAY darker than before, which he told me is a normal temporary side effect.

Because they're so much darker now, I'd like to hide them under bandaids when I go to the gym and will be wearing only my sports bra... Is this safe to do?

Hey guys, I recently found this community and I'm so glad I did, y'all make me feel less alone lol

I'm trying to get serious about stopping/limiting my skin picking because I think it might be the main cause of my acne and hyperpigmentation. Who knows, if I left it alone, I might actually have pretty nice skin!

Can anyone share a link or recommendations for cheap but effective hydrocolloid patches on Amazon? I'm in Canada btw

Is anyone on to talk? I just feel so bad and frustrated...

Basically I just went through a bunch of big stressors: end of a long-term relationship, grad school rejections etc. This has also coincided with me trying to make some positive changes, ie going back to the gym 3 times a week.

Idk if it's because of all that but this past week has been the worst PMS and period I've had in months. Woke up with really bad nausea and a burning throat the other night from what was probably acid reflux, then had terrible headaches and bloaty feelings for the past 2 days.

Today I got home from work and started getting this detestable sensation in my mouth, like the right underside of my tongue was cramping up. It felt like my mouth was getting ready to gag.

I tried doing the "right" thing by ignoring it and just doing my thing, but it got worse until I had to put on a relaxing video and lie down. I managed to drift off to sleep for a bit but as soon as I woke up to prepare to actually go to bed, bam, weird tongue feeling again.

Does anyone else get extra scared if they've felt bad a few days before, or if they do all the stuff you're supposed to do and it still doesn't stop/comes back? It feels like compounding "evidence" that I'm gonna be sick.