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lymecycline
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" For the majority of time I’ve been on them they’ve worked like a charm" thats the problem lol, antibiotics are a quick fix and don't offer long term benefits and there is probably a better chance of being hit my lightning than antibiotics keeping acne away, people assume they've worked because they come off and acne stays away a few weeks or months but 9 out of 10 times it returns and they get given antibiotics yet again, i was given lymecycline two times for 3 months each so i was on them for 6 months with only 1 week break....soon as i stopped a month later i was on doxycycline for 3 months then after around 3 weeks i was put on erythromycin which all 3 have done nothing except give me permanent problems. my advice believe it or not is to go agaisn't what your GP tells you as i assumed well they're doctors so they must know whats right and i went along with everything and now i'm left with permanent side effects such as super amounts of eye sensitivity making me have to look away or almost fully shut my eyes to be able to see when its sunny outside, i did have another side effect of bruising easy like literally flick my arm and would wake up wit a bruise but that went away after a few months of stopping. And its crazy because i know people who have been on antibiotics a year straight...seems to me that because GPs only know of acne and aren't really specialized in it then just give antibiotics and don't really look at what it does long term either as i guarantee if i ever need any of these antibiotics for other reasons they'll have no effect because of me abusing them from my GPs so i'm probably resistant.
My advice would be try 2 antibiotics (3 max) but make sure to take 3 months off in between as the effects they have on your body is super bad when constantly on them, because of this virus my pharmacy wont allow me to get my final months erythromycin tablets and have been basically told to ring my GP and get another antibiotic lol...think my next plan is Accutane as in my opinion if i'm going to waste 3 months x6 on antibiotics causing damage i might aswell just go on Accutane and atleast have a bigger chance of success but unfortunately i'll have to wait for this virus to go away as they wont let anyone in to see dermatologist.
My advice would be try 2 antibiotics (3 max) but make sure to take 3 months off in between as the effects they have on your body is super bad when constantly on them, because of this virus my pharmacy wont allow me to get my final months erythromycin tablets and have been basically told to ring my GP and get another antibiotic lol...think my next plan is Accutane as in my opinion if i'm going to waste 3 months x6 on antibiotics causing damage i might aswell just go on Accutane and atleast have a bigger chance of success but unfortunately i'll have to wait for this virus to go away as they wont let anyone in to see dermatologist.
@Nick6501Ah wow that sounds crazy! My dosage of lymecycline ran out about 5 days ago and so far my skin is looking ok and haven’t noticed any clear side effects (my eyes have always been sensitive to light so don’t know if I will notice any change). When I first saw my doctor to talk about my skin he also printed out some information about acne which I have recently read as I forgot about it and it was actually really informative (didn’t mention the side effects you have clearly experienced though so I don’t know how much I should trust it). It says that after my dosage ends I should do this maintenance routine where I just continue to use benzoyl peroxide cream now and again for the next 4-5 years just to make sure any spots stay away. I think I’m going to purchase a cream with a lower percent of reactively however because my skin always seems to go red afterwards. I hope everything goes ok with you!
(edited 4 years ago)
Just gonna add- on the day I posted that message I did apply the SMALLEST amount benzoyl peroxide to my most affected areas of my face as I said I would start doing and OH MY GOSH, it honestly felt like there were thousands of wasps stinging my face all at once for over 5 hours! I applied it in the morning, left it on for an hour, then thoroughly washed it off. Throughout the day I felt a few tingles, but at around 4pm the redness started and very soon after the IMMENSE itching and burning really started to kick in. For the WHOLE evening I was constantly washing my face with cold water and having a HUGE ice pack covering the whole of my face because it burned soooo much. The skin around my eyes and mouth was swollen. The next day the majority of my face was back to the normal colour, my eyes were still a bit red and swollen and some parts of my skin was peeling. I’m just writing to provide information for people to keep in mind if you start noticing little irritations in the skin after using benzoyl peroxide as this reaction becomes worse and worse very quickly afterwords in my experience. Please be careful everyone! I will not been using benzoyl peroxide ever again!
Original post by Anonymous
does lymecycline actually help with acne just been prescribed it but i heard horror stories of side effects and there seems to be a long list of things you cannot do whilst taking it
Lymecycline has saved my confidence. I still get the odd spot but besides that my acne has cleared up. The only side effects I get is discomfort in my oesophagus if I take it on an empty stomach. I've had two instances of it breaking down prematurely resulting in dust from the tablets coming up in gas which has been pretty nasty, but that's two instances in the two years I've been taking it. I'm not sure what other side effects there are or things you can't do because I haven't experienced anything horrible.
@ecofriendlyduck Hi, I had the EXACT same experience as you! Lymecycline really did clear up my skin COMPLETELY! However I have just finished my 6 month dosage and perhaps it’s because my menstrual cycle is starting (period is coming) but my acne is getting worse again- nowhere near as worse as it was like before but I have a bad feeling it might get back to that point. I also don’t really want to be starting any other medication as a lot of them have very bad side effects as others on this chat have very clearly experienced. Have you finished your dosage yet? Do you have any plans or been given advice on what to do after your dosage? No worries if you don’t I’m just wondering 
Original post by Izzy364
@ecofriendlyduck Hi, I had the EXACT same experience as you! Lymecycline really did clear up my skin COMPLETELY! However I have just finished my 6 month dosage and perhaps it’s because my menstrual cycle is starting (period is coming) but my acne is getting worse again- nowhere near as worse as it was like before but I have a bad feeling it might get back to that point. I also don’t really want to be starting any other medication as a lot of them have very bad side effects as others on this chat have very clearly experienced. Have you finished your dosage yet? Do you have any plans or been given advice on what to do after your dosage? No worries if you don’t I’m just wondering
I've been taking continuous prescriptions on my doctor's recommendation. There was a period where I stopped taking them for a few months and my skin got bad again unfortunately, so I started taking them again until I'm in a position to pick up an alternative. I was supposed to start birth control to replace it but that fell through when I was given the wrong ones and uni started so I didn't have time to get some. The combination pills I think are meant to be the best one for suppressing the androgens and other hormones that contribute acne. The difficult thing with birth control is remembering to take it cause it can really mess up your menstrual cycle and cause your progress to go out the window.
Ok so I’m just going to say some things about lymecycline from my own experience that I wish I had known beforehand for anyone thinking about doing lymecycline themselves:
Just some background info- I have the typical teen, oily, acne prone skin. I was on lymecycline for a total of 6 months until my dosage ran out and because of the virus it was going to be very difficult to get in touch with my doctor, plus I don’t want to waste any doctors time over my skin instead of someone who is suffering from the virus. I was also using benzoyl peroxide cream (5%) every morning and evening until around early March as my skin became EXTREMELY reactive as I have mentioned beforehand.
I have been off lymecycline for around 2 weeks now and my skin is getting worse at a very rapid pace. When I was on lymecycline it really did cure my skin completely... but for 6 months. If you have read other people’s experiences who have suffered quite severe side effects and will do for the long term, I don’t know if it’s worth it. I mean, something that will only last for the short term but potentially give you other side effects for the long term... it doesn’t add up. Currently im back on trying to find skincare products that will help my skin but as for now, I have no success with that.
I don’t want to sound like there’s no hope as this, again, is only my experience but I RLLY wish I would have had known it before jumping into some drugs that I thought would cure me completely, but actually just gave me a glimpse of my goal. Others may argue that I should’ve done my research before just taking the doctors word, but at the time I was just SO desperate and when the doctor gave me products that he said would help, I didn’t question it and I couldn’t wait for the results. I hope this could help for others! Stay safe and good luck! X
Just some background info- I have the typical teen, oily, acne prone skin. I was on lymecycline for a total of 6 months until my dosage ran out and because of the virus it was going to be very difficult to get in touch with my doctor, plus I don’t want to waste any doctors time over my skin instead of someone who is suffering from the virus. I was also using benzoyl peroxide cream (5%) every morning and evening until around early March as my skin became EXTREMELY reactive as I have mentioned beforehand.
I have been off lymecycline for around 2 weeks now and my skin is getting worse at a very rapid pace. When I was on lymecycline it really did cure my skin completely... but for 6 months. If you have read other people’s experiences who have suffered quite severe side effects and will do for the long term, I don’t know if it’s worth it. I mean, something that will only last for the short term but potentially give you other side effects for the long term... it doesn’t add up. Currently im back on trying to find skincare products that will help my skin but as for now, I have no success with that.
I don’t want to sound like there’s no hope as this, again, is only my experience but I RLLY wish I would have had known it before jumping into some drugs that I thought would cure me completely, but actually just gave me a glimpse of my goal. Others may argue that I should’ve done my research before just taking the doctors word, but at the time I was just SO desperate and when the doctor gave me products that he said would help, I didn’t question it and I couldn’t wait for the results. I hope this could help for others! Stay safe and good luck! X
Antibiotics are a quick short term fix to get you out the GPs room simple as, antibiotics are not made for acne and chances of it keeping it away is super super low, if you're given antibiotics don't get your hopes up on a cure, all 4 antibiotics i have been on are for STDs and STIs or whatever...had no idea what i was buying or being given and it wasn't until i started researching that i finally realized why staff would look at me funny in the pharmacy...because doxy is mainly used for chlamydia, erythromycin is for same thing basically and so on, being someone who's been on 4 different antibiotics and done 2 sets of some i don't recommend them one bit...if they work and thats a big if its only while you're on them and you have a higher chance of being struck by lightning than acne staying away once you come off them, i'm left with so many bad side effects from antibiotics courses i'm considering taking action against my GPs for antibiotic abuse and mistreatment.
GPs are not specialist, they're just told what there is to give by their computer system that has a list of stuff to use for acne, they don't actually know about acne in detail and will simply hand out the basics like antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide, just please whatever you do just don't let them keep putting you on antibiotics as you'll regret it...i'm on my last week of erythromycin that has done nothing, once this virus is over i'm going for a specialist and will keep going to my doctors until i get one as this is ridiculous, GPs are more than happy to keep throwing antibiotics at you to get you to go away which is what happened to me, my advice is to anyone reading is to try maximum 2 antibiotics aswell as atleast 5 creams and if it doesn't do anything and its really effecting you then ask to see a dermatologist as you'll never get anywhere with GPs, my biggest regret is turning down a dermatologist when i was around 16 (thought it was clearing up) because if i did go to it then no doubt i would of been put on accutane and it would of probably saved 5 years of acne and such abuse on my body.
GPs are not specialist, they're just told what there is to give by their computer system that has a list of stuff to use for acne, they don't actually know about acne in detail and will simply hand out the basics like antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide, just please whatever you do just don't let them keep putting you on antibiotics as you'll regret it...i'm on my last week of erythromycin that has done nothing, once this virus is over i'm going for a specialist and will keep going to my doctors until i get one as this is ridiculous, GPs are more than happy to keep throwing antibiotics at you to get you to go away which is what happened to me, my advice is to anyone reading is to try maximum 2 antibiotics aswell as atleast 5 creams and if it doesn't do anything and its really effecting you then ask to see a dermatologist as you'll never get anywhere with GPs, my biggest regret is turning down a dermatologist when i was around 16 (thought it was clearing up) because if i did go to it then no doubt i would of been put on accutane and it would of probably saved 5 years of acne and such abuse on my body.
Original post by Nick6501
Antibiotics are a quick short term fix to get you out the GPs room simple as, antibiotics are not made for acne and chances of it keeping it away is super super low, if you're given antibiotics don't get your hopes up on a cure, all 4 antibiotics i have been on are for STDs and STIs or whatever...had no idea what i was buying or being given and it wasn't until i started researching that i finally realized why staff would look at me funny in the pharmacy...because doxy is mainly used for chlamydia, erythromycin is for same thing basically and so on, being someone who's been on 4 different antibiotics and done 2 sets of some i don't recommend them one bit...if they work and thats a big if its only while you're on them and you have a higher chance of being struck by lightning than acne staying away once you come off them, i'm left with so many bad side effects from antibiotics courses i'm considering taking action against my GPs for antibiotic abuse and mistreatment.
GPs are not specialist, they're just told what there is to give by their computer system that has a list of stuff to use for acne, they don't actually know about acne in detail and will simply hand out the basics like antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide, just please whatever you do just don't let them keep putting you on antibiotics as you'll regret it...i'm on my last week of erythromycin that has done nothing, once this virus is over i'm going for a specialist and will keep going to my doctors until i get one as this is ridiculous, GPs are more than happy to keep throwing antibiotics at you to get you to go away which is what happened to me, my advice is to anyone reading is to try maximum 2 antibiotics aswell as atleast 5 creams and if it doesn't do anything and its really effecting you then ask to see a dermatologist as you'll never get anywhere with GPs, my biggest regret is turning down a dermatologist when i was around 16 (thought it was clearing up) because if i did go to it then no doubt i would of been put on accutane and it would of probably saved 5 years of acne and such abuse on my body.
GPs are not specialist, they're just told what there is to give by their computer system that has a list of stuff to use for acne, they don't actually know about acne in detail and will simply hand out the basics like antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide, just please whatever you do just don't let them keep putting you on antibiotics as you'll regret it...i'm on my last week of erythromycin that has done nothing, once this virus is over i'm going for a specialist and will keep going to my doctors until i get one as this is ridiculous, GPs are more than happy to keep throwing antibiotics at you to get you to go away which is what happened to me, my advice is to anyone reading is to try maximum 2 antibiotics aswell as atleast 5 creams and if it doesn't do anything and its really effecting you then ask to see a dermatologist as you'll never get anywhere with GPs, my biggest regret is turning down a dermatologist when i was around 16 (thought it was clearing up) because if i did go to it then no doubt i would of been put on accutane and it would of probably saved 5 years of acne and such abuse on my body.
And you are a specialist in acne, are you?
You have written a lot of nonsense in your post. I'm sorry antibiotics haven't worked for you, but they work for a lot of people, and I assume you that even dermatologists prescribe them for acne. And the "basics" get rid of it acne for a lot of people too. So don't discourage people from trying things. It does sound like you have tried lots of stuff, and I am sure your GP will agree to refer you.
And FYI, those antibiotics are mainly used for chest infections, not STI. Plus if you were taking a several month course of them, the pharmacist would have known it was for acne.
I've been using lymecycline and differin (1% adapalene) for 6 months now. Experienced no side effects but any benefits are not apparent either.
Original post by Anonymous
does lymecycline actually help with acne just been prescribed it but i heard horror stories of side effects and there seems to be a long list of things you cannot do whilst taking it
I'm currently on it and have been for at least 3 months now and for me I've had no side affects and its really cleared my skin. I didn't have severe acne but my face was covered with blemishes and at first I wasn't sure if there was a change or if I was just trying to see a change but now other people are also noticing and I can definitely say I have no cystic acne. I've had a recent appointment with my doctor and he says I can slowly come off it now.
Don't get me wrong my face isn't clear now, I've still got a bit of redness but that goes with time so I can't wait until after lockdown! However I have a friend who was on it and she said it didn't really work for her but I would just say patience is key cause there were definitely times where I thought there was no point and that 3 months was too far away.
update on my experience: I'm 5 months in, my skin looks 100 times better than the start, baring in mind I do have teenage oily mild acne prone skin, I do get the odd spots, for example now I have like 2, that's because of the time of the month, also I do still have some blemishes/scars but have noticed improvement since I think Epiduo is helping with that too. I have noticed on these antibiotics, its very up and down, what I mean is like 4 days ago my skin pretty much had no spots, was the clearest it had been in months. but then 2 days ago, had a little breakout, and my chest and back filled with small spots again, but this morning, my chest looks very clear. I'm just at the point now where I'm scared to come off them as I've sen my 'low' on these antibiotics and its so scary how much I can break out. I've had mild acne for 6 years now, and can definitely say its worse this year than It has ever been. these are the only antibiotics I will be trying, also tried like 5 different creams, so my next step is going to be going on a low dose of accutane to hopefully clear it up once and for all. its the last thing I ever would have wanted to do but I think my mental health would actually be gone if it gets any worse and I can't risk it. I just know that taking accutane, with amazing results people get, I would be so much happier ahhh.
Could anyone on this forum upload before and after pictures of their skin. You don't have to but it would be nice to see the effect the medication has had.
Original post by black tea
And you are a specialist in acne, are you?
You have written a lot of nonsense in your post. I'm sorry antibiotics haven't worked for you, but they work for a lot of people, and I assume you that even dermatologists prescribe them for acne. And the "basics" get rid of it acne for a lot of people too. So don't discourage people from trying things. It does sound like you have tried lots of stuff, and I am sure your GP will agree to refer you.
And FYI, those antibiotics are mainly used for chest infections, not STI. Plus if you were taking a several month course of them, the pharmacist would have known it was for acne.
You have written a lot of nonsense in your post. I'm sorry antibiotics haven't worked for you, but they work for a lot of people, and I assume you that even dermatologists prescribe them for acne. And the "basics" get rid of it acne for a lot of people too. So don't discourage people from trying things. It does sound like you have tried lots of stuff, and I am sure your GP will agree to refer you.
And FYI, those antibiotics are mainly used for chest infections, not STI. Plus if you were taking a several month course of them, the pharmacist would have known it was for acne.
Well having it for 6+ years and researching it pretty much everyday and been on almost every treatment possible i'd say i have better knowledge than someone who's had it a month and just hopped on antibiotics, "nonsense" everything i have said is true and happened to me and i'l think you'll find antibiotics barely work for anyone which is why most have to keep going back on them.."worked" means it cured it not worked as in oh yay acne free a month then having to go back on, are you dumb? i literally said to try antibiotics and creams....."my advice is to anyone reading is to try maximum 2 antibiotics aswell as atleast 5 creams and if it doesn't do anything and its really effecting you then ask to see a dermatologist" i'll underline it this time so maybe you can read it better but i clearly aint discouraging anyone from trying...i'm saying not to allow GPs to abuse them like they have with me as i have been on 4 antibiotics and done x2 of most and none worked or if they did they caused sides that i still have months after stopping hence why i'm warning others not to sit going on them like they're candy just because some GP who wants you in and out room in 5 mins says so, think you'll find doxy is most commonly used to treat chlamydia as all you see on reviews and posters in doctors is for that and when you actually look on a GPs system it ranks acne as number 5 on the list for using doxy., the rest i'm not too sure about but my point is they're not made purposely for acne and you can become resistant, if people want to ignore and class everything i say as nonsense why would i care? i have no reason to lie...didn't wake up and think you know what i'm going to go BS on a post about acne so people don't try treatments like what 🤣 clearly you didn't read my post properly and idk why i even responded as like i said idc if people take what i say seriously...all i know is they didn't work for me and left me with perm side effects, not worked for any of my friends and almost everyone who goes on antibiotics have to keep going back on them as it just comes back when you come off but if it doesn't and you clear your acne from 1 course of antibiotics then GG as you have a better chance of being struck by lightning.
Hi, Try thunderbird skin. It’s an organic all natural range of products that are handmade in the cotswolds and since trying that my acne cleared up. I also used Nini organics (I don’t work for either company btw just did extensive research and also have a friend that used both) but I was in a state of despair trying all different tablets and creams -
Some of which were giving me very negative side effects and creams burning my skin making me look and feel even worse. I’ve never been a pill popper and don’t like the thought of pumping my body green with all diff medications, so I’m relieved to say the least that I’ve found products that work for me that have no negative side effects and my skin are loving. Hope this helps
Some of which were giving me very negative side effects and creams burning my skin making me look and feel even worse. I’ve never been a pill popper and don’t like the thought of pumping my body green with all diff medications, so I’m relieved to say the least that I’ve found products that work for me that have no negative side effects and my skin are loving. Hope this helps
(edited 2 years ago)
I don’t know about any side affects but my daughter’s dermatologist told her that even if her skin cleared up completely she shouldn’t stop it just like that but start taking it one day in two and then one day in three. If she stopped it suddenly he warned her that her problems may well come back and worse than before.
