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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by alathea on March 1, 2004, at 3:13:41
This is driving me crazy. I've been on WEllbutrin, Tegretol, Topomax (which is sort of a joke), and now Lamictal--which I think is the worst in the skin department. And I used to take Lithium, Depakote and Neurontin, and I didn't have any trouble with my skin or weight gain, but that was back in college when I had time for tons of exercise and I was young and ....whatever. Now it seems like everything makes me fat and ugly. Do I just have to get over it if I want to be sane? Or does anybody have any advice, any suggestions?
Posted by Sad Panda on March 1, 2004, at 5:23:29
In reply to Meds and Acne--Sorry, hate to say it--, posted by alathea on March 1, 2004, at 3:13:41
> This is driving me crazy. I've been on WEllbutrin, Tegretol, Topomax (which is sort of a joke), and now Lamictal--which I think is the worst in the skin department. And I used to take Lithium, Depakote and Neurontin, and I didn't have any trouble with my skin or weight gain, but that was back in college when I had time for tons of exercise and I was young and ....whatever. Now it seems like everything makes me fat and ugly. Do I just have to get over it if I want to be sane? Or does anybody have any advice, any suggestions?
>
>You're a lucky one! :) I started out fat & ugly & no amount of drugs seem to help me! :(
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by Karen_kay on March 1, 2004, at 8:57:30
In reply to Meds and Acne--Sorry, hate to say it--, posted by alathea on March 1, 2004, at 3:13:41
Are you sure it isn't Topamax causing your skin problems? I took lamictal and lithium with no skin problems and since beginning topamax, I feel like a 13 year old girl. I discontinued ??maybe a week ago, and my skin is cleared up. Topamax was the only thing I was taking at the time.... I'm thinking of not continuing with Topamax for this reason. Hmmm, mental health or clear skin.... Maybe I'll go to a dermatologist and see if there's anything I can do about it. That sounds more logical.
Posted by Sooshi on March 1, 2004, at 12:24:10
In reply to Re: Meds and Acne--Sorry, hate to say it--, posted by Karen_kay on March 1, 2004, at 8:57:30
Topamax is definately screwing up my skin...back to being a teenager all over again....
Posted by alathea on March 1, 2004, at 15:22:21
In reply to Re: Meds and Acne--Sorry, hate to say it--, posted by Sooshi on March 1, 2004, at 12:24:10
huh, and that's sure lame since on topmax I got down to a small size six. Ah well, I would rather be alive and a generous eight....or ten....or whatever.....vanity and mental illness don't mix. I think your'e right, I will drop the topomax.
Posted by Thereishope on March 1, 2004, at 15:48:12
In reply to Meds and Acne--Sorry, hate to say it--, posted by alathea on March 1, 2004, at 3:13:41
I've been on Wellbutrin from almost a year and it has cause my acne. I didn't have an acne problem when I was a teen. Now at 20+++++++ :) my face is breaking out. I've found relief by changing my skin care routine (lavender soap has been wonderful for my acne).
P.S. I've also noticed that my hair is thinner. Acne and alopecia are listed on the prescribing information sheet for Wellbutrin. Hmmmm...> This is driving me crazy. I've been on WEllbutrin, Tegretol, Topomax (which is sort of a joke), and now Lamictal--which I think is the worst in the skin department. And I used to take Lithium, Depakote and Neurontin, and I didn't have any trouble with my skin or weight gain, but that was back in college when I had time for tons of exercise and I was young and ....whatever. Now it seems like everything makes me fat and ugly. Do I just have to get over it if I want to be sane? Or does anybody have any advice, any suggestions?
Posted by Sleepless in Seattle on March 2, 2004, at 4:48:01
In reply to Re: Meds and Acne--Sorry, hate to say it-- » alathea, posted by Sad Panda on March 1, 2004, at 5:23:29
> You're a lucky one! :) I started out fat & ugly & no amount of drugs seem to help me! :(
>
> Cheers,
> Panda.
-----------------------------------------------
Panda,
Thanks for the laugh! Even if it were true, (which I think is doubtful) beauty IS only skin-deep. Someone who is caring, and has a sense of humor is a TRUE BEAUTY!As for the drug question:
CAUTION: GROSS POST--MAY TRIGGER VOMITING!
Topamax made me look and feel like a monster. I got something called folliculitus (an inflamation of hair follicles) so badly that my head was covered in scabs!
I got my first cold sore...x3!, canker sores, an ear infection and a yeast infection, all in the space of 3 weeks. As far as I'm concerned, that stuff is poison! I felt like my body was trying to get rid of toxic waste! YUKKO
Posted by Sooshi on March 2, 2004, at 10:26:43
In reply to Thanks for the laugh, Panda! » Sad Panda, posted by Sleepless in Seattle on March 2, 2004, at 4:48:01
Hey Sleepless,
Question - I have had what I've been calling "acne" on my scalp ever since I started Topamax...could this be Folliculitis??? It's not too bad, but it is just like acne...starts out sore with whiteheads and all (sorry, gross I know...) and can be painfull and all. It's not clearing up either. Just like acne doesn't clear up. Just keeps comin' back! Any advice would be appreciated!Thanks,
Sooshi
Posted by Sad Panda on March 2, 2004, at 12:23:43
In reply to Thanks for the laugh, Panda! » Sad Panda, posted by Sleepless in Seattle on March 2, 2004, at 4:48:01
>
> > You're a lucky one! :) I started out fat & ugly & no amount of drugs seem to help me! :(
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Panda.
> -----------------------------------------------
> Panda,
> Thanks for the laugh! Even if it were true, (which I think is doubtful) beauty IS only skin-deep. Someone who is caring, and has a sense of humor is a TRUE BEAUTY!
>
> As for the drug question:
>
> CAUTION: GROSS POST--MAY TRIGGER VOMITING!
>
> Topamax made me look and feel like a monster. I got something called folliculitus (an inflamation of hair follicles) so badly that my head was covered in scabs!
> I got my first cold sore...x3!, canker sores, an ear infection and a yeast infection, all in the space of 3 weeks. As far as I'm concerned, that stuff is poison! I felt like my body was trying to get rid of toxic waste! YUKKO
>
>
>Glad you got a laugh. :) I'm not 100% ugly, but I am fat, I'll start to worry about it when I get a little bit more un-depressed.
>folliculitus..my head was covered in scabs..cold sore...x3!, canker sores, an ear infection and a yeast infection....
>Now that sounds like an ugly little pill! I hope you fully recovered from it after withdrawl.
I've had a bad dose of dandruff the whole time I've been depressed, now I want to know did dandruff cause the depression or did depression cause the dandruff?!? :)
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by sarahsundae on March 2, 2004, at 12:39:42
In reply to Meds and Acne--Sorry, hate to say it--, posted by alathea on March 1, 2004, at 3:13:41
I have been on Wellbutrin since November and Topamax since the beginning of Feb. I had no problems with the Wellbutrin, but the Topamax has given me a little acne. I have really dry skin so it isn't as bad as it could be. I can deal with it though. I need the help as much as possible that these meds give me.
Posted by Sleepless in Seattle on March 2, 2004, at 21:12:15
In reply to Re: Thanks for the laugh, Panda! » Sleepless in Seattle, posted by Sooshi on March 2, 2004, at 10:26:43
You poor dear, Sooshi:
It sounds like the same thing. If you can get someone to look closely, they'll probably be able to see that a hair is trying to grow where each sore starts. It's like ingrown hairs on your scalp, with infection.
As I stated, Topomax caused problems for me all over. It seemed like some terrible toxin was seeping out of my pores and everywhere else! I went to a dermatologist. First she gave me a topical solution (Clobetasol) to rub on my head twice a day. It did not help at all.
Then she put me on oral antibiotics and warned me that folliculitis is hard to get rid of, stress can make it reappear (goody!), and that I'd probably get a yeast infection from the antibiotics. True, true, and true. She said she'd seen Topamax have that effect on others. I stopped it immediately! I had a few milder reoccurrences, especially when I got overheated (Toxic sweat?!) but it did finally go away.
My advice: see a dermatologist immediately. Don't share combs, brushes or towels. Start the antibiotics and buy some Tea Tree oil shampoo (Regis and other beauty chains sell it) to use daily. It a natural remedy that is wonderful for skin ailments. It smells great and feels tingly...I love it and still use it. It will help you deep-clean your pores and soothe the itching and burning. Throw away old combs and brushes as soon as you're healed up. Also, buy some Monostat or whatever you prefer, just in case the yeast infection hits. Hope you feel a lot better soon!
Oh, and... kind of an interesting side-note about Tea Tree oil... I have a fish pond in my backyard. Two years ago all the fish got this flaky skin (scales?) fungus that itched so badly that they were rubbing themselves RAW against the rocks. I bought the recommended fish antibiotics to put in the pond each day. They were worse in a week and I was out $45. I went to another fish supply store where they told me about a Tea Tree oil mixture for fish ponds. They said that they were hearing such great things about it, that had recently switched to it for their own ornamental ponds. I bought it and, almost immediately, my fish quit rubbing against the rocks. The sores were all healed in less than 2 weeks. It seems to help all kinds of skin/scale damage!
Good Luck.
Sleepless in Seattle> Hey Sleepless,
> Question - I have had what I've been calling "acne" on my scalp ever since I started Topamax...could this be Folliculitis??? It's not too bad, but it is just like acne...starts out sore with whiteheads and all (sorry, gross I know...) and can be painfull and all. It's not clearing up either. Just like acne doesn't clear up. Just keeps comin' back! Any advice would be appreciated!
>
> Thanks,
> Sooshi
Posted by Sleepless in Seattle on March 2, 2004, at 21:43:04
In reply to Re: Thanks for the laugh, Panda! » Sleepless in Seattle, posted by Sad Panda on March 2, 2004, at 12:23:43
Panda,
I just left a long post to Sooshi, (same thread) where I mentioned discovering a great shampoo. My husband used to have dandruff. I've been buying every brand on the market for almost 25 years now. (I'm old but happily married!) Once he started using it too, his dandruff went away and it sure looks like it's made his hair thicker!? I swear I don't have any stock in this company!
After this build-up, I guess I should tell you what it is. Any shampoo with Tea Tree oil. I discovered mine at a Regis Beauty Salon; they had a store brand. But since then I've found one in the Paul Mitchell line, as well. It's not cheap, but it goes a long way and it FEELS great!
Not sure it would help your "FUR" Panda, but we sure love it.
Take care, buddy.Sleepless in Seattle
> > > You're a lucky one! :) I started out fat & ugly & no amount of drugs seem to help me! :(
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > > Panda.
----------------------------------------------- Panda,
Thanks for the laugh! Even if it were true, (which I think is doubtful) beauty IS only skin- deep. But, someone who is caring, and has a sense of humor is a TRUE BEAUTY!
As for the drug question:
CAUTION: GROSS POST--MAY TRIGGER VOMITING!
Topamax made me look and feel like a monster. I got something called folliculitus (an inflamation of hair follicles) so badly that my head was covered in scabs!
I got my first cold sore...x3!, canker sores, an ear infection and a yeast infection, all in the space of 3 weeks. As far as I'm concerned, that stuff is poison! I felt like my body was trying to get rid of toxic waste! YUKKO
----------------------------------------------Glad you got a laugh. :) I'm not 100% ugly, but I am fat, I'll start to worry about it when I get a little bit more un-depressed.
folliculitus..my head was covered in scabs..cold sore...x3!, canker sores, an ear infection and a yeast infection....
Now that sounds like an ugly little pill! I hope you fully recovered from it after withdrawl.
I've had a bad dose of dandruff the whole time I've been depressed, now I want to know did dandruff cause the depression or did depression cause the dandruff?!? :)
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by alathea on March 3, 2004, at 0:46:45
In reply to Re: Meds and Acne--Sorry, hate to say it-- » alathea, posted by sarahsundae on March 2, 2004, at 12:39:42
> I have been on Wellbutrin since November and Topamax since the beginning of Feb. I had no problems with the Wellbutrin, but the Topamax has given me a little acne. I have really dry skin so it isn't as bad as it could be. I can deal with it though. I need the help as much as possible that these meds give me.
I am so glad to hear that so many other people have had skin stuff with Topomax--I had a suspicion that was it, but I didn't want to believe because of the weight loss, BUT--
the other thing is, my pdoc has told me that the reports coming back are that Topomax is just not affective for mood stabilization anyway, except isolated incidents. Now he has me back on Tegratol and I'm starting Lamictal--but I love Tegratol! I can't think why I ever stopped taking it, except that I always try and reduce my meds and the next thing you know, I'm crazy and who knows why I do anything (mostly recently I got two puppies--I didn't want puppies).
But I have STOPPED topomax.
Posted by alathea on March 3, 2004, at 0:53:09
In reply to Re: Thanks for the laugh, Panda! » Sleepless in Seattle, posted by Sad Panda on March 2, 2004, at 12:23:43
> I've had a bad dose of dandruff the whole time I've been depressed, now I want to know did dandruff cause the depression or did depression cause the dandruff?!? :)
>
> Cheers,
> Panda.
>Now there is the real question! Taking Topomax (which wasn't really working) and getting acne from it, I couldn't tell if I was depressed because of my skin or vice versa. Now I just have weird stuff in my ears (not voices, just sebhorreic dermatitis) and on my scalp too--I guess it just goes with the territory (weird side effects, I mean), but if I have to have weird side effects I prefer that they are invisible, er...in my ears instead of on my face.
Posted by Sooshi on March 3, 2004, at 10:53:36
In reply to Folliculitis » Sooshi, posted by Sleepless in Seattle on March 2, 2004, at 21:12:15
Thanks Sleepless! I actually used Tea Tree Oil shampoo years ago for dandruff, and two days ago bought another bottle for my current condition!! Boy, does it relieve the dryness, flakiness and itch (I know, gross out factor again...)!
By changing combs and not sharing towels and such, are you saying this stuff is contagious??
I also lost tons of hair from using Depakote, and wherever my new hair is growing in is where I have most of the "problem" spots...I was thinking that it was just the new hair getting blocked by the newly created oily scalp....Oh, this Topamax is just doing LOVELY things for my skin regimin!!!
Posted by Sad Panda on March 3, 2004, at 12:19:54
In reply to Great for dandruff, too » Sad Panda, posted by Sleepless in Seattle on March 2, 2004, at 21:43:04
> Panda,
> I just left a long post to Sooshi, (same thread) where I mentioned discovering a great shampoo. My husband used to have dandruff. I've been buying every brand on the market for almost 25 years now. (I'm old but happily married!) Once he started using it too, his dandruff went away and it sure looks like it's made his hair thicker!? I swear I don't have any stock in this company!
> After this build-up, I guess I should tell you what it is. Any shampoo with Tea Tree oil. I discovered mine at a Regis Beauty Salon; they had a store brand. But since then I've found one in the Paul Mitchell line, as well. It's not cheap, but it goes a long way and it FEELS great!
> Not sure it would help your "FUR" Panda, but we sure love it.
> Take care, buddy.
>
> Sleepless in Seattle
>I will look seriously into getting some of this shampoo. I'm not big on natural remedies, but, I do know that Tea Tree Oil is Serious Juju. I just never would have guessed you could pour it on your head. :) There are some people in New Zealand that sell honey from bees fed from Tea Trees that is said to be able to treat antibiotic resistant golden staph(MRSA).
Cheers,
Panda.
This is the end of the thread.
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