Hey,

I am absolutely fed up with these drugs. Especially this lithium. I put on a lot of weight and then I get this acne. Anyone else experience acne? I argued with my doctor that I was getting this bad acne but I was told it had nothing to do with lithium. In fact my face is starting scar from it and I never had it like this before taking the lithium. I am sorry but weight gain and now my face is scaring. I am certain its the lithium. What do you think?

[Anika.]

I also got acne from lithium. Never had skin problems before lithium. I used it as mono therapy for a long time so there were no other drugs present. Hard to get rid of and scarring. Now that I am off lithium and have been for a long time, I am still dealing with this. A little less severe but I see a dermatologist for treatment. The treatment I got has cleared it right up and is diminshing the scarring. And it is one treatment I can live with but many acne treatments are harsh and a bit unbearable.

Just one article for you...your not crazy..maybe find some more articles and show them to your dr.

http://m.everydayhealth.com/bipolar-...um-causes-acne

Good link, perhaps some useful ideas to try ...

http://www.facingacne.com/lithium-acne/

[Trippin2.0]

I had the same problem on Lithium, and know of a few others too here at PC. So either your pdoc is an idiot or he's bullshytting you.

Since quitting it, I no longer get backne but my face has never returned to being clear and its been 2years. I still suffer from breakouts. Idk how or why this is, but somehow my skin is now prone to zits and I'm not impressed by going through puberty when I'm nearly 30, especially since puberty never even affected my skin!

My sister has offered to give me a detoxing facial next week "on the house", so I'm hoping it helps. I'm sick of applying zit killer every few hours on an almost daily basis.

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

I had the same problem on Lithium, and know of a few others too here at PC. So either your pdoc is an idiot or he's bullshytting you.

Since quitting it, I no longer get backne but my face has never returned to being clear and its been 2years. I still suffer from breakouts. Idk how or why this is, but somehow my skin is now prone to zits and I'm not impressed by going through puberty when I'm nearly 30, especially since puberty never even affected my skin!

My sister has offered to give me a detoxing facial next week "on the house", so I'm hoping it helps. I'm sick of applying zit killer every few hours on an almost daily basis.

Me too, I never had any acne that caused me scars but now I do and I am applying this cream twice per day to take down the redness. I am so angry and therefore, not worth to be on lithium anymore. With the weight gain and scaring acne I am done with the lithium. I took myself off about a month ago and never had another zit on my face since.

[Anika.]

Trippin read those links. Kinda gives an idea to the why of lithium induced acne, which is not a true acne, and that explains why the normal pimple fighting crap doesn't work on it. You gotta read between the lines a bit in first article when it comes to treatment.

One thing that helped my face a bit was making green tea and using that on face as a wash and toner.

I'll see if I can find better info.

Originally Posted by Anika.

Trippin read those links. Kinda gives an idea to the why of lithium induced acne, which is not a true acne, and that explains why the normal pimple fighting crap doesn't work on it. You gotta read between the lines a bit in first article when it comes to treatment.

One thing that helped my face a bit was making green tea and using that on face as a wash and toner.

I'll see if I can find better info.

thanks, do you know how to get rid of the scaring now? I refuse to have anymore scars so I took myself off the lithium and no more pimples. I just want the scars to go away. I'd rather be manic or depressed rather than having a face full of scars. I don't care if they kick me out because I won't take the meds then so be it. One scar is under my left eye and about the size of a dime.

[Anika.]

Welk I use a retin-a prescrition, a new milder one, In canada it is called tac-tou but in the states I believe it's called epi-dou. It's two ingrediants rolled into one. I use it every second day. No peeling, redness, nothing like some of the other retins unless you put too much on. I was a little weary, but most of my scars are hardly visible any more, pores have shrunk to normal size. Nice side effect is decrease in wrinkle appearance. My skin is very sensitive and I haven't had any problems with this treatment. But I realize that it might not be for everyone. Peels maybe, laser haha..honestly I don't know, I guess depwnds much on your skin and how is heals and scars.

Natural ways...haven't had any luck there at all. I wish.

Originally Posted by Anika.

Welk I use a retin-a prescrition, a new milder one, In canada it is called tac-tou but in the states I believe it's called epi-dou. It's two ingrediants rolled into one. I use it every second day. No peeling, redness, nothing like some of the other retins unless you put too much on. I was a little weary, but most of my scars are hardly visible any more, pores have shrunk to normal size. Nice side effect is decrease in wrinkle appearance. My skin is very sensitive and I haven't had any problems with this treatment. But I realize that it might not be for everyone. Peels maybe, laser haha..honestly I don't know, I guess depwnds much on your skin and how is heals and scars.

Natural ways...haven't had any luck there at all. I wish.

Will I need a prescription? I see my doctor and nurse today I am I am pissed. This should make for an exciting visit today. How long did it take you until you saw the reduced redness? Mine are very fresh scars from just about a month ago. They told me I must be going through some kind of hormonal changes in my body and thats why I have acne now.

[Trippin2.0]

I read it wow...
My skin really isn't that bad at all anymore but it still gets to me big time! I use pure zinc ointment for the scarring, and so far so good. I hope this detoxing facial helps. Maybe using Tea Tree Oil products will help better...

Originally Posted by dare

thanks, do you know how to get rid of the scaring now? I refuse to have anymore scars so I took myself off the lithium and no more pimples. I just want the scars to go away. I'd rather be manic or depressed rather than having a face full of scars. I don't care if they kick me out because I won't take the meds then so be it. One scar is under my left eye and about the size of a dime.

I've always refused to go on lithium so I have no experience with that. I have had acne since I was a teen but going on Zeldox turned it into cystic acne. I went to a dermatologist who said no way it was my meds and I needed to go on a very powerful, very dangerous drug called roaccutane. I was not happy with that option and went on a quest with my pdoc to find the answer. Low and behold we found that cystic acne can be a side effect of the zeldox.

I tried all sorts of things for my skin, then someone on a forum suggested to try rosehip oil. At that stage I had nothing to lose so I gave it a go. The first few weeks my skin was a little more oily but then it balanced right out, and now my skin is the best it has ever been in my adult life.

Scars (from having cysts drained and deep pimples) are still there but starting to fade only 8 months after having them by using rosehip oil. I use soapfree bodywash on my face and then put the rosehip oil on when my face is still warm. I could not believe the difference. All my life I was told by professionals and friends alike that I needed to use more harsh chemicals on my face to clear it up, now I realise the damage that was doing when soapfree and rosehip oil was the answer for me. I am actually still a little annoyed at the world for insisting that chemical is better and making me suffer so long!

Not sure if rosehip oil will help for lithium, but it should help with the healing, provided there are no open sores. Just thought I would share.

Originally Posted by Supanova

I've always refused to go on lithium so I have no experience with that. I have had acne since I was a teen but going on Zeldox turned it into cystic acne. I went to a dermatologist who said no way it was my meds and I needed to go on a very powerful, very dangerous drug called roaccutane. I was not happy with that option and went on a quest with my pdoc to find the answer. Low and behold we found that cystic acne can be a side effect of the zeldox.

I tried all sorts of things for my skin, then someone on a forum suggested to try rosehip oil. At that stage I had nothing to lose so I gave it a go. The first few weeks my skin was a little more oily but then it balanced right out, and now my skin is the best it has ever been in my adult life.

Scars (from having cysts drained and deep pimples) are still there but starting to fade only 8 months after having them by using rosehip oil. I use soapfree bodywash on my face and then put the rosehip oil on when my face is still warm. I could not believe the difference. All my life I was told by professionals and friends alike that I needed to use more harsh chemicals on my face to clear it up, now I realise the damage that was doing when soapfree and rosehip oil was the answer for me. I am actually still a little annoyed at the world for insisting that chemical is better and making me suffer so long!

Not sure if rosehip oil will help for lithium, but it should help with the healing, provided there are no open sores. Just thought I would share.

thanks for the advise. Mine have pin needle holes and red around them about the size of a dime. The pin hole I can handle but not this red rash.

[Anika.]

The redness can take a few monthes or so to calm down. I know it is frustrating. I have them too, well many smaller ones around my mouth and chin. They are finally fading out. I went and bought a really good foundation with awesome coverage to get me through the rough part. But now I am fine without that. Just hang in there, it will get better. I am very pale so the marks looked so ..jump out at your face.

Some people use lemon juice to fade the marks. Maybe worth a try along with the rosehip oil.

Thanks for that Supernova, I am going to give that a fair try.

[snydercharles425]

I have been struggling with Acne for so long, it really sucks.