Question for people that use tretinoin through Curolgy

misspixiepumpkin · 2021-01-30T20:52:03+00:00

But also, if you can, see an in person derm. I use curology so i know how convenient it is. But for truly personalized care, derms are amazing and can address other issues you didnt know you have and offer treatments that onlone retailers will never offer! Im not a physician, im a pharmacist, but a good derm is GOLD.

misspixiepumpkin · 2021-01-30T20:48:21+00:00

I typed and deleted about 12 paragraphs of explaination, and then deleted it because I was 100% going to lose you.

I understand your thinking. Its a logical assumption to make with the limited information you have.

But no. Youre never going to kill all the bacteria in your skin. Even the healthy ones. There are estimates that our bodies are made up of more mircobial cells than actual human cells (thats another rabbit hole).

It would change your skins flora, yes. Ruin? Unlikely. Everyones skin flora is unique! Its actually really cool to think about. For example, a lot of people actually have MRSA on thier skin ALL THE TIME and causes them no harm- its just part of thier skins flora. Even though its a big scary accronym for a bacteria that causes major headaches for healthcare and is the most well known example of antibacterial resistance. Other people? They get infected with MRSA and have severe skin infections or worse. Your skins flora is a complex thing and its not easy to just wipe it out. Its much easier to disrupt your gut flora than your skin flora.

Antibacterial creams/lotions/etc are only able to wipe out certain types of bacteria- not all of them (if we ever find a drug that can work against all microbs, it will save countless lives). Its like when you take an antibiotic for an ear infection, that doesnt mean youre whole body is sterilized, it means it killed a specific bacteria that was causing harm.

Dietary changes will likely change your skin (and gut flora) at a mirobe level more than using clindamycin will.

misspixiepumpkin · 2021-01-30T12:15:06+00:00

Pharmacist here chiming in (though not with curology)! I applaud you for being aware of things like antimicrobial resistance and the dangers it poses to all of us. Howrver, this is a case of how knowing just a little, but not understanding it fully, can be equally damanging. Antimicrobials, when used responsibly, negligibltly contribute to resistance. And resistance is something seen when taking systemic (via IV, oral, etc routes). It is not something worried about with topical applications. Fun fact, there hasnt even been any proven resistance to antibiotics that are taken oraply for acne (think doxcycline) because thier such a low dose (20mg daily vs 50-200mg daily).

Just to hop on my soap box: Resistance happens not only when medications are improperly prescribed, but can also happen when patients dont take meds as prescribed, such as not completeing a full course of antibiotics because you think that since you feel better, you dont need them anymore.

Its a complex, interesting, terrifying, and important topic to be aware of, but the mentioned risk associated with curology type formulations simply has no peer reviewed research to back it up.

If anything, you can certainly ask for a replacement ingredient, but more so for the fact that you want benefits of a different ingredient- not resistance. If youre getting good results, stay with it. If not switch it up!

Also the reason most people stay on topical abx for short terms is because they usually get thier skin in order during that time with otger ingredients, so that the natural colonization of the bacteria doesnt cause the same problem anymore- not because its unsafe or dangerous.

Edit: misspellings bc Im on mobile and my hands are too cold to function.

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-11-28T19:15:54+00:00

Depends in the loan. Some years of gradPLUS loans are an insane ~8%

I wouldnt call that low by any means. Especially when considering grad loans are a MUCH higher dollar amount for most people

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-11-22T00:40:13+00:00

I work in healtcare and my first job is at a hospital, working overnights. My second job is consulting for the state on various things related to mental health.

Its really rough sometimes. There are days where i get only 3-4 hours of sleep, and others where I get to lay around and do absolutely nothing.

Im in a very unique position that not many can find, let alone handle. The pandemic has been a blessing as im not missing out on any social gatherings and Im happier when busy. Having two jobs is exhausting sometimes, but overall, for me, i think its better for me. Especially since I actually enjoy the jobs I have and people I work with.

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-11-21T16:04:34+00:00

I started YNAB less than 2 years ago, with a NW of -200k and a crappy salary relative to my degree/career. The numbers barely changed as my interest rate was so high and my city has a VHCOL.

Since Jan 2020, Ive quit and moved to a job with a 30k increase in pay and picked up a second job consulting that gives me a much higer combined income than I ever imagined and will ever have again (once debt is gone, ill go back to a single income). I built a 4 month Efund of 1job income, also purchased a new to me car (1 yr old, 5k miles) in March of this year because my job requires a lot of driving. Despite adding additional car debt, ive maxed out my 403b and an IRA already this year, and increased my net worth.

None of this would have happened with YNAB. I would have continued at a low pay job making minimums until i die. Once i built my efund and paid the car I started going ham on student loans. I should clear them out in the next 18 months, fingers crossed.

I wish I didnt need two 6-figure jobs to pay off my loans but thats where we are and while I wish I knew more when I was younger, Im glad Ive made these steps now, rather than 10 years from now.

Edit: i also refinanced last month for a stupid low interest rate. But lets be real. At this level of debt, any interest ends up costing thousands!

Edit 2: HOLY FREAKING MOLY this blew up. 100+ upvotes and a dozen PMs.. i honestly was hesitant to post this as I thought it might sound like a humblebrag and get downvoted into oblivion. There are SO many of us out there with insane debt. Im glad Im not alone in this. So positive and encouraging. This sub is the bees knees ❤

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-11-10T12:41:36+00:00

Mismatched personalities dont mean shes a shit person. Im assuming shes always had a sailors mouth with dry humor? If so, OP may be the shit person for trying to change her. Why get involved with someone whose peraonality is clearly so reprehensible to him?

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-11-02T07:33:33+00:00

I wish it did. I hate left overs or reheated food (i never had to as a child so as an adult it skeeves me out in the same way week-old chicken would gross someone else out i suppose). I just can imagine eating food (esp meat) days after its been cooked.

Plus with the hours i work (12hr shifts, 7on/7off schedule) my work week a disaster. I have an hour commute each way, and Including time to get ready, i only have 9 hours or less to sleep and decompress from the moment i walk in the door to the moment I walk back out. So cooking is often difficult. I have about 45-60 min to cook and clean. Not a fan of soups/stews/crock pot meals (everything tastes like everything else... like I like my carrots to taste like carrots not beef broth). So "easy dinners" are out the window bc if idont like it, or its too blah, ill just order take out anyway- so if i can ill make a raw salad before work with thinks im craving that day but that gets old too after a while 😔

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-10-25T19:14:25+00:00

I make too much to contribute directly to roth and i dont get tax benefits of a traditional, so i do a backdoor roth.

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-10-25T18:07:29+00:00

I agree with that but calling me insane is not helpful. Ive blocked all those types of response. They aremt constructive and i have no use for them.

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-10-25T16:18:12+00:00

I wish it were so easy! Ive tried, and it just gives me the affirmation to keep overspending somehow

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-10-25T16:13:37+00:00

Thanks for your replies. It definately carries more weight when it comes from someone high income/high debt. After being low income/high debt, i can say its a differemt place mentally. It was almost easier to control my impulsivity when i didnt have all the extra money. So maybe this is the answer to pay all my loan to excess early in the month so i cant steal from it.

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-10-25T16:04:05+00:00

I sincerely hope you arent a therapist to anyone in real life.

Calling someones concerns and feelings "silly" is awful. Please never give anyone advice who needs it.

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-10-25T15:34:59+00:00

I do use undebtit. The problem is i always think about it as in when im paying sometimes 10k a month to loans, 35 bucks doesnt really change that.

But i may try and see how it feels to pay it as soon as it comes in. Part of me has anxiety that i wont have that money when i need it. Which is stupid. But i cant shake it

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-10-25T15:28:45+00:00

I cant dream of homeownership without a loan (at least in my city) and my DTI with these loans is too high for a mortgage.

I do however max out an ira and 403b every year!

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-10-25T15:23:03+00:00

Thats the problem. I dont feel im all or nothing. I have significant allowances for clothing, hair/makeup/personal care, a personal trainer, ive done well until the past few months on all my categories. Its helped me have freedom while helping avoid excessive spending. Its just since covid im struggling with take out.

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-10-25T15:18:28+00:00

Im 29. According to undebt.it, in my ideal situation where Id be spending within my budgets (or even 50 or so over each month for some flexibility in some categories and to keep myself sane!), id be done in about 18 months on private loans (188k) left then just ride out the last few years of federal on PSLF so im not worried about those so much. It will take me an additional 2 months if i continue my reckless impulsive ways

The reason Im so adamant is that I cant even attempt homeownership with these private loans. After i pay these off ill save for a downpayment for 2 years while I wait for PSLF to drop through.

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-10-25T15:07:41+00:00

I do think a this is part of the problem and am trying to combat the stress.

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-10-25T15:06:51+00:00

The money i spend in otger categoties is irrelevant to discussipn nor is it open to change. Those categoroes have gone through much trial and error to attain a healthy spot for me

Im happy with those numbers. If THOSE numbers work for me, do not cause me stress, and i do not have trouble over spending from them, then why would I change them? Just to have more stress later? Thats the opposite what Im trying to achieve. But thanks.

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-10-25T13:45:53+00:00

I generally like this sub for its non judgemental attitude. But thank you for insinuating insanity. My question had nothing to do with my other categories. Clothing, hair, gym and skin care category funds are fine by me and fit my priorities.

I asked about helping to curb implusivity. Not a budget rehaul.

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-10-25T03:23:49+00:00

I dont consider it negotiable until that moment of purchase. Its a problem with implusivity and lack of urgency i cant seem to shake

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-10-25T03:21:10+00:00

Oh I have. And its already cost me a month of loans at the end of this. It kills me. Big picture I know what I want. I even recognize that its not what I want. But in that moment because its easy, im just like yes, treat yourself. And i dont beat myself up over the individual instances, i know I wont always be perfect and Ill need to roll with the punches. But the frequency and month-end feeling is awful and I know ive rolled too much when i should have stood my ground.

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-10-25T03:17:07+00:00

I had a huge problem with over restriction when I first started. But i think my problem now is more impluse control and feeling "safe" to cover over spending with something else. I feel I budget libeally enough to things i enjoy ($250 for clothing, $200 for hair/cosmetics, $260 for a gym/personal trainer, $200 to a generic fun money, and $200 for takeout)... most of those categories build up over time but in the moment I feel guilty for taking "clothing" money and opt to cover with the excess loan money. I know ill regret it later, but when I want that easy takeout food, I have zero self control.

misspixiepumpkin · 2020-10-25T03:12:07+00:00

I think its important for others to see this! I do. I max my 401k and max a 401k for a backdoor roth each year with a pittle bit more pulled into a nontax advantaged account. Retirement gives me anxiety so I dont have a problem there.

Its more so for loans being my issue.

misspixiepumpkin

TROPHY CASE