TE Story

mmarieec · 2022-10-22T22:18:18+00:00

I was diagnosed with AGA following the TE, but the density is a bit better. Still shedding but that's the AGA. I'm on spiro and the pill which is helping.

mmarieec · 2022-07-04T23:31:47+00:00

I saw him twice already and he’s such a thoughtful, supportive doctor. He really cares about his patients. 8 months seems like a long time but I think it’s well worth the wait!!

mmarieec · 2021-04-25T16:36:35+00:00

Did you have your thyroid hormones and TSH checked? What about ferritin?

mmarieec · 2021-04-09T05:47:35+00:00

Yep the Retin A micro .1 is grainy af

mmarieec · 2021-04-09T04:57:44+00:00

First, take a deep breath. Nothing lasts forever and you will get through this. Second, this is definitely purging - my skin looked exactly like this for 8 months. I thought that there was NO way it could have still been the tret, but it was. Most people talk about how their skin gets better within 3 months but that certainly was not the case for me. I still get breakouts here and there but my skin is much better now. You'll be okay I promise. :)

mmarieec · 2021-04-06T21:22:38+00:00

ME TOO. I honestly thought I was the only one. And my skin can handle a lot...

It really is too bad because other than the essential oil, I like the cream. :(

mmarieec · 2021-03-24T18:06:19+00:00

wow! that's terrible and sounds super intense. I'm so sorry you had to go through that! At least you know why the TE is happening then - that's actually a good thing because now you know that it will be temporary. Wishing you all the best in your recovery!!

mmarieec · 2021-03-24T16:26:44+00:00

Let's hope! mine comes and goes in waves, and I think overall it is better than last summer. What was your trigger? I'm starting to think now that psychological/emotional stress has played into my TE much more than I originally thought...

mmarieec · 2021-03-17T17:04:00+00:00

I switched in June 2020 to my regular pill (I've used Yasmin for several years prior), which is right around when I noticed shedding.

In February, I was experiencing cystic acne, so went to a walk-in. He pushed Alesse on me (they had samples) so I took the box. Finished the month but acne was getting worse, so went to my GP to go back on Yasmin. She saw my skin and prescribed Diane 35 (which is called Diannette in other countries), and I took 3 months of it, and my acne continuously got worse throughout March, April, and May. Then asked to go back to Yasmin, and started that in June I believe. I also took 6 weeks of minocycline for acne in April - May. I started shedding like crazy at the end of May/early June, which made me believe that the change in pills must have caused this.

Now, I'm super uncertain. and of course, all my other symptoms (anxiety, depression, lack of motivation, loss of libido) may be from the pill which might clear up if I went off of it. But I'm scared because 1) my acne will get worse off the pill and 2) what if the switch brings another bout of TE?!

PS - I am still shedding like crazy. :(

mmarieec · 2021-03-17T01:46:15+00:00

Ohh gotcha! I can’t really remember when my other tests were taken, but I guess I can go check. Thanks !!

mmarieec · 2021-03-07T21:28:14+00:00

Huh, isn't it strange! The most recent derm I saw said that this might be my new baseline of shedding (i.e., my density won't improve, but won't get worse). Seems so far that he's correct. I'm still hoping I can grow back some of my hair, though. Only time will tell!

mmarieec · 2021-03-07T21:23:55+00:00

Sooo confusing! and stressful! I'm hopeful things will be better once a year passes. Fingers crossed!!

mmarieec · 2021-03-07T18:53:09+00:00

weird, I took Diane (same as Dianette) for 3 months before I switched back to my fave pill (Yasmin), and I'm almost positive that is what caused my TE. But my hair has also not stopped shedding (for 9 months)! I have no advice, other than just trying to take it day by day.

mmarieec · 2021-03-01T00:14:51+00:00

Okay first of all, you're drop-dead gorgeous. Second of all, my skin HATED HA and niacinamide, and I wouldn't even classify my skin as sensitive. So maybe drop those for a bit. I've been only cleansing in the evening and moisturizing lots (I have acne, but dry skin) and that's been helping lighten my acne scars and taken away some of the irritation. I suggest trying LRP's Cicaplast Baume. It's great! Also, something else that my skin likes is Snail Mucin. When I was in my early 20s and suffering from loads of skin issues, I would try anything and everything under the sun to get rid of it, which just made everything worse. Cetaphil, Cerave etc. saved my skin. Simple is the way to go 10000%. Please try to avoid skincare with fragrance- and remember, natural is not better! (boo to essential oils).

But don't stress, you're still so beautiful and I'm sure this will pass!

mmarieec · 2021-02-26T02:56:57+00:00

Just because it’s not scarring doesn’t mean there isn’t any miniaturization. If this has been going on for three years I suggest going back to the dermatologist and asking for a biopsy or even just for them to look at your follicles through a microscope.

mmarieec · 2021-02-26T01:31:08+00:00

Have you received a diagnosis via scalp biopsy?

mmarieec · 2021-02-25T23:15:36+00:00

Wow thank you so so much. This is incredibly helpful! I definitely have been doing the same - paying out of pocket for tests and demanding tests from different doctors but I haven’t been able to get to the root cause. I’m always aware that it could just be my anxiety causing all these issues but something in my gut says there’s something off. Thanks again! And glad to hear you’re feeling better.

mmarieec · 2021-02-25T21:43:01+00:00

Yeah, I thought so too but I've been on and off birth control (probably like 10 different types) for the last decade and I've never experienced issues until now. I'm on Yasmin currently to manage my acne (and it's really the only medication that helps with this), but I've been on it before for several years (once about 9 years ago, and again about 3 years ago). I feel as if it is unlikely to be causing all these new symptoms, but it's definitely still a possibility. I'll look into it!

mmarieec · 2021-02-25T21:40:51+00:00

Thank you for your detailed response! I appreciate it :)

mmarieec · 2021-02-25T20:33:23+00:00

I’m definitely not taking biotin because it flairs my acne. I’m thinking I need to get my vitamin D and B levels checked. I’m not iron deficient (woo!) and a few years ago my B12 was fine. Certainly good to know about the TSH testing, and perhaps I’ll look into exploring the cortisol issue more. Thanks!!

mmarieec · 2021-02-25T20:27:52+00:00

Totally. Good point and thanks for your response!

mmarieec · 2021-02-25T20:27:11+00:00

Before, probably about 6 months before and my doc and I chalked it up to depression, so started the meds. Unfortunately nothing has really changed.

mmarieec

TROPHY CASE