Re: Whats the deal with antibiotics???

[Guest guest]

I really dont know what to say about antibiotics. With this group I have

found that we all are so different and nothing works exactly for each one of

us. This group is great when you are trying to find out different things and

learning about the laser, etc.

I guess some of our dr.'s are the same way. Mine doesnt believe in using

antibiotics until it is a last resort. When I first joined this group I went

to him and told him everyone else was on them so shouldnt I be too. Since my

skin was clearing up really good already he said I didnt need them but just

to keep doing the same thing I had been doing. (metrogel/cream) and a good

cleansing regime.

I feel he did me a favor. When I first went to him he really didnt know much

about rosacea. His assistant diagnoised me. From there on he has researched

and talked to me about the things I have learned about it. I had gone to 2

derms and were very unhappy with them. All they wanted to do was the pulse

laser and that was after a 5 minute exam.

But my GP was willing to work with me to find out what would be good for me.

I only wish some of you could find a dr. as good as he is.

Hope I didnt rattle on too much.

Bobbye

[Guest guest]

I really dont know what to say about antibiotics. With this group I have

found that we all are so different and nothing works exactly for each one of

us. This group is great when you are trying to find out different things and

learning about the laser, etc.

I guess some of our dr.'s are the same way. Mine doesnt believe in using

antibiotics until it is a last resort. When I first joined this group I went

to him and told him everyone else was on them so shouldnt I be too. Since my

skin was clearing up really good already he said I didnt need them but just

to keep doing the same thing I had been doing. (metrogel/cream) and a good

cleansing regime.

I feel he did me a favor. When I first went to him he really didnt know much

about rosacea. His assistant diagnoised me. From there on he has researched

and talked to me about the things I have learned about it. I had gone to 2

derms and were very unhappy with them. All they wanted to do was the pulse

laser and that was after a 5 minute exam.

But my GP was willing to work with me to find out what would be good for me.

I only wish some of you could find a dr. as good as he is.

Hope I didnt rattle on too much.

Bobbye

[Guest guest]

I really dont know what to say about antibiotics. With this group I have

found that we all are so different and nothing works exactly for each one of

us. This group is great when you are trying to find out different things and

learning about the laser, etc.

I guess some of our dr.'s are the same way. Mine doesnt believe in using

antibiotics until it is a last resort. When I first joined this group I went

to him and told him everyone else was on them so shouldnt I be too. Since my

skin was clearing up really good already he said I didnt need them but just

to keep doing the same thing I had been doing. (metrogel/cream) and a good

cleansing regime.

I feel he did me a favor. When I first went to him he really didnt know much

about rosacea. His assistant diagnoised me. From there on he has researched

and talked to me about the things I have learned about it. I had gone to 2

derms and were very unhappy with them. All they wanted to do was the pulse

laser and that was after a 5 minute exam.

But my GP was willing to work with me to find out what would be good for me.

I only wish some of you could find a dr. as good as he is.

Hope I didnt rattle on too much.

Bobbye

[Guest guest]

From what I've learned, the antibiotics used to treat

rosacea are supposed to have a mild anti-inflammatory

effect, but are mainly effective in treating cases

with severe acne and accompanied infection. One would

expect this to limit their use dramatically, and yet

doctors continue to write out prescription after

prescription, like robots, leaving patients on

antibiotics for months or years. Meanwhile, the target

bacteria become resistant to the compounds which are

supposed to destroy them. This is a textbook example

of antibiotic overuse, IMHO.

Jim

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

From what I've learned, the antibiotics used to treat

rosacea are supposed to have a mild anti-inflammatory

effect, but are mainly effective in treating cases

with severe acne and accompanied infection. One would

expect this to limit their use dramatically, and yet

doctors continue to write out prescription after

prescription, like robots, leaving patients on

antibiotics for months or years. Meanwhile, the target

bacteria become resistant to the compounds which are

supposed to destroy them. This is a textbook example

of antibiotic overuse, IMHO.

Jim

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Jim,

You say the antibiotics are limited to use for severe acne and

accompanied infection. I have been using antibiotics for my eye. It is not an

infection in my eye it is an inflammation problem. The blood vessels become

inflamed and my eye gets very red. The inside of my even gets effected to

where it seemed like the inside of it was inflamed also. I woke up about 3

times and couldn't see out of my right eye for just a few seconds. Those were

on days where it was very red. The antibiotics for me are used not for

treating an infection but for treating an inflammation in my eye that needs

to be brought down. I have not had such an incidence with my eyesight since I

have been on antibiotics. I can see where someone would become resistant to

the part of the antibiotic that gets rid of infection but I do not know about

the anti-inflammatory part of it. I think maybe I am an exception to the rule

though because when you wake up and can't see right you have to take care of

the problem even if it means taking antibiotics. So I definitely need them. I

think doctors really have there hands tied when a patient comes to see them

and they want to help them and antibiotics are really the only alternative

that a doctor can give. What else is there for a doctor to do? I do agree

that a doctor shouldn't be putting patients on antibiotics for years if they

just are having skin problems. Just starting out with them to help the acne

along and then using the topical medications from that point on. Although you

can argue the other side of it too because there are many different types of

antibiotics and say for example if someone is using tetracycline for there

skin if they get an infection of some other type from my understanding they

just use a different type of antibiotic such as Erythromycin.

[Guest guest]

Jim,

You say the antibiotics are limited to use for severe acne and

accompanied infection. I have been using antibiotics for my eye. It is not an

infection in my eye it is an inflammation problem. The blood vessels become

inflamed and my eye gets very red. The inside of my even gets effected to

where it seemed like the inside of it was inflamed also. I woke up about 3

times and couldn't see out of my right eye for just a few seconds. Those were

on days where it was very red. The antibiotics for me are used not for

treating an infection but for treating an inflammation in my eye that needs

to be brought down. I have not had such an incidence with my eyesight since I

have been on antibiotics. I can see where someone would become resistant to

the part of the antibiotic that gets rid of infection but I do not know about

the anti-inflammatory part of it. I think maybe I am an exception to the rule

though because when you wake up and can't see right you have to take care of

the problem even if it means taking antibiotics. So I definitely need them. I

think doctors really have there hands tied when a patient comes to see them

and they want to help them and antibiotics are really the only alternative

that a doctor can give. What else is there for a doctor to do? I do agree

that a doctor shouldn't be putting patients on antibiotics for years if they

just are having skin problems. Just starting out with them to help the acne

along and then using the topical medications from that point on. Although you

can argue the other side of it too because there are many different types of

antibiotics and say for example if someone is using tetracycline for there

skin if they get an infection of some other type from my understanding they

just use a different type of antibiotic such as Erythromycin.

[Guest guest]

Jim,

You say the antibiotics are limited to use for severe acne and

accompanied infection. I have been using antibiotics for my eye. It is not an

infection in my eye it is an inflammation problem. The blood vessels become

inflamed and my eye gets very red. The inside of my even gets effected to

where it seemed like the inside of it was inflamed also. I woke up about 3

times and couldn't see out of my right eye for just a few seconds. Those were

on days where it was very red. The antibiotics for me are used not for

treating an infection but for treating an inflammation in my eye that needs

to be brought down. I have not had such an incidence with my eyesight since I

have been on antibiotics. I can see where someone would become resistant to

the part of the antibiotic that gets rid of infection but I do not know about

the anti-inflammatory part of it. I think maybe I am an exception to the rule

though because when you wake up and can't see right you have to take care of

the problem even if it means taking antibiotics. So I definitely need them. I

think doctors really have there hands tied when a patient comes to see them

and they want to help them and antibiotics are really the only alternative

that a doctor can give. What else is there for a doctor to do? I do agree

that a doctor shouldn't be putting patients on antibiotics for years if they

just are having skin problems. Just starting out with them to help the acne

along and then using the topical medications from that point on. Although you

can argue the other side of it too because there are many different types of

antibiotics and say for example if someone is using tetracycline for there

skin if they get an infection of some other type from my understanding they

just use a different type of antibiotic such as Erythromycin.

[Guest guest]

I also had no sun sensitivity from Minocin. Actually I used to go out into

the sun before taking it and my skin seemed to turn red very quickly and now

it doesn't anymore. I used to think it was a sunburn but it would turn red in

10 minutes. I think that was from the rosacea and now it reacts more normally

to the sun.

[Guest guest]

I also had no sun sensitivity from Minocin. Actually I used to go out into

the sun before taking it and my skin seemed to turn red very quickly and now

it doesn't anymore. I used to think it was a sunburn but it would turn red in

10 minutes. I think that was from the rosacea and now it reacts more normally

to the sun.

[Guest guest]

I also had no sun sensitivity from Minocin. Actually I used to go out into

the sun before taking it and my skin seemed to turn red very quickly and now

it doesn't anymore. I used to think it was a sunburn but it would turn red in

10 minutes. I think that was from the rosacea and now it reacts more normally

to the sun.

[Guest guest]

SC, yes there is something else about antibiotics. As I understand it, the

tetracyclines have an effect on the oil glands of the skin and the eyes.

These meds are used for their impact on the oil secretions and any

antibacterial effect is secondary. Many people with skin problems use the

tetracyclines in very low doses, often just one cap every other day, is

enough to maintain. You might consider asking your doc about tapering down

to the very low dose, after you have completed a full dosage for several

weeks, rather than stopping treatment all together.

Tetracycline is one of the older and safer antibiotics. It is important to

take it with a full glass of water and use a good acidolphius daily. Did you

know that ulcers are actually treated now with tetracycline! Of course the

dose is larger and it takes several weeks and some other meds along with it

to knock out the H-pylori. Accutane has many dangerous side effects compared

to tetracycline.

I have personally used tetracyclines for over twenty years, intermittently,

for acne and rosacea, and it still helps my skin and especially my eyes. The

low does have never caused me any big problem with the sun and I live in the

south.

This is one woman's perspective on the use of tetracycline. Hope it helps,

Kate

[Guest guest]

SC, yes there is something else about antibiotics. As I understand it, the

tetracyclines have an effect on the oil glands of the skin and the eyes.

These meds are used for their impact on the oil secretions and any

antibacterial effect is secondary. Many people with skin problems use the

tetracyclines in very low doses, often just one cap every other day, is

enough to maintain. You might consider asking your doc about tapering down

to the very low dose, after you have completed a full dosage for several

weeks, rather than stopping treatment all together.

Tetracycline is one of the older and safer antibiotics. It is important to

take it with a full glass of water and use a good acidolphius daily. Did you

know that ulcers are actually treated now with tetracycline! Of course the

dose is larger and it takes several weeks and some other meds along with it

to knock out the H-pylori. Accutane has many dangerous side effects compared

to tetracycline.

I have personally used tetracyclines for over twenty years, intermittently,

for acne and rosacea, and it still helps my skin and especially my eyes. The

low does have never caused me any big problem with the sun and I live in the

south.

This is one woman's perspective on the use of tetracycline. Hope it helps,

Kate

[Guest guest]

SC, yes there is something else about antibiotics. As I understand it, the

tetracyclines have an effect on the oil glands of the skin and the eyes.

These meds are used for their impact on the oil secretions and any

antibacterial effect is secondary. Many people with skin problems use the

tetracyclines in very low doses, often just one cap every other day, is

enough to maintain. You might consider asking your doc about tapering down

to the very low dose, after you have completed a full dosage for several

weeks, rather than stopping treatment all together.

Tetracycline is one of the older and safer antibiotics. It is important to

take it with a full glass of water and use a good acidolphius daily. Did you

know that ulcers are actually treated now with tetracycline! Of course the

dose is larger and it takes several weeks and some other meds along with it

to knock out the H-pylori. Accutane has many dangerous side effects compared

to tetracycline.

I have personally used tetracyclines for over twenty years, intermittently,

for acne and rosacea, and it still helps my skin and especially my eyes. The

low does have never caused me any big problem with the sun and I live in the

south.

This is one woman's perspective on the use of tetracycline. Hope it helps,

Kate

[Guest guest]

Kate,

Thankyou for the insight and saying how you have used tetracycline's for

20 years. I have been using them for my eyes for only about 2 months now and

I keep hearing how your body becomes resistant to them. I have worried that

in a year from now they won't work for me anymore. Now that I know they are

still working for your eyes after 20 years it makes me feel alot better.

[Guest guest]

Though I was completely opposed to taking antibiotics

when I was initially diagnosed, the inflammation and

the problems that resulted from it were intense enough

and bothersome enough to demand acute intervention.

For me, the antibiotic minocycline was a life-saver in

the period immediately following my diagnosis. It has

an anti-inflammatory effect, which kept my biggest

symptom at bay while I figured out other ways to treat

my skin over the long haul. I took it for about 3-4

months before starting photoderm, discontinued it

after my first tx, re-started it after a post-PD

flare, then tapered off again after an additional 3-4

months. If I hadn't used it at the beginning, I think

my symptoms would have been so uncomfortable as to

make my photoderm treatments less productive. So while

it's not a suitable long-term treatment, it has

advantages for many people in the acute phase.

As for the sun sensitivity: That is a documented side

effect, though while I took mino, I used sunscreen

everyday and had no reaction to the sun. I also took a

probiotic everyday to replenish the bacteria in my

intestinal tract. I've had a long history of GI

problems, and it didn't seem to make them worse. I was

also altering my diet around that time, too, and that

certainly made a beneficial difference.

--- SC wrote:

> Hi group,

>

> I really dont understand why so many people are

> using

> anitbiotics to treat rosacea and why so many derms

> are

> prescribing them.

>

> Correct me if Im wrong, but antibiotics

> 1) make your skin *more* sun sensitive

> 2) Prolonged antibiotics usage can cause permanent

> side-effects on your stomach.

> 3) Eventually people develop resistance to

> antibiotics.

>

> In my opinion and speaking from my personal

> experience, antibiotics offer only a temporary fix ,

> 3-4 months tops and then its slowly back to where u

> started from, if not worse.

>

> Is there something I dont know about antibiotics or

> something special about them that Im not aware of???

>

> I have an appointment with yet another derm in two

> weeks from now. Im goin to ask for photoderm or low

> dosage of accutane . However, If s/he prescribes me

> antibiotics , I honestly, dont really see any point

> in

> takin them again.

>

> SC,

> Just trying to figure out the truth...

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Though I was completely opposed to taking antibiotics

when I was initially diagnosed, the inflammation and

the problems that resulted from it were intense enough

and bothersome enough to demand acute intervention.

For me, the antibiotic minocycline was a life-saver in

the period immediately following my diagnosis. It has

an anti-inflammatory effect, which kept my biggest

symptom at bay while I figured out other ways to treat

my skin over the long haul. I took it for about 3-4

months before starting photoderm, discontinued it

after my first tx, re-started it after a post-PD

flare, then tapered off again after an additional 3-4

months. If I hadn't used it at the beginning, I think

my symptoms would have been so uncomfortable as to

make my photoderm treatments less productive. So while

it's not a suitable long-term treatment, it has

advantages for many people in the acute phase.

As for the sun sensitivity: That is a documented side

effect, though while I took mino, I used sunscreen

everyday and had no reaction to the sun. I also took a

probiotic everyday to replenish the bacteria in my

intestinal tract. I've had a long history of GI

problems, and it didn't seem to make them worse. I was

also altering my diet around that time, too, and that

certainly made a beneficial difference.

--- SC wrote:

> Hi group,

>

> I really dont understand why so many people are

> using

> anitbiotics to treat rosacea and why so many derms

> are

> prescribing them.

>

> Correct me if Im wrong, but antibiotics

> 1) make your skin *more* sun sensitive

> 2) Prolonged antibiotics usage can cause permanent

> side-effects on your stomach.

> 3) Eventually people develop resistance to

> antibiotics.

>

> In my opinion and speaking from my personal

> experience, antibiotics offer only a temporary fix ,

> 3-4 months tops and then its slowly back to where u

> started from, if not worse.

>

> Is there something I dont know about antibiotics or

> something special about them that Im not aware of???

>

> I have an appointment with yet another derm in two

> weeks from now. Im goin to ask for photoderm or low

> dosage of accutane . However, If s/he prescribes me

> antibiotics , I honestly, dont really see any point

> in

> takin them again.

>

> SC,

> Just trying to figure out the truth...

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Though I was completely opposed to taking antibiotics

when I was initially diagnosed, the inflammation and

the problems that resulted from it were intense enough

and bothersome enough to demand acute intervention.

For me, the antibiotic minocycline was a life-saver in

the period immediately following my diagnosis. It has

an anti-inflammatory effect, which kept my biggest

symptom at bay while I figured out other ways to treat

my skin over the long haul. I took it for about 3-4

months before starting photoderm, discontinued it

after my first tx, re-started it after a post-PD

flare, then tapered off again after an additional 3-4

months. If I hadn't used it at the beginning, I think

my symptoms would have been so uncomfortable as to

make my photoderm treatments less productive. So while

it's not a suitable long-term treatment, it has

advantages for many people in the acute phase.

As for the sun sensitivity: That is a documented side

effect, though while I took mino, I used sunscreen

everyday and had no reaction to the sun. I also took a

probiotic everyday to replenish the bacteria in my

intestinal tract. I've had a long history of GI

problems, and it didn't seem to make them worse. I was

also altering my diet around that time, too, and that

certainly made a beneficial difference.

--- SC wrote:

> Hi group,

>

> I really dont understand why so many people are

> using

> anitbiotics to treat rosacea and why so many derms

> are

> prescribing them.

>

> Correct me if Im wrong, but antibiotics

> 1) make your skin *more* sun sensitive

> 2) Prolonged antibiotics usage can cause permanent

> side-effects on your stomach.

> 3) Eventually people develop resistance to

> antibiotics.

>

> In my opinion and speaking from my personal

> experience, antibiotics offer only a temporary fix ,

> 3-4 months tops and then its slowly back to where u

> started from, if not worse.

>

> Is there something I dont know about antibiotics or

> something special about them that Im not aware of???

>

> I have an appointment with yet another derm in two

> weeks from now. Im goin to ask for photoderm or low

> dosage of accutane . However, If s/he prescribes me

> antibiotics , I honestly, dont really see any point

> in

> takin them again.

>

> SC,

> Just trying to figure out the truth...

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Ooops...

After reading subsequent messages, I now realize that

I was way too judgemental in my earlier post about

antibiotics. In many cases, I can see that there are

no alternatives. My apologies if I offended anyone.

Jim

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Ooops...

After reading subsequent messages, I now realize that

I was way too judgemental in my earlier post about

antibiotics. In many cases, I can see that there are

no alternatives. My apologies if I offended anyone.

Jim

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Ooops...

After reading subsequent messages, I now realize that

I was way too judgemental in my earlier post about

antibiotics. In many cases, I can see that there are

no alternatives. My apologies if I offended anyone.

Jim

__________________________________________________