Retin A Experience - San Antonio, TX

So it's been a while since I last updated you all. Sorry about that, but I bring you all great news!
Firstly, I got down to the root cause of my acne and the majority of ALL of my other health problems. It was ONE thing causing them all, something doctors didn't even think to check for and something modern medicine didn't detect.
What I'm about to write is rather crazy and gross, but I want to share this experience because who knows? Maybe it'll help someone else out. Don't say I didn't warn you though.
So, in one of my first few posts, I mentioned other health issues that I had - that I thought weren't even related to the acne I was experiencing.
Years ago around the same time this acne started popping up, so did many other problems. Unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite, insomnia, anxiety, weak and brittle hair and nails, menstrual problems, feeling lethargic all the time, bloating, constant constipation etc.
I just felt like a wreck all the time.
I'd had so many different tests ran on me. Blood panels, ultrasounds, thyroid, adrenal glands, etc. and they always came back normal but I knew what I was experiencing wasn't normal. Without a medication to increase my appetite, I would dwindle down to 70lbs and I would literally starve myself (almost to death once) because I had ZERO appetite, like my body didn't even scream at me in hunger. I was taking a handful of pills every day to combat the symptoms of everything, but I continued my efforts and research to get down to the root cause of all of these problems.
After searching my symptoms online, I just so happen to stumble across an article about intestinal parasites. I know most people (that I know at least) think somehow we're immune to them because we don't live in a third world country, but the majority of the population actually has them, even here in America - it's just something our doctors don't seem to be extensively familiar with or will address unless we present them with physical evidence.
Anyways, so after reading about them I took notice that I had a lot of symptoms related to an infection of them and basically, with my lifestyle, I was a prime host. I ate tons of sugars and processed foods (they make you crave these foods so they can thrive), undercooked meats, I own animals and have small children, I walk around barefoot, etc.
So I looked into natural methods to kill them, and figured why not give it a shot? I ended up going with FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous Earth, which besides killing parasites is all natural and very beneficial to your body anyways because it contains 85% silica. (I promise I am not affiliated with this company) Within a WEEK, I felt like a brand new person. Not only do I feel human again, as opposed to the zombie like state I was living in, I haven't had a single pimple pop up since. Everything I was experiencing down to my anxiety is gone. I know, it seems crazy - but when they release their waste into you - it affects your nervous system.
Anyways...
As far as Retin-A is concerned, I started applying the .05 as of two weeks ago. I started seeing much better results after I "de-wormed" myself.. (Yeah, that still sounds insane to me) and so I decided to up the strength. I don't know why I started seeing better results, honestly. I am not an expert on how parasites work, I do know that even with taking vitamins, if you have them, they'll absorb all the nutrients from them.. but this is topical, so I don't really have an explanation.
Getting off track again.. Even though I have been applying the .025 since my last update, I started experiencing the same initial results as when I first began applying this almost a year ago.
That's kinda why I came on here tonight, because I wanted to remember what I did/went through when I first applied it. I'm having flaky skin and lots of sensitivity, but apparently, I just have to get used to it.
So that's my update. I know it's kind of a taboo subject, and it actually took me a few months to come to terms with the idea, but the honest truth is I wish I would have known about this 6 years ago.
Thanks for reading!
XOXO- Stephanie

Alright so I'm back! I went to my doctors, but was waiting for blood results before updating on here. I have good news and bad news. The good news is my hormone levels all fall into the "normal" range. The bad news is, I can't figure out why i'm having this painful acne pop up right before menstruation. I figured it had to be hormonal, but I don't know now.. and honestly i'm tired of battling it, as it's leaving my face covered in scars. So she's agreed to put me on the pill at my request. The day after I saw her I started asking a few friends about PCOS (just in case) and one person recommended a few things. Zinc, Milk Thistle, and Flaxseed. Well I already had Zinc in my medicine cabinet as my husband takes it, so I thought I would give it a shot. So far it's helped clear up everything, with the exception that on two occasions I had a pimple pop up from a clogged pore (the acne I have during that time of the month was not from clogged pores as nothing came out of them) - but they've been really tiny and have gone away fast. I didn't want to take all three things my friend recommended at once because if my body doesn't agree with one of them, I want to know which one it is. I haven't started taking the pill yet. The pharmacy wanted $60 for one month supply of Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo, so I had to ask them to call the doctor for a generic version. Also, I am still using Retin-A, only I have finally finished my first tube and have went up to the .05% now.

It seems this medicine is not working at all with my hormonal acne. I apply it nightly and my face will temporarily look better, right up until my period starts again, and then it's worse each month. It since has moved from mainly the forehead region (when I first started applying) to all along my jawline, my neck, my hairline including the back of my neck, my chest, and my back now as well. I have never had body acne or acne on my neck or jawline.. so I am very confused. Absolutely nothing comes out of the pimples, but they just itch A LOT. I thought the first time it might be something biting me, but they come up every month like clockwork- and then take weeks to heal. I have an appointment Thursday with my doctor. Thinking about going on the pill once again because my self esteem just cannot take this anymore and it was the only thing that helped. I'm embarrassed to go anywhere or be around anyone and it's causing me to be depressed.