Is a jacked up face and no growth a sign? :'(

[NubianQueen]

Hi ladies,

So about two months ago, I broke out like mad all over my forehead and then it spread to both sides of my face and my chin. I have tried Tea Tree Oil, ProAcne, ProActive and just ordered Continuously Clear. After three weeks on ProActive, I STILL have this face that I can barely stand to look at in the mirror. Heaven help me for trying to wear makeup the other day, umm can we say more acne?! That created five huge bumps spread out over my face. Ewww and my neck, good golly what the heasy?! Why am I breaking out there, it's just gross and out of hand. I have the type of acne that leaves what seems to be permanent scars. Each one leaves a dark mark and I am really trying not to get depressed over this, but dang.

Last month on day 5, I measured no growth (big surprise ), and so after reading ALL of our BE related boards for the umpteenth time, specifically Wen's routine and Fawn's site/posts, I decided to stop using RC and start using BO again. Now I take:

1800 mgs of BO in the follicular stage and 2400 mgs in the luteal stage - with meals
9000 mgs SP - empty stomach
2600 mgs EPO (had stopped because of a post from Fawn and then resumed because someone posted it had something to do with acne - didn't help)
1500 mg L-Arginine/L-Ornithine - at bedtime
1000 mg L-Tyrosine - at bedtime
I stopped taking Damiana this luteal phase because after giving up Progesterone cream in May (I think), I was supposed to use it on the third month, but didn't. Then I was using these blockers and thought maybe I needed some progesterone to see some growth.
I always wear magnets in my bras
I listen to Wendi's hypnosis every night
I try to do a booby batter (jojoba oil, fenugreek, RC, peppermint oil and base the twins with DMSO) massage at least once a day. I do dry massages when I think about it. Now that I am wearing bras all the time for the magnets, I feel like they are more restricted and I don't have easy access like I did (I know, sometimes the way the mind works...)
About a month ago I stopped all of my other supplements (which let me tell you is a LOT )

This past month I felt something in the twins every once in a while, nothing major, just a tiny twinge or two and it was usually a couple of hours before bedtime and in just my left breast. She's (Bitty) the bigger one.

On day four, I believe, they were feeling like water balloons. Which of course I KNEW wasn't growth but was hoping for something, anything. This morning when I woke up and copped a feel under my bra, they didn't feel swollen or anything. So, I got up and measured. My left breast may have grown .25 of an inch. I have no idea what Itty (right breast) did because it seems the mole I was using as a marker over there multiplied! Now I have no clue where to put the darn measuring tape. So, I put my measuring bra on because it has the least amount of padding in it. They still don't fill an A cup, but I THINK they are coming along. Now they feel more solid, like real breasts, not all squishy and stuff.

Next I decided to weigh myself because on that OTHER plan, the only time I measured higher was when I gained weight. I'm .5 pounds heavier!!! So that's good, because I gained 10 pounds on estradiol.

Once I find a 'cure' for this acne, maybe I will be more diligent with my massages. That's the only thing I can think of that I may be doing wrong. Oh and the progesterone, I am really not sure what I should do about that, and while I am at it, is that a heck of a lot of SP or what?! I think I may be wasting money with such a high volume, but who knows maybe that's what I need. I think I may add licorice root because one of the many times I took that hormone test, it said I was cortisol deficient. Now, when I read Fawn's site, it didn't sound like I needed it because I don't drink coffee at all and I have tons of energy at work. Home is another story, I just lounge around here doing nothing. When I say nothing, I mean nothing, this post is the most I have done at home in weeks! I swear if I don't clean this house.......

Are your eyes tired? Okay, I just wanted to get it all in because we are very thorough gals around here and someone was gonna ask the questions, so I provided the answers up front. That way you won't be left in the dark waiting for the next time I get enough energy to take myself away from BOUNCE OUT to post!

done

[mominator]

Hey NQ,
Did I see growth! Congratulations!, maybe you found your secret ingredients and dosages. It's been a looooooong road for you!

The zits...I have a sneakin' suspicion it is the L-Arginine/L-Ornithine, that could be causing this. Gigi had the same problem. And since you dropped all the STUFF you WERE taking, it could be causing this reaction. Since it's not really necessary for BE purposes, you may want to ramp down on this.

Since you are experiencing success with the 9g, I would continue it. Consider dropping it down to 4-5, if you stall out.

Congratulations Girl on the growth...you are one of the top people I would just love to see get EEEE's

Horray for NQ! YIPPEEEEE! YAHOOOO!

Bust of Luck to Bitty and especially Itty!

[fawnmarie]

Gotta argue with ya Momi on the Arg/Orn combo. HGH precursor - converted to IGF in the liver - VERY VERY VERY VITAL to breast growth.

NQ - did you start using something different on your hair. I note that the zit pattern starts at the forehead and then spread. I know you're a hair-stuff junkie!



Oh - you might want to take the tyrosine in the afternoon, so you won't feel so sluggish at night. Have you been having any problems sleeping taking it at bedtime?

[mominator]

Thanks Fawn would rather have right information! I wondered about that when I wrote, but also remembered Gigi having a acne problem, quit the stuff and it cleared.

Thanks for correcting me!

[NubianQueen]

I have responses!!!

Momi,

Uhh, yea, I did kinda sneak that little gain in there, didn't I? I'm pretty excited because it feels like it is still here (won't be addicted to that measuring tape again, so I will just have to wait until the next day five to check) and it is not associated with an increase in my weight!

Thanks for the suggestions. You could very well be on to something because I just checked my notes and I did start the combo before the mysterious breakout! Thank God you remembered that Gigi had the same reaction! I do agree about the HGH, but my body could very well be doing fine on its own. So, I guess I will take half of what I was for now and see if that affects the twins and my poor face. ((hugs))

Fawn,

It has now been a month since I decided to go the BO/SP route. You know, I only started taking the Arg/Orn combo because your site suggested it for tweaks in us 30+ gals. I may have been premature in adding it and will see if I grow with less or without it at all to save face!

Yes, I am a true hair junkie ! However, NOTHING touches my face. I am sure there could still be a reaction, but I haven't used anything consistantly enough to keep these zits acomin'! I change my hairstyle a lot and with that comes very different products to complete the style.

I am so sluggish right now that I am sleeping at very odd times and I am missing out on events that I really want to attend. I will definitely try the L'Tyrosine in the afternoon. I go to sleep to Wendi and that puts me right out. I do wake up a few hours later instead of sleeping through my eight hours, I don't know what that's all about. Potty breaks, I understand and usually go right back to sleep. As of late, I wake up for no apparent reason and then calculate how much more sleep I can get. This all takes quite a while to go back to sleep and of course by then the alarm is going off. So, I turn into the snooze button Queen!

Thank you for the advice. I have just been apologizing all weekend for missing this or that because I couldn't get up.

I will update with any progress by next month!

Happy Growing

NubianQueen

[mansi]

Hi Fawn,

What do you mean by
"HGH precursor - converted to IGF in the liver - VERY VERY VERY VITAL to breast growth."

I am sory I did not understand that. Also how can u make it happen in our body?
Thanks
Mansi

[fawnmarie]

The amino acids l'arginine and l'ornithine cause the production of a hormone called HGH (human growth hormone) in the pituitary. This hormone is produced in high levels in children all day long, but in adults is produced mostly during the first 90 minutes of sleep.

In the liver - this hormone is converted to IGF (insulin-like growth factor) and this hormone is responsible for growth and repair of cells.

The high levels of IGF during puberty, in conjuction with high levels of estrogen, has been noted as important factors in breast growth and development.

There is more information about HGH at my website.

[mominator]

In the liver - this hormone is converted to IGF (insulin-like growth factor) and this hormone is responsible for growth and repair of cells.

Fawn would this be helpful for women who suffer PCOS?Or am I backwards. If I am backwards...I think you know the excuse!

link to HGH page;)www.botanicalbeautylab.com/hgh.html

[fawnmarie]

Momi -
I'm not arguing that it doesn't cause zits - I'm arguing that it's "not necessary to BE". Because HGH is necessary because of the IGF conversion.

It COULD be a combo of HGH and estrogen - I mean HGH is high & estrogen is high during puberty when we get our zits.

NQ - As for "nothing touching your face" - that doesn't mean that any oils or treatments you use on your hair won't get on your forehead, or that you might not have had a reaction to them. But since you haven't seemed to have added anything new at the time you broke out, it could be due to the elevated hormone levels.

As for the l'tyrosine, try 500 mgs before breakfast and 500 mgs before dinner - that should give you more even energy throughout the day.

Fawn

[fawnmarie]

>Fawn would this be helpful for women who suffer >PCOS?

No - not really. Helpful for anyone over a certain age - men and women alike, but nothing to do with PCOS.

[mominator]

Hey Fawn,
Completely understood, so glad you corrected me on that!

Thanks...that's how we learn! Truly thanks!

[Venus]

Fawn,

The protein shake I use has l'arginine, and I think l'ornithine, in it. As I'm one of the those "over a certain age" do you think I'm getting enough from my protein shake or should I take them separately (on an empty stomach I presume)?

I always hesitated to add it because I'm prone to cold sores and I think arginine increases outbreaks - although, I must say since starting BE I haven't had one in over a year. I used to get them every couple of months. Do you think I should add it in my case?

Venus

[NubianQueen]

Aha!

I had a cold sore outbreak not too long ago and had Abreva on it right away. Don't you know that sucker just hung on for dear life. I had it for at LEAST three weeks. I got frustrated and just ripped the scabs off because I was tired (and afraid) of looking at it everyday! I have never ever had one last that long. Yesterday, I woke up with ANOTHER cold sore. I did not take my arg/orn combo before bed. So, there I go, I guess it's not so good for me. I really should have ramped down like Momi suggested. So today before I go to sleep, I will take one instead of my normal two pills.

Great thing about this board, you just never know how a post is going to affect another reader. Venus, glad you mentioned why you didn't want to take the arg/orn. Maybe this little buggar won't last nearly as long as the other one!

Fawn,

Thanks for the suggestion. I would really like to spread out my energy. I was off for three days and did not leave my house once even though I had fun and exciting things to go do. Honestly, if I didn't NEED the money, I wouldn't even go to work. This is way beyond lazy, something is wrong with me. I am usually a phone-a-holic, you can't get me to even turn the thing on these days.

Momi,

I lost my gain . I had lowered my SP to 6000 for the day and have since added Kudzu and Hops. If it wasn't broke..... So, I'll go back to what I was doing with half the arg/orn and hope I get my twins back. Thanks so much for the banner and wishing me luck!

[fawnmarie]

Boy - do *I* feel like a moron. If you have ever had any kind of herpes or cold sore breakout, arginine can stimulate sores - and those with a tendency are supposed to take lysine with arg/orn to suppress that. I've had cold sores before, but haven't had too much trouble with arginine. Lysine, I believe, is said to surpress cold sore outbreaks regardless.

Alternately, you can try glutamine - which also increases HGH production. I've been using that lately, but will be adding an arg/orn combo.

Yes - amino combos for HGH release SHOULD be taken on an empty stomach for complete absorption. If taken in a protein shake, other ingredients and aminos in the shake can completely block the uptake of the important aminos.

Also - they should be taken at the right time. Adults usually only produce HGH during certain times. During intense exercise and the first 90 minutes of sleep. It's best to take these aminos right before these two times to fully take advantage of your body's HGH production. You're pretty much wasting it if you take it before a meal, or before sitting on your butt. Adults also produce some HGH when they are hungry - so if you are going to skip breakfast, you can take some in the morning - and then eat a late breakfast. However, going hungry for too long will also increase cortisol levels, which will undo all the good.

So - best time to take aminos for HGH increase is about a half hour before intense exercise on an empty stomach. Exercise at HIGH intensity for no more than 20 minutes. This will give you increased HGH production, increased circulation and muscle mass, without burning off booby fat or producing muscle-eating cortisol.

Also - take before bed on an empty stomach. By the way - this is the primary way the "nite-time" diet formulas work (BodySolutions, etc). They are made of collagen and HGH precursor enzymes. The collegen fools your body into abstaining from fast-state "catabolism", while the aminos cause an increase in HGH. The increase in HGH increases muscle mass and burns energy for cellular repair - which indirectly reduces body fat.

[gigi]

Had to respond to this one-I still take l'arginine without any effect on my face. The acne seemed to get worse with too much EPO so I stopped that for a while and am now back to taking 1 500mg cap/day. The skin has calmed down and I think it was due to my decreasing dosages of everything. I'm attempting to cycle both herbs and progesterone. In addition to feeling better when using progesterone cream it seems to have promoted slight growth and fullness. Maybe I just needed some of it. Hope things stabilize for you NQ.
gigi