Thursday, October 22, 2009

I Cured My Acanthosis Nigricans!!! No more dirt ring!

It's embarrassing to admit, but I had what looked like a "dirt ring" around my neck for at least 15 years. No, it was not really DIRT, but a condition called Acanthosis Nigricans. I remember it being there when I was 12 years old, but I'm sure it showed up sometime in the years before.

It turns out that it was due to a build-up of INSULIN in my blood. I was pre-diabetic! My body was showing insulin resistance on my skin! The thought of me having to poke myself with needles and all the crap the comes with having Diabetes scares the shit out of me. It just seems like such a horrible life-long cross to bear. I know that people have turned it around and quite frankly, I may be one of them!

Now, I have never had my blood sugar tested (that I know of) and this is horrible! Looking back, I think I've just been in complete denial because I didn't want to find out I was a diabetic... or any bad news, really. Ignorance is bliss, right?

It actually caused me a lot of grief. Everybody knows how sensitive teenage girls can be about their perceived imperfections. I would really hate wearing my hair in a pony tail (and I had to sometimes) because I hated the thought of anybody seeing my seemingly "dirty" neck. In fact, when I worked in food service and had to wear my hair back, I always wore a collared shirt to make sure that I would not have a problem with anybody seeing my dirt ring.

Tonight, I have my hair in a high ponytail, and I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

"Where is my dirt ring
?" I thought.... I leaned in closer in the mirror, inspecting my neck. It's virtually gone! It was very gray/dark and now it's so light that I really can't see it at all. My mom told me a few weeks ago that she didn't see it, but I thought she was just being nice and I could kind of still see it.

Do I care what my neck looks like? Maybe a little bit, but more importantly, I am no longer on the way to becoming Diabetic!!! That is the biggest non-scale victory that I could ever hope for. If you are plagued by this "dirt ring," being on a very low-carb diet has proven to cure acanthosis nigricans for me! It really makes sense when you think of it on a solely biological level. I LOVE what this low carb diet (and by diet I mean what I eat on a daily basis; not fad-diet) is doing to apparently regulate my blood sugar.

I know this is a crazy question, but can I test my own blood sugar without going to the doctor? I really have a phobia of doctors (which I must get over), but really, where could I better spend my money now that I'm thinking about it? Yeah, I will find a good primary care physician that I'm comfortable with and get all my labs done.

This is what I found about it over at AOL Health:
"Experts suggest that AN may be a skin manifestation of insulin resistance, which is a condition characterized by impaired biological responses to insulin. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, regulates blood glucose levels by promoting the movement of glucose into cells for energy production or into the liver and fat cells for energy storage. (Glucose is a simple sugar that is the body's primary source of energy for cell metabolism.) Some clinicians suggest that insulin resistance causes a build-up of the hormone in the blood, and then it finds its way into skin cells. Insulin resistance may be associated with various disorders, including obesity and non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetes mellitus. In individuals with type II diabetes mellitus, the pancreas produces insulin but the body becomes resistant to its effects, leading to insufficient absorption of glucose and abnormally increased glucose levels in the blood (hyperglycemia) and urine. As a result, there may be a gradual onset of certain symptoms, including excessive urination (polyuria) and increased thirst (polydipsia), and the development of particular complications without appropriate treatment."

Full article here.

I just want to take this sappy moment and thank all my blogging friends for essentially saving my life! No, I take that back. I'm saving my own life... with your support! So thanks for reading and being on this wild ride with me... ;)

58 comments:

  1. You can buy a blood testing kit at your local CVS, Walgreens or almost anyother Drug store where you live.. hmmm.. I have a brownish ring where my hairline used to be.. My Mom always says to go wash my face.. I wonder if my " Dirt" forehead" could be the same thing??

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  2. whoa that is very interesting! I've never heard of this! I'm glad you are cured Angie!!!

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  4. Of course I don't mind you asking... I'm an open book when it comes to battling insulin resistance especially. I am 65 pounds down now and honestly, there is still a small amount of a dirt-ring remaining, but it's hardly noticeable. Nothing like before! When I boxed foods and refined carbohydrates, I always notice it come back in full-force, which scares me, as I refuse to be pre-diabetic. I have been on a low carb lifestyle since March of this year and on and off for many years and I have noticed that my dirt ring really goes away when I eat low carb, which makes sense if it's a sign of insulin resistance. Low-carbing makes the body not even have to produce as much insulin, which is awesome for somebody like me. I still have about 70 more pounds to lose. My highest weight was 306.4 and now I'm around 244.

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    1. what was the diet you followed for weight loss

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  6. I am so glad I came across this site because I have had it under my arms since I can remember and recently got it around my neck. I went to the doctor she said i was pre-diabetic as well and that I should lose some weight (which I want to) I just cant find motivation to eat right but you have helped. thank you

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  7. Hi my name is Melina i am 16 years old and i have acanthosis nigricans and was wondering if you could give me more information on how you cured it... for me this is an uncomfortable topic because i feel really ugly and uncomfortable with this... im so happy for you and im glad you were able to fix this :) can you please email me @ melinaguzman13@aol.com i would really appreciate it thank you

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  8. i have it around my nick, under arms and under legs since i was in 5th grade..iam 23 years old weight is 66kgs...i havny been to the docters yet because iam so embarresd of all this :( plz help me out!

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    1. No I have had acanthosis since 8th grade 21 now and it's finally clearing up, I tried all of the bleChing/lighting creams they don't work the only thing that will change the color is eating habits (no sugar or carbs) hope this helps

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    2. No I have had acanthosis since 8th grade 21 now and it's finally clearing up, I tried all of the bleChing/lighting creams they don't work the only thing that will change the color is eating habits (no sugar or carbs) hope this helps

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  9. I think I have the worst AN on my neck, its horrible. I recently started a low carb diet. I'm drinking lots of water, taking Omega3, and it's only been a week, but I can see the difference. I currently weigh 183, and I'm only 18. I plan to lose 40 pounds. I've had it since middle school. Can you please tell me, about how long it took to fade away?. my email is kennia_ruiz@yahoo.com. Any tips or information will be greatly, and I mean greatly, appreciated.

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  10. same problem wht i hav do u .plz suggest me or mail me..pankajmgr2007@gmail.com

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  11. I have the same problem plz help me give me tips what did u do to remove this black neck I hate how everylooks at me sometimes I cry in the night

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  12. Please help me to remove this black neck I hate it when people look at me sometimes I cry in the nights because of this please tell me how u remove it send me a email parraricardo25@yahoo.com plz

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    Replies
    1. People always tell me take a shower! Like I do!!!!!!!

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  13. Please send it to my email id :sahanakris05@gmail.com.
    I ll be very much greatfull to you if can send me soon.

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  14. Can you please mail me the details on this to be cured. Please email it to anushadevdas27@gmail.com... Thanks a lot but please do mail me :)

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  15. i've had Acanthosis nigricans ever since i was 8 or 9 years old. now i'm 17 and i cant even tell this to any1 or go to a doctor 'coz it's too embarrassing. and i feel it's getting worse day by day. can you please mail me the remedy at g.sweta.1990@gmail.com
    thank you very much. you have no idea how big a problem you will be solving.

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    1. Hey even i have it from 9th grade now i am 23 can u give me a brief on poootrimbake@gmail.com how to cure

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  16. Hi my name is Ann and I ve acanthois nigriicans on my face how do I treats it.. Please email me at annainkumsah@gmail.com. Thanks

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  17. It's a good thing that I was able to see this blog. I am going to the doctor later to have my blood checked.

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  18. hi am now 18 ,i became dark since wen i was 11,i confirmed that it is acanthosis nigricans on my face n neck... please mail me the remedies ... am really upset .... endeavour0409@gmail.com... please tell me how u removed this....

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  19. me too I was suffering from AN for 8 yrs, I feel really embarrassed with it each time got to wear collared cloth, I watch youtube remedies, read articles in a hope to get the right solution, ......lot of things, finally I went on carb diet for 5 months and I applied ''xtreme brite gel''.now u can say its nearly cure.but u must be constant in your diet.email me if u got question kkatewinslett@gmail.com

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  20. Hello, I was reading some of the posts on here and I suffer from the " Dirt Ring " and now it has shown up between my breasts. This is BEYOND embarrassing. I can't even wear cute shirts without feeling insecure about myself. It showed up when I got pregnant with my son. It got darker as my pregnancy pregressed. I also had Gestational Diabetes while I was pregnant and had to test four times a day with the assistance of medication to keep my sugar levels down. After I had my son it lightened to where I had forgotten about it. I was also tested at my six weeks check up and they found no Diabetes. Now, six months later it is back and darker than ever. I won't even change in front of my own fiancé that is how embarrassed I am. I fear that it is Diabetes but I am terrified of what the outcome will be. I am hoping to find a Low Carb Diet that will help or eliminate the patches. I want to try dieting before I go and get tested. Does anyone have any Diets they would reccomend to help? I would before in your debt if any could help. PLEASE!!!!

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  21. I need to remove my black areas on my groin and neck. Im only 14 and weight 76kg. Pls help me by sending me solutions ands ways to improve at noelsoo99@gmail.com
    Thnx!

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  22. Please please pleaseeeee share details on how you've defeated your AN. I want it gone so bad... :( tyty

    sirarceusjudgement@gmail.com

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  23. please help me . from ......i was suffering from AN WHEN I WAS 11 and problem goes on day by day ...........so what should i do to clear my dirt ring.......i am 23 old with 70 kg wt......how much daily carb i needd.....plz......help me .....gu.nikki3@gmail.com

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  24. I have had AN for about 10 years. The ring around my neck disappeared after I lost weight but it's still there around my belly. I'm hoping another year of clean diet and exercise will improve the pigmentation, I want it gone for good!

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  25. Pls help me plssssssssss I have the same thing.and it ruins my life.now I feels I lived in a hell.pls hep me
    My email is dbrrupasingha@gmail.com
    I cant take this anymore now 4 years I have this still no cure plz tell me what can I do im 20 yrs old

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  26. Hi...how long did you continue the low carb diet to see visible reduction in your acanthosis.. ?

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  27. hey, i am also suffering from the same problem.can you pls help me out?my email id yashmehra607@gmail.com

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  28. Can you please help me! I am morbidly obese And I have AN too. I've joined gym and started a diet,, please help :'( jayydeb@gmail.com

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  29. Can u tell me why it vanishes in certain parts of the body and others r resistant..? I tried every lighting cream , peeling and took metformin but still there .. How long did it take for u to see a significant improvement ?.. As a matter of fact i m not obese .. i m 65 kgm .. hope u can e mail me on lamia88@hotmail.com .. i m an olive skin lady

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  30. plz help me to get over this....i do not eat much but still i hav AN

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  31. hi i have acanthosis nigricans please help me my email

    :shellianpaul@yahoo.com

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  32. hi i have acanthosis nigricans please help me my email

    :shellianpaul@yahoo.com

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  33. It is really working??? Im in the middle of losing weight.Im a male btw

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  34. Hey, I was wondering, do you then have to continue living low-carb for the rest of your life after losing weight and curing your AN? I'm also doing a low to no carb diet for my AN... but I don't want to have to eat low-carb for the rest of my life. Once it's cured it won't come back, right? The insulin resistance? Please help, I literally have no one else I know who has this nor anyone so lovely about it all either... my email: phoebeioelara@gmail.com

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    1. Have you tried medication for Insulin resistance called metformin?, that with a low carb diet and exercise should see AN improvement, or reside.

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    2. Have you tried medication for Insulin resistance called metformin?, that with a low carb diet and exercise should see AN improvement, or reside.

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    3. Will it go completely? I wasn't advised to take any medication from my doctor so I've been low/no carbing and exercise. It hasn't gone but it fades slowly but surely. I guess I just want to know I'm doing it right. Is the metformin over-the-counter?

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    1. Yes, please - that'd be great! Hope it goes well for you :') I'll look into getting an appointment.

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  36. Please help me.. i have been treated so bad by my in laws and relatives because if this..pls

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  37. Please help me.. i have been treated so bad by my in laws and relatives because if this..pls

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    1. Mail me i will help u remove it completely within a week....abdulwahidnoyear
      @gmail.com

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    2. Can you help me too please?

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  38. Hi I'm Naurin. I am 17 now. I had metabolic syndrome since I was small. I was diagnosed when I was 10.after long medication,eating lots of glycomet 500 tablets for years,my insulin level came normal.I have acanthosis nigricans on my face, neck and possibly everywhere.I lost 5kgs and ,63kg now .pls email me the complete solution for this condition:sinianoop241@gmail.com

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  39. Hey email it to tsolanki.tejash@gmail.com

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  40. I am Also Suffering From Acanthosis Nigricans I am so Embarassed Everywhere wherever i Go also I Need to Cure the Areas Affected on My Body Is My Neck Armpits Groin

    My Weight is 90kg Height is 5 feet 11 inches Please suggest Any pills Or Medications to cure this Thanks in Advance ...

    Or Please Mail Me if anyone Got Cured god bless you all

    hashmukh010@gmail.com

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