Ya poor thing! I had the same thing happen to me last time. I got to about your stage with only a couple of tiny ones, and then in the last 4 weeks I busted out!!! Very disappointing
Anyway - the point I'm trying to make is I dont reckon it makes much difference if you put cream on, or if you grow quickly or slowly, or what undies you wear.
If you are going to get them, you will get them, and thats just the way it goes.
I get a red mark around my waist from tight trousers which sometimes takes a couple of days to fade, so maybe you are experiencing some of this? Just marked skin? Hope thats it!