My Story

[Daws]

(Sorry if this is kind of long but I just need to share some things, thanks in advance for taking the time to read it.)

Well, I wish I could tell you all a story of how I have suffered with acne and then found some sort of magical cure that made the pain and embarassment go away. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I'm an 18 year old male currently in my first year of University and to make a long story short, the past 2 years or so I have suffered from cyst-type acne. After using all of those ineffective facial cleansers with Salicyclic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide (Clearasil, Clean & Clear, etc.) I finally got up the courage to see my family doctor. She started me off on a type of antibiotic that required 2 pills a day as well as a mild stievamycin gel. After I used up my prescription of that, with little or no results, I saw the doctor again. This time she prescribed the stuff I am currently using, a stronger stievamycin gel along with Minocycline. I've been using that for approx. 4 monthes now. It has been more effective than the other stuff I've tried, but the hard bumps under my skin are still there, and aren't showing any signs of going away.

Last Thursday I had another appointment with my doctor, she filled out a sheet for blood work and suggested that maybe I should consider Accutane. I read the little booklet about it and it didn't seem so bad. Then after doing a little research about it on the internet (mainly on these boards), I really don't think it would be the best thing to do.

I figured I'd come here and let everyone know my condition, maybe you have experienced/are experiencing something similar? If you know of anything that could help that would be great.

You wouldn't believe the excuses I have had to come up with, just so I could stay at home wallowing in self-pity instead of going out with my friends. If I can't even bear the site of my own face in the mirror, then there's no way I want to go anywhere in public. Basically I only leave my house to go to school, and with a pale face that has multiple red marks on my forehead and chin, this past year has been one of the worst of my life. Having to hide my face as best as I can with my hair or my jacket, not looking people in the eye when I talk to them...I just can't take it anymore. When I get into the later years of University and we start having more group work and discussions, I won't be able to sit at the very back of class like I do now and not contribute answers or participate.

I need to find something that works, something that will at least get it under control.

Anyone else have the same problem/tried the same treatments? I ask because I'm kind of at a loss as to what I should do now. At this point I'm willing to try anything to make the red marks go away.

And just for the record, there is no genetic history of acne in my family. Neither of my parents experienced it, seems like I'm the only one unfortunate enough to develop it.

[OhMyFace]

I feel for you so much because, although it sounds like your acne is more severe than mine, I know what it feels like to have to try to hide from the world. Somedays, I can barely make it through my entire day of work, so I end up hiding in the bathroom for the last 1/2 hour.

If I were you, though, I would give the Accutane a fair shot. If you have consistent cysts, then if you don't do anything about it, you will very possibly have scarring and, from what I have heard on this board and in other places, anti-biotics and creams and lotions do not work on severe cystic acne.

Don't look forward 4 years and see yourself in the same place you are now...you are young and could, potentially, nip this right now and move on with your life.

I am supposed to go on Accutane in a couple of weeks and I am still not sure...but if I had cysts all the time, I would not hesitate.

And we're always here for support....good luck.

[ErimusValidus]

Daws, I truly understand your plight. I am a third year student at university and I can honestly say that acne has been the biggest contributing factor to my lack of enjoyment of an experience that most people remember as the best time of their life. That's not to say that it has to be that way for you too. There are things you can do. Accutane, for example, is not as bad as some would have you believe. I took my first course of Roaccutane in the first year of university and it gave me five months clear of acne which I recall as the best time I've had here. But I'm afraid the effects of the drug were not long lasting.

With respect to your confidence I also appreciate your concerns. It's true that on most degree schemes there are more group work elements in the second year. I partook in a group project involving six strangers to me on my course. None of them suffered acne and I immediately felt like the experience would be negative. But I refused to let that be the case and I am glad to say that I made as much of a contribution as the others in my group [to failing the project ]. I'm sure you can too.

[ForgottenFaith]

Accutane isn't as bad as some people make it out to be. Unfortunately, more people post their negative experiences on the drug more than their positive. I was on accutane and I didn't experience any side-effects out of the ordinary. I would say go for it, it's worth the try. Trust me I was in your shoes 2 years ago and accutane has kept me clear ever since. You're wasting your time and money on those products that you're using. Those products won't do anything for cystic acne. You need something to work from the inside-out.

[JD885]

I'd agree with the post before this....give the accutane a try. I'm almost done 5 months, of 6 total, and it has helped a little bit, but the only side effects i've had are dry skin and lips, and chapstick and mousterizer take care of that. my derm said it works great in 60% of people, improves 20% of people and the other 20% it doesn't help. So basically an 80% chance of improvment.