Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Roaccutane

22 replies

Mrspimplepopper · 21/04/2019 19:15

Im hoping that someone may be able to help. Ive had acne as a teen. Cleared up with benxyl peroxide facewash. Clear skin in my early 20s. However for the last 10 years (since having dd) my skin has been terrible.

Over the last 10 years ive had antibiotics, lots of different ones. Prescription Creams etc ive just come to realise this isnt getting better. I hate my face.

I have made a gp appointment for wednesday and id like to try roaccutane. Anyone had it? Ive been researching and I'm scared tbh....

OP posts:

problem1234567 · 21/04/2019 19:18

I'm on it since Jan.
The dose they give you affects the extent to which you'll get the side effects. I've been on 20mg daily since I started and will remain on that low dose.
My skin is pretty dry but I don't think I'm affecting the side affects of the 'heavy users'.
I think the type of acne you have will guide the derm as to the dose they prescribe you may/may not change during the course.
Mine was only under the chin lumps, rather than the type that spreads across the face.
Lymecycline worked perfectly for me but when off the meds it came back hence the 'next step'.

SlightAggrandising · 21/04/2019 19:21

I had it. Amazing. Changed my life. Dry as fuck for a while but holy fuck, my skin was amazing. 10 years on, it's still pretty fucking good because of the drug.

MOISTURISE LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT. including inside your nose. But. Go. For. It.

Original poster

Mrspimplepopper · 21/04/2019 19:22

Mine is pretty much my chin, cheeks and jawline. My forehead is clear.

I have tried doxycycline and lymecycline with some improvement but not much. I had awful thrush with the antibiotics.

How long did your dermatology referral take?

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Skin conditions

shivermetimbers77 · 21/04/2019 19:23

Hi there- yes I have had it twice.. a very small dose (20mg) at 21 which helped but didnt completely get rid of my acne. Then a hjgher dose aged 31 - it worked brilliantly and my only side effect was slightly red eyes for a couple of weeks (looked like i had hayfever) . My skin at the end was perfect in a way I hadn't experienced since i was about 11 years old.. 10 years on i get a few spots here and there but they are easily sorted with a little sudocrem so nothing like the painful acne I had before . Best thing I ever did for my skin.

MollyYouInDangerGirl · 21/04/2019 19:25

I had a referral letter through within a week and a dermatology appt a few weeks after that. I'm on a high dose (80mg currently) and the side effects i get are being a bit achy round my torso (ie my ribs and hips), and dry skin. I got some headaches the first few days after each time they upped my dose but very manageable.

I'm getting married in August so opted for high doses to get the treatment done quicker.

AllThatMatters · 21/04/2019 19:25

I had it about 10 years ago. It dries you out so much / lips and eyes were very sore, but it worked very well for me. No major side effects. They are very strict about 2 methods of birth control too while you are on it. I still get the odd spot now and then (in late 30s) but skin is pretty clear

BlueBrush · 21/04/2019 19:26

I had it - many years ago now. I had to have three courses, but it did the trick in the end. My skin was really dry while taking it, but nothing that a decent moisturiser couldn't fix, and it was fine after I came off them. Good luck, hope it works for you!

problem1234567 · 21/04/2019 19:29

How long did your dermatology referral take?

Well the first derm made me do another 3 months of Lymecycline even though I said I'd had it before and the lumps returned straight after.

Thankfully I then got transferred to another derm who was much nicer and got me onto it straight away.

But the waiting time for the first appointment was about 3 months. But that's London's NHS for you.

bellalou1234 · 21/04/2019 19:30

My dd is 19 and her skin is so bad, shes tried everything antibiotics topical creams with no real improvement. doctor is so reluctant to refer. i have had acne for years finaly on top of it, just dont want her to suffer like me. Im currently using demologica over night clearing gel its quite good.

StaggeringOn · 21/04/2019 19:30

Worked brilliantly for cystic acne with both my sons. And cleared scars. Their skin looks really young for their age now (mid-thirties). Wish I had been able to have it. Keep moisturising when on it and after.

Original poster

Mrspimplepopper · 21/04/2019 19:42

Makes me want to cry. Ive just taken my makeup off

OP posts:

Original poster

Mrspimplepopper · 21/04/2019 19:44

Ive been like this 10 years, kept telling myself there are worse things. I cant do it anymore. I wear full make up everyday to try and cover it

OP posts:

Original poster

Mrspimplepopper · 21/04/2019 19:45

Bellalou can you get your dd a private dermatology referral? Ive heard of ppl doing this and then the dermatologist taking them on in their nhs clinic afterward

OP posts:

IckleWicklePumperNickle · 21/04/2019 19:52

I used it and it was amazing and my skin is still brilliant many years later.

Only side affect was the dryness.

GFgertie · 21/04/2019 19:56

My son had a private referral to a dermatologist and was prescribed it. The appointments were covered by health insurance but we had to pay for the medication.

His skin got worse before it got better. It was very dry and he had nosebleeds, dry eyes and terrible BO! However, after a few months it worked brilliantly, and he developed beautiful skin.

foxyknoxy30 · 21/04/2019 20:24

Hi I am currently on it started 8 weeks ago, I am 45 had bad skin but was managed with panoxyl until it was discontinued! Had a lot of stress over last few years plus being peri menopausal has erupted my skin. Side effects for me are extremely dry lips ,joint pains ,headaches ,mood swings which is hellish cause I recently lost my mum and my appetite up and down.However my skin is improving and no where near as oily as it was any questions give me a shout .

foxyknoxy30 · 21/04/2019 20:42

Oh and am on 50mg they want to put it up to 70 mg as a pp said it goes by your weight ,but due to my moods keeping lower dose

HelloCanYouHearMe · 21/04/2019 20:42

I took it about 20 years ago. I had a very nasty reaction to the standard dose, so ended up taking a lower dose for longer than i otherwise would have.

Its amazing stuff... my skin cleared up beautifully. But...........

It was also as dry as the sahara. You need to moisturise and moisturise some more. I was smothering myself in baby oil, vaseline up my nose and always had eye drops on me it was that bad.

But it was worth it

sara2019 · 22/04/2019 18:15

I was finally prescribed this about 25 years ago having suffered acne that looked like your pic for about 10 years. I also had it on my shoulders and it was so painful. The results far outweigh the side effects in my experience. I had extremely dry lips which split on the corners and inside of nose, treatment was either 3 or 6 months but well worth it, all these years on I only get the occasional spot, it was life changing I’ve seen incredible results on a friend recently too.

Babyroobs · 22/04/2019 18:29

My teenage son took it with very good results. it has to be prescribed by a dermatologist as the side effects can be severe and serious, they keep a close eye on you.

PeanuttyButter · 22/04/2019 19:14

Been on it since 2013. With a 5 month break.. comes back after a few months. Changed my life but at the same time ruled my life re contraception. Sunlight and holidays. Bleeding cracking split lips, folate deficiency and depression. Dry skin everywhere (ironically except my face) and Ingrowing hairs as a result. Aching heels and hands. Stomach upset. Good luck OP. It is worth it though I promise.

norrismcwhirtersfridgemagnet · 22/04/2019 19:34

It will work - I had no side effects except very dry skin and lips - hair went from greasy to dry almost overnight. But god it works - cystic acne for 20 years and barely a spot since. You absolutely cannot get pregnant on it and you will be asked to take a test before getting your next prescription every month. Go for it!

Flip