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Original poster

Cystic acne - seeing a dermatologist

99 replies

PookieDo · 08/05/2017 17:47

Hi anyone in my boat? I don't know what to expect. I don't want to get my hopes up that there is any 'cure'. I don't even know what they can offer me.

I did roaccutane over 10 years ago which had great results but it was only a short remission and I've struggled for the last 7 years. I have scarring all down my back/neck and all over my face. I get large painful deep cysts. Sometimes the cysts go away by themselves sometimes they kind of explode when the skin is too stretched and there is no pus, just blood and clear fluid.

It is all hormonal acne. GP has now admitted I've tried everything possible I am either resistant or it's not working because it's hormonal. I cannot take the pill because I get migraine with aura so I am contraindicated.

I've written a list of everything I've tried and will take this along with me. Any other tips?

OP posts:
Original poster
PookieDo · 09/05/2017 16:04

PCOS - Because I had 2 healthy pregnancies no issues with fertility and 2 clear scans of my ovaries. So nothing further really indicated to be looked into for PCOS.

I will do roaccutane if I that is all that is available, it's 6 months that's all isn't it. I don't drink alcohol and am not planning on another pregnancy. Happy to get monthly bloods. I've read about it that sometimes the first round does fail, it's a variable success rate. I have to say it was very very successful initially it just didn't last! I don't even remember peeling that much and stuck to the products advised like soap and facewash. I don't go in the sun either

OP posts:
Original poster
PookieDo · 09/05/2017 16:09

My DD has acne and I think it's quite familial. My mum had it until menopause and my sister but I seem to have it the worst.
DD uses isotretoin gel (roaccutane gel) and this cleared her skin in 3 months and she's clear since so this seems to work for her

OP posts:
Truckingalong · 09/05/2017 16:28

The only real thing that's helped me is blue light therapy. I've had cystic acne for years, been on and off oxytetracyclin and tried every lotion n potion going.

MissBax · 10/05/2017 10:53

Ahh I know this feeling all too well. I had roaccutane 3 times!! It worked but always returned within a few years. I was ready to go on it a 4th time then went vegan and my skin cleared up within a month and has never returned (but with the odd "normal" spot). I'm not pregnant and it's better than ever too!

MissBax · 10/05/2017 10:54

I'm Now pregnant

coldflange · 15/05/2017 20:47

Have you been for your appointment yet Op?

Original poster
PookieDo · 15/05/2017 21:00

End of the month. My skin is absolutely disgusting since stopping antibiotics Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
PookieDo · 15/05/2017 21:23

My whole chin swelled up over the weekend, I mean the whole chin in like lumps all connected to each other then the skin went all papery and the insides leaked out little by little. It's so grim

OP posts:
coldflange · 15/05/2017 22:07

Oh that sounds painful. Sad

Take a photo just in case it all clears before your Appt.

Hope your appointment goes well.

Original poster
PookieDo · 31/05/2017 17:00

I got roaccutane immediately, he didn't even question anything else or ask me apart from medical history - so it was quite medically informative. I didn't resist because I will so bloody anything

Am a bit worried about the dreaded mental health aspect though - how scary!

Also: what flipping moisturiser do I get? There are TOO MANY!

OP posts:
coldflange · 31/05/2017 20:22

Ah that's good to hear OP.

I haven't used roaccutane so can't comment - report back regularly with your results

Moisturiser - something bland I guess. Anything perfumed might be a bit stingy on dry skin. It may not be as dry during the summer months anyway.

Good luck!!

awishes · 31/05/2017 20:38

Oh good luck!
I've had acne for years not cystic though. It really can be a blight on your life and as you said so painful.
Now in my 50s, after only a decade of clear skin, my face is scarred, made worse by my slackening through age!
I sincerely hope this works for you.

OhFuds · 31/05/2017 20:41

My DD is on Roccutane and the consultant told her to use Cetaphil, she buys her bottles from Amazon. Also blistix for the lips.

Good luck.

coldflange · 31/05/2017 20:58

Yes Cetaphil is gentle. I use the facial wash. There is a moisturiser too.

I get mine from Costco - is cheaper.

Original poster
PookieDo · 31/05/2017 21:05

Thanks
I did it before but low dose and he did not think it worked because it wasn't titrated correctly.
This was 10 years ago and I can't remember the side effects or what I used and I didn't ask as he was rushing me a bit by that point!

I have scarring that's why I got it. My skin is really damaged even when my acne is fairly low key, the skin is just not able to heal and roaccutane should help. I'm really nervous about it this time

It has to be oil free but fairly intensive so I will try cetaphil although online I've read varying reviews about whether it's any good?

OP posts:
Original poster
PookieDo · 31/05/2017 21:09

For roaccutane novices:
You cannot get pregnant at all if you do you have to terminate
You have to have monthly liver and lipid tests
You are at risk of depression and psychosis
Your skin will peel from every bit of your body
You can't go in the sun

This will be er, fun?

OP posts:
Original poster
PookieDo · 31/05/2017 21:12

Also he is concerned about how this will work with my very low ferritin - I'm taking iron but he is concerned about poor absorption so I need to get that sorted out

You have to take it with something fatty like milk or butter 🤢

OP posts:
Therealslimshady1 · 31/05/2017 21:24

Poor you, hope it works!

coldflange · 01/06/2017 06:55

If you want to find out more info have a look on acne.org

You have to make a account ti read the forums but it's full of accutane experiences and advice.

bluetongue · 02/06/2017 23:24

You poor thing OP. I have lifelong acne issues and went on Roaccutane in my 30's but it came back Sad

I did have some relief from diane / Brenda contraceptive pill but I'm now barred from taking it due to migraine auras.

What didn't help was my parents constantly blaming me for my bad skin. They just told me I wasn't washing my face properly. If only it was that easy to fix!

Considering asking to go back on Roaccutane as I'm now 40 and having grey hair appearing and acne is thoroughly depressing. I know my cholesterol is too high even before I start taking it so will get an added lecture on that which will be fun.

Original poster
PookieDo · 02/06/2017 23:30

Mine is 2nd time too, derm said that sometimes it wasn't titrated correctly so doesn't work?
Also low dose has a lower remission rate than high dose

I totally feel you on the depression and how down it makes you. I cannot explain what this condition has done to me. I honestly believe I have body dysmorphia because all I see is a crusty, craggy, blotchy ugly, scarred, pus filled woman in the mirror. Fat as well.

I have had endless people come up to me to tell me how to fix my skin. The worst one was someone I thought was a friend of mine who was also a beauty therapist who absolutely would not stop trying to flog me her expensive herbal products and bullshit face washes, no matter how many times I said no. So I had to stop being her friend or buy her useless shit. I chose the former

Day 2. Lips are dry or I am imagining it Grin

OP posts:
Atenco · 03/06/2017 00:08

Just check and double check any medicine you are prescribed because for some reason dermatologists seem to use really dangerous stuff.

I just wonder if a reputable acupuncturist might be able to help, as it is hormonal. My dd had a homonal imbalance when she was young and acupuncture solved it.

Original poster
PookieDo · 03/06/2017 08:17

How do I check and double check? Yeah this is pretty dangerous.

OP posts:
Bumbledumb · 03/06/2017 10:44

I'm another for whom the answer was to cut back on my dairy intake. I haven't had to eliminate it entirely - I still have the occasional ice-cream, eat greek yoghurt for breakfast, put butter on my bread, and have a drop of milk in tea - but the cysts are gone. I used to think that my body was just prone to producing excessive sebum, and that there was nothing I could do about it.

I would certainly recommend to anyone suffering from cystic acne to try eliminating milk from their diet. It's really not that hard to do.

Atenco · 03/06/2017 14:10

How do I check and double check?

Well actually just google, the manufacturers' product inserts are there.