Cystic acne - seeing a dermatologist

[PookieDo]

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?

And btw dermatologists are always happy to prescribe medications or antibiotics. I'm sure they get paid from the big pharmaceutical companies as well. I was on to roacutane twice and both times my skin was clear max 6 months until small spots showing up and within a year tons more. When I mentioned to my dermo about diet, surprise surprise she said that is just a myth. Well guess what, it's not as changing my diet to avoid acne triggers worked for me. It also worked for my sister who had two cycles on accutane as well. But she cleared acne for good as well when she paid attention to trigger foods. I know this is not what u want to hear. But accutane just doesn't work long term for many. I hope it does for u bc it makes life easier. But doubtful it will bc I've been there and done that along w my sister and other people I know. But I guess if it doesn't work for good, you will prob be like me and eventually look to other methods.

Scalp wise, have you checked your shampoo for SLS?

While your skin is so dry, you would be wise to avoid SLS in shower gels but shampoo often gets forgotten - it dries your skin so won't be helping with all the itching.

Thankfully SLS and even full sulfate free shampoos are much easier to find now as popular for people with curly hair or having permanent straightening. Used to be a nightmare to find.

Good luck with your Roaccutane - a few friends have had it as adults and it really worked for them.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I suffer from hormonal cystic acne and have tried unsuccessfully to treat with natural supplements, diet and topical meds. Am having to go back on dianette for a while. Hope everything works out with your treatment.

Re itchy scalp my mum has psoriasis and I buy her Eucerin dermo capilliare soothing scalp treatment and there is also a regular shampoo in same line. She swears by it for calming her scalp.

And it's buy one get 2nd half price at boots at mo

www.boots.com/eucerin-dermocapillaire-calming-urea-scalp-treatment-10146146

I am going to get that as I am in agony with my scalp!

Day 13 I think... skin looks different but I can't explain how. Better somehow. Mood up and down but I have a period right now so no idea what is what

I step up to 40mg tomorrow

The rules have changed with regard pharma company perks to consultants. The NHS is just prescribing something that is proven to work. It is not down to the NHS to use experimental medicine. So please no more debates on it - I'm taking it now and that is that!

Oh and I also ordered SLS free shampoo and had no idea about that!!!

Boots protect and moisturise 50spf sun lotion for my face is brilliant I love it

This week btw, I've been eating dairy (Greek yoghurt mainly) and it hasn't caused my skin to react. I would have thought even at this early stage of roaccutane if I was allergic it would still react? I had a lot of spots when I first started roaccutane. So this is confusing. I wouldn't have thought the meds eliminated all acne after only 2 weeks.

I'm totally dairy free due to allergy & I still get acne. I'm allergic to sulphited foods, if I had concentrated lemon juice today my face would be on fire tomorrow.

I can't use body washes with sls either, my skin gets dry & scaly with red sore bumps.

I'm using the LED red & blue light therapy mask and it'd been nothing short of miraculous, it's dealing with scars from 6 months ago. You can buy red light masks off amazon too.

Op have you been tested for Coeliac disease? It's more common in those with the symptoms you are describing in yourself - pcos, deep cystic acne (sounds like it could be HS) might be autoimmune in nature. It's worth having a google for "atypical coeliac disease cystic acne"

Yes I've been tested as I have all the symptoms but it's clear!

I think I have a hormone imbalance
I can't tolerate any hormonal contraception, suffer hormonal migraines, bleed heavily, get very obvious ovulation acne/pain/migraines, have big fibroids, but I am also anaemic, constipated, bloated, tired etc.

I have to lose 2stone because I eat too many processed foods and this doesn't help me so I have lost 5lbs, trying to lose the rest

I can't drink wine because it gives me terrible diarrhoea so I feel your pain on that. Sulphites also don't agree with me

Two weeks in already!

It certainly sounds like something is happening. I have read that it can show a quick improvement if you are receptive. Once the oil is reduced then there won't be spots - and if your scalp is dry etc then clearly it is.

Sorry, I have no recommendation for dry scalps - I use Head and Shoulders if i get a flaky scalp, but it might be too harsh for you at the moment.

Good luck with the dosage increase.

It's definitely in my system, lips like the Sahara, peeling skin all down my shoulders, scalp is on fire because skin is dried and flaking off (and itchy). My main acne areas (chin) is all peeling now too, which I try kind of rub off with a cotton bud before I put my make up on. I will try take a photo later.
Am intensively moisturising - have noticed that skin looks less dull and scars already look like they are less red/purple. I think what this is that I don't have oily skin I had dry skin but with acne so all the dead stuff is coming off and seems like I have fresh new skin underneath.

I'm really lucky that I just get surface scars not deep ones.

It's good you've been tested for coeliac, but, as many are not aware of this, I'll say something about the test.
It has a fairly high false negative rate, it's not a yes/no test, you can develop the condition but if antibodies are below a certain level, you'll get a negative result. Some people just don't circulate many antibodies (but it's likely to increase overtime). If it it's been more that a year or so since you had the test, it could be worth testing again, just to be sure - or you could instead do a completely gluten free diet for a month or two to see if it affected your skin (needs to be strictly, properly GF tho).
My DH (a Dr) picks up quite a "extra" few patients with the condition because he re-tests everybody with negative tests whose symptoms are shouting Coeliac to him

For scalp pain/dryness/spots, Dr.Organic shampoos are GREAT holland. &barratt sell them, and Amazon. Also their soaps and toothpaste (no more mouth ulcers or itchy dry skin!).
Their products as free of SLSs and a pile of other nasties that plague us "sensitive" types!

This is before I started and after 2 weeks. Sorry if anyone doesn't want to see spots and is offended

I haven't done any before of my back so can't compare easily

I second dr organics. My skins never been better.

Good improvement op, hope it continues.

Wow your skin is looking so much better! You must be really pleased especially after only 2 weeks, that's great

I Have a melasma brown moustache again despite factor 50spf every day! 😡

That is a great improvement. In only two weeks too!!

How are things now, OP?

Any further improvements ?

How are things, OP?

Any further improvements?

Hi @PookieDo I was just reading this thread and wondered how you got on in the end?