Acne ruining my life :(

[fairynick]

I’ve had acne since I was ten years old and am now in my twenties. I have tired everything from the drugstores and beyond and from my GP have been prescribed duac, the pill, adapelene, lymecycline and currently two months into a three month course of doxycycline (which isn’t working).
None of these methods have really worked apart from the pill which caused me to have a pulmonary embolism so I can’t take it anymore.
When I was a teenager the acne was classic t zone forehead and chin acne. When I was around 17 it really cleared up and then came back with a vengeance when I was around 19. This time all over my cheeks and jawline and chin. I’m also slightly overweight and have LOTS of body hair, when I realised this was obviously PCOS I got a diagnosis. It explained why only the pill worked because it controlled my hormones.
My GP said my acne isn’t bad enough for me to be referred to a dermatologist, and he said that if he did refer me it would be a waste because a derm wouldn’t give me roacutane for my skin which is the only other option left. I’m in despair. I wouldn’t say my acne is severe but more moderate, it is cystic and it hurts and there aren’t any scars but there are starting to be marks left. I’m petrified of scarring and I hate myself and the way I look.
I’m sat here crying my eyes out just really fed up and I think I’m coming to the realisation that I’m going to have to walk around for the rest of my life looking like this. I know there’s worse things going on in the world but this is something that I carry with me every day.
Does anybody know if there are any other treatment options available that I haven’t been offered, or if maybe another GP may be willing to refer me to a dermatologist?
Also worth noting that over the years I’ve tried gluten free, dairy free diets and have also been vegetarian. Again with no notable changes to my skin.

Definitely get a different opinion and push for a derm referral. I'm early 30's and finished roaccutane last year, was the only thing that worked for me. Don't give up!!

I second getting a second opinion! You poor thing - that is miserable .

Have you looked at your diet/lifestyle?

My brother had varying levels of success when he cut out cigarettes, alcohol, dairy and processed meat.

It may help to address your weight issues too.

Maybe I should go and see a second opinion. If they agree with the GP I recently saw then at least I gave it a go.

@KellyHall it says at the bottom of my post that I have changed diets throughout the years and never noticed any differences. I have IBS so did an elimination diet where I cut out dairy for three months, gluten for another three and I was also a vegetarian for a few years.

Also don’t smoke and just completed sober October

I got fed up with my GP and the pathetic ‘ladder of treatment’.

The final straw for me was some more useless cream that I was supposed to apply to my back!! and bleached my bedding.

I self referred to a dermatologist - best money I’ve ever spent. Short cycle of antibiotics followed by roaccutane.

With long term acne and scarring, I doubt the dermatologist would turn you down.

Definitely push for a second opinion.

But part of it is probably your age, OP. With luck, it will start to clear up as you get older. (I had acne in my twenties - not as severe as yours, but quite bad. It started clearing in my late twenties, and it was gone by my early thirties.)

Perservere. I went GP mud twenties, took all makeup off in the waiting room to show how sore it was so they took me seriously. I had oral antibiitics and it sorted it for years though bad again now at 40 as off pill. I rate cera cleanser and duac worked but came bk after stopped using and wrecked all my bedding!

I would also ask the dermatologist / GP about your pcos / referral to an endocrinologist.

Unbeknownst to me, at the same time I was on roaccutane, I’d started/into perimenopause. Because you have monthly pregnancy testing and so you have to keep an eye on your periods I was more aware of my lack of cycle.

My GP blamed it on the roaccutane, the dermatologist insisted I got tested.

See a different gp and request a referral to a consultant.

Or if you can afford it go and see a private dermatologist who may take you more seriously.

I did just that and was referred to a lovely NHS dermatologist who prescribed me spironolactone. This may help you actually as it works on the action of testosterone. Read up on it. It's not so well known yet but works wonderfully for some.

I still had mild acne in my forties. Am just now weaning braving quitting the spironolactone in my early fifties to see how my skin is now. So it doesn't always clear with age ( which is what one NHS derm told me previously)

Spironolactone. I have acne caused by PCOS and spironolactone really helps, just as much as roaccutane to my surprise. I don’t know if GPs can prescribe this but worth asking.

I take magnesium which has definitely helped

Aaaw bless you kid x
I had acne for most of my teen years.
Had a referral to an awful dermatologist who said if the spots weren’t on my face I wouldn’t be so bothered !
This was many years ago.
I think you need and deserve a second opinion .
Roaccutane seems to work but it can have nasty side effects . Our daughter has hormonal acne on her chin and back so history seems unfortunately to be repeating itself .
It’s weird as mine seemed to work down my body - back had a huge flare up and then it just inexplicably disappeared . Hoping that happens to you very soon as it’s hell . You’ve done everything you can to help yourself apart from jumping through hoops . Go see a female GP for pushing for a new referral.

I had awful skin due to pcos. Was prescribed Spiralactone by a private dermatologist which was an utter game changer. It's a medicine to prevent fluid build up but they had to be careful prescribing it to men as it has a big anti androgen affect (men grew boobs!) which is why it's so good for hormonal acne. I had totally clear skin 3 months after starting taking it.

I never had any side effects and I don't think it's a particularly dangerous drug. You just have to be careful not to get pregnant as the anti androgen impact causes birth defects. The private dermatologist basically insisted I got a coil....
Honestly it was amazing. Once I had the first prescription from the dermatologist my GP continued prescribing.

I’ll have a look into Spiralactone although doctors are a bit funny about giving me things that mess with my hormones since my pe. Was really scared of being flames about this post because my acne isn’t severe and I know there are worse things going on in the world so thank you for all your responses and being so kind

I think you're GP is an idiot. The quality for roaccutane you need to try three consecutive treatments that have failed. For example, duac, lymecycline etc.
I was exactly in your boat - although mine was pretty severe. And dermatologists do prescribe roaccutane for milder but persistent acne.
Ask to see another GP and push how it's effecting your life and you want to see a derm. The waiting lists are also usually very long.
I turned 30 this year with severe acne and FINALLY I got on roaccutane and I'm halfway through a 6 month course. I can finally see a long term improvement in my face and my confidence has drastically improved. I'll deal with the scars after treatment.
I really hope you get some better help than you've already received. If the GP still refuses it may be worth looking at if you can afford private.

I am so sorry OP that must be hard!
I suffered from acne for a long time and I know how much it can wreck up your self esteem.
You have my sympathy.

What helped me was getting on the pill, I tried both Diane and Yasmin but these are heavy pills full of hormones, but they worked. Did two rounds of Roaccutane but didn’t work for me.

What might help your acne a bit is using products with tea tree oil. Dr Organic daycream with tea tree really worked for me and The Ordinairy might have good products too.

Attached a pic of my acne on an average day. I’ve took pics of my fave every few days for the past two month because every time I make an appointment with the gp my acne magically clears up the day of my appointment and I look like a drama queen haha!
I’m currently using body shop tea tree stuff and I love the way it feels on my skin but can’t see any difference to my acne unfortunately.

OP I’m currently sat waiting to see my NHS dermatologist for a repeat prescription of roaccutane. My family didn’t think my skin was bad enough to get treatment. I have PCOS too.
I agree with asking for a referral to a derm consultant from a different GP.
It’s honestly changed my life.

Cross posted with your pic. My skin wasn’t as “bad” as yours and I get roaccutane from the NHS. I don’t mean that in a horrible way but to show that your GP is talking rubbish.

@fairynick

My acne was also a lot less worse then yours and I got a roaccutane cure TWICE.
Perhaps better find yourself a new and more empathetic GP

*empathic not empathetic

Oh OP that looks painful . I can't understand why your GP won't refer you. I suggest you see a different GP and demand a referral. Explain how much this is affecting your mental health. I never understand why they can't just refer, it's up the the dermatologist what they can and can't do for you!
I had severe acne from the age of 9, so I can totally sympathise! I tried pretty much every anti-biotic and cream there was, accompanied by a rigourous skin care routine. I was eventually prescribed Roaccutane, and it changed my life. My acne did return after around 2-3 years and I was put on another course, but since then my skin has been clear, with only an occasional break-out now and again. The side effects are pretty bad though so it's something to consider, but it definitely changed my life and gave me so much more confidence!

Definitely get a second opinion . I suffered when I was young and was fobbed off with endless crap antibiotics for years. I finally saw another GP, burst into tears (genuine!) and told her how my confidence was wrecked, the pain and that I felt it was impeding me get a job/partner and I was referred to a dermatologist who prescribed roaccutane which helped a lot, albeit I know it’s hardcore and not for everyone.

People don’t realise how upsetting and painful it is :(