Cystic acne-please help

[Shinyandnew1]

My poor DD is really suffering at the moment -she’s late teens now and has had poor skin since 15. We went to the doctors years ago and she has been back and forth for years…went through the usual Duac cream, lymcycline antibiotics which cleared it up until the course ended, then the pill which didn’t work to begin with. They then gave her Dianette which cured it completely within about 3 weeks. They have now stopped her taking this as it’s apparently dangerous and her skin has really flared up again-she’s back on Lymecycline, a different topical cream and Yasmin pill, but it seems to be actually looking worse after just two weeks.

She’s asked about a referral to the dermatologist which they said they might do if this doesn’t work. She is so unhappy-crying all the time, talking about dropping out of university. I don’t think she’s ‘depressed’ and needing anti depressants -she’s just understandably unhappy about her skin and would be happy if it all cleared up.

I’m presuming they will never let her have Dianette again, even though it cured it when nothing else works?! Would a private dermatologist appointment suggest anything different and how much would that cost?

I’m on Dianette, been on it for several years. GP is comfortable to prescribe as I am low risk (normal to low blood pressure, non smoker, healthy weight). Does your DD tick these boxes? If so then I’d be inclined to ask again or ask a different GP.

I’m 43 and suspect they will stop it in a couple of years due to my age, but obviously this doesn’t apply to your DD.

I agree Spironolactone is worth a try, for me it was not as effective as Dianette but everyone is different when it comes to acne. And I think GPs cannot prescribe it for acne as it’s an off-label use (usual usage is as a diuretic) so needs a derm - worth asking though.

Epiduo is the best of the topical options IME.

I was in my late 20s when I had it. I did get referred to the dermatologist and some sort of cream, but I don't think it did much.

@Shinyandnew1 I reckon you could get dianette somewhere. You could try another GP/different practice as I'm pretty sure plenty would prescribe it.

I had a laser called Nlite. It was done privately by a doctor and after 3 treatments my acne completely stopped. It was completely life changing.

Do you think so?

It seems so bonkers that this pill cured her almost instantly yet the GPs (several she’s ‘seen’ (over the phone!) at the surgery won’t even really discuss it-it’s a blanket no :(

I have cystic acne on the back of my neck. I have had various things prescribed, antibiotics and Zineryt lotion worked but it came back as soon as I stopped them.

The only thing that works for me is Clinisoothe, applied morning and night.

It sounds like it is really affecting her quality of life. I would take sure the doctor knows how miserable she is and how it is affecting her studies. She needs Roaccutane.

Roaccutane was this only thing that worked for me also. I did one and a half rounds of it and it stayed away after that. I couldn't cope with completing the second round due to mental health (it can make it worse).

I ordered Dianette online for me and gave it to my DD.

Just saying.

Used Planet Pharmacy online

Please don't do this! If the GPS are saying no, it's probably due to your daughters' reaction to dianette. Acne is horrendous but this treatment option can lead to blood clots etc. I felt great on it, but my bp was scary even though I was 20, size 6, super fit etc.

Push for a referral....

I had Roaccutane in my 20s, now in early 50s. It’s a miracle drug. It saved me from further mental stress over my skin at a time when u want to be enjoying yourself, looks mean so much esp to a young girl.
Dont delay, I often look back on how miserable I was before it and can’t imagine where I’d be without it’s amazing results , physical and emotional x

I will be pushing for a referral.

Im not quite sure what you mean when you say that the Gp is saying no to Dianette due to ‘her reaction’. It literally cured her acne within a month-her reaction was solely positive!

Roaccutane! I suffered for years and it was life changing. I wish I had done it years ago.

I'd research more around Dianette and go back to GP and make the case.

But yes to also pushing for a derm referral.

Your poor daughter - it’s utterly miserable having acne. Have you tried N Lite laser treatment? It was the only thing that worked for me. 3 sessions approx once a year for a few years and it was brilliant. Eventually they just stopped coming back (think that was hormones changing rather than long term effect of the laser treatment though).

I haven’t heard of that but a quick google tells me it’s not cheap 🫣. It’s difficult to know what to do and what to spend money on. She’s going to ring again tomorrow to try and get a referral but she tells me she thinks it might be a 12m wait. Are we best off spending the money on a private dermatology appointment and if so-like a skin clinic or a BUPA Spire type hospital?

Thank you all for your replies-they’ve been really helpful

I don’t know what would work best, I’m afraid. I never ended up going to a dermatologist, just used N lite. It is expensive from what I recall, but there used to be deals occasionally so I used to book those. I guess the difficulty is that there’s no way of knowing if it would work for your daughter - I imagine different things work for different people.

Good luck with whatever route you end up taking.

I think dermatologist appointments tend not to have such massive waiting times. Push for it this week.

Please don't do this! If the GPS are saying no, it's probably due to your daughters' reaction to dianette

@snackprovidersupreme No, it sounds like this practice have a blanket policy against using it even in young women, who must be quite low risk of clots.

@Shinyandnew1 I would probably change practices, but also buy online. I've bought quite a few things online for stuff and they've been ok. You can choose a reputable online pharmacist.

Online, they ask you loads of questions about when you were last prescribed the drug though-do you just lie? Don’t they check?

I lied to get several things. But it was fine. Maybe try this Laser thing PP's mentioned too, though.