36 replies to this topic

[Sunnygirl]

I'm also looking for an alternative to accutane. I've already had 5 courses of accutane from 17-26 (now 31). I don't want to do another course because I don't need 6 treaments to know that it doesn't work for me. My acne is on my chin and lower face and is so persistent. I always have a lot of pimples...ALWAYS. I'm thinking about spiro but I heard you have to take it with the pill and I don't want to go on the pill again(bad side effects). Maybe I can take spiro by itself without messing up my cycles? I feel hopeless because this is just not going away.

[#1cubsfan]

I'm also looking for an alternative to accutane. I've already had 5 courses of accutane from 17-26 (now 31). I don't want to do another course because I don't need 6 treaments to know that it doesn't work for me. My acne is on my chin and lower face and is so persistent. I always have a lot of pimples...ALWAYS. I'm thinking about spiro but I heard you have to take it with the pill and I don't want to go on the pill again(bad side effects). Maybe I can take spiro by itself without messing up my cycles? I feel hopeless because this is just not going away.

I tried Spiro and didn't have to go on the pill. I was one of the rare people who got side effects after a couple of days, so I wasn't able to take it. You might have better luck. I'm still looking for an alternative to getting off of Doxycycline.

[shaila]

I have very mixed opinions on accutane. After my first treatment of 2 1/2 months, my life was pretty peachy. I had absolutely flawless skin and I hadn't noticed any lasting side effects. Unfortunately, my acne started returning after 5 months. My derm told me it was probably because I hadn't finished the entire course. I soon found myself on accutane once again except this time....my worst nightmare happened. Within just a month or two, I lost massive amounts of hair. I wish I could post a before and after picture. Those of you suffering from acne know how much skin issues effect your self esteem...try losing your hair too. To this day, I have regular office visits with my derm trying to fight my hair loss. Going from thick thick hair to hair you can see through is an experience I wouldn't want to happen to anybody. To make matters worse, my acne has quadrupled....now it isn't just on my chin but everywhere and my skin is ultra sensitive and dry as can be. My point with this forever long post is to just be cautious. Really really REALLY weigh your options. Those five months of clear skin and no problems were precious moments, but look at the long term effects. I definitely have a love/hate realtionship with accutane. I've seen the miracle it works, but also the destruction.

If any one has any similiar experiences or any advice I would love to hear it. I feel like a monster now and very alone. Thanks.

[duchamp]

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[Thegirl_86]

I recommend accutane. Even people with moderate acne take it so why not a person with severe acne? right

[alternativista]

I soon found myself on accutane once again except this time....my worst nightmare happened. Within just a month or two, I lost massive amounts of hair. I wish I could post a before and after picture. Those of you suffering from acne know how much skin issues effect your self esteem...try losing your hair too. To this day, I have regular office visits with my derm trying to fight my hair loss. Going from thick thick hair to hair you can see through is an experience I wouldn't want to happen to anybody. To make matters worse, my acne has quadrupled....now it isn't just on my chin but everywhere and my skin is ultra sensitive and dry as can be. My point with this forever long post is to just be cautious.

Just thought that should get emphasized in amongst all the 'Accutane is awesome' and 'don't believe all those horror stories' posts. It also is not a 'definite cure.'

BTW, this is a 3 year old thread. The OP isn't here anymore.

[Thegirl_86]

What is spiro?

[fluffy4]

i also have cystic acne with scarring (discolored skin, not pits) and i have been doing a lot of research on accutane bc im desperate for clearer skin but it does seem to have a lot of possible side effects so im trying everything and anything i can think of to try and fix my skin before turning to accutane. birth control could possible help and a change in diet. when i get big cysts i notice that they look kind of shiny. i went on a fruit fast for a day and the shininess went away. i didnt stay on the fast long enough to see any real results beside that but im hoping to fast for the rest of this week and see what happens. i could probbably help u better if i knew more about how u breakout ; is there one specific part of ur face that breaks out ? do u smoke ? whats ur diet like ? how often do u exercise ? im not a doctor or anything but i do a lot of research about cystic acne bc it has basically put my WHOLE life on pause for the past 6 months.

[Dallat]

To quote my dermatologist:

"accutane is the only definite 'cure' as such for acne. All other medications simply 'control' the symptoms but will not altogether prevent the symptoms"

However, after I told him that accutane made me depressed and zombie-like after just two days, he prescribed me to "minomycin" (aka minocycline") which is an antibiotic with almost no side effects that can be taken for long term (years) without damage. Has improved my acne, but not got rid of it. I also use differin gel, and Im trying this new one called Zorac. Basically that is the best I can do due to my accutane intolerance.

Tim, Sydney Australia

I'm on my second course of Minocycline. Both times, I've been prescribed 6 months worth (by two unrelated dermatologists) because long-term antibiotic usage can cause acne to become more resistant to treatment in the long run. Taking it for years at a time seems like it would cause more damage than heal.

[asn6]

I don't know about accutane, but I was seriously considering getting on it at one point. I had taken all kinds of nasty antibiotics and BC pills that helped a bit but never "cured" me. I cleared myself with diet and supplements, though. You should consider experimenting with natural remedies first, I think. If that doesn't do it then reconsider accutane. The Diet/Holistic forum has lots of advice, and my log is in my signature. It's cheap and actually surprisingly easy to go all natural. Good luck!

[alternativista]

i went on a fruit fast for a day and the shininess went away. i didnt stay on the fast long enough to see any real results beside that but im hoping to fast for the rest of this week and see what happens.

OK, but fasting isn't the answer to clearing skin. They may jumpstart something, but what's needed is new, longterm healthy habits. What you want is a blood sugar stabilizing, anti-inflammatory, nutrient dense diet that doesn't contain anything you personally have an intolerance for.

[NarhexFan]

im due to go back to see my n.h.s dermatologist on monday,and im going to tell her that after doing loads of research ,i have decided against accutane..
last time i was there,she virtually told me that there was nothing else left to offer apart from accutane.
i have tried loads of topicals and antibiotics,all with very short term effects.
Can anyone give me advice on an alternative to accutane...i have heard of topical accutane,has anyone tried this?
i have cystic acne with scarring.thankyou*

I've found a blog with some interesting information that might be of interest to you -
There is a story from a lady with cystic acne and she swears by this product.
What have you got to lose? Give it a go and it might be the mircale you've been looking for.

[Vargetta]

My dermatologist said that he uses lasers on people that fail accutane, which apparently is an extremely rare occurrence

[03GT]

bumping 3 year old thread, Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[NBecks]

I also have Cystic Acne. I was told that Accutane was the only thing that would work. However, because I've battled with depression in the past, that's out of the question. I joined this site hoping to get some alternatives to Accutane. I've read a lot about B5 on here. However, the last post on this was from last year. I'm wondering if anyone knows if there has been further research done on the effects of B5 and Acne in the past year.

[Panic!!]

I didn't read any of the replies so if this was already mentioned then oh well! haha

1) What is your diet currently like? Many people find that their acne was caused by one of the common food allergens: dairy, soy, gluten, wheat, and or nuts. Eliminating these from your diet has worked miracles for many people and cleared their skin completely. So that's the first place to look.

2) How much water are you drinking everyday? You want to aim for at least half your body weight in ounces everyday, if your active and work out regularly you should drink a bit more on those days.

3) Do you have any stressors in your life right now? Relationship issues? Work issues? School issues? Drama issues? If you have any chronic or nagging stress this will depress your immune system and make you more prone to breakouts.

4) What time do you go to sleep on average? Its CRUCIAL to get to bed by 10:30pm. Research has proven that the body repairs itself between the hours of 10-2am; after that it shifts its focus to mental repair from 2-6am. If you stay up really late every night your cheating your body from healing itself. If you notice that your acne heals slowly or post acne marks take forever to go away, this could be one of the major reasons why.

5) Do you have any other random symptoms? Any muscle pain? Cramps, itchy skin, mood swings not related to your time of the month? The important thing to realize is acne is a symptom of a larger problem; be it hormones, digestive issues, food intolerances etc.


Answer those questions and lets clear your skin up!





PANIC

[Barny]

Dan's regimen has helped me clear my cystic acne. I'm really happy with the results so far as well as surprised. The first few weeks sucked really bad because of the initial purge, but I'm now clear and my hyperpigmentation has been fading away nicely.