2 replies to this topic

[blue eyes]

I've had acne for almost 11 years. I'm nearly 24 now (end of June) and my acne has started coming back quite bad again.

Bit of background.

I've tried quite a number of antibiotics - akamin, erythromycin, minocycline, and penicillin based antibiotics for 'acute' outbreaks (usually go on those strong ones when I get maybe one or two infected cystic pimples). All the above antibiotics (but the penicillins) eventually stopped working after some time, as my old dermatologist put it I had become resistant to them.

Topical antibiotics and creams do not do a thing for my acne when it gets out of control, I've also used differin gel which had zero effect also.

I started on diane35-ed about 1 yr ago and saw the benefits maybe early June. It was amazing - I went from early June till October w/o getting any pimples, not one, nothing, my skin was amazingly clear, even some of the scar I had started fading.

October I started getting a few minor outbreaks when my period started, but thankfully nothing that caused scarring. For the last month I have been getting some nasty outbreaks, the type of pimple that cause scarring. Atm I have two badly infected cystic type pimples on my chin.

I wash my skin with clearasil sensitive morning and night, take diane35-ed, and used clearasil sensitive pimple cream and topical erthromycin.

Btw I'll be seeing my GP this Monday to hopefully try something else, more than likely will get another referral to see a dermatologist.

I'm a bit reluctant to go on roaccutane / accutane, but was just wondering is there any other treatment options left? Does anyone know if there are other hormonal treatment/ bcp's that could work? Or is diane35-ed the only one?

Thanks.

[JBHK]

Some people here have had success with a hormonal treatment called something like spironacltone (sorry can never remember the spelling). I think there is a forum for it. Other than that, other options I can think of are:

(1) Diet/holistic measures;
(2) a topical retinoid to use with your bcps? I always found that topical erthromycin to be pretty crap ...
(3) maybe a different bcp?
(4) Accutane.

I have tried many of the treatments you mention above and in the end Accutane worked great for me. I had an easy time with it, but I appreciate that isn't the same with everyone.

[blue eyes]

Thank you for the suggestions.

The differin is, I'm pretty sure a topical retinoid ...

Would considering using roaccutane, of course only if a dermatologist was 100% all for it...
Think I'd be a little nervous about going on such a strong medication. Btw, is roaccutant / accutane like vitamin A ? If so would vit A work? (here in Australia we can only get vit A on prescription... )

Good to know there are other bcp's available for ance, since I am almost postive that mine is hormonal related - just b/c the diane 35 worked so well.