28 replies to this topic

[SCAR]

hey altavista

did the diet work for you?
i notice i'm losing fat around my stomach because my diet has no procesed carbs like pasta bread and stuff

as for acne, does it help?

[duane]

there seems to be only to effective options in dealing with cystic acne:

cortisone shots and tane...

not true. i've been able to control my cystic acne with bp and sa. see "my dkr log" link in my sig for more info.

are you sure they were cysts, and not just big papules? cysts are basically impossible to treat topically.

i've been diagnosed with cystic acne by a number of dermatologists. so, i'm certain that i have it. cystic acne will develop on my skin if it's left untreated.

cystic acne isn't impossible to treat topically, but it's difficult to get under control with topical treatment.

[missypooh]

no offence but what is wrong with the tane? have u been on it multiple times, i hear the best thing for cystic acne is a retinoid along with a antibiotic

EVERYONE is different. No one can say what works for one person will work for another.


I'm a cystic acne sufferer who had NO results with Retin-A - - only TOTAL exacerbation that never let up. I gave it 4 months to see when and if it would let up and I'd see the good stuff.....it never happened. Just unbelievably oily disgusting skin and cysts/welts/boils all over my face.

As for antibiotics, there's such a thing called resistance. If you take systemic antibiotics for an extended period of time, the body can build up an immunity to the effects of the antibiotics - causing them to be competely ineffective. (Got that, too..... no results from any antibiotics)

As to what's wrong with tane? Some of us are scared of all of the side effects Accutane can entail..... liver problems (hyperlipidemia), depression/suicidal tendencies, dried out mucous membranes..... and god forbid a pregnancy accidentally occur while on it. The 2 forms of bc are a great idea to keep that from happening, but for someone like me - who'd like to have another child in the near future that's healthy - there's no way in hell I'd take Accutane. Even if I weren't trying to conceive, the whole idea of drying out my whole body - AND - having the real possibility that the acne can come back after stopping it - - makes it a non-option for some of us.

Sharon - I know how you feel..... it's not easy to face each day with cysts on your face that are not only unsightly, but they HURT. They hurt INSIDE and OUT. All I can say to you is you're not alone; everyone here can understand how you feel. We're all here to support each other and to GET support, too..... no one can really understand how you feel than someone who has gone thru cystic acne, as well. It sucks. Believe me, I know. But keep in mind that you're not alone - - the frustration and anger you feel is felt by all of us here, too. We care - and want you to know that. Feel free to vent anytime - - Patti

[dreamchaser]

understand how you feel...why don't you try tane...i've been on 10mg per day as prescribe by my derm for six month...so far so good...apart from this dunno what else can help me to put off acne...

best of luck

[Joe Zit]

understand how you feel...why don't you try tane...i've been on 10mg per day as prescribe by my derm for six month...so far so good...apart from this dunno what else can help me to put off acne...

best of luck

I just don't get what I perceive is an irrational fear of tane. I did not damage my liver, I did not develop suicidal tendencies and my body did not completely dry out. I'm not saying that such things aren't possible, but the truth of the matter in our litiginous society, the case against something is overemphasized. One takes tane under carefully controlled conditions and if any of the above symptoms start to happen, then one is taken off of it...very simple.

I fully understand the concern about birth defects and those who plan on having children or more children in the near future need to factor that in. If you want to get pregnant in the near futureor are pregnant, then tane is NOT the answer.

Why people would not take a medicine that has a very good chance of success, is just beyond me. If you get side effects, you go off it...very, very simple.

Joe Zit

[missypooh]

Hey Joe..... thanks for trying to understand how some of us don't want to take on Accutane. For me personally, it is the conception/CONTRA-ception/future health of my baby issue..... but I can relate to others who are scared of all that Accutane can entail.

You've heard the horror stories...... and yes, I agree: in our overly-litigious society, things can get overblown for sheer monitary gain (by scumbag attorneys...) It's a very potent medication that for some, is a wonderful almost cure for their acne. But I gotta tell ya; it's a real surprise to me to read about the numerous people on these boards who haven't just taken Accutane once, with no results or minimal results, but take it 2,3,4 times and STILL don't get relief. I'm an RN - and I've read up on Accutane...... I guess I was under the impression that it worked the first time - I didn't know the option of recurring use existed..... and if it works, great. But if not? How depressing. ALL the hassle of the blood tests, the contraception, the cost of the meds, and the side effects....and it DOESN'T work?! I guess that's where I say: you know, I'll exhaust ALL other avenues before I opt for Tane..... but that's just me.

Hope this gives a lil' insight..... into the "other" pov.

[crazybas]

Hi I have not posted on here in a very long time ...Today I feel so sad I am still crying and feeling like shit after 10 years of cystic acne my face is full of scars and the cystic just won`t stop coming.I have seen soooo many specialist drem's always the same thing they walk in and look and 'say go on Tane' thats the choice I walk away crying upset same shit just another doctor I WILL NOT TAKE TANE SO I LIVE WITH THIS I have tryed so many thing from wash`s to pills to you name it ..I AM so sick of this controling my life I called In to work sick today I just want to hide in my house I feel so hopeless will this ever end whats wrong with me? I don`t know what to do anymore crying and feeling down is no life I hate to go to work or out my face looks like shit Makes me feel sooo bad ...ok sorry Im just feedup with this Thanks sharon ...

I experienced horrible cystic acne on my chin, nose and both cheeks. I promise you, it was a real 'worst-case' scenario. I now have scars from them but no more cysts- only becuase I went on accutane. After about a month of accutane my cysts cleared up incredibly. I never experienced the accutane side effects that people warn you about (depression, negative body functions). Friends on accutane never complained about such side effects either. If anything, it brightened my spirits because it cured me. I don't know why you are fixed on not taking accutane, but it's worth it. I know how you feel, it's tough, real tough. In most cases, accutane does wonders. What do you have to lose?

[pimplypear]

Hi I have not posted on here in a very long time ...Today I feel so sad I am still crying and feeling like shit after 10 years of cystic acne my face is full of scars and the cystic just won`t stop coming.I have seen soooo many specialist drem's always the same thing they walk in and look and 'say go on Tane' thats the choice I walk away crying upset same shit just another doctor I WILL NOT TAKE TANE SO I LIVE WITH THIS I have tryed so many thing from wash`s to pills to you name it ..I AM so sick of this controling my life I called In to work sick today I just want to hide in my house I feel so hopeless will this ever end whats wrong with me? I don`t know what to do anymore crying and feeling down is no life I hate to go to work or out my face looks like shit Makes me feel sooo bad ...ok sorry Im just feedup with this Thanks sharon ...

For cystic acne, Accutane is often the only thing that will tame it.
But if your mind is made up on not using it, you might consider giving Dan's regimen a try. Some people with some pretty tough acne have gotten results with it.

Also, if you are female, have you looked at hormonal treatments? birthcontrol pills? Maybe even Spironolactone?

Good luck to you. My heart breaks reading stories like these.

I second this. If you are female, have you tried birth control pills and or spironolactone? I have been on spiro for 10 months now and have not had a single cyst.

Also, as others have asked why do you not want to try accutane? I know we have all heard the bad rumors about accutane online but millions of people have taken it without lasting side effects. Please do not beleive the hype online -- look up the actual medical literature which states the risk of long term adverse effects and educate yourself. I myself have been on 2 rounds and not had any lasting ill-effects. Your mental health is part of your physical HEALTH. it is almost more important than any other aspect of your health. maybe this is the time to take a risk and try accutane since your acne seems to be ruling your life.

also, you should probably see a counselor - you sound very depressed. I hope you start feeling better soon