5 replies to this topic

[dmpaintballer09]

I've been to the dermatologist twice so far, and they keep giving me the weakest strength presctiptions.

First, he gave me Minocycline pills to take twice a day, and a Clindamycin gel to apply morning and night. I had an allergic reaction to the minocycline (it wasn't effective anyway) so they took me off and scheduled me an appointment at a later date.

Second, he told me that minocycline was the "best treatment he could've given me" and that he could try other products but they wouldn't work as well. I inquired about Accutane but he immediately dismissed the idea. He gave me Duac (1% clindamycin and 5% benzoil peroxide) and Tazorac this time, and I've been on these for about a month with no improvement.

Probably my biggest issue is that it seems like whenever I'm at school I have the worst acne ever, and when I have a dermatologist appointment I'm usually like 98% clear. He never sees me at my worst. Like when I go see him I actually want to be breaking out really badly, and I'm not, but when I'm at school I want to be clear and I'm never that either. I completely understand the side effects and risks involved with Accutane therapy, but he still won't prescribe it to me.

I have possibly severe (not too sure what defines severe) acne on my back and moderate to moderately-severe acne on my face, but my dermatologist never sees it so he'll never give me anything stronger.

Is there any way I can talk him into giving me a more heavy-duty prescription? He gave me half strength Tazorac (0.05%) and normal Duac but its not doing ANYTHING for my skin. If its not Accutane that I end up getting, I at least want an oral medication for a better all over effect. At the present, topical treatments aren't too effective for my back and body acne.

[letsplay]

maybe take a picture of your worst day and tell him thats how it usually is

[soccer89]

find a different derm who will prescribe it to you if you really want it..

[wingman1234]

maybe stronger products arent necessarily better

[Wynne]

maybe stronger products arent necessarily better

That is absolutely true.

To the original poster: Please give the new medications a good, consistent, fair trial. Retinoids do tend to take up to three months to show effectiveness. During that time, you'll likely experience 15 months of pimples in those three months.

Duac and Taz sounds like a great combo. It will fight both inflammatory and comedonal acne. I wish you luck and clarity!

[dmpaintballer09]

Alright guys, I'll stick it out for a while longer. My dermatologist said it would probably take about a month before I started seeing results from the Taz, on the Tazorac website it said 1-2 months, and you guys are saying up to 3. lol.

I'll stick it out guys. Thanks.