10 replies to this topic

[Jesscakes]

Hi guys, Jess here with a few questions I really need answering!

This might sound weird but, I don't know how severe my acne is! Can you help me work it out?

My forehead is basically okay. I have a few raised marks but nothing major.
My right cheek is fine. I have a weird dry patch but that's about it.
My left cheek is my enemy! At the moment I have about 6 tiny spots all clustered together. They're red and hurt sometimes. And yes, I'm very worried that one day they'll all come to the surface and become massive!
Chin. My war zone. Every month(not neccasarily on my period) I get big,fat, cystic spots that have pus in them! Ah!!
Also,i have black heads on my nose and cheeks.
I can cover most of this with makeup, but I have to use quite a lot. Also, the bumps of spots don't help as this just makes it obvious I have a skin problem.

So, what do you guys think? Mild,moderate or severe? TBH, I don't think it's severe but I'm not totally sure.
Another question. I've had ongoing acne for 8 years now which is really bring me done and affecting aspects of my life. Is accutane an option I should try? I'm just really worried about the IB and that my face will get worse!!

Thanks,

Jess

[PLONKER]

Moderate?

Acne has to be pretty severe in order for the NHS to prescribe Roccutane as a last resort due to the nature of the side-effects.

Have you tried Dan's Regimen?

[Timehealsall]

Moderate?

Acne has to be pretty severe in order for the NHS to prescribe Roccutane as a last resort due to the nature of the side-effects.

Have you tried Dan's Regimen?

Disagree, i have seen (in real life) and this forum a bajillion people get accutane for mild to moderate acne.

[PLONKER]

If you re-read what I said, I am referring to the free British NHS system, which also has funding constraints. Mild/moderate cases don't even get as far as the hospital consultant.

Edited by Dipstick, 19 July 2011 - 08:22 AM.

[UKLady]

If you re-read what I said, I am referring to the free British NHS system, which also has funding constraints. Mild/moderate cases don't even get as far as the hospital consultant.

The NHS derms will treat persistent acne - 8 years would count as persistent I would think. The OP just needs to get a referral to the hospital derm dept from her GP.

Edited by UKLady, 19 July 2011 - 09:47 AM.

[Reealgood]

if youve tried many things, and its affecting your life your a candidate. the general gyidelines for roaccutane prescription in u.k is severe acne, acne unresponsive to conventional treatments. if you go on reclaimyourskin website which is uk based-youll have to google it as i dont think im allowed to link on here, youll find many people with not soo severe acne prescribed roaccutane in u.k. but it is generally a last resort though.

[Jesscakes]

well, going to the doc this thursady to ask if she's put me on the register.
Hopefully she has!!

[Jesscakes]

For me, this IS a last resort. I'm now literally obsessed with my skin. I'm in concelling to deal with it, but I think about my skin every 2 to 3 minutes.
Have done for about 7 months. If the derm says my skin isn't bad enough to go on tane, I will tell her this!

[PLONKER]

I've had it 20 years and my GPs just laughed in my face when I asked to see a consultant, like I was some sort of time-waster!

I guess it depends on who your GP is.

[UKLady]

I've had it 20 years and my GPs just laughed in my face when I asked to see a consultant, like I was some sort of time-waster!

I guess it depends on who your GP is.

Yeah, it does. I would ask to see another GP.

Roaccutane is also indicated where the acne is causing the patient significant psychological distress or where there is permanent scarring. In the early days, it was really just given to severe acne-sufferers, but now it seems to have widened out.

[PLONKER]

Mine is only mild now, so I'm hardly in distress! It's the least of my medical worries right now!

If my GPs don't think it's bad, compared to other people they see, I take it as a complement!

Edited by Dipstick, 19 July 2011 - 10:51 AM.