yep, another newbie.

i just found this website at random out of desperation. i've dealt with acne since i was around 12 years old, ever since puberty hit me. among that i've dealt with quite a few other health issues that have added to it, i'm sure. i've tried everything you can imagine to cure it. the only thing that EVER EVER did anything major for me was accutane and i was on it for about 3 months when i was 15. i'm 17 now, and i had to stop it because apparently there was something off about my blood levels but my dermatologist is considering starting me on it again if everything goes well on a lower dose. i am absolutely hopeful that i'll be able to restart it and be on it for the maximum amount of time and see my skin clear up so that i can work on all the scarring that's developed. :/ this problem has been so embarrassing and hard for me, and having clear(ish) skin for that short period of time was such a miracle to me. i really didn't remember what it was like at all before that and i hardly do now. i wear makeup whenever i'm going to be seen by anyone who 'matters' (most friends, school now that i'm starting again, any public social outtings..) and mostly just use powder/mineral things by loreal which i found doesn't flare it up worse and works like a charm (nobody can really tell how bad my problem is, and it's pretty bad. super red/inflamed, large, lots and lots of spots especially as of lately..). anyway, seeing this website and reading some other peoples stories has really made me feel a lot better and i'm really happy someone took the time to create this place. nobody i know understands what i go through with this and i know i don't even have it half as bad as some other people do, but i'm honestly sick of hearing "oh it will go away eventually" or "oh it seems to be clearing up!" etc... from my family and stuff when i know they're just saying it to say it. anyway, that's my sob story and thanks for taking the time to read it.. wishing me luck would be well appreciated. i'd like to show pictures of my journey if i get to start accutane again, but i'm not really sure i'm brave enough - i might take them anyway and if i reach a point where i'm satisfied with my skin i'll consider posting them.