If your derm isn't perhaps as approachable as you might like, maybe you could chat to your doctor about it.

The message boards here too - sure you'd get plenty of responses if you started a topic in the 'Accutane Posts' section. No matter how many replies you get, it's up to you in the end. However, getting plenty of experiences here will help you make a list of the pros and cons. Basically, there's a chance it could clear your skin for good. That needs to go at the top of the list, then you just have to work out if it's worth suffering those usual side effects - initial breakout, dryness, and so on - in order to get to that point where your skin clears.

Hey I just responded to your comment on my blog, but thought I would add a little here You're not a walking disease....many many many people struggle with acne. I'm sorry you can't even look in the mirror...I was there not too long ago.

I'm not saying accutane is the only answer, but accutane flat out works...whether acne comes back is really dependent on the person I guess. But accutane isn't the only answer. I'm sure there are many other preventative measures to be taken post accutane- like continuing to be on birth control, or not using crappy skin care products or makeup- no matter what. You'll start back to square one. Does your family know that you are debating about accutane? Is there any family member you're close to or can talk about it?

I think what the skin needs to do is purge first of all the gunk, crap, bacteria and whatever else we've managed to do to it, and then we can start over. So, with any regimen or medication, there is almost always an "initial breakout." You can look at my pics from when I was on a retin-A, and my skin was purging horribly, but my skin getting rid of all that crap. Now, I don't even have those clogged pores anymore (which eventually lead to zits in my opinion).

Can you post a pic of your current skin? Or at least maybe take a before pic, so whatever you decide to do you can see where you started. I hope you can make a decision soon and be able to move on with confidence!!

If your derm isn't perhaps as approachable as you might like, maybe you could chat to your doctor about it.The message boards here too - sure you'd get plenty of responses if you started a topic in the 'Accutane Posts' section. No matter how many replies you get, it's up to you in the end. However, getting plenty of experiences here will help you make a list of the pros and cons. Basically, there's a chance it could clear your skin for good. That needs to go at the top of the list, then you just have to work out if it's worth suffering those usual side effects - initial breakout, dryness, and so on - in order to get to that point where your skin clears.

Hi Paul!

She is not. She doesn't wanna talk about anything concerning feelings or possible side effects. All she says is that the medication is great. No side effects (except for dry skin). No nothing. Makes me even more suspicious. You have any experience with accutane? How do I start a topic? do you just mean i should post my blog on there? Not too familiar with this site yet..

If you go to the message board (http://www.acne.org/messageboard) and scroll down to 'Prescription Acne Medications', you'll see the section, 'Accutane posts'. Open that page and there's a 'Start New Topic' button near the top-right of the screen. If you start a topic in there and explain how you're trying to weight up the pros and cons, just as you mentioned it here, I'm sure everyone will offer some input.

There are also Accutane logs under the 'Personal Regimen Logs' section. Couldtake a look at the diaries which plenty of people keep to track their progress. Some update weekly, some even update daily. Either way, it's ideal to get a good picture of how things can play out on Accutane and what kind of side effects people experience. In fact, that's where my entire knowledge of it comes from as I have no direct experience of taking Accutane myself.

Actually, dry skin is all that some people experience. I've read some logs where people say things like, "I wish I'd have done this sooner because other than dry skin, this isn't such a big deal after all." There are however, others who suffer with a few other side effects along the way and might really struggle with the dryness and all. It does vary from person to person as we are all different, but the logs are a great way to read first-hand accounts of people in the same position as you who are actually taking that drug.

Hope that helps.

Hey I just responded to your comment on my blog, but thought I would add a little here You're not a walking disease....many many many people struggle with acne. I'm sorry you can't even look in the mirror...I was there not too long ago. I'm not saying accutane is the only answer, but accutane flat out works...whether acne comes back is really dependent on the person I guess. But accutane isn't the only answer. I'm sure there are many other preventative measures to be taken post accutane- like continuing to be on birth control, or not using crappy skin care products or makeup- no matter what. You'll start back to square one. Does your family know that you are debating about accutane? Is there any family member you're close to or can talk about it? I think what the skin needs to do is purge first of all the gunk, crap, bacteria and whatever else we've managed to do to it, and then we can start over. So, with any regimen or medication, there is almost always an "initial breakout." You can look at my pics from when I was on a retin-A, and my skin was purging horribly, but my skin getting rid of all that crap. Now, I don't even have those clogged pores anymore (which eventually lead to zits in my opinion). Can you post a pic of your current skin? Or at least maybe take a before pic, so whatever you decide to do you can see where you started. I hope you can make a decision soon and be able to move on with confidence!!

Thanks for the comment.

I used to have pictures of how my acne progress has been but just looking at them made so angry and sad i decided to delete them. So sorry no pics atm. Maybe when I feel better about myself. right now it's just too depressing even looking at myself in the mirror. I'm almost certain I'm gonna ask for accutane now. My dermatologist is gonna call me later this week so if she's able to answer my questions and I'm ok with the answers I'm gonna go for it! I'm terrified. But just want to get this over with already.

If you go to the message board (http://www.acne.org/messageboard) and scroll down to 'Prescription Acne Medications', you'll see the section, 'Accutane posts'. Open that page and there's a 'Start New Topic' button near the top-right of the screen. If you start a topic in there and explain how you're trying to weight up the pros and cons, just as you mentioned it here, I'm sure everyone will offer some input. There are also Accutane logs under the 'Personal Regimen Logs' section. Couldtake a look at the diaries which plenty of people keep to track their progress. Some update weekly, some even update daily. Either way, it's ideal to get a good picture of how things can play out on Accutane and what kind of side effects people experience. In fact, that's where my entire knowledge of it comes from as I have no direct experience of taking Accutane myself. Actually, dry skin is all that some people experience. I've read some logs where people say things like, "I wish I'd have done this sooner because other than dry skin, this isn't such a big deal after all." There are however, others who suffer with a few other side effects along the way and might really struggle with the dryness and all. It does vary from person to person as we are all different, but the logs are a great way to read first-hand accounts of people in the same position as you who are actually taking that drug. Hope that helps.

thanks paul I'm not worried about dry skin, I'm worried about internal damage if there is such side effects..