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Hey,
I was getting severe acne to a point I couldn't even sit down because my back would hurt a lot. I had no other choice but start taking cortisone. The plan is to run cortisone for 3 months and apply tretinoin 0.5% at night to all my body. After 3 months stop cortisone(yes, I know how to stop it) and keep using tretinoin. The goal is to prevent the initial IB and more scaring. My skin improved a lot. Texture and hyperpigmentation are way better. While cortisone made most acne lesions go away, it's not being a magical solution. Maybe because I'm not on a high dosage(16MG of methylpredinisolone a day; 32mg doesn't make it much better, but sometimes I need to take this much). I'm still getting new pimples, but smaller in size and in quantity. Some of them are nodules. Because of cortisone, I ended up getting urinary infection and now I'm on doxycline. My acne is getting worse. I believe it's because doxycline makes your skin more sensitive. Anyway, I still have 20 days left of cortisone, but I don't if it's going to stop until there. Basically I was thinking about extending cortisone for more 15 days and take accutane for 5~10 days just to help a little bit.
Some details:
-I cannot ask my doctor as I'm self medicating(I don't have health insurance and here in Greece I can get almost everything OTC). Being an immigrant doesn't entitle me to free health care in Europe(I'm in process of getting Greek citizenship, but it will take a few months).
-I have cirrhosis and am currently taking 300MG of alpha lipoic acid a day to stop its progression. I can up the dosage if needed.
-I have an extremely difficult life and have depression, anxiety and a tendency to become suicidal.
-I have a huge tendency to acne. My whole family has too.
-My testosterone levels are VERY HIGH.
-I also considered switching to tazarotene, but it's way more expensive than I can afford.
Considering everything I said, do you guys think 5 to 10 days of accutane would be effective to stop my skin from breaking out? Do you think it could be dangerous considering my health and mental problems?
Cirrhosis? Then that's a definite no...even for 5-10 days. Accutane doesn't even work it 5-10 days. It will take 4-6 months depending on the cumulative dose like megtree said. Also it's extremely hard on the liver. So don't do it. You need to treat your underlying condition...especially since you have cirrhosis and 'VERY' high testosterone as you said. It sounds like you might have something in your family that's genetic maybe and that could be the root of your acne....go to like someone who deals with endocrinology. Plus self medicating could make it worse...