I never wanted antibiotics. I was hoping to maybe address the hormone imbalance with the pill, but couldn't do that... so I chose to start with the just the EpiDuo and maybe consider antibiotics if I thought it became necessary... my GP wants to go down the antibiotic path before having to consider the pill.

I never wanted antibiotics. I was hoping to maybe address the hormone imbalance with the pill, but couldn't do that... so I chose to start with the just the EpiDuo and maybe consider antibiotics if I thought it became necessary... my GP wants to go down the antibiotic path before having to consider the pill.

They always want you to take antibiotics... They're programmed to repeat the exact same thing no matter what cause your acne has. I've been to 5 different dermatologist since my acne battle started and they all put me on antibiotics. First three times I had no knowledge about how acne works and had full trust that they know what they're doing. First time it helped my acne while I took it. I stopped and it came back. Second time it seriously fucked my stomach up and didn't help acne. The last time I agreed to take antibiotics was the worst. I couldn't eat anything, felt nauseous all the time and after one time I had to literally run back home because I was not sure if I'll make it to the toilet, I decided - that's it, no more antibiotics for me. My acne was at it's worst then, very inflamed and cystic and my stomach got permanently damaged, I have IBS now and have to careful with any medications. The remaining two derms were also suggesting me to take them, despite all I have told about my previous experiences.

Basically the arsenal of things they prescribe for acne is very limited:

- Benzoyl peroxide

- Skinoren

- Duac

- EpiDuo

- Antibiotics

- Birth control

- Accutane

In my case it was birth control that was needed, because I have pcos and hormonal imbalance. So putting me on antibiotics three times was utterly useless. And none of the derms send for any tests, haven't done any simple blood test. One of them even suggested Accutane, DESPITE my history within psychiatry and having anxiety disorder. I mean those people seem brainless when it comes to acne.

My advice - do all the necessary test before letting your GP play guessing game on you. Go and make utrasound, check your hormones, thyroid gland and all the classical things.

The GP agreed that it was most probably my hormones all out of whack and suggested that she always preferred to try birth control first, but due to my contraindication for it, she wanted to try all other routes first. I am quite happy to go along with just the EpiDuo at the moment and see what that does for me. Even if it helps just to control it and not let the breakouts get too out of control and cause scarring, that would be great. If it doesn't help well maybe Ill consider antibiotics then! But not before Ive given this a decent trial. Thanks everyone for the suggestions for everything, and Im glad I did end up going to get something started.

Hi!

I'd definitely see your GP - you shouldn't think about how severe the acne is, but how much it affects you. I've personally seen a doctor about my acne since I was 15, despite the fact that mine has always been mild/moderate - and yours looks nowhere near severe!

It might take a little while (couple of months) to see results from Benzoyl Peroxide, though it may be that you need some form of systemic treatment alongside topical - antibiotics/birth control etc. I personally find oral antibiotics to be very effective when used in conjunction with a good topical regime; mine consists of Isotrex gel (topical Isotretinoin) in the evening, and 5% AHA (mandelic/glycolic acid) in the morning, along with Benzoyl Peroxide where needed.

Talk to your doctor, see what he/she suggests, but if you're unsatisfied with their response/attitude you're fully entitled to ask for a second opinion from another doctor. If you're in the UK (which I'm assuming you are), you're unlikely to get a referral to a dermatologist yet - it takes a good few rounds of unsuccessful systemic treatment/severe acne to get an NHS referral in the UK.

Good Luck!

I've only just read the second page of the thread- my bad! Sorry for replying where it wasn't needed haha!