1 hour ago, Thetwald said:

Done with fighting against acne.

I've been battling acne since I was 15 and I'm almost 24 years old.

I've had Isotetrinoin once 80mg/day
Zineryt,
Lymecycline 400mg twice
Erythomycin,
Oxytetracycline twice
Tetracycline,
Over the counter products,
Adapelen, Differin cream 0.1%
I've tried the regimen for a year to no avail

All in the span of 8 years and the closest I got to clear skin was with Isotetrinoin which I relapsed about 4 months after I finished treatment.

I've eaten healthy several times for a few months with no result, I cut out dairy and sugar in take, and I even drunk only water for two months straight and that did nothing.

I'm now scarred with horrible skin, blemished and red with active acne, my skin's pale and dry and just looks disgusting.

I can't even be bothered anymore, and I'm almsot certain at this point I'm now suffering social phobia linked with BDD due to the absolute obsession I have with my physical appearance and concern with other peoples opinions.

All I ever wanted was to be able to smile at a camera and look good in the picture with nice skin. Instead I lock myself away in my room after work and never see the light of day because I don't feel good enough to join society. To one day find mysef in a happy relationship and enjoy life to it's fullest, have some friends to go out with and have a good time.

It's gotten to a point where I'll smirk and dislike seeing people in relationships and seeing people with good looking skin.

I'm done. I fel like my future now lies as a hermit, going to work just to earn some money and live until the day I leave Earth.

Hi, sorry to hear about your situation. Your acne is very resistant. When you cut out dairy and sugar, did you also cut out carbs? No bread, no juice, no spaghetti...? It seems that it is really a ketogenic diet that could benefit you.

You could still try certain laser and phototherapy lasers.

Are you a man or woman? Sometimes I see men with really bad acne who still have a girlfriend. They must have huge balls to approach a woman but somehow they did it.

I also took Roaccutane when I was 16 because I wanted a girlfriend. After Accutane I had daily nausea for 6 years, chronic fatigue syndrome and different mental problems. Im 28 now and have never had a girlfriend. I just traded 1 problem for many other much worse problems.

You could of course go on a second Roaccutane course. A large percentage of people have to go on a second course to clear up.

My problems with long term side effects started after the second course. You could be lucky and not suffer any serious side effects though.

27 minutes ago, draci said:

Hi, sorry to hear about your situation. Your acne is very resistant. When you cut out dairy and sugar, did you also cut out carbs? No bread, no juice, no spaghetti...? It seems that it is really a ketogenic diet that could benefit you.

You could still try certain laser and phototherapy lasers.

Are you a man or woman? Sometimes I see men with really bad acne who still have a girlfriend. They must have huge balls to approach a woman but somehow they did it.

I also took Roaccutane when I was 16 because I wanted a girlfriend. After Accutane I had daily nausea for 6 years, chronic fatigue syndrome and different mental problems. Im 28 now and have never had a girlfriend. I just traded 1 problem for many other much worse problems.

You could of course go on a second Roaccutane course. A large percentage of people have to go on a second course to clear up.

My problems with long term side effects started after the second course. You could be lucky and not suffer any serious side effects though.

Hi Draci,

I'm male, I never really eat carbs to be honest just through what I eat naturally. I don't often eat meat either, not that I don't eat it because I do but I mostly like to eat fruit and salad pieces. I have never heard of a ketogenic diet.

I'd like to go on a second course of Roaccutane but my dermatologist said it isn't licensed for a second prescription which I know is nonsense.
Instead she keeps trying to push the useless antibiotics onto me.

47 minutes ago, Thetwald said:

Hi Draci,

I'm male, I never really eat carbs to be honest just through what I eat naturally. I don't often eat meat either, not that I don't eat it because I do but I mostly like to eat fruit and salad pieces. I have never heard of a ketogenic diet.

I'd like to go on a second course of Roaccutane but my dermatologist said it isn't licensed for a second prescription which I know is nonsense.
Instead she keeps trying to push the useless antibiotics onto me.

Well in that case you can just change Dermatologist. But the fact that she tells you that it is not licensed for a second course should be a warning sign. Whether true or not, she is trying to protect you I think.

A ketogenic diet contains zero sugar and almost no carbs. Carbs = bread, fruits, Pizza, noodles, cookies...

Many people say they cut out sugar and dairy but I don't believe they actually did. it is extremely challenging and you need to try it out for a few months.

When the body isn't getting any carbs, it produces ketones instead. You can research it. Apparently it has helped some people. What do you think about laser or phototherapy?

14 hours ago, Thetwald said:

Done with fighting against acne.

I've been battling acne since I was 15 and I'm almost 24 years old.

I've had Isotetrinoin once 80mg/day
Zineryt,
Lymecycline 400mg twice
Erythomycin,
Oxytetracycline twice
Tetracycline,
Over the counter products,
Adapelen, Differin cream 0.1%
I've tried the regimen for a year to no avail

All in the span of 8 years and the closest I got to clear skin was with Isotetrinoin which I relapsed about 4 months after I finished treatment.

I've eaten healthy several times for a few months with no result, I cut out dairy and sugar in take, and I even drunk only water for two months straight and that did nothing.

I'm now scarred with horrible skin, blemished and red with active acne, my skin's pale and dry and just looks disgusting.

I can't even be bothered anymore, and I'm almsot certain at this point I'm now suffering social phobia linked with BDD due to the absolute obsession I have with my physical appearance and concern with other peoples opinions.

All I ever wanted was to be able to smile at a camera and look good in the picture with nice skin. Instead I lock myself away in my room after work and never see the light of day because I don't feel good enough to join society. To one day find mysef in a happy relationship and enjoy life to it's fullest, have some friends to go out with and have a good time.

It's gotten to a point where I'll smirk and dislike seeing people in relationships and seeing people with good looking skin.

I'm done. I fel like my future now lies as a hermit, going to work just to earn some money and live until the day I leave Earth.

Hey, I feel for ya. Used to have nightmares fighting a losing battle with cysts that literally ate my face. During those times, I also had severe stomach problem. I didn't know which caused which, but I knew they were linked. I went to see a doc about the stomach issue and I was told that it was in my head.

Now, I totally thought the doc was a douchebag at the time. How could he know what I was going through, both physically and emotionally? But in hindsight, it really was all in my head. I used to let a small snowball turn into a goddamn avalanche. I was so obsessed with having "good looks" (like others), even a small zit on my face would drag me down into hell. Hoping to get rid of it as quickly as possible, I would sometimesuse harsh chemicals on my face. What made it even worse is that I would listen to some of the most preposterous suggestions thrown out by idiots around me.

So what helped to clear it all up in the end? First, stress-free life, that is, not obsessing so much about my face. Not constantly worrying about how I would be perceived by others. After all, it's my life and how I choose to live is up to me. Second, WATER. I literally stopped applying anything on my face, even soap. I would merely splash water on the face and blot dry. Believe it or not, that helped immensely.

Unfortunately, the ravage of cystic acne that plagued me for many years have left some bad scars on my face and that's another bitch that I've been fighting against for some time.

Anyway, don't let acne control you or ruin your life. You know, it could be so much worse, eg. cancer, AIDS, etc. (Yeah, I know, looks matter in this day and age, especially if you're a budding youngster.) But I encourage you to look forward to better days. They will come, I assure you.

Just work work and work. Work will free your mind. Remember there is nothing you can™t fix. Just save up money and see a specialist. Right now it may be hard to deal with but in time you™ll be like wtf why was I a hermit.. live life and embrace the scars 

I know how you feel, I have had acne since I was 9 due to a hormonal issue, tried all the diets (yes, even very restrictive ones), all medical and natural treatment (topical and internal), tried the contraceptive pill (which actually worsened mine) etc etc...the list goes on! For some people it may be hard to target the exact cause and it feels like a losing battle. But you just have to keep trying. I went to a skincare clinic where I found positive results (not a cure, but a step in the right direction). I prefer my dermatologist to my doctor, who basically told me 'you wear too much makeup' (er, no) and prescribed expensive products that were too strong for my skin and ended up burning me.. Maybe you just need a little guidance from someone new? There are a few cosmetic procedures that can be done that are a bit more severe, like intensive light therapy, chemical peeling, microneedling routines etc. that can suit someone with a more severe acne or scarring. They also show results fairly soon after treatments.
I also tried vitamin A (skin accumax) and light therapy masks myself (neutrogena one is cheapest & is on amazon/ebay). They help with control. I also can't recommend pH balancing cleansers enough, they are not necessarily targeted at acne but just help with overall skin condition and balance - dryness, flaking, texture etc. I use image pH balancing cleanser. (Oil free matte moisturiser helps keep conditioning too).
I was at a low while in my last year of school, my skin was at it's worst as I was depressed and suffering severe anxiety. Earlier this year, I had a clear (ish) spell for a while as I relaxed into a new routine. Recently I was a bit depressed again due to an unfortunate job situation and some hormonal issues, my acne flared up, worst it's ever been actually - my point being that one of the worst things you can do is let it take over and make you miserable, I know its hard as all you want to do is over-analyse and think about making it better, but emotional problems do affect some people's acne, so perhaps trying not to give up just yet and enjoy life.
I don't know if i was much help but I just though I'dshare a bit of my experience! Good luck to you on your journey !

I'm 29 and things have got a bit better, but only because I took 12,000mg of isotretinoin. I still get the occasional spot which leaves a red mark as always. I've had acne since I was 11, so 16 years.

Isotretinoin on private prescription 2015-2016
refused isotretinoin by nhs 2007
zineryt ~ 2012
tetracycline ~ 2000
oxytetracycline ~ 2000
lymecycline ~ 2000
doxycline x 2 ~ 2000
differin ~ 2005
azelaic acid ~ 2005
benzamycin ~ 2006 (amazing stuff but discontinued)
Failed scar revision 2015
Failed scar revision #2 2017
VBeam 2016
Eds dermastamp 2015

Upcoming

Rotational flap surgery 2017
Subcision 2018
Juvaderm 2018

So ye, acne has done a number on my life and turned me into a shell of a man. I also have hair loss which will require a transplant, and another dermatological condition called hyperhidrosis.

Thanks for the responses guy, I really appreciate the support!

But what can you really do when acne is so aggressive on your skin? So persistent and determined to thrive?
I was seriously hoping for a second course of Isotetrinoin, but the drug is absolute craziness! I remember it the first time round.

If the strongest drug available does nothing to help, then what hope is there really?

At what point do you consider your life over, and accept your fate of lonelines and social phobias?

@Thetwaldi know how you feel man. I'm 28 and had acne since I was about 14. The only thing that has ever cleared my skin is roaccutane. I have been on three full courses but like you my acne is resistant and always returns.
I decided to take matters into my own hands and take a very small dose of roaccutane weekly for long term and It has been one of the best decisions I have ever made because it had none of the side effects but still seemed to keep the acne away.
However the emotional and physical effects acne has gave me have never quite recovered. Iv been left with scars, which I have now come to accept, but whenever I do get the occasional spot or cyst I go into complete meltdown mode and fear my acne is returning and I'm going to be left with more scars. If it is really getting you down I would recommend seeing a new derm and trying to go on another round of roaccutane. Only thing that has ever worked for me. The way I look at it, you wouldn't stop giving a diabetic insulin, acne is a chronic disease and it needs to be treated like any other chronic disease.

I am so sorry to know about this. I know I can't tell you anything at this point to make you feel better. I will just send my virtual hugs to you. *hugs*

We're all here for you, you are not alone in this struggle. Remember that.

I went back to the doctor yesterday and expressed my concern, he has emailed the dermatologist I go to for advice on further treatment and reccomended looking at another course of Isotetrinoin if possible.

Accept that only roa could work. I have been on 5 roa courses, it took about 8 years, I accepted that I had to take it all my life even every day if it makes my skin not bursting. Well about 38 it calmed down, still have inflammations but not cysts. From my experience the 3D long course in a small dosage was the most effective. After I had courses 2-3 months 10-20mg once a year. So it is understanding what dosage of roa would keep ur skin under control. Could be 40 mg a week taking 5mg every day or just 20+20 taken every 3D day or just 20mg weekly. It is chronic condition which could be under control with roa/diet. Been living with it more then 25y.

On 23/10/2017 at 4:11 PM, Thetwald said:

Done with fighting against acne.

I've been battling acne since I was 15 and I'm almost 24 years old.

I've had Isotetrinoin once 80mg/day
Zineryt,
Lymecycline 400mg twice
Erythomycin,
Oxytetracycline twice
Tetracycline,
Over the counter products,
Adapelen, Differin cream 0.1%
I've tried the regimen for a year to no avail

All in the span of 8 years and the closest I got to clear skin was with Isotetrinoin which I relapsed about 4 months after I finished treatment.

I've eaten healthy several times for a few months with no result, I cut out dairy and sugar in take, and I even drunk only water for two months straight and that did nothing.

I'm now scarred with horrible skin, blemished and red with active acne, my skin's pale and dry and just looks disgusting.

I can't even be bothered anymore, and I'm almsot certain at this point I'm now suffering social phobia linked with BDD due to the absolute obsession I have with my physical appearance and concern with other peoples opinions.

All I ever wanted was to be able to smile at a camera and look good in the picture with nice skin. Instead I lock myself away in my room after work and never see the light of day because I don't feel good enough to join society. To one day find mysef in a happy relationship and enjoy life to it's fullest, have some friends to go out with and have a good time.

It's gotten to a point where I'll smirk and dislike seeing people in relationships and seeing people with good looking skin.

I'm done. I fel like my future now lies as a hermit, going to work just to earn some money and live until the day I leave Earth.

I'm from the UK. I had cystic acne from the ages of 11-27. I tried all the things you did and more. I was also refused accutane by the NHS back in 2007 when I was 19. In 2015 I went private and bought isotretinoin from a dermatologist. I took 12,000 mg over 6 months and have not had acne for 2/3 years now. IMO if you're taking accutane then go big but take it for 5/6 months max to limit long term side effects.