Acne and Roaccutane Message Board

Posting Rules: All postings should be about acne experiences and cures. This is a place to share in a non-offensive manner with others, by posting as follows:

Detail your personal experiences of acne and acne cures.

Ask questions about acne or acne cures.

Reply politely to previously posted questions.
Strictly NO ABUSIVE POSTS - some people who write messages on this board are under a lot of stress, and need to be responded to with sympathy and understanding. If you can not think of anything nice to write, please do not write anything at all.
Please don't post twice, your message will take a little time to appear. The most recent postings are at the top. Anything offensive will be removed.

Replies, questions and experiences for publication can be addehan posting in this guestbook.
To send a personal reply to any message, click on the appropriate email address.
To write to me, see my contact page.
Due to the huge number of postings to this guestbook, older messagess have been removed to the archives.

For those of you who are getting tired of the bad language and abusive messages, be encouraged that a good friend of mine is working on a solution. It's not going to happen instantly, but expect to see some radical improvements in a month or so!

andi - 02/22/00 05:44:09
My Email:starla8@aol.com
Age: 19
Country: us

Comments:
hi can someone tell me a little about dermabrasion? the costs, if you've done it how did it turn out? i have minimal scarring on my cheeks and i was wondering if this was an option for me thanks! feel free to email me

Del - To Chinese Herb Lady - 02/22/00 05:31:40
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry

Comments:
Thanks for your info about the Chinese herbs. I am already 10 days into my Accutane treatment so I will not be using Chinese herbs. If Accutane will not work for me, I will definitely consider using the herbs. Talk to you again if/when that happens.

- 02/22/00 04:54:22

Comments:
RE: Roaccutane and depression - My doctor told me a while back that there is a lot of misinformation on the internet about Roaccutane, and some so called "studies" may be somewhat dubious. I was told that the trustworthy places to search for information a e Medline, Embase and Roscopes. I was also told that cases of depression in Roaccutane are less than 1%, and the links between then are quite tenous. I'm not saying that Roaccutane does or does not cause depression and suicide, because I'm hardly qualifie to do so. I just want to put in a more balanced view of the Roaccutane, after the many negative posts that have appeared.

Daniel - 02/22/00 04:42:51
My Email:l_daniel@hotmail.com
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Country: Melbourne, Australia

Comments:
TO BETH, with the daughter who took Roaccutane only to have the acne/oiliness return. I finished my course in October '99 (also at 60mg). The oiliness came back some time after the course but I wasn't too fussed as long as the acne stayed away. Unfortunat ly, the acne has also returned of late. I think that maybe I didn't take enough. I'm 65kg and I took a total of seven boxes, which works out to be 8400mg altogether. For me, the side effects were quite easy actually, and my skin responded quite late to th Roaccutane (I was still having small breakouts at the end). A friend of mine who lives in Sydney - and who is appox. the same height/weight as I am - took a total of twelve boxes! He finished the course at 120mg per day! This was in May '99, and he's sti l doing well. I think for that really stubborn, recalcitrant acne you should take more Roaccutane. Anyway, I'm off to see my derm next week and hopefully get on a longer, higher dosage course of Roaccutane which will hopefully kill the acne once and for a l. My derm did tell me that some people do need two courses for a cure. All the best to your daughter, Daniel.

Worried Dad - 02/22/00 03:42:59
Country: Australia

Comments:
My son had had a history of drug and alcohol abuse dating back 5 years. Two months ago he went out and bought himself a new car. A few weeks ago he and a bunch of friends went drinking at a local hotel - something he did all too frequently. Though far oo drunk to drive, he left the hotel around 2:00 am, hopped in his new car and wrapped it around a pole - killing him instantly. I have since heard that other people who bought cars have also been involved in accidents - some resulting in deaths! My pro osal is that we ban all cars. Anyone agree? Anyone get my point?

GW - 02/22/00 03:15:30
Age: 18
Gender: male
Country: Aust.

Comments:
What the fuck's going on. Who keeps posting all this drawn out shit. Hey Aussie Anon and Jules I'm glad your still posting, all the normal people seem to have left. And KEN, well I agree with you mate, you are dead right, don't listen to these other kn b shiners. Keep posting pal cause you've got some good things to say. Hope everyone's okay, hang in there, "don't stop, never give up" And BOBBY TOPPS, Suicide Blonde is good but its not the best. Bye..gwAust

- 02/22/00 02:58:37

Comments:
Acne drug in suicide claim Acne can be a debilitating condition A Welsh legal firm has been flooded with calls after it applied for legal aid over an acne drug which it claims can cause severe depression and suicide. Smith Llewellyn, a medical negligence firm in Swansea, says i received dozens of calls on Thursday following newspaper coverage of its plans to sue Roche Products over its drug Roaccutane. "The number is increasing on an hourly basis," said Pauline Roberts of Smith Llewellyn. Two weeks ago the firm applied for le al aid to take out a group action against Roche under negligence legislation and the Consumer Protection Act 1988. It says its decision was prompted by the case of an 18-year-old Newport man who threw himself off a multi-storey building. The coroner rul d that Roaccutane may have played a role in David Tebby's suicide. Following the case, Smith Llewellyn was contacted by a person who had also used Roaccutane and attempted to commit suicide. Disfiguring acne The drug is used as a last resort for people with severe disfiguring acne and has to be prescribed by dermatologists. It was put on the market in1982 and its known side effects include increased sensitivity to sunlight and birth defects. Women taking the drug are warned not to get pregnant. Pauli e Roberts said there was a body of medical evidence which suggested a possible link between the drug and depression and suicide. When it was first put on sale, it was described as possibly provoking mood changes. Since 1998, however, the drug carries a abel warning that it could have dangerous side effects such as depression, suicide attempts and psychotic episodes. Pauline Roberts says she believes the labelling is now strong enough, but she says a lot of the people who have called Smith Llewellyn wer prescribed the drug before 1998. And she says many say they did not have severe acne. She thinks the drug may be being misprescribed and says doctors should be aware that they need to ask patients if they have a history of depression before they prescr be it. No causal link She hopes to hear whether Smith Llewellyn has got legal aid for the case in the next two weeks and says the number of people contacting the firm will increase the strength of their case. Roche said no causal link had been establis ed between taking Roaccutane and depression or suicide. It said the number of people taking Roaccutane and suffering depression and suicide was "far below the incidence observed in the general population". "Acne itself can be a risk factor for depressio and being a teenager with severe, disfiguring acne - a condition well known to affect mood and self-esteem - further increases this risk," it stated

- 02/22/00 02:57:10

Comments:
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS ON ROACCUTANE AND DEPRESSION ISOTRETINOIN AND DEPRESSION…CARE IS NEEDED BY ALAN BYRNE MD. This study sets out details on three specific case reports in France in 1990/92 where there was no prior history of depression and where depression became evident after treatment on Roaccutane. Case 1 related to a young man 17 years of age, without warni g after 4 months of treatment, he tried to commit suicide. He survived the self inflicted injuries. During questioning, symptoms of severe fatigue and problems with sleeping were revealed, as well as unhappy thoughts which started on second month of treat ent. Case 2 related to boy who on third month of treatment, reported a growing fatigue which was forcing him to stop judo, a sport he practiced at a competitive level. During the fourth month he reported the emergence of unhappy thoughts and preferred to top the treatment. It was learned that he committed suicide three months later. Case 3 related to a young woman, after three months of treatment on Roaccutane began having totally inexplicable crying fits severe enough to warrant withdrawal of treatment. ne month after stopping treatment, these troubles had disappeared Isotretinoin (accutane)-Associated Psychosis This case reports a healthy 16-year old male with acne, who used topical tretinoin (Retin A) gel for 6 months with oral tetracycline for the last 3 months. These medications were stopped and oral Roaccutane, at 40mg/day, was started. On day 11 of therapy he patient had the onset of hallucinations, paranoia and incoherent speech. This behavior subsided when drug intake was stopped, but recurred shortly after resumption of Roaccutane, which was then stopped. His psychosis persisted, but improved after a mon hs psychiatric hospitalization, with treatment. He resumed all normal activity within 4 months of stopping these treatments. These authors conclude that Roaccutane may be associated with an infrequent risk of psychosis and/or manic-depressive illness. Acute Depression from Isotretinoin (letter to Eds.) Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1991 This article reports the case of a 17-year-old boy affected by a severely disfiguring cystic acne. After 4 months of treatment with Isotretinoin, 0.5mg/kg/day, the patient’s skin was almost completely clear. One month after treatment was stopped, the pati nt began having difficulties in social readjustment. During the following month the boy unsuccessfully attempted suicide and received psychiatric care; however, 3 weeks later he succeeded in killing himself. Canadian Journal of Dermatology Pyschiatric Reactions to the Retinoids This article provides details of two case reports. Case 1, a 15 year old girl, at commencement of treatment was considered a well adjusted teenager and was cheerful and "easy going". One month following treatment, without warning she cut the hair off one ide of her head. She became unable to sleep, irritable with friends and parents and started to smoke. The patient then became sullen and withdrawn. She became disobedient and left home to live with a classmate. On the fourth month of treatment the physici n was informed of the severe personality disturbances by her father. The drug treatment was stopped. Two days later she threatened to cut her wrists and actually set fire to her clothes in a protest against stopping the drug. Six months later she was home again, back at school and doing well. Case 2 relates to a boy who initially developed side effects of double vision, headaches, nose bleeds, dryness and peeling of his face and lips. Mood swings were noted by his friends after one month of treatment. He b came depressed, had a decreased appetite and lost 4.5 kg. weight. He left home to live with another student The drug was stopped after three month course and within three days the patient felt back to normal and returned home. The patient stated that he " ever wanted to go through anything like he did again". He had no further problems with mood-swings or depression during two years of follow up.

- 02/22/00 02:56:53

Comments:
ONE MORE...About Accutane QUESTION AND ANSWERS SESSION ANY OTHER SIDE EFFECTS BESIDES DEPRESSION? Dr. Byrne related a case of the daughter of a colleague who developed Schizophrenia. He outlined a spectrum of disorders including bone/joint pain, swelling of brain, visual disturbances, hair loss and skin dryness.In the British National Compondium, Roac utane has the highest list of side effects and is a highly toxic drug. In the 1980's it was required of women to stay on contraceptives for 12 months after taking the drug now this has been reduced to a month. Any drug that is absorbed into fat is going t stay. It does cure acne but it is not known how it works. IS THERE A SCIENTIFIC LINK BETWEEN VITAMIN A AND MENTAL ILLNESS? Dr. Byrne referred to published scientific journals, which described how Arctic explorers became mentally unwell when they ate polar bear liver. Thus, a precedent has been set. High doses of vitamin A seem to be toxic. DOES ROACCUTANE CONTINUE TO AFFECT USER AFTER THE DOSE HAS BEEN FINISHED? Byrne stated that depression can persist after drug withdrawal in some cases and, in his experience, Prozac seemed the most effective drug treatment and recommended that patient be kept on it. ARE EATING DISORDERS A SIDE-EFFECT OF ROACCUTANE THERAPY? One audience member described how her child was experiencing vomiting and was unable to eat. Another member described child as having no eating disorder but not being able to put on weight after stopping drug. Another member mentioned her son who is 5 foo 10 inches tall, who was reduced to "skin and bone". Dr. Byrne stated that literature publications and adverse reaction reports feature weight loss as a side-effect of Roaccutane therapy. IS THERE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO SHOW A CAUSAL LINK BETWEEN ROACCUTANE AND DEPRESSION? It is hard to prove a direct connection between depression and Roaccutane. The problem in publishing a paper is that most dermatologists would not accept it as the majority are unaware/ don’t believe the association. HOW MANY PATIENTS HAVE YOU TREATED IN IRELAND? Up to a dozen, but I have been contacted by a lot more after the Prime-Time programme (transmitted on RTE on November 11th 1999. Given the expensive nature of a course of Roaccutane, you would expect a higher incidence of reports in private psychiatric medicine compared with public hospitals, in which area I am involved. OF THOSE WHO DEVELOPED DEPRESSION? WHAT % GOT BETTER? This is hard to tell as when patient stops taking the medication, contact with that patient and thus, the chance to follow up on that patient, is lost. CAN YOU TEST FOR A REACTION TO THE DRUG? This can be difficult for one doctor as the sample size needed to give viable results would be too large. It has been reported that only 5-8% develope depression. WOULD A BRAIN SCAN REVEAL IF THE SWELLING IN THE BRAIN HAD GONE DOWN? No, it is not sophisticated enough. HOW LONG DOES ROACCUTANE STAY IN THE BODY? It is not known and there is huge individual variability. A massive dose of vitamin A does saturate the brain and could possibly change its structure permanently. SHOULD ACCUTANE BE ON THE MARKET? Dr. Byrne stated that there was no doubt that Roaccutane is a phenomenal drug for curing acne and that he would not be in favour of depriving young adults of this. He gave an example of a drug called Clozaril used in the treatment of mental illness. This rug can cause severe side-effects but it does help patients tremendously in overcoming mental illness. Patients on this drug are strictly monitored for decreases in their white blood cell counts and DR. Byrne suggested that a similar system i.e. for monit ring depression, be used for patients on Roaccutane. People must be made aware of the possible side effects even if it only effects 5% of them. Suggested a regular psychological and depression assessment. CAN THE SIDE EFFECTS COME BACK AFTER THE COURSE OF ACCUTANE HAS BEEN FINISHED? Yes, there is a significant reoccurrence of depression in patients.

Psychnurse - 02/22/00 02:52:12

Comments:
We all should be WORRIED PERSONAL STORIES Last year started a cascade of media reports involving cases of suicide and suicide attempt in association with Roaccutane therapy. The following are examples of some of these tragic stories. Amanda's Low Point August 6th 1998 The Advocate on line Amanda Callais, a high-school sophomore from Denham, tells how she went through a personality change during treatment with Roaccutane, which lead her to attempt suicide in November 1997. (SEE NEXT PAGE FOR AMANDA'S FULL STORY) My face cleared up and my life went dark… June 30th 1998 The London Independent Sheila Asprey feels sure that the drug - not the acne - was responsible for her suicide attempt. Sheila describes her mounting depression and irritability, which culminated in a suicide attempt 8 weeks in to her tre tment with roaccutane. FDA: Prescription for danger? Parents heartache targets Accutane June 29th 1998 The Star Ledger This article tells of the tragic death of 19-year old Christopher Tremain, in June 1997. Christopher committed suicide just six weeks after starting to take Accutane for his acne. His parents noted changes in his mood with n a month of taking the drug. November 16th 1998 The Star Ledger New Jersey The Star Ledger newspaper talks to FDA officials following the introduction of new suicide label warnings for Roaccutane in February 1998 in the USA. ANTI ACNE TREATMENT LINKED TO SUICIDE March 14th 1998 The Irish Times The Irish Times examines the history and background of Roaccutane which prompted an FDA statement on safety information Pupils suicide may be linked to acne drug May 8th 1998 The Express David Tebby leapt 80ft to his death from a multi-story car park after taking Roaccutane to clear up his teenage spots. Within months of starting Roaccutane, he developed suicidal tendencies. To lose a child The Sunday Times February 1st 1998 & February 5th 1998 The actor Richard Todd describes his struggle to come to terms with the suicide of his youngest son Seumas. Seumas shot himself in his family home in Grantham. The 20-year old student had been treated for depression fter a bad case of acne for which he had been prescribed Roaccutane. His father believes Roaccutane may have been a factor in his sons' death. Accutane, depression lined in 16 more claims…Ottowa Citizen March 6th 1999 Health Canada has received 16 reports of people becoming depressed, aggressive and even suicidal while taking an acne drug. Eight of the cases in Canada were reported in the last year alone. See next page for full article:

psychnurse - 02/22/00 02:50:19
Age: 33
Country: UK

Comments:
MORE FOR WORRIED MOM.............Have you seen this? FDA Warning re Misleading Advertisements The Food & Drug Administration USA, on March 8th 1998, sent a warning letter to Roche for claiming its (Roche) acne medication, Roaccutane, can help stop depression, even though it (Roche) knew it may cause depression FDA ordered Roche to withdraw its pro otional material, stating they were "false and misleading and promote Roaccutane for an unapproved use". The advertisement cited by the FDA, which appeared in J. Amer. Acad. Derm, January 1998, stated that "…effective treatment of severe recalcitrant nodu ar acne minimizes progressive physical scarring-as well as negative psychosocial effects such as depression and poor self-image". This is very disturbing in view of the fact that on February 26th 1998, FDA sent a warning letter to Roche insisting they now increase the warning on Roaccutane patient information leaflet to read, "Psychiatric Disorders- Accutane may cause depression, psychosis and rarely, suicide ideation, suicide attempts and suicide. Discontinuation of therapy may be insufficient, further ev luation may be necessary". FDA Warning re Misleading Advertisements The Food & Drug Administration USA, on March 8th 1998, sent a warning letter to Roche for claiming its (Roche) acne medication, Roaccutane, can help stop depression, even though it (Roche) knew it may cause depression FDA ordered Roche to withdraw its pro otional material, stating they were "false and misleading and promote Roaccutane for an unapproved use". The advertisement cited by the FDA, which appeared in J. Amer. Acad. Derm, January 1998, stated that "…effective treatment of severe recalcitrant nodu ar acne minimizes progressive physical scarring-as well as negative psychosocial effects such as depression and poor self-image". This is very disturbing in view of the fact that on February 26th 1998, FDA sent a warning letter to Roche insisting they now increase the warning on Roaccutane patient information leaflet to read, "Psychiatric Disorders- Accutane may cause depression, psychosis and rarely, suicide ideation, suicide attempts and suicide. Discontinuation of therapy may be insufficient, further ev luation may be necessary". Good Luck!

psychnurse - 02/22/00 02:44:06
Age: 33
Country: UK

Comments:
To Worried Mom: Perhaps this will interest you...I hope your daughter gets better and that she stays off ALL DRUGS! Amanda's Low Point By Laurie Smith Anderson Advocate staff writer WARNING: Accutane may cause depression, psychosis and, rarely, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicide. The warning above was issued by drug manufacturer Hoffman-LaRoche on Feb. 6 -- just days before 15-year-old Amanda Callais was scheduled to finish her five-month-long treatment with the acne medication. This is her story, as told by Amanda and her mother, Lori Callais, and reflected in Amanda's medical records made available to The Advocate. A high school sophomore from Denham Springs, Amanda went from being a straight A honors student to bringing home C's and D's on papers, sleeping through classes and wanting to quit school last fall. She stopped eating and often came home and went straight to bed. She alienated herself from her friends, and her 9-year-old sister became her keeper when her parents weren't home. "I knew I wasn't acting normal. It was like I was in somebody else's body," she said. With no prior history of depress on, Amanda went through an obvious personality change early in the school year. Her medical files reflect she became moody, angry and belligerent, and attempted suicide last November. Under the care of psychiatrists, therapists and doctors, she remained s icidal and her family was told she had a mood disorder and could require long-term care. It wasn't until late February that her parents thought they had a clue about what had happened to their daughter. "A friend of mine called me at 6:30 a.m. on Feb. 26 nd told me she had just seen a television news report about Accutane, warning about possible side effects of depression and suicide attempts," Lori Callais said. Amanda had been on the acne medication since late September. Her mother immediately threw awa the rest of her medicine. Ironically, at the time, Amanda's concern was about her face (which has remained clear). Within two weeks, Amanda began to gain weight and feel better. She wanted new clothes. Teachers noticed a new attitude; her grades improved "I didn't think it (getting off Accutane) was going to make any difference because I thought something was wrong with me," Amanda said. "In a week, I felt like my old self but I still didn't think it would last. In two weeks, I wasn't even thinking about how I had been. I was just working hard to bring my grades up, trying to make up for lost time and fix everything with my family and friends." Amanda's psychiatrist said, at that time, she felt like she was meeting the real Amanda for the first time and b gan to decrease her dosage of antidepressants. In April, she discharged her from her care noting her depression was "resolved" and the Accutane "may have provoked (her) depression." She has continued to do well. Accutane, or isotretinoin, is a vitamin A d rivative that decreases the production of oil. Approved by the FDA in 1982 and manufactured by Hoffman-LaRoche, it has been prescribed to an estimated 2 million Americans, mostly teen-agers and young adults, as a treatment for severe, recalcitrant acne. A cutane has been shown to cause birth defects and is not recommended for pregnant women. Other possible side effects include joint and muscle aches, skin rashes, hair loss and sun sensitivity. Mental depression has been listed as a possible, but uncommon, ide effect in the drug's literature for years; however, that information was upgraded to a "warning" with stronger language on Feb. 26. The label now reads: "Accutane may cause depression, psychosis and, rarely, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and sui ide. Discontinuation of Accutane therapy may be insufficient; further evaluation may be necessary." The label was issued after the FDA received reports about a dozen patients who reported depression that subsided when they stopped taking the drug and came back when they resumed taking it. Letters were sent out to health care professionals warning about the reports. Still, the company maintains the reports are isolated and there is no definitive causal relationship between the reports and the drugs and emph sized that teens are at particular risk for depression. (Anyone experiencing Accutane-related adverse side effects is urged to call Roche Laboratories at 1-800-526-6367 or FDA MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088.) Local dermatologist Dr. Carlton Carpenter, who did not treat Amanda, said he has long known that depression is a possible side effect for Accutane, but has never seen it in one of his patients. "Accutane is a miracle drug for acne. We don't prescribe it lightly but, for those patients who don't respond to routine treatment, it works well. I probably prescribe it once or twice a week. "It is important to monitor patients closely; I do blood work before, during and after. I try to inform my patients about side effects. I haven't routinely stressed depression as a side effect unless I'm aware of a history of depression in a patient, but I think I will start now," Carpenter said. Local pharmacist Doug Statham said he consulted with a different set of parents last year who were concerned about their adolescent's bout of depression while taking Accutane. "I recommended discontinuing the medication and talking to their child's physician," he said. Lori Callais said she wished they had known sooner. Last November, Amanda had enough. After having a fight with her mot er, she went to bed but got up during the night and went to the kitchen cabinet, she said. From all the medicine bottles she could find, she took 40 Tylenol, Advil and Aleve, according to hospital records. She calmly returned to her room and went to sleep never intending to wake up again, she said. But, at 2 a.m., she experienced severe stomach cramps. Amanda crawled to the bathroom and her parents came in to find her doubled over. "I didn't mean it," she cried repeatedly. Finally, it dawned on her mother what she had done. "What did you take, Amanda?" Lori Callais asked her. In the emergency room, Amanda had her stomach pumped out. She was then admitted to an adolescent psychiatric unit. "The doctors told us her attempt was very serious because she just t ok the pills and went to sleep, fully intending to die," Lori Callais said. "That's what an adult would do. With most teens, a suicide attempt is a cry for help, not a full-blown intention to die." The nightmare continued. Amanda's parents locked up all m dications and anything they thought she might use to harm herself, but she started cutting her hands with blades. "I watched my child being destroyed and felt like I was standing by helpless. We were seriously thinking we might have to institutionalize he if she became a threat to our two younger daughters," Lori Callais said. "It was so insidious. You expect teen-agers to be moody, to sleep a lot, but Amanda went far beyond normal teen behavior. I felt like I lost my daughter. And then I got her back. "W 're still worried about any long-term damage the drug might have done. It cleared up her acne, but at what cost? Accutane works well for acne and maybe it's fine for most people. But, I just think patients need to be informed about the danger of side effe ts. We weren't," she said. "And we certainly never thought to talk to the dermatologist about Amanda's depression." Amanda even continued to receive her pills while she was in treatment at the adolescent psychiatric unit, according to her records. Lori Ca lais, who teaches at Denham Springs High School, said she has students on Accutane. She and her daughter have told their story and warned them to be watchful for signs of depression. She also called the drug company and reported her daughter's case, and i formed all the doctors who had cared for her. "I'm out there beating the bandwagon. I know it sounds corny, but if I save one child..."

aussieanon - 02/22/00 02:34:28

Comments:
To Lil- Oratane is a PBS subsidised brand of roaccutane, available in Australia and NZ. The ingreadients of this drug are the same as roaccutane, with one exception. It also contains vitamin E. .........To the worried mum: I agree with previous posts, it is more likely that your daughter had a genetic predisposition for the neurosis, which was brought out by a combination of things. Although, the use of illicit drugs or accutane may have contributed to her malady, it is unlikely that they were the sol cause. What is more important now, is not to find out what caused it, but to help her get better. I do hope she recovers soon. .....To GW- how is the wonderful Adelaide weather? Have you got your sailing boats out?:-) It's carzy, while you had all th t rain, we had bushfires, right near my parents place. One was only 1km from their house. .....To Steve: Hope you are feeling better! .....Jules- Hi! Hope you are living it up, and not having too many pints of guiness. :-) .....To everyone else: G'day Cheers :-)

Worried Mom - 02/22/00 02:09:10

Comments:
To whomever gave me the site http://homepages.iol.ie/~grantsu/ Thank you so much...I now feel my suspicions are substantiated somewhat..I hope others will visit this site which is the Roaccutane Action Group site. Quite Enlightening...

j - 02/22/00 01:53:03
Age: 16
Country: usa

Comments:
To the worried mom. I have done considerable studies on exstacy, and many drug researchers have found it to be an extremely powerful hallucinogen, stronger than street "acid" in fact. The after effects of the drug are like a barrel of dynamite trapped i side your body. The smallest spark can trigger it to explode into manic depression, psychosis, etc. Even though your daughter abused this drug months before she began accutane, the effects of the drug were still inside her. You must not rule out the po sibilty that these after effects caused your daughter's condition. What triggered the "blast" is a mystery. I am sure the neither the cocaine nor the accutaine helped. Anyway, I hoped this helped you and other people who have dabbled in drugs and are c nsidering accutaine.

sandy - 02/22/00 00:30:04
Gender: female
Country: australia

Comments:
TO BEC...... was very interested reading your story MY DAUGHTER HAS THE SAME SORT OF THING ON HER FOREHEAD AND THE MORE WE TRIED TO GET RID OF IT THE WORSE IT GOT SO NOW SHE JUST WASHES HER FACE AND WHILE ITS NOT IMPROVING ITS NOT AS RED AND ANGRY LOOKING AS IT WAS BE ORE. I ALSO KNOW SHE HAS SENSITIVE SKIN AND SHE HAS TO BE REAL CAREFUL AS TO WHAT SHE PUTS ON HER FACE SHE IS ALSO 14 AND I AM WORRIED THAT ITS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE SO I WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED TO HEAR HOW ROACC WORKS FOR YOU AND THIS TYPE OF ACNE, MY E-MAIL IS san1960@ozemail.com.au

Just Me - 02/21/00 22:29:47
My URL:http://www.voy.com/4529
My Email:SoulLightBeam@aol.com
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Country: UK

Comments:
Hi - haven't had time to read all the posts. ...

Hi Rianne Click for response to Rianne re Real Time Chat room!!! :) ..... Nite !

Rianne - 02/21/00 21:59:38
Age: 34
Gender: Female

Comments:
Hiya Fish! Good luck with your higher dosage of Accutane.....I'm sure that will finally see any remaining spots disappear. That will be great! I just LOVE a success story in the battle of "US versus ACNE"!!!! Jasmine, I'm really surprised that your De maLux hasn't arrived - it must be driving you mad having to wait this long. Grrrrr! Hope the Skinoren works for you....I realise it's early days yet but fingers crossed that you see an improvement real soon. (I agree, where is Rob (RL) - we'd love to h ar from you!) Just Me - I'm still not sure how to use the new site - it asks for a password and I am mega-ignorant in these things! (I'm ignorant in most things really!! Joke. Please nobody agree!!!) Sonia, re the homeopathic remedies. Just Me recom ended Natrium Mur, have you tried that? As for my skin, it still chucks out oil like crazy. I'm taking the Minocin MR (2 x 100mg. per day) and using the Eryacne 4% antibiotic gel. Attacking it from inside and out seems to be keeping my skin in a reason ble condition. BUT this has happened to me before and then I break out and feel desperate. When you have a respite from acne and it RETURNS you feel even worse than you did before. You realise just how wonderful it feels to have good skin and then WHAM you're back to square one. (well, that's how I feel, I know, I know, some people can handle it....I cannot) Anyway, rambling as usual....lots of love, luck and thanks to my mates out there! Rianne.

Anna - 02/21/00 21:47:06
My Email:akhill@udel.edu
Age: 19
Country: USA

Comments:
Dear Worried Mom - I doubt that it was the Accutane that CAUSED the psychotic break in your daughter - anyone who messes with hardcore drugs like ecstacy and coke, even while not on Accutane has some serious problems to start with. And, hardcore drugs su h as those can have lasting effects long after they've been taken, messing up the brain in ways not even imaginable. I too find it unbelievable that you seek to blame Accutane for your daughter's snap following her thoroughly irresponsible behavior. Blame the hardcore drugs and get her to seek help for THAT, not the Accutane!!!!

Megan - 02/21/00 20:57:27
My Email:daystar@bigpond.com
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Country: Australia

Comments:
Thanks to every one who responded to my post a week back all your advice has been really valuable. I've since been back to my GP who prescribed me the minocycline and he has given me a referal to a dermatologist (who I'm seeing on friday) with strong emp thasis on putting me on roaccutane (accutane), I think I would like to go on it, if it means a way out of this trauma, but I'm not sure if the dermatologist will put me on it. I'm not sure whether I should be really insistent, I've read some of your posts about some of your begging to go on it. Can anyone tell me if they think I should just stop the minocycline and go on accutane? (I haven't been on minocycline long, but I'm concerned about staying on and having no benefits, and so far my skin just keeps o getting worse) also do you generally stay on the pill (girls this is for) whilst on accutane, I'm on Diane-35. Thanks again...

wORRIED MOM - 02/21/00 20:29:01

Comments:
LET ME MAKE THIS CLEAR...PERHAPS I DIDNT BEFORE...DAUGHTER HAS DONE ECSTACY TWICE...BOTH TIMES IN NOVEMBER OF 99...SHE BEGAN ACCUTANE MID JAN..AND DID NO OTHER DRUGS WHILE ON THE MEDICATION...YES IT IS BAD TO DO THOSE DRUGS PERIOD...I AM HAPPY FOR YOU FOL S THAT HAVE HAD SUCCESS.. GO TO http://homepages.iol.ie/~grantsu/ AND READ THE CASE HISTORIES...YOUR OPINION MIGHT CHANGE. I NOW AM CONVINCED SHE HAS HAD A PSYCHOTIC REACTION TO ACCUTANE... THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR INPUT

Jules - 02/21/00 19:39:18
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Country: UK

Comments:
By the way I'm not some total anti drugs person. I occasionally smoke dope, but you have to be sensible about things. If you are on a strong hospital prescibed drug, you would be bloody stupid to take ecstacy!

Jules - 02/21/00 19:32:00
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Country: UK

Comments:
To the worried Mum. I am very sorry about what has happened to your daughter, but instead of blaming Roaccutane, which was attempting to do something good for her,I think you ought to be far more worried about the ECSTACY and Coke that she has done. These are both drugs that you can potentially die from. I find it unbelievable that you seem more worried about the Accutane than you are about these drugs.

Most people are sensible enough not to be mixing Accutane with illegal drugs. If people do notice tha Accutane is affecting them in an adverse way then most sensible people would seek medical advice.

Instead of continually posting to people about this adverse affect, why don't you concentrate on helping her to get better. You have made your point, jus like Peggy. The accompanying leaflet that comes with Roaccutane mentions a rare side effect of mood swings, depression or mental disorder. You are not telling us anything new, just scaring people. The leaflet also warns about interaction with other medic nes. Wonder if Coke interacts well with Accutane. I bet your daughters derm would be appalled to hear that this cocktail of drugs had been taken whilst on Accutane. Good luck anyway. I seriously doubt that Accutane is the soul contributor to this.

Worried Mom - 02/21/00 18:02:58

Comments:
For those of you considering ACCUTANE for your problem.. read these case studies...Then go to http://homepages.iol.ie/~grantsu/ This is the Roaccutane Action Group..(rage) to read dozens of simlar stories....I have no doubt now that the problems my daugh er is having are directly resulting from ACCUTANE... Some stories below Isotretinoin (Accutane)-Associated Psychosis Veterinary & Human Toxicology (1989), 31(4), 362. This case reports a healthy 16-year old male with acne, who used topical tretinoin (Retin A) gel for 6 months with oral tetracycline for the last 3 months. These medications were stopped and oral Roaccutane, at 40mg/day, was started. On day 11 of therapy he patient had the onset of hallucinations, paranoia and incoherent speech. This behavior subsided when drug intake was stopped, but recurred shortly after resumption of Roaccutane, which was then stopped. His psychosis persisted, but improved after a mon hs psychiatric hospitalization, with treatment. He resumed all normal activity within 4 months of stopping these treatments. These authors conclude that Roaccutane may be associated with an infrequent risk of psychosis and/or manic-depressive illness. This study sets out details on three specific case reports in France in 1990/92 where there was no prior history of depression and where depression became evident after treatment on Roaccutane. Case 1 related to a young man 17 years of age, without warnin after 4 months of treatment, he tried to commit suicide. He survived the self inflicted injuries. During questioning, symptoms of severe fatigue and problems with sleeping were revealed, as well as unhappy thoughts which started on second month of treatm nt. Case 2 related to boy who on third month of treatment, reported a growing fatigue which was forcing him to stop judo, a sport he practiced at a competitive level. During the fourth month he reported the emergence of unhappy thoughts and preferred to s op the treatment. It was learned that he committed suicide three months later. Case 3 related to a young woman, after three months of treatment on Roaccutane began having totally inexplicable crying fits severe enough to warrant withdrawal of treatment. O e month after stopping treatment, these troubles had disappeared. This article reports the case of a 17-year-old boy affected by a severely disfiguring cystic acne. After 4 months of treatment with Isotretinoin, 0.5mg/kg/day, the patient's skin was almost completely clear. One month after treatment was stopped, the pati nt began having difficulties in social readjustment. During the following month the boy unsuccessfully attempted suicide and received psychiatric care; however, 3 weeks later he succeeded in killing himself. This article provides details of two case reports. Case 1, a 15 year old girl, at commencement of treatment was considered a well adjusted teenager and was cheerful and "easy going". One month following treatment, without warning she cut the hair off one ide of her head. She became unable to sleep, irritable with friends and parents and started to smoke. The patient then became sullen and withdrawn. She became disobedient and left home to live with a classmate. On the fourth month of treatment the physici n was informed of the severe personality disturbances by her father. The drug treatment was stopped. Two days later she threatened to cut her wrists and actually set fire to her clothes in a protest against stopping the drug. Six months later she was home again, back at school and doing well. Case 2 relates to a boy who initially developed side effects of double vision, headaches, nose bleeds, dryness and peeling of his face and lips. Mood swings were noted by his friends after one month of treatment. He b came depressed, had a decreased appetite and lost 4.5 kg. weight. He left home to live with another student The drug was stopped after three month course and within three days the patient felt back to normal and returned home. The patient stated that he " ever wanted to go through anything like he did again". He had no further problems with mood-swings or depression during two years of follow up.

Worried Mom - 02/21/00 18:02:37

Comments:
Thanks for all who replied to my query re my daughter who is in psych ward. Yes she has dabbled in drugs...twice used exstacy...months ago and with in the month did a line of cocain... I am not placing blame anywhere..am very anxious to find out causes of this psychosis...for those of you who have never heard of such things that Accutane may cause...please read the following: Acne can hit teen-agers hard, causing both physical and emotional scars. But since the drug accutane appeared back in 1982, severe acne is easily treated. Now a side effect of that same wonder drug is cause for concern. I have a warning that has been around for awhile, but it's just now being brought to our attention because of the number of suicides that seem to be linked to the drug. "May cause depression, psychotic symptoms and rarely suicide attempts and suicide." That's the new, more prominent warning that appears on the acne drug accutane. The Food and Drug Administration ordered an updated warning after a dozen (PLEASE NOTE...DOZ N)people who committed suicide were found to have taken the medication. Dr. Maral Skelsey said, "The physician really needs to be asking the questions about whether or not there is a risk for depression. Now I think it's also helpful that the patient knows about this because there are a lot of risks." Pat and Michael Tebby said their son David's behavior changed and he committed suicide just after he started taking accutane. "People need to be made much, much more aware because teen-agers are moody anyway," said Pat Tebby. FDA Reports Accutane May Be Linked To Depression, Suicide WASHINGTON, MD -- February 26, 1998 -- The United States Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers and health care providers of new safety information regarding the prescription anti-acne drug Accutane (isotretinoin) and isolated reports of depre sion, psychosis and rarely suicidal thoughts and actions. Accutane was approved in 1982 to treat only a very special type of acne -- severe nodular acne that has not responded to other therapies. Although the Accutane label already included information regarding depression as a possible adverse reaction, the agency felt health care providers and others needed additional information as a result of adverse event reports the agency has received. FDA and the drug manufacturer are strengthening this label warning, even though it is difficult to identify the exact cause of these problems. Such problems could already be more common among the patient populations likely to be on the drug. However, because some patients who reported depression also reported that the depression subsided when they stopped taking the drug and came back when they resumed taking it, the agency and the manufacturer felt the strengthened labelling was warranted as a precautionary measure. Given the complex nature of depression and suicidal conditions, the new label information will advise health care providers that merely discontinuing the drug may be insufficient to remedy these adverse events and that further evaluation may be needed.

worried mom - 02/21/00 17:35:06
Age: 47
Country: USA

Comments:
Thanks for all who replied to my query re my daughter who is in psych ward. Yes she has dabbled in drugs...twice used exstacy...months ago and with in the month did a line of cocain... I am not placing blame anywhere..am very anxious to find out causes of this psychosis...for those of you who have never heard of such things that Accutane may cause...please read the following: Acne can hit teen-agers hard, causing both physical and emotional scars. But since the drug accutane appeared back in 1982, severe acne is easily treated. Now a side effect of that same wonder drug is cause for concern. I have a warning that has been around for awhile, but it's just now being brought to our attention because of the number of suicides that seem to be linked to the drug. "May cause depression, psychotic symptoms and rarely suicide attempts and suicide." That's the new, more prominent warning that appears on the acne drug accutane. The Food and Drug Administration ordered an updated warning after a dozen (PLEASE NOTE...DOZ N)people who committed suicide were found to have taken the medication. Dr. Maral Skelsey said, "The physician really needs to be asking the questions about whether or not there is a risk for depression. Now I think it's also helpful that the patient knows about this because there are a lot of risks." Pat and Michael Tebby said their son David's behavior changed and he committed suicide just after he started taking accutane. "People need to be made much, much more aware because teen-agers are moody anyway," said Pat Tebby. FDA Reports Accutane May Be Linked To Depression, Suicide WASHINGTON, MD -- February 26, 1998 -- The United States Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers and health care providers of new safety information regarding the prescription anti-acne drug Accutane (isotretinoin) and isolated reports of depre sion, psychosis and rarely suicidal thoughts and actions. Accutane was approved in 1982 to treat only a very special type of acne -- severe nodular acne that has not responded to other therapies. Although the Accutane label already included information regarding depression as a possible adverse reaction, the agency felt health care providers and others needed additional information as a result of adverse event reports the agency has received. FDA and the drug manufacturer are strengthening this label warning, even though it is difficult to identify the exact cause of these problems. Such problems could already be more common among the patient populations likely to be on the drug. However, because some patients who reported depression also reported that the depression subsided when they stopped taking the drug and came back when they resumed taking it, the agency and the manufacturer felt the strengthened labelling was warranted as a precautionary measure. Given the complex nature of depression and suicidal conditions, the new label information will advise health care providers that merely discontinuing the drug may be insufficient to remedy these adverse events and that further evaluation may be needed.

aL - 02/21/00 16:51:50
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Country: UK

Comments:
Hi everyone,

Well, its day 5 on Roaccutane and my skin is changing. It has taken on the so-called 'suntan' effect and radiating heat and redness. I don't mind as it means the drug is starting to show signs of effect. E45 emolient cream seems to help but does leave y skin feeling sort of greasy even though its not meant to. Vaseline also doing the trick on my lips. Difficult sleeping last night as I felt that the hair and dust, I guess from my pillow, were being drawn to my face and making it itchy. It's difficul to resist stratching but I can live with it. Derm. put me straight on 80mg/day which is ok as I'm 85 kg and would rather dive straight in and get the job on its way.

Can anyone tell me if it is ok to exfoliate whilst on Roaccutane. I was given some very fine scrub gel (Ralph Lauren) a while ago and it has fine beads which were very mild on my face when I used it. I also have a AHA moisture gel with SPF8 in that may elp turnover of my skin. Would I be doing more harm than good - any advice appreciated ? Also, does the redness get worse than it is after the first week or is it pretty constant ? (bearing in mind the fact that I'll be on the same dose for 4 months).

Good luck to you guys and gals out there and hold on - I've lived with this annoying condition for 8 years and I now have hope!

Al.

Beth - 02/21/00 16:26:10
Age: 44
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
I'm very interested in the posts about acne and oiliness returning after Accutane. My 15 year old daughter finished her course at the end of December. She was one 60 mg. a day. Her skin looked great up until a few weeks ago, when the oil returned and no some breakouts. We go to the derm next week, and I'd like to know if anyone else has been put on a maintenance dose of Accutane...like the guy who said his doctor recommended taking Accutane one week a month. I am heart-broken for her at the prospect o going back to suffering with acne, after seeing how great her skin looked a month ago......Please help!

Sonia - 02/21/00 15:46:06
My Email:desai_sonia@hotmail.com
Age: 22
Country: UK

Comments:
Hi there Week 9, and my skin has imporved quite a lot, though I still get one or two pimples from time to time,and the marks are still there. I was just wondering whether anybody has tried any HOMEOPATHIC medicine- it's different from herbal medicine. Please feel ree to email me. I'm confused about this banana business- HPiG, could u please write again about your special diet concerning sunflower seeds- where did u get the information from? I'm also using "tea tree oil fash wash + freshener"- even if it does dry my skin out even more, I think it's been the best for me so far. I still havent' been able to find any good moisturiser that contains Vit E without some pore-clogging or oily ingredi nt. Neutrogena spot-control moisturiser was the only one that seemed okay to me. The rashes on hands are a lot better thanks to Body Shop's Vit E lotion. I've got about 2 more months to go- don't wanna be off roaccutane- feel so secure as long as I'm on it.Take care-SONIA

Ole - 02/21/00 14:47:10
Age: 22
Gender: male
Country: Iceland

Comments:
Hi, i was on accutane for 6 months, i was on 50 mg per day. and now my skin is cleared up. but i wanna ask you something? my doctor has told me to keep on taking accutane for a week in each month to get a better long term effect, has anyone any ideas of hy that might be? Thank you for reading this

ken - 02/21/00 06:13:15
Age: 20
Gender: male
Country: usa

Comments:
steven apparently you see yourself as a victim of circumstance. you do have a choice, believe it or not. you can go through life being bitter and hateful which does nothing but cause negativity or you can use the experiences (good and bad) in you life to help you grow as an individual. it is true that i have not suffered from acne as long as you have, but i have suffered much in my life. but that doesn't make a difference. a good friend of mine is disfigured from her head down to her toes. she is the sweetest and strongest person i know and admire. i would never have met her and would have missed out on a lot had i stayed home worrying about my physical flaws. i look at life this way: everyone has experienced the sorrow and the pain that i h ve. many more and many less. i can either throw a pity party for myself and get nothing but meloncholy out of it or i can go outside and make a difference for myself and others. when i posted that message, i wasn't trying to convert people but to open ew possibilities. if you don't like what you hear, you can either brush it off and move on or you can hold a grudge until your thumbs turn green. it's your choice. take care. ken

To the mom who wrote about her daughter: - 02/21/00 00:13:36
My Email:pam-e@ihug.com.au

Comments:
FIRSTLY 'Mom'...I would like to congratulate you on what must have been a tremendously difficult decision...having the courage to sign those papers and have your daughter committed...(hopefully now she can get the help she needs)

In my early twenties I as also committed by my mother...so I related to your story on a very personal level...

I am also currently undergoing therapy with Roaccutane (aged 32)...and despite a history of numerous psych. admissions in my early twenties...I have never experience ANY psychiatric side-effects during therapy with the drug...(in fact I've never felt better in my entire life!!!)...

Sadly however...this is not the case for your daughter...

From an academic perspective...using a biopsychosocial model as a framewor for understanding... contemporary psychiatric literature (Bloch & Singh) posits that 'mental illness' arises as a result of interacting factors: biological, psychological and social.

So as someone said earlier (forget who exactly!)...it is probably mo e useful to think of your daughters situation in terms of contributing FACTORS...

Even if it was definitely proven that Roaccutane had a deleterious effect on her brain chemistry...this would still need to be considered in the context of other factors ( he 'big picture'...so to speak)...such as your daughters concurrent use of ecstasy, pot and cocaine...her social relationships and support networks...her relationship with her family...any academic pressure she may feel in terms of fulfilling your expecta ions...and so on...and so on...and so on...

'Mom'...I wish you and your beautiful talented daughter all the best in overcoming this...could you let us know how it goes?

pam...(sending you a big hug if you need one)

Just Me - 02/20/00 23:06:35
My URL:http://www.voy.com/4529
My Email:SoulLightBeam@aol.com
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Country: UK

Comments:
Hi Jasmine et all ... Jasmine, I wrote a response to you at my site ... sorrie - for me I find it easier to post there as the post box is directly at the bottom of the page whereas here there are so many links and the Board takes a while to load up after ou've posted your message and the messages go missing dah dah dah (grins)! I keep up with this room ... just feels more comfortable for me to post there ... I'll let you know when I write you etc or Rianne etc etc! Most people probably already check the room anyway and here .. they're just not used to writing there yet (grins). Nite! It's late!

Click for response to Jasmine re Dermalux Lamp

Jen - 02/20/00 21:52:06
Gender: Female
Country: USA

Comments:
To the woman with the daughter: I have read A LOT about accutane and have never heard of or been told by my dermatologist that it can cause the effects your daughter has experianced. I'm sure the doctor who evaluates her can tell you much more about her condition and the cause of it, but I would guess it is the drug "Extacy" (forgive spelling) which I have heard to be a very dangerous drug for some people. Perhaps the combination was what pushed her to the point that it did...however, she really needs to lay off the drugs/drinking, especially while on prescription medications (and even more importantly with drugs as potent as accutane!).

SJeff - 02/20/00 20:28:27
My Email:vantmas@hotmail.com
Age: 18
Gender: male
Country: usa

Comments:
to the mother who's daughter went to the psychiatric ward. I have been on accutane for 3 months and for the last 2 months i have been doing Ecstacy once every other week, and smoking pot, but no drinking, and i am totally fine, nothing has happened to me whatsoever, i dont even have depression, so i dont know if that did it to your daughter, maybe her body just reacts differently. Good luck.

Guy Smeary - 02/20/00 20:03:25
My Email:phblatant@hotmail.com
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Country: USA

Comments:
DEAR WOMEN WITH BRILLIANT PSYCHOTIC DAUGHTER: I think who ever said accutane is a Contribution, is probably giving the best advice...When i began taking i began to have depressed times followed by a period of mania...about 3 months into the accutnae treatment i went to the psychiatrist and was diagno ed with bipolar disorder...i blamed the accutane solely at first but then i found out that my family has a background in mental disorders, my mom being manic, as well as my uncle, seeing how manic deppression is a gentic disease and couldn't have bee cua ed by an acne drug, this leaves me to believe that accutane only helps it along, your daughter would have been psychotic anyway, accutane or not,...further more, i suggest you not try to cure her...have you ever read One Flew over the Cukoo's Nest???

low dose - 02/20/00 17:50:19
Age: 21
Gender: male
Country: usa

Comments:
Wow--there are so many messages on this site! My question is for those people on low doses. I was on 20 mg for 5 months (weight 162 lbs) and it worked really well. I had extremely oily skin and minor-moderate acne. Anyway, while on the treatment, it w rked well. However, three weeks off, the oil came back and I started getting a few zits on my forehead. My derm put me on a 10 mg/day maintenance dose, and while the oil is "controlled" I am still getting a few zits on my forehead. I don't know what to do now. I'm so sick of acne. I'm wondering if I should have just gone on the high dose to clear it up permanently, but my derm didn't want me to. Anyway, MY QUESTION IS: Have a lot of you experienced full on oil return after treatment? Is that normal r should it be reduced oil return? Thanks!

Julia - 02/20/00 17:29:56
My Email:juls@user.ru
Age: 24
Gender: female
Country: Russia

Comments:
Hello! I've had spots since I was 11 and I've tried every cure posiible.... May last year i started Roaccuitan treatment; for 2 month i was on 40mg per day and after for another 5 month - 30 mg per day. The dose was very big so i was going through all sor s of blood tests and medical cheks once a month. I did experienced dryness of my skin, chaped lips and I had to stop wearing contact lences But take my word that all was a very small price to pay for the looks I have nowdays. no other side effects whatsoe er. To cut the long story short Roaccutane is a great drug and I wish I have enough thanks to my doctor. Good Luck! :))))))

- 02/20/00 16:55:47
Age: 49
Gender: female
Country: U.S.A.

Comments:
This goes out to the mother who has a beautiful, 20-year-old daughter with obvious potential and high brain capacity, who has ended up in a psychiatric ward. Unfortunately, I can't agree that Accutane is her problem even though I'm sure that you are tryi g to find answers and/or reasons as to what sent her in this present direction. Being a parent myself, I can certainly understand where you're coming from and can sympathize with you!! However, her obvious drug use started long before the Accutane treat ent. The mental problems were already there. Accutane more than likely only brought them out even more. Accutane is known to have some adverse mental side-effects, i.e. depression and acute psychosis, and I would imagine that in an individual with an a ready unstable background, the Accutane would contribute. The keyword here is CONTRIBUTE. It's my assumption that the Accutane only made her seek out the help sooner than she would have done otherwise. There have to be some other underlying reasons for the destructive behavior she was already engaging in before the Accutane. I believe that blaming Accutane is only "grasping at straws". I wish you and your daughter the best of luck and I hope that during her treatment, the psychiatrists/counselors will be able to get to the heart of the matter. Sincerely...

Bo bTopps - 02/20/00 16:36:28
Age: 24
Gender: male
Country: USA

Comments:
Greetings and Salutations! To the person who posted RE: ACCUTANE SIDE EFFECTS.interesting post! I always wondered how accutane effected collagen production..considering topical application increases production. Went to AOL.COM couldnt find that chat room, though.. AMAE=I am studying to be a pharmacist! (that does not mean I now alot about drugs (yet). GW=best INXS song is...suicide blonde. thank ye GOOD LUCK

Steve (Stojan Ancheff) - 02/20/00 16:24:17
My Email:makedon_vmro@hotmail.com
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Country: Canada

Comments:
Firstly for Ken, the "philosopher" from the USA: You're message was quite amuzing. What kind of trash is, "I must deal the psychological trauma caused by acne, to overcome my acne." Excuse, but prior to your VERY FIRST outbreak, you obviously had NO AC E, and thus NO TRAUMA to overcome, so what exactly do you believe INITIALLY caused your acne? I'm sorry, but you have to realize, those empty theories you read by unemployed psychologists like the one you mentioned have no credibility. I was so happy be ore my acne, which started when I was 13 or so. Now, I must say, I'm more withdrawn and angry. 7 months of Accutane, and still, my acne remains the same. Before my acne started to get REALLY bad around 2 years ago, I had so many girls and such good tim s, and now, both are gone. I'll be entering university soon, and most likely, I'll be the only one there whose still stuggling with acne. I'm almost out of my teens, and still, I'll be pissed for probably another 7 years. And now, for the MOTHER of the so-called "GENIUS" daughter who smokes weed, drops E, and snorts crack--why in the world are you blaming your daughters psychological instabilities on Accutane? You need help yourself if your making such accusations. Why the hell are you rationalizing y ur daughters actions? Obviously, she had larger problems than acne. Perhaps she should seek some narcotic dependance programs. Maybe theres more to her depression, and perhaps she resorts to the use of drugs as a temporary solution. I'm not a doctor, ut anyone with a little common sense will tell you the same. P.S. For all others, my acne got worse today!!! YEAH!!! 7 months of Accutane and no outcomes!!! Regards, Steve

jay - 02/20/00 15:17:23

Comments:
hello. i would like to dispell a myth concernig accutane. many beleive that if you have dry skin this will help your acne and dry it up, you are wrong. having dry skin will only clog the pores in which the natural process cannot go through for the impu ities will be trapped in your pores with no lubrication to get out. if you have moisturized skin the impurities can escape and believe me, it looks 100 times better.

Jay - 02/20/00 15:14:51

Comments:
To the women posting about her daughter. The reason your daughter is in a mental ward is not because of Accutane but probably because she did all those drugs. Bye.

- 02/20/00 15:08:11

Comments:
To the lady below.Here is a website for you to look at.It is http://homepages.iol.ie/~grantsu/ It has peoples personal experiences on Accutane with depression etc side effects.I hope it is useful.I have no doubt it was the accutane that did this to your d ughter rather than anything else she just dabbled with here and there.Good luck.

- 02/20/00 13:50:57
My Email:blewmax@hotmail.com
Age: 47
Country: usa

Comments:
My daughter is a beautiful 20 year old with no history of neuroses whatsoever...not even depression. She has a 135 IQ and we have great expectations for her. However as of last Tuesday she is in the psych ward at our local hospital. She lives at home, dri ks moderately, smokes pot on occasion and recently (two weeks before she started getting sick) did a line of "coke." at a party. She has tried the drug Xstacy in the past (months ago) at least twice. Two weeks ago, she began taking the drug Accutane...wit in 4 days she was showing symptoms of paranoia and defragmentation of thought patterns. After 6 days she was totally out of touch...delusional, hallucinating...paranoid thinking plants animals and humans were trying to communicate with her subliminally. he got so bad I was afraid she would hurt herself because she was wandering the house and property at night, that I signed papers to commit her. She was admitted for "Acute Psychosis" Have you ever heard of such side effects from Accutane? And so quickly? here is no history of psychosis in either side of the family that we know of. Of course I want to think that this is the culprit...And indeed, after being off it for almost a week now, she is much better, but not 100 percent, and of course she is on Anti yschotic drugs and zoloft now...Any input you can give would be so appreciated. Could the damage be permanent?

Jenny - 02/20/00 12:30:15
My Email:jen_b83@hotmail.com
Age: 16
Gender: female
Country: U.K

Comments:
I am currently on dianette and soon to be on roaccutane. Anyone else been on this? Does it work? I am tried most other treatments but with no success. I have had spots for ages but my acne started to get worse about 5 months back after i came off some tab ets as i had a high blood level. I hope this treatment works!

Daniel - 02/20/00 12:09:53
My Email:l_daniel@hotmail.com
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Country: Melbourne, Australia

Comments:
Hi, I wonder if anyone here has been on a second course of Roaccutane and how it worked for you? I completed a course in October '99 and things were great for about two months after but the acne has started to come back. It has gotten considerably worse a of late, and I think it's about 80% of what it was prior to Roaccutane. I'm just wondering if a second course of Roaccutane is worth it? Also, if there is anyone here from Melbourne Australia, can you recommend a dermatologist who readily prescribes Roac utane? Anyway, hope to hear from someone!

Carlos - 02/20/00 10:49:23
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Country: USA

Comments:
Hey everyone how are you? I was just wondering is it safe to put Vaseline on your face? Currently I am taking ery-tab antibotic pills and they worked so well for about 6 months. I was almost cleared, but for the last 3 months I have been getting some acne again. Is this strange? I also think if I went on a bread and water diet I wouldn't have acne. It's hard to make a girlfriend now....sucks. thanks for the help

Jules - 02/20/00 10:28:45
Country: UK

Comments:
TO STEVE (Stojan Ancheff): What do you wash your face with? My guess is you are using some kind of facial wash and keeping the skin quite dry by not moisturising it much. Maybe not - sorry if this is the case! Try soap and water twice a day. Palmoplive or ginal works well for me. Before your face is completely dry, apply a vitamin e moisturiser - try Nivea soft - it also has Johoba which is good for the skin. There is a myth that your skin needs to be dry to heal. It heals much better when moisturised. Its the grease that blocks the pores, not moisturiser if its a non-greasy one. Maybe this will help?

Jasmine - 02/20/00 10:28:30
Age: 33
Gender: Female
Country: U.K.

Comments:
Hi everyone.Oh no I've just squeezed my face to death.WHY DO WE DO IT!!You would have thought I would have learnt by now that squeezing just makes things worse and gives you even more spots.The temptation was too great looking in the mirror on a bright su ny day.To JUST ME.Thanks for the catalogue clipping on the No-No Lamp.That's very clever I wouldn't have a clue how to do that.I e-mailed Innovations and they said they haven't got details of the manufacturer as they stopped selling it a while ago.I have lso e-mailed Home Free but they didn't get back to me.I think I will e-mail them again.How are you doing with your Dermalux lamp?I am STILL waiting for my bulbs.They are just working out the packaging and will send them to me.It has been nearly 3 months s nce I first enquired about buying new bulbs.I know the lamp probably won't work again for me but I'd like to have the opportunity to try!!Hi RIANNE well day 3 today with the Skinoren.Of course no improvement yet but touch wood no bad reaction either.Sligh ly itchy when I first put it on but so far that's all.It says on the leaflet do not use longer than 6 months but on the NZ Dermanet it says you can use it for years.I wonder why it says no longer than 6 months.That's no good just clear your skin up and yo have to come off of it.I do know that Skinoren has been used for alopecia to help the hair grow back and I can't even think about that.I am hairy enough as it is.I feel like this cream is not going to work for me but I am just feeling extra down about it all today.It takes at least a month before any improvement anyway.How is your skin at the moment?I wonder what has happened to Rob.Anyway chaps that's about it.Take care all. love Jasmine

ken - 02/20/00 06:45:25
Age: 20
Gender: male
Country: usa

Comments:
hello. i've had acne since i was 18. i used to be a very energetic and loving guy until all of a sudden i started breaking out. then i became hateful and cursed people with perfect skin. it wasnt until i read the book "seat of the soul" by gary zukav hat i realized i was not a victim of acne. by no accident, i have acne because i must learn to overcome the psychological trauma it causes in order to grow as an individual.

ken - 02/20/00 06:45:21
Age: 20
Gender: male
Country: usa

Comments:
hello. i've had acne since i was 18. i used to be a very energetic and loving guy until all of a sudden i started breaking out. then i became hateful and cursed people with perfect skin. it wasnt until i read the book "seat of the soul" by gary zukav hat i realized i was not a victim of acne. by no accident, i have acne because i must learn to overcome the psychological trauma it causes in order to grow as an individual.

Jennifer - 02/20/00 06:44:49
My Email:silverflower@hotmail.com
Age: 19
Gender: Female
Country: USA (California)

Comments:
I just started Accutane 8 days ago and have noticed my acne has become significantly worse than it was before the treatment. I knew before starting this could happen, but didn't expect it to be this bad. It is about a 150 percent increase from what it wa before. My brother has been on it for exactly a month longer than I have and didn't experiance this at all. In fact, his acne is almost completely gone already! I was wondering if anyone else had this happen and if they eventually had a possitive outcome by sticking it out. Also, any advice on how to get rid of, or minimize skin discoloration left from old breakouts would be GREATLY appriciated.

lil - 02/20/00 05:05:43
Age: 18
Country: australia

Comments:
just wandering if anyone has heard of oratane and the side effects of it?

Steve (Stojan Ancheff) - 02/20/00 04:11:43
My Email:makedon_vmro@hotmail.com
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Country: Canada

Comments:
Okay... The last time I wrote was probably at the beginning of my Accutane treatment around 7 months ago. Well... NO MAJOR IMPROVEMENT!!! 7 months of ruining my liver and my body for minimalist results!!! Tuesday I go to visit my derm--I think I will break her legs! "Well, Accutane doesn't work for everyone, Steve." Easy...it works, obviously this stuff wasn't administered properly. I've heard of people weighing 20-30 lbs less than me, taking the largest dosage per day. So, what side-effects did I experience? Very dry skin and lips... On the plus-side, my back cleared up!!! YEAH!!! The part of my body that no one gets to see!!! Hurray!!! If my derm asks me to go on another round of this garbage, I'm going to spit in her face. I know more about this drug than she does... So, I just had another recent outbreak! Not to discourage anyone, but remember, Accutane isn't for everyone, and it's definitely not a permanent cure! I've been so patient... I don't smoke... I don't drink... I don't drink pop or other caffeinated garbage like coffee... I wash my face... I can't wait to see my derm Tuesday... Good day to all, Steve

GW - 02/20/00 03:02:36
Age: 18
Gender: male
Country: Aussie Aussie Aussie, OI OI OI

Comments:
What's up dudes. Hope everyone's okay, hey JUST ME I went in your chat room and not a soul in there my friend. Lift your game!

Just Me - 02/20/00 01:01:21
My URL:http://JustMeGMT.tripod.com/index.html
My Email:SoulLightBeam@aol.com
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Country: UK

Comments:
Hiya all .... Jasmine, I finally managed to scan in the NONO gizmo onto the Acne Support Group in Cyberspace HomePage (whew!) which took f-o-r-e-v-e-r!!! This is such hard work when you're not too sure of what to do (grins) but it's fun learning! Once I get the gist I'll be a pro!! The link to the picture etc is at the top but here it is again:

Click to view the Nono gizmo"

It's 1am - have to get to bed! (yawn). Nite.

Ari - 02/20/00 00:32:50
My Email:arig@icon.co.za
Age: 21
Gender: Male
Country: South Africa

Comments:
Hi Everyone, First of all thanks for a great page. Well I have just started my 3rd month of treatment. I am on Roaccutane for 6 months so haff way there. My skin has cleared up so much. I started using Lip Ice and facial moisteriser from day one and have not had a pro lem with dry lips, only with my eyes but that is expected. I was thinking of the worse when I was told that the first month is the worse and I will break out even worse, but this did not happen. All I can say is that I regret not going on Roaccutane sooner. What a terrific drug to treat Acne. Ari

j - 02/19/00 23:44:30
Age: 16
Country: usa

Comments:
thanks for the help andi, ill get some of that cream as soon as i can. to those wo have used accutaine and finished it - what did you use for follow up treatments. i work out alot, so far soreness has only been moderate, so i am continuing with track an weightlifting, does anyone know if it is ok to take creatine monohydrate while on accutaine.

FISH - 02/19/00 21:53:30

Comments:
Hi everyone! Hope you're all doing well. To IVAN - great post - thanks for that. So my news is as follows.... My last week of Roaccutane was meant to be next Wednesday so I had an appointment with my derm on Friday to see what he thought about the end re ults. We had a chat - I told him that although my skin was sooo much better than when I first started the medication, I wasn't absolutely thrilled with the results. He had a look at me and said that from his notes and his 'scaling' system - my skin had mproved 90% but that he too wasn't totally satisfied with the results. He felt that at this stage - 14 weeks, I should have no new spots forming. (I had 1 small one). Anyway, we decided between us to give it another month in order to totally blitz it. asked him to up my dosage aswell - to which he agreed!! So now I'm on 50mg per day for another 4 weeks and that should be it. I was disappointed that it's not all totally clear, but what's another month eh? Hi to all of you especially to RIANNE,JASMIN ,AMAE,GW,STEVE,JULES, BOBTOPPS and STRAWBERRY! Spotlessness to all. Love Fishxxx

Tom - 02/19/00 20:59:54
Age: 17

Comments:
Hey i have finished 17 weeks of accutane + a, still getting spots anyone out there that improved when finished, please say yes i am geting worried i will be one of the 15-10% that still get spots.

Tom - 02/19/00 20:59:46
Age: 17

Comments:
Hey everyone I put a message on a few days ago and I had some people email me about there problems and it was great talking to someone with the same problems that I have. So to any of you out there that just need someone to talk to I'm here. Everyone good luck with there treatment I have 4 months left with my course. thanks for reading.

David - 02/19/00 15:29:58
My Email:cynic223@yahoo.com
Age: 19
Gender: male
Country: USA

Comments:
I just got done with a 6 month treatment of Accutane. It made all of the acne go away, but I still have red spots from old acne. I heard Retina A Micro helps the red spots to go away faster. So my question is, is it ok to use the Retina A Micro right after the course of accutane? Thanks for any help.

Mia - 02/19/00 13:23:59
Age: 19
Gender: chic
Country: Oz

Comments:
hey all, got a quick q about aches and pains...which i've been having a lot of lately..esp my back. My back just aches pretty bad when i wake up, and well it just aches in general, and the above-the-heel/near-the-ankle pain is still here on anf off...do y u think it would be really dumb to try and work out/swim under such circumstances?? Or do you reckon the pain (its not dramatic, just aches, and is a little sharp at times) will just kinda go away when i get back into proper exercising?? i just don't wann strain anything unnecessarily, and was wondering if anyone had a similar experience and what they did???

Hope you're all well :) Im fine :) I had a yukky few days, but its all over now (not skin related) and life has resumed its usual sunniness :) anyways keep your heads up and smiling :)ciao Mia :)

Iy - 02/19/00 10:25:58
My Email:girltmhk@hotmail.com
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Country: Hong Kong

Comments:
I would like to know what accutane/ roaccutane is? I have looked up a lot of dictionaries but still couldn't find out the meaning! Please reply to me asap.

Liz - 02/19/00 09:19:29
Gender: female
Country: UK

Comments:
Hey MEGAN, Read that essay posted by Bec from Aust. today (18th Feb) as it has lots of info on DIANE 35 & MINOCYCLINE. Also has info on ERYACNE, DIFFEREN GEL & good story for ANYONE WITH MODERATE ACNE THAT IS NOT CYS

Bec - 02/19/00 08:18:34
Age: 24
Gender: female
Country: Australia

Comments:
Well, this is day 1 of Roaccutane treatment for me and I must admit I am apprehensive. Despite reading almost everthing I think has ever been published on the drug, I keep wondering wether I should have put it off for just that little bit longer - just incase it clears up all by itself! (sound farmiliar?). I suppose the main contributing factor to my reluctance to take Accutane lies in the fact, that unlike most of you, I don't have cystic acne. What I have is called chronic micro-papualr acne with quite a few pustules and sizealbe pimples thrown in for good measure (I believe the combination is known as acne vulgaris). In effect I look like I have a lumpy, redish rash that covers my entire face (minus my eye/nose region), runs down my neck, over my chest, round my shoulders and is now branching out onto my upper back. I suppose you would consider it to be moderate acne. When it flares up I resemble someone with a bad case of the chicken pox which is limited to the aforementioned region. I am fortunate that (quite a considerable amount of) make-up can cover most of it up, however that old method of concealment has become increasingly diffucult with the continued spreading, and severity of the small lumps in concerntrated areas. I just want to give a brief outline of my 'pattern' of acne for anyone else out there with similar experiences so that I can either offer you information of what you could possibly have instore; or if you have anything to tell me regarding the effectiveness of Accutane in treating this pattern of acne, I would appreciate hearing about it. I developed acne when I was 14 which looked much like what I currently have, except it was only on my face. I'd say that it was moderate acne, and I can recall people commenting on the fact that I was "pretty, but with bad skin". Although it embarrased me, I assumed that my acne was just a part of adolescence, and I put up with it. When I was 17 my skin noticably started to clear up, and from 18 - 21 I had a fairly good run. Although I never lost the acne completely, I'd consider what I had to be quite mild, with an occasional 'break-out', but most of the time I was comfortable to go swimming without worrying about make-up. Then aged 22, it started to return. At first I just started to get a few more pimples, and then yet a few more pimples and a few pustles (ie, whiteheads & blackheads). I tried abstaining from soft drinks & chocolate, I also tried regular exercise and lots of water, plus almost every supermarket, wash, scrub, ointment etc all to no avail. It all happened so gradually that I didn't realise just how much it was affecting me until I noticed that I was swimming with make-up on at the gym, and not going into the water at the beach. When you add that to my age, I decided that perhaps I needed a bit of help to clear my skin. I went to a doctor without wearing any make-up & finally showed someone. YOU SEE, WHEN YOU HAVE MY TYPE OF ACNE YOU FEEL A BIT EMBARRASED TO BE ASKING FOR HELP WHEN YOU ARE AWARE OF HOW MUCH WORSE IT COULD BE, SO YOU TEND NOT TO ASK. The doctor put me on a pill in order to ajust my body to 'the pill' before prescribing Diane 35. As it turns out I got chronic migranes and had to stop after 6 weeks. Scared by that incident, I put it off again. Four months later, my skin had progressively gotten worse and so I saw another doctor who said that while it wasn't anything to panic about; my skin probably wasn't normal for my age and put me on Diane 35. I took Diane 35 for 6 months, and although I would have periods where it was not quite as bad, it definately didn't clear up, and infact, when I had 'bad phase' it was worse than ever. Given that there wasn't any improvement over 6 months (which is what the doctor recommended as a sufficent trial period), in addition to the fact that I could only fit into one pair of my pants, and had gone up 3 bra sizes - we decided to try Minocycline (antibiotic) tablets, and an antibiotic cream (Eryacne) instead. Once again I was on trial for 6 months, and once again the same results. (My side effects included bad nausia, dizziness, and an occasional mild headache). Although I would have small spurts of 'OK' skin, generally the breakouts were getting progressively worse, and after almost 6 months something unusual happened. My forehead errupted in a complete covering of small skin-coloured lumps, which gradually grew in size and sensitivity, and turned red. Although only a few had a white/yellow head, they all had puss & hard cores when squeezed, and I looked like I had a high-grade sandpaper stuck to my head. This then spread down my temples, around my jaw line, and onto my cheeks - and by the time I went to the doctor I had traces of the small red lumps on my chest. She decided it was time I try Roaccutane, and I was both excited and petrified. I had to wait 4 weeks to see the specialist, and when I finally went to see her, my skin looked the best it had been in years, and (understandably) she decided to 'put it off' and gave me a script for Differen gel which I was to use in conjunction with the Minocycline tablets (instead of the Eryacne). *Apparently, the Eryacne is to treat pimples, ie you put it on the inflamed zit only; where as the Differen is used to treat comedones (the lumps) and you put it over the entire area. Anyhow, as luck would have it the clinic was closed for the following 3 weeks (x-mas) and I had the worst break out yet. My forehead was just a mass of lumpy sore pimples, my face was a mixture of comedones (masses of small lumps), pustules (whiteheads & blackheads), and a few big pimples (infected pustules), my chest was covered in sore red lumps which were spreading over my shoulders and onto my upper back, and finally my neck broke out in hundreds of small, red, sore lumps too. I considered that the severity may have been connected to the Differen gel which I had just started using, as (like almost any acne treatment, it is renouned to make it worse before it makes it better), but I had to eliminate that possibility when I realised that the acne was popping up in 'new' areas for the first time EVER and I was only using the Differen gel on the exising acne. They were all relatively small, but there were just thousands of them, and they were all sore, red, & some were pussy. The best image I could give you would be to say that I looked like I had a restricted case of the chicken pox, and no amount of make-up was going to hide it - drown out the redness perhaps, but not hide it. Eventually I was using the differen gel all over my face (minus my eye/nose area), down onto my neck and chest, over my shoulders and onto my back. I had to go to my local doctor for a repeat prescription, and she took one look at my face/neck and told me to "just go on the Roaccutane and get rid of it". A few more weeks passed, and I found that the Differen gel was actually helping a little. It appeared to be drying my skin out, and preventing that revolting ooze that you expereince from about 11am onwards (*by the way The Body Shop 'facial blotting tissues' are fantastic for removing all that excess oil - I use about 6 a day). The Differen gel made my skin quite itchy, caused small red patches of dry skin and irritated the dermatitis I have at the corner of my eyes, but it did seem to 'flatten out' all those lumps, so I continued to use it for about 7 weeks. What I didn't realise is that Differen gel isn't meant to be used that excessively, it is meant only for small patches of acne, not your whole upper body! Inevitably I had a bad reaction which began with a patch of red, crumpled skin at the base of my neck that resembled a burn. I continued using the Differen but avoided that spot, and the next day I had another of those patches on the other side of my neck. That night I used nothing at all, and woke up at 3am with a massive burn all over my entire neck. It was bright red, inflamed, very itchy, and burning like hell. I couldn't get back to sleep I was in so much pain, and I kept an ice pack on it until 2pm the next day when I went to the doctor. She told me to stop using the Differen gel and get back to the dermatologist ASAP to go onto Roaccutane. Because I had spent quite alot of time on this, and other similar websites that week, I was concerned about going onto Roaccutane with my pattern of acne. When I told her about my concern she assured me that Accutane is used effectively in other cases of acne in addition to patients with cystic acne, and told me not to worry about it. I finally saw the dermatologist again about 2 weeks later, by which time my skin was looking alot better (how ironic), but apparently it still looked bad enough for her to decide to commence the Roaccutane. I began to panic a little at this point and asked if it was suitable to treat my pattern of acne with Roaccutane given that ALL of the printed material on the drug recommends it for severe cystic acne only, and she responded with much the same answer as the doctor, although in a little more detail. She said that while Roaccutane is used most commonly to treat nodular cystic acne it is also frequently used to treat acne vulgaras (a mixture of comedones, papules & pustles) that has had everything else thrown at it to little or no effect. She also said that the bad news for me was that while Roaccutane is usually very effective in treating cystic acne, with most patient cured after one treatment; people with my pattern of acne often have to have repeat treatments as it can commonly return after 18 months (although not always). She explained that the reason for this lies in the fact that cystic acne is usually caused by an abnormality in the skin cell function that the Roaccutane corrects, where as my problem is caused by my 'oily' skin type, which is likely to return eventually. She also made mention of the fact that I was unusual because I have a very oily face, neck, chest; but a dry body and am prone to breaking out in dermatitis on my hands, feet, breasts, and around my eyes. I have been told that while on Roaccutane I may have to use more of my dermatitis cream on my existing dermatitis, and vasaline around my eyes, and hope for the best. I believe I am only on a comparitively low dose - of 20mg twice daily. She also told me that the 'bad reaction' I had to the Differen gel was also related to my dermatitis, and that I am not inclined to have to much luck with topical treatments for that reason. So I guess, that leaves me with two choices: (1) taking Minocycline indefinately with no apparent effect (as my skin is by far worse than it has ever been and still spreading) after 8 months of Minocycline in addition to the preceeding 6 months of Diane 35 (14 months of continuous acne treatment in total); or (2) try the Roaccutane. I guess what made my decision all the more difficult was the fact that the negative considerations were more weighty in my evaluation of the good V evil of Roaccutane, becuase I am not terribly disfigured by my acne. For the most part I am able to cover it up with make up (although I am now wearing make up on my face, neck, and chest) and providing no one gets too close to me, you can't really tell. However I have stopped exercising because it makes everything go bright red and my make up slides off, I no longer go anywhere near the water in public, I can't spend much time outdoors because the Minocycline causes increased sun sensitivity, and when I have a 'bad bout' I either go out after dark (when there are no lights to penetrate the make up), or not at all. I have been getting very depressed, and have felt trapped. Trapped because my skin is bad enough to cripple my lifestyle but not bad enough to want to risk some of Roaccutane's more serious side effects. I think what finally made the decision to commence the Roaccutane was the fact that NOTHING ELSE HAS WORKED, THEY ARE STILL GETTING WORSE, AND I AM ALMOST

andi - 02/19/00 07:06:18
My Email:starla8@aol.com
Age: 19
Country: us

Comments:
j!!! the thing you said about not being able to open your mouth to eat...do you have cracks on both sides of your lips? cuz that is my hugest problem and chapsticks and balms will not work but Neutrogena Hand Cream works wonderfully. i know what you;re th nking but if you read the directions, the cream is for lips too and it will do you a world of good. apply it constantly--keep it at your bedside so if you wake up in the middle of the night you can apply more. as for my progress, i am still quite red and lotchy. i think the acne is starting to slow a bit it just sucks because my healing time is so much slower. to all who have finished their time on roacc--does the oil come back when you are off? i'm praying it won't--i love to only have to wash twice a da ! well i'm on week 7 or so...still kind of breaking out in my problem areas, starting to dry now that i've been at 80mg for almost three weeks. i weigh about 120lbs. so 80mg is a high dose for someone with moderate acne so i'm hoping that i will start to lear soon. feel free to email me if you can relate. (:

andi - 02/19/00 07:01:17
My Email:starla8@aol.com
Age: 19
Country: us

Comments:
j!!!

Won't Tell - 02/19/00 05:45:10
Age: 15
Country: USA

Comments:
Hello. I have been here before and have posted here before as well but would like to remain anoynomous for this post. I would like to tell you about Accutane, its effects and my very own treatment which I had just finished two-months ago. I started Acc tane back in Julya and I had horrible severe acne with scars/cysts. It was so bad that my face was like a giant tomato, it really was a pain. I went to my dermatologist and he prescribed me 80mg a day(40/morn/40night). During the first week I broke out horribly, I received new cysts I had never had before. I thought this drug was going nowhere and was really depressed. Until the third month my acne was bascially the same and I was still unfortunatly breaking out. By motnh number three I had stopped b eaking out and some of my cysts had shrunken. I was so happy. By month four things were continually getting better and I could attually start to feel my skin and chin again for the first time in years. I was thrilled with this treatment. During month ive and six I broke out again unsuspectedly and once again lost hope but it started to clear up. By month seven, I was on Accutane for seven months, my acne dramatically cleared up and I was recieving compliments from friends and family. I had clearer s in than most of my friends. It was really amazing. By month seven I had finished Accutane and was totally clear besides a few pimples left on my cheek, which unfortunatly broke out while I was on the treatment. All in all Accutane changed my life, I am a more outgoing, kinder, better looking person than I was before and actually feel good about myself. When I had acne my friends would always ask me, hey Travis, why don't you come over tonight and stay over, or do you want to go rock climbing with some riends, I would always make up excuses to avoid them. They would wonder why we never used to do anything like when we were in middle school. It was so depressing. Accuatne has changed everything. I would advise anyone to take it. Thankyou for reading and I wish everyone the best of luck in their treatments! Bye!

GW - 02/19/00 04:42:08

Comments:
Hey by the way if ya'll wanna feel better about things trek on down to WWW.SKINEMA.COM and you'll see acne isn't the end of the world. Trust me.

GW - 02/19/00 04:38:17
Age: 18
Gender: male
Country: Aust

Comments:
Hey how ya doin Jules. I came off roaccutane in mid December. Like I said before the oils coming back, but I hope your right in saying I wont get fall acne again cause I've been on Roa. Or maybe I'll just move to Pommy land in a few months for your sum er. Oi, wait a minute, the sun doesn't shine in England, I forgot. Ha. .....your summers are milder than our winters..... Dont freak man I'm just kidding. Good luck dude and everyone else dealing with this, it takes patience, time, patience, time and id I mention patience and time?

sidney - 02/19/00 03:43:20
Age: 19
Country: US of A

Comments:
I am so disappointed. I was finally prescribed Accutane 3 days ago, and right off the bat I started having these terrible headaches. Well, I guess that it is very rare for people to have this particular side effect, and of course I have to be the one ou of a couple thousand who has to deal with it. So my derm is making me come off of it right away. I guess that I have cerebral something or the other and that the accutane is making my brain swell. Isn't that just peachy keen? What am I going to do no ? There's no hope. For those of you who actually get to take the drug....you should feel lucky.

Julie - 02/19/00 03:31:50
My Email:fsap3176@aol.com
Age: 25
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
I have been on Accutane for 5 monthes, 1 week, and I have 3 more weeks to go!! So far, I would have to say it has been totally worth it!! My skin is a lot better! There are a number of side effects like dry lips, skin, eyes, and a few aches and pains. Wha we will do for beautiful skin! I know of a few products that may be beneficial to some of you currently taking Accutane. DRY LIPS: Elizabeth Arden 8 hour balm for lips Kiehl's #1 lip balm (Neiman Marcus) DRY SKIN: creamy petroleum jelly vasoline DRY FACIAL SKIN: DesOwen ointment/lotion (prescription) Cetaphil moisturizer FACIAL CLEANSER: Eucerin gentle hydrating Cleanser Komenuka Bijin facial clean foam (Sephora) I hope these products help you out, because they work great for me. I wish all of you good luck with the great struggle of that dreaded "A---" word. Some people don't understand how tramatic acne is. Some people are born with gorgeous skin while most of u are not. If you have tried every other alternative to beautiful skin, and it has failed you, try Accutane. At this point what else do you have to lose?

j - 02/19/00 00:17:44
Age: 16
Country: usa

Comments:
i have been on accutaine for 12 days and i broke out really bad to begin with. it is getting better but i am so dry (mostly around the mouth) in the mornings that i cannot open my mouth enough to eat breakfast, despite the fact that i smear as much moist rizer on as i can all evening and before i go to bed. will vaseline work better at night, or will it just make my acne worse with all that grease

Jules - 02/18/00 23:19:21
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Country: England

Comments:
Hey GW, Glad you made it back! You can click on the contact page which has a link to "post a message". I think we all know what you mean about Autumn acne. I think after accutane though, you should find it wont happen. How long since you stopped? Should stay in s stem for a few months. Ref tennis :Our chickenman is through to the semis. Everyone REF: DRY LIPS - Try body shop HEMP lip conditioner. Petrolium jelly and vitamin e are not doing the job, but this really works! Hi Jasmine, Rianne, Fish. What happened to Roxy who used to post so regularly. Glad to see Aussi Anon back. Where is Denny? Are you still a hermit? Glad Peggy has gone again, she was getting boring.How is Ed getting on - were you the one I advised to ask for urgent referal - cant look back to find out as that shit head deleted the previous postings. See ya

myles - 02/18/00 22:57:53
My Email:no no no
Age: 26
Country: u.s.of.a

Comments:
Hello. A few yrs back I had moderately bad acne that was not going away, despite every possible medication/treatment. So my derm put me on accutane. After the treatment, my skin COMPLETELY cleared up and I can count on 1 hand the number of zits I've h d since (its now been over 3 yrs). Some side effects I experienced: (1)VERY dry skin, but this went away a few months into treatment (2) a very disconcernting, uh, sexual side effect, that went away after a few weeks (thank the lord) and, most oddly (3) my girlfriend complained of a very acidic and BURNING taste to a certain bodily fluid, with a subsequent refusal to ingest said fluid. All told, it was all worth it (although side effect #2 actually made me stop treatment for a few weeks, just to prove i was caused by the meds!). That is all.

Jill - 02/18/00 19:35:21

Comments:
Ivan - Thank you so much, that information is awesome! I wish you luck in finding a cheaper source of oral Isotretinoin. Best Regards.

Ivan (quoting Baker) - 02/18/00 19:00:56
Age: 22
Gender: male
Country: Singapore

Comments:
The following is the most objective ( but somewhat lengthy ) message that I believe will dispel the myths about accutane. Please be patient and read through it.May this knowledge empower you :) EVERYONE PLEASE READ THIS!!! I took Accutane when I was almost 16 (about 6 yrs. ago). I took it for 20 weeks, at a dose of approx .75 g/kg/day. At the time, I didn't think much about it, but as I got older I started to want more information.Accutane had c mpletely eliminated my acne, which I would call moderately severe (and more importantly, unresponsive to anything else), and I was grateful for that. Still, I wondered if I had made the right decision. Searching the internet for information, I came across some terrifying testimonials. It seems like one-third to one-half of the personal stories about Accutane say that it has caused disturbing long-term side effects, from hair loss to birth defects to h rpes(!) to painfully dry skin to irritable bowel syndro e to stunted growth, I mean it goes on and on. For a while I was _really_ frightened about this. I personally have not experienced any side effects besides moderately dry skin, but after reading these other people's experiences, I expected to drop dead on the spot, or actually, to gradually become a w thered bleeding husk of a person. I am writing this because I don't want anyone else to panic like I did. DO SOME RESEARCH!!! I have now done more research on Accutane (otherwise known as isotretinoin or 13-c s-retinoic acid or Roaccutane) than (I honestly believe) many dermatologists. I am a university student, so I have access to many materials like search engines for journal rticles, studies, medical books, etc., plus I have used every search engine on the eb and looked at literally hundreds of pages about Accutane. MY CONCLUSION: Many people are saying that they have health problems which were caused by Accutane. They don't have ANY proof for this except that they took Accutane and now they have a health p oblem. This is a well-known fallacy of reasoning known as "p st hoc, propter ergo hoc," which means "after this, therefore because of this." Accutane is the only target of such reasoning. People will claim that almost every drug available causes some kind of damage. In some cases they are correct. However, in these cases, there is some SCIENTIFIC PROOF for the claims. First, let me give my personal experience. When I was on Accutane, I remember having dry skin, very dry lips, and a little muscle pain. It c mpletely cured my acne. I quit and did not have any effects after that, and I was quite satisfied. My aunt, who s about 35, took the drug in the early 80s. She is extremely healthy, looks great, and has two healthy children. Of all the other people I know who have taken it (I haven't actively asked around) they are not suffering any major damage. One thing that did concern me about myself was my hair. I have developed a receding hairling, which started when I was about 19, and is now certainly noticable, b t not major. I do seem a little young for such a thing, so I started to wonder if there was ome other cause for it (BTW, the closest person in relation to me who had much male-pattern baldness is my grandmother's father, quite removed from me) This did bo her me for a while, and I noticed that another person who I knew who had taken Accutane als had male-pattern baldness. Could there be a connection?? I wondered. On the web there are a fair number of people who think Accutane caused their hair loss (and I on't mean temporary and all over the scalp, but progressive and in the normal male pattern). From my research, I would like to note that the same hormones which cause acne (androgens) also cause male pattern baldness. Accutane reduces the activity of thes androgens, specifically their synthesis into 5-alpha reductase (the specific hormone involv d in MPB) so if anything, it might (but I doubt it) delay MPB. HOWEVER, because Accutane is a derivative of Vitamin A, and a symptom of Vitamin A toxicity is temp rary diffuse (all over the scalp) hair thinning or loss, then someone who is going to lose t eir hair from male-pattern baldness might experience Vitamin A (Accutane) induced hair loss, and then not have it grow back as fully as before because of MPB. Sor y if that is a long explanation, but I think it is a good example of how people jump to conclusion and give simple explanations for complex phenomena that a little research might help explain. SO HERE IS my opinion of Accutane: Accutane has been used sinc the late 70s, by over 7 million people, for the treatment of moderate to severe acne. It is remarkably effective. It works by inhibiting sebum production, reducing bacteria in pores, and redu ing inflammation of pores. It seems to reduce sebum production by reducing the sebaceous glands' sensitivity to androgens (hormones). It DOES NOT, as you may read elsewhere, DESTROY the sebaceous glands. In fact, most peoples' problem with acne relapses i that the sebum production returns to normal after treatment, a d thus their acne returns. Several studies of the long term effects of isotretinoin (use this name if you want scientific information- isotretinoin is the drug's real name, Accutane is just a brand name, as is Roaccutane (Roche+Accutane) have been perform d. They ALL conclude that ccutane is a safe drug in the long-term if used correctly. Virtually the only long-term effects reported are dry skin, dry eye, dry lips (cheilitis), and some muscle aches. Isotretinoin is also used in the treatment of many other diseases, such as cancers, skin lesions, sebaceous disorders, AIDS, etc. Topical isotretinoin and other retinoids seem to reduce the appearance of aging in skin. I LEARNED ALL THIS INFORMATION BY A CAREFUL AND THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. I READ EVE YTHING AND NOT JUST WHAT SUPPORTS MY OWN AGENDA. I HAVE USED ACCUTANE AND I CARE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO ME AND ALL OF US. A few myths you might hear about Accutane: 1. It causes birth defects months or years after taking it- Like I said before, my aunt too it and her kids are fine. But I won't just rely on that. First, look at the studies of isotretinoin's elimination from the body. It has a half-life of only a few ays, and is completely gone within a few weeks. FOR GOD'S sake, they'll take blood donations from you only about six months after you've taken it. Would they do that if it weren't completely gone? These people who say that it persists in your body for yea s have NO evidence (like this guy who says his daughter took Accutane and now her two childr n have arthritis etc. etc. and there's only 13 other similar cases in Canada. LOOK, its not from the Accutane. Things happen) HOWEVER, I would like to say that Accutane's worst trait is that it absolutely without a doubt has teratogenic (birth defect-indu ing, "tera-" from the Latin or Greek for "monster." nice, eh?) effects. There is a serious problem with either uneducated or rresponsible women getting pregnant while on isotretinoin. However, many people say that because of Accutane's proven teratogenic ffects, it must be a horrible drug for grown people. Well, I drink quite a lot of alcohol, which is also proven to cause horrible birth defects, and while alcohol, if used is massive uantities, is indeed toxic (like anything really, you know you can die f om drinking too much WATER) it does not affect grown humans in the same way as developing fetuses. Many, many drugs which are safe for adults can be quite harmful to fetuses. Myth 2. Accutane causes premature aging- There is one woman on her who says that she took several courses of Accutane and now her skin is paper-thin and she looks 10 years older. I have seen many people say that isotretinoin has destroyed their skin. Firs of all, topical isotretinoin is clinically used to REDUCE the signs of aging, is is pretty effective at this. Secondly, isotretinoin CAN cause premature aging IF someone gets too much sun while on Accutane. It makes your skin susceptible to sun damage, a is stated on the packaging, but you should always protect yourself from the sun. hird, if you look at AOL.com (which has great discussion groups for info on Accutane, with diverse and numerous comments, you will see a DERMATOLOGIST by the name of Dr. Jo (he just MIGHT know more than us non-doctors, huh?) who says that Accutane actuall slows the loss of collagen, which is one of the causes of aging skin (collagen loss, I mean) I don't know about this, but it is a nice thought. One side note. There is at least one comment on the AOL board where someone says "Whenever I try to decide abo t taking Accutane, I just look at that sight at Geocities (the site you are reading) and it scares me off." NO WONDER, with all these people o here saying Accutane caused me to give birth to aliens and bleed from every orifice and I'm going to sue. Myth 3 Accutane causes permanent hair loss - I've already dealt with this mostly, but I would also like to note that birth control pills (which almost all women take with Accutane) can also cause hormonal changes including hair thinning. Myth 4 - Accutane cause brain tumors- Accutane very rarely causes something called "pseudotumor cerebri" (you know what pseudo means? It means "false." It's not a tumor, to quote Arnold Schwartzenegger. It is similar to one, and it can cause problems, bu after stopping Accutane treatment, it goes away (again, maybe some exceptions, but almost always). Also, most cases of pseudotumor cerebri occured when Accutane was used along with another drug (antibiotic, I think) and physicians are advised against thi . 4. Accutane causes bon deformities- OK Accutane can cause changes in bones. When I started Accutane, my docter did a test on me to see that I had grown all that I would (I am 5'9, and I stopped growing when I was about 15, probably not because of Accutan ). He did a check of m calcium levels or something, and it indicated that I wouldn't grow more or much more. There is a woman I've seen on several Accutane bulletin boards who says that her two sons stopped growing when they took Accutane and they should be over 6 feet but now they are closer to 5. Accutane is known to sometimes cause premature closing of a certain growth plate, and I wouldn't be suprised if this happend with her sons. However, both she and her dermatologists should have explored this bef re they started the tr atment. In short (pun, sorry), be careful about taking Accutane if you are expecting to grow a lot more, because it could interfere with this (but then, so does Ritalin supposedly). Finally, Accutane can play havoc with the liver, but if you have regular lood tests, you can stop any damage (in the rare case that it occurs) before it starts. I'm almost done. I would like to make a few final comments regarding the Accutane controversy. There are a lot of people out there saying that Accutane is a horrible d ngerous drug. It is not. It definitely can cause birth defects, and that is a serious p oblem, but it can be easily prevented. It has serious potential side effects, but they are almost always (and I admit there is an exception to every rule) mild and rev rsible. Also, many people consider it a "cosmetic" drug, and therefore somehow "frivolo s," although those of us with acne would argue that it can take over and damage a person's entire life. These three valid points: birth-defects, side-effects, and cosm tic, have been used to argue for Accutane being a terrible drug which should be banned. However, the medical community says that Accutane is an acceptably safe and effective drug for unresponsive, moderate to sever acne. In these cases it is felt to be wo th the risk. We must all decide for ourselves. But these people who believe that Accuta e is the source of all their health problems and that Roche (the manufacturer) and the rest of the dermatological community are in a conspiracy against us to make mone , are neither informed nor valuable in helping YOU make your own decision. They are eit er saying it out of misguided frustration (and I partially sympathize, I'm sure most of them have real health problems, however, pre-existing and NOT caused by Accutan ) or an attempt to make money (by suing) out of an unfortunate situation which should h ve been avoided by research and common sense. I say again, DO NOT BE SCARED, BE WISE! Finally, if you want to do more research, here are my suggestions. Take personal estimonials with a grain of salt. Instead, look at medical and phameceutical abstracts (look at your library for computer indexes like MEDLINE, or HEALTHNET, your librarian an show you) and use the key word "isotretinoin." There are lots of studies. Also good web info site is the discussion groups on AOL.com. Also, contact the FDA and Roche if you want info. FINALLY (for real) I typed this out because I want everyone searching the web for information to be level-headed and thirsty for real knowledge, and I don't want you to be scared. It disturbs me that the sites that come up at the top when you search for " ccutane" on Lycos and Yahoo, etc. are full of scare stories. I tried to post a message like this to them, but it wouldn't work for some reason. I wo ld like you to know that ANYONE can reprint this or send it to other web sites AS MUCH AS YOU WANT, and te l people about it. There are 7 million of us out there who want some answers. PLEASE disperse this. I really hope that this helped you. With love, B KER If you wonder why I don't give an email address or a full name, I'm just not ready for that. If you think I'm hiding or lying or a lobbyist for Roche, then you're paranoid and nothing I say is going to change your mind. Feel free to check my facts. In fac , please do. The truth will set you free. (as written by Baker)

- 02/18/00 18:58:26

Comments:

Ivan to Jill - 02/18/00 18:29:46
My Email:nana957@hotmail.com
Age: 22
Gender: male
Country: Singapore

Comments:
Hi Jill, the elimination half-life of accutane is roughly 20hrs.That means that if you just had 20mg of accutane, only 10mg stays in your body 20hrs later. If you let another 20hrs pass without taking any more accutane, you only have 5mg left in your bloo plasma and so on( I hope you get the ideal) As you can see, accutane never really completely leaves the body(which is why it contines to work even after you stop taking it). But with time, half-life elimination will reduce it to a trace amount which would have negligible effect on the baby's health I'm speaking from a chemistry student viewpoint(not a accutane expert) and could certainity stand correction on this issue.However, my concept of half-life is correct. I hope this information helps you Jill Meanwhile, I'm still trying to source for a cheaper source of oral Isotretinoin. Nimegen appears to be the only alternative so far. I would like anyone who has any information to please come forward and help me out here. I'm still a student and could not fford accutane.However, my confidence weakens with each passing day. I need a good oral retinoid to knock my acne into remission soon.

Jill - 02/18/00 18:07:54
My Email:Jill.Tankersley@wcom.com
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Country: US

Comments:
Hi Julie, I was wondering the same thing about becoming pregant. My fiance was really concerned & tried to talk me out of taking it. I was assured by my dermatologist I only have to wait 2 months after taking accutane before getting pregant but it seems really risky. I asked him if there were studies of women who had healthy children after getting off of accutane & he said there is. I read somewhere that the drug can stay stored in your fat cells for 2 years but I was told this is a myth. If anyone el e out there is in the same predicament, or knows of anything on this, I would love to hear from you!

Jasmine - 02/18/00 15:29:44
Age: 33
Gender: Female
Country: U.K.

Comments:
Hi everyone.RIANNE I have just got my Skinoren cream,had a wash and put it on.I had to wait for the chemist to order it.Well it feels a little bit greasy but rubs in ok.My face feels a bit itchy and tingly but that's it so far.The leaflet does say side ef ects can be itchy,burning,redness etc.If my skin gets really sensitive because I'm fair skinned I'll cut down to once a day and build up the tolerance.It says about 4 weeks before improvement so I'll have to wait and see.Just thought I'd keep you posted.M RCUS Thanks for the tip on the apple cider vinegar.I don't think I'll try it while I'm starting this Skinoren to be on the safe side but keep me posted as to whether it is working for you.It is good to have a few treatments up our sleeves.Hi to ROB(RL),JU T ME,JULES,CHL and FISH.That's about it for now.Take care love Jasmine.

Cip - 02/18/00 15:19:15
Age: 26
Gender: female
Country: US

Comments:
LORI: My derm said about 4-6 weeks after finishing accutane I can use Renova 1-2 times a week and she recommended Triaz wash a few times a week. Both require a perscription. I still have about 2 weeks to go on accutane. Mu skin has improved, but this morn ng I have a pimple on my chin. It's so discouraging. 20 weeks on accutane and I'm still breaking out. Why have I done this to myself if it's not even going to work. Anyone else have similar experiences? JULIE: What have you done post-accutane treatment? T anks.

Kara - 02/18/00 14:16:52
My Email:kpilon@pillsbury.com
Age: 25
Gender: female
Country: usa

Comments:
Hi Julie, Question about your treatment on Accutane...what week did you start clearing up for good? Did you ever have any flare-ups/big breakouts during your treatment? It seems that just when my face starts clearing up, I get hit again with more spots! Very fru trating. The flare ups seems to coincide when my derm upped my dosage...so I'm hoping this is normal. Thanks!

Julie - 02/18/00 13:36:50
Age: 27
Gender: Female

Comments:
Two weeks ago I finished a 20 80mg a day cycle. My skin is clear still. I am very nervouse it is going to break out again. I just wanted to let anyone whom is visiting this sight who is thinking about going on accutaine. It is worth it. The side effe ts are definatly a pain in the neck. But the results are worth it. I didn't have any major side effects or health problems. As you might read others have experienced. I just want anyone who is thinking about going on accutaine to do it. Try it and lea n a lot about it. I saw pictures of myself last night from New Years and I couldn't believe I was actually admiring my skin. I thought it looked great. I get my final labs in a few weeks and then I am completly done with the whole process. If anyone has any questions I would be happy to answer them. Just post your question. If anyone knows anything about women who have been on accutaine and then got pregnant a year later I would love to hear. I have heard a lot of negative things about pregnancy after a cutaine. I would appreciate any info anyone has. Good Luck to all!

Pedro - 02/18/00 12:33:57
My Email:Ikaros2000_2000@yahoo.com
Age: 25
Gender: male
Country: Spain

Comments:
I strated with my acne when I was just 13. My brother, 2 years older than me was going through it. It was pretty bad but it was concentrated in the nose (really, really bad) and a bit on the front. That was all. I began in the same way with few spots on the nose, but every year it spread to a different part of the face, without getting clearer anywhere. When I was fourteen it spread to the front, fifteen to the chin, sixteen to the cheeks, seventeen to the neck.. The first two years I tried over-the-counter remedies. Nothing seemed to work. My GP prescribed me Dalancil T and acnidazil. Nothing. Then I seeked help from a dermatologist who began prescribing me antibiotics that made my stomach to get horrible. We went on with tetracyclines which were softer, but they didn´t do anything. Finally we tried a combination of strong and weak antibiotics nd it seemed to get slightly better. Just when I was seventten after the Christmas exams I had a sort of explosion and I was getting spots everywhere and spreading really, really bad. I called for help to my dermatologist who prescribed me roaccutane and the result was amazing. In just ten days all the spots on the neck cleared completely and there was not even red stains (with other treatments the process could take up to 15 days, and before the red marks started to clera they reappeared exactly on the same place). As the went on other areas began to hel: chin, then ceeks and nose, etc. The front always proved to be resistant to the treatment and its the area on my face that I have ben left with scars on. With the arrival of the summer we interrupted the treatment. Everything was perfecty until Easter of the following year. It was bad, but not terrible, howeevr as I had only responded to roaccutane, I took it again and had the same wonderful results. Then didn´t have to take it again for four years. It was on my last year in the University that I had to take it agin as I was already 22 and for the last three years I had a mild acne that seemed never to disappear. This time I had a five months course with higher dose and it solved completely the problem. Now, side effcts... well the first days the "normal" ones mentioned on the prospect and two weeks later I remained with I dried face and lips. I didn´t have a problem for wearing contact lenses and for the face I used a normal facial cream and for the lips something called "ceralip" that worked even better than petroleum jelly. It was alkso a reliev to stop using all the lotion, creams and so on and just to had to wash my face with a mild soap and water. I never really heard about terrible stories concerning Roaccutane. When I had it for the thrid time in the University my doctor told me about the possibility of causing depression. Well, at that time I was going through a big one (it lasted a whole year a d I was on prozac and with a following therapy with a psychologist). Roaccutane didn´t have any effects on it. Actually, one of the components of my depression, was the bad acne that I had suffered, the remarks of my sister, the bullying at school (you can tell a teacher or whoever you want.... it´s useless) and my mother who ALWAYS said "your face it´s better. yo r acne it´s disappearing". Unfourtunately it only made things worse. Now, as the bottom line. For me Roaccutane worked really, really well. Now I have one spot here and another year. I have the scars on my front that hopefully I will have them removed in one year´s time and I haven´t been depressed in the last three years. I have tom say that it´s very tough and that the positive effcts (in MY case) completely outbalanced the possible risks.

Pedro - 02/18/00 12:32:56
My Email:Ikaros2000_2000
Age: 25
Gender: male
Country: Spain

Comments:
I strated with my acne when I was just 13. My brother, 2 years older than me was going through it. It was pretty bad but it was concentrated in the nose (really, really bad) and a bit on the front. That was all. I began in the same way with few spots on the nose, but every year it spread to a different part of the face, without getting clearer anywhere. When I was fourteen it spread to the front, fifteen to the chin, sixteen to the cheeks, seventeen to the neck.. The first two years I tried over-the-counter remedies. Nothing seemed to work. My GP prescribed me Dalancil T and acnidazil. Nothing. Then I seeked help from a dermatologist who began prescribing me antibiotics that made my stomach to get horrible. We went on with tetracyclines which were softer, but they didn´t do anything. Finally we tried a combination of strong and weak antibiotics nd it seemed to get slightly better. Just when I was seventten after the Christmas exams I had a sort of explosion and I was getting spots everywhere and spreading really, really bad. I called for help to my dermatologist who prescribed me roaccutane and the result was amazing. In just ten days all the spots on the neck cleared completely and there was not even red stains (with other treatments the process could take up to 15 days, and before the red marks started to clera they reappeared exactly on the same place). As the went on other areas began to hel: chin, then ceeks and nose, etc. The front always proved to be resistant to the treatment and its the area on my face that I have ben left with scars on. With the arrival of the summer we interrupted the treatment. Everything was perfecty until Easter of the following year. It was bad, but not terrible, howeevr as I had only responded to roaccutane, I took it again and had the same wonderful results. Then didn´t have to take it again for four years. It was on my last year in the University that I had to take it agin as I was already 22 and for the last three years I had a mild acne that seemed never to disappear. This time I had a five months course with higher dose and it solved completely the problem. Now, side effcts... well the first days the "normal" ones mentioned on the prospect and two weeks later I remained with I dried face and lips. I didn´t have a problem for wearing contact lenses and for the face I used a normal facial cream and for the lips something called "ceralip" that worked even better than petroleum jelly. It was alkso a reliev to stop using all the lotion, creams and so on and just to had to wash my face with a mild soap and water. I never really heard about terrible stories concerning Roaccutane. When I had it for the thrid time in the University my doctor told me about the possibility of causing depression. Well, at that time I was going through a big one (it lasted a whole year a d I was on prozac and with a following therapy with a psychologist). Roaccutane didn´t have any effects on it. Actually, one of the components of my depression, was the bad acne that I had suffered, the remarks of my sister, the bullying at school (you can tell a teacher or whoever you want.... it´s useless) and my mother who ALWAYS said "your face it´s better. yo r acne it´s disappearing". Unfourtunately it only made things worse. Now, as the bottom line. For me Roaccutane worked really, really well. Now I have one spot here and another year. I have the scars on my front that hopefully I will have them removed in one year´s time and I haven´t been depressed in the last three years. I have tom say that it´s very tough and that the positive effcts (in MY case) completely outbalanced the possible risks.

GW - 02/18/00 09:24:07
Age: 18
Gender: male
Country: Aust.

Comments:
Hey dudes..Amae, I didn't disappear at all (that's a good song actually, from X, INXS' 1990 album). I was thinking "how the fuck are these clowns posting" then I saw your link. You should keep doing that on every post.......I was thinking I would never get back on until I saw that. Anyway, the oil is coming back but I don't mind this as long as the acne stays away. I'll probably still need a few months for the red marks but hey, I'm gettin' there. And yeah all us Aussies are SHIT SCARED cause summer' almost finished and we all know about fall acne don't we. (I never had bad acne up unitl March/April. Dunno, may have to go on some medication just as a preventative measure, will see. Anyway, catcha later dudes and if anyone knows any other way to po t, speak up yeah? I'm just a stupid kid.

Just Me - 02/18/00 09:11:26
My URL:http://www.voy.com/4529
My Email:SoulLightBeam@aol.com
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Country: UK

Comments:
Hi ... quickie ... Hi Rianne, Chinese Herb Lady, Jasmine and all ... I was flicking through my homeopathy book as I was getting ready this morning and came across the section for acne and there is a Liver Diet there for acne to cleanse the liver etc. I w s a little amazed to see that bananas are on the "no no" list for the diet! I will post the diet on the Acne Support Group Message Board later on tonite after I get home, and you can see for yourself and try the diet if you wish! After all the talk here on bananas, I was almost about to start buying them by the stack load (grins!) ... still, I'm keeping my mind open on this one ... you can judge for yourself ... it's only a two month diet ... it's self explanatory .... citrus fruits are out too!

Rianne, there's nothing you need to do at the Acne Support Group site ... just post there if you wish to when you feel the urge too ... as said I've added a link back here at the top of the page so that people can read here and post here too so they don't miss out on anything ... it's just another room to go to that's all ... the more the merrier. The URL is at the top, but here it is again:

"Acne Support Group in Cyberspace Forum"

I have to rush now ... later!

p/s there's a Real Time Chat Room there as well for those who wish to chat in real time ... !

James - 02/18/00 07:41:02
My Email:sejoonahn@yahoo.com
Age: 19
Gender: male
Country: USA

Comments:
I've been taking Accutane for two months so far, and my face has gotten worse.I've had this severe acne for appro. 4 years. When I was 14 years old, I did not have any acne at all, and I also was a very socially acitve person. All of sudden, acne appeared on my nose, chin, and ears. I was scared to talk to anybody face to face. Neither I tried to talk to girls nor they talked to me. I just spent my time staying in my room by myself. I am now very depressed,and I feel even more depressed because of the side effect of Accutane. I know I won't gain my confidence back until I have a clear face. Anybody email and please help me. I am just tired of being ugly, and people staring at me.

James - 02/18/00 07:40:59
My Email:sejoonahn@yahoo.com
Age: 19
Gender: male
Country: USA

Comments:
I've been taking Accutane for two months so far, and my face has gotten worse.I've had this severe acne for appro. 4 years. When I was 14 years old, I did not have any acne at all, and I also was a very socially acitve person. All of sudden, acne appeared on my nose, chin, and ears. I was scared to talk to anybody face to face. Neither I tried to talk to girls nor they talked to me. I just spent my time staying in my room by myself. I am now very depressed,and I feel even more depressed because of the side effect of Accutane. I know I won't gain my confidence back until I have a clear face. Anybody email and please help me. I am just tired of being ugly, and people staring at me.

strawberry - 02/18/00 07:30:02
My Email:jonathan2308@hotmail.com
Age: 19
Gender: male
Country: bay area, california

Comments:
was up yall my name is jonathan. im currently into week 11(day 72) of accutane at 2x40mgs/day. i weigh 70kgs(154lbs.) tomorrow i go in for bloodwork and my next derm appt is on the 28th. during my last appt my derm mentioned that he might up me to 2x60mgs day if nothing much changed. thats a high dosage, but i think i can handle it. and for my acne, not much has really changed. the only side effects i have are extremely dry skin, especially around the mouth after i get out of the water(shower/swimming). and i also have constant dry/chapped lips. no other major side effects. i still have a lot of blemishes/red marks though. still kinda tough to deal with. like i mentioned before, i am still working out(weights, swimming) at least 5 times a week. its going pretty good and im glad. havent noticed any muscle/joint aches/pains. okay yall im audi. cheers, jonathan

aussie anon - 02/18/00 07:18:12

Comments:
To Meagan: Prior to going on accutane, I also tried different forms of the pill, but they always seemed to make my skin worse. I was on Dianne Ed a few years ago, but only for 4 months. The combination of hormones was too much for me, and appeared to m ke my skin worse. However, I know it works well in other people. I have several friends that are currently taking Dianne-ED and have beautiful acne-free skin. It can take between 4-6 months before you see the results. I hope it helps you. Cheers!

Amae - 02/18/00 06:42:13
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry
My Email:amae7@hotmail.com
Age: 22
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
**** BOB **** You don't have to answer this, but what are you going to grad school for and what schools are you applying for? That was one of my challenging decisions this year: get a job or go to grad school. School lost and I am in the process of look ng for a job right now. It is actually going pretty well so far. The date was not too bad, thanks for asking. My skin is looking like I have never seen it before (really beautiful), but now **** STEVE **** is scaring me. I'm also finishing 3 months so n, and I don't want anything to change. Later, all. ~Amae

Sarah - 02/18/00 05:27:20
My Email:iwantcelery@yahoo.com
Age: 16
Gender: girly girl
Country: USA

Comments:
Hey peeps i feel young after seeing all ya'll in your twenties or even thirties!!!! Not that you are old but... whatever. I am in the middle of my accutane whatever you call it. It is working so great so far, I can't wait till it's all done i will be be utiful. I have had acne for a long while and I tried absolutely everything and nothing would work:( sad sad stuff. You all can e-mail me if you have any questions. The worst side effect for me was the dry skin thing. Did anyone else get those really d y red areas?

Kate - 02/18/00 00:19:23
My Email:kcambier@scu.edu
Age: 19
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
I just started my accutane treatment yesterday.... I'm pretty nervous about the whole thing. But I have one question that pertains to the side effects. Are headaches a normal side effect from this drug? Because I've had a couple of mild headaches since yesterday, and was wondering if I should just dismiss the pain as normal. Has anyone else noticed headaches?

Rhegan - 02/17/00 23:34:31
My Email:rhegane@hotmail.com
Age: 19
Gender: female
Country: Canada

Comments:
I've been on Accutane for 2 months now. My face wasn't that bad until last year. I would occasionally have breakouts, that wasn't the problem, the problem was they never fully healed. I'm not sure why that is because I never squeeze or pick at my face. So I'm left with a face full of red marks that my doctor says aren't scars and that the accutane will help them. Right now I'm not so sure because I've had a lot of them for nearly a year now. I was wondering if anyone has or had a problem with red marks and what if anything can help?

Megan - 02/17/00 21:42:15
My Email:daystar@bigpond.com
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Country: Australia

Comments:
I hardly know where to begin, Hrrmmm well as you can see I'm a 24 yr old female, who is obviously suffering from acne otherwise I wouldn't be here right. I always had really clear skin in high-school and uni, but for about the last two years by skin hasn t been perfect but only a spot or two, then about three months ago my skin starting getting worse, acne on my chin and along my jaw line a few near my ears and forehead. I find it it really frustrating and depressing as I'm sure many of you do. Because of work and study I just kept thinking 'it will go away', bet a few of you have tried to convince yourselves of that too. So I decided enough was enough and decided to go on a pill that might help sort it out Diane-35, that was a month and a half ago, I lso decided more agressive action was required and went to speak to my GP about it. He gave me the usual drill about it taking time to clear, years even ( way to boost your self esteem heh?)so anyway he put me on Minocycline, which from reading several of your posts I see hasn't worked for many of you guys. Basically I'm interesting in hearing from anyone at my above e-mail or at this site, who has had positive/negative experiences on Minocyline and also on Diane-35. So far I haven't seen any change if an thing my skin has gotten worse, I know there's no overnight cure, but I would like to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm not sure that I'm at the stage for accutane, but if something doesn't start to change in the next 6weeks I'm considering it. I also read something about vitamin A helping with the healing process : re: scars is this true? Anyway thanks a lot, Good luck to everybody

- 02/17/00 21:11:52

Comments:
To Bob Topps- the reason why retin a is supposed to be applied 20 mins. after washing is because if your face is still damp, the retin a is absorbed too fast, causing irritation, like redness, etc. Retin A micro can be put on immediately after washing. H pe this helps

Rianne - 02/17/00 20:36:04

Comments:
Jasmine, did you manage to get your prescription of Skinoren yet? I am just wondering what it's like! Hope you're okay? Rob (RL) how are you doing? Marcus, I've got the cider vinegar and will try it now! Would you believe Holland and Barratt (the heal h food shop) had some kind of promotion on it - only £1.09!! Steve (26) - it's awful when you break out again when you start to think you're clear. That's happened to me & it really knocks you down. Hopefully it will improve again soooooon and the medi ation will kick in again - I'm sure it will - good luck Steve! Just Me - I've tried the support group site but I'm not exactly sure what to do! Love as always. Rianne.

Greg - 02/17/00 20:33:31
My Email:gshick21069@hotmail.com
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Country: USA

Comments:
I hear alot alot about goat soap on this site.Is this a good soap to use while on accutane. What exactly is it, and where can I get my hands on some.

Lori - 02/17/00 20:13:41
My Email:lbhod@flash.net
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Country: USA

Comments:
I have been off of accutane for 2 weeks now and my skin is still completely clear. I was on 60 mg a day for 4 months. Everything is getting better, dry lips, skin etc. Does anyone know of a good moisturizer that is oil-free? I really don't want to use the same heavy stuff I was using while on accutane. Also to the person who is off accutane and now may go on Renova: Did the Dr. recommend that to keep clear skin? Thanks for any advice.

Cip - 02/17/00 18:19:25
Age: 26
Gender: female
Country: US

Comments:
To anyone who's completed accutane: What do you recommend using post-treatment? I saw my derm today and I'll be finished in 2 weeks, for a total of 22 weeks on 80mg. What face wash have you used? How about benzoil peroxide or Retin A? Has anyone heard of enova? My derm recommended using Renova a few times a week, but it's not covered by insurance. I'd appreciate any insights. Thanks.

Bob Topps - 02/17/00 18:19:15
My URL:http://www.zitface.com
Age: 24
Gender: male
Country: USA!

Comments:
Greetings and salutations! HGPIG: any spe3cific reason why the package insert of retin-A says "wait twenty minutes AFTER washing to appy medication?" AMAE=No I didnt dissapear. Im trying to get into graduate school! very busy..how was your date? GINA=have you tried Cetaphil? Denny=where are ya? GOOD LUCK!

Donny - 02/17/00 18:13:05
My Email:Nugget190@hotmail.com
Age: 18
Gender: male
Country: tennessee

Comments:
I have been taking Roaccutane for approx. 1 month now and at first my face started to clear up but here latly my face has gradually gotten worse. I am taking 40mg twice a day for 5 months. I had very mild ance on my back and it has more less cleared it up but...my face is a different story. Please feel free to email me about anything reguarding accutane.

Steve - 02/17/00 15:15:05
My Email:sackerma@erols.com
Age: 26
Gender: male
Country: US

Comments:
Just when I thought that this crap was working(after three months) whammo... a nasty-ass breakout all along the t-zone or whatever the hell it is called. Oh well, one more weekend alone.

KM - 02/17/00 15:13:28
My Email:sir_vv@hotmail.com
Age: 22
Gender: male
Country: UK

Comments:
Hi all, back again. Can I just say to Al who posted before me: well done. You were patient and went about getting roaccutane in a sensible and intelligent manner. Hope the treatment goes well for you. I can remember reading your posts when you said you ha 3 weeks to wait for your derm appointment cos I had just started RoA at that time. Let us know how you get on and feel free to email me as I am 3 weeks ahead of you and might be able to give you, or anyone else, some advice. Anyhoo, here is how I am doin so far: definite reduction in oil, skin and lips are quite dry, however I am moisturising them regularly and it hasn't been too much of a problem. My nose is a problem as it kinda looks like I've been sunburned, what with the peeling and all. As for the pots: still getting them, which is a pain, but I have to take into account the fact that I am no longer taking antibiotics so the RoA must be doing something. A great moment for me was last weekend when I noticed that the blackheads on my nose were being uched out. Those little feckers had been there for the last 7 years, I kid you not!! I not use a tweezers to pull them out, when they are ready... hopefully the pores will shrink back to normal and the skin will smooth itself out. At the moment I have one really nasty spot on my chin. When I saw it coming I thought it was gonna be a little baby one as it wasn't painful, but what do you know... it grew into something enormous. I thought it had it's own feckin heartbeat!! But hopefully it'll be gone soon. I ut some Benzoyl Peroxide on it to dry it up quicker. Also, in the last week I've noticed little rashes on my hands. I was expecting this and have started putting moisturiser on them, hopefully that'll do the trick. So, all in all, the treatment is going o so far. It's still early days yet, but I am hoping. Can I just add something about alcohol.. my derm told me to go gently if I was gonna drink. Well, I am Irish and it's kind of like out national past-time (not really, but it is something we do) so the p ospect of giving up Guinness was not appealing. Well I have to say I've been drinking at the weekend, and I mean drinking quite a lot, and haven't noticed any problems. No major hangovers, no major dehydration. I dunno, it's different for everyone. Anyway, better go now. Wishing you all the best, KM

Al. - 02/17/00 13:38:06
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Country: UK

Comments:
Hi everyone . . . this information may help some of you out there. By the way I've had acne for 8 years.

I have waited 3 months to see my dermatologist and today was THE day! I've suffered the anxious wait many of you have experienced and believe me I was armed. I had information printed off the web stating indications for treatment with Roaccutane and highlighted# sections that were appropriate to my condition. I also clearly laid out all the questions I had accumulated from my research from this site and many others. If there is one thing I can advise people with out there is be prepared. If you go in with everything to hand you're life will be mush easier. Anyway, to cut a long story short I deliberately fasted last night/this morning in the hope of being prescribed Roaccutane.

Well, my dermatologist was female, extremely helpful, informative, and really made me feel at ease (to some of you out there - it's true there are nice derms!). She has prescribed this drug to over 1000 people and from her patients only several have suffered the more serious side effects (one person became more aggresive) and nobody has had any form of hair loss. Her success rate (if I can put it that way) is 85%. That is that 85% of people were cured with a 4 month course of Roaccutane (this is baseed on either max. dosage of weight(kg)*1mg over 4 months or half max. over 8 months). I was in the hospital for less than half and hour in total (which included seeing my derm., getting blood test, and pickin up 3 months of Roaccutane!).

I had many questions to put to her and some of these answers may help you. Which face wash? - an ordinary product - Simple/Dove face wash with no irritating ingredients. Which moisturiser? - E45 emolient cream or Neutrogena. Which lip balm? - vaseline/any lip balm. What about vit. C/E/MSM etc? - she advises to stick to Roaccutane only and that although these vitamins won't do any harm they are unlikely to have any real significant effect. I am going on holiday in April to a hot climate, will I be able to expose in the sun? - Well, surprised me but being half Italian helps but she suggests that it will be ok if I use SPF 25-20-15 over the period and don't over do it. What about exercise - I'm very regular? - not a problem - she has prescribed it to marines who train vigorously and no major worries. What about alcoholic consumption? - little or none - she says none which is fair enough.

Thats the ones I remember and I hope they help some of you out there. I know this is the view of one derm. but it answers a lot of the common questions I see. I asked about scar treatments in particular glycolics and she recommends them and believes they are successful. However, she wants to cross that bridge a year after Roaccutane treatment so I'll have to wait and see.

All the best everyone, Al. (PS: I'll let people know how I get on).

Amae - 02/17/00 07:00:20
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry
My Email:amae7@hotmail.com
Age: 22
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
**** GREG **** You are doing all the right things now. Keep the moisturizer and Aquaphor handy at all times. I also started off around 40mgs a day. My face was pinkish for a couple of weeks and then it wore off as my dosage was upped. Good luck with y ur treatment. **** PIG, GW, BOB**** Disappear again? Later. ~Amae

Greg - 02/17/00 04:46:46
My Email:gshick21069@hotmail.com
Age: 30
Gender: male
Country: USA

Comments:
Well I just my first week of accutane and thanks to this site I am prepared for anything. I am only on 40mg a day for the first month so things shouldnt be that bad. After only six days my skin is already less oily but is turning a little pink looking. My story is the same as everyone else's, tried it all, but nothing worked. So I guess this is the last resort. Really hoping it works. I've been using carmex for my lips and washing my face with cetaphil and also using a moisterizer even though the dryness h sent started yet in hopes of beating the accutane to the punch. I also have been drinking a TON of water each day. I am also watching what I eat and no more beer until I am done. And if anyone lives in Philly like me,you know nothing is better than a chee esteak and a ice cold beer. So if anybody has any good recommendations on certain products to use, feel free to e-mail me. So good luck to all, and for those who take the time to post advice, thank you. Greg

Jill - 02/17/00 04:21:04
My Email:jill.tankersley@wcom.com
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Country: USA

Comments:
Hi, I have started taking acutane (again!) - this is my "3rd" time. I'm very skeptical that it will really work this time. The first time I took it I was in my teens, the second time I was in my early twenties. My skin was very clear up until my late twen ies then for some reason, I started breaking out again. (I think due to my stressful job & a very bad breakup). Has anyone else out there taken acutane 3x's?

Rachel - 02/17/00 01:08:59
My Email:OldNvyMgc@aol.com
Age: 15
Gender: female
Country: US

Comments:
Hi, i'm a fifteen year old female and I've been thinking about trying roaccuane. I've heard mixed results about the product i've heard that it can be cause serious side effects. But i've also headr that it can really clear up severs acne. I was wondering f you could set me strait with the rumors and give me a little additional info. about the product? Thank you. Rachel

Lindsey - 02/17/00 00:58:14
My Email:stonelindsey@hotmail.com
Age: 16
Gender: female
Country: Canada

Comments:
Hey there!!! I just happened to stumble across your site while I was looking for info about accutane. I'm on it right now actually, but it doesn't seem to be working as well as I thought it would. I'm going to be starting my 4th month in 5 days, but I'm S ILL breaking out in some places!!! Also, my skin isn't extremely dry like my doctor (and others) said it would be. My lips are so chapped some days it hurts to play my trumpet though. I was wondering if anyone out there who has taken this drug could answe me a question. When you were taking it, when (approx) did the breaking out stop? And did your pores shrink at all? If you could e-mail me with your answers, that'd be great!!! Also, what you said about some people saying all you have to do is wash your face, that's totally true. I hear it all the time. "Haven't you discovered soap yet?" Seems to be pretty popular. Anyhow, I'm hoping you fellow accutain and acne sufferers will respond!!! We can all relate no matter how old. = }

Just Me - 02/16/00 23:45:21
My URL:http://www.voy.com/4529
My Email:SoulLightBeam@aol.com
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Country: UK

Comments:
Hi again ... some have been posting me advising that they cannot access the Acne Support Forum I just set up (groans) - the same happened to me at work, ie I couldn't access it on Netscape at work ie the image files and background wouldn't load and error essages kept coming up, though I could see it via Internet Explorer.

I've spent the past 2 hours or so trying to find a new website host but duhhhh (grins), it's proving harder than I thought and I couldn't quite grasp how to upload pictures etc. So as it's closing on midnight, I settled for removing the background image f the stream and just put a plain blue background - which actually looks okay (grins)!

Anyway hope those of you who couldn't access it before can now ... apologies for the inconvenience!! Almost 100 views in 24 hours - so not too bad ! Together, we will all beat acne! Oh, and by the way, I've added a linkback to this page from that site or easy access etc for all who wish to chat / read in both rooms . ... okay, have to go now! Nite.

jay to peggy - 02/16/00 20:16:40

Comments:
hi peggy. i talked to my derm today having been off accutane for two months now and i asked him about all the is growth plate stuff. He stated that their have only been three reported cases in history involving premature growth plate closure and that ne er in his 17 years of practice has he seen someone have their growth plates closed. the people who were affected with premature growth plate closure were on it for years for disease other than acne, accutane is used for other skin related problems someti es. I got my x-ray of my growth plates and everything was fine. I really think you need to stop freaking out about this and just because your sons had this happen to them does not mean it will happen to everyone else, they probably had an allergic react on. Id like to know how long they were on it, their heights and their size as of now. Thankyou.

Ivan - 02/16/00 18:31:54
My Email:nana957@hotmail.com
Age: 22
Gender: male
Country: Singapore

Comments:
To bunion, here's my email addy nana957@hotmail.com Please post me that "whole shitload of infomation" you got on Nimegen :) As for the Neutrogena Health Skin lotion I recommended to you for getting rid of those red scars, it contains AHA so do not use it whilst on oral isotretion. But I guess Zinc supplements never hurt anybody. And to that lady who say that Accutane causes 6/8 people to have some growth plate closure, I think it's highly unlikely because Accutane is a FDA approved drug. 6/8 is too high a risk factor if any drug manufacturer wants clearance from the FDA. Also, I ead from somewhere that accutane adversely affects the musculoskeletal system only when used in high doses and over a prolonged period of time (mths or even years)

Jules - 02/16/00 17:51:17
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Country: UK

Comments:
Peggy - Where do Roche pubish this claim about 6 out of 8? Please support this with evidence.

If this were true then it seems implausable that any dermatoligist would prescribe at such a high risk rate. I'm sorry, I don't believe this until I see docum nted evidence to the contrary. I agree with Fish - this could be putting some desperate teenager off using Roaccutane. Scaring people is not helpful. It is all in the wording!

Kaitlin - 02/16/00 17:49:53
My Email:caraudiogirls@hotmail.com
Age: 20
Gender: female
Country: canada

Comments:
To Peggy, I have been posting/reading this board for about 2 months now, and I have to say I agree with Fish. Sure what you are saying is something everyone should know, but the way you are saying it is kinda creepy. I'm not trying to be rude and I really sympathize with what happened to your sons, but I have never seen any sort of thing stating it effects 6 out of 8 people. I have read all of my leaflets/instructions ect. quite thoroughly and it does mention the rare side effect of growth plate closure, ut then again there is a lot of other "rare" side effects as well. I live in Canada and this is what mine says, and I'm sure the leaflets would be the exact same in the USA. There has been a lot of studies done on it, and in one of my mom's medical boo s it states that the chances of growth plate closure are less than 7% (I don't know the name of the book offhand but If you would like I can find out) I think you are really scaring some people and sure its good to get your point across, but how about say ng it a little less harsh. I know that I researched accutane very well before going on it, and I'm sure they will too. So if you really feel the need to post this, write it with more care and word it less harshly. Kaitlin

KM - 02/16/00 17:10:24
My Email:sir_vv@hotmail.com
Age: 22
Gender: male
Country: UK

Comments:
Peggy, this is a simple question: could you post the ages and heights of your sons on the board please? I think everyone will be interested to know just how tall your sons are. You know why I am asking this. Thank you, KM.

Peggy - 02/16/00 17:03:59

Comments:
Fish, Roche doesn't use the words may cause. They state it effects 6 out of 8 people. They just say it's side effect is premature epiphyseal plate closure. I only say what is documented. I only tell the truth, I wish someone cared enough to tell us before my te nage boys took accutane. I have found many teenagers that never grew after accutane. Many have reported it and so have doctors.

Just Me - 02/16/00 16:56:19
My URL:http://www.voy.com/4529
My Email:SoulLightBeam@aol.com
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Country: UK

Comments:
Hi - Jasmine, Rianne, & Chinese Herb Lady - I've posted a response to you at the "Acne Support Group in Cyberspace Forum" which I set up last nite. Many visits from people though most too nervous I guess to jump in a d splash around. It'll either take off or not ... I've just advertised it at Yahoo, which will take effect in the next few days or a fortnight ... again, if anyone wants to add any links to it, or write a piece etc, feel free to email me with your additi n and you'll get the credit or it ... I have to rush off now. Byeee

Jo Morris - 02/16/00 16:24:23
My Email:simon.morris@clickservice.com
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Country: UK

Comments:
I have suffered from bad acne on the back and shoulders for about 10 years and have put off taking Roaccutane. However, I finally decided to take the plunge and have been on 80mg for 7 days. My face has gone red (like it has been sunburnt) and it is very itchy. The lips have started drying up but it is the redness and sore face that is bothering me. Has anyone else had this redness? and if so, how long does it last? Please email me on simon.morris@clickservice.com Thanks

bunion - 02/16/00 14:24:27
Gender: male
Country: singapore

Comments:
i got my stuff from the nsc pharmacy, after the derm prescribed it to me. it costs roughly bout 200 per month, and i'm taking 40 mg per day which roughly translates into around 1.50 for 4 10mg pills. and like i've said b4, nimegen works. it works as good, if not better than roche. (then again, i wouldnt know bout roche would i) But whatever the case, its work fantastically for me and i would definitely recommend it. even my derm recommended it, saying that it worked just as well as roche for all his other patients, so i dont really see the problem. hey, ivan, u want to leave me your email, i can give u a whole shitload of info if you want, but itll take a while.

FISH - 02/16/00 14:14:08
Age: 28
Gender: Female
Country: UK

Comments:
PEGGY - regarding your last post......Whilst I understand (and have understood for the last couple of months since you have been posting) that your sons suffered terribly as a result of taking Accutane due to growth plate closure, I think that these shock ng and defamatory postings are unnecessarily frightening to people. I think for you to write “ACCUTANE SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN TO ANYONE THAT IS STILL GROWING. IT WILL CAUSE PERMANENT IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE…” etc, is very wrong and very misleading. It is also robably libellous. I think perhaps, as with any drug, the words “It MAY cause…etc” should be used. The same way as Accutane MAY cause depression (severe or otherwise), dryness to the skin, rashes, joint aches, headaches, hair-loss, rectal bleeding etc e c etc. Just because your sons suffered from a particularly dreadful side-effect, it absolutely does not mean than every growing teenager that takes Accutane, will suffer the same fate. I would strongly recommend that anyone who wishes to take any drug, hould research it as much as possible and then make their choice. This site is about Acne and it allows us to share our personal experiences, give/receive advice, winge, laugh, cry, help and build up a support network of people who are all in the same bo t. And whilst I appreciate your posts are every bit as relevant as everyone elses’, scare-mongering is not helping anyone. I’m afraid I don’t have the statistics, but I would like to know what they are in relation to teenagers who have taken Accutane and suffered growth plate closure vs teenagers who have taken Accutane who have not suffered growth plate closure. I would hazard a guess that a very large majority of teenagers would not have suffered this side-effect. I do hope I haven’t offended or stepp d out of line, it’s just that there are a lot of growing teenagers who attend this site who may wish to take or are currently taking Accutane - perhaps these teenagers need sensible advice and guidance whilst trying to battle against a horrible disease, r ther than frightening, inaccurate information about the one drug that MAY eventually cure them without any nasty side-effects. Sincerely Fishx

Rianne - 02/16/00 13:41:56

Comments:
Thanks Marcus - I'll give that a try! I'll keep you posted as to how I get along! Love, luck n' thanks. Rianne. [p.s. Jasmine, when you get your Skinoren let us know what you think of it! Rob (RL) how are you doing with the azelaic acid?]

marcus - 02/16/00 13:06:52
Age: 22
Country: male

Comments:
Rianne, massage the vinegar all over your face then rinse off! If you want to dab it on active spots after then don’t rinse off. C.H.L right it will sting quite badly on the spots but that just means it’s working. Good luck!

Ivan - 02/16/00 12:38:21
Age: 22
Gender: male
Country: Singapore

Comments:
So far, only Bunion appeared to have used Nimegen before ( thanks for the information pal :) could you tell me where you bought it and for how much? ) I was wondering if there is anyone else out there who used Nimegen before. Could you please share your experiences with me as I'm going to my derm soon and I have to decide on going with either roacctuane or nimegen.Thanks For the person asking about chocolates....My experience is that it only causes my acne to flare up if I take too much of it.( 2 Snickers bar would be too much for me. Half is just fine, the other half I give to my friend)

- 02/16/00 04:41:52
My URL:http://www.medhelp.org/per16/gastro/archive/4747.html

Comments:

Peggy - 02/16/00 04:35:21
My Email:pzachritz@aol.com

Comments:
Accutane should not be given to anyone that is still growing. It will cause permanent irreversible damage. Accutane causes premature epiphyseal plate closure. That means that all the growth in your body stops. You will remain the size you are when you tak it. Do your reaearch, it is well documented. It causes the osteoclasts to attack your growth plates throughout your body. There is nothing you can do to reverse the damage. It seals the plates shut.

kelsey - 02/16/00 04:29:21
My Email:kelsar00@aol.com
Age: 18
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
I have ? for the group.... I know that everyone has heard that Choclate causes pimples.... i was wondering if that was true or not.. thanks for your time.. Kelsey

C.H.L. - 02/16/00 03:57:59
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry
Age: 36

Comments:
Hi again, JASMINE, If you could kind of look at how much protein you get average on a daily basis. I did ask earlier for each and every day not just one day. One day doesn't count as every day average. I am sure you know what I mean. Does Soya have p otein grams on the package? I am not sure what soya is. I see that soy milk and tofu and the smart ground soy protein (just like hamburger but not) has protein grams on the package. I'm not saying you have to live protein just see what you are consumin and then possibly bump it up. Also I think some factors include: exercising 30 minutes (at least) of physical exertion (20 minutes with heart beat rate up an 5 minutes of warm up and warm down), drinking water throughout the day, enough protein and vegg es. You already read what I said my Herbalist said about protein right? How much we assimilate compared to how much we consume? If you need me to say again let me know. Also Jasmine, I drink a protein drink each and every day. The protein powder has 2 grams of protein then I add 1 red delicious apple, 1 banana (did you know that monkeys peel the banana from the flower end instead of the stem end - just learned that and it is much easier to peel from that end) and I also add lowfat plain yogart. It is so delicious. SULFUR SOAP. I did get some from the Serious Skin Care place when I was buying the whole line of acne products. I did not actually use it very long because I was using everything else so I cannot give a testimonial for it. You are in the UK right? WEll, I'm not sure what your sources are. The soap package says it is made in Mexico and distributed by Flageoli, LTD. in Los Angeles, California USA. The Serious Skin CAre products I got off of the TV. One of those shopping channels. The p ckage also says sulfur has been used for many years as an aid in treating excess oil and problematic skin. Sulfur is a natrual drying agent. Your right Rianne, I just need to take the High road when it comes to crummy posts. I know what is working for m and I know I have not bragged loudly in the past partly because I wanted to just feel the happiness and joy and I did not want to hear others throwing arrows at my possible cure and now I am glad that I just kept all that happiness inside and did not giv people the opportunity to shoot arrows because I know now that this is my cure. Without Chinese Herbs I would be a devastated basket case with no hope. I just want to share my happiness with so many and I want them to be able to experience what I am bu I know that some are just not ready to or whatever. As I go through life I will share my happiness and let people know that there is a Chinese Herbal path to follow. I will be like one of those people that they say "Oh no, don't complain to her she wil preach about Chinese Herbs and protein and yoga, and meditation to you" Well, if nothing else I will hear less complaints and I will ooooze happiness which will benefit everyone I come in contact with. Being happy in the moment not in 10 minutes or 10 ays or 10 years, right now. And that is how it is for me and I am really enjoying it. I don't speed around in my car going places and do things in hopes of that it will make my happier later. And I just thought something I have said a couple times and I said it to my mom last night. Before taking Chinese Herbs I could not have "Made myself happy" no matter how much I tried. Something was not chemically right or whatever it might be called. Many times I had heard, you make yourself happy or sad. WEll, hat can be true to an extent but when you say postive things over and over to yourself in hopes that you will feel better and you just don't there is more to it. Take care all. Peace

C.H.L - 02/16/00 03:28:08
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry
Age: 36

Comments:
Hi all, Thanks for your support. Today is a great day. Valentines day was kind of a downer with no valentine and all. But I feel much better today. Back to my happy self. Yeeeaaaahhh!! My mummy gave me some Apple Cider Vinegar tips she read. She sa d you can start out diluting it with water and apply it to affected areas and then wait 10 minutes to rinse with cool water. You can work up to or just start out with full strength. It is normal for it to sting a little. RIANNE, Isn't "bleep" like a sw ar word? :) many Doctors are in the business for Mortgages, cars, summerhomes, yachts, etc. Not all but I believe many are. Our world is very dependent on fixing things up after they've broken rather than prevention. That is why I find my Chinese Herbs so wonderful. And actually the spiritual world. Things like yoga, meditation, stuff like that. I love it. My idea of how food affects acne is this. I think food may not directly cause acne but I do believe that certain foods can affect stress which I believe in turn causes acne. Like High strung people eating sugar makes them more high strung (stressssed)(Do you know what stressed spelled backwards is? Desserts) Then stress seems to aggravate acne. No, I don't know where that is written but I did liv it for about 20 years. Going to post this and write another so I don't lose everything.

- 02/16/00 01:43:25

Comments:
James, are you in special ed?

James - 02/16/00 01:01:48
My Email:ukjce@hotmail.com
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Country: U.K

Comments:
For all those out there that costantly have thoughts about food having an effect on acne are gravely mistaken. It has been tested by numerous scientists and so forth, that acne is not affected by food. When I had acne last year - I even experimented with his myself. So, for those that think this is a cause for acne - THINK AGAIN - It truly is not. Eat whatever you want !!! There is however been rare cases - Where someone is alergic to subtances which causes them to break out in a rash - But that is not likely the case with you all. Sorry for making this long - But I had to say this since I have been reading all this crap ab ut people fasting and pathetic diets being brought about. Feel free to email me with any questions. Thank You --James

Jules - 02/16/00 00:08:09
My Email:informationman2000@yahoo.com
Age: 28
Country: UK

Comments:
None acne related question - Does anyone (particularly Just me) have the code needed to set up a message board. I need it to add to an intranet web site at work. Please email me at the above address. Any help would be appreciated. I normally use Dreamweav r to create web pages.

To mother: I have been suffering from conjunctivitous some of the time and dry red eyes the rest of the time. I confirmed with my Derm that this was CAUSED by accutane (the conjunctivitous). To get rid of this I used broline eye drops. Now that the eyes are just dry I use "optrex fresh eyes" eye drops. They keep the eyes moisturised and help to prevent eye infection. Bye

Just Me - 02/15/00 23:23:29
My URL:http://www.voy.com/4529
My Email:SoulLightBeam@aol.com
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Country: UK

Comments:
Hi everyone ... have been busy on my project as mentioned, which I hope is now fine tuned. Due to the missing posts etc that keep happening etc, I thought that I'd set up a separate Forum for those who wish some peace and quiet and quality sharing regard acne and how to handle it etc etc. The intention is not to take anything away from this guest room but to add to the support sites out that for people suffering from acne. There are many of us out there ie suffering from acne and the more help there is for us, I'm all for that!!

I included a Real Time Chat Room as well, which is easier to get into. Test it for yourself - it's completely free to register / log on.

I've been at this for like 3 days and really really tired ... I'll post sometime tomorrow ... need to chat to Jasmine, Rianne, Chinese Herb Lady and provide some responses!!!

By the way, re the chat page, the invitation is for anyone who wishes to contribute anything they feel would be valuable to a fellow sufferer, ie links (especially links) and any other information etc ... as I never intended to set up a web page ... it ju t happened ... and I thought the best thing would be for acne sufferers to write for acne sufferers!

The URL is:

"Acne Support Group Forum"

Gotta go use my Dermalux Lamp now!! Just over a week of using it and things are going okay - kinda ... on and off .... will tell later!!

Kaitlin - 02/15/00 22:32:26
My Email:caraudiogirls@hotmail.com
Age: 20
Gender: female
Country: canada

Comments:
Hi Everyone, I'm on Day 40 something now and my skin is doing pretty good, I even think my red marks are starting to fade. So now that my skin is smoother, I'd like to try some new foundation (so I guess this is directed towards the girls) I've been using clinique cover up with loose powder, but my skin doesn't look very even. I've got really fair skin and would like a foundation that covers well but doesn't look like I dumped a whole bottle on my face. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Hope everyon s skin is starting to improve! And just curious but has anyone only went on accutane for 3 months (I think after the end of the 3rd I won't really need the 4th???) Thanks and good luck..

nik - 02/15/00 21:44:58
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Country: USA

Comments:
Hey..I've been on Accutaine for about a month now, and the results have been great. Right before i went on it, i had it pretty bad on my chest/back/shoulders and oddly my face was and still is almost acne-free (thank god). Anyway, about a week into the reatment I've noticed my skin getting much drier and my lips were becoming dry as well. The results have been great. Almost no new spots anywhere since i started the treatment, and I didnt experience the 'breakout stage' either. My skin has always rebo nded excellently after bad breakouts, and right now all the spots are dry and fading away fast. This drug has really done the trick, as the antibiotics i was taking before had absolutely no effect, besides discouraging me. I will say that thanks to Accu aine I will be able to go to the beach this spring without embarrassment for the first time in a while. To all of you struggling with acne, please dont despair, its not worth it in the end, and you will feel rather silly when you think about it later on n your acne-free future. Good luck, Nik

Rianne - 02/15/00 21:44:01

Comments:
Marcus, when you use the cider vinegar - after you've massaged it neat on spots (or shall I use it all over the acne-prone area or specific spots?) for 1 minute do we rinse it off or leave it on? Thanks Marcus!

marcus - 02/15/00 19:58:56
My Email:marcus.stacey@virgin.net
Age: 22
Country: UK

Comments:
Jasmine Hi I’ve been told to use the apple cider vinegar neat. Apply generous amounts to the affected area and massage in for around 1 min, use every other day! You can also dab it onto active spots, as it’s an antiseptic! One tip, if you’re using it on your face, k ep your eyes shut otherwise it stings like f…. it also puts the acidity back into your skin that soaps strip out! The best part is it’s price £1.30 for a litre! Apple, I don’t know if procam is available in Singapore you’ll have to check with your local pharmacies! The company name is Irish skincare products limited. Hope you can find it!

marcus - 02/15/00 19:47:57
My Email:marcus.stacey@virgin.net
Age: 22
Gender: male
Country: u.k

Comments:
Jasmine Hi I’ve been told to use the apple cider vinegar neat. Apply generous amounts to the affected area and massage in for around 1 min, use every other day! You can also dab it onto active spots, as it’s an antiseptic! Quick tip, if using it on your face keep yo r eyes shut otherwise it stings like f…. It also put the acidity back into your skin which soaps strip out, It’s apparently great for dandruff too! The best part is it’s price £1.30 for a litre! Apple I don’t know if procam is available in singapore you’ll have to cheek with your loacal pharmacies! The company name is Irish skincare products limited. Hope you can find it!

Rianne - 02/15/00 19:35:38

Comments:
Hiya Fish!! Hee - you are a one!!! (Nice little subtle p.s. there!!!!) Hope your boyfriend is okay now? We all seem to have had such a lousy time lately somehow. Totally undeserved for such a magnificent bunch! (no doubt someone (mmmmmm!) will slate e for such a pretentious comment! Oh dear dear dear....) Like I said to Marcus....maybe the only way for us is UPWARDS now.....we've had the DOWNS!!!! Glad that the Accutane is doing the trick Fish - terrific! It's great when one of us can kick this bl ep acne into touch eh!!! (I daren't swear dare I - wouldn't want to offend anybody again would I???? Smile....) Oh, Jasmine I'm glad you survived the lumbar puncture, we were worried about you. They are supposed to be mighty painful, brave you Jasmine, w ll done! Sorry your visit to the derm. was less than enlightenening (sp?).....it never ceases to amaze me that sometimes WE have to tell the experts about treatments! A lot of derms are excellent but some......I'm not really sure why they are in the pro ession at all. With some you can come out feeling soooo positive and with others you are a million steps back and more depressed than when you went in (if possible). The Skinoren may be just the thing for you Jasmine. Rob (RL) will probably be able to ell you more. I'm still using the Eryacne but I have a couple of new bumps coming up....grrrr. I'll trowel the Eryacne on tonight and hope and wish that it will make them disappear! Watch this space....... Jasmine, I don't think you need to go off you veggie diet to get protien. C.H.L. will probably be able to tell you of other protiens that can fill the gap. You were great C.H.L. Come back - we need you!!!!!! I remember a long, long time ago when a few people were mega abusive and I thought I would stop posting for a while, and I did. Then I thought - why should I???!!! I've gained so much knowledge from this site and there are some lovely people & fortunately they well outnumber the "other type"!!! I'm off to get some cider vinegar tomorrow - if it doesn't work Marcus we can always put it on our chips eh?!!! HA! Lots of love to you all, AND luck n' thanks! Rianne.

mother - 02/15/00 18:34:17
My Email:jg1231@aol.com
Age: 45
Gender: female
Country: usa

Comments:
My son is 13 and is on his 10th day of accutane,prior antibiotics didn't help. he has pretty severe acne, no cysts, and has matured quite early,so his hormones are wacko. His back hurts but it could be from being catcher in baseball. His eyes seem red but it could be from having conjunctivitous(pink eye) as I recently had it. It is ifficult to know what is a side effect and what is just coincidence. He does have the cracking in the corner of the mouth. I hope it does not stunt his growth as someone mentioned. But both pediatrician and dermitologist recommended it. So far little or n improvement.Do you think I need worry about growth plates getting closed up?

jasmine - 02/15/00 17:38:15
Age: 33
Gender: female
Country: U.K.

Comments:
Hello everyone.Hi RIANNE.How are you doing?Thanks for the concern over the lumbar puncture.I had it done yesterday and it was pretty awful but still alive to tell the tale.It wasn't so much painful but where the needle was hitting nerves in my spine it wa making my legs really tingle like the worst pins and needles you can imagine.Just like electric shocks down your legs.Anyway enough of that back to acne.Thanks JULES for your kind words and tips.Funny enough the last week I haven't used the Ketsugo as it obviously wasn't working and have just been washing my face with Simple soap.I have tried Roaccutane but it made me very ill so I can't have that.I don't drink coffee but I might try the hot water before bed.Does this help then?To C.H.L I really don't kno how much protein I have per day.I'm veggie but eat a lot of meat substitutes like soya.Perhaps I don't have as much protein as I should because meat is high in protein.How would I work it out?Don't take any notice of abusive comments,it's good you promot and care enough about people to say what has worked for you.I thought that was the idea of this message board!!ENCA and RIANNE.I have e-mailed the Home catalogue and asked them if they know where you can still get the No-No lamp.They haven't replied yet. 'll keep you posted.MARCUS the cider vinegar sounds like a good idea.Do you have to water it down or use it neat?Do you just dab it on like a toner.Keep us posted on your progress with it.Well I went to the derm today even though I still feel really ill f om the lumbar puncture which goes to show how desparate we are about our skin and he was very nice but he wasn't the main consultant.Gutted.Anyway I think I knew more about topical solutions then he did and basically I ended up coming away with a letter f r the doc for a prescription for Skinoren cream.I have had pretty much everything else topically and I thought I would ask for it as Rob said it was working for him.The derm said it was trial and error and it might or might not work.That doesn't really ch er you up.The hospital doesn't stock Skinoren so I now have to wait another couple of days to get the prescription from the Doc.He seemed to know nothing of gylcolic acid.He couldn't tell me why after all these years of it being on my face I am now gettin it on my body.I asked him that once you become resistant to an antibiotic lotion how long a break do you need before it would work for you again and he said that no-one knows that.The acne support nurse I spoke to said 1-2 years.He said to try sulphur so p.Anyone know where you can get that or if it is any good?So all in all no new info.I think what I might do is try the skinoren first and see if my skin tolerates it and once I'm used to it then introduce using gycolic acid products into the regime and se if the two together do anythingThe study that Pam posted said there was quite good results with the two.Anyway thats about it.Sorry for the long posting but it's been a while.ROB are you O.K.Haven't heard from you for a while.Take care everyone.Love Jasm ne.

FISH - 02/15/00 16:49:59
Country: UK

Comments:
Hi everyone. End of week 14 - skin is really very good. Not perfect, but nearly!!! I'm on my last week of pills and I am seeing the Derm on Friday. I don't know if he'll want to extend the course or stop it - either way is fine by me. To the guy who t lked about St John's Wort - There was something on the TV the other night about it interfering with prescription drugs and whilst it's very good in lots of ways - especially depression, it is not necessarily compatible with other medication you may be tak ng and could end up doing you more harm than good. I would strongly suggest you discuss this with both your GP and your Dermatologist before you mix Roaccutane and SJW. It may be absolutely fine - but definitely worth checking out. RIANNE - I do hope yo are feeling better. I was very sorry to hear you were feeling so fed-up. JASMIN - I hope your lumbar puncture went OK and you too, are feeling alright. Anyway - no doubt I'll post and bore you all again in a few days - in the meantime lots of love and potlessness to you all. Fishxxx PS: To JAY/JASON/JAVIER/TRAVIS etc: JUST F*CK OFF!!! (sorry everyone - it had to come out).

Rianne - 02/15/00 16:36:36

Comments:
Thanks Marcus for all the great info. I hadn't heard of the apple cider vinegar thing!! That sounds worth trying Marcus....I'll give that a go myself. It will be nice to try something that isn't going to empty my piggy bank!! I certainly will let you now about what happens when I have my next appointment about the scarring. Anyway, thanks Marcus for all the stuff you posted. C.H.L. how are you....it seems a while since you posted...like I said before it is really appreciated all the info. that you g ve and would hate to think that those negative posts deterred you. (I'm sure you totally rise above those kind of postings anyway C.H.L. and good for you!!!) I usually skip bad postings.....they're so unhelpful, pointless and unnecessary. We're all in p etty much the same situation with acne problems (albeit some have fortunately found a cure and that in itself is great news) but to pick fault and knock each other doesn't help any of us. This site is for mutual support - we all have different ways and evels of coping with acne and that should be respected. Jasmine, I hope you're okay??? Also Rob (RL) how are you doing? Lots of love and luck to everyone out there. Rianne.

Ivan - 02/15/00 16:15:27
Age: 22
Gender: male
Country: Singapore

Comments:
To Tony, the last I heard, Roaccutane is known to cause depression in a small number of people.

Tony - 02/15/00 14:20:11
Age: 18
Gender: male
Country: uk

Comments:
I'm going to see my dermatologist next week, and he's probably gonna put me on a course of roaccutane. I'm currently taking St. John's wort (the anti-depressant0 and i was wondering whether the combination of the two would cause any side- effects. Can any ody help me out ??

Chris Green - 02/15/00 13:20:43
My Email:cjgreen@Plymouth.ac.uk
Age: 21
Gender: Male
Country: UK

Comments:
My name is Chris Green(age 21) and I have had serious acne for 7 years. At times the condition drives me crazy, but I have found that by not thinking and worrying about it really helps. In my experience, everyone at my age has problems, and believe me acne is nothing compared to my mate Stuart who does not have any legs. Don't worry about it, and get on with your life. If you don't you will kick yourself later. Chris

Rebecca - 02/15/00 12:34:47
My Email:ralevin@aol.com
Age: 23
Gender: female
Country: usa

Comments:
Hi, To the woman who was asking about good makeup, I hightly recommend Clinique products. They have wonderful oil free foundation, and cover-up, both medicated and not! I have been very pleased with all their products.

Apple - 02/15/00 11:08:02
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Country: Singapore

Comments:
Marcus.. where can I get your recommended moisturizer called 'Procam'? Could you tell me the manufacturer's name? Thks... Well, I have been on 10mg Roac for 2 weeks until my doctor told me to stop for a week as he wants me to heal the breakout cause by it. So I was wondering... does anybody over here has the same treatment as I am? Btw, is there any solution to really help t e flaking and redness....help!!!!!!!!!! Success to all of you who still on Roac... All the Best!

Ivan - 02/15/00 07:12:43
Age: 22
Gender: male
Country: Singapore

Comments:
I was wondering what would happen if I took birth control pills? Would I become a sissy or something like that? ( lol, I know this is a weird question)

andi - 02/15/00 06:42:24
My Email:starla8@aol.com
Age: 19
Country: us

Comments:
hello! i have just finished two weeks at 80mg after 4 weeks of 40mg. and nothing has happened yet. i can't stopping picking at my skin because i get so angry at it for looking the way that it does. i get these small clogged pores on my cheeks and the only way to get rid of them is to squeeze--otherwise they will just stay there and make my skin look unsmooth. my question to everyone is...does it sometimes take the full 20 weeks before you notice anything? i'm getting pretty desperate for an improvement alr ady. my worst side effect? my lips haven't been that chapped but the sides of my mouth have been drying up and splitting open so that when i open my mouth to eat they crack and bleed. it was a vicious cycle until i started using neutrogena hand cream on m lips (it says on the tube you can use it for lips) i reapply about every half hour cuz if i don't i'll crack and bleed. i hate how it takes every pimple forever to heal on this medication. i was also wondering today...maybe this isn't really acne...is it possible to maybe be allergic to something and break out only on your cheeks as a result??? my acne is not cystic--however it is pretty bad. the roacc has cured me of my oily t zone and some blackheads so far...when will it get better?? please feel free t email me ttfn

Yangas - 02/15/00 05:12:18
My Email:yangazze_2000@yahoo.com
Age: 17
Country: australia

Comments:
Hi all i have been of roac for now 4 weeks , it worked pretty well, but it left me with all these red spots which really digust me. If anyone has any info on about these scarss or what ever plz email me at yangazze_2000@yahoo.com plz cya all god bless

spunky - 02/15/00 02:11:33

Comments:
confusion just set in. Why are we all so worried? What are we worried about? about people seeing the "good" side of us. Always wondering what light we're under. Wondering if sweat causes breakouts and what kind of traetment is the best. always wonder ng "does he/she notice"?? cmon everyone. chill out. I just ate a pound of chocolate today (good ol amber) and I don't think I"m going to get a zit because of it. I'm not completely clear but I do know that all this STRESS screws up your hormones and c n give you what we all hate. Just chill out, have fun, live life with no worries.... it's not a big deal at all. I know I sound hipocritical (sp?) because I can get up tight but I try not to. Just close your eyes, take a deep breath and realize that if you try.. tomorrow will be a better day. adrian anthony

marcus - 02/14/00 23:10:40
Age: 22
Gender: male
Country: uk

Comments:
Hi Rianne, I’ll take you through my daily regime. 10.am x 100mg minocin + 30mg zinc + 82mg B-6, apparently if you take B-6 with zinc it activates it better! + 500mg evening primrose oil. 12.pm 1 selenium a.c.e + 1 x 150mg potassium (I’ve cut right down since you posted about the risk to the heart, tha ks for that by the way) 1.pm 3 capsules of acidophilus + 15mg zinc. 10.pm 1 x 100mg minocin + 30mg zinc + 82mg B-6. I wash once a day using carex antibacterial soap then apply procam as a moisturizer! I avoid all dairy products and nuts, plus I haven’t had a drop of alcohol in t o years! (The things we go through for clear skin ay) Since I have been doing this my outbreaks are nothing to what they used to be, on average my worst outbreaks now are six to ten small to medium spots, normally none on my face! I’ve just brought a bottle of apple cider vinegar, which I’m going to use as a rinse on my affected areas! Have you heard of or tried this? It’s a natural antiseptic that unblocks pores and effectively removes sebum! I’ll let you know how I get along! Let me know how you get on about your scars? When I asked my derm if I could have something done about my raised scars he told me “No there’s nothing you can have done about them, but it doesn’t matter anyway as there on your back and you can keep them co ered up!”

Steve to Jay/Jason/Travis/Javier - 02/14/00 22:33:45
My Email:sackerm@erols.com
Age: 26
Gender: male
Country: US

Comments:
This forum is very special to me.... if you continue to deceive and disrespect its members I will make you regret it. I was close to taking action before and I am even closer now. Just keep it up.

enca - 02/14/00 22:22:31

Comments:
this NO nO gadget thingee Does anyone know if its still available???

John - 02/14/00 22:06:50
My Email:john.allen19@virgin.net
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Country: Uk

Comments:
Hello all I was just wondering if there are many pepole who have taken roaccutane longr than 4 months? Did it work taking roaccutane for say 6 months? If anyone wants to ask me any questions, please feel free. Good luck everyone.

K ara - 02/14/00 21:16:07
My Email:kpilon@pillsbury.com
Age: 25
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
Hey, could side effects be getting worse when the accutane dosage gets increased?

Maria - 02/14/00 19:18:19
My Email:destiny_maria@yahoo.com
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Country: USA

Comments:
I am was wondering what was good to make scars go away and reddness fade. I would like to know also more about Roaccutane and what happens in steps when someone goes on it. Please email me. Thanks!

skint - 02/14/00 19:01:54
My Email:born_slippy@Yahoo.com
Age: 18
Gender: male
Country: uk

Comments:
I've had acne since i was 15, and within the last year, after several courses of minocin , my acne finally cleared up only to return with a vengence within the last few days. It's really depressing me, because i was just getting used to having clear skin gain. I need advice about what to do next. Can anybody prescribe anything ? please, i'm desperate

Brooks - 02/14/00 17:45:28
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Country: Ontario Canada

Comments:
Hello everyone! Wow...the last time I was here was about 1 month ago! I've been off Accutane now for about 3 months and in all I've had two zits but they were so so small no one noticed but me! All I gotta say to everyone is take care of your skin as best as you can and in the long run you will be happy. I was on accutane twice in a row because my cholestrol and enzymes go up so I can only take it for one month at the time until my blood goes back to normal. If anyone has any questions please post some and I will read soon!

Ivan - 02/14/00 17:38:38
Age: 22
Gender: male
Country: Singapore

Comments:
To bunion, I like to know how much you paid for those nimegen capsules, how is it supplied and where you got it from. I thank you again for all these info. As for the red scars, I find that Zinc supplements help a great deal in reducing the redness. Also, I have had some success with Neutrogena Healthy Skin.Because I'm using both these products in conjunction, I do not know which one is actually turning my r d scars into light brown spots. My last course of accutane (40mg a day) also cleared up my acne completely but it's effect lasted only about 2 years. For those who were on accutane/nimegen before, how long did those drugs managed to knock acne into long-term remission? 1yr? 2yr? permane t cure?

Shawn - 02/14/00 16:52:10
My Email:googaboo@uswest.net
Age: 24
Gender: Female / 120 lbs. / 40 mg. / LAST DAY -- WEEK 16

Comments:
Well, all done! Skin still clear and looking forward to the dryness as a thing of the past! Accutane worked wonders for me and I hope that those of you taking it now and are frustrated have the best of luck with it. See you next month!

Kara - 02/14/00 16:27:47
My Email:kpilon@pillsbury.com
Age: 25
Gender: female
Country: usa

Comments:
I'm starting week 12 today...and my skin looks terrible!! Help, Im getting so sad. Week 11 was great, so I don't understand why mine's not clearing up. I'm wondering if it will take the full 20 weeks to look good. It never looked this bad before I went on Accutane, so I'm thinking I should have never gone on in the first place. It's so discouraging!! And I picked last night, and I never do, I've been so good about not picking. Now it looks like a warzone from only a little picking. I never realized ust how sensitive your skin gets on this stuff!! Thanks for all the postings and great support, some days I couldn't go on without it! If anyone has the experience of still breaking out after 3 months, can you write me? Thanks, take care, happy V day! br>
Erica Gonzalez - 02/14/00 16:18:26
My Email:ericagonz@yahoo.com
Age: 23
Gender: Female
Country: USA

Comments:
Is is okay to use accutane if you are diabetic????

bunion - 02/14/00 15:58:38
Gender: male
Country: singapore

Comments:
to Ivan, dont overdose on vitamin or beta carotene. are u nuts or something? isotretinoin and vitamin a are only chemically similar but they're not the same damn thing. od on vit a and you'll prob get most of the side effects that u might get on accutane ut without getting rid of your acne. Trust me on this, the nimegen works and it works fantastically. its the same thing as the roche product, only without the brand. i've been on it almost 3 months and its cleared most of the crap from my skin. Whats left of course is a bunch of screwy red marks which incidentally, can anyone help out with? theres been lots of talk about mederma, anyone know whether it works? how bout neutrogena radience essence? anything else which can get rid of the redness?

Ed - 02/14/00 15:57:54
Gender: MALE

Comments:
sorry, one more thing I don't know what to wash my face with, any suggestions guys? Products which can be easily bought in the UK are preferable! thanks

Steve - 02/14/00 15:52:09
My Email:cog@giant.net.au
Age: 31
Gender: Male
Country: Australia

Comments:
My experience. I had terrible acne all through my teenage years. Went on Roaccutane when I was 22 and it completely changed my life! Worked fantastically well..and I had the satisfaction of being able to recommend it to a good friend of mine who also s ffered from acute acne. Helped him enormously too. Unfortunately, I went off my dose to early and the acne has started to reappear on my back and shoulders. My new dermatologist has put me back on it..starting in a few weeks. If anyone wants to know m progress just email me. To all of you who are currently suffering from this affliction - be strong and hang in there. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Ed - 02/14/00 15:50:05

Comments:
well, I went out today and bought that cica gel stuff it was nearly £37 i hope it helps cos it onjly lasts for 1 month and best results are seen 2 to 4 months of use!!! anyway i ll keep u all posted on my progress!! whats the average treatment on roaccuta e? i was on it for 4 months and now i am on my second go i want to know if going on it for longer will be more beneficial.. anyone know??

Kaitlin - 02/14/00 15:07:21

Comments:
**To Jay:** I don't understand first of all why you just don't post as Jason-it's not like people can't figure out your the same person (obviously because of ip address)You were causing so much shit (sorry) on this board afew weeks ago and begged the pers n who was going to trace you not to do anything or you would get sent to your boarding school until you are 21 or whatever-well maybe before starting your shit again you should think that it still can be done and it seems in the past few days you've pisse of alot of good sources/people on this board so I would watch what you say. **To Everyone:** sorry I had to waste your time reading my little input to Jason!

C.H.L. - 02/14/00 14:47:49

Comments:
Ivan, again I apologize for giving the wrong address initially. It is needymeds.com

Anna - 02/14/00 14:33:43
My Email:akhill@udel.edu
Age: 19
Country: USA

Comments:
to Jay: you sir, are the sorry slob on this board. The rest of us are committed to trying to improve something that has bothered all of us for a long time. Your insensitive, rude comments about all of us as a whole, and especially your attack on C.H.L is nexcusable. Not everything works for everyone and if they wish to use homeopathic remedies to help clear up their acne than that is THEIR choice, not to be ridiculed. We all ought to thank C.H.L. for all the valuable advice she has given and the time she as taken to help us. You, on the other hand, whine and complain about something you know nothing about. You ought to be ashamed of yourself!

Rianne - 02/14/00 13:55:26

Comments:
Marcus, I'm starting the 75mg. of zinc today. What are you using for your skin at the moment and how is it going? I have made an appointment for next month to see someone about the acne scarring. I hope I'm not disappointed again. I always build my ho es up and then fall flat on my face. The Eryacne is very good.....I dread it when it stops working though. Hopefully it will work for a good while....hopefully...... I'm still taking the Minocin MR 2 x 100mg (are you still taking these Marcus?). C.H.L I hope you're okay, most of us really appreciate all the help you've given. I can't take Accutane and so I have to look for other remedies to help my skin. C.H.L., HGPig and all the helpful suggestions from others in the same situation are invaluable. Jasmine, I hope the hospital visit went okay and that you're alright after the lumbar puncture. Rob (RL) how are you doing with the Azelaic Acid, is it working well? As always lots of love, luck and thanks. Rianne.

Ivan - 02/14/00 12:28:14
My Email:nana957@hotmail.com
Age: 22
Gender: male
Country: Singapore

Comments:
Thanks for the info bunion :)(you wrote "Nimegen is the generic version of roaccutane"). As for AJ, the no-name brand which your mother got for you, did it happen to be called Nimegen? Because Nimegen in Singapore sells for about half the price of ROCHE r accutane also. Does anyone else here have any info about Nimegen or has anyone taken it before? Also, had anyone had any experience with overdosing on Vitamin A or beta-carotene to achieve the same effects as accutane?

AJ - 02/14/00 12:16:38
Age: twenties
Gender: Male
Country: Oz

Comments:
I first took roaccutane when I was 16 because nothing worked for my skin (antibiotics worked at first but stopped working after three weeks) and I got allergic to anyting topical. Ro-Accutane was fantastic, it worked straight away in the first two weeks. LAst year, six years later my acne came back, and my derm wouldn't allow me to go on it. Being desperate for a cure, I went to another derm who was a bit more lenient and didn't really care what I did, didn't really give me a dose to have, so I diagnosed yself. It worked about 60% but not as efficiently as the first time, I was frustated as it didn't seem to be working, I still got acne so I increased the dose from the original 20mgs to 40mgs then up to 60mgs (I weigh 60 kilos). It still didn't work compl tely. Nine months later my Acne has come back, not as bad, but bad enough. So I went on a special diet (No processed foods or sugar, alcohol, coffee, chocolate, cheese, soft drinks, cakes, junk food etc.)I just ate fruit , healthy dinner bread and water. It improved but not enough. So I went to go on ro-accutane again and a funny thing happened. The chemist asked me which brand did I want? For half price I could get the no-name brand. Then I realised, my mum had bought the no-name brand last year inst ad of the original ROCHE. No wonder it didn't really work, I was so dissapointed in my mother to save a few bucks by buying a cheapie brand that just made everything worse. So I've got the original brand and decided to go on 40mg(because of last time). the effects are working after TWO days!!!!But after four days, I feel quite sick, headaches, nausea, really dry sking, redness, mild stomach pain. I don't know if it's my diet, because I jog 30 minutes a day and don't eat sugar, chocolate, junk food etc. so I've rushed out to have a sugar fix(lollies) which has helped. Can someone help me with my dosage and food requirements??? Is 40mgs way too much, I 'm going to go backon 20mgs, but I'm really confused. Is 30mgs the maximum dose I should have. Also hould I sugar to help the side effects.

marcus - 02/14/00 11:14:58
Age: 22
Country: uk

Comments:
Could it be that Jay and the Javier character are one and the same twerp? C.H.L you get my vote! Rianne I’ve been taking zinc for around a year and although it isn’t the cure I have to say my outbreaks haven’t been as sever, plus I’ve read that zinc is a vital component in the skin healing process, so it can only help! I found my skin got a little wo se before it got better!

bunion - 02/14/00 09:17:38
Gender: male
Country: singapore

Comments:
in reply to the singaporean, nimegen is simply a generic version of the roche product. its essentially the same thing and its a whole lot cheaper. my derm actually told me that it works just as well, if not better than the roche product. so dont worry bout going on it...its good stuff

Ivan - 02/14/00 08:12:33
My Email:nana957@hotmail.com
Age: 22
Gender: Male
Country: Singapore

Comments:
Hi, it's me again. Thanks for the URL C.H.L but it appears that www.freemeds.com must have shifted. Meanwhile, I'm still searching for a cheap source of accutane. It has come to my attention that a drug called Nimegen exists and contains iso-tretion, the itamin A derivative in Accutane which is also it's active ingredient. I did a web search on Nimengen and that did not yield any hits. Anyone who has any information on Nimengen please post it on this msg board or mail me at my email addy above. Also, I have considered overdosing on 500% vitamin A or Beta-carotene as a cheaper alternative to accutane treatment. Please let me know if that is advisable. I wish you all the best in your battle with acne

Amae - 02/14/00 05:57:32
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry
My Email:amae7@hotmail.com
Age: 22
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
**** C.H.L. **** Looks like someone is trying to pick a fight with you. I suggest ignoring him and saying whatever fucking thing you want. **** ELIAS **** Did you fast for 12 hours before your bloodwork? It helps provide a more accurate reading. Good uck. **** BOB, GW, PIG, and ALL **** Happy Valentine's Day! ~Amae

Mike - 02/14/00 03:15:57
Age: 23
Country: U.S.

Comments:
***Elias*** When I was on accutane I had an elevated triglyceride level as well. My dermatologist suggested reducing the amount of high-carbohydrate food I consume, and this seemed to do the trick. If cereal, bagels, or pastries are prevalent in your diet cutting down may help. Good luck. Mike.

Elias - 02/14/00 03:05:38
My Email:ismaelel@vianet.com.mx
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Country: México

Comments:
Dear friends, I have been on Roaccutane for about 1 month, but unfortunately my levels of triglycerides in my blood test were 75% higher than the normal values. I would like to know if somebody has or had the same problem when were under Roaccutane, and how you solve t is to continue with tratment? Thank you for your help.

sandy - 02/14/00 02:33:46
Gender: female
Country: aussie

Comments:
Just a question for all the girls on the board. Can somebody tell me of a good oil free makeup or coverstick that does not cause breakouts. Also has anybody here used coverderm and if so did it make your skin breakout.Remember im from aussie land so i hav to be able to get it here.hope you girls can help me thanx good luck to all

Chinese Herb Lady - 02/14/00 02:21:39

Comments:
By the way Jay, you are the first one to ask me to leave the board. I have been posting for about 2 years. How long have you been on the board knocking people and their ideas? Have you helped anyone in anyway? May the voting begin!

Jeanne - 02/14/00 02:16:35
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Country: USA

Comments:
Regarding birth control pills, when I went on them, my acne got worse. But when I went off them, my cystic acne became even worse than it had ever been. It is because of this that I finally took Accutane. Luckily, Ihad access to this website before I star ed treatment, so I knew what to expect. I really appreciated all of the information that everyone shared with me. I am 2 months post-treatment and my face has never looked better. I hope that it will last, but as I've learned, acne may still plague me in he future, so I will just keep the faith and continue to develop my spirit. All the best. JT

C.H.L - 02/14/00 02:10:24
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry

Comments:
To Jay, You really are a piece of work. I am not the one *$*$^$@$$$ everyone out. I see that you are though. You really do have a mouth on you. Have you considered using soap in that mouth. And maybe some therapy. YOu are a very angry person and I a positive that I did not create that in you, you have some other serious problems. If you would like to dominate this board you will need to come up with some better subjects and my PMS did go away. I use to have it for 2 weeks prior to my "period" (usin that term just for you) and as soon as I started taking the Chinese Herbs granules, I no longer had/have PMS. You are very childish and it is amazing the the posts that you knock and it is exactly that. It is one thing to have an opinion and it is comp etely another to be rude and obnoxious. Maybe you should go away. Better yet, lets have a vote as to who should go away. I will do so if the votes go that way. And remember, Your post can be identified so voting several times for yourself will not count

- 02/14/00 01:40:33

Comments:
To Jay: Shit Piss Cunt Fuck Motherfucker Cocksucker Tits. I hope your indignant virgin ears were offended

jay to everyone - 02/14/00 01:21:30

Comments:
what right do you have CHJ to come on this board and bitch everyone out. You stupid slob, you should be ashamed of yourself. maybe jeff was right, you ignorant peice of crap. i think you are wrong when you stated your PMS went away or else its back wit a vengence. Get outta here and dont come back you filthy pig.

C.H.L. - 02/14/00 00:59:24
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry

Comments:
To SJeff, Hmmmm, I wonder what kind EXACTLY of herbal teas your sources have tried? I wonder how long they took it if it is even the same as what I take?? And I wonder what type of acne those people have? And I also wonder if they got the Chinese Herba teas from a person that has a doctorate in Oriental medicine???? Or did they try those herbal teas off of the Grocery store shelf or maybe even the teas from a health food store. Those are not even close to what I take. And actually Accutane did not ork for me at all and I had severe cystic acne. Chinese Herbal Granule tea is the best. It works for me. Oh yes, I do see that you have stated you are 18 so I am sure that your sources are the only and they like you know it all. You'll see as you age y u will know less and less.

Sjeff - 02/14/00 00:28:47
My Email:n/a
Age: 18
Gender: male
Country: usa

Comments:
I know a few people that have tried chinese herbal tea's and has not worked for them and told me its a waste of money. and once again, accutane is a solution, stuff like chinese herbal tea is just covering up the problem.

C.H.L. - 02/14/00 00:02:17
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry

Comments:
To Jasmine,Rianne, and Jay the cursing monitor, Jay, you missed responding to a couple of posts that had cursing words in them. *)*(&(### is not a curse word in case you did not know. I won't tell you what are really curse words, I'll let you find them for yourself. Jasmine, Here I go again with my Protein speel. How much protein do you get on a daily basis? What type of nutrition do you partake in? Also Jasmine, I have heard that the bulk herbs taste awful so I can see how it would be difficult to ollow through with such a routine. Plus, I heard the price was 3 times as expensive as the....Herb granules are much better all the way around, taste and convenience. I really enjoy my tea. Rianne, No, as I have mentioned before, Chinese Herbs are not an overnight success. I don't know what type of acne you have but severe cystic acne could take 1 or maybe 2 years. Mild acne may take a matter of months (3 or more) I did however notice a difference right away in the oilyness factor and my moods. I was n longer depressed about my condition within the first two days. It was probably within the 1st week that I noticed and truly believed that the oilyness was no longer there. I also have mentioned that I no longer have PMS. I noticed that right away also The mood thing was big because I only had a few good days in a month before the herbs then now I have all good days all month long. It has been awesome. I would really try to be sure that your Herbalist has dealt with and cured acne before. See my Herb list cured her own acne. She showed me her picture before.

Jules - 02/13/00 23:44:21
Age: 28
Country: UK

Comments:
Jasmine - It sounds like you are really suffering. If your skin is really sore and inflamed it may be an idea just to leave it alone for a couple of days to let it calm down. Put nothing on it at all and only wash once in the morning and once at night wit plain soap - I use palmolive original, it seems to be the least inflamatory! Don't play or poke with it during this time. Any larger spots - put toothpaste on them at night.

Can't remember if you are considering accutane or if there is some reason why ou can't take it. Its really made a world of difference for me! I really hope things get better for you soon. Sounds like you have really given Ketsugo your best shot and it hasn't worked. Try something else.

I used to get large spots on the side of m neck. The best thing I found to really reduce the swelling was either the toothpaste AND/OR caking them in talcon powder before bed. (Johnsons baby powder as its the purest). When I say caking, I mean caking. Not on all the skin, just on the spot. Maybe his will help, but everyuone is differnt! Drink loads of water and a glass of hot water before bed. Avoid coffee, but like Denny says enjoy your food, you have got to have some treats! Eating boring food all the time can make you depressed and thats no go d for the acne! All the best! Jules

C.H.L. - 02/13/00 23:40:13
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry

Comments:
Marcus, I take that back, I am not stupid. The address needymeds.com

jay to Rianne - 02/13/00 23:33:18

Comments:
hi. i am personally disgusted with your message. we dont use profanity on this board so please do not use anymore, it makes me sick. with that said, how is everyone? Rianne, zinc does help your skin so take some, i asked my derm, hope the suggestin he ps, thanks for emailign me jasmine and marcus, i appreciate it.

Rianne - 02/13/00 23:19:28

Comments:
Marcus, thanks for letting me know how much zinc you take. I'll now take 3 x 25mg. I really hope it will help. How long have you been taking the zinc Marcus? I have had years of taking the pill and years of not taking the pill - I honestly didn't noti e any difference with my skin. Any suggestions at all are appreciated though! This %$#@+* acne drives me nuts!! C.H.L. the Chinese herbalist should ring me this week - I'll let you know as soon as I hear. I want to begin the treatment as soon as possi le. C.H.L. do you think I will notice much of an improvement as soon as I begin taking the herbs? (I know that's a difficult question to answer C.H.L. because everyone is different) Thanks for listing the ones you take. It would be good if a reasonabl priced book were available discussing Chinese Herbal Treatments. Hiya Jasmine, sorry you're having such a lousy time too. It sounds like your skin is really flaring up at the moment and I understand how it affects you. It makes me so unenthusiastic ab ut things....I don't look forward to going out sometimes.....purely because of the condition of my skin. It takes away my confidence and it really hurts when I see so many people with such lovely skin and I feel alone with this. (thank goodness for my ma es here on this site) I hope the lumbar puncture isn't too bad tomorrow Jasmine.....we'll be thinking of you. Meanwhile lots of love, luck and thanks. Rianne.

C.H.L. - 02/13/00 23:16:00

Comments:
Well Marcus, Darn it I guess Jay was right, I am stupid. I know that there was a web site regarding this, I have looking in the archives but I either missed the correct address or it was deleted. I will look some more. It was there. I wonder if they t ok it off or I have the wrong address. I will continue to look. I have heard that you cannot make any mistakes if you never do anything. :)

Denny - 02/13/00 23:04:06

Comments:
HI!< Here we go again wiht ACNE and FOOD...We could debate this for years..let me just say you can go CRAZY trying to alter your diet to get better skin..ORANGES? this MAY have some relevance as I read somewhere that Vitamin C helps w/ production of collagen.. OWEVER this is not a reason to go "vegetarian" or "vegan"...furthermore you only live once so eat what ya want (just dont get FAT). DENNY

marcus - 02/13/00 22:43:58
Age: 22
Country: uk

Comments:
C.H.L I must be going wrong somwhere because everytime I type http://www.freemed.com all i get is a sight where you can buy domains! Where am I going wrong?

Jasmine - 02/13/00 22:28:39
Age: 33
Gender: Female
Country: U.K.

Comments:
Hi everyone. I'm O.K. RIANNE thanks for asking.Well I say O.K. but I too am mega depressed about my skin.My chin has got so many spots on it I can hardly see my chin.I would personally say that Ketsugo is the worst treatment for me that I have ever had.It did stop the oil as it is supposed to do but hasn't stopped the spots at all.I am not exagerating I have about 30 spots on my chin.I didn't even open the door today.It's so bad to become a recluse just because your skin is bad.This is the worst my face has ever been a d I think it maybe the first time since about the age of 17 that I haven't had some form of antibiotic topical solution on my face.Well now I've become resistant to them all I just hope the dermatologist has got something to give me.I have also got to hav a lumbar puncture tommorrow which I'm dreading but at least I have a derm appointment Tuesday.Sorry to winge on about myself.It is terrible that we all have to suffer like this.Thanks MARCUS for the tip on a moisteriser.ROB(RL)Are you O.K? TWEETER I'm so ry to hear you feel so down too. I e-mailed Innovations catalogue as they used to do the No-No Lamp that Just Me has but they said because they hadn't sold it for a while they haven't kept any notes on who the manufacturers are.I will e-mail the Home cata ogue and see what they say.To C.H.L I have also tried chinese herbs but a long time ago.It was the boil up twigs and sticks one and spend half an hour gagging over a repulsive mug of it.I did persevere but it didn't help at all.I am vegetarian and don't e t cheese,milk etc.but still am covered in acne.I would like to try HGPigs diet but it all looks a bit daunting.This might sound thick HGPig but do you not have breakfast,lunch and dinner?Do you just nibble all day?I am still hoping on the new bulbs for my face lamp Rianne.I just get so sick of this going round and round in circles not knowing what to try or do next don't you?Anyway enough moaning.Take care everyone.Speak soon love jasmine.

marcus - 02/13/00 22:26:56
Age: 22
Country: uk

Comments:
Rianne Are you taking any birth control pills. I don’t want to sound like I’m being too personal, it’s just that my girlfriend, although she doesn’t suffer from acne, always has an outbreak of spots on her face whenever she comes off them! Also do you find your cne improves during the summer, mine always clears up 95% Best wishes

Ed - 02/13/00 22:23:04
Gender: Male

Comments:
Hi, all I am going to see my derm on tuesday and i was wondering if anyone had any qs they would like me to ask her?? anyway I am going to try and get accutane for as long as possible even if i have to pay for the shit!! i am so frustrated this is my seco d time on it and i feel that without it my skin is terrible but with it yes i have virtually no spots but my skin cdondition look dreadful due to the rewdness and past blemishes it seems like a no win situation......anyway I wanted to know whether this ci a gel stuff really helps with the redness i have tried lots of stuff and i am sure i will continue until its gone. i hope my derm knows what to do!!!

C.H.L. - 02/13/00 22:14:57
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry

Comments:
Marcus, I typed in freemed.com Actually I type freemed in the address area and then hit control and enter simultaneously and that enters the complete httpwww.com address. shortcut tip.

marcus - 02/13/00 20:49:32
Country: u.k.

Comments:
Hi everyone. To C.H.L - Can you confirm that freemed web site, because whenever I type it in in comes up with something else completely differant. Thanks. To Rianne - sorry to hear that you had a terrible week. I take 75mg of zinc a day (15mg tablets, 5 times daily.) I've found this helps.

Chinese Herb Lady - 02/13/00 20:35:24
Age: 36

Comments:
Jay, it appears as if Accutane may not work for some people afterall per your post below. If you know it all at age 15 I imagine you will be the smartest person on the face of the earth by 18 years of age. You seem to have a habit of knocking other peop es posts. HCPIG is allegedly copying others poetry, I am having success with Chinese Herbs, all seem to be to your disliking or you feel compelled to have your say. Life can be difficult sometimes. You definitely have some pent up energy inside you that cannot find its way out appropriately. A good thing to remember is that you can always get your point across by saying whatever it is you need to say in the nicest way. It is not what you say but how you say it. jay - 02/11/00 20:30:06 My Email:vxhxzx@hotmail.com Age: 15 Comments: can someone tell me either from personal or other experience how long Accutane continues to work even after you stop it, I stopped it last month and have no iced a few whiteheads sprout up. I am extremley worried.

Chinese Herb Lady - 02/13/00 20:17:27

Comments:
To Jay, I am sure that you look pissed off too. I guess you have not become very educated about too many things. Did you know that I took two 5 months courses of Accutane and the 2nd course did not work? And the Chinese Herbs are working for me. I fin that so many people in the world have opinions about things they know nothing about. I am not stupid. I am also over 18 years of age and each year that I go past 18 years of age I realize how much there is that I don't know. It must be nice to be a "kn w-it'all" and there must be "important" things to get pissed about besides people having success with natural remedies. I am happy that you would spend so much of your time/thoughts on me though. Thanks, what an honor it is to gain attention from someone else. Good or bad attention, all the same.

C.H.L. - 02/13/00 19:59:13
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry
Country: California, U S of A

Comments:
Hi Rianne, Well, have you found an Herbalist yet? I will list what my Herbalist wrote down. It definitely requires some education to know what needs to be mixed together etc. I do not mix my own. My Herbalist does it for me. Sounds like you are takin bulk herbs for you liver tonic. I have heard they are very expensive and that they taste........ Have you checked your protein intake? My Herbalist calls my granule mix "skin tonic". Anyway the Herbalist should be able to say whether you can mix the l ver tonic and a tonic for acne. As I have mentioned before I looked at a local bookstore for an herb book and I only found 4 of the 7 herbs in it. My Herbalist said there is a "Chinese Medica" book that costs over a hundred dollars. I think she has one ut I have not taken the time to look at it. These are the names that she wrote down. Leonorus, Carthamus (sp?), Eviobotrye( sp?), Rehmannia, Tang Kuei(sp?), Astragalus, and Mastic. Not sure of the spellings of the ones I couldn't find because her writi g is not so clear. I hope you keep in mind that these Chinese Herbs are not a quick fix. Except that if you don't have cystic acne then it might take like only 3 months versus 1 to 2 years of cystic acne to clear. But I am curious to see how fast your o lyness gets better.

jay - 02/13/00 19:49:00

Comments:
rthis goes out to all the people who use herbs. you all are stupid and by using these you are making things get worse. let nature take its course and i believe if you take accutane youll be fine. everyone is so paranoid about people looking at them and no one is. people these days like you all just make me so mad. it is your ignorance on acne that makes this world what it is today. no one cares if you ahve acne so everyone just calm down. sorry if i sound alittle harsh but im really pissed off. bye

VT - 02/13/00 19:14:14
My Email:killjoy_vt@yahoo.com
Age: 22
Gender: male
Country: Canada

Comments:
Hi all, just a quick question. It's been over 3 years since I took Accutane. Although it did help, I still breakout fairly often and my skin is still dry and always looks red. I suffer from cystic acne on my cheeks which take forever to heal and leave cars. I have a derm appointment tomorrow and I'm thinking of going on Accutane again. For those who have taken it a second time and have cystic acne - did it do the trick the second time or make things worse? I'm afraid that my skin will become even mo e sensitive (if thats possible) and the redness might be really bad. To make things worse, I live in a cold climate (it's Canada after all) where most of the time you're indoors and the air is just really dry. Anyways, if anybody could answer I'd apprec ate it. Thanks in advance..

Rianne - 02/13/00 18:41:40
Age: 34
Gender: Female

Comments:
I haven't had chance to post for ages & now I've just read the postings I have a few questions. "Just Me" - how are you doing with the Cica-Care gel? I would think it will be great for keloid scars. I bought it hoping that it might help pitted acne sca s - but it is really for red and raised scars. I really clutch at straws sometimes!!! It's good for taking any redness out of skin. How are you finding it???? I was sooooo low at the end of this week with my skin.......I really couldn't see any light t the end of the tunnel at all. I was just constantly in tears all the time - a nightmare. I've since picked myself up a bit - it's such a struggle at times though. It seems such a long, long, long battle. Thanks Marcus for your message on the 10th, h w are you doing? Hope you're okay? HGPig, I've printed off the diet info. you posted (I wasn't going to risk that disappearing!!!) - thanks again!!! Tweeter, I hope that the Accutane starts working for you real soon - you sounded so depressed - you reall have my sympathy - acne is a curse, there's no other word for it. (well, there ARE a few other words - totally unprintable) Anna and Kelly - what is Eucerin Plus??? C.H.L. I shouldn't have to wait too long for my appointment - I know it seems to be tak ng forever!! I've just checked out the liver tonic herbs I'm taking and they consist of: comfrey leaf, white oak bark, gravel root, mullein leaf, liquorice root, wild yam root, milkthistle seed, walnut bark, skullcap and marshmallow root. I have to boil them and let them stand for 6 hours before drinking the liquid. They taste "ok" but I wouldn't say it was my favourite drink! I am trying these because my blood tests show that my liver is under some kind of strain. You don't know what is in the granule you take do you C.H.L.? Maybe I could buy some prior to waiting for my appointment! I've just bought some more zinc again, to see if that will help my acne. They are 25mg. tablets and it recommends 1 per day. Has anyone had any success with zinc?? Sho ld I up the dose of the zinc?? The Eryacne 4% (antibiotic gel) seems to be keeping my skin looking "reasonable" and I'm just hoping that I don't become immune to it. HGPig, I wonder if I go on an "orange only" diet for a while....what do you think that w uld do? I don't like raisins so I guess they're out. If I can just get this oil production down - then the acne will go too I'm sure. I'm really naive about this diet thing - I've tried quite a few different diets over the years - some very radical one and my skin has just ignored me!!! Jasmine, how are you doing?? Well, I'll get along now.... As always lots of love, luck and thanks! Rianne.

C.H.L. - 02/13/00 18:25:58

Comments:
Sooorrry, I checked that web site AFTER I typed it and it really is freemed.com (there is no "s").

Chinese Herb Lady - 02/13/00 18:13:10
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry
Age: 36
Country: U S of A, California

Comments:
Hello everyone, Ivan, have you tried freemeds.com? Wonder if that might help you. Someone else mentioned this website a long time ago.

jay to tweeter - 02/13/00 17:24:45

Comments:
hey, hang in there. i was on accutane for seven months with little improvement but the weird thing is is that it rapidly improved after i went off the drug, isnt that weird? Well just wanted to tell you ur not alone, bye!

TWEETER - 02/13/00 16:54:53

Comments:
hey guys well, another day, another pimple...i really cant deal with this shit anymore its killing me so badly my whole life revolves around spots its so pathetic my life is pathetic. i hoped that this damn medicine would show mwe improvement but nothing as i move into day 57. WHAT THE FUCK????? WHY CANT THIS SHIT JUST WORK FOR ME?!?!?!?!i cant deal with this anymore i really cant im a hermit i want to go out and have a good time but i havent in about 5 months. my life absolutely sucks. my skin is real dry but still breaking out. anyone else hav this problem??im also depressed from the medicine and from my skin; my lips are terrible, and my face gets red when i go near it its terrible. i dont know what im gonna do anymroe

Anna - 02/13/00 16:43:00
My Email:akhill@udel.edu
Age: 19
Country: Newark, DE, USA

Comments:
Kelly is right about that EUCERIN PLUS LOTION WITH ALPHA HYDROXY - that stuff is a miracle in a bottle, if you ask me. The scabs are drying up, my skin is smooth, and the redness is rapidly fading away. GET IT!!! It's the best stuff I have EVER used.

Ivan - 02/13/00 15:28:47
My Email:nana957@hotmail.com
Age: 22
Gender: Male
Country: Singapore

Comments:
Thanks for the info Marcus but the pricing is still pretty steep if I convert it to Singapore dollars. $163 bucks for 50capsules of accutane is like $163 multiplied by 1.6 Singapore dollars. Any of you nice people out there plan to drop by in Singapore for a visit and can get roaccutane cheap from your country? Do let me know!:) Maybe I can show you around this fine little country of mine also!

marcus - 02/13/00 13:29:13

Comments:
Ivan, www.pharmagroup.com

Ivan - 02/13/00 12:43:53
Age: 22
Gender: male
Country: Singapore

Comments:
Hi, I'm gonna be starting on accutane but it costs a lot in Singapore. About $168 dollars for 30 20mg capsules. I was wondering if anyone has access to cheaper accutane or is there any online e-shop where I could could accutane at a more affordable price. br>
- 02/13/00 03:08:19

Comments:
B O U ! B O U ! BOUHOUOUOUOUOUOUUououououououuoouo

- 02/13/00 03:06:57

Comments:
DAMNATION TO THE INVISIBLE HAND

- 02/13/00 03:06:32

Comments:
DAMNATION TO THE INVISIBLE HAND

- 02/13/00 03:05:46

Comments:
DAMNATION TO THE INVISIBLE HAND

- 02/13/00 03:02:38

Comments:
this site is going fucked-up for good. What a fucking waste of energy. Every thing is disapirring. May the one who does this be C U R S E D ..............................................

- 02/12/00 23:30:39

Comments:
Question: Where do people with pimples from london live ? Answer: Ackney

Chinese Herb Lady - 02/12/00 20:18:25
Gender: 36
Country: U S of A, California

Comments:
Hi Just Me, Do you know how much protein you get in a day (that is an average of every day not just one day here and one day there)? Do you get somehwhere between 70 and 85? Sounds like you have a good nutrition intake otherwise. I drink rice milk in m daily protein drink. I drink soy milk with my meals as it has protein in it. The rice milk I have on hand only has 1 gram of protein and the soy milk has 9 grams. My rice cakes have 2 grams of fat. So adding that up so far. 2 servings of soy milk ha 18 grams of protein, 2 servings of rice milk in my protein drink is 2 grams, 1 rice cake has 2 grams, protein drink has 24 grams. So not including Tofu, etc. in a day that is basically about 45 grams a day of protein and add Tofu and whatever else. No I don't really know of any web sites. I am sure that if you type in Chinese Herbs you can find some sites. At this point I just want to take them and enjoy the benefits. Also I gave you the following sources: the book "Chinese Medica" and my Chinese Herba ist can talk to another to give them info. All good sources may not have a web site. Surfing may be convenient but it is definitely not the best or only source of information. If Iwould have counted on a web site to cure me then may not have found my so rce in a local weekly newspaper (not on the web). My Chinese Herbalist does not have a web site. My Herbalist told me how protein works. Let me explain what she told me again about protein. She said that we really don't know how much we assimilate of t e protein we intake. What we do assimilate goes here and there and wherever it is needed. AND IF THERE IS ANY LEFT AFTER THAT, it goes to the skin. She said our skin is made up of protein. So this makes sense to me. Hope it helps you.

Just Me - 02/12/00 18:46:26
My Email:SoulLightBeam@aol.com
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Country: UK

Comments:
Hi Chinese Herb Lady

Thanks for taking the time out to respond to me with additional information etc. It's really useful. I was seeing a Chinese Herb Specialist, ie one that came straight from China and didn't speak very much English so we had an interpreter. Yes, the herb that I was given were the bulk branch looking things that you had to boil and drink and they tasted ever so foul!! My diet then wasn't very good ie I was eating junk food and I was also drinking as well ie alcohol, ... maybe that had something to do wit it ... I don't know. I just know that I was spending like £40 a month or so which is like say $70 approx and not getting very far.

I note your comments re the powder form with interest. I am aiming to go to a kinesiologist within the next few weeks who practices in Chinese medicine and homeopathy and hopefully she can point me in the right direction as her mother tongue is English, eing English!! :)

My diet now is much healthier than before ie I eat fruits and veg and stick to organic products, no milk or cheese and if I do have milk I take Rice Milk which is made from brown rice and rather delicious! I'm on lots of supplements ie vitamins etc and I m on homeopathy and recently ie 4 days now I've been using the Dermalux lamp plus I have my NONO gadget which is red light therapy for acne!!

If you have any sites for Chinese Herbs, I'd be really interested. How long do you have to keep taking the herbs? I guess it would have helped for me if the Chinese Herb Specialist spoke English!! :)

I have to rush off for now as I'm working on a project ... back later !

Hi Rianne, Jasmine and all! Here's to Freedom from Acne Forever! !

jay to ANNA - 02/12/00 18:07:11

Comments:
hey anna. i know how you feel. i am currently done with the drug(seven months on it) and it is still working. I used to look at my skin and see all these little brown things and it was really bumpy. Accutane basically as marcus said pushes all the imp rities and bad out of your skin and then focuses on drying all of it up. Hang in there, During the first three months my skin looked terrible and then one day I woke up and everything had calmed down. Don't worry and alittle advice- DO NOT PICK- Ac utance doubles the sensitivity of your skin. Hope all the info helps. Bye

Chinese Herb Lady - 02/12/00 17:07:12
Age: 36

Comments:
Me Again, One more thing. I have changed my nutrition intake and I think that if you are having acne troubles should take a serious look at your nutritional intake. I figured because I wasn't eating fried foods and junk that I wasn't eating fatty foods, h wever, my Herbalist said that cheese is a fatty food. Soooooo, it was difficult for me to lower and then cut out cheese from my intake. As cheese was a favorite of mine. Now, my Herbalist says I may be able to add cheese and fatty type foods back after time maybe a little at a time. I don't really understand what she means but I will not worry about it now, I will just go on to other foods and plan to stay with it. I will inquire with her at a consultation down the road. I am sipping on my protein dri k right now and it is delicious and filling. Truly, I have cut out sweets and I have found that after making the change that there are actually many many many fruits that are sweet and more satisfying than junk food sweets. If you want to experiment with a protein powder drink, you could try 1 scoop of protein powder (my powder has 24 grams of protein to a scoop and I buy the plain kind - no frills), then add a banana, apple (i like red delicious), and rice milk or a person could use soy milk.

Chinese Herb Lady - 02/12/00 16:44:34
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry
Age: 36
Gender: Feminine
Country: U S of A , California

Comments:
Delirium, How to get Chinese Herbs? I looked in the Yellow pages just now and if you look under Accupuncture and then look for and if it is not advertised in the yellow pages maybe call to see if the Accupuncturists have Chinese Herbal Therapies. Regardi g what questions to ask, I would think a good question would be if the Herbalist has experience with curing acne. Remember, my herbalist said she will talk with another herbalist regarding treatment. Regarding questions, My herbalist had a questionnaire or me to complete. I was very honest and checked off everything that might be applicable to me and I think that had something to do with her adding what I call "Happy Herbs" which did away with my depression and I don't anger easily as I use to. Do the herbs comes pre-packaged and you can just pick it off the shelf? My Herbalist mixes several different herb granules together. I have looked in a couple of herb books but all the herbs were not in there and I did look on some websites and there are Chinese Herbs available to buy but my Herbalist knows what herbs to mix to do what so I thought I would not even attempt to do anything on my own as far as buying and mixing. My Herbalist worked in China for a year. Any there many kinds/types/mixes to ch ose from? Also I forgot to mention in my last post that my herbalist called the herbs that you boil, bulk herbs. I really don't know what other kinds there may be as I did not check into it much further. I just have been enjoying the fact that I am 90 to 95% improved at this point over having cystic acne and the minute amount of oilyness (minute meaning the slightest natural amount) I'm interested in the ones that would minimize the oiliness of the skin also. I would say that the herbs I am taking would b the only ones that I can give a testimonial on. Where can I go to find out more about Chineses Herbs effects on acne/oily skin? I was told that there is a booked called "Chinese Medica" I have not actually seen it. I was going to ask my Herbalist if I ould look at it but I keep forgetting. I guess it is not important for me yet. I am not sure that this book has the exact info you are looking for as I really did not look into this much. I just dove in and am so happy that I did. I can provide you with my testimonials as you wish. I hope this info is helpful. I am looking forward to hearing about your Herbal journey if you should choose the path. Peace

Chinese Herb Lady - 02/12/00 16:22:25
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry
Age: 36
Gender: Feminine
Country: U S of A, California

Comments:
To Just Me, Hi I am not a Chinese Herb Specialist. I do have a Chinese Herb Specialist prescribe the herbs to me. I spoke with my Herbalist last evening and she said that she find that people are more compliant with herb granules that people can place nto capsules (that you get at the health food store) for convenience. She said the boiling herbs are inconvenient and taste awful. Just Me, I had a friend who bought those boiling herbs and they were like 80.00 dollars for two weeks worth whereas mine a e like 40.00 dollars a month so actually the boiling herbs are like 3 times more expensive. Also my herbalist cured her own acne at age 32. Now I had severe cystic acne. I have been on the herbs since NOV 98. I truly expect that I may have to take them the rest of this year but maybe it will be less. Like I said before, my Herbalist said in the past that she could talk to any other herbalist about what to prescribe. I asked her about it because if anyone was interested in the Herbs. See personally, I would not know if any other herbalist would know what they were doing.

marcus - 02/12/00 14:52:42
My Email:marcus.stacey@virgin.net
Age: 22
Country: uk

Comments:
Hi Anna, try to stay calm(easier said thaen done right!) your skin will sort itself out in the next week or so! My spots went crazy for around the first few weeks, this just means the treatments working it’s pushing all the crap from deep inside your skin to the surface! Don’t worry about cutting your dose to 40mg that’s what I was on and it cleared my skin up for around six mounts, I’d probably still be clear now if I were on it for more than eight weeks! I recommended an excellent moisturizer the other d y if you scroll down you’ll find it, I don’t want to bore everyone and post the same info again! Good luck!!

Anna - 02/12/00 12:09:22
Age: 26
Gender: female
Country: England

Comments:
I've had acne for 15 years (since i was 11) so i'm pretty used to a face full of sports and cysts, but since i started taking roaccutane It's got so much worse - I feel embarassed to leave the house!! Help!!! I started taking 60mg per day 13 days ago and after about 7 days, my chin started to break out in spots (i counted 25, which were so close, they all merged in to one big painful lump). Not only that, but my chin has become red and inflamed and swolen and ncredibly painful (too painful to laugh or open my mouth wide enough to brush my teeth or even eat!!). There are areas which are covered with angry spot and they are on top of this red swolen skin. It's the worst acne I've ever had. HAS ANY ONE ELSE FOUNF THEIR SKIN HAS SWOLEN IN REACTION TO THE DRUG? My dermatologist recommended I drop the dose to 40mg and go back on the antibiotics i was taking (trimethoprim) to calm things down. I'm using vaseline on my lips, but can anyone in the UK recommend a good moisturiser which won't clog my pores? Vaseline makes the skin look so much worse - it's disgusting.

Jonas - 02/12/00 12:04:06
My Email:jonas.westerlund@robackshus6.ac.se
Age: 18
Country: sweden

Comments:
Hello, just wanted to say roaccutane worked for me, i've been free of problems since i stopped taking it 6 months ago...i feel like a new person, i tried killing myself a couple of times before, but now that's the last thing i would do.

Amae - 02/12/00 06:23:29
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry
My Email:amae7@hotmail.com
Age: 22
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
**** PIG **** Have no fear, I would never consume Cookie Crisp. In fact, the cereal of choice is Total RAISIN Bran. I'll try your oranges next week. I don't think I can commit to 6 a day just yet. You're a speed skater- last guess. **** BOB TOPPS *** Thanks, sweetie. Things are actually looking up, I have a date tomorrow. You keep your Tom Cruise head up too. Night....~Amae

TWEETER - 02/12/00 04:25:02

Comments:
hey again all well, skin still breaking out (week 7). very discouraged. i bought 7 bananas about 4 hrs ago and have eaten them all as well as numerious oranges and orange juice (high potassium sources). im hoping that this will help. if it means clearing my skin, i wil stuff my face and puke everyday from eating bananas. i hope they have a positive effect! nothing else seems to :(. well, ill stay in touch, stay srtong!!

jay - 02/12/00 02:34:31
My Email:15

Comments:
Hey PIG, I wasnt sayin you were writin that same exact poetry, the ideas are similar. your poetry rocks alright, i dotn have a prob. with it, keep writin.

anyways, will someone please answer my question about retin-a, please, please, please! Ya know how Accutane pushes out all the impurities? I was wondering if the retin-a as it states will break me out in the begining or since I finished Roaccutane it wi l just kill all the stuff out onm my face, please email me if you dont understand. Please reply, Please!

Anna - 02/12/00 02:25:36
My Email:akhill@udel.edu
Age: 19
Country: Newark, DE, USA

Comments:
Hey all! Long time no write. I am just about to finish my first week of Accutane, and I'm already seeing an improvement!! Once side of my face is smoother than it has been in a year - I kept touching it feeling the lack of lumps, bumps, and other icky thi gs. The other side of my face is breaking out like crazy! This is so weird. One side is great, hardly a problem but some red spots, the other side keeps turning into these big painful pustules. I definitely have my good side and my bad side. Oh well. K lly, I took your advice and got the Eucerin with alpha hydroxy stuff - I have a real problem with my skin scabbing over (my skin doesnt scar at all, just gets the infamous red spots that slowly fade away) and I really hope this helps me like its been hel ing you. I dont mind the cysts so much as I mind the scabbing - its nearly impossible to realistically cover the problem with makeup. Sigh...any tips for clearing these pustules/cysts on the left side of my face? Its just under the corner of my mouth and own to the left. It's not the side I sleep on (too painful) and I don't have any bedcoverings that could be irritating them. I try really hard not to pick at them. I've heard a lot of people mention this prescription facewash that sounds pretty interest ng - glycol 9 or something? If someone who's used it could email me and tell me what kind of experience they've had with it I'd REALLY appreciate it!!! Oh well - off to do more of my fun reading for my English Lit class...on a Friday too! This is so unfai . Talk to you all later! Anna

HGPig,,,,to jay CONTINUED............. - 02/12/00 01:35:22

Comments:
The following I leave blank for your "own" writing................................................................................................................................................................now what you have written I will subject to a "close to match search".......

Oh! what a coincidence there are similarities to jay! Amazing the last three U.S. Presidents are left-handed, Oh! I guess theyre one and the same person. Sorry to disapoint you jay. HGPig.

HGPig...TO JAY - 02/12/00 01:27:02

Comments:
ALL I HAVE WRITTEN is original. I rely on NO other sources but the sum of what I am (whether assimilated in the past or otherwise, one knows not!). Best to you anyway. HGPig

- 02/12/00 00:15:27
My URL:Just been glancing through the bible and the one thing that stands out is how Spiteful god can be!

Comments:

jay to HGPIG - 02/11/00 22:41:43
Age: 15

Comments:
hi, i cant help but notice that all your poetry has been taken from Richard Avatalksi's "Blue Moon". Also, much of it seems to be the writings of Shakespeare. Didnt want to let ya down but I just wanted to notify you. k? Bye, good luck to all.

HGPig - 02/11/00 22:32:39

Comments:
...."it was I and I alone, at first one on one, and then seven on one, and I, I alone. But I commanded the day, success was mine for the Hour. She seeks, she longs, she reaches for the blue, cold Colorado mountain sky, and the cloud of her breath longs f r freedom. Best to you HGPig :) (to the checker fm. meaning "johan of ancient days), I caress you.)

jay - 02/11/00 20:30:06
My Email:vxhxzx@hotmail.com
Age: 15

Comments:
i would like to thank everyone who replied to me via email, this board really does work! Anyways, can someone tell me either from personal or other experience how long Accutane continues to work even after you stop it, I stopped it last month and have no iced a few whiteheads sprout up. I am extremley worried and my doc told me to get on retin-a, will this help? Please respond, thanks!

Chinese Herb Lady - 02/11/00 20:16:37
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry
My Email:To all, if you could please enter this URL in your post we can post easily by clicking on it.
Age: 36
Gender: Feminine
Country: U S of A

Comments:
Hi Just Me, I am on my lunch hour now. I will respond further tonight or this weekend. The kind of herbs that you boil (is it like from branch like looking things?) I do not use those and they are known to be at least twice or more expensive than my gra ules. My granules are the end result of the kind you have. My granules have already gone through your process and they are actually tasty (to me anyway). My Herbalist told me long ago that she could call another herbalist and give them information if t ey should need it. I would like to discuss more about this but I will have to later as I have to leave now.

Just Me - 02/11/00 19:29:03
Gender: Female

Comments:
Hi Chinese Herb Lady

A few years ago I went to see a Chinese Herb Specialist and was drinking the Chinese Herbe preparation (which cost a fortune - ie £5 a day) for weeks and it didn't do anything. I had acne and I had kinda excema (spelling?) as well on my body. It was a r ally expensive way to go and as nothing seemed to be working I switched to homeopathy.

Do you think I was just unlucky? I tried it for a few months and spent a lot of money and there wasn't the slightest bit of difference - none that I noticed anyway. It was herbs that I had to boil and drink twice a day and it was the most horrible foule t tasting stuff ever! Ergh!!

Just curious ... re your opinion ... I haven't read all the posts - are you a Chinese Herb Specialist??

Thx.

Accutan may cause psychiatric side-effects. - 02/11/00 19:25:51
My URL:http://homepages.iol.ie/~grantsu/

Comments:
No further comments.

Azlyn - 02/11/00 19:18:59
My Email:luv2swim4@hotmail.com
Age: 15
Gender: female
Country: usa

Comments:
I have had mild acne for about five years now. It was mild in about the fifth grade, it was horrible all throughout middle school, and now its a little better. I've been on seven different antibiotics. None have worked so my dermatologist is going to p t me on accutane starting this month. I'm really nervous that my skin is going to be even worse when its all peely. I have gotten so consumed with my appearance because of acne, its like all I ever think about and its not even that bad. I just want to ge rid of it. I feel like deformed and ugly, and like I don't fit in. I mean I know one or two people who have acne and that's it. So of course I feel like an outcast. Somedays I come home and cry because I feel soooo ugly! And I have a pretty face and yo can't really see the acne when I have makeup on but I know its there, and I have to put up with so much crap about it everyday. In the morning its like omigosh I look like a freak. Then I pile on the makeup and its not so bad. Well I hope accutane work for me and I am so looking forward to the end of those five months.

Bob Topps - 02/11/00 19:13:18
My URL:http://www.pizzaface.com
Age: 24
Gender: male
Country: usa

Comments:
Greetings and Salutations! To the person who said looks dont matter...well like I said SYMETTRY ACCOUNTS FOR HEALTH..so a clear face=good health (in natures terms) large breasts=good fertility and 3-D symmetry! HGPIG=I use the flashlight method for seeing where I need help most. Why do we have to wait 30 minutes to apply Retin-A? It says so on the package insert and I as wond3ering if this had to do with irritation or more importantly, efficacy of the drug. AMAE=keep your head up hon! GW=yeah I still look like Tom Cruise if he had acne scars and greasy skin.

anna - 02/11/00 15:35:51
My Email:tykhim@hotmail.com
Age: 23
Gender: female
Country: singapore

Comments:
hi all, what's the difference between accutane and reaccutane? I've just visited a derm, and she highly recommended me reaccutane. But i'm still deciding. Will it do any harm to pregnancy after a few years of stopping reaccutane?

Steve to Aussie Anon - 02/11/00 15:28:47
My Email:sackerma@erols.com
Age: 26
Gender: male
Country: US

Comments:
We are going into D.C. tonight to party in midtown and my friend is bringing his digital camera. I should be able to come up with some good pictures. Hopefully they will be taken before any loss of composure. Oh yeah, to HGPig - you're killin us man. What is it?

Chinese Herb Lady - 02/11/00 15:07:49
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry
My Email:If more people could copy this above URL then it would be just a click away from posting.
Age: 36
Gender: Feminine
Country: U S of A

Comments:
Jonathon, care to share more about the types of Chinese Herbs you are using? Delirium, I will respond this evening or this weekend to your question. Quickly posting before I go to work. Jim, By chance did you notice a lift in depression since taking th Chinese Herbs?

Chinese Herb Lady - 02/11/00 15:07:10
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry
My Email:If more people could copy this above URL then it would be just a click away from posting.
Age: 36
Gender: Feminine
Country: U S of A

Comments:
Jonathon, care to share more about the types of Chinese Herbs you are using? Delirium, I will respond this evening or this weekend to your question. Quickly posting before I go to work. Jim, By chance did you notice a lift in depression since taking th Chinese Herbs?

Just Me - 02/11/00 14:59:28
My Email:SoulLightBeam@aol.com
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Country: UK

Comments:
Hey, for crying out loud!! :) - my post went missing again! Some of the others have as well! What's going on here?? Thx to the person (sorry - I can't remember the name ... it's the 26 year old ...) who is posting re the person who is corrupting the oard or doing whatever.... geezzz!!! It's really annoying!

Can't whoever owns the Board do something about it instead of taking so long and letting this happen over and over? It's tempting me to set up a separate acne support group board on a proper forum so everyone can chat properly with no disruptions as this is serious stuff we're talking about here and very important to the people who are suffering from acne and geezus, just quit playing head games with all of us as it's people's lives you're messing with here.

Anyway, Rianne, it was me who was asking about the Cica Gel ... I decided to go get some myself today ... as I have a couple of surgical scars and a couple of raised acne scars (keloids??) that I have had since I was a teenager which I thought I had for l fe but I guess with Cica Care I can help it vanish? I'll have to check out the websites more ...any advice you can provide in advance ie do's and don'ts would be most welcome! Have to rush ... later :)

Shawn - 02/11/00 14:46:25

Comments:
PIG -- I can't resist. Give me more bizarre in my pitiful "normal" life. Humor me......

kelly - 02/11/00 14:33:31
My URL:http://www.FloridaGoldOnLine.com
My Email:charvey1@tampabay.rr.com
Age: 24
Country: usa

Comments:
HEY EVERYONE!! hope all is well. been on accutane for 4 weeks now, and can already see a HUGE difference!! every morning I wake up, and run to a mirror!! this is something I thought you guys might be interested in: when first starting, I asked me doctor for any other lotions, etc that he would advise me to use, and he gave me a huge bag full of different samples, that can all be bought over the couter. one of the items was a lotion called EUCERIN: PLUS ALPHA HYDROX LOTION. the bottle said that is was a strong moisturizer, but because of the hydroxy, it also helps to gently expholiate the skin as well. so, every night, i wash my face really good with "soap" i bought from my doctor called glycol9, then i aply that otion all over, and rub it in good. I SWEAR!!! i really think it is this lotion that is helping things!!! my face is no longer red!! the remainder red spots from old acne are fading fast!! and the "scabbs" from the od acne are healing 2x faster too!! i have a wonderful healty glow to my face, which i havent had since I was 15 years old!! and my face doesnt seem to be "over dry" from the accutane. infact, my face feels as soft,and as smooth as a "babies butt!" lol GOOD LUCK TO ALL!! ps, yes, i am still having break outs, HOWEVER, the accutane dries them up before i can "do anything" to them!!! i mean with in 24 of seeing the little red sot, it already has a scab on it!! POOF gone!! also, i started to get a huge cyst, on my foreh ad, i could feel it, but you couldnt even see the bump, and with in 2 days, the pain and the presure disapeared!!! so, i am not worried about a break out, since, i think, that the same thing will happen!!

John - 02/11/00 13:52:04
Age: 16
Gender: Male
Country: England

Comments:
I wanted to reply to Amy. I've been on every kind of oral antibiotic, and from my experience they do bugger-all to clear up acne. All my mates that have acne would tell you the same thing. They are a waste of time. Whereas if you only have mild acne (as it sounds like you do) then i think the differin will be quite effective (i don't know about the Klaron, i've never used it). Good luck!

Mia - 02/11/00 11:46:27

Comments:
PIG: you are a surfer aren't you! well, at least, i reckon, deep down you're a surfer....:p (and a a spunky one at that...with underwater basket-weaving skills.) The man of my dreams!;p

God is still in controll of this :) I love the thought of that! today, i went out and got some new boardies ;) life is sweet :) >grin<
ciao, Mia :)

Amy - 02/11/00 10:13:44
My Email:hippybitch@email.com
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Country: USA

Comments:
Hello All, For the past 10 years I've had acne, not scarring or a lot of cysts, but whiteheads and blackheads. I finally went to a dermatologist, he looked at my skin and wanted me to be put on oral antibiotics. I've been on antibiotics for the past 8 months for an nfection I got from surgery. I told him the antibiotics I had taken so he put me on Differin and Klaron. I don't have really bad skin, just that embarressing, don't want to be in the light, kind of skin. Do these medications work well? And what types of a tibiotics do docs put you on to get rid of acne?

Tanya - 02/11/00 08:20:19
My Email:tanztra@hotmail.com
Age: 27
Gender: Female
Country: Australia

Comments:
Hi, I posted a message once before but it was in the time frame that now seems to be missing from the guestbook. I have had level 4 acne on the 1 to 10 grade sice I was 15. I have finally beaten it and most of my scarring through the use of Microdermab asion, Glycolic gels and the discovery of a food allergy to gluten. The last sucks because gluten is in almost every processed food. I did not wish to take roaccuatane as I was fortunate enough to have been advised of the fact that it is likely to be ha mful to your unborn children possibly even years after you have stopped taking it. I think however I had tried virtually everything else. I have friends who roaccuatane has been miraculous for and others who have had beyond nightmarish troubles. One in particular being a huge rash/welt appearing all over her back during summer even though she never went in the sun and tried to stay as cool as possible. Anyway my main point that I wanted to get across was the fact that microdermabrasion works, not imme iately but it does work and it gets rid of the blackheads and whiteheads as well. I don't know if you ever get itching in your cystic acne (I DID and I always ended up picking and making things worse) but it really relieves the itching. My skin used to ave me very depressed for years and I always used to have my hair down covering my face and would wear makeup if I knew that where I had to go had good lighting. Now its like being set free I rarely wear makeup and even wear my hair back. So if your roa cuatane hasn't worked or you haven't tried it just yet ask around and see if you can get microdermabrasion. It has taken me a year to go from acne and moderate scarring to no acne and some scarring. Treatments about every 3 weeks. I also noticed that t e longer you can go without wearing makeup the better your skin feels and never wear makeup to bed as it just soaks into your skin totally overnight. Good luck to all who are using roaccuatane I hope it works well and safely for you all. Do not give up nd remember that your acne makes you stronger in the end as you learn to rely on your personality not looks and just remember even people with beautiful skin now are going to get old and wrinkly one day (Wonder how they'll cope looking in the mirror and n t seeing perfection) Good Luck all

HGPig: Hope it's........Amae~ - 02/11/00 08:18:57

Comments:
....Hope it's cereal and not so called "cereal". A very large bag of oranges you can purchase for 3-4$ I believe.

Three guesses, because of the "law of elimination", and Mia wants a surfer, and Shawn needs a "bizarre" to bring excitement to her world f "norm". So I guess I'm a Stevo "underwater-basketweaver" (for awhile). (Raisins are cheap too, put them on your "cereal"). Best to you. HGPig

Delirium - Chinese Herb Help - 02/11/00 08:02:02

Comments:
For those who have tried Chinese Herbs (Rianne, Chinese Herb Lady) I need your help on how to get this stuff. Where do I go to see a Chinese Herbs doctor? What questions do I ask? Do the herbs comes pre-packaged and you can just pick it off the shelf? Any there many kinds/types/mixes to choose from? I'm interested in the ones that would minimize the oiliness of the skin also. Where can I go to find out more about Chineses Herbs effects on acne/oily skin? Please provide me with as much details as you an. Thanks for your help.

Amae - 02/11/00 06:50:08
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry
My Email:amae7@hotmail.com
Age: 22
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
**** PIG **** I only get 3 guesses? That's pretty hard seeing as how the ONLY thing I have to go on is "competition." Tennis? **** GW **** What if the tables were turned and you had to choose between someone with gorgeous skin and someone with less tha gorgeous skin? See what I'm gettin' at? **** ALL **** Amae's sure-to-kill-all-acne-non-comedogenic-make-you-feel-like-singing-in-the-rain diet:.......(drumroll, please)......CEREAL!!! Hahahaha, just kidding! My face looks pretty decent and the only t ing I've been eating right now is cereal. Not beacause of scientific backing, but because of insufficient funds and lack of time. I'll let you know how goes it. Later dudes...~Amae

Jim - 02/11/00 05:54:24
Age: 19

Comments:
Just wanted to let ya'll know of a little experience I just had. First off, I've been on Chinese herbs for about a month and a week. They're just now starting to show signs of working, but the truth is I look pretty bad right now. No angle of my face i good to look at. That being said, a friend of mine is making a movie and wanted me to be in it. It's for a class. "I just need a closeup of your face", while the camera is moving around 6 inches from my face. It will be playing in the big auditorium n front of about 60 people tomorrow. I'm not even embarassed. Maybe it's supposed to show tainted beauty. My acne is part of me and I'm part of it. I've tried to stop ignoring that fact. It's futile. A poem for the interested: The ubiquitous volcan es destroying the earth......destroying our birth.......Bliss of childhood games pervade the sought demand of perfection........Will I soon overcome this jester's kingdom? Of crooked decree and jeering mockery.....the other palace seems by far the best.. ..The Joker owns all the rest.....Where are the fluffy dreams once endured, and then up to play again?

- 02/11/00 05:49:07

Comments:
To GW and anyone else who is wondering- Personality counts way more than looks. If you're going to be a jerk, then I don't want to know you, even if you're hot. At my university (over 45,000 people) I've seen plenty of really good looking guys who are i iots, and there's no way I would want to date them. So, in response to your question (I'm a 24 year old female with a serious boyfriend), if the guy with the acne is nicer than the guy without, you'd better believe I'm going with the first guy. Hope thi helps a bit.

HGPig.....Everyone "chill out" and "cool down" - 02/11/00 03:14:47

Comments:
1. There are so many options to you (and me), coping is just a part of life to ACCEPT. The hard parts are dealing with one who wants to come back to you, and you've started another relationship. and....losing loved ones through sickness, pain and/or death

2. Some tips: Shampoo, some of you might want to try "Just for Men" shampoo with conditioner (females too.

For close up examination IF YOUR SKIN IS CLEAR, turn out all lights (complete darkness), and get close to a mirror and with a flashlight po nt and examine your skin up close. This may help to "nip it in the bud" of any possible problems, or areas to highlight with your specialist.

If you want to see "yourself" i.e. your picture OUTWARDLY, as another might see IT, before you leave to go ou use a second mirror, hold it to one side, and then as your facing forward toward your regular mirror "peer" to the side looking into the second mirror. Your will see your outward appearance in reverse, as people see IT. (notice I said IT)

Three parts Differin to one part Retin a cream Ativa/or other, to one/half part micro gel, to three parts Calamine lotion all these MIXED together, has made a WORKING "cover" in the past for me. If your complexion needs a blend, a "tint" such as Neutrogena light tint d (or other)might be added to this mixture. The key is the Calamine lotion which dries, stays, and is flat. If your clear now, I still like sunscreen, Oil of Olay Moisture, and/or Banana Boat 50 with zinc oxide. Interesting that Calamine lotion also cont ins zinc oxide as an active ingredient.

Remeber, regardless of what you feel how IT looks oon the outside, someone else might inwardly, WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE, be insidiously undergoing degradation of some other bodily function (such as heart ischemia, vas ular disorder, lung/kidney problems) UNBEKNOW/st to them!!!!!!! Compassion to all...HGPig

jay - 02/11/00 02:38:06

Comments:
Dude, TWEETER, atleast you have a girlfriend. Doesnt it suck to not have a girlfriend for 3 years and still be in highschool. I met this girl who looks really nice and I'm trying to get to know her. If she blows me off I would probably kill myself or ever ask out a girl again. I am so scared of rejection even though my acne is somewhat clear now. It all just sucks, why is life such a bitch to the nicest people, why god, why?

aussie anon - 02/11/00 02:33:23

Comments:
GW: Talk about putting me on the spot. No two people are equal, there always subtle differences, so this is a really hard question to answer. Personally, I would go for someone that made me happy and and had common interests rather than be concerned wit their appearance. Everybody has imperfections that they live with, it is important to be happy and try not let them affect your life too much. I get the feeling you think this may have affected your ex's decision. Please forgive me if I am wrong in as uming this. All I can say is that if that was her reason, then she is not worth having as a partner. Breakups are always hard to cope with at the start, but believe me, it will get easier with time. Hey what happened to your star tennis player- no sout australians in the Davis cup team. :-) Cheers, aussie anon

TO EVERYONE!!!! - 02/11/00 02:32:43
My Email:sackerma@erols.com
Age: 26
Gender: male
Country: US

Comments:
This post will probably be removed but lemme just fill everyone in(again) as to what is happening with this forum. It should be stated first off that because we are using a "guestbook" rather than chatroom software with threading ability it becomes much e sier for one person to screw things up. Since this guestbook is retreived in html form from a database at geocities you can include tags within the body of your message which will alter the "look and feel" of the page. It is possible to corrupt/modify sec ions of text by inserting purposefully unclosed tags. In the web development world these are called "blown tags". I am sure that for the most part the modification of this guestbook has been done by the javier/travis/jason fellow. He has probably attempte to go back and mask the areas which contain his posted Ip. Since all of my previous posts to this effect were systematically removed from this guestbook I will state this one more time. If you view the source code of this page You will find that everyone s Ip is posted as a header to their message. If my message here is removed I will repost it every couple of days. People who try to conceal information from others which they have a right to see are very very bad.

TWEETER - 02/11/00 02:28:09
Age: 20
Gender: male

Comments:
HEY GUYS well, im onto week 7 or so. i am still very frustrated! my skin will look better for a few days but then it will break out agian. not cysts but smaller whiteheads. they take a pretty long time to go away. i wish that my skin wold get clear already! i thou ht it would work in a month or so but i guess that was just wishful thinking. i take 80mg a day and weight 185lbs. my red splotces on my face also look bad, just more fuel on the fire i guess......i want clear skin!!! i wish i could make a pact with the devil or something. i would do anything im so damn self concious im in college and i never go out anymore it sucks i hate it man! if it wasnt for my girlfriend i would probably drop out man it sucks. my doctor said that the normal window for improvement comes in 10-12 weeks so im gonna hold out i figure hopefully only a few more weeks of shit...well, good luck to everone else, this board is really great!

Jonathan - 02/10/00 23:52:31
Age: 18
Gender: male
Country: U.K

Comments:
This is reassuring stuff - it's sooo nice to know that there are others out there in the same situation. O.K, quick summary: spots since 15 ish. Both parents had it bad and both my sister and I seem to have inherited it. Damn genes. I have been on Steimycin topical solution for years, and I now wonder if it's really doing any good. Have recently had pretty good success with CHINESE HERBS, but spots are pretty bad of late and they are flippin' expensive. STRESS really seems to be my w rst enemy - I seem to get pre and post stress spots. Nice. I have had different opinions on me an' roaccutain, but I'm off to the skin docs again soon, so I can only hope...!

HGPig: HERE I STAND - 02/10/00 23:52:03

Comments:
ANOTHER great day. Had another babe wanting my body today. DAY 28/29 ALL CLEAR!!! The PURE diet rolls on. (None of this "ale" stuff or chugging).

Shawn: for the long posts, paragraphs are essential, and as a natural break when changing the train of hought.

Pam: Plenty to talk about of the WTA, but don't leave out Lindsey, even though Capriati is the come-back favorite, Hingus and Anna Kournikova the "darlings". The one to look for is Monica Vele (she's got great legs!!) But she needs more "expos re" (pun intended)

GW: I say again, Philippoussis, is "run and gun" he has 21 players ahead of him on the ATP. His stamina I wonder about also. However, on any given day if any player on the MENS top 1000 has an off day anything can happen (especiall in a non grand slam event). I guess you agree with me about Lleyton. Sampras best of all time? No in his time, since physical development (and equipment etc.,) has to be kept in context. His success on grass, well much but he has had no serve and volley ival, as Becker was past his prime, and Stich was never the "complete" player (and probably not at his peak also) when Pete came along. However, I do agree, as a complete player, he currently has no rival in his time.

Thanks Rianne, I'm staying real " ure" with this diet, and I havd two oranges right after my workout today.

Hello Mia, hand kisses to you doll.

SOME TIPS FOR EVERYBODY coming soon (e.g. "mirror reversal", shampoo, flashlight look, etc., Best to you HGPig

marcus - 02/10/00 22:43:44
Country: u.k

Comments:
Hi Rianne! Sorry to hear that you're having such a shitty day, hope things turn around soon!

Jules - 02/10/00 22:21:30
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Country: England

Comments:
Progress report - Accutane 70mg a day, eight and a half weeks into 16 week treatment. Acne still all gone, although I get the occasional small spot, probably due to too much moisuriser to prevent the dry orange pe l effect!

Got those horrible little dry red patches at the tops of my arms now and a slightly bigger one on the side of my neck which I constantly put moisturiser on, but although not really noticeable is probably here until I'm off accutane. Each time get through a box I keep telling myself I'm nearer to the end. I want to be free of it, but its really been worth it and I'd take it a third time if I needed to!

I had the dry lip thing well under control for about the first seven weeks, but now I'm etting the cracking in the corners - quite painful, but not too serious. I had a checkup last week (no more blood tests, but I didn't have more than one at the beginning last time) and I don't need to go back until July 31st! I finish accutan in the middl of April. Weird how everyone gets treated differently!

With reference to the posts going missing, I don't think its anything to do with HTML tags we put in out messages, its the same person who has been trying to wreck this board for the last month o so, so just ignore it and they will get bored.

Sophia - 02/10/00 22:13:20
My Email:celeste914@yahoo.com
Age: 17
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
I was wondering if anyone has any advice for me. I am currently on Accutane, and it really started to work after about 3 months. I've been on it for almost 5 months now, and I think my doctor is going to take me off of it. However, I'm really scared th t my acne will return. Do you think I should beg my doctor to keep me on it longer? I've heard that if you stay on Accutane for a longer period, there's less of a chance that your acne will return. Is this true? Thank you to anyone who replies.

Rianne - 02/10/00 22:01:24

Comments:
I had a quick read of the messages this morning before work and now when I look I see that most of them have disappeared! Anyway, I want to say a big thank you to HGPig and the Chinese Herb Lady......I am going to have one BIG review of my diet! If I ca eat to help my skin I certainly will go for that!!!! I picked up some more of the Chinese herbs (liver de-tox) and should get my appointment to see someone next week with regard to the acne situation. I also had an appointment at lunchtime with regard o treatment for the scarring. The "cool laser" I mentioned was not recommended....as far as the ordinary laser goes they are uncertain whether that would be any good for me either! I've had dermabrasion operations in the past and as that didn't do any g od they are not sure whether the laser would be much better. I have to go for another appointment so I'll see how that goes...... I ended up in tears today.......I am so fed up with the situation. Acne and the scars it has left really knock me down.... .. While I'm writing, hello to Jasmine and Marcus! I received my ASG magazine this morning......I didn't find anything revolutionary in it but it's still good to have that contact with people in the same situation...... For the person who asked about C ca-Gel (sorry I haven't remembered your name).....you can find it on the Smith and Nephew web site I think. Sorry for being such a moan tonight.....I just feel that the words "brick" and "wall" (that's brick and wall in case any letters go missing!) feat re very strongly for me at the moment!!!! Groan and grizzle!! Lots of love and much luck as always. Rianne.

Kaitlin - 02/10/00 20:50:29
My Email:caraudiogirls@hotmail.com
Age: 20
Gender: female
Country: cold canada

Comments:
Hey everyone, can anybody give me any information about this cica gel/sheets that someone had posted about? I'd like to know how they work, ect, I heard someone saying they got rid of red marks? thanks and may we all have clear skin....Kaitlin

jay-TO BETH - 02/10/00 20:17:33
Age: 15

Comments:
hi beth. I can tell you my experience with going off accutane. i went off accutane about four weeks ago and after about a month off it I noticed too that my face was slowly but surley going back to its original, horrible state. DO SOMETHING FAST ABOUT HIS. I called up my derm and asked what I could do and he prescribed me Retin-A cream, which doesnt seem to help in my case but is slowly working. Then, I asked him how long I ahve to wait until I can restart Accutane a second time and he said I should ait atleast three months. Hope this helps you and your daughter. Bye!

Beth - 02/10/00 19:36:51
Age: 44
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
I've been keeping up with this board even though my daughter finished her treatment about a month ago. At that time, her skin was really improved, but now only a month later, she is getting oily and getting a few small pimples...we are really worried. S ould she be using a topical like retin-A or something? Has anyone gone right back on Accutane after being off a short time if it looks like trouble is brewing, or can this increase in oil be like a reaction to coming off the Accutane, and eventually bala ce out? She is just 15, and I'm thinking she should be on a smaller maintenance dose for a longer time to get her through the teenage hormone stuff.....has anyone ever heard of doing this? She goes to the derm in about 3 weeks, and I want to be prepared to ask for whatever we can get to help her. Thanks to everyone for helping. Beth

Sandra - 02/10/00 18:11:38
My Email:dreamcloud_river@hotmail.com
Age: 19

Comments:
HELP! I´m just about to finish Accutane after six long months. My skin has been doing great, but today I got a pimple, which isn´t much really, but it´s making me scared that all my horrible acne will come back once I´m off this medicine. Can anyone reli ve my anxiety??? Is it possible that my face will stay clear when finishing taking Accutane, even though I had a breakout the last week of medication?????

FISH - 02/10/00 17:46:49
Country: UK

Comments:
I'm a little bit bored right now so I thought I'd drop you guys a line. To SHAWN - I agree with you about everyone getting rather over-excited with their computers!! There - I said it too!! To "PISSED OFF" I'm absolutley sure that the drinking is a con ributory factor to your skin breaking out, but not the main reason. It may just be 'breaking out!' It happens. But it will clear up. I don't know about your dosage - perhaps give your Derm a call and ask what he/she thinks about whether is should be u ped or not. But I think it's safe to say - DON'T WORRY. That aside - isn't it illegal for you to be drinking alcohol - (Hmmm - there could be a lesson in there somewhere) Just kidding ;o) Love to all and especially you Mr Pissed Off - your skin will be ine - I promise. Fishxx

Pissed off - 02/10/00 16:46:31
Age: 16
Gender: male
Country: England

Comments:
I'm writing to ask if 50mg of roaccutane per day is only a very little amount for someone weighing 75kg, or if it is a lot. Also I wanted to ask if drinking large amounts of alcohol whilst on roaccutane can cause acne break outs. I'm asking these question because i've now been on 50mg per day for 10 weeks, and for the first 8 weeks my acne really seemed to be improving, but ever since a heavy drinking session a couple of weeks ago my acne on my chin and cheeks has got so bad (i can't remember it being thi bad for the last couple of years). It's really got me down in the last couple of days as it just doesn't seem to be clearing, so i was wondering if i need a larger dose or if it's just got something to do with the drink, or if it is normal. Someone pleas help!

Ethan - 02/10/00 15:27:21
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Country: USA

Comments:
Have any of you tried Lecithin? It's some sort of granule substance derived from egg yoke. Amoung many benefits it is suppose to scrub the liver clean which I believe it does quite well. I was taking megadoses (60g a day in granule form) over the winte break while I was heavily drinking. And despite being on 80mg a day, my blood work was perfect a week later. Plus, it is the only government approved intelligence boosting drug, it also raises endurance and stress thresholds. (it was tested on soldiers at war) I suggest giving it a try!

Shawn - 02/10/00 15:21:47

Comments:
One more thing -- all I meant was (and I'm sure that those of you that really feel this way will be glad that I had the ganas to say this) that there could be some connection to the "codes" that ya'll are using to create your paragraphs, different fonts, olors etc. in your posts, that may be contributing to the disappearance of almost a month's worth of messages. Am I wrong in this assumption? Anyway, I'm not telling you how to post, it's just my opinion and may be the opinion of others. I don't know. Anyway, this is not related to acne which this board is devoted (?) to. Still all clear have about 4 days left. I marked it in my calendar to come back every month and report post-Accutane progress. So, for those of you that are curious what happens af erwards (as am I) I'll let you know. Be back later on the last day to report the finale! Ciao!

Shawn - 02/10/00 15:07:39

Comments:
Gee HG Pig -- didn't mean to bust your chops, no pun intended of course. I guess everyone jumps on the bandwagon sometime, huh? I admit you're information while some of it seems bizarre, is very useful and beneficial to us all. I apologize.

cliona - 02/10/00 14:32:01
My Email:cliona54@hotmail.com
Age: 18
Gender: female
Country: ireland

Comments:
i want to know if anyone has tried isotrex gel. i have beenusing it for 3 months and i'm not sure how good it is. 1 year ago i used retin a lotion and it was really good. it cleared acne completely and skin was really smooth . but about 5 months ago chem st told me they couldnt get it any more i tried retin a gel and cream but no good so i amnow on erthremycin and using isotrex. has anyone had similar problems getting retin a.

wednesday - 02/10/00 14:26:22
My Email:wilykit77@hotmail.com
Age: 20
Country: Canada

Comments:
I started taking accutane in September, and I was on it for 5 and a half months. Overall, I was quite dissapointed with the results. Although my acne was not a severe case, it was still not nice to look at, and had progessivly gotten worse in the last 3 years. After 3 years of antibiotics, my dermatologist finally prescribed Accutane, and I thought my problems would be over-finally! After all, it worked wonders on my brother. Five months later, all I had was a face full of dark red and purple spots, mor zits (really big and under the skin) and skin that was scaling and cracked. And I felt poisened by all the drugs I'd been on for almost 4 years. Anyone else with a similar experience?

marcus - 02/10/00 14:10:42
Age: 22
Country: uk

Comments:
K.M, I’ve only found it in small local pharmacies, give a few of your local ones a ring. I don’t think places like Boots sell it, but it’s quite a new product so I don’t think they’ve sorted large scale distributing yet! It’s £9.99 for 100mls and spreads extremely well. I apply the scalp lotion to my face while its still wet as I’ve found this produces the best results! Let me know if you can’t find any.

Mia - 02/10/00 14:05:41
Age: 19
Gender: chic
Country: OZ

Comments:
hey hey ppl :)
HGPig, thanks for putting up your diet :) I was gonna post and ask you too aswell, (so that would make 4 requests?) only i couldn't figure out how to post ;p >grin< ok. you can all stop laughing at silly computer illiterate Mia!! >grin< BUT, thanks Pig. And btw...Surfing??? (sorry, i havn't scrolled down properly and read everything very far, so, if you've already enlightened everyone...pls enlighted me,...i'm terribly curious!! Surfers are cool. Be a surfer PIG!! ;p

I just thought I'd say hello. been a while since i posted...right now I feel fantastic!! I was really sick for about a week in there somewhere, but I'm over that, and here I am, all happy and cheerful again! Its like 38C today, and I was kinda annoyed that I'm not at the beach right now, basking in blazing hot Aussie sunshine, but me and my pal sat down and thought about all the reasons why the beach is BAD. bad beach. ...eg. on a day like today, it would be totally crowded, and sand would get in our h ir, and we're having such a great hair day today...LOL

I feel amazing!! Its like, just over 1 month now, and I can tell already that its really starting to work. I even have started wearing my hair up, and get this, today, I wore NO MAKE-UP!!!! >grin< I don't think that everything is Roacc and Roacc alone though, I think we sort of have to really try and help ourselves along with getting better etc. I think eating right and exercising must be the way to go...Its cool that you guys are soo into that at the mo..inspiration!! I started working out yesterday, fter a bit of a lapse, and today I was a bit sore, but, I felt pretty good ;)

Anyways, I hope its going well for you guys...we'll be hot spunks in no time!! LOL >grin<

later. Mia :)

KM - 02/10/00 13:25:31
My Email:sir_vv@hotmail.com
Age: 22 male
Country: UK

Comments:
Hi Marcus, sounds good. Could you post on the board where you got it.. ie what pharmacy/shop? Thanks, KM.

marcus - 02/10/00 13:03:04
Age: 22
Country: uk

Comments:
Jasmine hi, I came across a product around a month ago called procam, It’s a natural product made up of eastern and western herbs that works by Rehydrating the skin. It’s primarily used for dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis! I brought the scal lotion as I have a dry scalp, I found it made a massive difference. As my face is also quite dry I’ve been using in on my face too and I have to say my skin hasn’t felt this soft and healthy since I was twelve! It’s not greasy and hasn’t caused any spots on my face unlike most other moisturizers I’ve used! I use the scalp lotion on my face because it’s more like water than a cream. The moisturizer might be just as good but while I’m on a roll I don’t want to mess about! After you’ve washed your face and slapped it on the felling of freshness is UN believable a little like tea tree but MUCH better I highly recommend this product! (I must sound like a salesman for this product!!!) Rianne how your outbreak going? Mines coming under control now! Even though I hate bananas yesterday I took my own advice and stuffed myself stupid on them, today my really massive spot has almost gone, I didn’t even squeeze it!

KM - 02/10/00 12:50:31
My Email:sir_vv@hotmail.com
Age: 22 male
Country: UK

Comments:
To John, who asked about using differin whilst on roaccutane. My derm actually told me to use differin CREAM on any spots that I get, and he actually said 'I am underlining the cream, do not use the gel'. I should have asked him why, but I went ahead and ot the Differin cream. It seems ok, but I would have to say that I prefered the gel but it obviously doesn't mix well with roaccutane. Also to everyone: a general update: day 16, still on 80 mgs a day. Things going ok, not half as many new spots/infection as this time last week. Skin is peeling, especially on nose, leaving it quite red. Oil production is most definitely down! Lips are being controlled nicely with carmex, and I use Acqueous cream for my dry skin. It's working fine. Another thing, I drank a the weekend. And I mean drank!! I had been off the drink for about 3 weeks and that was my first time drinking. I didn't notice any bad side effects. Hope it doesn't mess up my liver. I had a blood test at the start but don't plan on having another one t ll my 16 week course is finished. Is that a real bad idea?? Anyways, take care folks, feel free to email me with any questions or stories of your own. It's good to hear other peoples experiences/updates. That's it. Bye! KM.

GW - 02/10/00 11:32:06
Age: 18!!! OI shit I made a mistake I'm not a minor anymore.

Comments:

GW - 02/10/00 11:27:33

Comments:
Correction Phillippoussis. Hey Pig, it looks like it might be a US v AUST Davis Cup Final. Phillippoussis Rafter v Agassi Sampras. Absolute Gold. In my opinion the best four in the world. (we don't stand a chance if Pete plays though). Oh, and if yo think this has nothing to do with acne, your wrong. Yep, that's right, take a close up look at the scud next time you get a chance..................

GW - 02/10/00 11:23:21
Age: 17
Gender: male
Country: Aust

Comments:
Amae, how sweet are you?? Yeah, OK, that question was metaphorical, okay, you got me. I'm still a bit upset. HGPIG, well I disagree, Phillipoussis can match it with anyone, apparently I look like him so he can't be too far off the mark. Watch it. Pete Sampras is the greatest player of all time, Agassi was lucky Pistol had a hip strain. You wanna argue, well go ahead fact remains that no-one has the game to match it with him consistently. And womans tennis??? Well, sorry girls but I don't watch for t e quality of the tennis (you won't find much in the woman's game.) I did see Hingis and Kournikova at the Aust. Open and boy is Kournikova brown. So all yas who are worried bout skin cancer take a look at her, she looks alright doesn't she!!???? And Mau esmo, well she goes through a pack of razors every week......see ya dudes.

jasmine - 02/10/00 11:07:45
Age: 33
Gender: Female
Country: U.K.

Comments:
Hi everyone.To JUST ME.No I can't remember getting extra dry skin when I started using the Dermalux lamp.Saying that my skin was really dry(but greasy)if you know what I mean anyway because I was using Benzamycin gel which has got Benzol Peroxide in it an the only moisteriser that got rid of that cracked look was Liz Earles normal to combination moisteriser.It is not for acne and it is quite greasy so I used to use it sparingly.I was also using Liz Earles facial cleanser which again was not for acne but t e whole regime suited me up until recently when my skin just exploded.I am now using Tea Tree facial wash and Ketsugo which is doing absolutly nothing.So if anyone out there can recommend a new facial regime I would be grateful wash,toner,moisteriser.When I first started using the Dermalux I thought it was making my acne worse but I think it was just where I was becoming resistant to the Benzamycin gel and that was why I bought the face lamp in the first place.It was definitly about 8 weeks before I notice improvement so persevere.Of course you might be unlucky and it doesn't work but you never know.My bulbs will be about another two weeks.They have them but now they've got to package them and send them to me.So I've yet to know if they will work again or f the acne has become resistant to that too.All I know is my face is covered.I've even got a spot on my lip.Friends say don't look in the mirror.Well I don't have to look in the mirror,I can feel the soreness of them as soon as I wake up.Then I look.AARRG HH.Still Derm next Tuesday.Counting the days.Good luck with your lamp.To AL Yes please if you could look up the body wash you were using I would be very grateful.Cheers.Anyway hope RIANNE,ROB(RL),MARCUS,JULES and everyone else are O.K.love Jasmine.

but... - 02/10/00 09:01:59

Comments:
peanuts have...(per 100g of course)...49.24 grams of fat (ouch!)...exactly how many peanuts have you consumed today HG?

ALSO...I have a minor quibble...you boys only ever talk about the MALE tennis players...hello???...how about Davenport...Hingis...Mau esmo ...Capriati...etc...etc...?????

gee-bub...that said...it's great to have you back...at times your language drives me to distraction...but I know you have a heart of gold...pam...having consumed endless oranges today...but also two mighty fine bottl s of ale...

Raj - 02/10/00 07:28:09
My Email:googie@collegeclub.com
Age: 21
Gender: Female
Country: Canada

Comments:
I was just give a perscription for the Dianette pill and am trying to find more information on it. My derm doesn't believe in discussing side effects but obviously, this is something that I have to worry about. I have tried to find information on Dianet e but have had no luck. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Please email me with it

HGPig......three strikes..... - 02/10/00 06:16:56

Comments:
Well let's see....1. Equestrian..no, 2...gymnastics (gymnastics???? hehehe, you gotta be kidding)...no, 3. Archery...no.... Three strikes you're out!! add that to Steve's basketweaving and that makes four...I win this one! Best to you. HGPig

HGPig follow-up to 22:46:08 - 02/10/00 05:59:53

Comments:
Follow-up to my previous post. So far "today" I have together with the prevoius post have consumed five(5) oranges, "the recipe", 1 box of raisins, plenty of grape juice, peanuts, and some sunflower seeds. After my workout followed by two oranges , afte showering, I was actually shocked! I looked in the mirror and my skin was even toned!.... Even the dis-colorations are faded!! Even to the extent that I had forgot I had some!!

To GW, I'm not sure about Leyton. He has the mechanics but the physical power suspect (not enough there). Philippoussis, all the tools, but too much "run and gun". Only at Wimbledon does he have a chance (knee??). Of course Pete claims "injury" and claims he can't play Davis this past week. He still can't take it, I guaran ee he would have been there if he had won that fifth set. Best to all. HGPig

Amae - 02/10/00 05:38:23
My Email:amae7@hotmail.com
Age: 22
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
**** PIG **** Archery? I don't think it's football because you said "competition". Am I getting warmer? **** GW **** The choice is you, of course. Glad to see your humor back on the board. Later all.....~Amae

GW to Aussie Anon - 02/10/00 05:08:32

Comments:
All other things being equal of course.

GW - 02/10/00 05:06:23
Age: 18
Gender: male
Country: Aust

Comments:
Hey Aussie Anon, I have a question and I think you are the perfect person to answer it, mid 20's, female, plenty of experience, still young. If you had two guys sort of chasing you, like you had to chose between two guys, and one had no acne (clear skin) but was not good looking and the other had acne but was good looking (more than the other guy), who would you go for?

C.H.L. - 02/10/00 04:59:09
Age: 36
Gender: Feminine
Country: U S of A

Comments:
Rianne, Something I just remembered. My friend recently said something that is quite interesting in the nutrition arena. She said that some people are sensitive to weight gain with carbs (carbohydrates) and others are sensitive to weight gain with prote ns. Are you interested in maintaining your current weight or losing. I am actually at a maintaining point.

aussie anon - 02/10/00 03:52:23

Comments:
Emporess, it was the same guy. I refused to see him on principle. Good luck with your treatment. If you decide to change, I can give you the details of my new dermatologist, she is in Kew. GW- Glad you enjoyed the open. I had a great time, I even wore a short dress that day just for you!

Chinese Herb Lady (C.H.L.) - 02/10/00 02:36:58
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/cgi-bin/geoplus_apps/ans_entry
Age: 36
Gender: Feminine
Country: U S of A

Comments:
Regarding Dairy Products. Back in 1990 or so when I had very severe cystic acne, I went about 3 or more months with no dairy products to see if it helped me with my skin. It did not make one difference for me. I have read about iodione being a possible culprit. I have been tested for allergies and I am not allergic to any food. I have been getting allergy shots for about 2 or so years. Back to the dairy. It has been very difficult for me but just for wanting to be all around healthy, I have cut ou a majority of the dairy products out of my nutritional intake. I replaced milk with soy milk and rice milk. It is actually very tasty and I do think there is something to the hormones they feed to all the animals so they can make bigger bucks ($). Rianne, It might be worth a look for you to evaluate how much protein you get in a day for starters. How close are you to 70 grams I wonder. Protein powder mixed with a banana, apple, and lowfat plain yogart may indeed make you gain weight. You could ju t put the protein powder in with rice or soy milk and blend it and drink it. That should not make you gain weight. It sounds (without really knowing what your diet is) like you have a diet similar to one I use to have. I ate alot of carbohydrates and da ry. You might consider trying soy milk and rice milk. Have you ever tried them? If so do you like them? Also I have found that increasing protein foods and vegetables etc. that I am not hungry many times during the day like I use to. And when spending my time getting better nutrition, I really don't have time to eat the other stuff. Sugars and carbs. ANyway if you do want to make a change expect a slow transformation. Eating habits are really more habitual than we may initially think. That way you w n't get frustrated with not changing your nutrition intake overnight. Are you a vegetarian. I am really looking forward to you beginning the Chinese herbs as I really expect your oily skin to minimize if not go away. about my regime - I think it is the C inese Herbs that has reduced my what used to be cystic acne to 90 to 95% and definitely the Chinese Herbs dried up the oil? I notice that within a few days or a week of starting the herbs. I don't know if my face was dripping with oil as is sounds like y u have explained how your oil is but I think I had quite a bit of oil. I would want to wash my face at lunch and my hair line from the tops of my ears down was noticeably oily which was annoying as I have fine med blonde hair and it was very noticeable. The oil started back within a week of me stopping Acctuane just as the Derm said it would. Then the Chinese Herbs kicked in and away went the oil. I can go a whole day from say 7 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and not even have to worry about it. If you are asking how long it took for the Chinese Herbs to start working for the acne. I started to notice a difference within a few days. It was a slow transformation like a year. The severity of the acne spots wasn't as bad, I got less, etc. I had patience because Accutane was no longer an option for m
A Real Problem - 12/14/99 01:38:17

Comments:
So now that I am clear, how am I to deal with Christina Ag., Nicollette Sheridan, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jane March, and Merv Griffin hittin on me?
Tessa - 12/14/99 01:25:04
Age: 19
Gender: Female
Country: Aussie Land

Comments:
I think I'm on to something! OK, it's still early days yet but last night- in desperation- I found some Dettol (anti-septic cream) lying around the house. So I rubbed it on the startings of some big blind pimples. This morning as I inspected my face I fou d that one has totally gone away, and the other four are heaps flatter than yesterday, and not nearly as sore. I shall keep experimenting, and update you all. Good luck!

- 12/13/99 23:44:34

Comments:

SA - 12/13/99 23:43:43
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Country: US

To the girly Gill from UK What did U mean by "light therapy"? Do U mean something like "reiki"? May the force be with all - SA

SJeff - 12/13/99 22:38:24
My Email:instig8@pacbell.net
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Country: California

Comments:
I have a case of moderate acne in, but its not clearning. I am wondering, I still wash my face like i did before just so it wont become worse, but I am wondering when i will know it will be safe to start using lotion on my face and it wont create a huge mount of pimples because of th oil, etc. Also, anyone who is near t
gill - 12/13/99 22:32:30
Age: 34
Gender: girly
Country: uk

Comments:
Having suffered with cystic acne half my life, I can honestly say I've yet to find anything that works! Been on all the antibiotics,roaccutane etc. nothing helped. Found roaccutane made me very sleepy and depressed, this was years ago and it was only re ently when it began to get bad press that I understood what had been happening to me when taking it. Still I can understand anyone giving it ago 'cos you'll try anything... Which brings me to "light therapy" has anyon
- 12/13/99 21:55

Comments:

TO Christine - 12/13/99 21:05:36

Comments:
Did you still have scars after you have completed accutane??

Allison - 12/13/99 20:53:11
Age: 16
Gender: girly
Country: USA!!!

Comments:
Is it ok to get plastic surgery while on accutane?????

- 12/13/99 20:28:00
My Email:emmilie@hotmail.com
Age: 19
Gender: female
Country: Québec, Canada

Comments:
Hi! It is my first week on Roaccutane. Even if I have no side effects,ng or reduce the amount you drink - I prefer the latter. Hope you all have a fab Christmas? Jules

Connect-the-dots - 12/13/99 17:38:49
My Email:2shy2tell4now@work
Age: 29
Gender: female
Country: US

Comments:
This is my first week on Accutane. Already drying out, already chapping, but I think I'm already clearing up too :)

I've been under medical care five times, but had to stop early for financial reasons or for the end of the study or for other reasons, plus I've tried Proactiv, Nature's Cure, Mary Kay, Almay, etc. You name it, I've tried it. I consider myself relatively ortunate, because I work in a job where nobody really sees me and I can go without makeup for days at a stretch. I'm also a f

My one concern: Has anyone here had the night vision problem? I don'tat night?

Denny - 12/13/99 17:27:00
Age: 25
Gender: male
Country: USA

Comments:
HI! RE;ACCUTANE AND alcohol: my derm told me to NOT drink while on Accutane. Its really bad for you. Why do you peole drink in first place? If you really cared about your skin you wouldnt expose it to alcohol...or leave the house at all (UV rays, stress, crit cism). With all the miracles of todays modern technology, theres no need to..

caroline_briggs My Email:caroline_briggs@hotmail.com
Gender: Femail!

Comments:
Hi, I've just been put on a course of Roccotain so I will keep you posted! Thanks for the information - V. usefu
Tammy Loh - 12/13/99 09:56:09
My Email:coderedlove@yahoo.com
Age: 20yrs old
Gender: female
Country: Malaysia

Comments:
Hi to the people on this web-site. After finished reading the February posting, I felt very much agreed with one of the acne sufferer-Rianne. For me, I'd it with me for 3yrs now. Before that, I'd always had a good skin (considered better than now!) I've eally no idea why it will keep on growing on my face. Probably it's because I've gone thrist (recommended to me by one of my friend who had suffered from acne before.) It's pretty severe acne I have when my first visit to him. What a great feeling that af er taking 2-months of the medicines that he prescribed to me did really work out. But th s didn't last too long...just when I thought all I'd to do now i Because it do really smashed one self-esteem & losing confidence, especially for a girl like me. I dont think a beauty salon can actually solve my problem. Especially if we're talking 'bout evere acne here.I really did go for a facial before. And if it eally worked, I wouldn't be written here, right? Sometimes when I go to shop around at a mall, it's so embarrassed when someone come to me and said "Miss, you've a very serious skin problem, why not I recommend xxx for you?" My gosh, this really upset me counselor to do thing like this?? Trying to publicize their b.salon without thinking that they might hurt one's pride just by what'd they'd just done! Maybe I should appreciate their good mean but I tell ya it'll over my dead body if you ask me to accept their offer. Till now, I'm still facing acne/pimple problems. And I hope that if anyone out there can give me any good advice or even some remedy that will do good for my skin. Sorry for writing in such a long & nagging mail.
amae7@hotmail.com
Age: 21
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
**** BARRET & STEVE **** I am also a subscriber to the "F%CK IT" theory. Of course there are sometimes when it turns into "F%CK YOU" and "wait til you see me in 4 months". It may not be the most peacefope you have insurance, because Accutane is some exp nsive SH*T. (Do I have a potty mouth today or what?) I know if I didn't have insurance, ONE month of my treatment would have been over $600.00. Not to mention the derm visits. Of course there is tha program that will allow you to get the stuff for free. I don't know much about it 'cuz I didn't qualify, but I'm sure the wonderful people on this site could tell you. **** BOB **** I guess one of the reasons I don't like kissing a guy with facial hair is because it tends to irritate my skin. Maybe after Accutane
Bzz - 12/13/99 07:11:51
Age: 22
Gender: male

Comments:
As for drinking and acutane...I drank lots before acutane, and stopped when i first started because of all the warnings. But then I slowly eased intoCountry: USA

Comments:
I use an electric shaver, when I do shave, which I hate to do,it reduces the cuts blade used to do to my face.

Rob - 12/13/99 03:52:59
My Email:rmanitta@hotmail.com.au
Age: 24
Country: Australia

Comments:
Hi all. Boy there are stacks of posts! I have found that applying a suncreen each morning has reduced the redness on my face. I use a oil free base suncreen. As t next day my skin feels pretty crappy, dry and real sensitive. UPDATE: I am in week 14 and starting to see some results.No side affect other than dry lips. The redness in my face is a lot less. I have found that using Cetaphil cleanser has stoped my arms from being dry. 2 and a half Does anyone have MSN and would lik to chat somtime? well good luck to you all.

Rob - 12/13/99 03:52:04
My Email:rmanitta@hotmail.com.au
Age: 24
Country: Australia

Comments:
Hi all. Boy there are stacks of posts! I have found that applying a suncreen each morning has reduced the redness on my face. I use a oil free base suncreen. As to SHAVING, it sucks! I think when you shave with a blade you exfoliate, which is good. But th next day my skin feels pretty crappy, dry and real sensitive. UPDATE: I am in Does anyone have MSN and would like to chat somtime? well good lu
JG - 12/13/99 03:50:23
Age: 22
Country: Australia

Comments:
Hi All, First time poster here! Just a few questions, I havent started R yet, just reading everyones comments is enough for the moment. With Xmas so near I'm just wondering about the drinking side. The derm. didnt mention not drinking or anything like hat. Any regular drinkers out there?? Also, waxing? I think I read somewhere waxing was a no no.?? Anyone got any stories?? Thanks...

Rob - 12/13/99 03:41:56
My Email:rmanitta@hotmail.com.au
Age: 24
Country: Australia

Comments:

http://www.pizzaface.com
Age: 24
Gender: male
Country: USA

Comments:
Greetings and Salutations! re ACCUTANE: I was on 40mg daily for about a year and a h alf. It worled womerds...for about a year. THEN the ZITS RETURN..and you know its easier to just accept that their is a genetic time bomb going off each time you break out. just accept it. Some pe ple are just cursed. Accutane will relieve your acne problem..albewit temp..its $$$ too (about 5$a pill)..hey roche! GOOD LUCK!

Christine - 12/13/99 01:46:30
My Email:cadbengtson@email.com
Age: 30
Country:

Comments:
Accutane was a god send. I neveat is all they are little tiny white heads. They no longer are the cytic type acne that would send me to the doctor's office occasionally to get drained or get antibiotics. I went from having exremely oily skin with cytic ac e around my jaw line about onc a month or every couple of weeks to never getting cytic acne. Just little white heads every once in a while if I forget to wash off my face after working out. I actually have to wear lotion sometimes. (a light lotion.) I never used to wear foundation bec use it would make me break out. Now, I can slather it on with out any consequences. Old habits die hard. I still buy oil-free make up products. Taking accutane is a personal decision but IT WAS THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE!!!!!!!! I see people with bad a ne and I want to run up to them and say go get accutane. It helped me. I did not get acne until I was in college. Every year it seemed to get worse and I had heard that it gets worse once you have chilI would have had clear skin without the 3-hour oil shi e during my wedding. GOOD LUCK

marie - 12/13/99 01:10:04
Age: 20
Gender: female
Country: us

Comments:
Accutane has changed my life. It is so refreshing to wake up in the morning and not see a bunch of huge zits all over your face. Now it takes only about 10 minutes to put my makeup on rather than half an hour. I definitely recommend it. It was the only th ng that worked.....

Ward - 12/13/99 00:53:50
My Email:ward_19@hotmail.com
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Country: Canada

Comments:
Hi all, I'm so glad I found this page, the real world pre you are easy to relate to. i have read all of these horror stories, and i keep waiting for even dry lips, but NOTHING AT ALL. it's weird. i know it's still so early, but my face looks really good and not even one side effect. i'm psyched. i will keep you posted. you have been great, and i thank y u. i will take you up on the make up brands. is it really ok to use oil free? it doesn't dry you out even more? well, we'll see what happens.....thank you so much.. KAD

RoXy - 12/12/99 23:20:15
My Email:roxyroo@prodigy.net
Age: 21
Gender: GRRRL
Country: SouthPadreIsland

CommHi. Week 13 starts today! I am looking forward to these last three months as the clearing and cleaning up period. Today is the halfway point and if I continue the way I have been going everything will be gad and wo dering when will it work: I still get the odd pimple about every week, I know that they will stop soon and even if I still get a couple here and there I know that I am much better off than when I started the treatment. t The only thing I am truly worried about is them coming back once the treatment is done....I wont hesitate to do this all again!! To those of you asking about the red marks: I posted before what my dermatologist told me but here it goes again~~the red mark left on the skin after a pimple as run its course is called an erythamous macule, it is not a scar and it is not permanent! After treatment they take approx. four to six months to fade away...the red mark is characterized by being a "splotchy" mark on the skin that gets redder with hea means that the pimples that were there before have run there course...I know lots of us have pimples that come back from the dead or never seem to go away....those are the ones we need to worry about and those are the ones accutane is famous for!!! I ju t wanted to give you guys a new way of looking at things. It will take time, and we will all go through ups and downs but in the end we can smile and know that it was all worth it. good luck email me anytime.

debora - 12/12/99 23:12:41
Age: 26
Gender: female
Country: usa

Comments:
hello! I have read all your stories and I am going to see a doctor on next week. I heard the price of accutane is so high!!! Is it really that expansive? I really like to know....!

Age: 16
Gender: male

Comments:
Been a while...i used to come to this site everyday, before and during accutane. I always talked about how much acne can destroy a life, and how i was on top of the world, and then it all y helped myself. Well, here's my story made short. About a year go i started really breaking out, and i cut all the bulshit ,and went straight to accutane. By this time I was already real bad on my cheecks. Luckily, i went on a high dose of accutane 0MG per day, and I weighed 120 lbs. The accutane worked right away, and by the second month, i had seen my last zit. After three months of treatment, i stopped, and was acne free. However, like many of you know, you have those red spots that stay behin , that look just as bad as the acne...and ever since i've been trying to deal with them. After accutane, they quickly faded, and everything was going good, however a couple months later, lever fully recoever from the red marks, I tried Azelex and other s uff, but it didn't work. So, last week I decided to go back on accutane for a month, to see if that would work. I hope it does. Accutane is a disease, and will tear you down, no matter ho you are. I had the most confidence, i mean, just walkin up to gCountry: USA

Comments:
Gump,Yes.the"blackheads"find there way out.I'd wash my face&especially on my nose,I'd see them coming out on there own.I could get some off with a facecloth.And my pores are smaller now!Tony,Hydroquinone(2%is strongest)an ingredient in fade creams you can get in drugstores.I found a brand in gel form called Black Opal-Advanced DualComplexFadeGel.It helps fade Malasma-dark patches of skin(like a tan-in spots-on theface).I found out by accident it works on red Gender: Female
Country: USA

Comments:
I'm 32,had bouts with acne since highschool.In the past I tried one product& Rx after another.My skin would clear up for a while,then break out again.Antibiotics interfear with my Birth control pills,topical treatments worked,then my skin would become sen itive & peel terribly.At 32,I had enough!With things I've used in the past to dry my skin & control oil,I became very worried about wrinkles.I finally gave Acutane a try(after lecturefo about it.Some side effects noted,worried me a bit.Taking Vitamin-E wa suggested,to help lessen side effects. I've been on Accutane since 9/99.I'm extremely happy with my skin.I don't have to wear alot of makeup any more.My back & chest have cleared up Redness on my face subsided.The little veins around my nose,that I thought would have to get removed,have disappeared!!!Here's some things I do to combat dryness.I take 400mg of Vit- feel dry.Cut the tip off Vit-E softgels,mix it in with Blistex DCT(Doesn t taste bad,stays on longer,& can give lips a sexy shine ladies.)Hope this helps.Good luck Everyone!

To Cindy from Brooks - 12/12/99 20:08:01
My Email:cheeriogirl@hotmail.com
Age: 18 years old
Gender: Female
Country: Ontario, Canada

Comments:
Yes Cindy Accutane and Ro
Elle - 12/12/99 17:48:54
Age: 24
Country: uk

Comments:
Hi Kids, glad to see the page is up to speed again, also reassured that others have been havingr-skinned beautiful people are the worst. But please don't give up. Your posts have always been inspirational. Hope you are feeling better. ----------- RICK (posted about getting R. without a prescription) I would advise that you see a doctor as this s strong stuff, you need advice and monitoring ------- BEN (with the thick hair growing out of his face) I am intrigued! Please let me know what your derm said. ---------- LIZZIE , you are right about never staying over at friends. The other things we miss out on are swimming, relaxing on the beach, getting out of bed and just going out the dooer without worrying, not to mention all kinds of hangups about intimacy and appearance! ----our decision, but just wanted to say that I have tried EVERYTHING, al ays got the side effects and no good results, but I'm giving Accutane a go, I still hope that something will work. Good luck and I hope you find something that's right for you ------- which I hope will help me track any serious changes being caused by the medication, it tracks skin, emotion and physical symptoms ----------- LISA Hi! thanks for your post, glad someone is listening. How are you getting on? My skin is drying up fast bu no new zits since starting Roaccutane! This feels like something of a miracle (though my skin is far from clear!!) Good luck with it. I have decided to have one glass of champagne for New Year, but it will be strange --------- SARAH good luck with t e Dermatologist, I'm sure they will take you seriously, if the acne is serious enough to make you unhappy, then they will listen to you and try to make it better. --------- Those waiting for results, I have always been told to wait at least three months f
Bob Topps - 12/12/99 17:26:40
My URL:http://www.pizzaface.com
My Email:btt@aol.com
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Country: USA

Comments:
Greetings and Salutations! Its good to see more people on this board! Writing interesting well thought out posts (excepts for Denny). AMAE: I have heard that most women hate to kiss guys with facial hair. Its funny cause when my acne r up the marks. But I was talking to this hOt g rl I k would enjoy a clean close. and hey she had to shve her whole legs for me so im not complaining. Hey i wasnt Tom Cruise or anything (though when i wore these certain shades, she sadi the resemblance w s "eerie") but i put forth my best pizzaface effort. Its not what you DESERVE or what you HOPE FOR its what you TAKE. time to tak emy minocycin. GOOD LUCK!

james - 12/12/99 15:58:50
Age: 33
Gender: male
Country: USA-Memphis

Comments:
Can MSM be taken while you are on Roaccutane? Anyone have any advice??

Trent - 12/12/99 12:15:37
Age: 19
Gender: male
Country: Canada

Comments:
BarBlair - 12/12/99 11:00:31
My Email:lithian47@hotmail.com
Age: 21
Gender: Male
Country: Australia

Comments:
I am now finishing up my 4 month treatment with roaccutane. I have no acne at all but I fear it may return. Having had acne from age 15, I have been on minomycin (anti-biotic) for years before the roaccutane. The minomycin did practically nothing. As for he roaccutane it did the job (for now), I had all the dryness in the facial area, arms and back but it has been worth it. Is there anything stronger than roaccutane? Could anyone who has been on roaccutane and is now off it e-mail me on how their acne wen after finishing the treatment. Thanks!

- 12/12/99 10:01:00
My URL:
barret welsh - 12/12/99 07:29:53
My Email:phblatant@hotmail.com
Age: 17
Gender: manbeing
Country: PeePeeVille

Comments:
So the dermatologist says ya need to reduce your stress levels huh? Sure you could learn some zen techniques, even start meditating a bit, but, as effective as that is, breaking into the lotus posistion in the middle of a crowded street is a bit awkward... so, for times of emergancy, when stress levels are up and you don't think you can take it anymore becuase yIt's called...THE FUCK IT METHOif you think everyone is looking at you, just say to yourself, FUCK IT, "what are they gonna do, beat my ass for havi g acne?" they probably aren't even thinking about it, try not to care about what others think...and i know this is very very hard, for so eone who has self esteem destorying acne, but with everything, it takes practice, keep telling your self that it doesn't matter what they see and you'll begin to think it more often, leaving yourself a little bit more happier during the durration of your kin condition.. Now i am not saying become completely indefferent to everything, that's not the suggested plan. What you need to do is use this method only when being uncaring is better for you. umm, yes, that;' oh fuck it

Amae - 12/12/99 07:25:15
My Email:amae7@hotmail.com
Age:Gender: female
Count

Comments:
Sean 0974 really knows how to rain on our parade, doesn't he? I think Accutane is only dangerous if it is used incorrectly. Now really, Sean 0974, don't you think your allergies could be causing dry eyes and hives? I'm NOT a doctor, so I guess (by your rationale) you can trust me. Thanks for your input, but I think most of us are going to keep the hope. ~Amae

Amae - 12/12/99 07:15:36
My Email:amae7@hotmail.com
Age: 21
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
**** NICK & TOM **** HELLLOOOO??!! If I were a guy I would intentionally grow a beard. Wouldn't that help the acne, or at least not irritate it any further? Beards are like make-up for men. However, if either of you have girlies then I recantement. here is nothing more unpleasant than kis
Steve - To Sheridan - 12/12/99 07:04:37
My Email:sackerman@erols.com
Age: 26
Country: US

Comments:
I am an amateur bodybuilder and what i know is that pseudoephedrine is hell on your liver. It produces so many waste products that the liver is force to detoxify your body of. As for the natural substances like Ma Huang and yohimbe I have no clue. My thou hts about cutting weight are this: The side effects of accutane are mediated by food and water ingestion at the time of dosage. With this in mind it would seem that anything you would do to reduce your food intake or dehydrate yourself might increase the ntensity of said side effect
purr - 12/12/99 05:42:2My Email:orange_clouds@hotmail.com
Age: 20
Country: usa

Comments:
as for talk of sulfur treatments... I believe they will work because sulfur is an antibiotic that drys the. I was just on one called sulfatrim for an unrelated problem but i noticed my skin looked great!!! It even dried up the cyst i had. (which accuta e NEVER did)

jamie - 12/12/99 05:23:43

Comments:
hello all...I'm still breathing

purr - 12/12/99 05:22:41
My Email:
jamie - 12

Comments:
hello all...I'm still breathing

purr - 12/12/99 05:22:41
My Email:orange_clouds@hotmail.com
Age: 20
Gender: female
Country: usa

Comments:
Does anyone know of any suits against Roche in the USA? If so PLEASE email me!!!

- 12/12/99 05:21:40

Comments:

for RL ! - 12/12/99 My Email:paulholliday@hotmail.com
Age: 18
Gender: male
Country: uk

Comments:
justMy Email:Shadow2154@aol.com
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Country: USA

Comments:
I've been on Accutane for 3 months now, and the acne has really just about stopped. (Thank God) But I'd like to know if anyone out there can suggest something for the spots that are leftover after the pimple is gone. It's like a small red patch that takes forever to go away. If anyone can suggest something to put on these spots to help in their healing, please e mail me. Good luck to everyone...

Age: 19
Gender: Male
Country: England

Comments:
Day 16 now (50mg) , I am just sooo please that the dryness is nearly stopped after 4-5 days now. I couldnt handle it, and was pretty depressed about it - I couldnt move my face at all when waking up in the mornings - unfourtunally until it had nearly stop ed (unless that was the reason why it stopped) becuase its so much better now. I definatly know the drug has caused an outbreak, my chin really got bad - got a cyst in the corner of the mouth - its still there, and the really bad spot is starting to go away as well, as well as the otther chin spots. My back is a bit bad at the mome t though, hopefully that will clear upsoon though. However, apart from the outbreak, I havent noticed any different in m skin clearing up - i hope it starts to soon! oh by the way - the one from singapore - cos im on the NHS in england, I only pay like £5.80 (near $10 USA Dolars) for 2 months of supply! I
Nick - 12/11/99 23:56:08
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Country: USA

Comments:
Wow-- it's so uplifitng to read all about others who are sharing similar problems as mine. I 60mg a day, a year ago and it really helped, but now it is back, and worse than ever. So, I was considering going on it again when I go home for winter break. I've gained a lot of weight in the past year so I can probably up the dosage a little, huh? Was 125, now am 165.) To the guys out there: What do you recommend as far as shaving? I mean, do you recommend using a razor blade or electric? Which would cause less irritation you think? I recently changed to electric about two months ago, and I'm 's making it worse. On the other hand, when I used a blade, my face would bleed all over.... A little help, please! As for nose bleed problems: when I was on Accutane before, I had _serious_ nosebleeds-- we're talking major gushers here. And they would always come at the most inconvenient times, like when I was giving a presentation in class or something. Anyways, my derm recommened Ayr Saline Nasal Gel (or spray)- and that worked pretty well. Let me know about the shaving, guys! Thanks!
Brooks - 12/11/99 23:21:25
My Email:cheeriogirl@hotmail.com
Age: 18 years old
Gender: Female
Country: Ontario, Canada

Comments:
***OFF ACCUTANE*** Hello All! I've been taking accutane for ****4 WEEKS****for mild acne. I had a blood test last monday and found out that I will have us enough and I'll be laughed out of the consulting room. I know my acne can't be considered as severe ut after 20 years I long for non-oily skin. I have some scars and the red marks won't start to fade until I stop getting spots. Maybe the dermatologist will prescribe Roaccutane for me. The comments from another Sarah about it clearing mild persistant acne make me think that I will take it, if offered. On the other hand I may not have the option and I could have acne for another 20 years. On different topics: I tried MSM a few months ago (it is available in Holland and Barrett in tr someone who wanted to know.

Sean - 12/11/99 23:03:39
My Email:Sean0974@aol.comaccutane has left me with permanent dry irritated skin and eyes . I have only just figured out now by myself that my whole body has been left allergic due to taking that crap . I am alw ys very warm and get hives at times . Accutane has totally wrecked my life and i believe it should be and one day will be banned . even the dermo who gave it to me trys to cover up the side effects saying that accutane did not cause it . Fuck all doctors is what i say , i will never ever trust any of them again . I think is it while bloody sad that so many young people now adays are taking that shit and u have no idea of what u are taking and risking . The effects can be life long and there is no turning back . Do u know that accutane never ever fully leaves the talk about t king the odd recreational drug as being bad , believe me taking accutane is far far worse and far more dangerous . Personally i think Roche should burn in hell . Anyways cya all

crapshoot - 12/11/99 17:15:44
Age: 21
Gender: male
Country: singapore

Comments:
just started on my first course of accutane....so far so good......almost 2 weeks into the damn thing and not too many side effects...just chapped lips....just wondering...how long did it take for most of you here to get results..?....and to wallace, woul like to talk to you, wats your email address?

Lisa - 12/11/99 17:03:36
My Email:Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
Elle-You had mentioned on 12/9 about starting on Tuesday. So did I! 20 mg for first ten days then up to 40 mg. I am nervous and excited. I noticed you had comented on being alcohol free for the holidays. It is an issue for me as well, especially for ew Year's Eve. I will miss it and maybe even feel a little out of place. But I don't want to risk any serious side affects. My skin is already dry and itchy and the way alcohol dehydrates me is asking for disaster! So I wanted to let you know that som one relates. But think of the overall benefits! Keep me updated on your progress and best wishes for happy (alcohol-free) holidays!

RL - 12/11/99 14:49:04
Age: 23

Comments:

SPUNKY - 12/11/99 12:30:15

Comments:
ya! me!!!!! WALLACE!!!! U are so cool!!!!!!!!

SPUNKY - 12/11/99 12:29:58

Comments:
ya! me!!!!! WALLACE!!!! U are so cool!!!!!!!!

wallace - 12/11/99 12:28:37
Age: 18
Country: SINGAPORE

Comments:
Why ROA costs $300Those who had acne are so pitiful!!!!!!! 1) cure the acne 2)after acne,still had to cure scar 3)after scar,still had to go for laser treatment for holes on the face HELP!!!!!!!!!!! Why God Create BACTERIAL?????

wallace - 12/11/99 12:28:11
Age: 18
Country: SINGAPORE

Comments:
Why ROACCUTANE IS SO EXpensive in some countries????? In singapore ,30 tablets(20mg) costs $300 US Dollar!!!!!!! Those who had acne are so pitiful!!!!!!! 1) cure the acne 2)after acne,still had to cure scar 3)after scar,still had to go for laser treatment for holes on the face HELP!!!!!!!!!!! Why God Create BACTERIAL?????

wallace - 12/11/99 12:22:09
Age: 18
Country: singapore

CommenHi everybody. I am feeling a little better, I emailed some people from the archives and asked them about the red marks and 5 people said "it just takes time" so that really lifted my spirits. SPUNKY**you are sweet. I am glad there are people out there that care. WELL, week 12, 100lbs..60 mgs a day.

Ricky - 12/11/99 07:37:08
Age: 17
Gender: male

Comments:
ive been on accutane for a bout 13 weeks and i want to know when does the red spots from past breakouts go away because i dont have no more zits just the red marks and does anybody know when it goes away thanx.

sheridan - 12/11/99 07:16:14
Age: 27
Gender: female
Country: australia

Bob Topps - 12/11/99 07:06:38
My URL:http://www.pizzaface.com
My Email:btt@aol.com
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Country: USA

Comments:
Greetings and salutations! I am thinking of starting up another dose of Accutane myself. All the myths about th eside effects of Accutane really had me scared, even though my first treatment went very well. I wa son 40mg a day for a year and can only really complain about really dr lips. I also had to large cysts, which eventually subsided. That was about it for the bad effects (that I know of)...GUMP: 'Cargo' is good ' ove Cetaphil lotion only casue my derm said it was the best.DENNY: from what I hear the skin is more sensitive wh le on retin-a. I have no idea why though. GOOD LUCK!
anespark@hotmail.com
Age: 26
Gender: female
Country: usa

Comments:
hi! I looked up your all story about pomple and I realized I am the only one suffering from red bombs. I didn't have any idea about accutane until I opened this site and read all stories about it...I got a big hope now. My face has been getting worse and worse and it is the worst ever had before!!! So, i decided to find hospital and made appointment to consult about the hopeful pill. I will let you konw it's process....but do I have to take it for exact six months? MARRY CRISTMAS to all you guys!!!!
Amae - 12/11/99 04:51:04
My Email:amae7@hotmail.com
Age: 21
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
**** GW **** omments. Besides, I think INXS is alright. Chill out, mate. And why don't we do this over e-mail rather than on the forum. Truce...~Amae

James - 12/11/99 04:45:51
Age: 32
Gender: male
Country: U.S.A.

Comments:
Hello all. I'm very pleased to find out that I'm not the only one and no longer have to suffer in silence. I had acne reallackheads, whiteheads etc. Hate it. I have been taking Erythromycin for one month but am ready to try Accutane (as it is called over ere) I should be starting in one week if my Dr. cooperates and I will let you guys know how it goes with regular updates. Take care all.

Gump - 12/11/99 02:22:29

Comments:
I meant down here, not "fown" here. Sctually attended the same high school as I did. The careers teacher told me once that he suggested to him not to get involved in music, you'll never get anywhere. 20 mg/day, about 75kg - 165 lbs in the red corner, lips are dry, starting to crack (the lips that is), eyes are getting dry too, always feel like I need to shut them, Neurogena Extra Gentle Cleanser on the face. Had a painful (I dunno cyst, pimple, zit, f ngus, SLI - social life inhibitor - more like SLY) one
Denny - 12/10/99 23:13:39
Age: 25
Gender: male
Country: US of A

Comments:
HI!, You know, I dont want to be a cynic here, especially sinc eit is 'thaT time of the year' and everyone is supposed to be happy and compassionate. But youknow, all this talk of how people 'shine from within' and true friends 'see how beutiful you are insid ' makes me shake my head. I MEAN sure, my friends, all two of them, hang out with me casue of my sense of humour or eing honest here, and not to say everyone is superficial but you know a clear face is a really good reference point to start out with.. UPDate: I have now used a great suncreen "Umbrella" daily as well as 200mg of minocycline.ALSO using redin-A.
Shawn - 12/10/99 22:26:08
My Email:googaboo@uswest.net
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Country: Colorado, USA

Comments:
HI KAD -- I'm so sorry I didn't get back to you right away but I had to work! I started seeing results immediately -- I had a pretty good breakout though at around WEEK 3. I am now very pleased though at WEEK 6. Very smooth and very soft. BUT I do get the oddball one every now and then, but they go away pretty quickly as I have described in my last few posts. I would say that you should see a difference in a few more daveryone responds differenly so it is hard for me to say that this is a definate ans er, but it's a good assessment from someone in your weight class, prescribed dosage and (from the sounds of it) the same skin type and condition. So I think you shou some improvement very soon -- just be on alert for the breakout -- mine I think came and went, but to tell you the truth it wasn't that terrible.......my makeup I use is Maybelline Cover Stick (the "stick" stick) and Maybelline Great Wear Concealer. Tha 's it. After washing and moisturizing in the morning (I use Neutrogena Acne Oil Free Face Wash and Neutrogene Moisture for sensitive skin) I dot all over and the red marks with the cover stick, then I dot the areas again with the concealer. Then I blend it in QUICKLY as the concealer starts to set as soon as it is applied, so to avoid a "splotchy" look, blend quick! Then I use the Maybelline Loose Powder and I'm done. Maybe a little blush on the cheeks and I am good to go! Looks real smoooooth! The r ason I
RoXy - 12/10/99 21:38:31

Comments:
Hi, I wonder if the accutane is going to work. I still am getting little ones and it is already week 12. The red marks are all over my cheeks. I look like I am broken out but my skin is smooth. Anyway, I cant help but to wonder if i am going to be one of those where the acne comes back even worse. If so, I dont think I will be able to live with myself. i can only hope for recovery, please heal us all.

Gina - 12/10/99 20:25:31My Email:<Gender: female

Comments:
anyone on accutane with mild acne? i was totally turned off to roaccutane after reading the archives here, because of what some people posted a couple of months ago about having mild acne and roaccutane gave them cysts and stuff that wouldnt go away, hai falling out. scary stuff.

KAD - 12/10/99 20:03:55
Age: 27
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
yeah, i know what you all are saying about dermatologists. i had so may sucky ones, but i have finally found one i really like. she was on accutane herself, which i thought was great since she can give me a first hand account of what has happened to her she said she had supermodel skin after, which is still wonderful. the only side effect that she said she had was a little dizziness. does anyone have anot before. i usually get cysts. is that normal? my eyes were a little dry too, but so far nothin is different...what's up? kad

KAD - 12/10/99 19:59:13
Age: 27
Gender: female
Country: USD

Comments:

Gina - 12/10/99 19:39:51

Comments:
paul- yeah whats up with derms not being available or not caring? thats crap. i dont get it.

paul again again again ... - 12/10/99 18:58:48
My Email:paul@Gender: male
Country: UK

Comments:
THATS IT, i after a couple of months of it being clear ! ! why ?!?!? and I have just got a gf, sure one big kick in the face, getting it back, it really is.... I just can't seem to think postivly about it ... and my derm won't see me till FEB ! by then its going to be out of control.... so am thinking about going to see a herbalist (this is how far am going, am desperate) on Monday . Does anyone know if that stuff works ?!?!? if you do please write tooo me, thanks ! paul

KAD - 12/10/99 17:18:38
Age: 27
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
SHAWN, thank you for responding. i didn't think anyone would. have you been on 4
Steve - 12/10/99 15:52:43
My Email:sackerma@erols.com
Age: 26
Country: US

Comments:My Email:Marie@PLindustries.com

Comments:
Gina, e-mail me. I am frantic as you! send me your # and we can talk, or e-mail me and I will e-mail you mine if you want.

Gina - 12/10/99 14:47:11

Comments:
fish, to answer your question i definately do not want to go on roaccutane, i have taken too many things already where i get the worst of the side effects, for other things not acne. and i dont want to be on such a major drug. i just am sick of this. t e retin a and azelex and minocycline are helping but i have no patience when !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fish - 12/10/99 14:42:35
Age: 28
Gender: Female

Comments:
AARON & had a 'break-out' but it clears. I'm almost certain (from my experience) that it makes it worse when you worry! GINA - is Roaccutane something you would like to be on but can't go on because your doctor would rather you try this current medicatio first What do YOU want? In the meantime, persevere and try to keep smiling and know that all of us are thinking of you:). MICHELLE - I haven't suffered from them, but there are a lot of posts (have a look in the archives) about nose-bleeds and they are a ver
Gina - 12/10/99 14:39:41

Comments:
is anyone there, help!!!!!!!!

Michele - 12/10/99 14:07:09
My Email:M.M.Young@lmu.ac.uk
Age: 23
Gender: Female<Country: England

Comments:
Is it normal to suffer from lots of nose bleeds when on "R". No-one seems to have mentioned it so I am a bit concerned. PLease some-one tell me. Thanks a lot.

Peggy - 12/10/99 13:46:11
My Email:pzachritz@aol.com
Age: 43
Gender: Female

Comments:
It troubles me greatly to see that young growing teenagers are being given this drug. i have two boys that had their growth plates rapidly closed by this drug. Roche lists as its first side effect in their S. African package insert: premature epiphyseal p ate closure. Medline has a pediatric precaution stating that accutane is absolutely contraindicated in ages 0-16 due to premature epiphyseal plate closure.The side effects are much more powerful in a growing body. My boys bones never gcluding spreading an maturing. they also have premature arthritis. This drug robbed them of all their dreams as we are a very tall family and they were never told it would stop their growth. We finally got the charts from the doctor and he wrote that he old us of growth retardation. My boys would have never taken this drug if they had been told the truth. They did not have anything but pimples.Unfortunately for us, we believed the doctor. We never saw the package insert that you ha for. Even in the US pa kage insert it only says that premature epiphyseal closure is suggestive. How can it be known in one country and suggestive in another. Someone is not telling the truth. Most kids don't even realize that this drug stopped them from growing. We had been tracking our sons height and have x-rays before, during and after on our 14 year old. his bones were completely sealed shut.My boys are now 17 & 19 and they are still the same size as they were at 14 & 15. Why aren't the doctors telli g the truth$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Gina - 12/10/99 13:34:29
Age: 21
Gender: female

Comments:
god i hate this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! make it go away!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Natalie - 12/10/99 13:00:34
Age: KM - 12/10/99 12:49:55
Age: 22
Country: UK

Comments:
hi everyone.. long time reader, first time poster. first of all i want to thank everyone who has contributed to this board, it's great that it exists and that we can use it to support each other. i just have a question about MSM. has anyone heard of it? i believe it is a sulphur based food supplement that can, when used in conjunction with vitamin C, help with acne problems. i have heard that it can reduce the amount of sebum produced, which is really what i'm after. aren't we all?! anyway, any comments or replies from anyone who has heard of or tried it would be appreciated. post to the board so that others can see too
Aaron - 12/10/99 12:19:36
Age:Gender: Male
Country: England

Comments:
Day 16... My face is gotten really bad, although mainly my chin area. I have a large lump (Cyst I pressume) on the corner of my mouth, it hurts so bad:( I also have a large spot there as well, and a few around it. The others are on the other side of the c in....I really hope taking Rooaccutane will be worth it, but im realy dissapointed at the moment with what its doing to me:(

Aaron - 12/10/99 12:16:49
Age: 19

Comments:

Clare - 12/10/99 11:05:55
Age: 19

Comments:
There are a lot of negativities about Roaccutane and my exing to remember is that it's an illness: I tended to see it as a part of myself and using this site had lessened that feeling to a huge exten - there is nothing better than being able to identify with others. My dermatologist recommended Neutrogena Clear Pore facial wash which I have found useful; I am now using isotrex, the gel form, and would recommend that: no side-effects in my case. I a extremely glad that this site was here to help me through my time on the treatment.

Fish - 12/10/99 10:47:47
Age: 28
Gender: Female

Comments:
PS: BOB TOPPS - I missed you too!!!

Fish - 12/10/99My Email:CONTINUED
Age: FROM
Gender: BELOW

Co...Many other former users of 'R' have documented similar physical neurological and psychiatric disorders after taking the treatment. Some, like 18 year old college student David Tebby have even been driven to suicide. The actor Richard Todd (who ) also elieves the drug may have played a role in the death of his 20 year old son who shot himself just over a year ago. Figures provided by Roche acknowledge that depressive disorder has been reported in up to 13 in every 100,000 patients (Fish thinks "pretty good odds!!") who have been treated with Roaccutane. A spokesman for Roche said the company was sympathetic to individual cases and took safety issues seriously. "We are monitoring the use of Roaccutane in a number of countries in order to collect infor ation that we hope will reassure patients and physicians." THAT'S IT!! I hope you found this as interesting as Karen and I d
Age: 28
Gender: Female
Country: UK

Comments:
This was a report in the Health section of a UK National Newspaper. DAILY MAIL 7 DECEMBER 1999. I will try and edit this as much as possible. This is not meant to scare, it's meant to be informative and I think that as most of us are either on this drug r thinking about taking it, we should be aware. Here goes... "SHOULD THIS DRUG BE BANNED?" When Greg Charlton was prescribed Roaccutane, the most powerful product available for treating acne, he thought his days of having problem skin would soon be over Instead, he claims, the drug unleashed a harrowing series of physical and mental side-effects which almost cost him his life. Even today, 13 years later, Greg 28, continues to battle with its legacy. "It's a destructive drug" he says "Until the age of s him mental state became unhinged. He talked incessantly, became unco-operative, was fearful of going to sleep and would feel "magnetic as if glued to the floor."
Karen - 12/10/99 09:51:35
My Email:klo66@yahoo.com

Comments:
Hey, Fish! Great idea - if you have time. I was really shocked when I read it. We were never told that depression could be a side effect.

Karen (FISH) - 12/10/99 09:30:07
Age: 28
Gender: Female

Comments:
As there is another Karen, I'm going to call myself FISH (it's what my friends call me - (abreiviation of surname before you start thinking nasty things!!)) Right. To the Karen below, I alsoong article and I was going to type it in and post it on this si e because I think it's incredibly interesting for all of us to read - do you think I should? I suppose if people don't want >
Karen - 12/10/99 09:03:35
My Email:klo66@yahoo.com
Age: 33
Gender: female
Country: England

Comments:
About 9 years ago a friend of mine (who had suffered with severe acne for 15 years) was finally prescribed Roaccutane. It did an amazing job on his skin. He got the usual dry skin but that was treated with moisturisers and is now under control. His acne h s cleared up completely. However, shortly after he started to have emotional problems which worsened until he was diagnosed as being clinically depressed three years ago. A coupld saw an article which links Roaccutane to depression in a number of cases. I m trying to find out more information about this - can anyone help?

GW - 12/10/99 07:06:31
Age: 17
Gender: mCountry: Davis Cup Champs (USA wishes it was)

Comments:
Hey AMAE- I take offence at any comment deisgned to degrade Hutch or INXS. Like I said it wasn't true anyway, and I think if you read over your post again you'll find just how nasty it was. A great talent, a great shame. DMB on the other hand, well rea my post again I don't think you got the joke. BARENAKED LADIES are you KIDDING??? What a bunch of freaks and how annoying with that "One week" or whatever and Its all been done what a fucking joke. Get some real bands on your CD rack I reccomend INXS, U2, Powderfinger, Crowded House, ScrPLEASE EXPLAIN................good luck to everyone guy and girlie. See ya.

Rob - 12/10/99 06:56:44
My Email:rmanitta@hotmail.com.au
Age: 24
Gender: male
Country: Queensl

Comments:
Good to see that this site is back to the real issues we all face. To: ROXY keep your chin up! like you said you WILL get over it, try not to let it get you down too much. It is funny you know, you always think you look terrible, but when someone complain about their acne , it does not look that bad, but to them it is bad.YOU may not even notice it. The point is it always looks worse to ourselves than others. GINA: I have some friends that are the most beautiful people in the world, and it is not because f their looks. I am sure your friends don't judge you. Go and have a grea
RoXy - 12/10/99 06:07:13

Comments:
Thanks GW, I know I will get over it. I just feel like either the pimples will return before the redness fades or its going to get worse and I have no choice but to live with it. I heard some people clear up after they quit tnt go away completely until reatment is over......WeAk 12: red marks all over cheeks, no significant peeling, dry lips, depression is setting in.

Amae - 12/10/99 05:57:44
My Email:amae7@hotmail.com
Age: 21
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:
Okay sorry about the digression, here's some acne-related stuff: I have noticed chest pains aeem like they are going to flare up again, but they don't really seem like they're going away either. Anyone...anyone? Thanks ~Amae

Amae - 12/10/99 05:56:46
My Email:amae7@hotmail.com
Age: 21
Gender: female
Country: U

Comments:
Awwwwwww...did you miss us BOB? Anyone else think it's funny we're all addicted to a web page? Oh, and Tom Cruise IS hot. Not necessarily because of his skin (if I had millions of flattering lights and tons of makeup on I could have great skin too), bu because of his KILLER smile :) ***GW*** Don't get all depressed NOW- it's only uphill from here. You'll be fine. I thought you would like my Dave. What exactly did you listen to? Now you should try bands like Toad the Wet Sprocket, Counting Crows, Sister Hazel, and Barenaked Ladie .
lizzie - 12/10/99 05:26:14
Age: 26
Gender: female
Country: Australia

Comments:
Gina - I know what you mean with the "friends with perfect skin". Mine pretty much all have good skin and can't understand why I have such a complex about mine when it's not all over myin fear of 1) not taking my makeup off and cleansing etc and the conse uences of this and 2) waking up and looking in the mirror in the morning without anything to cover my zits. Have you been advise NEVER to go on roaccutane or is it just advisable due t health probs to try other things first.? I'm sorry, I may have missed your history in earlier messages. In my experience, ABs worked when i first went on them (minomycin) in year 12 and then didn't have much effect in the next 8 years except for double d sage (not recommended to do for long so not much help) Diane 35 didn't work for my cysts but my cheeks cleared of zits (I don't want to be on the pill for several reasons). I also used differin and I would recommend using it on areas that are pr ne to zits. It clears zits but didn't change my cysts. So roaccutane seems to be the only answer for my big cysts, I hope it works! but I hope the ABs work for you. It's great to be able to write to people who actually "UNDERSTAND".

concerned mom - 12/10/99 04:40:21
Age: 47
Gender: female
Country: USA

Comments:

Yangas - 12/10/99 03:06:12
My Email:bulls_43@hotmail.com
Age: 17
Country: Australthe usual smallish cysts, I found myself with a face full of little whiteheads, especially around my nose and on my upper lip. It was no fun, let me tell you, as it hurt to talk and to smile. And the itching was terrible! Now, a eek later, all of thes have disappeared, leaving behind little red spots of course. Now I would say that I have a few less pimples than before the Accutane. If that breakout was th
Rick - 12/10/99 02:03:31
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Country: USA

Comments:
Anyone know anthing about getting accutane without a doctor's script. I've heard something about "pharmagroup.com" being a place you could get it without a script. Anyone have any experiences with this???

ja_memphiAge: 33
Gender: Male
Country: USA-Memphis

Comments:
Does anyone know if taking 80mg at one time per day has better results than taking 2-40's at morning and night. Also, I've found it seems that taking it with milk works better than food, anyone else noticed this??

Denny - 12/10/99 01:37:27
Age: 25
Gender: male
Country: USA

Comments:
Hi!, Update: I am still limiting the amount of sun exposure I get. I've read that ANY sun exposure decreases the effect of Retin -a. The one zit on my nose has receded, htough it left a significant red mark that in my opinion is just as bad. Those things really do take a while to heal. well best wishes to all, Im going to eat some ice cream.

GW - 12/10/99 00:32:13

Comments:
Hey Toppsy, it took you long enough to figure out, they were formed in 1977. Have you heard "The Stairs." Anyway, to STEVE, yes, I h his dad has come out and said he can categorically say it was suicide, these rumours were made up by Paula Yates because she apparentew days, like "who am I kidding, just look at me" yeah it sucks but hang in there don't give up it'll get better.......I' e got four days left of treatment but I still have red marks, these take a few months, right, but they fade quicker after roaccutane s finished ( and they appear redder while on roaccutane....IS THIS RIGHT?????? See ya dudes and don't give up you got a reason to live (as the New Radicals would say)

Aaron - 12/10/99 00:05:13
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Country: England

Comments:
CHRIS: No that you mention it, I may have had the same things as well. Im not 100% sure on this, but sometimes I have a pain on the side of my chest every now and again - I have only been on roactuntan
RoXy - 12/09/99 23:50:23
My Email:roxyroo@prodigy.net
Age: 21
Gender: GRRRL
Country: SouthPadreIsland

Comments:
Hi guys! Week 13 and depressed...its the medicine. I have no new pimples but still have red marks all over my lower cheeks and jawline...I went shopping today and as I was trying on clothes I realized that no matter how nice I looked in anything I would ever look pretty, I used to take all this for granted. I left all the clothes in the dressing room and went striaght home thinking, " who am i kidding. " Those dressing room mirrors and flourescent lights are murder. Anybody feel the same? I am so sad all the time when I used to be the one posting positivity....e_thin_line_2.gif" GBICON=1>
Adam Murrell - 12/09/99 23:38:20
My Email:gohan14356@cs.com
Age: 16
Gender: Male
Country: N. America

Comments:
Can you get dandruff from accutane? I have been on accutane for 2 months now and noticed really bad dandruff. could this be from the accutane or have I now just noticed it. PLEASE someone help. I am currently using Neutregena T-Gel with Tar but have h d no luck=hasn't gone down any.

Shawn - 12/09/99 23:06:17
My Email:googaboo@uswest.net
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Country: Colorado, USA

Comments:
OH BROOKS! I'm so sorry! I thinkou just have high cholesterol levels naturally? Neverthele
Shawn - 12/09/99 22:57:04
My Email:googaboo@uswest.net
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Country: Colorado, USA

Comments:
HEY KAD: I am (sort of) your age, and have mild to moderate acne with the cysts etc., and I wanted to respond to you because I too had the dry eyes the first two weeks of taking Accutane, but now (I'm into WEEK 6) the dryness is gone for me. Since I hav started it though, I have noticed my blemishes are less and less and they develop and then go away after a few days. The red marks also fade pretty quickly too. My experience with the eyes though is the (fluctuating) and am on 40 mg. a day. So I thoug I would respond to you as we are similar. I have olive skin, had mild to moderate cystic acne and used to have rather oily skin, but now my skin is completely d. My makeup looks so nice now and not one blemish! Just the crappy red marks. Good Luck!

Brooks - 12/09/99 22:29:58
My Email:cheeriogirl@hotmail.com
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Country: Canada

Comments:
OFF ACCUTANE- Well I had to get off accutane! My cholesterol was 7.1! I can take it for another week until next Friday which is my next blood test and then we will try stage two which is after the accutane tretement. The face cream...we will go on that fo a month or until my cholesterol comes back down and then we will goe lenght of time it's the ammount in all. So if you only take it for a month that's one month and you can stop for a month and go back on it and it will all accumulate! Oh well the battle continues...for you all that can stay on Accutane you are all lucky
Chris - 12/09/99 22:26:52
My Email:matanis@erols.com
Age: 22
Gender: male
Country: Australia

Comments:
I went on Roaccutane 6 years ago and although it cleared my acne I have been left with excruciating chest pains. I had them first after being on the medication for a week and my doctor said to go off if for a while and see if it settled down. It did and went back on. Over the years the pains have increased - they are like a knife slicing through my chest. I recently met someone else who was on it when younger and to know the possible cause. Thanks

Chris - 12/09/99 22:21:54
My Email:mataGender: ma;

Comments:

Gina - 12/09/99 22:11:25
Age: 21
Gender: female

Comments:
to concerned mom, thanks again, i know i need to stick with it, but its just hard and frustrating sometimes. the worse does seem behind me though, the first few weeks i used the retin a and antibiotics i broke out bad, but then it got better. did that h ppen for your son? is it purging the impurities from the system kind of thing? my skin breaks out so much less now, but whats there is still not great, i dont understand how some rything. and what should i use to wash my face? what about cetpahil? i he rd that was good. what about moistruizer. should it be oil free? anyone knowing any of these questions, please respond. ESP, WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS?? kad

Gina - 12/09/99 20:07:36
Age: 21
Gender: female
Coun

Comments:
to cip and bob topps- i understand being aware of other peoples acne, but thinking man they need roaccutane, i mean, now im going to be paranoid that that is what people are thinking of me. how bad is the acne of the people you think that about? and to the person who asked about azelex, i use it once a day and i think it helps make things go away faster than before, and it reduces the redness and swelling. but i also use retin a at night. azelex in the morning. 150 mg of minocycline twice a day. fun un.

Marie - 12/09/99 19:40:44

Comments:
Cip, Did you have any of those white bumps I mentioned? Like blackheads be seeing big improvements by now?What about people out there who've finished accutane and had no new pimples for 6 months. Are the red marks really gone?

nicola arandle - 12/09/99 19:17:59
My Email:arandle@vossnet.co.uk
Age: 18
Gender: female
Country: england

Comments:
Does anyone have experience of using Differin gel or azelex cream. Are these available in the UK ? Has anybody used contraceptive pills Demulen or Desogen. Do they help and can they be obtained in UK also

Elle - 12/09/99 18:21:52
Age: 24
Country: uk

Comments:
Hi everyone -- glad to see the site's up and running again, I've misseAnway looking forward to being beautiful and zit-free some time in the new millennium. --------------- ----------- Good luck to everyone and will post again soon. ---------- Elle xx

Bob Topps - 12/09/99 18:12:12
My URL:http://www.pizzaface.com
My Email:btt@aol.com
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Country: USA

Comments:
Greetings and Salutations! Glad to be back on this great board! I missed ya all!Amae, Karen, Kristin, Denny, GW, Mort, what up? BTW: I have personally found Aquaphor the best on my lips, also Blistex DCT (it has cocoa butter and other good stuff)..in the later stags of my Accd around looking like a nerd for a couple months, big deal.. Ever since I have accepted the fact I was bornb with bad skin (Acne prone, takes forever toics I guess. Here I was watching the MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2 trailer the other day. Theres a close up of Tom Cruise, and I hear some girl sitting behind me say 'he's h t'. and im thinkning is it becasue he has good skin? on INXS: I never realized just how talented that band was. 'Suicide Blonde' is a great tune. I love the part where that chick laughs I can just imagine some hot blnde girl giggling..my fav is still New Sensation. On AUSSIE bands: Men At Work is a recent d scovery of mine (I know their like twelve years old)..Business As usual is a masterpiece..Who can it be now, I CAN SEE IT IN YOUR EYES is my fav..thats all for now..its good to be back... also :Thanks GILL. GOOD LUCK!
googaboo@uswest.net
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Country: Colorado, USA

Comments:
OK -- I meant purple "marks" not "barks". Just some clet a tiny, tiny pin and prick it VERY FAST, just to create an opening (in almost all instances I do this in the evening before bed when washing my face -- I am constantly examing my face throughout th day to make sure that when it is time for bed I perfo m the "extraction" so to speak -- if it calls for me to prick it in the morning, it needs to be right at the top just waiting to explode otherwise I don't touch it!) -- I then expel the sebum by GENTLY pressing the sides and use a tissue to blot the clear -- are your's that dark?) but it is TOTALLY FLAT. I then just cover it with my makeup, etc., etc., etc. It does start to dry out and forms a little dry skin cover and then goes away within 3-4 days. But after it's comepetely healed, it starts to fade AST -- and then it looks as it it's never been there. I can attest to this on my forehead and chin -- the sides of my cheeks take twice as long but go through the same process. I really hope this helps you! I'll be checking the board throughout the day lear at the moment except for the marks, but those are fading! Nosebleeds seem more frequent. Hair seems REAL dry -- feels thinner too, but I'm hoping that is just my imagination. I get itchy too sometimes, but not real bad. Other than that I am extre w York City and I too stare at people looking for acne and think "They should go on accutane." I wasn't like this before. I guess I'm so conscious of my own skin, it makes me so much more ware of others. Someone was also asking for dry lip therapy. Use AQ APHOR on your lips. It's a skin lotion sold over the counter.

- 12/09/99 16:22:17

Comments:
Is anyone out there?

Marie - 12/09/99 15:32:10
Age: 25

Comments:
Hi. As some of you may havike white bumps similar to out more. My skin is dry in spots and my derm says I can moisterize. does this help with red spots. Will it make me break out moe cause I thought peeling was good. By week 14, whould I be better? am getting married. Anyo e who could help it would e very much appreciated. Thanks

Gina - 12/09/99 15:23:50
Age: 21
Gender: female

Comments:
to concerned mom- thanks for the advice. im on my 6th week of antibiotics and retin a so i think i am going to stick with it a little while longer, because i am noticing results. i still get zits though, is that normal? they go away but i just want th m to stop already!!!!

Steve - 12/09/99 15:15:25
My Email:Country: US

Comments:
TO PAUL - The exploding whale is intense. I too have become "annoyed" before and I have found that my best course of action is to not screw with the wound at all. I will use a drying agent locally on the wound for a couple of days to promote exfoliation o the damaged skin and then right before I have to do something where my appearance matters I will be able to peel off the outermost layer of skin revealing the less damaged layer underneath. Hope that helps. The one thing you have to remember though is th t it needs a certain amount of time to heal without being messed with.

Steve - 12/09/99 14:58:10
My Email:sackerma@erols.com
Age: 26
Gender: male
Country: US - VT, Hokies

Comments:
Hello all, I am glr that I have now is froe(just my thought ). FYI to everyone - I have found that along with using cetaphil, which is the shit, I put a little bit of Australian Gold Accelerator on my face before I go out. It has no sunscreen but it also has no chemicals in it. It contains vitamin E and aloe and s ells like oranges(a chick once told me that she loved the way it smelled on guys). It seems to prepare your skin for the abuse it takes with accutane without making it oily at all. The flaking totally disappeared in my case and it leaves my skin really he lthy feeling. OH YEAH I heard that Hutchins died from a botched sexual act, and I am not even going to try to spell the name of it but all of you know what I am talking about. Is this rumor true?
http://www.oocities.org/roaccutane999/
My Email:
concerned mom - 12/09/99 14:38:34
Age: 47
Gender: female
Country: usa
GINA: I hope that I can answer your questions. I have a 17 yr. old son who has been dealing with moderate acne for 2 yrs. He had tried different antibiotics, benzamycin, sulfoxyl, etc. with little results. He was then prescribed accutane. Before he t ok his first pill, he researched the medication and deciorever? and is accutane really realy bad for mild acne? thanks guys.

Leesa - 12/09/99 12:00:05
Age: 18
Gender: female
Country: UK

Comments:
I started taking roaccutane around a month ago, and expected an out-break after a couple of weeks, but eaks - do they seem to last forever?? Also, my side affects aren't too bad so far, except that my lips are unbelievably dry. I use vaseline before bed a d throughout the day, which does soothe them abit, but wondered if anyone can suggest a better relief? Thanx!! Great site and info - given me lots of support and reassurance before and during my treatment!

Karen - 12/09/99 10:31:12
Age: 28
Gender: Female

Comments:
Karen - 12/09/99 10:26:57
Age: 28
Gender: Female
Country: England

Comments:
Firstly, I'm thrilled that this site it up and running - (I'm clearlnd skin is looking pretty good. The first 2/3 weeks was great - skin was really clear and better than ever. BUT LET ME TELL YOU - last week was horrendous!! Does anyone remember Freddy ruger??? These bumps came from nowhere - WHY OH WHY?!! (OK, there w re only 3 and they weren't that big, but to me they looked like extra heads!) And of course I couldn't just leave them alone - Oh no, I had to make them worse - I'm sorry, but they were asking for it - I sat myself in front of the mirror and picked and sq eezed and dug and pushed. I looked stunning!! (Ally T you know the score!) I looked la drug that's meant to stop them. ANYWAY, I now realise that I was experiencing a 'break-out'. Great! How many more of these am I likely to encounter - I don't know if my boyfriend could cope with the hysteria again:)! Just out of interest - do you thihat they're wearing or what they do for a living or whether they're sleeping with their boss, I'm just thinking about their skin and looking for zits!! That's nuts! Anyway, in all seriousness, I'm glad I'm on this drug - it is working and I will continue to laugh at the odd zit that pops up because I know eventually they will be no more!! Will post again soon and bore you again! Love Karenxx

jade - 12/09/99 06:03:51
Age: 20
Country: USA

Comments:
Hi everyone-has anyone ever tried/had success with any kind of cosmetic surgery to get rid of acne scarring? I'm going to be going oments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Greg Stinson - 12/09/99 05:38:24
My Email:4stinsons@primary.net
Age: 18
Gender: male
Country: U.S.

Comments:
Well, today..december 8th was my b-day and it was also the end of my 12th week on Roacc. I had mild/moderate acne on facial features and some cystic on neck/chin area.. that is all completely gone except for one small red spot from the last zit and its go ng away fast. only thing left is a few swollen hair follicles on my neck area..but they are decreasing quickly also. NO APPARENT SCARRING ....what a perfect time for my b-day, and the holidays.. and i have a beautiful girlfriend to be close with and not e er worrying about breakouts.. i didnt wash my face for three days this week and NOT ONE new zit..thats good stuff..anywn 60/mg a day

GW to Amae - 12/09/99 05:23:56
Country: Davis Cup Champs (beat that USA)

Comments:
Why don't we just settle on "pissed." (loopy, are you crazy.....my friends would laugh at me......others could include smashed, sloshed, off face, fucked, gone....you get the picture............ANYWAY I wasn't teasin' ya just saying that the other night I got my friend to drain out all the moisture from my ear and then I listened to DMB and it sounded good. Then I listened to him screech his fingers up & down a blackboard and that sounded pretty groovy as well.......................

Lisa - 12/09/99 05:12:02
My Email:lisamariebaker@yahoo.com
Age:
Idy - 12/09/99 04:41:07
My Email:finland_75@hotmail.com
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Country: Singapore

Comments:
Hi Gill, I have just one small query. I am taking Nimegen now. My doctor told me that Nimegen's ingredient is Isotretinoin. Is accutane and Isotretinoin the same? I totally agree with the points mentioned in 'Dealing with acne'. Ever since I had the outbreak of pimples, I began to feel demoralise. Been trying to avoid meeting friends, if I can. At least I feel better now after going through the list... Thanks. Regards, Idy

My Email:Dhart63990
Gender: Mom

Comments:
My son started acutane oWow-- funny how you can become addicted to a website. Thank goodness it's working again. I'm in the middle of my third week now (20mg in the AM and 40mg in the PM) and I have very dry skin and lips. My ears have stopped the madn ss- no thanks to GW tea ing me! Hopefully I'll start to see some sort of POSITIVE effect by my birthday-Dec 31!! WOOO-HOOO!!!! I plan to get a little loopy (er-drunk for the Aussies) that night. Glad this thing is working again. Later ~Amae

GW on INXS - 12/09/99 02:33:04

GW - 12/09/99 02:22:02
Age: 17
Gender: male
Country: Australia - you should know by now.....

Comments:
Hey Dudese GW will continue to post after treatment to let everyone know about the red marks and how they go after treatment. (hopefully very quickly). Anyway, I had my end of school formal the other night......I had an alright time, actually...got dru k, fell ver, the usual stuff....I was pretty social......But its funny you know because the dt???) I didn't believe them and I thought for the whole night that everyone was looking at my acne (actually, now just red marks)....I don't know if they were or not..... ..I actually got a pretty good response from a cute chick in the limo on the way the e but I just didn't have the confidence to take it further, and you know what, one of my mates ended up getting her and I was just thinking once again another win for the clear-skinners and a loss for the non-clear skinners....you know what I mean?? Anyw y, dudes, hope everyone's feeling alright....I'll see ya around.

Brooks - 12/09/99 01:24:20
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Country: Canada

Comments:
Well I went for my blood test on Monday and the doc would like to see me...I wonder if I will have go get off accutane because of the last time when my cholesterol and my protien enzymes went down...I hope everything is okay and they can incerase my dose. .. I will let yo
Rob - 12/09/99 01:12:09
My Email:Male
Age:
Aaron - 12/09/99 00:27:12
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Country: England

Comments:
At last its working again!