Another question for the group:

I've read that Accutane gives a lot of people a flare up after the
first or second week (although I'm in the midst of one now after SIX
weeks which I pray is merely the Accutane purging my face).

Well, does the Accutane-induced flare up also cause CYSTS in addition
to standard pustules?

Because over the last 7 days I've had more cysts on my face (5) than
I've had in the last two MONTHS.

Random thought: The human body must have several hundred sqaure
inches of skin, at least. And out of ALL THAT SKIN, guess where acne
gives you pimples and cysts? Guess!!

On your FACE!!!

Yeah, that's right! In the WORST POSSIBLE PART of your skin! The
part that's hardest to conceal...the part that embarrasses you every
time you go out.

Wouldn't it be great if acne struck on your feet or your legs or even
your forearms?

But OH NO....we couldn't have that, that wouldn't be diabolical
enough.

(I'm feeling so frustrated)

On 4/6/04 11:18 AM, in article nrivb0hpslusaain05i2vbsvcvdc2d5okn@4ax.com,
"Ron Haskins" <ronhaskins@hotmail.com> wrote:

Lol - my acne is mainly on my chest, back, and upper arms. And it aint so
pretty. Yes, I can cover most of it, but you cant be clothed ALL the time
if you get my drift. Also, it restricts the clothes I wear (ie no V-necks
or low-cut tops, no sleeveless, no singlets, no bathers). And I've had 12
years of this (I'm 22 now). I've tried everything except Accutane, which
I'm not willing to try because I can cover it up, and it's not worth the
risks.
I'm hoping I grow out of it eventually... I figure 24, 25 maybe.. If not I
may just give accutane a go....
Good luck with your course.

On Fri, 04 Jun 2004 16:19:09 +1000, Anna Micallef
<anna_micallef@notmail.com> wrote:

In high school, my face wasn't a serious problem, but I got a lot of
cysts on my upper back and shoulders.

I've gotten several cysts on my back/upper shoulders since starting
Accutane over 6 weeks ago. Plus a few on the back of my neck.

Anyway, my upper back skin is basically smooth and healed, but it has
a lot of pink splotches from the scarring. Just fantastic. I'm sure
that'll do wonders for my confidence if I'm ever with a girl who wants
to go swimming or something.

I turn 22 at the end of the month. Apparently you're a girl, so I
completely understand why the back and upper arm acne is a ton more
annoying for you because of female clothing. But hey, if you're
covered (with the right blouse), you're covered, and NO ONE knows.

I have to put concealer on my face EVERY DAY and my break-outs are
still obvious. I can't exactly wear a ski mask. I'm a 22 yr old
*guy*....I should be the last person spending 30 minutes in front of
the bathroom mirror in the morning with make-up.

Thanks for wishing me luck....I'm really trying to keep the faith and
hope that this flare-up is a result of Accutane waiting extra long to
'purge' my skin.

Ron Haskins <ronhaskins@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:nrivb0hpslusaain05i2vbsvcvdc2d5okn@4ax.com:

yep it sucks but its part of the process. Im just about to hit three
months on accutane and I didnt flare up until a few weeks ago. However all
of my blackheads came out at one time at around six weeks, very interesting
experience. Just keep battling through it man, its worth the chance that
you may have perfectly normal skin for the rest of your life.

Anna Micallef <anna_micallef@notmail.com> wrote in
news:BCE6517D.74FE%anna_micallef@notmail.com:

I was in exactly the same situation as you. Hadnt been to the beach for a
swim since I was 15. I kept waiting to grow out of it until I was 28
before I was so sick of the situation I decided to get on accutane. Been
on it for 11 weeks now and havent had any major side effects. I think its
worth any risks to have a chance at having a 'normal' acne free life.
Fingers crossed.

On 5 Jun 2004 18:44:18 +1200, samg <samg@inter.net> wrote:

Oh I agree, *if* this is what I have to go through for Accutane to
"fix" my skin permanently, I think I'll actually look back on it as a
small price to pay.

What gnaws at me is the people I've heard from in this group over the
last several months (like notarealname) that have been on Accutane
but STILL have problem skin. I mean, Accutane is the "when all else
fails" treatment. There's really no fallback after this. That's a
very sobering thought.

"Ron Haskins" <ronhaskins@hotmail.com> wrote in message
same thing. Because doctors aren't really interested in finding out what is
causing YOUR acne as opposed to MY acne, they just treat us all the same.
Accutane will work...if it addresses the cause of YOUR acne.

ar

Ron Haskins wrote:
haha..that's one of the reasons i don't go on it
i know EXACTLY how you feel.

Ron Haskins <ronhaskins@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:v5h4c05r3sao9lee4f04b7b5navjgrs7r6@4ax.com:

I know, I was quite shocked to read those as well. If it doesnt work I
think Ill go crazy.

On 7 Jun 2004 10:53:35 +1200, samg <samg@inter.net> wrote:

No kidding. You know, they warn that you may experience depression
while on Accutane....maybe I see why. Maybe the depressed people are
the people who made it to the final week of treatment and realized
their acne hadn't left.

After I pop my two pills tomorrow, that will mark the completion of 7
weeks on Accutane for me. My face still has a long ways to go...my
bad break-out from the last 10 days has mostly 'healed'.....but of
course the red marks from the blemishes are all still very visible.

So to the casual observer it looks like I'm STILL experiencing the
break-out. I HATE the damn red spots that comedones and cysts leave.
By the time they're mostly faded, I always seem to have a new batch of
comedones appearing.

C'mon Accutane, please do your thing.