I am now 70 years of age. I have suffered acne since the age of about
12. Until antibiotics became available for general use there was
nothing for us. This was the late 1940s. So we suffered and as a
female I did what I could to cover up - hopeless.

I had excessively oily skin and very open pores - my skin resembled an
orange peel. I became miraculously clear of acne only during my two
pregnancies in the early 1960s and then it flared again.

I was prescribed The Pill to see what it could do. This made the
acne worse, plus other hormonal imbalances too numerous to mention.

By the early 1980s and now approaching middle age, my GP suggested yet
another dermatologist specialist visit. These had resolved nothing
in the 1960s and 70s but I thought, well, who knows what advances have
now been made?

I was referred to one of the world's leading skin specialists - whose
real area of expertise happens to be skin cancer, and was the first
middle-aged patient he had ever had who agreed to try Roaccutane for
treatment of my acne.

It was a miracle! Believe me. I was put on a lower dose than
teenage kids with the same problem and told that the treatment might
well take twice as long. And it did - but it was a full cure.
Within 18 months all signs of acne had disappeared and my pores had
reduced to normal. All oil was gone!

I was lucky that I have had very little scarring. My skin is quite
elastic (this is hereditary as my mother's skin was also like this)
and in conjunction with the ingested drug, I used a topical acne
treatment called Isotrex and used an antibiotic acne lotion called
Dalacin T after washing my face in anti-bacterial facewash. (These
proprietory names may differ in other countries.)

Is there a downside? Well ... yes.

I have had to keep on with the Roaccutane as a maintenance program
longer than is desirable and a consequent rise in cholesterol. It is
now 18 years since I first started on Roaccutane and my last
cholesterol reading was quite high - and there is no history of this
in my family. I have decided to stop taking the drug and simply
rely on the topical treatments to see what results.

I have to say, however, that the invention of this acne drug has
literally changed my life. I have a glowing scar-free skin with very
few lines - and don't look my age in my face - my figure is another
matter, but I am on a diet to get about 8-10 lbs off in a hurry!

After teenage and continuous adult years of disfiguring acne, I gained
self-esteem, and was able to use cosmetics that did what the
advertisers said they did - make you feel good.

So to all those people out there with acne - get it seen to as soon as
you can. Get more than one opinion and do watch that cholesterol!

Cheers

Daisy

Hi Daisy,

I'm very glad that you've found something that works, finally for you.
However, it doesn't work for everyone. And for some of us, the side effects
are waaaaay too awful to stay on the drug.

ar

"Daisy" <Daisy@emailaccount.com> wrote in message
news:6rd8c099o2gq3lhn1l54ergb5sg03oaka6@4ax.com...

Hi, I was wondering if you would be so kind as to tell me what dose you were
taking of Accutane?

Also, did I read you right that you took the drug for 18 years? I didnt
think you could take it more than a few months?

One more thing, did you have any side effects, dry skin, hair loss, stuff
like that.

Thank you for your time and help.

God Bless
"Grant" <hatetheviruses@hiding.com> wrote in message
news:PaudneZecuxColndRVn-gg@adelphia.com...

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 18:59:52 +0100, "bb" <nospam@home.net> wrote:


Hello Grand

Yes, I did indeed take this drug for 18 years - but I think I should
have stopped about 4-5 years ago. I was an unusual study in this
case, because I was middle-aged when I began the treatment, and this
meant that the treatment was of necessity of a very low dose that
extended over more years than is normal.

I guess the easiest way to tell you is that I was in my 50s and was a
lifelong sufferer from acne when I started on the drug.. The
specialist I was seeing recommended a long slow dose - and it has
worked. If you had had acne for over 30 years you would appreciate
how it had affected my life. I have a wonderful husband and two
married daughters and a number of grandchildren - and thankfully none
of them have suffered from acne.

I have since given up taking Roaccutane this year, and I have never
ever really suffered any ill-effects, or side effects from the drug -
except for an elevated artificial raise in my cholesterol which has
not been serious. I have always had some form of dry skin, lips and
eyes - but nothiing untoward.

My cholesterol is now down to normal and I can now use a moisturiser
for the first time in years to cope with the dry skin.

I have not had any really bad ill effects from this drug. I have to
tell you that at 70 years of age I look only 60 or so because the
Retin-A in the drug over so many years has kept wrinkles at bay, and I
have very very few lines.

Dont let those people out there scare you about accutane. All of the
Retin-A drug derivatives are of a piece - either you take them or you
don't. They work I think in most cases and I am ever so thankful
that I took them and they worked for me.

Cheers



Daisy

Daisy <Daisy@emailaccount.com> wrote in message news:<6rd8c099o2gq3lhn1l54ergb5sg03oaka6@4ax.com>. ..
If you say you suffered from disfiguring acne since teenage -

how did you manage to date people or get a customer service job.


Because of my acne (which started at 14 and still continues..) I have
not been very successful in relationships.

Further, It is very difficult for me to land a decent customer service
job due to my acne....

Anyways, I just started on accutance after and feel confident I can control
it for about 10-15 years..

Thanks,
acne_veteran.

On 16 Jun 2004 16:32:14 -0700, shy_reticent@hotmail.com
(Reticent_30_year_old) wrote:

First of all, I never said I had disfiguring acne. I had severe acne
but it was not disfiguring. I have very very few scars, because my
skin didn't get pitted. From the age of about 13 I began with oily
skin, enlarged pores and blackheads, some of which turned into sores.

There were times I could run away and hide, but I didn't. I learned
how to deal with make-up - even in those days when there were no such
items as concealers.

I went to University and got a good history degree and then I trained
as a high-speed stenographer, which enabled me to get a high-ranking
position in the government, recording the proceedings of the
legislature.

I married at 22, had two children and went back to work when the
youngest began school - but this time I worked in administration in a
large university. There was a career path, and I had to deal with
many many people (both public and staff) over a number of years.

I was told by a very kind and caring dermatologist quite early on -
and before the advent of accutane or any other internal medicine that
can help and/or cure acne, that people generally take note of a
person's personality, and happy disposition rather than their looks.

And so I made up my (rather large and very blue) eyes to enhance them,
and always wore good quality lipstick which I didn't let fade during
the day! I wore perfume, and spent money on good clothes that
flattered me.

I am lucky I had rather pretty curly blonde hair and I was a regular
at hair salons.

I don't know whether you are male or female. I remember thinking how
dishy Richard Burton was - and was quite surprised when someone
pointed out to me what bad skin he had. I had literally never
noticed.

So get a grip - and believe in yourself. Spend some money enhancing
your appearance and smile a lot is my advice.

I hope the accutane works as well for you as it did for me. I now
have clear unlined skin and don't look anything like the 70 years I
am!

Cheers

Daisy