[Digger]

At last a serious GC post from me... ...albeit a tad embarrassing.

I have slightly greasy skin, and suffer from mild acne, mostly on my chest, back, and face. Unfortunately I have the odd occasional tendency to have a bit of a pick, and a squeeze at the ones on my back and chest, which obviously means those spots might take 2/3 times longer to heal! If I manage to leave them alone for a week or so the skin looks quite presentable, but if I can manage to improve the core problem, that surely would help more...

Does anyone have any real world experience of oral treatments for mild acne. I am not interested in creams, local topical treatments, as I have two showers a day...sweat alot at the gym, so I really dont think the time applying these on my skin is going to benefit the problem, as it wont stay on for long. I have booked an appointment with the doctor on Wednesday morning to see what he suggests. Thinking about it I might suggest he sends me to a dermatologist

I dont wash with traditional soap as it would dry my skin too much which presumably cause the body to over-react and become more greasy still. I have been using Sanex anti-bacterial shower gel for the last few years.

Just to re-iterate I've done all the googling I care to, and was wondering what experience some ex-spotties here have had...

Any advice would be appreciated
Digger

[kelvin]

I was prescribed Roacutane (spelling?!) a few years ago after suffering from particularly bad acne for 3-4 years. It was very effective, and may be worth a mention to your GP...

It does take a while before it kicks in (about 4 months in my case) and has the effect of drying out your skin to prevent the formation of spots. I won't lie, it was damn painful at times (particularly given that I was on it over the Winter period) but it achieved exactly what I had hoped - it gave my skin the break it needed to allow the acne to clear up.

I barely get spots at all now and my skin has no signs of having "suffered" in the past

K.

Also was presrcibed roaccutane (sp?) quite a few years ago, and thought it was a miracle cure. It seems to be a cure as opposed to a treatment, after maybe 6-9 months all clear, and carries on working once you stop taking the pills (unlike the antibitoics i was given first, which stopped working if I missed a day or two). Does give you severley chapped lips though and dry skin.

Also, the warnings. In some people it can cause severe depression, and normally doctors are reluctant to prescribe it straight off, without trying all the alternatives first. There are some well documented cases of teen suicides where roaccutane has been suggested as the main cause. I think though that as long as you are aware this might happen, you're fine. It's probably more likely to be a problem with teenagers who are maybe more susceptable to depression anyway (but that's just my opinion). Very occasionally is linked to liver failure too, so you have to have ongoing blood tests while you take it to check the levels of something in your blood which suggests liver damage (not sure what you check for though).

I was given a few antibitotics before finally getting roaccutane, with mixed success, and in retrospect wish I had been given it from the start, was great. I think you do have to see a consultant dermatologist before you get given it.

Good luck!

Just re-read your post and thought I would add that I've found you can become accustomed to a certain face wash, and they can get less effective over time, so try changing to something new. The ones with bits in them ('scrubs' maybe !) were specially good, and the more bits the better

[Digger]

Thanks for the responses guys. My face is generally in quite good nick...presumably because it is constantly open to the fresh air, where as back and chest areas are almost constantly clothed. What I do find helps is some doses of sunshine can clear up the skin quite nicely...who stole the sun

Was reading up on Roacutane et al, and they do seem to have a few side-effects attached plus it seems to take ages for the effects to kick in...not sure I can be that patient. Remember I dont have bad acne, but a tendency to have a little scratch at those spots that rear their ugly heads...

Yes, maybe I should try a different body wash...any suggestions...obviously must be anti-bacterial...I have to say I think the Sanex shower gels are very good...

[mjn]

I use Quinoderm, i know its a cream, but its very good. I too sweat a lot when at the gym, and quite often have 2 showers a day. But if you only have mild acne, try using it before you goto bed, thats what i do.

[Digger]

lol...I was just looking at Quinoderm as it came up in a google result...thanks mjn...

[mjn]

I also find that changing my pillow case every other night, helps a lot. Basically, you're sleeping on a fresh side every night.

[Mrs AutomanUK]

Avon do a great line in Tee-tree poducts for cleaning up acne, and treating areas of spotiness. My hubby uses it to shave with cos he finds he would get a few problem areas if he uses shaving cream, but finds that tee tree is great.

You said that sunshine sorts them out.. so here is a good idea. Add Vitamin A and vitamin D to your intake. You can get these on line or at any chemist. Vitamin A works by reducing the fatty build up in the pores, whereas Vitamin D is liquid sunshine !! Your skin heals up when the sun is on it, and this is because of the vitamin D you are getting from the sun (believe it, it's true !) so if you take it as a tablet version then you can treat your body to liquid sunshine all year round. Vit D is good old Cod Liver Oil and comes in a variety of forms, which don't have to taste disgusting !!

Good luck at the doctors. See if they will add the vitamins you need to your prescription if you are lucky enough to get them free. Otherwise, off to superdrug you go my friend !!

[phillfyspoon]

I was precribed minocin and it worked very well, it stop new spots forming so after a few months there are hardly any

[Digger]

Any nasty side effects with this one?

[mij]

Try giving up milk for a few months and see if it helps. My wife did this and no longer has a problem.

[Digger]

What would I put on my muesli in the morning? I drink skimmed milk anyway, so hopefully thats not a contributary factor

[w3dal]

Hi,

The doctor will put you some something like minocin MR or Oxytetracycline which will can help and in most cases very effective - these take atleast 4 to 8 weeks before results can be seen.

Roaccutane is hardcore and that would only be prescribed as a last result as its so strong and im not even sure if its avaliable anymore...???

You have done the best thing going to see the doctors!!

Good luck

Dal

[BandofBrothers]

Originally Posted by w3dal

Hi,

The doctor will put you some something like minocin MR or Oxytetracycline which will can help and in most cases very effective - these take atleast 4 to 8 weeks before results can be seen.

Roaccutane is hardcore and that would only be prescribed as a last result as its so strong and im not even sure if its avaliable anymore...???

You have done the best thing going to see the doctors!!

Good luck

Dal

it is available still

(I finished a 6 month course a few months ago, and now I don't have a SINGLE spot anywhere)

My acne was just like a red "rash" all over my shoulders and back, and now my skin is COMPLETELY clean

[w3dal]

Originally Posted by BandofBrothers

it is available still

(I finished a 6 month course a few months ago, and now I don't have a SINGLE spot anywhere)

My acne was just like a red "rash" all over my shoulders and back, and now my skin is COMPLETELY clean

That is great news!! -

I know when i took it 10 years ago it got really bad press saying it causes depression and all sorts. The only problem i had with it was dry lips which was easierly solved and to be honest it was one of the best things i could of done.

Like you not a single spot afterwards and my confidence was back. I hated having spots in my teens although i didnt have bad acne, i sometimes wouldnt look in the mirror of an evening when cleaning my teeth just incase a new one appreared.

I had to-go private to get my course

Dal

[Digger]

Thanks lads...will mention it at the docs in the morning...

[mij]

Originally Posted by Digger

What would I put on my muesli in the morning? I drink skimmed milk anyway, so hopefully thats not a contributary factor

This site has some info about milk: http://www.notmilk.com/

Soya milk is what my wife uses on her muesli, she was told by her doctor to find the cause if possible, as drugs are not always the best answer.

Cutting out dairy cured her acne.

No one has mentioned topical antibiotics. Ask your GP about something like Dalacin T (the alcohol based one) which has kept my skin sqeakly clean for years. If I have a rare break out - this stuff clears it in a week. Quinoderm as mentioned is good to use in addition (if you have greasy skin), but beware as its main ingredient is Benzyl Peroxide and will beach your clothes (especially if you sweat and it runs off your face down the body).

For body acne I would have thought body scrubs and Teat trea oil based washes as mentioned would be very helpful.

[MartinImber]

43 and still a bit spotty - too much testosterone

[Digger]

Doc has prescribed me some Acnamino MR 100mg which appears to be the same as Minocin MR as mentioned above. Have to take it for 2 months but should start to take effect in 10 days or so...

Thanks for the input chaps and Mrs A...

[stevefish69]

Thought i'd revive an old thread instead of starting a new one.

After years of suffering from adult Acne I have just been prescribed roaccutane via a private dermatologist.

I have tried everything for years on end including all the common over the counter stuff, Minocyclin tablets, Oxytech tablets, Dalacin solution, Topicycline solution plus more.

There are loads of side effects that are listed but the main one to concern me is that basically i have to give up the booze for an estimated 5 months. Hense the fact that i'm on pint number 7 at 0044 on a worknight

Anyone had any experience of the drug. Reading the small print, i should basically be locked in a padded cell for the forseable future

Any experience welcomed

[DVD-Man]

I've done the Roaccutune or however you spell it course.

Brief History - tried all the over the counter and prescribed stuff, pills, cream, gel, facial wash etc no amazing differences maybe a reduction in spots but nothing to right home about, I tried tips from magazines, cotton wool an TCP all over face, you name I done it and TBH I found the following to work:-

Neutrogena Clear Soap, kinda looks orangey but clear noticeable difference well recommended.

I was certain that sugar intake i.e sweets and non diet drinks plus greasy foods were triggers and as such I drastically reduced my intake of sugar and now find full sugar drinks i.e coke like syrup (think full fat milk after being used to semi skimmed!) so this coupled with the soap I would say helped the most.

Until roaccutane was prescribed after I tried everything the Doctor could throw at me and still no reduction, this was maybe 2 years into the full blown nasty pus type spots cos the previous treatments were required to be taken for months on end. So started my course, yeah no drink, not too bad really, YES I felt depressed and it was a torrid time but WOW the end result is amazing!

Gone are spots, any noticable signs of scarring,the drying process is almost like a skin shed of a snake!

What you need is Vaseline, chapstick, good moisturiser as your skin get dry everywhere leading to possible nose bleeds, severly chapped lips and very dry patches.

All I've got to say is thank god for roaccutane as it makes an amazing difference, crap during the treatment but well worth it.

Liam

[w3dal]

I just had dry lips thats it so kept on using Vaseline and the job was done -

One of the best things i have done, was having it.

Good luck

Dal

[brendan_dj]

I used to suffer bad acne when I was a teenager. Got a lot of teasing when I was at school. Now I very rarely get a spot. Granted, I cant say that I never get a spot. I would say that I get about three or four subtle facial zits in a year.

I find that a dab of liquid TCP at the very first evidence of a zit will dramatically shorten the zit's life, and prevent it from growing to a huge size. Only put the TCP on when you get home from work in the evening, and again before actually going to bed. Dont put TCP on yourself in the morning as your work colleagues will notice the strong smell.


Although the scientific evidence suggests otherwise, I am 98% convinced that chocolate can cause spots. I rarely eat chocolate, but whenever I get a small zit, its often occurs a few days after endulging in plenty of chocolatey things. This happens far too often to call it coincidence.

The worst zits are the ones on the nose.

[BAN5HEE]

Originally Posted by stevefish69

Thought i'd revive an old thread instead of starting a new one.

After years of suffering from adult Acne I have just been prescribed roaccutane via a private dermatologist.

I have tried everything for years on end including all the common over the counter stuff, Minocyclin tablets, Oxytech tablets, Dalacin solution, Topicycline solution plus more.

There are loads of side effects that are listed but the main one to concern me is that basically i have to give up the booze for an estimated 5 months. Hense the fact that i'm on pint number 7 at 0044 on a worknight

Anyone had any experience of the drug. Reading the small print, i should basically be locked in a padded cell for the forseable future

Any experience welcomed

Yeah I used it when I was 18 and the stuff is kickass. Altough I must say I didn't actually have acne just the occasional spot but in South-Africa you can get anything. Had a face as smooth as a baby's but after3 weeks and stil do. That's almost ten years ago. I had no side effects apart from dry lips and was told to avoid the sun a bit,

[RottenFox]

Originally Posted by w3dal

.

Roaccutane is hardcore and that would only be prescribed as a last result as its so strong and im not even sure if its avaliable anymore...???

lol,way back in the day,about 20 or so years ago,i was one of the guinea pigs for roaccutane,at ninewells hospital in dundee..
full weekly body medical,and blood tests,unbearable pins and needles through excercise and sunlight exposure,and physical activity,in the face and extremities,dry skin,nose bleeds,no moisture in the eyes..
it only took about 4-6 months,but it did cure my acne,which was very bad.
no depression here,and i knew a few people that were on it too,at my school,and they too were like different people once the treatment was under way.
they still prescribe it,but if there is the slightest sniff of a mental issue in the family,alarm bells ring,and its looked into further now..as one of our neighbours children is at the hospital too,for treatment for extremely bad acne,and roaccutane has been mentioned a few times,by them

[Decadence]

It might sound funny but my friend suffered from bad acne until he went for acupuncture which cured it.

[Digger]

Originally Posted by Decadence

It might sound funny but my friend suffered from bad acne until he went for acupuncture which cured it.

. . .there's a joke or two in there somewhere

Better reply to my own thread eh?! My doc put me on Doxycycline which I believe helped a bit. Skin seems to have cleared up a tad. Unfortunately I still have the tendency to have a pick and a squeeze of anything that looks as though it might cause mischief. If I can cure that and get some small amounts of sun exposure over the next few months, would hope to see even more of an improvement. . .

I like a good squeeze. Do yours ever come out with so much g force they splatter all over the bathroom mirror.

Its a wonder TV has not done a documentary on the boil Close up analysis. Macro photography of erupting in slow motion could call it mout etna 2 the eruption . Ever had one on your B*m

Lis@~~ being naughty