Go to http://www.acne.org. Lots of people there have done Accutane.

You wouldn't believe how many people I've heard say that Accutane cleared them for a few months and then the Acne came back. Lots of people have even done 3 or 4 courses of it. It's not usually a cure.

zinc supplementation? like zinc 30mg three times a day (with meals) in forms other than oxide or carbonate? It should reduce scarring if nothing else.

I'd say go for the Accutane man. Everyone I've seen on it had near Crystal C. skin. The side effects are overhyped IMO, just put on some chapstick and basically you have taken care of the most annoying side effect, and they monitor you while you are on it so no worries. If you are extremely worried about your liver just take milk thistle, but you don't have to.

Hi. I was on Accutane for 5 months during grad school back in 1995. I had cystic Acne and was planning to get married so I really really really wanted clear skin--at least for the wedding. During the time I was on it, my skin was very very dry. I also developed a bad case of chronic iritis, although my father also had this at my age so there is a definite genetic factor. I also developed severe pain in my joints. I had to wake up at 4am so I could take 3 Ibuprofen 800s with a banana and a large glass of water. If I didn't do this, then I would have to CRAWL to the bathroom for a hot shower when it was time to get up. I was always better once I got moving, but my joints were so stiff and painful it was miserable. This all was happening during a stressful last semester of grad school, wedding preparations, etc, so there was also the stress element. I was also very depressed during this time, although this might also have been caused by stress.

Looking back at my symptoms, I realize that the Accutane was probably the cause. Duh, now, right? Accutane shuts off your oil production, which would explain the eye problems and painful stiff joints. There are so many things you need oil for in the body. It just doesn't function well without oil. Not even the brain works well without it. Eight years later I developed Crohn's disease, despite eating a whole foods diet. I believe the Accutane was at least a variable if not a direct cause of turning off my body's oil production. In fact, I take fish oil now to stay in remission after reading a medical journal article stating that fish oil helps people who have had active Crohn's in the past, stay in remission. I believe fish oil is also being touted to relieve depression, among other things, although a highly purified pharmaceutical grade fish oil must be used, not something you find at the store. It must also be refrigerated. Again, Dr. Perricone recommends fish oil for cystic Acne as well. I have had some success with it but not complete resolution.

In closing, Accutane is not safe. Think about it. It is GUARANTEED to cause severe birth defects in babies born to mothers who have taken it while pregnant. This has been such a problem that you have to jump through hoops to get it, at least as a woman. The last time I was at the dermo, we discussed it. I would have to go on birth control (even if I'm not sexually active), sign something saying that I'm also using a second form of birth control (even if I'm not sexually active) and go in for monthly pregnancy tests. Are you getting a sense of how dangerous this drug is? Another danger is that Accutane can cause SEVERE depression. Apologies if this is sounding like a package insert, but anyone who is thinking about going on Accutane needs to know the facts. Yes, I had some success with it. My cysts went away for about 8 years, but then they came back with a vengence and brought other dis-ease friends along for the party. It is not something that I WOULD EVER DO AGAIN. To wrap up, cystic Acne is not caused by a shortage of Accutane in the body. Now think about the elements of the various cleanses and flushes: olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, all natural simple things. I am just so happy that I found this forum and am more dedicated than ever to doing things the right way, even if it's slower.

One last note: I'm also trying the Healing Codes. This is more of a spiritual healing method and was expensive. I got them for overall healing, not just for skin. If interested, you can google them for more information.

Thank you very much for such an honest and heartfelt opinion. I know accutane is scary shit. I don't want to go on it.
Have you found anything else to have really worked for you? I am so tired of being in chronic pain, my face scarring, being depressed and insecure do to my acne.
My skin is terribly oily, no matter what I do or eat.
The cysts do seem to develop about a week or week and a half before I get my period, as as you know, take weeks to months to heal, only to leave scars.
Ugh...

what is your diet like? nothing much is going to work if you do not do something about your diet. merely improving on your diet is going to do just that - improving your condition temporarily.

Hey. Sorry you're having such a tough time. Acne can be the pits. I never had the cystic kind, but a few would pop up on occasion... so I feel for you.

My Acne started when I was in 6th grade. I'm a sophomore in college now, and I'm finally getting this shit under control. To make a LONG story short, diet and cleansing have helped more than any other cream or pill. I actually went on Accutane twice, only for my Acne to come back full-force after a month or so after stopping treatment.

The main reason why I had such persistent acne was due to my diet/lifestyle when I was young. I ate so much crap (very little veggies or fruit), and I was a heavy pot smoker. So I changed my diet/lifestyle, but that wasn't enough to cure me; it was much deeper than that. I've done a bowel, parasite, kidney, liver cleanses, and over 30 liver flushes. I could see definate improvement after each one too.

You say you break out before your period? If it's hormonal, you might want to look into cleansing your liver - which is responsible for synthesizing and regulating lots of hormones.

If you're weary about all this and still want to give Accutane a try, well, I don't think it would be terrible. Some people have bad side effects, others just get chapped lips; everyone is different. I've seen some severe cystic acne cases on acne.org, that have been completely cleared by Accutane. Lots of people use diet/cleansing as a last resort, or if they see any correlation between their complexion and what they put into their bodies. If you decide to try the tane and it doesn't work, there's always this. You'll definately be able to cleanse it out of your system too if need be.

Best wishes.