Acne - A Personal Perspective, A Personal Nightmare. (My Experience of Acne)

Member Name: terasahunt

Product:	My Experience of Acne
Date:	29/04/09 (1124 review reads)
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Acne - A Personal Perspective.

Well I never thought I would be writing about this topic at the grand old age of 32!

Acne has been the bain of my life since the age of 13. I know I shouldn't complain too much, after all there are much worse things to suffer from such as debilitating and terminal conditions. However I can't help but feel a little sorry for myself, as it is an embarrassing condition (particularly if like myself it affects your face). Here's my story, I hope it makes interesting reading.

I first began to notice something was wrong at around age 13, when my small outbreaks of spots never seemed to clear up. As the months progressed what started as a stubborn area of spots began to slowly increase in size across the whole length of my cheeks. Before I knew it both sides of my face were affected. To start with I did nothing as I believed it would clear up itself. Also I was being ill advised by 'helpful' school mates who said I should just stop eating so much junk food (I must add that I don't believe I eat anymore junk food than the next person).
As the months progressed the acne got worse, eventually covering my entire face and forehead ( I was consumed by ravaging boils - which as you know don't look pretty). As a young teenager at the time where looks are all important, this was a devastating time for me.

Eventually my mother decided it was time to see the doctor to get this problem sorted for once and all (if only I knew!). The meeting went well and I was prescribed some topical lotion to apply on my face daily. I used this lotion faithfully and within a few weeks my face began to clear. I was delighted! Unfortunately this was not the ever lasting solution I thought it was, and after about a year of taking the treatment the acne started to rear it's ugly head again. Another trip to the doctors and this time I was prescribed some antibiotic tablets. Again this seemed to do the trick, but again only for about a year.
This cycle of effective treatments followed by my body's resistance to them, continued until the age of 21. By this time I had tried and tested everything the doctor could prescribe. At a time when my friends spots seemed to be disappearing forever, mine were at their worse. It was at this point that my doctor referred me to a dermatologist and I was put on the acne wonder drug 'Roaccutane'. I was warned of some potential side effects, the worse being possible future liver damage should I ever have to take more than one course of this drug. From here onwards I took the course of the drug (approx 3 months), during which time my face dried up so much that it cracked and I couldn't wash it properly. I wasn't worried, as I needed this to be the miracle that I prayed for - and it was. Once the course of tablets were complete, my face began to improve. Before long I had the spot free face I had always dreamed of - it truly was a miracle!
At the time my consultant warned me that earlier trials proved to be effective for about 10 years, after which time there was a chance the acne could return. However, as I would be 31 at that stage, I should hopefully have 'outgrown' the condition by then. I kept my fingers crossed since I couldn't risk having to take another course of the drug 10 years down the line (my liver remaining healthy was more important!).

Well 10 years passed and I enjoyed my spot free complexion, dare I say I even took it for granted. That was until I hit 31 and that familiar stubborn area of spots returned. Over the course of the year it progressively worsened, and I had to face the fact that I was one of the unlucky few who don't outgrow the condition. A couple of months ago I returned to the doctors, my ravaged face beginning to affect my confidence. The diagnosis of recurring acne was reiterated, although this time I was diagnosed with 'Rosacea' as well. I have since been prescribed more antibiotic tablets, and as we speak they seem to be working. However I am older and wiser this time around, and I realise that it is probably only a matter of time before my body resists them and I continue my never ending cycle of treatments and relapses. I keep my fingers crossed, though am ever thankful that at least it is not a life threatening condition.

Thank you for reading.

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