Seriously considering Accutane? Does Carleys' really work?

[violamarie]

I have to admit I'm skeptical. I've been dealing w/ very stubborn moderate to severe acne for 5 years. It's not cysticm but it is scaring my face. I've tried antibiotics, benzaclin, duac, finacea, azalex, retin-A. Of them all, Retin-A has helped the most. I've been on it for about 14 months. After a couple months of initial breakouts, it started to really improve. I thought I was home free, but then it plateaued and lately has begun to get worse again. Needless to say, it is a pretty big blow. My hormones are as under control as they have been since I was diagnosed back in 2004. I have been having a fairly regular (though long, 33-36 day) cycle on my own for 8-9 months now. I have been on Metformin 1000 mg for 4 months. It doesn't seem to be helping acne or hair growth.

I am on the verge of surrendering my body to a round of Accutane but I am very afraid to go this route! That being said, I cannot live like this anymore! I keep hearing things about Carley's but am skeptical. In my experience, benzoyl peroxide does nothing but make me flake. How is this product any different?

[violamarie]

Bump. Anyone?

[cookie1979]

Hello, I have been on Roaccutane (called that in the UK) twice, first time I was in my early 20s, second time I was in my mid 20s (I'm now 29). To be honest I only have good things to say about the drug, I know there is alot of bad press and if you've ever been on an accutane/roaccutane forum there are tons and tons of people moaning about it. For me though I would say it was the best decision I ever made, I had spots covering my back, shoulders, sometimes on my chest and also on my face, it was pretty awful, and it really effected my life. I didn't go on holiday, couldn't go swimming, couldn't wear strappy tops on nights out, and in the summer I was constantly covered up because I was so embarassed and ashamed. The first time I took the drug it got rid of my spots completely, it was amazing, unfortunately they came back on my face so I went on it for a second time, again they went but a couple of years later they came back. If the doctors would allow it I would go on it a third time, but they say if it doesnt stay gone after the second time then it will never completely go. Now my only avenue is to lose weight in hope that that will help, to be honest though since I took Roaccutane my face has been alot better.

I do believe that some people can experience side effects, but I also believe if you do not have severe acne then Roaccutane is too much, and it seems that it was these people who were having problems. Also young and emotionally unstable people found that they had depression problems, but I really think that it needs to be there in the first place, so I think these people had underlying problems before they started it.

The only problem I had was dry lips, which everyone experiences, my moods were fine, the rest of my skin was fine, I had no other problems. I know 4 other people who have taken the drug, 3 of them are my cousins, all of them had bad skin, and not one of them experienced side effects other than dry lips. My cousins took it before me and to this day they all have clear skin, so it looks like I've just been unlucky. Saying that, now that I have clear skin on my back I dont feel unlucky and I maintain that Roaccutane/Accutane is the best decision I ever made.

You should weigh up your options and decide if it is best for you, I dont know how it works in the US, but in the UK I was monitored by the hospital I was given all the info about side effects and had blood tests every 6 weeks. I couldn't fault their treatment of me.

Hope whatever you decide you manage to get rid of your spots, because I know from personal experience how bad it can make you feel.

All the best. x

[RoaryKennedy]

I've never tried Accutane, but I have tried Carley's. I read the glowing reviews, too, and bought it. They included the free bar of soap.

I used the entire, collasal-sized bottle of Carley's, and I did not see any difference in my skin. I still had the same texture, and I still had breakouts. It was really no different than when I used ProActive--just less steps.

The thing I hate about products that contain benzoyl peroxide is the bleaching factor, too.

Good luck! It does sound like the product has glowing reviews, so it's gotta be working for someone!

[RoaryKennedy]

Oh, and my skin never flaked with Carley's, but for me, that's normal! I think I'd have to rub battery acid into my skin to get any sort of a reaction!

[nurse_cyster]

I dont think many derms will give out Accutane unless you are on birth control pills, it causes horrible birth defects, just a thought so you wouldnt be suprised to find that out unannounced in the office.

[cookie1979]

And you have to take a pregnancy test before you are allowed on Accutane, then you have regular urine tests after that...so it is a serious drug to take and you do have to be 100% that you really really want to go down that road. I didn't have any problems, but it doesn't change the fact that alot of people have. Best thing to do is to discuss it with your doctor and make up your mind from there. In the UK they are reducing the amount of people they will allow on it, whether thats because of the side effects or the cost I dont know, over here we have the NHS so its all free, which is great but can mean that they dont put you on a certain drug because of the cost. Some call it the regional lottery, some regions get more money than others. All the best.

[violamarie]

Yes I am aware of the pregnancy risks and all the required testing. Accutane is not really a road I want to go down. I'm just considering my options.

[kirah]

I have to admit I'm skeptical. I've been dealing w/ very stubborn moderate to severe acne for 5 years. It's not cysticm but it is scaring my face. I've tried antibiotics, benzaclin, duac, finacea, azalex, retin-A. Of them all, Retin-A has helped the most. I've been on it for about 14 months. After a couple months of initial breakouts, it started to really improve. I thought I was home free, but then it plateaued and lately has begun to get worse again. Needless to say, it is a pretty big blow. My hormones are as under control as they have been since I was diagnosed back in 2004. I have been having a fairly regular (though long, 33-36 day) cycle on my own for 8-9 months now. I have been on Metformin 1000 mg for 4 months. It doesn't seem to be helping acne or hair growth.

I am on the verge of surrendering my body to a round of Accutane but I am very afraid to go this route! That being said, I cannot live like this anymore! I keep hearing things about Carley's but am skeptical. In my experience, benzoyl peroxide does nothing but make me flake. How is this product any different?

You mentioned that your hormones are "pretty much under control and that you are fairly regular," but do you take anything besides metformin to regulate your hormones? Just thought I would ask before I put my 2 cents in...

p.s. I'm also a thin cyster

[violamarie]

You mentioned that your hormones are "pretty much under control and that you are fairly regular," but do you take anything besides metformin to regulate your hormones? Just thought I would ask before I put my 2 cents in...

p.s. I'm also a thin cyster

No, I take nothing else. By pretty much under control I mean that I have been having a period every 32-36 days for the past 9 months. This started on its own when my 2nd child was 6 months old. I am now taking Met to see if it will shorten the cycle, make it a little more regular, and maybe help with breakouts. I do not need to lose weight, and I am very hesitant to take the pill...

[kirah]

Oh, ok. Well, I'm not sure if you've tried any natural supplements or herbs, but I've had really good luck treating my irregular periods and acne with them.

I've had very stubborn (sometimes cystic) acne for years and not just on my face....I tried different BCs and almost every face/body wash known to man. This is what has helped me.

Chasteberry
NPC
NAC
Saw Palmetto

Not sure if you've read any of my posts regarding Saw Palmetto, but I've seen a dramatic difference in my skin (and in my blood tests) since starting Saw Palmetto. For example, even when my face/back cleared up using my herbs/supplements, my chest never would clear....I mean never, but since I've added SP to my regimen, its finally almost 100% clear for the first time in years!

Just my personal experience, but it might be worth looking into...

[lisa79nyc]

I have been on Accutane twice in the past and had a very good experience with it as well. My skin is terrible now but I'm TTC so I obviously can't go back on it now.

[navywifey]

I've used both products. Carley's was a waste of time and cash..... Accutane, however, is my miracle drug! You do have to have a negative preg test before they write the Rx. My acne cleared completely in less than two months and has NOT returned after I stopped using it. I couldn't be happier with the results. The only down side is the cracked lips. I wouldn't suggest Accutane to anyone TTC though because of the horrific birth defects that come along with Accutane. Good Luck!

[Lisa11]

I think it's different for everyone. I can honestly say I wish I never touched Accutane. I did a round of it when I was a teenager and it basically completely dried out my skin, turned it red, peeled and cracked it. My skin looked worse using the Accutane. But, as I said, everyone is different so that doesn't mean this will happen to you.

[Bugsey3478]

I wonder why if your hormones are under control that you are still experiencing so much acne? I wonder this myself since I am on BCP (Diane 35) but it hasn't solved all of my acne problems...

Do you think it could be the result of something you are eating, maybe an allergic reaction? Have you tried eating gluten free?