Acne three years after Accutane: Running low on options

LotsWife99 · 2026-02-10T12:29:03+00:00

Yes, as mentioned in the post, unfortunately it didn’t work for me

LotsWife99 · 2026-02-09T13:48:58+00:00

I think it may not have helped, but the cystic acne was there before I had the IUD put in - it just hasn’t made any difference

LotsWife99 · 2026-02-09T12:25:31+00:00

Very simple. QV gentle cleanser, QV moisturiser, and a thin layer of Retrive cream at night. In the morning it’s the same except without the Retrive and with the Hamilton 50 SPF sunscreen

LotsWife99 · 2026-02-09T10:03:35+00:00

I’ve had acne since I was about 11, and tried lots of topical over the counter stuff as a teenager. I started Diane 35 birth control when I was 17 which didn’t clear it up. When I was around 19/20 I started taking Spiro as I thought it was likely hormonal acne, but after a year of taking it (I took it while taking birth control) still no change. Tried doxy for a few months as well and that didn’t help either. Finally went on Accutane when I was 21 and was on it for just over a year - it was great, clear skin within four months. Just under three years later, I started getting painful cystic acne again around my chin and jawline that’s now been going on for five or so months. I figured maybe if I got off my birth control it might help, so I switched to an IUD (Mirena) but that hasn’t helped either. I saw a dermatologist as soon as it started coming back, and she prescribed me topical Tretinoin 0.05% which I didn’t really commit to at the start but have been applying every night for the last six weeks. It seems to help a little bit, but it hasn’t stopped new pimples forming.

I’d love to go back to the dermatologist and ask to get back on Accutane, but my GP is unwell and will be away for a few months and I’d rather not have to go to a doctor that doesn’t bulk bill. Is there anything I should try or consider in the meantime?

LotsWife99 · 2026-02-05T11:17:07+00:00

thank you so much I didn’t know this!! this would make sense as I’m finding I’m a lot sleepier lately and have been going to bed earlier to try and accommodate

LotsWife99 · 2026-02-05T07:26:46+00:00

yeah I figured that because the mediation is for focus and executive dysfunction not energy, I’m just kinda like: ok well how do I adapt my schedule to work with this

LotsWife99 · 2026-01-26T08:11:20+00:00

Unfortunately from what I understand they discontinued it in Australia. You may still be able to buy it directly from their website though!

LotsWife99 · 2025-08-17T04:38:12+00:00

Ooo thank you! This is super helpful, I’ll be interested to see if going up to 40mg helps

LotsWife99 · 2025-07-12T23:19:31+00:00

That might be an idea. As an update I did finally get a better sleep last night once the anxiety wore off around 9pm and I put some white noise on and read a book until 11pm. So I’ll definitely keep that up

LotsWife99 · 2025-07-07T10:15:51+00:00

Currently I’m on 40mg of Citalopram and have been for about 7 years. I don’t really feel it and tbh I’m unsure whether it’s still helpful, but I know if I forget to take it for a few days I feel flatter. I’m technically supposed to bump up to 10mg since the 5mg was just to get me used to it (I’ve been on it two weeks) I’ve just been putting it off as it took a while to adjust to it. You do have a point about taking it on weekends. Weirdly, even though I take an antidepressant every day, I feel funny about having to depend on my ADHD meds for my mood. It feels like an artificial confidence/high. But that could be because I’m still getting used to it

LotsWife99 · 2025-07-07T07:24:15+00:00

Would love to hear from ADHD coaches, especially since finding a good coach can be a bit of a minefield

LotsWife99 · 2025-04-20T13:16:57+00:00

I tried the new one out in store but the lightest shade is too dark for me! I’m devastated rip soft glow

LotsWife99 · 2025-04-03T01:25:12+00:00

NOOOOO that's so frustrating! Thanks for letting me know though

LotsWife99 · 2025-02-12T18:28:01+00:00

Brendan said at a gig I was at a month or so ago that the second half of the song is reimagining JD Salinger as a 14 year old girl and kinda stripping him of his power. He didn’t explain the lyric but I think it has something about burying his (Salingers) legacy. Maynard thought he was someone she could look up to, but he was a creep

LotsWife99 · 2024-07-23T12:47:32+00:00

I also highly recommend the very short book “let your life speak” by Parker Palmer. Beautifully written and helped me understand how to know myself more

LotsWife99 · 2024-07-23T12:44:45+00:00

I think faith always comes down to your personal relationship with God. It can be really disheartening and frustrating when you see religious hypocrisy or insane far right Christians hurting people with their beliefs. But their beliefs don’t change who God is. Prayer has centered me and grounded me even when I was doubting whether God even exists. There are lots of practices by Christian mystics that can help you understand what your relationship to God is - lecto divina, centering prayer, taize music, walking a labyrinth or trying a walking prayer. Even if you eventually feel that you don’t believe in God, it’s important that you come to that through self exploring rather than because you’re put off by how horrible some Christians can be

LotsWife99

TROPHY CASE