Firstly thank you to the many messages of good luck and thanks I've received, it's very nice to know this website is of use to people.

Since my last update 18 months ago much has happened. A couple of months after my first course my skin gradually became greasier and then the acne came back, not quite as bad as it was but still pretty bad. I had to wait 6 months for the next dermatologist appointment so I tried Vitamin B5 which worked for a while but eventually gave me an upset stomach so I stopped.

In January 2004 my dermatologist gave me Zineryt which had no effect except making my face smell! Then she told me I had to try Retin-A and Minocin for 4 months before I could go back on Roaccutane, both of which didn't help, Retin-A as previously made my skin sore and red. In May 2004 I was finally put on a second course of Roaccutane, however as before shortly after finishing my skin gradually became greasier and the acne began to return, again some permanent improvement was seen, my back and shoulders were clearer than ever but still badly scarred.

Knowing my derm would want to try Minocin before even contemplating another course of Roaccutane, in October 2004 I asked my my GP for a repeat prescription along with Dalacin-T, which has always provided at least a little benefit. This time around the Minocin worked wonders and I was somewhat surprised when my dermatologist said she would put me on a low dose of Roaccutane later in the year after a further four months of Minocin.

In May 2005 I was prescribed a low dosage of Roaccutane, 40mg to be taken once a day for just one week ever month. For updates on this course please follow this link