Barbara
Luke, I had a problem with acne from age 10 or 11 to age 35 when a five month course of acutance completely cured my acne. I had cystic acne, with lumps on my neck that sometimes lasted for months, even after being injected with steroids. I had spent years and years on antibiotics and creams to no real avail. Then, when acutane came on the market in the mid-1980s, after a five month course of acutance, my skin completely and totally cleared - and it has been absolutely clear for almost 15 years - since May 1985, my last weeks on acutane. I understand that sometimes more than one course of acutane is necessary. Also, I wonder if you stuck out the full five month course - I made if for 19 1/2 weeks, and didn't take only the last 4 pills or so. Your skin does get very dry, with major peeling the last few weeks. I looked like I had a major sunburn, but I was happy to stick it out because the results were so dramatic. It took less than a week for the peeling, redness, etc. to go away after I stopped. I urge you to consult with your doctor regarding adequate dosage and another courseof treatment. It literally saved my life too, so I believe it is worth another try. Be sure you are taking the correct dosage, and giving it a full course. Best of luck. By the way, now people compliment my skin - although acutane came on the market too late to avoid some scarring on my back, and some slight effect on my face, the results were permanent and dramatic. Please, please don't give up without another try of this miracle drug. After almost two years of fussing around with antibiotics, I convinced my teenage son's doctor to prescribe acutane, which in only 4 days has improved his skin already. Good luck