Accutane - Take a 2nd course?

[HannaSC]

I am 29 years old and suffered w/ acne since 15 years old. History of my skin has been random cystic pimples anywhere on the face,  whiteheads and blackheads on the nose area. I took Accutane for 6 months and loved the results. I used a topical after treatment. Few months later the breakouts came back. I moved to SC and started seeing a new Dermatologist who put me on Doxycycline which controlled the breakouts. I changed Dermatologists due to proximity who said my face looked fine and wanted me to stop take antibiotics. I agreed that I shouldn't be dependent on antibiotics so I stopped everything internal and used Retin-A Micro-Gel. My face would have 5 - 7 cystic pimples at a time. Then I started using Retin-A only to spot treat and began using Obagi Clenziderm b/c I had to wait 30 days to get back on Accutane. I've been on Clenziderm for one month and even though the cystic breakouts continued, I don't have any right now. In the meantime, I had my bloodwork taken yesterday and supposed to pick up Rx today but I'm on the fence as to whether I should start another round of Accutane. Cons of Clenziderm is my face is really dry (which I know happens with Accutane too). But if I take another course of Accutane, it could heal my skin forever and I wouldn't have to worry about paying big money for Clenziderm every few months. If I don't take Accutane now,  i may never get another chance to due to potential child-bearing in 3+ years. Looking for advice on how I should proceed - stick out the Clenziderm and see if acne returns or take advantage of the Accutane while I still can and hope it cures my skin permanently.  

[PUPPERS]

I TOOK ACCUTANE WHEN I WAS 19 FOR ONLY THREE MONTHS, I'M ABOUT TO BE 24 AND STARTED IT FOR THE 2ND TIME THIS IS MY 1ST MONTH BACK ON IT, I'M GOING TO GO FOR THE WHOLE 6 MONTHS THIS TIME. THE DRY SKIN IS NOT COOL AT ALL, AND THEY SCARE ME WITH ALL THE SIDE EFFECTS.I'M NOT A DOCTOR BUT I WENT BACK ON IT BECAUSE I WANT TO BE NATURAL AND NOT HAVE TO COVER UP MY FACE WITH FOUNDATION. I'M SO DRY ALL OVER AND I LIVE IN F.L  THE SUN  ALWAYS STRONG. GOOD LUCK!!!!!

[loiloi]

I've taken accutane twice and it didn't cause bad dry skin,only dry lips. Some people need more than one course of accutane. You may like to read the question i asked dr. rockoff about accutane and depression his answer was helpful. Good luck, love Loiloi x