I have had mild acne for 10 years. I am now 24 and am really sick of it. I get it on my chest, back and face I have went to a derm since I was 18 but it never seemed to really help and I felt like since my acne was mild they never really cared. When I get acne it lasts for multiple weeks or months which is why its so agonizing especially cause afterwards I am left with post acne marks that can last up to a year. It has totally messed up my self confidence and has made me totally insecure.I have tried several acne therapies including OTC Proactiv, Murad and benzoyl peroxide, as well as perscription benzacline (probably mispelled), minocycline, tetracycline and am now currently on Ziana. Nothing really seems to help and its not easy to apply meds to back acne. I want to try accutane since nothing else really helps, because it works on the whole body and finally because its the only medication that could possibly put my acne into complete remission. I get the feeling that my derm won't prescribe it to me, although I'm gonna ask him this week, and wanted to know if I began self medicating myself how much should I take, when, and with what kind of meal. I really hope my derm lets me cause I understand all the potential side effects and would really like to do it in the safest means possible but if he doesn't and I do self medicate I would like to know what extra precautions I should take to stay as safe as possible. Please don't try and dissuade me and just help me to know the safest way I could go about this treatment. I really hope my doctor allows me to take it so that I can have the monthly blood tests and such but either way I've made up my mind that I'm going to start. Thanks, and I appologize because I know as a doctor this is exactly what you don't want to hear but I've just had enough and am willing to gamble with the side effects.