Accutane and Colitis

Hi everyone,
It's been a good year that I have been off this forum, but I have returned to ask about a nagging issue that's been going on with me. Here is a little back story about me:

I was on Accutane twice in my late teens for terrible acne. It worked wonders, but the acne would return about 8 months after I came off the drug. about 2 months after I stopped my second run of Accutane, I showed symptoms of Colitis, and the disease hit me hard right off the bat. I settled things down through a couple years of trial and error, and my acne was manageable, just the odd zit.

However, every time I went on Prednisone (It's been 3 times now, and I will not be doing it again), my acne would be HORRIBLE. So painful I could hardly move my face/neck for several months. The last time I was on Prednisone was almost 2 years ago, and as usual, the painful cystic acne came back with vengeance. The only difference is, this time, the painful cystic acne has not gone away. It can show up anywhere on my body (never had this issue before Prednisone), has left scars, it's painful, and not pretty to look at either. The majority of it is on my chest, upper back, and back of my neck. Those areas were never an issue up until the last time I was on prednisone, which I find very odd.

I have gotten sick of this issue, I want it gone. I have been on and off Minocin for the two years I've been off prednisone. I'll be on it for a 3 or 4 months, try to come off it, and my acne just flares up again. I never want to do anything or go to work without being on Minocin because my skin just gets so uncomfortable. I am very scared of Accutane, I am in Canada and am part of the class action lawsuit against the drug since it's possible it gave me colitis in the first place. But part of me is starting to think, maybe 4 or 6 months of Accutane isn't nearly as bad as another few years on Minocin.

I have a very healthy lifestyle. I eat very clean, I have a veggie smoothie every day with spinach, carrot juice, and other good fruits/veggies, I drink lots of water, I workout at the gym and take high quality vegan fermented protein, I take good care of my skin and use good quality products. Why is this happening to me?

If you guys can let me know your thoughts on the matter, that would be great. I have seen several dermatologists and they say that the only thing to do is Accutane because of the severity of the acne, and that it is probably safe with my Colitis if I take probiotics. Do I try Accutane? Do I continue with Minocin on and off until it HOPEFULLY gets better (which I cant see it happening anytime soon).

Also, my colitis is relatively stable for the past 1.5 years. A minor flare right now (just a bit of blood occasionally, loose stool and cramps), but its nothing serious or life changing.

Thanks for reading, I apologize for the long post. I would really appreciate everyone's input.
-Steve

the acne thing sucks ! don't think i had a good day till i reached 30 - all through my high school days it was torture, so i understand your frustration -

but you really need to figure out how to deal with it besides taking drugs that are totally messing with your body - it's good that your UC is cooperating -


" I eat very clean, I have a veggie smoothie every day with spinach, carrot juice, and other good fruits/veggies, I drink lots of water, I workout at the gym and take high quality vegan fermented protein, "

what else does your diet consist of ?