"Acne Treatment"

I came to the dermatology unit about 3 years ago to treat adult acne.

I was feeling very vulnerable, holding down a stressful job and this was my last resort.

I was nervous about taking any hardcore medication but was convinced by a nice doctor that hair loss (my main concern) was very unlikely.

I never after this saw a doctor but saw the same nurse most visits.

I was uncomfortable taking any high doses of Accutane (I voiced this concern) which was prescribed.

The initial nurse I saw told me to go with what I was confortable with, but with the nurse I saw subsequently, each time she repeated that the dose I was on was 'so low' and I should increase it.

I felt very bullied and made the wrong decision to follow her advice and increase dosage.

When asking about a holiday I was taking, she initially said I should drop my dosage whilst away, but then changed to say it didn't matter.

At the end of my treatment she openly told me that she had given me 'extra' tablets to make sure it worked ok - surely the fact they measure your weight etc. and work out dosage is vital to the effects of the drug?!

A year after taking the drug, a significant amount of my hair has fallen out and I am now left with a burning scalp.

This was the one thing I voiced concern on - surely I should have been advised to take the lower dose rather than being bullied into the higher dose (my acne wasn't bad enough for such a high dose).

I am now left with what seems to be long term hair loss and constant pain.

No follow up to my treatment has been provided.

I think the nurses should be trained to a better level and patient concerns taken into account when providing treatment. This is a harsh drug and should be treated accordingly.