"Acne without Help"

I'm at a loss as I write this, my skin hurts so badly that I can barely laugh or smile but’ll start from the beginning for reference. I have been trying to get help for my acne from the NHS for 4 years, over this time I have tried every antibiotic, cream, gel, lotion and diet imaginable, I have cut out dairy, cut out sugar, lost weight, gained weight and all in-between to try to change my persistent face and back acne. 1 year ago (2016) I was finally referred to the dermatologist by a new doctor and told it was unlikely I would be seen that year, sure enough I wasn't seen by the dermatology department in the Lauriston building in Edinburgh until early march this year as they are quite overworked, the consultant was amazing and within seconds diagnosed me with scarring acne and advised I begin a course of Isotretonoin, I was told to come back in a week or two after my blood tests to begin treatment and I was so happy to hear a dermatologist say “we will get you sorted”……it’s now almost October and after 7 months of phone call’s and worsening acne I’m a loss at what to do, I’ve just been told they can’t take me and it will be 3 months until I can be given an appointment, they have been telling me this since April and still no appointment.

I understand they are short staffed but since march time I have had a cyst on my right eyelid that affected my vision for weeks until it cleared, I wake every morning to blood on my pillow from spots, I have become withdrawn from my friends and it's affecting me at work as my confidence is not what it used to be, I get spots on my lip line that cause fits of sneezing from the nerve pain or spots that affect nerves in my teeth, spots on my back that stop me from sitting properly and I’m left with white rings around my under eye’s as it’s the only place no longer red and scarred on my skin, I have tried private but I just can’t afford a course of treatments with regular checkups on a private plan so I feel completely helpless to change my skin, I have huge amount of respect for the amazing service that the NHS Scotland provides but feel let down by what seems to be a short staffed and overworked system and hope one day this department gets the support it needs.