Neca - Thank you for your input. My son was on Accutane for 11 weeks, and then his derm said the extent of his cystic outbreak was just too much. We agreed totally -- his back acne however did totally clear, but his face was hardly recognizable - just horrible. I have not seen any pictures in medical studies that looked quite like his did. He is very fair complected -- so it was quite devastating for him. His dosage had only been 40 mg. every other day, and then the last week, she backed him off to 10 mg. every other day, and he just continued to break out - even inside his ears and nose.
So she stopped the accutane, put him on Cephalexin for 3-l/2 weeks, and then said he could start the minocycline. Things seem better now. I had talked to another derm in the Dallas area that has Clearlight and he had advised no Clearlight with accutane.... the treatments could not be mixed. Thank you for the tip on minocyline and light sensitivity. He was on minocycline once before and almost totally cleared and had worked outside in the sun that summer and looked great -- so hopefully we'll continue to see that kind of progress. Changing derms, starting new meds, accutane just really set him back -- in a matter of 6 months. But with everything he is doing now, hopefully by April (prom for him) -- he will look alot better. Thanks again... finding this board has been a great help -- and encouragement also.