Hello! I am mallory I am 21 and from TN (yes I have the southern accent) I am a college student (Almost done woooooo!!) and I have always had acne here and there. It started when I was in high school, but it was nothing major. I could always cover it up with makeup! I tried doxycycline a couple of times, and it really cleared up my skin for the time being. I also tried every topical treatment known to man at that time. I had a few break outs here and there...nothing horrible though. Within the past 6 months, my skin has taken a turn for the worst! I have developed cystic acne that takes FOREVER to heal and go away. I have recently tried tetracycline, microderm, chemical peels, and laser genesis. Didnt help
I am typically an outgoing person or a "social butterfly" and this has ruined my life. It got so bad that for about a month, I didnt leave the house AT ALL! I am super self conscious about and just want it to be gone. I have been to many doctors trying to find the root cause of my acne. I have had blood tests...hormone tests...even a freakin MRI to see if we could find something. Everything has been coming back clear...so now I am about to start takin Accutane. I am excited and super nervous all at the same time. I was kind of hoping I wouldnt have to take it bc I have read some horror stories (dont you just love google) but I am trying to believe that I wont experience that horrible stuff....sigh.

Anyway, I am just a normal chick that loves music, God, my family and friends. Oh yeah..and my puppy Mack. I love him like he is my child! I will probably sneak him in a few pictures so be on the look out for cute little puppy dog eyes ! That reminds me..I will be posting pictures A LOT with my blogs bc I always loved it when someone posted lots of pictures on theirs. I know everyone wants to actually see the progress.

So I start Accutane next Monday, and thats when I will post my "before" Picture. If anyone has any advice please share ;0) Thank you! Stay tuned....

I've been dealing with acne since I was 10. I remember going to the derm and being prescribed Erythromycin and Retin-A and being told that I couldn't have chocolate or cola anymore because it would irritate my skin. I specifically remember asking the Dr: "does this mean I can't eat M&M's anymore?" Lol, I think I was more worried about that than my acne.

Its been so long ago that I don't remember how effective the treatment was. I don't even remember why my parents stopped taking me to the derm. My acne must have improved to a manageable level. I have never been acne free though.

Over the past 15 years or so I've avoided chocolate and cola, tried Pro-Active, Ortho-Tricyclen, mineral make-up, no make-up and various drugstore treatments. The Ortho-Tricyclen kept my acne at bay for several years but it came back when I stopped taking it. Pro-Active was only mildly effective after that. I slowly worked choclate back into my diet a few years ago and it did not irritate my acne, AT ALL. I can't believe I spent almost 20 years avoiding chocolate for no reason!

I don't know all of the acne terms used on this forum but I would describe my acne as mild to moderate. I don't know what a postule or papule is but I'm sure I've had both. I get whiteheads, mostly on my chin now, blackheads on my nose and painful cysts that ooze blood and clear liquid if I pick at them. Those are mainly on my chin now but in the past I've had them on my cheeks and forhead and at the corner of my nose.

I finally stopped wearing any kind of foundation about 2 years ago. My boyfriend, now fiance told me that I looked better without it. I didn't think so but decided to try it. My acne did not improve. In March of 2008 he convinced me to go to a derm. She started me on Minocycline and Tazorac cream. I did not have an IB with the Taz probably because I was taking Minocycline. I took that for a month and then just used the Taz accompanied by Cetaphil cleanser and Cerave moisturizer. Last spring I saw my derm and my acne was much better, but I was very oily so she put me on the Taz gel. It worked as well as the cream for a couple of weeks but then I got a huge cystic breakout on my chin. I think I had 5 or 6 cysts around my mouth and chin area and no matter what I did, they would not go away. They stuck around for over a month.

The most embarrasing part about it was when my fiance's 7 year old daughter asked me what all of those red sores were on my face. I was so embarrased that I couldn't even explain it to her. I had a derm appt already scheduled for later that week. We had talked about accutane in the past but I was too scared of the side effects. This time I let her talk me into it. Since I had to wait a month before I could get my first prescription, I had time to do plenty of research. I combed through reviews and blogs and found some pretty scary stories but also found that there were more success stories than there were nightmares. So here I am and here's my accutane blog:


October 6th:

This was my start date. I will be taking 30mg of Claravis for the next two weeks. After that I bump it up to 60mg per day.

This is the first day, my face is feeling a little warm, but other than that i havent felt any other side effects. This better work.

So im 20 years old and have had acne for like 5 years. About every pore of face is visible if you look close and has something in it. I get bigger stuff around mouth and the jaw line to ears. Ive tried many prescriptions, doxycycline, clindamycin, benzoyl, retin a and other stuff. I have red hair so my skin is fair and im kinda redish all time anyways so red marks are super visible. Its time to move on. Finally got to college and saw the doctor and we decided on accutane. So today i took my first 40mg of Calarvis (some generic since accutane isn't made anymore. I have some pics but they came out crappy. Went to store and bought some nasal spray and some more lip balm...im getting ready the side effects. I will keep this updated whenever i feel something has changed. Wish me luckkkkk. Ok camera died and i cant find any more batteries in dorm...pictures will have to wait.

Day 1- Got a few on each side of mouth that are red marks. One pretty big one right by corner of mouth. My nose and surrounding area have couple. My forehead is red cause i just push and stuff comes out everywhere so its addictive.

Hi all

I started taking isotretinoin 40mg three times daily for the past 2 weeks(I am suprised the doc prescribed so high). I felt side effects literally the next day. The first day I felt dry lips, the nest week I got horribly dry skin to the point it flaked all over. People tell me "you should put on sunscreen" I DO!!! SPF 60 everyday and I didnt realize that it was the accutane drying out my skin. This past week I feel like sh*t. I am EXTREMLEY sensitive to the sun now(I have been usually red but I am like a tomato now). I try to stay out of the sun as much as I can. My face feels like dried sandpaper and my lips crack and bleed. Thank god for aquaphor. I still havent found a good moisterizer for my face. I have tried a lot of brands.... My eyes try out alot and today I am experiencing lower back pain. On top of that, I have broken out like crazy under my chin and on the lower edges of my nose. I used to never get forehead acne and now it is appearing. AUUGH I usually never feel side effects of acne medications. I also feel tired because I cant take my daily vitamin I used to take. My doc said that the vitamins I take cannot have Vitamin A in them becuase I might get an overdose of vitamin A. Track(I do mile, 2 mile) starts up next week and footballl weight lifting starts soon and II dont know how I am going to survive to be honest. I absolutley hate the way my face is feeling right now. I REALLY hopes this gets better.....

edit: I am 17 years old and weigh 150 pounds and the dryness is generally around the mouth(odd...)

Picked up the Sotret yesterday. 40mg x 2 times a day. I think this dosage is way too high and am waiting for the derm to call me back.

Day 1

Took 1 pill yesterday. Felt nauseated. Had insomnia and a slight headache. I pretty much just had myself all worked up. This is a big deal, ya know?

Day 2

I woke up early and took 1 pill with a heaping spoonful of peanut butter. You know how long it has been since I've eaten that crap?! It was pretty good. Tried to go back to sleep for an hour, but couldn't so I vegged in bed and channel surfed.

No side effects to report. I'm a little tired since I didn't get much sleep, but feeling perky and optimistic.

Edited on June 20, 2008 to add:
Since two people commented on how they can't believe I was prescribed Accutane without reading the entire log, I'll do a quick summary here. Accutane is not just reserved for those with nodular acne. It is also prescribed for those with persistent acne past the age of 25 that have not found relief with antibiotics and topicals. I do not have nodular acne, but I have had moderate/severe cystic acne for 12 years. Antibiotics kept it at bay, but they have not been able to stop it. My age (30) has not had any impact. In fact, the older I got, the worse it became. So before anybody else tells me I should not be taking Accutane, do your own research before passing judgement.

I suppose my motivation for using accutane is slightly different than others, in that I am trying to combat excessively oily skin, as opposed to acne itself. I have managed to stay relatively clear with a combination of AHA and Vitamin E cream, though it has done little to address the oil slick that is my face.

For the purposes of transparency, I will concede that my oily affliction is entirely my own doing. I am a competitive bodybuilder and powerlifter, and in the past, have used anabolic steroids to assist me in my training. Though I am not here to debate the ethical or health implications from using illicit substances, I now have to deal with the side effects attibuted to the prolonged use of AAS.

I take my 10 mg accutane (generic isotretinoin) dose with 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil (to aid absorption) in the morning.

My diet is comprised primarily of protein and healthy fats, with minimal carbohydrates (<20g). I try and take in between 4-6L of water per day, and supplement with a generic multi vitamin and fish oil.

Currently on day 2, with nothing of importance to report. I did notice a new pimple on my foreheard, but I would suspect that is largely a coincedence.

Wish me luck!

P.S: For those on low doses, how long before you noticed a reduction in sebum production?

Hi!

I guess the introduction to my acne situation is quite similar to other people taking Accutane - that is, a long history of topicals and antibiotics that have only worked for shorter periods and never cleared the root of the problem. That's what I've found most frustrating about those treatments - they could deal with the activity of the bacteria and the inflammation and somewhat lessen the incidence of zits, but blackheads have always been aplenty and cysts didn't always agree to leave me alone.

In the past months I've been in a humongous dilemma as to whether I'd be willing to take Accutane or not. The horror stories are everywhere - especially on the internet - and many of them have on several occasions gotten me close to ruling out ever touching it. But then again - Accutane is considered a safe drug after all; otherwise it'd never be prescribed to so many thousands of people every year. I mean, the risk that I'd develop a severe allergic reaction from taking an aspirin or some other over-the-counter medication is probably the same as developing a severe side effect from Accutane, and yet I never really hesitate when it comes to those pills. So, finally, I planned an attack on a derm.

Convincing the dear doctor was quite a matter though. My acne comes in periods - don't ask me why, considering I'm male, my acne just has a life on its own - and I'm always so (un)fortunate that my skin is fairly good when I have an appointment. What he could agree on was that the antibiotics stopped working on several occasions, but he lingered on the fact that I'm not prone to scarring from the cysts I have. When I asked what he thought about psychological scars then, he didn't quite know what to say. I hardly had to twist his arm any more after that to get the prescription I wanted.

And so, here I am 10 days into treatment on 20 mg/day. My skin started to get better already after a few days, in the sense that my oil production lessened and that my skin got less bumpy on my forehead and on the sides. On day 8-9 some old cysts awakened - they're still going strong and beyond my picking reach (that is, the bastards haven't surfaced - if they're ever going to..). I haven't got any side effects worth mentioning - my lips are a tiny bit dry, but I'm prone to that in the winter months anyway, so chapsticking isn't anything new in my world.

Now my only bother is that I'm going to a birthday/Halloween party on Saturday. This is probably the only time a year I'd have an excuse for wearing make-up - but I have a costume in mind where it wouldn't exactly fit to paint myself white in the face (which is the only make-up I have..). I've bought a pair of contact lenses that'll make my iris white and will be wearing dark dinner-party clothes. My thought was to go the party and have people wondering why I'm not dressed as a monster or a devil, only to see them jump when they see my eyes. But oh well, maybe they'll just jump higher if I meet up with big red cysts on each side of my nose..

I'll keep an overview below to make the big picture easier to grasp.

So long and a splendid weekend to all of you!


Week 1: 3 cysts, about 1-2 new zits/day.
Week 2: Initial breakout sucks! 4-5 cysts, fewer pimples. Skin less oily.
Week 3: IB still sucks. 4-5 cysts, fewer pimples. Oil production almost normal.

Hey all

Went to derm for first time today, he told me due to my type of acne inflamed tight on skin or something that IB on accutane is more likely in his experience. So he gave me a prescription of bactrim and accutane, but said not to fill the accutane until 1months time. He said if i did it this way i could minimize/avoid breakout and additional scarring. I think he wants me to stay on the bactrim for the 1st month on accutane as well, im not sure about the remainder. Anyway mainly just creating this as a placeholder so i remember to fill out accutane script a month from now.

Has anyone else been on antibiotics particularly bactrim during/before accutane? did it help with IB?
Also if people got given a sample roacctuane pack specifically in australia, with all those cleansers/moisturizers, are they any good?

I've been struggling with acne for 4 years now, it first started when I was 13 and I would get minor pimples around my chin. This year though it got cystic (not huge cysts) but little cysts and papules. I wish I treated it earlier, I just ignored it thinking it was like any other pimple. I was wrong. Now I am on roaccutane starting off at 20mg.

I haven't really scarred yet but a bit (not deep) its only noticable in certain lighting and angles.

My mother had acne at my age and to this day she has very large pores
My dad didn't have acne and has flawless skin, why didn't I get that gene? its so annoying.

My acne is considered severe.
I'm on my fourth day.

Day 1
no side effects

Day 2
no side effects

Day 3
headaches
stiff neck

day 4
headaches
stiff neck

SUPPLIES
sunscreen and lipbalm
dry touch 30spf by neutrogena
covergirl aquasmooth foundation
drinking 3L of water a day
I haven't got anything else yet, my skin isn't dry..
Buying zinc tomorrow

Hello everyone!

Here's my story so far:

I have been fighting acne (mild-moderate) for a couple of years now since I became a teenager (I'm now 16).

I have tried antibiotics and creams (BP etc.) with no success.

My mom had been on accutane when she was at my age, so she told me about the treatment and to me it sounded like a good idea.

We went to the dermatologist (she's really really good and understanding by the way), and she sent me to get me taken some bloodtests to make sure that I was fine before starting.

The results of the test were very good, so my dermatologist just called me and said that I could start right away.

TODAY!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I will be taking my first dosage in an hour or two. Oh, and I'm set to take 3 pills (60mg total) every day.

I guess it will be a bit weird, to take the first pill, knowing that you're on a journey to a hopefully MUCH better skin.

- I gotta say, I can't wait for that!

I heard all these horror stories about this drug, but I'm thinking that it will work for me, since it worked for my mother and also my sister. But the thing I'm most frightened of, is the IB and how terrible it will be. Neither my mom or sister really had an IB, so I'm really hoping to be as lucky as them.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I will make a post for the 1st day tomorrow, and tell you how I'm feeling and how it's all going on my treatment, as well as for the next 4 months (the duration of my course).

By the way, I'm going to the USA tomorrow, because we're having holiday now! No school for a week

Have a great weekend everyone!

DAY 1

Hi everyone,

Today is my first day on roaccutane.
The dermatologist prescribed me 20 mg to take once a day until the flare subsides (probably two weeks) and then 40 mg a day (two 20 mg tables once a day with food). I'm unsure how long I will be on it, but it seems 5-6 months was the suggestion. I weigh approximately 74 kilos (~ 163 pounds) and I'm a 22 year old female from Australia : ).

I had pretty good skin all my life up until earlier this year. I have a feeling it was a certain medication I was on that triggered it (lamotrigine or 'lamictal'), because before then my skin was pretty much spotless. Never had a problem with acne, then at 21 (and now I'm 22) it all started. My acne is rather severe. It's weird, I've known for the past 9 months or so my skin was shocking, but I didn't realise just how bad it was until I took photos without makeup. I guess this is due to me layering myself with 7 pounds of foundation everytime I go out. And I won't take a photo usually without makeup. But it really did make me feel like horrible when I decided to take some "pre" accutane photos. Oh well, it will just make the eventual improvements seem all that much better, right?

I'm excited to start but also worried because I have a wedding to attend on the 20th of November that I am a brides maid for. I would have loved to start earlier on this medication but my acne seemed to clear up and it didn't seem like there was any point! then it went to shit again, sigh.

I hope I look decent in the months to come ! It's upsetting me, and I worry a lot what people think. Bloody self consciousness...

Thanks to anyone who is reading : ) I plan to post pictures and a lot of updates. I've already started taking some photos, but I'll wait a few days until I post them.

Here's to clear skin, I hope...

DAY 3

Today is my third day on roaccutane, and my skin is definitely looking a lot worse than it was.

I don't know the reasoning for this really. It seems a bit early for an "initial breakout", considering I'm only on 20 mg for the first couple of weeks, and it's only bloody day 3! I would think this worsening of my skin would be due to me ceasing my use of topical ointments and I've discontinued vitamins. Also, no more antibiotics. My body has probably just freaked out and the acne has gotten worse.

I had two gigantic pimples that were begging to be popped and I just felt like I had to. I obviously felt much regret after doing so though : | now my skin looks even worse and is bright red. FML.


I don't think I've experienced any side effects yet (unless my skin looking like shit is the initial breakout phase). I noticed some of my pimples were a bit scabby, like dry and flakey, but that might just be the lotions I was using a few days ago kicking in now. But yeah like I said, I've ceased use of them.

I've become a real gym junkie the past few months and I'm going to be devastated if I have to cut down on exercise. It was one thing that was really lifting my mood and making me feel good about myself. I think if I experience any side effects this early on that it is most likely a placebo effect; just reading everyone elses and then straight away thinking that it's happening to me. My neck did feel a bit sore, but hey, chances are it would have felt sore if I hadn't taken any roaccutane.

Anyway, no progress right now. As I won't be able to have waxing whilst on roaccutane, I went and got all that done before the drug is in my system. It's going to suck not being able to wax, haha.

I decided to stop lurking, and also share my experience with istotretinoin treatment. Some background first -- I've been suffering with acne since college. That's almost 10 years of acne that really gave a heavy beating to my self-esteem. I'm now 26 years old and finally, my dermatologist decided to stop the source -- sebum production. We've tried most treatments but it seems that my face was just too oily and topical meds + antibiotics won't do it.

She is placing me in a 10mg/day treatment via Acnetrex for 4 months. I don't know if she will increase my dose but so far I think it's working in this low dosage. It's my 13th day already and here are some of my observations:
- Lips/skin are drying up. My skin is flaking sometimes as well. Will buy Burt's Bee lip balm later on.
- My eyes feel that they are very dry, but still manageable. No pink eyes yet!
- After gym, my body aches like crazy, but still bearable.
- I feel tired every morning when I wake up even if I have 8-10 hours of sleep. I will manage.
- Oil production seems to go down dramatically. Usually, after lunch. I am already shining. Before I need 2 oil blotters, but now, it's just 1 and it's not too bad at all.
- I still get some zits, but they are going down. Most of them are at the side of my nose, and upper lip area. At least they are not cystic anymore thankfully!

Other than Acnetrex, this is what I'm doing AM/PM:
- Wash face with Ivory soap
- Clindamycin topical solution

So far, I've adapted to this regimen. I'm just crossing my fingers that everything will turn out OK.

Oka I saw my derm on thursday. He said I'm gonna do one more month of tane. He gave me the prescription but due to scheduling I still had some pills left so hadn't tried to fill it yet or answer my ipledge questions. I just triedto answer them today and it says " you are unable to demonstrate your knowledge at this time". Do u think the medical assistant jus. Forgot to put me in the system? I've never had a problem with this before and I'm mad cuz it's the weekend. I have one pill for this morning but I won't have one for tonight or any for tomorrow. Will that be okay? I can't. Call the dr until freekin Monday. Do uthink it will be okay? I'm tripping out this is sposed to be my last month and I don't want to miss it. I just hope I didn't get taken out of the system or anythig like that.

Someone give me some answers pleeze!!!


Is there somekinda rule where you have to answer the questions right after yhe dr appointment?

Recently, I went to see a doctor at a walk-in clinic because I had a creepy lump under my chin. You know how on either side of your throat, near your chin, you can feel lymph nodes and if they're swollen, you might be getting sick? I'm used to that. But in that same area, only in the middle of my throat, I had a lump. It freaked me out real good, too. But my father is a doctor (psychiatrist, which means he went through medical school) and talked to me about it. He figured it was a swollen lymph node and that I had an infection or an allergy or a virus, etc etc. I'm away at college, so he was diagnosing over the phone. We agreed I needed to go in to see a doctor. So I did, and he checked me out. Dr. OldGuy said that yes, either a swollen lymph node or an abscess (EW!). I gave him a look, and he said, "At your age, probably not." But he prescribed me antibiotics just in case. While he was feeling this creepy lump, though, he asked me a question.

"Are you seeing anyone about your acne?"

Durp.

The answer is no. I don't have a dermatologist here in the town I go to school in (let's call it Moss Town), and I gave up on the one I had back home (let's call it Rock Town).

I have had acne for about nine years. I started puberty and my period at age 12 (yaaaay) and the acne came soon after. That makes me 21 for those of you still counting. My brother and I had different dermatologists, for whatever reason. I guess we thought I'd do better with a lady doctor since I used to be so insecure about the pain in the face that is acne. My derm went with topicals. My brother's derm went straight to Accutane. Guess which one of us still gets zits? I even asked her about Accutane once and she kind of blew me off.

So I gave up on that heifer and trolled the internet for a while looking for answers.

I have a healthy diet. Lots of veggies. And I'm lactose intolerant anyway, so dairy is out with the exception of plain yogurt for the probiotic benefits. I exercise regularly. And I have tried several things. I have a dermatologist appointment tomorrow, and I'm gunning for Accutane. I've put it off because I've always thought, "It's not a good time, I don't want my face dried out at this time, etc etc" But really, when is it ever a good time to have a dry fucked up face? Never. So let's just get it over with so I don't have bad skin until I'm 30. I can't do this another nine years. And Creepy Lump and Dr. OldGuy really gave me the kick in the keester I needed.

I've prepared a list for them along with my old derm's contact info so that there can be no denying that Accutane is what I need and insurance should pay for it. For prescriptions, I have tried:
Benzaclin (what has been most effective out of everything else)
Minocycline (had to stop that when I went on birth control, but really, who needs to take antibiotics their entire life, anyway?)
Birth Control - Yasmin (or the generic brand Ocella - thank you, Walgreens)
Differin gel
Two different kinds of stank sulfer gel (I will not use "stank" when talking to the doctor or insurance company)
Some other gel I don't recall...

As for non-scripts, I have a longer list.
Paula's Choice:
-5% benzyl peroxide topical gel
-1% beta hydroxy acid gel (salicylic acid)

Carly's Clear and Smooth
-It's a scrub and bar soap combination made with natural ingredients

Burt's Bees
-Soap Bark and Chamomile Scrub
-Carrot day cream

Zeno
-I have too many blemishes for it to be effective even if it IS effective

Neutrogena
-More face washes than I can keep up with
-That vibrating pore scrubber

Clean & Clear
-I've tried their face washes, their benzyl peroxide topical cleanser, and the most recent treatment plan they've come out with

Proactive

Clinique

Washing my face with antibacterial Dial hand soap (I shit you not. Early teens)

Oxy
-Topical gels, cleansing pads, face washes

Stridex pads

Aveeno

St. Ives

Drinking apple cider vinegar
-Pretty effective for a while, but I want a cure

Scrubbing with sea salt
-Okay short term solution, but not long term

Making a face mask out of aspirin (salicylic acid)
-Same as sea salt

Drinking clay and using it as a face mask

Supplements
-Vitamin B5 (Pantothetic acid)
-Fish oil
-Borage oil
-Vitamin E
-Zinc
-Candida Clear
-Olive Leaf Extract
-Evening Primrose Oil
-Multivitamin
-Probiotic

In other words, HELP.

I am currently using Paula's one-step cleanser (it's awesome), her balancing toner (it's awesome), her BHA gel (awesome), and I just got started on Benzaclin again after being off it for way too long. And I use Oil of Olay to moisturize and for sun protection.

My plan is to get what I want and then to record it here. I have an advantage, see. I'm so sick of this bullshit that I'll go ahead and be very candid with them and what I'm going through. I've got acne, I can't help it, you will not embarrass me. I used to be so insecure about it that whenever either parent mentioned it, or a doctor, or an intern working for a doctor... I'd want to cry and disappear. I wanted to deny everything. But I've been pursuing a BFA in theatre, and it's very appearance-oriented so I've had to do a lot of self-evaluation and I've had to come to terms with a lot. I can be pretty honest about how I look without letting it get me upset. And instead of moping, I'm proactive. I'm showing up at the dermatologist without makeup and so help me, this doctor will do something about it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm plenty insecure and bothered by it, or I wouldn't be so bent on Accutane. I had a bout of tears the other day when I was trying to get a goddamn appointment and it was taking a lot of time and energy. At one point, I threw my hands in the air and said, "Someone cure me!" So I'm not "above" any of that at all. But I'm practical. And a little feisty. Also, I'm dating this older guy and he's so great about not making me uncomfortable about my skin, but I mean, come on... he doesn't touch my face when he kisses me or when we're intimate because it would obviously make me uncomfortable. And he's almost done it by accident, so I know he wants to be able to have my face in his hands when all that's going on, but that hasn't ever been an option. I haaaaate it. I'm around him without makeup on a lot, like when I sleep over, and I feel okay to do that, but there's still a tinge of embarrassment in the bottom of my heart when he looks at my face. And fuck that.

I even have pictures. There are three are from a few days ago and one from last night. I'm going to show them to this new dermatologist. I will be assisted!!

So wish me luck this afternoon. Hopefully, I will be back.

Day 1

I just popped the first pill.

I stared at it for about 5 minutes before I decided I had enough guts to take it. At that moment, I saw the similarities between the lovely 30 mg of Sotret sitting before me and an orange peanut M&M. That's when I decided it would be okay. I love snacks. Of course, not being able to chew it does cut down on the enjoyability aspect, but nonetheless, I did manage to convince myself to ingest it. I keep checking the mirror to see if I have magically morphed into someone/thing other than myself. So far, nothing spectacular has happened. Might be because I just took it 30 minutes ago.

Alright, so who am I? I am a 22 year old female graduate student. I'm taking 60 mg of Sotret daily starting today, and my weight is 123 lbs. My acne is severe, I guess. Cysts and the like, although I don't think I've ever had a nodule.

Once something happens, I'll let you know.

Until then,
E

Im a 20 year old Norwegian boy, and will not sit in my wheelchair at the age of 80, looking back, thinking that acnes destroied my best years. Therefore I went to see my doctor at the beginning og january, after finishing 5 months of oxytetracycline, without a good result. It made my skin look fine for about one month, and after that it only got worse. Then my doctor sent me to a dermatologist, because only these are allowed to prescribe isotretinoin in Norway. She really understood my problem, and beacause some of my acnes could give me scars, she was willing to put me on isotretinoin. Im starting on taking 20mg at breakfast and 20mg at dinner, so 40mg a day for the first month. After one month im going back to the doctor, and if the tests are okay, im hopefully going up to 80mg a day. Feel free to comment, and share your experiences. This is were i will update my status, and it might even give me an oppurtunity to improve my english

My advise to everyone is to relax, dont worry about all the possible sideeffects. Yeah you will get dry and probably have some headaches, but that might be it all. Most people dont get an IB! For many ppl the worst part of beeing on accutane is all the worries. Think about your skin becoming clear, think about the positive sides, and I truly belive this will help you get through it

I also thinks years of struggeling with acnes will make me a happier and more appreciating person. Just going out whitout acnes will be amazing, dont think that is a fact for many other ppl. My point is to look on the positive sides!

Anyway, I have started Accutane, the first step of a better life

Day 11

My skin is about the same as when i started, maybe a bit better. There have been some sideeffects like dryness, face and lips, and some headaches, but nothing to complain about

Hi there,
Just wondering if anyone here is as old as me! I started taking accutane 2 weeks ago - 20mg daily. The skin on my face isn't all that bad. It's mainly my chest/neck area that's the problem but hey, at my age I shouldn't have any at all!
I'm finding it quite tough. The physical effects are manageable although the itchy head is driving me nuts. I also stress out about having to put so much moisturizer on. I would never have dared to do that before - I would have woken up with a faceful!!
The worst thing though is the low mood. My brother took this stuff 20 yrs ago and he says that he and everyone he knows who's been on it reports the same thing. Anyone else noticed that? I'll admit it wasn't clever to start taking it when I'm sad anyway (got dumped at the end of July), but all the same it's pretty bad!
I'll be so pleased to get a reply. It would be great to find someone going through the same stuff x

I am on my 14th day of my second round of accutane. First time I went on it was about 7 years ago. Needless to say it all came back, haha. Anyways, I don't have cysts but I do have tons of tiny little pimples and redness, etc. all over.

In the first two weeks being on 60mg/day I have seen improvement already. My skin is not oily at all where as I used to literally drip. No new acne and my bad areas (chin, jawline, neck) are smoothing out. My shoulder/back area is almost completely clear too. I have had some soreness in my back and tiredness. Also my head itches a lot, lol. Lips are a bit dry and I am sure with the weeks to come they will get even worse but bring it on I say!

I am surprised at how fast I am seeing results. Only two weeks in and so far so good.

Ah, and if it matters for this log I am a 23 year old female, about 135 pounds on 60 mg/day.

So, the story:

Keeping it short, an Irish boy, 23 years of age, having dealt with acne for close to 10 years, has hit the bottom of the acne based barrel, stunted confidence, lacking in a social life, finally wants out.

My acne is moderate, but persistent, so while it may not be aggressive, there are constant waves of attacks, multiples of active and red-marked acne, and it's very much pustule based acne, which makes it visually disgusting - to me. It's strange, what repulses you in yourself you find completely fine in others. Your own mind playing tricks.

Anyway...

Today I met with my dermatologist. Notes on the appointment:

• He read like a spokesman for Roaccutane, but that didn't eradicate the message.
• We spoke frankly about the drawbacks and he was considerate and quite honest.
• He took my weight and said that the best course of action would be 70 mg a day.
• The 70 mg being based on a weight of 11 stone.
• This 70 mg would be split into 30mg in the morning and 40 mg in the evening.
• It will be 70 mg per day for four months.
• I ask whether starting with a lower dose would be best, but he stated that it's only used to ease people into the drug, so they won't be deterred by the strong symptoms within the first couple of weeks.
• There won't be any blood tests, unless there is colouring in my eyes after the first month.
• He has studied, prescribed, and dealt with this drug for just under 30 years.
• He has prescribed it to his own children, as well as some relatives.
• He sold it quite well, even if I had a level of paranoia attached to the idea prior to the visit.

Now, I'm waiting for my medical card to kick in over the next couple of days before I begin the course, but I'm hoping maybe someone could tell me about their course, especially if it entailed an immediate high dosage. This, while only an opening post, will become a log. No fear of a lack of updates either as an addiction to the Internet will help in this case.

So, starting with a little bit of apprehension, but good vibes. I'll post some imagery later, some horrible stuff for you all to enjoy. Also, I hope you don't mind, but just to quirk up the posts, I'm going to do an image-song-filmscene of the day type thing, too, to accompany the logs and complaints and eventual euphoria (believe!). I guess I might aswell start now.

Day -2/3.

Song: Mazzy Star, Happy Image: Morrissey Scene: The Monday Tape, High Fidelity

So, I started getting acne on my face when I was about 10 years old. Of course, it only got progressively worse. When I was around 13, I started getting acne on my back and chest as well. I turn 18 next month, and now my pimples on my face aren't as bad as on my back. On my face I get small to medium pimples on my cheeks and temples, and the occasional monthly cyst or two on my chin. Not to mention all the blackhead on my nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. But my back is covered in pimples of all sorts of shapes and sizes, ranging from really tiny ones to huge cysts, as well as blackheads. Its really embarrassing because I live in South Florida, so I can't go to the beach or go in the pool with my friends because I don't want them to see my bacne. I also can't wear tank tops or tube tops, and when it comes time for homecoming I have to find a cute cardigan or a dress with a back... which is nearly impossible to find.

Anyway, I have tried all the pills and creams my dermatologist can dish out as well as every store bought wash, INCLUDING PROACTIV. TWICE. So now I am finally on Accutane. I've been taking the generic Clavaris, and I'm now on my 33rd day.

I've been seeing a lot of improvement on my face, it's practically clear right now. My back still needs a lot of work. And my lips, oy vey. They're peeling all the time despite the constant TLC I give them. And right now I have cuts on BOTH SIDES of my lips because I accidentally forgot to put the lip balm in the corners....fml. And I've been having these weird bubble things pop up on both my lips? Have any of you guys had that?

So yea you're probably "yet another one of those banal accutane logs" but i'm soooo excited to start!! I guess i'll start with the typical "about myself" paragraph.

i'm a 17-year-old female whose had acne (aah i really really hate that word. it makes me cringe! does this happen to anyone else??) since the beginning of 7th grade. I am now in 12th grade so I think i've had enough years to torture to qualify me for accutane. It's not that my acne is bad per se it's just really really consistent. I've tried a laundry-list of products, such as yasmin, all the -cyclines, retin-a, the DRK, countless over-the-counter products, clindamycin phosphate, peels, and the list goes on. The only treatment that made me practically clear was tetracycline and retin-a a few summers ago, but i think i became immune because my acne came back full-force only a few months later.
I'm so anxious to start accutane and i'm almost done with my 30-day waiting period. gaah it's torturous I'm taking my urine test on Monday and will hopefully get my prescription on either Monday or Tuesday!! I'm not sure what brand or dosage i'm on yet. I'm 5'8" and 130lbs so i'm guessing my dosage might start out at 40mg?

It seems as if my body is already on accutane!! I've been breaking out a lot lately and my skin is pretty dry. I guess i've been thinking about accutane too much??

anyways, i'm going to be using aquaphor (that's a given), cetaphil cleanser (unless someone has a better suggestion?), and then cetaphil lotion at night and ceraVe lotion in the morning because i've heard that one makes you a lot less greasy. I will probably also take fish-oil and zinc. anyone else have any suggestions?

Well if you read all this, then you're amazing! I will be posting pictures as soon as i take my first pill next week. see y'all then!!

Help me, Accutane. You're my only hope.

I'm 23 years old, female, and just started Accutane a few days ago. Up until now, I've probably taken every topical and oral acne medication that exists except Accutane. Ever since hitting puberty I've suffered from moderate cystic/nodular acne.

About a year ago, for reasons unknown to myself, my skin lurched uncontrollably into the severe cystic acne zone. I decided that no matter how miserable Accutane's side effects are, they can't be any worse than the emotional and physical misery I'm already going through.

For the first time since...a very long time, I feel hopeful. Like things might just change this time. Like maybe this will all finally be over, and I'll smile when I look in the mirror.

If you can give any encouragement or tips, I'd really appreciate it!

I plan on taking photos of my progress every two weeks. I've attached the first photo - this is pretty embarrassing! Agh my face!

Just started on accutane, thought i would start a log so i could track my progress. Im a long term user of BP, probably 4 years or more, however for maybe 3 of them its been to keep my acne at bay to a certain extent without actually being clear. Iv had enough of the time it takes and the limited results i get from it. So heres hoping accutane can clear me as it would, be a huge weight off my shoulders.

At the minute im mostly worried about coming off the BP and getting a major breakout as a result, coupled with an initial breakout from the accutane. Ive managed to keep it fairly controlled for years so a major breakout will be tough to handle, but have to think of the long term benefit if it works!

So, I am on Accutane. Wow!

It's been 9 days, and I will say now: This won't be kept up to date every day like my previous log.

So far in my limited exposure to this Rx I can say, i've felt a little like a snake. My neck quickly broke out quite severely, then sort of dried out and scabbed over, then pretty much peeled and then... No spots underneath! Just a few red marks. I really wasn't expecting that so quickly, but I'm not complaining! I've gotten a few spots pop up near my hair line, but they quickly shrink and disappear: not really amounting to anything.

I believe my back has dried out a bit, but I am still getting actives pop up there. It does seem a bit less inflamed however.

As for my chest, well... that's a weird one! I'm getting a few actives pop up on the sides, but my main problem area - bang in the middle - is clear spare for the red marks left. Also, i've had lots of little red dots pop up; similar to my experience with Vitamin A + D. I can't however, be entirely sure that it is the Accutane, since I used depilatory cream on there roughly 1month ago and since the turnover of skin is 28 days give or take: it could be that! I'm leaning toward the depilatory cream, since I have the dots on my abs too - and I never get acne there, but I used the cream there too.

Also, quite cool I think: Those of you which have been Accutane i'm sure will know that certain moisturisers begin to sting a bit. Well, I just moisturised and as for the last few days it has stung and felt a little warm on my face. Now, the cool part: I came back into my room and put some music on, and I could literally feel the music through my skin with subtle pulses of warmth for a few minutes!

It's weird having to moisturise so much. Having oily skin, I used to occassionally moisturise after cleansing if I could be bothered (my face is pretty much clear anyway and I don't have to do a strict regimen) and it would be quite a task to get my skin to absorb the moisturiser. Now however is an entirely different story, I slop the stuff on, and within 15mins it's all gone and my skin begins feeling tight again, arghh!

My lips were originally flaking and getting very chapped too, but I soon discovered Blistex Intensive Moisture. It contains Lanolin Alcohols, but it doesn't seem to be breaking me out around my lips (I had one very tiny white-head this morning, but I get them occassionally anyway) so I don't care too much. I don't really like the menthol feel of it though, but it works wonders so I'm not complaining. The skin around my lips still flakes a little though even though I slather moisturiser around them frequently.

Anyway that's it for today I think, I don't have a digicam currently, but i'll try and get hold of one and get some pictures up for you all (maybe!) .

Oh but before I forget, I was at work today, and one of the first things anyone said to me was "Have you been out in the sun? Your skin is looking really healthy!" so bit of a confidence boost there! I do have a bit of a tan though, as I work outside at my other job. But I think i've only gotten more red, rather than tanned since going on Accutane - so it must be the now more smooth appearance of my skin she was commenting on .

I'm looking forward to going to the sports centre and having a swim once my body is clear, heh! Not done that for probably 8years now!

Hey, I'm Phoenixbalm and have had severe acne for 2 years now.



First off, I'd just like to say, thank you, to all of acne.org's

members, for just being here - you guys are just incredible,

couldn't have got myself to this stage without you all. You've

helped me through a lot, and my appreciation is unending.



OK so here goes, another generic accutane log likely to play

part in convincing other acne sufferers out there to go a

knockin' on their dermatologist's door and asking for the stuff.



I'm posting pictures of my condition 1 week before starting

(02-07-09) This is the day after I went to see the

dermatologist. I'm waiting for blood test results next

wednesday, where I'll get the prescription, so should be

started by the end of next week - obviously there won't be

much posting before then, but just thought I'd lay out the log in

advance. I'm going to update this log pretty much daily once I

begin, but do forgive me if I miss a day every now and then!

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[attachment=20244:IMG_2525__Large_.jpg]
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Do you ever get that feeling where all your friends and the people you know around you complain about their problems, and you say nothing about your acne to them, because it's humiliating and it drives you mad, because you would trade their life with yours any day? I get this every bloody day I live - I get it with my friends, my girlfriend, the idiots at my school - They are all so fucking fortunate. Sometimes I really would like to tell them to go fuck off, because I'd be interested to see what they'd say if they saw these pictures.

Now before I go saying I'm unfortunate and WOE IS ME! I'd just like to say, I am very, very thankful to whatever higher power (if there is one) gave me the life I've got. My situation is a lot better than 99% of the rest of the world, I am presuming.

I do, however, believe people with acne should bloody well have the right to feel shit, because let's be honest people, acne can ruin your life. For two years now I've had the quiet pattern of going to school, hating every moment of it, trying to hide my face and trying to sit comfortably, whilst my back puts my through hell, coming home, some nights just pretty much breaking down and going to bed generally bunged up. I've spent absolutely ages using every moment of spare time researching ways to treat it - accutane looking like the only answer.

Long story short - CAN'T FUCKING WAIT TO START!

Side effects may be bad, but boy, I am so ready to say goodbye to this depressing, restraining existence.

Pre-cursor

I've decided to do this blog because I want to help people considering Accutane.
I'm 19 and have lived with acne in varying severities for 8 years.
If my blog can give someone the answers they want about Accutane, and help them make a choice about it, maybe they won't have to live nearly a decade feeling like all people see is they're acne.

So I'll start of with a little about me.
My name is Kayla, I'm 19 and I live in Canada. I've struggled with acne since I was about 11 years old. I've tried everything you can think of to make it go away. Facewashes, antibiotics, birth control, diet, facials, Proactiv, and now finally Accutane.

I'd like to state that at this point in my life my acne is over all better then it ever has been. However my acne type has changed from regular to moderate pimples to cysts in the last 2 years.

My dermatologist basically told me: for cystic acne you have 2 choices. Grow out of your acne, or go on Accutane. Well having lived with acne for 8 years already, I'm finished with it. I'm finished with constantly wiping my face, blotting, washing, scrubbing, crying, and thinking that people are staring at the disgusting blemishes on my face. I want people to see ME. Not my acne.

I will state now: My acne is not very 'bad' now. I don't want to be told that I don't need Accutane because my skin is not that 'bad'. If you have acne you know as well as I do that it isn't what other people consider bad- it's how you feel.

Hey, don't know if anyone will read this. Doesn't really matter though. Someone might, if you are, hello!

Just some background info: I'm 21 male. Never really had acne though I did get a few pimpels when I was 18, but they faded. I would break out occassionally but nothing special. However a few months ago it started getting worse and although my face isn't all lumpy etc, it's very red and looks terrible. I have a few lumps on my jawline.

So I finally went to the dermatologist and he said I have nodular acne! Said I need to start a course of Decutan for 4 months (hopefully no more)

And so it begins.