My Accutane Journey in Pictures

Hi all. Some of you may remember me from my "5th Course of Accutane" thread about 7 months ago. Just thought I'd post a few pictures showing the progress.

October 18, 2008





February 4, 2009





Yesterday (May 14)







I think there's been a fairly significant improvement, and I can finally shave without worrying about exposing my bad skin or my scars. Hopefully this will show those of you who are just beginning Accutane than there is hope and you can expect to see your skin begin to clear up soon!

Fifth Course of Accutane

Some of you may remember my thread with a similar title back in October. For those who don't, I'm currently on my fifth course of Accutane after having a significant flare-up when I stopped taking Bactrim (antibiotic).

Here's a quick status report with some pictures. Hopefully this will be encouragement for some people who are just starting out!


Course start date: Oct 6, 2008

Daily dose: 40mg

Other acne 'medications': Cetaphil gentle cleanser, Cetaphil moisturizer

Initial breakout duration: 45-60 days

Side effects: Dry lips, dry skin, mild weight loss

Bactrim/Septra and Accutane

Has anyone here been prescribed Bactrim/Septra while also on Accutane?

All the drug interaction websites say this is an OK combination, but I would like to see if anyone else has used both.

Thanks.

Excellent Acne Information Website

I was searching for some information on Zinc supplementation today, and I ran across the University of Maryland's medical website.

I am a man of science, and I don't trust any information that's based purely on personal experience. I also question a lot of the holistic information these forums because it often seems like 'voodoo medicine' to me.

Anyway, this website has an excellent balanced approach to all the various common anti-Acne agents (oral, topical, herbal) and it is backed up by scientific research (a nice change). Click the links along the side bar to view info on the various treatments.

Link: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/acne-000001.htm

FYI, I am in no way affiliated with the site nor does it try to sell any products, just trying to help people learn a bit more about acne and treatments backed up with real research.

5th Course of Accutane...

Hi all. Just wanted to post my 'Accutane story' and hopefully hear some advice / perhaps give some insight to those considering Accutane.

Yes, 12 days ago I started my fifth course of Accutane. I'm now 21, my first course was at around age 14. The first three courses were all about four months at 60/mg per day, and went on/off each year until I was about 18.

The Good: Each course cleared up my Accutane completely. For at least a few months after finishing the course, my acne would go from severe (cysts/nodules/brutalness) to nonexistent. I credit Accutane with letting me live a normal teenage life, and for that I will be forever grateful. No regrets.

The Bad: It keeps coming back. My fourth course of Accutane was 40mg/day for one month, and then 10mg a day three times per week (a maintenance dose, of sorts). It worked decently.

About 9 months ago (I believe this was in early February) I went to my family doctor because yet again my acne was flaring up. I didn't have any cysts, but I did have moderate acne without a doubt. He prescribed an antibiotic, Bactrim. Bactrim cleared up my skin almost completely within 4 months. I have never had such amazing skin without the drying side effects. I was thrilled, and I thought I had beaten acne forever.

I stopped taking Bactrim after 6 months at the direction of my Dermatologist, who said sulfa-type antibiotics shouldn't be used for more than 6 months at a time. My last pill of Bactrim was taken on August 1st. That was fine, I thought, although by early September I was seeing a few breakouts, so I was prescribed Minocycline, was was hugely inneffective.

By October 1, my acne had flared up so badly that I now had cysts, something I haven't had in years. I convinced my dermatologist that if he wouldn't give me Bactrim, I needed Accutane. So here I am, 2 weeks into my fifth course of Accutane.

In the span of two months I went from feeling like I was on the top of the world to now being in the gutter. My immense confidence is gone, and I am often ashamed to leave the house. The initial breakout has been extremely frustrating to say the least. The only "light at the end of the tunnel" is the fact that I'm back on Accutane and looking forward to clear skin again within a few months. I just hope that the fifth time is the final time.

Attached are some pics from the few months:

1) July 1st ish ... totally clear skin, loving life



2) Aug 1st ish ... totally clear skin, loving life



3) Sep 1st ish ... a few small pimples but overall enjoying life

[attachment=14390:sept1.JPG]

4) Today ... bad breakout, cyst




Thanks in advance for any replies/comments/encouragement/suggestions.


PS. Does anyone know anything about Bactrim? Is it possible for me to go back on this drug again for another 'course' once my Accutane has worn off? I was considering trying to order it online, if I was refused a prescription. I have not seen anything on the net about long-term damage caused by this drug.