Accutane - my new best friend

Welcome to my accutane log! I have to tell you that when I was a little kid, I loved to write, so I guess this is my chance to pick up a hobby I left behind a long time ago. Mind you, when I was 8 years old, I don't think I ever imagined writing a story about my experiences with zits. But then again, I also didn't know that sometimes life can be a real b*tch!!! Anyways, here's some info about me: when I was a teenager (I'm 30 now) I had some mild acne. Vaguely remember trying some topical and oral antibiotics but nothing really helped. Then, when I was 19, I went on the birth control pill (Marvelon) and it was like a miracle - no more acne!!!

Last year, my husband and I made the BIG decision to start a family so after ten years of being on my miracle drug, I went off the pill in May of 2005 with the plan that we would start trying 3 months from then. I had NO idea that going off the pill could result in the acne coming back, but it did...and with a vengence. Long story short, over the past year I have no baby bump, but I do have some other lovely little bumps all over me. For a year now, the acne has gotten progressively worse - face managable (thank god for make-up!) but chest and back are pretty bad (probably classified as moderate). I've tried lots of different topical treatments and was on erythromycin for a couple months with absolutely no improvement.

I still can't believe the impact acne has had on my life but I probably don't need to go into details as I'm sure everyone reading this understands. Basically, it's gotten so bad that I've made the tough decision to put baby plans on hold and get tough on this acne - my body will be their home no longer! After meeting with the derm. today (results of blood work were great), I got my prescription filled, loaded up on a tonne of other supplies and will start taking it tomorrow. I was kinda surprised by the dose - thought I'd start off slow at 20mg (I only weigh 115 pounds) but no, I'm jumping right to 60 (alternate between 40mg one day and 80 the next). I'm freakin out that I'll get an intense IB and experience severe side effects from this dose but I guess I won't know 'till I start it, right?

Sorry to go on and on - think all the nervous energy I have from being a day away from starting accutane is coming out in my fingers! Only one more sleep and the accutane journey begins...

Tanya

hormonal acne and accutane

Hi all!

I'm new here so here's some background info: I had some acne when I was a teenager (am now 30) but skin was totally clear for 10 yrs when I was on the pill. I went off the pill last yr because my husband and I wanted to start a family. Well, instead of getting pregnant, I got acne! It's a lot worse then when I was younger and is on face (not too bad), chest and back. I've tried numerous topicals and have been on an oral antibiotic for about a month but hasn't really helped much. Also looked into clearlight therapy but it would cost thousands of dollars and there's no guarantee it would work. Anyways, when I saw the derm. couple weeks ago he asked if I would be willing to stop trying to have a baby for a while and go on accutane. Before seeing him, I had pretty much already accepted that accutane may be a possibility. Even though I'm devastated to put off having a baby, I so need to have clear skin again - I can't even begin to tell you how much acne has affected my life but I'm sure you all understand that!

So, now that I'm probably a couple weeks away from going on Accutane (getting blood tests next week) I'm starting to wonder if there's something else going on that's caused the acne, like maybe polycystic ovarian syndrome? The only symptoms I have are acne and possible fertility problems so who knows?

Are there any other women out there who have PCOS or hormonal acne and who have gone on accutane? Has accutane worked for you? Any feedback/advise would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!