http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775-graciemeows-blog/ Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:20:42 +0000 webmaster@acne.org (Forums) IP.Blog 60 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-26058-good-skin-bad-skin/ When my skins bad it's not even worth getting out of bed in the morning.
I feel like accutane is this horrible drug that lulls you into a false sense of security until your skin comes back with a vengance
I have just been diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovaries) and therefore discovered that the two courses of roaccutane I have been on were, in effect, useless and pointless
i really need help]]> Sun, 07 Apr 2013 10:20:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-26058-good-skin-bad-skin/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-25793-feelings-on-acne/ After buying and trying all the over the counter creams, lotions and potions under the sun, to using topical and medicated creams to having every available anti-biotic, cutting out various food groups from my diet, self esteem plumetting to an all time low, two courses of gruelling courses of roaccutane (accutane), I feel my acne slowly returning.
I am now at an endocrinologist but i feel as though i have lost all hope.
I feel like, to an extent, I should try and keep a posotive outlook on things, which I can sometimes in an "it could always be worse" sort of way.
But its hard to feel like things can get worse when you feel so low. I feel selfish feeling like this but I hate what I see when i look in the mirror.
Do I try and accept myself the way I am, or keep returning to life-ruling, gruelling medications that take toll on the rest of my looks whilst givnig me the skin i desire?
This is taking over my life and I don't know where to turn]]> Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:57:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-25793-feelings-on-acne/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-25689-endocrinologist/ I don't have PCOS
but,
i do have more testosterone than I should in my body. So my GP has referred me to an endocrinologist, who I am going to see on tuesday morning. I'm really excited as I hope there is something I can do about this.]]> Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:29:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-25689-endocrinologist/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-25405-scan-and-blood-tests/ I will make a post with what happens.
I will also post some pictures after this weekend of what my skin currently looks like.]]> Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:52:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-25405-scan-and-blood-tests/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-25365-its-been-a-while/ Its been a long long LONG while since i posted here.
I began this blog as a follow along for my second course of accutane (or roaccutane for us brits). I wanted to also keep people that followed this blog updated and also because, just because I am cleared of acne (for the time being at least, one can never be too optimistic) I shouldn't abandon this blog!
So anyway I had a very successful course of accutane and came off the drug at the begining of May 2012.I was acne free, very very happy and relieved that I didn't have to worry about my skin anymore.
The side effects -
Dry lips
Dry skin (accutane induced eczema - patches on my arms)
Hair loss/hair thinning - this wasn't extreme, however my hair did get noticably thinner and , after two courses of accutane, my luscious locks couldn't hack to abuse and I have gone from long almost elbow length hair to shoulder length. Hair grows alot faster than self-esteem and confidence, so thats a price I was willing to pay.
Weight Loss (?) - I query this because I met a friend who went on accutane and she said she also lost weight, however I went on accutane at a very stressful period in my life, I hadbroken up with my boyfriend, was in my final year of University, worked two jobs along side an Internship and was saving up/planning to go work and live in America for three months. So really, I dont think I can put accutane as the sole cause of the weight loss.
Nail weakness - my nails snapped and split and peeled alot. I still dont think they have properly recovered.

Thats about all Its now 8 months on almost and my skin is still clear !! however, I have been to the doctors and discovered something very interesting.
Since I started my periods, they have been irregular. and not just at the start, and a few days out. I mean crazy irregular. I'd have one one month, then maybe not have another for up to four months and then have them every month for one-three months, then miss a few or so again and so on and so forth. I went on the pill at 16 up until jan 2012 and, after comingoff the pill i was sort of glad to give my body a little break and see if i could get regular periods now i was older.
HOW WRONG I WAS
I am fully aware it takes your body time to re adjust after being on the contraceptive pill. However, last year I had 4 periods in total. All year. So I went to the doctors and discussed this. I also mentioned how maybe since I suffered so much with my skin the two could be related.
She took some blood tests and found that I have a higher than average level of testosterone in my body, and thats the hormone that causes acne. It also contributes to my irregular periods. Now I am having more bloods taken and an ultra sound scan. So I will keep you posted with what happens.
Ladies, if this sounds like a problem you've had, its worth mentioning it to your GP/Doctor and maybe seeing if there is something you can do about it!
I will post pics of my skin soon ]]> Sun, 13 Jan 2013 17:15:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-25365-its-been-a-while/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-23152-where-are-your-lymph-nodespossible-side-effect-of-accutane/ Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:16:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-23152-where-are-your-lymph-nodespossible-side-effect-of-accutane/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-23143-people-on-accutane-be-careffull-in-the-sunn-i-learnt-the-hard-wayy/ so just be so careful... skins so sensitive... only 2 weeks to go i cant waiiittt to be off it. results are looking great (minus the sunburn) so ill post some pics soon]]> Sun, 01 Apr 2012 09:55:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-23143-people-on-accutane-be-careffull-in-the-sunn-i-learnt-the-hard-wayy/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-23105-day-91-success/ )) !! i noticed that my side effects are actually subsiding. they weren't terrible at all really, there was a point a few weeks ago where my lips were painful and cracking but i kept up with the carmex and its got a little better.
the ecezema on my upper arms has subsided, my hairs gotten alot thicker and less dry, my appetites a little better, my sight is improving.
all is gravy ))))))))))]]> Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:35:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-23105-day-91-success/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-23064-day-86-loss-of-appetite-and-possibly-weight/ mind you this could be a number of things, i'm going through a break up and i'm also very stressed with uni work and deadlines so it might be that.... i don't know has anyone else been through this????]]> Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:59:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-23064-day-86-loss-of-appetite-and-possibly-weight/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-23054-day-85-pictures/


as you can see my lips are now so sore...i've got carmex on but they're just dead bitty all the time and if i don't kee carmex on they crack and bleed yaaay. i don't have any foundation on . ]]> Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:06:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-23054-day-85-pictures/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-23012-really-weird-thing-that-i-think-is-a-side-effect-from-accutane/ its so annoying. it's never usually like this and at first i thought i just got a cold cos i started med in december and i did actually get a cold in jan....but by feb i was like wtf why am i still not over this. and now its like.......... definatly must be accutane. its worse in like warm places (so like work) and im constantly sniffing. anyone else ever had/had this ??]]> Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:10:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-23012-really-weird-thing-that-i-think-is-a-side-effect-from-accutane/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22983-day-74-success/ only 5 weeks left, i dont have to do any longer only the 4 month minimun cos my skin has responded so well. my lips are dry of doom and kinda painful but i keep pickingthem and making them bleed which obviously isn't helpful. i'll post pictures tomorrow. my blood tests have all come back fine except my liver enzymeis slightly raised...i have been abit naughty with alcohol so im going tobe really strict andnot even touch it now for the final5 weeks ]]> Fri, 09 Mar 2012 21:23:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22983-day-74-success/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22927-day-67-good-news/ okay soi i had my dermatology appointment today and she said......................... i only have to be on it a total of 16 weeks!!! which means 17th aprilis my finish day and that means i only have around 6/7 weeks left!!!!!!!!!!! wow!!!!!!!! she is not upping my dose as she said if 40 mg works for me then theres no need to up my dose..which i thought was weird.. so i will ony do 4 months on 40mg. to be fair my skin was never /has never been atrocious just persistant but i guess once your clear then thats the job done...not the amount of time you stay on it? whats everyone elses experiences on length and dosage and advice from derms?? Fri, 02 Mar 2012 03:13:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22927-day-67-good-news/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22875-day-63/ thats a long time!! anyways, im trying to stay posssiitive and i cant wait to see my derm
worst of the side effects are my lips and my hair. the eczma is pretty annoying but not too much. my friend told me.. wierdly.. that some sort of nipple cream is supposed to work realllyy well on dry and sore lips!!! so i am going to try it as i cant stop biting my lips and making them bleed, they're so dry and sore !!
adios for now! ill update after my consultation]]> Sun, 26 Feb 2012 21:58:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22875-day-63/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22797-day-50-something-still-pictures/ the right side of my face is still very stubborn and the thing on my cheek on the left side hasn't fully gone down yet which is frustrating. As you can see my lips are getting pretty sore now


still got a long way to go i guess. i had to cut off a lot of my hair ]]> Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:22:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22797-day-50-something-still-pictures/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22779-dayermm50-something-major-results/ "your looking well!"
"oh god you look radient!" (followed by my hasty 'im not preggers dont worry lol! reply)
"you look dead different. in a good way, really bonnie. whats different?"
the difference is, my friends, colleagues and fellow students, MY SKIN. i am more confident , no more checking in the mirror that my make ups come off, no more voice in the back of my head when i meet new people saying "they're looking at your skin they thing your a scruff" NO MORE PICKING, NO MORE EXCESSIVE SUDOCREM AT NIGHTS, NO MORE LAYERS UPON LAYERS OF FOUNDATION
i am still getting the odd spot here and there, and i am only halfway through the course (at least, minimum of 4 months she said). I will post a make up less photo tomorrow
side effects wise :
dry lips (obviously, but still managable)
dry eyes, that get more watery but this isn't excessive
my hair is a mess :'( dry, brittle, shedding/thinning. i had it cut to make it appear thicker and its just something i will have to persevere with. its not major major so no panic.
my sight is back to normal, my stomach isn't as iffy any more, even the eczma like dry patches on my arms have gone]]> Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:48:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22779-dayermm50-something-major-results/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22672-day-41-dry-dry-dryyyyyy/ . this is with minimal foundation

even with foundation before hand you could see all the lumps and bumps under my skin in the sunlight. i'm really happy with the outcome so far
side effects : dry lips (of course, not too bad still at the moment, its managable) dry hair, dry skin on face that feels tight and looks dry with foundation at times, eczema on thetops of my arms (right arm worse than my left for some reason :/), nails keep breaking.
my sight still doesnt seem quite right. its mroe when im studying cos im english literature so i read alot of books and write alot of essays (fun -_-) so its when ive been reading and when i look away everythings blurry for a few minutes. i'll tell my derm about this though because i didnt experience this at first at all and its worrying me. and i am due another consultation soon. and recently i've noticed a slight change in my mood, i feel really tired alot of the time, wanting to sleep alot more and im abit teary. however im not going to tell my derm about this because im scared it will stop her upping my dose and i dont want to be on this med any longer than necessary. if it gets worse i will come off it my self.  other than that! its fine, going well, hopefully this'll do me for ever but, i doubt it -_-]]> Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:29:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22672-day-41-dry-dry-dryyyyyy/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22620-day-34/ Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:50:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22620-day-34/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22604-day-31/
I got some huge cyst thing on my cheek about a week ago >;( !! but thats been the worst so far i think and no more after that


its too soon for miracles but im seeing effects side effects have calmed down (apart from the dryness obv) i havnt' had a day where i've felt bad in a while. anyway if i looked tired and stuffy its cuz i am!! damn january weather]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:27:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22604-day-31/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22592-day-30/ Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:37:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22592-day-30/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22581-day-29/ ]]> Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:36:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22581-day-29/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22542-day-24/ i stupidly managed to make two accounts for one email address (making one a whiiile ago and then forgetting I had it and making another) so this is a problem I am trying to sort out. ANYWAY.
day 24 and side effects I am suffering are as follows
-Dry lips - getting worse but still managable
-  Dry patches on my upper arms these are hardly noticable but you can feel them, i got these ast time and its basically eczema, last time i picked and scratched it (rookie mistake) and they got hella bad but this time i've caught em as soon as they appeared and put hydrocortisone on them
- face slightly dry and tight. no biggie, just cleanse it with moistiourising cream about every two days ( as my derm told me to stay away from face washes and use water only)
and two slightly more worrying side effects..one i do not wish to share on the internet but im going to the doctors to get it checked out, and also, for the past two weeks i have noticed my vision blurring. this is only whilst I have been revising however, I will be reading a book and then when i looked up to check the time or whatever, everything was really blurry and i had to squint and then in a few minutes it cleared.this has never happened before and isn't any thing i experienced before. I am going to see if this carries on cos my classes start again in a week. I'll post some pictures soon tooas my skin is clearing slowly but surley
anyway that is all! hows everyone else getting on???]]> Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:23:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22542-day-24/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22442-day-13-oh-god-ive-lost-count-already/ i want to die. i have a bangin headache. my wisdom teeth are comin through though so maybe thats a contributer? i doubt it though. its makign me want to press my fingers in my eyes....my legs are stiff and achy. my necks stiff . i have stomach pains. dry lips aint got shit on these side effects. Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:35:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22442-day-13-oh-god-ive-lost-count-already/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22436-anyone-out-there-whos-has-had-a-second-coursefurther-course-of-accutane/ Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:54:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22436-anyone-out-there-whos-has-had-a-second-coursefurther-course-of-accutane/ http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22423-day-ten-jekyll-and-hyde/
this is the worst of the initial breakout fading. I have no more spots coming

this is my other side! weird huh?
i have also gone back to york now and im in my student house so thats why the rooms different hope everyones getting along okay with whatever treatment they're on ]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000 http://www.acne.org/messageboard/blog/5775/entry-22423-day-ten-jekyll-and-hyde/