70 replies to this topic

[00Cardinal]

I just got the prescription from my derm today, had the blood work done, and I should be picking up my first pack of pills tonight on the way home from work.

I'm a 19 year old male, 150lbs, and I'm taking 80mg/day (40 2x/day) for 5 months. I was kind of surprised (as that seems to be a "high" dosage) but my derm explained that 80mg is for 135-170lbs and this was the dosage she took when she was on accutane.

I've had acne since I was about 14 and used EVERYTHING. Topicals, Retin-A Micro, Differin, Tazorac, Benzaclin, regular BP, 2 or 3 different 'cilins and most recently Bactrim DS. My acne has always been fairy moderate (just pustules, no cysts) on my cheeks/forehead/jawline, but it's stubborn. The Bactrim worked great until about April, when my body started to grow resistant to it. I was hesistant to go on Accutane but I'd like to be clear once and for all.

I'm hoping the IB comes on fast and leaves fast, as I'd like to be past it by the time I go back to school. Kinda nervous about going back to school, I've been clear at college for the most part, so no one there really knows I have acne. What can I say, I'm vain.

I'll probably be picking up some Vitamin E and Omega 3, 6 pills from GNC tonight and my derm gave me some Aquaphor for my lips. I use Cetaphil facial cleanser and switch between Cetaphil and Purpose moisturizer (the Purpose has sunscreen, so I use it when I go outside).

I may post pics later, I'm kind of hesitant to put pictures of myself on the Internet, but we'll see. I'll keep this updated as often as possible.

I know it's going to be kind of tough (both w/ the side effects and teh fact that I have to come home every month from school - 3 hours away - for blood tests/refills) but it'll be worth it in the end!

[sundance32]

Hi 00Cardinal!

I just wanted to wish you good luck with accutane. I think you made the right decision and hopefully will see amazing results in the end

All of your products sound great - I am using almost all the same stuff and everything is going well so far - I'm on a lot smaller dose though (20mg/day)

I recently just posted pics in my gallery and I was really really nervous and hesitant about it - but I think, in the end, I will be thrilled I did it. It will be so awesome to see how I progressed and to see where I started and how I ended. There is a lot of support here and when I put my pics up everyone was so great about it

I think you said it perfectly: it will be hard but it will be well worth it in the end!

GOOD LUCK! And I'll keep checking up on you to see how things are going!

Kristen

[melaniermb06]

Good luck with the Accutane. I am sure you will be thankful once you see the results. Take Care-

[Kirstin]

Welcome! Congrats on starting your treatment!

Keep us posted!

K

[PimplesAndWrinkles]

Welcome to the family, Matt. Hang in there, especially for that first month. There are lots of people here to support you. It will be worth it in the end.

P&W

[00Cardinal]

Thanks everyone.

Well, bad news. iPledge checked out but my insurance said no until they get confirmation from my derm. Derm was closed, so I have to wait until tomorrow (afternoon probably, as I start work at 8). Ugh.

I posted pictures in my gallery, hopefully I'll be able to look back in 5 months and see the difference.

[DMBsDreamGrl]

Hey Good Luck with Accutane! I'll be checking back for updates

[Bella03]

I started only two days before you!
I know how you feel about having to drive so far to see a derm...Right now I only have to drive an hour, but once school starts again I'll be driving about 3 1/2 hours

I'm sure your school's health center will be able to do your blood tests, and they can fax the results to your derm..

Good luck !!!

[melaniermb06]

Hi there,

I am confused, I thought Ipledge was for females....?

[00Cardinal]

Guys get what I'm going to call "iPledge Lite"

Basically all it is is the ID card.

I sign a paper that says "blah blah blah, I understand the risks, I'll come back for checkups and blood tests every month." Derm registers me, it goes in system. That's it. No online registrations or sexual surveys for this guy.

[Mindolluin]

00Cardinal,

Welcome again!! Your situation sounds similiar to mine. I too had problems with my insurance company, apparently the approval board thinks only teenagers have acne. Not that I have anything against teens I was once one myself. ) Again Good Luck on your journey with accutane. The ladies and gents here are great and somewhere there's an answer to almost every question. Don't hesitate to ask, we're all here if needed...

[00Cardinal]

00Cardinal,

Welcome again!! Your situation sounds similiar to mine. I too had problems with my insurance company, apparently the approval board thinks only teenagers have acne. Not that I have anything against teens I was once one myself. ) Again Good Luck on your journey with accutane. The ladies and gents here are great and somewhere there's an answer to almost every question. Don't hesitate to ask, we're all here if needed...

So insurance company wants prior authorization, which my derm tried to do too late last night, harassed them a bit this morning, they said they're working on it although it may take a few days.... I was all ready to go and now I have to wait again. This is incredibly frustrating.

[sundance32]

Matt,

I'm psyched you decided to put some pics up! I think accutane will work very nicely on you!

Ipledge is SUCH a pain in the neck...I wish we didn't have to go through it...so far I haven't had any problems with it (Knock on wood!!) but so many people have had awful horror stories about ipledge. They should have gotten all of the kinks out before they threw this on us.

Keep us updated and let us know when you start!!

Kristen

[00Cardinal]

Just took my first pill this afternoon. They gave me Sotret. I'll update every once in a while hopefully with some pics.

[Aussie Boy #5555]

Good luck with everything buddy I'm only two days ahead of you (but on 20mg) - it's good to have a support network out there hey?

[00Cardinal]

Day 2

My skin is pretty dry. Eyes a little dry too. I'm getting new little zits everywhere too. I hope this is the IB but I dunno. Is it possible to start the IB after 2 days on 80 mg? I just keep telling myself this will be worth it in the end.

[00Cardinal]

Day 3

I know it's early, I really hope this is the IB, otherwise this is the worst breakout of my life. New bumps everywhere, some that are sore especially on my neck.

My skin is pretty dry, but not overly dry. I'm using Aloe Vera at night now, we'll see if it brings down some of the redness. I went to play some basketball earlier, I noticed some stiffness in my shoulder and elbow, but I'm taking Omega 3,6,9 so hopefully it won't get too bad. I'd hate to have to stop exercising.

Also, some people mentioned having weird dreams while on Accutane, I'm getting them too. Really vivid, sexual dreams, with random people who I haven't thought of in god knows how long. Weird. Oh well that's about it for today.

In other news, what did people think of last night's Entourage? I don't have HBO so I downloaded it, but it was hillarious! So many good lines, and it was good to see Sloan again, even though her personality has all but disappeared.

[Aussie Boy #5555]

Where's your gallery mate I can't find the link? .....

Should put a link in your signature

[screw_acne]

tuff school eh

[00Cardinal]

huh?