99 replies to this topic

[sakul]

DAY 1

Hi everyone! I have been really inspired reading all of your logs. I decided since today is Day 1, I will start a log on behalf of my son. He's 15 years old and he has some learning disabilities and OCD/Anxiety. I tell you I have had incredible anxiety making this decision to get him started on Accutane. I think it is all the scary stories about depression, etc. that made me concerned that he would not be a good candidate. He takes zoloft for the OCD, but has never had depression at all. He's a wonderful teen and my heart has been breaking for him these first few months of high school with his face looking so bad.

We've tried everything else and after reading journal articles on Accutane and depression and teens, I finally got the nerve to put him on it. From what I can tell there is no causal connection. This age is prone to depression anyway, so the findings were not impressive or conclusive to me. I asked his psychiatrist to write a note for our derm visit that he would support Accutane use with my son. That worked and the dermatologist gave us all the pertinent pledge stuff yesterday.. Today I pick up the Accutane and hope that his blood work gets back to the doctor so he can start today. He will be watched very closely.

The derm. took him off of the Soldyne (been on this three months with no results) and put him on Amoxicillen to try to prevent that initial flaring. She feels it occurs more because the patients are taken off of everything when they start Accutane.

Ok, to back up, below is a list of what we tried beside over the counter:
- differin
- duac
-retin a micro
-tazorac
- plexion clothes
- claron lotion
- benzyl peroxide
- tetracycline
- Minocyclin
- solodyne
- nicomide

So, not much we haven't tried for him and I work with him to make sure he follows the regime. Nothing works. Lately, perhaps a small bit of improvement with low contact tazorac regime, but nothing really hopeful for long term. I am concerned about the scarring. His face has the red/purple marks all over it and I just thought that despite side effects risk, I have to try this for his sake. He's such a nice nice kid and I don't want him getting really depressed due to the acne, though I know it does bring him down now.

I bought a kit at the derm's office that has the Dan's lip balm, a cleanser, a sunscreen, and then I bought this big tub of moisturizer. I truly think I'd buy anything she recommended at this point. She said I could just get cetophyl or something, but I went with this stuff for now. If anyone wants the names of the items, I'd be happy to post them.

I could tell that after reviewing side effects and signing the Pledge my son was feeling nervous and said, "Maybe I can live like this awhile longer." I just said, "No. No, we need to do something now and this is the hope of curing it." The nurse reassured him and said he would be so happy he made the decision. She was an accutane patient and has great skin and now handles all accutane patients in the office.

I'll be reading, and posting and just praying that he only gets dryness. With his other issues, I am worried obviously. Anyone else had OCD and been on accutane?

Ok, enough for now.~ Thanks for your help!

Sakul

[Matheus]

Hi sakul. I know it can be heartbreaking but I do see light for you and your son if he's to be on Accutane. My sister has a learning disability/OCD and is acne prone. She's been through a course of Accutane and she doesn't break out anymore. I've been on Accutane as well and it's cleared away my severe acne and now I just get the mild form. I've read the side effects as well and I suppose they differ from person to person. Be sure to ask him if he ever has any pains or dryness. I wish him the best.

[flowerburn]

I hope the Accutane journey is easy for you and your son. Keep us all updated.

PS. The Dr. Dan's lip balm is the greatest ( I think it beats out Aquaphor). And yes, you may end up trying and liking the Cetaphil cream the derm recommended, it is wonderful.

Best wishes.

[Mrs. N]

Welcome, and very best wishes for success for your son! I look forward to reading about his progress.

[Jennie1214]

best of luck to you and your son, i'm sure everything will go smoothly!

so far i've had no adverse emotional effects. if anything i'm much happier knowing and already seeing the improvement in my skin.

[Danno]

Hey there, good luck to you and your son, I hope everything works out for the best.

[sakul]

Hi sakul. I know it can be heartbreaking but I do see light for you and your son if he's to be on Accutane. My sister has a learning disability/OCD and is acne prone. She's been through a course of Accutane and she doesn't break out anymore. I've been on Accutane as well and it's cleared away my severe acne and now I just get the mild form. I've read the side effects as well and I suppose they differ from person to person. Be sure to ask him if he ever has any pains or dryness. I wish him the best.

Dear Lostboy,

Thanks for writing! I really appreciate hearing about you and your sister. I keep trying to tell my son that yes, there may be some side effects, but mostly it will be dryness (seems most common). He's a bit anxious about it all. I think that's because he had to listen to all the Pledge stuff on side effects etc. and he tends to then "obssessively" think about things, aka, the OCD thing. I'm trying to get him to just forget it for now and we'll just see how he does with all of it. Thanks again for writing!!

Sakul

[sakul]

PS. The Dr. Dan's lip balm is the greatest ( I think it beats out Aquaphor). And yes, you may end up trying and liking the Cetaphil cream the derm recommended, it is wonderful.

Best wishes.

Thanks Flowerburn! I am holding on to the Dr. Dan's tube for when it gets really bad. What can a guy use as just "everyday" lip balm, just a chapstick or should I get something else for him? I am sure he does not want to wear "glossy", know what I mean? I am going to buy Aquaphor today if I can find it. I did not see it at the grocery store so I'll have to check a drugstore.

Thanks!
Sakul

[sakul]

Welcome, and very best wishes for success for your son! I look forward to reading about his progress.

Thanks Mrs. N, I really appreciate the support. I have lots of questions to ask so I hope you can help out with those because you seem to have been doing this a bit longer! Thanks again.

[sakul]

best of luck to you and your son, i'm sure everything will go smoothly!

so far i've had no adverse emotional effects. if anything i'm much happier knowing and already seeing the improvement in my skin.

Jennie,
thanks for the support! Hey, I see you started just a couple weeks ago. Did you get an initial breakout? Did you get really red? My daugther's been filling my son with stories about her friend who had accutane in high school and as she says, "his face was like a beet and all peely and shit. It was no picnic." I could have killed her. Her brother gets obssessed thinking about things, and I was just telling him it will be very dry probably.

Also, what is the Aquafor babywash? Is this for your face or body? Do you like it?

thanks!!
Sakul

[sakul]

Hey there, good luck to you and your son, I hope everything works out for the best.

Thanks for the support Danno, we will surely need it!

[sakul]

DAY 2 - December 20, 2006

So, my son did start yesterday. I wish he was not so anxious about it. I understand he's worried about side effects. I swear the Pledge scared him more than needed to happen. It sort of pissed me off because we did take all of the decision seriously. I would never put him on something without thoroughly researching it and understanding the pros and cons. I guess they have reason to be so "in your face" about the side effects.

Ok, so we have Amnesteem 40 MG a day. Is this generic as good as others? Any difference? Anyway, the doc said because of his special situation she wanted to start on a lower dose but if he does ok, she'll probably bump him up 20 mg at a time.

I gave him the pill when he got home from school. I gave it with a glass of milk and cookies (sounds just like a mom, huh?). Was that ok or should I give with dinner? Should I give with Omega 3 capsules?

He did say before he went to bed that he felt a bit anxious, but we talked and I think it is because the regime is all new. He had just gotten the hang of the LAST regime of pills (solodyne, nicomide, zoloft, omega 3) and the washing, cream routine. And now I've changed it on him again. I just assured him he'd get used to it in no time.

Current condition: Right now he has a lot of purple/red marks on both cheeks. The area to one side of his face just on the other side of his nose has several active zits. One was a big white head yesterday but today is popped and just red with a bit of scab. His chin looks great and has for several weeks (that's when he was doing the short contact Tazorac routine). His neck has several large bumps. His forehead is looking the worst with lots of bumps and new ones popping out near the hairline since we stopped our normal routine. Not that it responded to the routine, but it just seems worse. He's lucky that he does not really have it on his chest or back.

Here is the items that came in the Accutane kit from the derm's office (along with the Dr. Dan's lip balm):

-CLEANSER: DCL Mosom Cleanser
-MOISTURIZER: Vanicream Dermatologic Formula for sensitive skin

Need cleanser recommendation!! He already hates this cleanser. He says it smells like nail polish remover. It does have a weird smell. Maybe I'll just get Cetaphil. Does anyone use any of those already moist clothes in the box cleansers? This is better for him because he has a hard time with large washclothes and washing his face (he has some fine motor issues). Most of them seem to have fragrances, etc. Do you all use bare hands to wash face or wash cloth to slough off the dead skin?

Ok, enough for now, thanks again for the support!!!

Sakul

[lostinmyface]

DAY 2 - December 20, 2006

So, my son did start yesterday. I wish he was not so anxious about it. I understand he's worried about side effects. I swear the Pledge scared him more than needed to happen. It sort of pissed me off because we did take all of the decision seriously. I would never put him on something without thoroughly researching it and understanding the pros and cons. I guess they have reason to be so "in your face" about the side effects.

Ok, so we have Amnesteem 40 MG a day. Is this generic as good as others? Any difference? Anyway, the doc said because of his special situation she wanted to start on a lower dose but if he does ok, she'll probably bump him up 20 mg at a time.

I gave him the pill when he got home from school. I gave it with a glass of milk and cookies (sounds just like a mom, huh?). Was that ok or should I give with dinner? Should I give with Omega 3 capsules?

He did say before he went to bed that he felt a bit anxious, but we talked and I think it is because the regime is all new. He had just gotten the hang of the LAST regime of pills (solodyne, nicomide, zoloft, omega 3) and the washing, cream routine. And now I've changed it on him again. I just assured him he'd get used to it in no time.

Current condition: Right now he has a lot of purple/red marks on both cheeks. The area to one side of his face just on the other side of his nose has several active zits. One was a big white head yesterday but today is popped and just red with a bit of scab. His chin looks great and has for several weeks (that's when he was doing the short contact Tazorac routine). His neck has several large bumps. His forehead is looking the worst with lots of bumps and new ones popping out near the hairline since we stopped our normal routine. Not that it responded to the routine, but it just seems worse. He's lucky that he does not really have it on his chest or back.

Here is the items that came in the Accutane kit from the derm's office (along with the Dr. Dan's lip balm):

-CLEANSER: DCL Mosom Cleanser
-MOISTURIZER: Vanicream Dermatologic Formula for sensitive skin

Need cleanser recommendation!! He already hates this cleanser. He says it smells like nail polish remover. It does have a weird smell. Maybe I'll just get Cetaphil. Does anyone use any of those already moist clothes in the box cleansers? This is better for him because he has a hard time with large washclothes and washing his face (he has some fine motor issues). Most of them seem to have fragrances, etc. Do you all use bare hands to wash face or wash cloth to slough off the dead skin?

Ok, enough for now, thanks again for the support!!!

Sakul

First of all.... good luck to you and your son. Aquaphor is great, but is really shiny. I have found that if I just keep my lips moist at all times with some kind of lip balm then things don't get bad. The minute I let it go, it starts to go bad. I take the Omega 3 capsules and find that they help with my joint aches... if I miss a day I start aching in my hips and lower back. I also had to start taking my pill with dinner because it started making me so tired after I took it... These are just personal experiences I'm throwing out there... I hope that everything goes well!!

[Tanya826]

Hi there! Good luck to you and your son - you sound like a great, supportive mom!

For cleansers, I really like Clean & Clear for Sensitive Skin. I use my hands instead of a wash cloth (as his skin gets more sensitive, a wash cloth might be too rough). Although the milk and cookies could be enough, it might be better to take it with a meal. But if he is taking it with a snack, I would add an Omega 3 capsule. Hope that helps!

[Mrs. N]

Hi again, Sakul!

As to cleansers, I love my Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser. It doesn't foam, doesn't sting the eyes, and is easily rinsed off. I use a baby washcloth on occasion to help get the flaky stuff off my lips (and when I was really flaking around my nose early on), but mostly just use my hands now. It really doesn't have a smell, and will help keep the skin moisturized, which is going to start getting very important around the third week.

And yes, the Aquaphor is VERY shiny and greasy-looking, so not what he's going to want to use at school. I like my Burt's Bees Honey lip balm for during the day if I don't want the shiny look, and while it is a little sticky, it's not noticable and will keep them from drying out. Then he can put on the Aquaphor when he gets home and at night for bed. The lips are really going to drive him nuts, I have a feeling. It's just very yucky feeling for anyone, let alone someone with OCD issues. I hope this won't be too bothersome to him.

Please tell him we're all pulling for him! I'm sure I'll be dealing with this soon enough with my own son. He's a pre-teen now, but already showing signs that something's brewing---- little blackheads and small pimples. Poor kid, I had hoped I would spare him my bad genes, but time will tell how severe it is.

[Jill M]

Hi Sakul,

Thankyou so much for keeping this log about your son. I am currently looking into accutane as a treatment for my son so I will be watching this thread closely. Thanks again, Jill.

[Jennie1214]

Hi Sakul,

I dont believe that i will experience much of an initial break out because i have been on the strongest dosage of topical retinoids for atleast the past 4 years along with other oral pills. what i had mostly was oily skin, whiteheads from the oil, large and clogged pores.

I did get three major cysts, all in the middle of my face. Everything else was minor and if anything it was much better than the pimples i would get b4 starting accutane. i dont expect much more of an outbreak.

i do remember a girl who went on accutane when i was in high school. her skin really blew up. she didnt get cysts but it was as if every pore turned into a pimple. im guessing it was really congested and was purging. it looked almost like the texture of a golf ball. however she cleared up marvelously by the end of her course and she looked absolutefly flawless. i do know one other person who went on accutane and she never had a break out. she just cleared up from the start.

most derms / accutaners recommend using cetaphil face wash. however it makes my skin itchy which is very rare.
it also leaves a film on your face which made me feel dirty. this probably isnt applicable to your son but the cetaphil was horrible at removing makeup.
i loved aquaphor ointment on my lips so i decided to give the aquaphor baby wash a try on my face. i am absolutely in love with this. its meant for babies but it removes all make up without making me dry. its not labeled non-acnegenic or non-comodogenic since its really a body wash, but i havent broken out from it. i highly recommend it. it is also cheaper than cetaphil and can be found in the baby aisle at the supermarket or drug store.

[Miamiii]

I hope all the best for you and your son... When ever I started my accutane course, I changed my eatting habits too. supposedly they have an effect on your acne as well, So i wanted to try to hit two birds with one stone if possible?? If your interested at all, Iodine is a mineral that has been clinically proven to aggravate acne which is in most foods.. He should try to avoid them. Some simple substances he should maybe avoid are (salts ,oysters, lobster, spinach, shrimp, milk, and bread).

Wish all the best

[sakul]

Day 3 - December 21, 2006

Good morning. My son is on Day 3. He did not express any anxiety to me yesterday and was in good spirits so I am glad about that.

I notice him breaking out again. I feel this is more due to stopping his old regime vs. the accutane. I just wonder why he can't keep up with the old creams etc while the accutane gets a chance to work. Any ideas on that? WHY can't he still do the short contact tazorac? What is the worst thing that can happen?

He has several new small whiteheads on one cheek and a big one zit forming near the corner of upper lip. His previously clear chin has a few brewing under the surface. UGH. It took so long to clear that up....

He is still at the same level of dryness as before with the tazorac. I am kinda glad his school break comes up now. So, actually he will be at home, after tomorrow, for the next 10 days. Wouldn't it be great if any bad stuff with IB happened then and he can start school in January on the upswing of the breakout stuff... oh, well, a mom can dream.

I want shopping again for more "stuff". I found that Aquafor and hey, is that nice stuff! I think I'm going to use it too, just because it is really smooth, nice for lips. I bought three types of cleansers to see if he might like one of them. I found Olay prepackaged clothes called Daily Facial Skin Soothing Cleansing Clothes for sensitive skin.(fragrance free, soap-free, dermatologist tested). It has aloe, chamomile extract, and vitanin E and the cloth itself is very soft and fine, unlike some of the prepackaged clothes that are microbrasion type textures. He seems to like this and I think it will help slough off the dry flakes. I'll keep y'all posted.

Also.................

To jbuscemi -----> Thanks for your note and I am going to keep an eye on if he is extra tired from this. If so, maybe I'll start just giving him the pill at dinner.

To Tanya826 -----> I am definitely going to add his Omega 3 capsule at the same time as the 'Tane pill. Thanks for the tip!

To Mrs. N. -------> I suspect the lips will drive him nuts too. He already likes to "pick" at his fingernails and any skin there (maybe part of the ocd thing or maybe not...). I am making him use the aquafor before bed right now, just to get him used to something on his lips. He tends to chap easy in the winter anyway and it is winter and the 'tane will not help matters, I am sure. Thanks much!

To Jill M. -----> It is a hard decision to make for one's child. I am obsessed myself with having this go as well as possible. Also, his special needs stuff makes it more complicated. He has mild learning disabilities, fine motor issues, and OCD/anxiety. Wish us luck! How old is your son?

To Jennie1214 ----> yeah, the cetaphil film I don't like personally. He doesn't seem to mind it, but trying to keep the product in his hand and "lather" it is an issue mostly because it slides off and in to the sink! yikes, so he ends up wasting a lot of it. I had him using this for about the last 2 months when we did the last regime. I'm hoping these Olay clothes do a nice job for him. They actually do lather a bit and they are very soft. I pray that his IB is not huge.... This kid SOOOO needs a break given his whole life he's had to overcome all kinds of disadvantages. It is just not fair that he has to have bad skin on top of everything else. Thanks for writing!

To Miamiii ---> Seriously, iodine? I'll probably do a lit' search as soon as I get done typing this! I haven't read that before. We do not eat meat anyway, or fish, so at least that knocks out the shell fish deal. Thanks for telling me!

Ok, signing off and ~~~~THANK YOU~~~~~ So much for the support! I'm getting obsessed with these boards!

Sakul

[Heather F]

Thanks Flowerburn! I am holding on to the Dr. Dan's tube for when it gets really bad. What can a guy use as just "everyday" lip balm, just a chapstick or should I get something else for him? I am sure he does not want to wear "glossy", know what I mean? I am going to buy Aquaphor today if I can find it. I did not see it at the grocery store so I'll have to check a drugstore.

Thanks!
Sakul

Don't wait, start using the Dr. Dan's immediately and continue through the entire course. It is much better than Aquaphor, Burt's Bees, etc. I have had absolutely no problems with my lips and I owe that 100% to Dr. Dan!

I think it's a great idea for your son to be doing this while he's young. My only regret now that I'm finished is that I didn't do it sooner. If I had gone through this when I was his age I might have a lot less scarring now.

avoid (salts ,oysters, lobster, spinach, shrimp, milk, and bread).

I'd sooner die! I love seafood and bread. I don't believe in that avoid this and take more of that nonsense, Accutane will work its' magic without drastically altering your diet.