8 replies to this topic

[bisou]

Well. I've decided to have a little log on my time on Accutane...I don't know if anyone will give a rat's behind about me and my ramblings, but I like the idea of writing about it. I started taking tane yesterday, so that would make my starting date Feb. 13. I am taking 40 mg a day.

My acne (it feels weird saying that, because I never believed I had acne, I just felt like it was um...a continuous cycle of pimples. anyway.) yeah so my acne is not severe, but it's just ongoing. I never had a problem throughout my teen years, was never oily, never pimply, absolutely nothing. The last time I had no pimples was probably last fall, up to December. And then I turned 22 and it all got shot to hell (well a few months after my bday). I tend to get hyperpigmentation too, so it's not really pretty. I went to a derm last year and she was completely unsympathetic and a beatch, and she just went "Why don't you try minocycline. Here is your prescription." (undertone: "now get the hell out of my office, idiot.") So I got stuck with an antibiotic and I took it for awhile, and it didn't do anything, so I stopped. I kept getting pimples, then I'd be clear, then pimples again, and so on. Now, being incredibly pissed off that I am 22 and I have to deal with this crap, I marched my behind to my GP and requested another appointment with a derm, only could she please make the appointment with a different one, because the last one was a cross between a troll and a Blast-Ended Skrewt. Soooooo I got a new derm and he prescribed me Accutane. This was LAST WEEK. I had already gone for my blood test, I got a final approval from my derm and everything. But....it sat in my room and I refused to approach it. Everytime I looked at it I heard horror stories and dire warnings echoing in my head about how dangerous it is...I did not want to touch the stuff. And then...I woke up yesterday morning and saw TWO new pimples. You know, the kind that grows to horrific red-tinged proportions as time goes on? Yeah. I took one look in the mirror and went, bring it on, Accu. So I took the plunge and took my first pill.

Today is day 2, and already I'm itching like crazy. Obviously I can't expect any improvement in 2 days, but that is not my main concern. My main concern is what I have seen referred to by another Accutane user as The Molt, where your body expels all the crap pimples lurking under your skin all at the same time. I'd be lying if I said I'm scared of this happening. I'm terrified. Terrified and petrified. But the sooner it comes, the sooner it goes, so I'm just going to have to start repeating that over and over and over.

I'm going to end my first entry here, and I will be adding more to the thread as time goes on, just some updates...if no one reads this that is ok. But if anyone has just started their Accutane adventure like I have, keep in touch!

[bisou]

well...day 4 and nothing's really happened yet. Although my face and scalp is itching like there's no tomorrow...and I hope to god that I was imagnining things when I combed my hair and I saw more hair come off onto the comb than usual. I'm just going to go with that it was my imagination...the other alternative is just too horrible to contemplate.

lips not dry, face not dry, no new pimples. Not looking forward to it beginning though.

[bisou]

Um ok...day 17, and I really have nothing much going on still! wtf? True, my face is less oily and my lips get a bit dry now and then, but that's it! I have two small pimples and that's it, and I'm still a bit itchy.

If anyone who has been on it for this long and has had no big noticeable effect, can you write a little note??

I'm starting to wonder if the medication isn't absorbing properly, although I do eat a proper meal when I take it, and I also take a fish oil thing. I have a derm appt on the 7th...I'll guess I'll ask him what's up!

[razs]

I didnt see any noticeable effects till about 2 days ago n i'm on day 18 (only 30mg) fink its just started to kick in tho now

R@z S

[Unnamed]

Most people won't notice result for months. You might not even notice great results until after you took your last pill. There's a reason you're taking these pills for such a long time. Curing acne always takes months.

I realize this is not what you want to hear, but it's better to hear the truth rather than get your hopes up.

On the positive side, your skin will look perfect eventually.

I'm on day 16 myself, and my skin looks worse than before accutane.

[englishmuppet]

it took me about three months to get happy with the results; and i still am pretty much! lol. i still get tiny pimples but nothing major and nothing stays. but i just thought i'd show my support! lol. i'm sure you'll have amaazing results, what dose are you on? if you have a low dose maybe it needs to be upped...?

mind for nosebleeds!

[bisou]

Hey you guys,

thanks very much for replying! What I meant was that I'm not noticing any side effects, like people complain about the IB and the extreme dry lips and eyes and nose etc etc, and I haven't had that, so I'm starting to wonder if it's not working or if it's just that I'm not going to have any side effects.

I know it takes months to clear up the skin, but it's just that I was expecting it to get worse before this! However, I've probably now jinxed myself and will wake up tomorrow to greet new "friends".

I'm on a 40 mg a day dose, but I see the derm again on tuesday. Not sure what he'll do then, up it or keep it the same or lower it!

[Unnamed]

The reaction to accutane differs from person to person. I for instance, seem to be experiencing alot of sideeffects while only being on week 2. Concider yourself lucky then.

[bisou]

oops...long hiatus. Well nothing really to report (well nothing good anyway.) I was doing fine until a few days ago - I got four big red pimples and my forehead has a rough texture to it. No oil. No dry eyes. No joint pain. No depression (unless I'm in class listening to boring ass professors). No flakes. But DRY ASS LIPS. And also red spots that aren't bumpy, but just red.

I have no idea what day this is, but I'll guess it to be around 1 1/2 months. I don't feel like counting from today back to Feb 13th.

Oh, my dose was changed, from 40mg a day to 40mg alternating 80mg. So yeah, I'm guessing that's the reason for the new presents on my face.

boo.