7 replies to this topic

[Sweetpeas]

Day 1

So this is the start of my (Ro)accutane journey, and here's to a spot free 2009! (fingers tightly crossed!)

Having tried every antibiotic for years now and to no availe.

I'm currently on the birth control pill Dianette (which when I have taken and stopped in the past has caused my spots to get worse - but it is the only pill which doesn't give me migranes and since I have to be on a pill, this had to be the one).

I had my supplies all ready and waiting yesterday:

Blistex Med Plus (for lips)
Aqueous Cream (for every part of my skin)
Dry Eye drops
Fish oil tablets
Vitamin E tablets
Vitamin D (with calcium)
Simple anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner

Having taken my first tablets this morning (2 x 40mg) all I am noticing is my lips being dry but as it's freezing cold outside it could just be because of the weather. I'm hoping the next few days so smoothly as it's NEW YEAR and I don't want to look like a moose!!

[Tinnie]

Good luck!

I'm 24 as well and just started Accutane @ 40 mgs/day on December 19! I'll check back periodically to see how you're doing )

[Sweetpeas]

Thanks for your reply Tinnie We are going through it all at the same time!!

Day 5
I have been using my aqueous cream all over my body every night before bed and every morning. I have also been putting eye drops in twice a day and have been taking Vitamin E and Fish Oil once a day. Also, Vitamin D + Calcium every other day. Oh, and also my lip balm every day.

All I've noticed which started yesterday is a red and slightly itchy chin and round my nose. This part of my face has been slightly red for years now due to my acne but it has got much worse these past two days. I'm not too sure if this is because of the aqueous cream I've been using twice a day (a side effect is red, itchy skin) or because of the roaccutane. I might stop using the cream on my face and use my old olay moisturiser and see what happens.

That's all I've noticed so far...

Oh! also I've started a very healthy diet whilst i'm on the drug, making sure i have my 5 a day fruit and veg and eating healthy meals only! Pretty bored of the no chocolate already but it's only for half a year!!!

[fingerscrossed5]

Wait -- we aren't supposed to eat chocolate?! Whyever not?

[Tinnie]

Just checking in to see how you are doing! You should be a few more weeks into your treatment now and I hope that you are doing well

p.s. That's a shame you don't have silly anti-pregnant women pictures all over your prescription! That surprises me due to the EU's affinity for the SMOKING KILLS statements all over cigarette boxes

[boozle]

Hey,

Best of luck with the drug, i am seriously considering it after having used almost everything else!

So can you stay on Dianette with Accutane? Are you allowed to take any anti-biotics to lessen the initial breakout?

[Sweetpeas]

Boozle - Yes, I'm still on Dianette throughout my course of Accutane. It was a condition that I must be on a birth control pill and that is the only one that doesn't give me migranes. It also really makes my skin better until I stop and then it gets worse than ever, but the dermatologist assured me that Accutane is far stronger, so when I stop Dianette the Accutane should stop my acne coming back.
I don't think you can take anti-biotics at the same time as accutane. Probably best not too and just let it take its course.

I'm 21 days in now. No major symptoms to mention right now. I have been moisturising twice a day and so my skin hasn't got too dry, although today I went out in the cold and got some slight face peelage! My lips get dry if I don't use my Blistex but not too bad either. For the first two weeks I had a really red and itchy face but that has totally calmed down now - I added Jojoba with my moisturiser at night and I think that helped a lot - yes my face was so so so shiney but my boyfriend didn't even comment hehe! I have felt a bit tearful at times but I am in the process of moving house and exams blah blah so might just be that, who knows!

Hmm I can't say I've had an initial breakout as such.. just a few new spots have appeared and are slowly getting better and less red.

Going for a blood test tomorrow, my last one apprently so hope that's all okay. I'll lie down as usual because I always always pass out otherwise! Such a wimp!

PS Hoping my next set off pills have more exciting packaging, just over a week and I shall find out

[Sweetpeas]

Grr they couldn't find any blood. So i'll be going back tomorrow for a second try. Ouch!

I am on day 23 today..