71 replies to this topic

[indygal]

Hey R4B, how are things going? I started my course on Monday this week. I think we have somewhat similar stories/acne and was curious how things are going for you. Hope all is well.

[omgu8myrice]

Good luck! I must say, you and I share the same story in your intro. My acne was mild/moderate before I joined this site, but at least I had normal skin in terms of oiliness and no redmarks. After I tried Dan's regimen, my skin has never been so oily, I have red marks on my skin from 2 years ago.. it's just a mess. Please, accutane, save me!

[rede4bed]

----Day 19----

Hey guys, it's been a while since I updated. I still don't have my computer back but thanks to a good friend of mine, I have one to borrow in the mean time.

I am definitely dry now. My face is dry and flakes in some areas - time for moisturizer. My lips are dry and Aquaphor is my new buddy. Luckily they aren't sore or cracked, but after I wash my face, my lips scream for Aquaphor..lol. My scalp is dry and itchy now too. I have started washing my hair every other day which is weird since I'm used to washing it every day. Oh, and my nose is producing bloody boogers..eww.

I'm getting new acne but the good thing is, they aren't cystic! Now, if the lingering cystic garbage on my neck, and jawline would go away, I would be flying high.

My anxiety has been bothering me, but I honestly don't think it is from Accutane as it was bothering me before I started. I think the stress of all that I have dealt with this summer has taken it's toll on me. I'm not going to let it bring me down though. I will rise above.

Omgu8myrice - thanks for stopping by. Accutane is said to be the last resort medicine because it will wipe out any acne that hasn't responded. You'll clear up in no time on it.

indygal - I'm doing well. It's great to hear that you're finally starting your course. Best wishes to you and we'll definitely keep in touch the coming months!

Langwidere - thanks for the support. Hopefully you won't need to take those personal days to hide. If my derm's office continues to be a hassle, I will switch.

lilblubutterfly - I don't really have dry eyes. I have just had dry lips, dry scalp and I feel thirsty all the time

JulyBaby86 - it's nice to know others with similar stories I'll be following your progress!

operation_acne_free - you said it right on the mark! And yes, we'll beat our acne and be better people when all is said and done!

ld70 - thanks for your continued support. I'll be rootin for you as well!

[keepsgettingbetter]

I'm LOL at your bloody boogers - that is exactly my situation. How gross! My nose gets really super dry and crusty inside. I find if I put some aquaphor in there at night it feels much better by morning!

Glad to hear no new cysts for you. Hope it continues to go that way.

I was also having some anxiety about the end of month one - but I think it's just b/c my acne was so bad around that time. I was waking up constantly at night worrying about how bad it would be in the morning! So, I'm sure the accutane didn't help with that anxiety. Sometimes I just have to take a deep breath and remind myself that there is a light at the end of this tunnel.

[rede4bed]

I'm LOL at your bloody boogers - that is exactly my situation. How gross! My nose gets really super dry and crusty inside. I find if I put some aquaphor in there at night it feels much better by morning!

Glad to hear no new cysts for you. Hope it continues to go that way.

I was also having some anxiety about the end of month one - but I think it's just b/c my acne was so bad around that time. I was waking up constantly at night worrying about how bad it would be in the morning! So, I'm sure the accutane didn't help with that anxiety. Sometimes I just have to take a deep breath and remind myself that there is a light at the end of this tunnel.

The weird thing is that my nose doesn't get dried out but when I wake up in the morning it feels like I have dried boogers. I dunno, just one of the experiences in the journey to clear skin.

I think my anxiety is more from self esteem issues. I'm still blown away by how just a few months ago, I would whine about an occasional zit and now I would trade what I'm dealing with to have that skin again. I hate when people look at me with pity or ignorant people make comments on what's wrong with my face. Grr..

You're right though, there is a light at the tunnel and we all just have to keep heading that way.

I hope everything is going well for you! I'll stop by your log!

[rede4bed]

Just stopping by to say hello! I'm excited that you have started your course, I'm still playing the one month waiting game and am getting so anxious! Anyways I will keep checking your blog to stay updated on your progress!

P.S. Isn't it nice to come on acne.org and realize that you're not the only one who avoids social situations and stays home due to their acne? You're not alone we all feel that way! Hopefully accutane will "cure" us!

Hey AMD, thanks for stopping by to check on my blog The waiting period sucks so much and I can sympathize with you. That month felt like an eternity, but once you start your medicine, it goes pretty quick. I'm starting day 20 and it's hard to believe I have already choked down 39 of these little pills..lol.

Best wishes to you! Are you going to have a blog when you start?

[MissAngie]

Look how popular you are! Everyone just wants to comment, what a celebrity.

I have been feeling overwhelmed with having to be on this for six months. It seems so far away and I am nervous of having to make such a long journey on this powerful medicine. It's you all on the accutane logs that keep me hopeful. I just hope this acne doesn't come back; it's been a long summer with it.

I felt the exact same way during my first week. It was frustrating reading people's logs that were five months long and I wished I was that far down the road. But here I am just under 80 days into treatment and I never thought I would get here. Before you know it, you're going to be posting the exact same words I am saying right now, lol. It's just hard knowing there's clear skin down the road and you want it so bad. But chin up, the time seriously flies by.

[rede4bed]

----Day 28.5----

One month almost done! I'm doing well on the medication and in a couple of days, I will *gasp* post some pictures for your amusement. My face doesn't hurt like it did and the big nasty cysts/nodules are flattening out. My initial breakout *knock on wood* has been tame: only small papules and pustules that stick around for a week at the most and don't hurt to the touch. I hope things continue to improve; I'm so fearful that I'll get another painful breakout, especially on my forehead, which never had problems before this summer.

I have marks all over my face, but looking at the marks from my forehead breakout, they are much lighter than they were over a month ago.

My skin is dry and flaky. I'm still using the AcZone like my derm said and am now using CeraVe moisturizer for my face. I have a funky eczema like rash on the tops of my hands, but reading through the boards, it's pretty common, so I'm not worried. My lips don't ask for Aquaphor anymore...they demand it! lol. While they aren't cracked or anything, they do burn, especially after washing my face. A little Aquaphor goes a long way though.

I have stopped washing my hair everyday and let me tell you, it is a trip! I still can't get over the fact that my hair isn't some oily mess that needs daily washing like it was before. I was so used to washing my hair everyday, that I thought everyone did the same. I now wash my hair every other day or even two days. I still shower everyday

My nose still has nasty dried blood in it but I deal with it. It's nothing that tissue can't fix. The last couple of mornings when I first wake up, my ankles feel sore when I walk but the feeling goes away after a few hours.

Saturday I will go get my blood drawn after work and on Monday I will have my next derm appointment. One month almost done.. 5 to go!

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MissAngie: Thanks for the supportive comments. It's always nice to read logs from senior class members, such as yourself =)

[keepsgettingbetter]

Okay, where's your pics woman?! I actually was brave enough to post some...although no one has commented since, so maybe I scared them all away, lol!

Seriously, try putting some aquaphor in your nose before you go to bed at night. Mine just started w/ the dried blood inside, but then in really started to get worse every day. I just put a small blob inside each nostril before I go to bed and it completely fixes the problem. I know you say it is not bothering you right now, but I would hate for it to sneak up on you like it did me - it got really painful.

My ankles hurt in the morning too - usually just for the first 1/2 hour or so. They usually hurt anytime I have been sitting/laying for awhile and then get up.

[rede4bed]

----Month One DONE-----

So I am sharing some pictures of my yuck-tastic face. These pics were taken today - I don't have the guts to show pre-tane pics. I can't wait until I am clear and won't be embarrassed or self conscious of my looks.

I will upload the two side pictures but not a front. I look alright front on but I don't want to risk the wrong people seeing my pic. As you all can tell, I got the worst of the cystic breakout up my jawline and then on my cheeks. My forehead is just fading marks, some slightly indented which I hope will smooth out in time.

As awful as I look, I am making progress. Things are drying up and flattening out. The new pimples I have are not cystic, at least I don't think they are.. they don't hurt like the previous ones. Everyone who has seen me lately has told me I'm looking better. I hope my pics don't repulse but rather inspire as I clear up these next 5 months.

I have also included a pic of how I looked three years ago when Dan's Regimen was perfect. That way you all won't think I have always looked the way I do now...

Tomorrow is my next appointment and the start of Month 2. Stay tuned!

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AMD: It is such a trip not washing my hair as often. Before you know it, you'll be experiencing the same phenomena.

Keepsgettingbetter: I will keep your suggestion in mind. Hey, do you have any problems with eczema like rashes on the tops of your hands? I'm going to ask my derm tomorrow.

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[indygal]

Hey R4B!! Month one down already! I remember a thread where we were complaining about how brutal the 30 day wait period is, especially when we have to watch our skin get worse every day (or so it seemed to me anyway). Now you've made it through month one (I'm on day 22), time flies!!

I have major respect for everyone on this site that post photos and helps others by showing progress...I haven't been able to do it yet, even knowing how much reading others logs and seeing the progress has helped me (I'm a coward LOL....). I don't know what your pre-tane photos look like, but from these pics, it looks like things are really drying up, doesn't look like a lot of actives? Sounds like you're making good progress! Just think, you're progress pics over the next few months are going to look more and more like the pic from Dan's regimen

Edited by indygal, 14 September 2009 - 11:11 AM.

[keepsgettingbetter]

Hey there you are! Glad to see you posted your pics. Month one down, that feels good, doesn't it? I can really see that your acne is drying out right now - mine was doing that like crazy at the end of month 1. Peeling layers after layers it seemed. It still does that, but has slowed down a lot in the last couple of weeks. Is your hair red? It looks red in your 3rd pic (pretty!) - I have always wondered if your avatar was a caricature of you!!

I do not have prob. w/ eczema or rashes (knock on wood!). But I know I have read other logs on here of people who do have probs. w/ that. I'm nervous about what the cold weather will bring though, b/c my skin does get really dry and rashy in the winter.

Can't wait to see what month 2 will bring for you!

[giety87]

Hey!

Just dropping by to say hi and how jealous I am that you are already a month into treatment! I just had my first derm appt with my new doctor. I had my first pregnancy test today and I go back in a month for the second test and to get the prescription! I am so hopeful that this will finally be the end of my acne...and it's nice to see people's logs who are well on their way!!!


Carly

[rede4bed]

----Day 32-----

Things are going well over on my end. The garbage along my jawline seems to be getting a little better, although yesterday I felt an occasional sharp pain in that region and was worried I was getting a flare up. Not bad today though. My marks on my forehead are looking better each day. I still have a rash on the tops of my hands, and the usual dryness. My ankles occasionally ache but it passes within an hour or two so I'm not bothered by it.

I saw my derm this past Monday for a follow up. Both he and his assistant agreed that I was making great progress. He gave me a cortisteroid creme for my hands. I asked about makeup, because I want to go through a day not being looked at oddly (or worrying if people are staring at my acne), and my derm said it was okay. Huzzah! So I then followed with asking what kind would he recommend...lol, he's a guy. He recommended Bare Essentials or Neutrogena. Neutrogena has never been a friend of mine so I will pass on it. Everyday Minerals is what I'm going to go with as it has had rave reviews and is the same as Bare Essentials. I ordered some samples yesterday

I picked up my prescription yesterday, and the pharmacist commented on my progress. Although my skin is nowhere near where I want it to be, it is uplifting to hear other people saying that my skin is looking better.


I have a question for all of you ladies that wear makeup (bonus points if it's Everyday Minerals), how do you apply it? I know, this is sad, I'm 29 and don't know how.. I never had to really wear makeup, especially when Dan's Regimen was working.

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Giety87: The wait time can feel like an eternity. I was once there and pissed and moaned everyday. I still think it's retarded that we have to wait a month after our first pregnancy test (and possibly get worse). Hang in there, and before you know it, you'll be taking that first pill.

KGB: It actually does feel good to be done with a month. The rest of the time on this stuff doesn't seem so long now... well, maybe it does, but it's do-able . My pictures look worse than I think I look, but hopefully they will serve to inspire others to try Accutane. I will be posting monthly ones. My hair isn't red but I have dyed it in the past a golden brown color. And yes, the icon I use is a drawing one of my friend's old girlfriends drew for me 4 years ago. I appreciate your comments and support! Best to you in month 3!

Indygal: LoL, I know, this month has overall went by pretty quick. That waiting period still felt like an eternity but it was nice to have others, like yourself, to vent to. You're almost at Month 2 ! It took alot to put my pics up. Keepsgettingbetter finally pushed me to do it since she posted hers. I hope others will have hope when they see my monthly progress pics and then the final photos at the end of the course. I would love to see your pics, but if you're not comfortable posting them, I completely understand. Thanks for the encouragement! We'll both look great in a few months!

Edited by rede4bed, 16 September 2009 - 11:16 AM.

[indygal]

Hey R4B.....Everyday minerals makes some really good mineral makeup brushes, that's the best application method for minerals. I was wearing their makeup for a while and another brand of pressed mineral powder before that (but I think I might have a little sensitivity to mica). I personally like the flattop brush, but I have a Kabuki brush too. Their brushes aren't expensive and seem to be good quality...very soft and not irritating. Just make sure you wash them often so they don't get all gross with bacteria and stuff. I was worried my skin would be too dry for powder makeup on Accutane, plus I wanted something with a little more coverage since my stupid skin is going through a flare up right now which really suuuucks , so I've switched to a different makeup for now.
But if you aren't used to wearing makeup, and your skin isn't super dry, mineral makeup is probably good (I've read a lot of logs/posts that people use it all through their course even with dry skin though and no problems). It looks really natural and doesn't have a lot of ingredients. I've heard a lot of people on these boards say EDM is better than BE anyway because BE has bismuth oxychloride in it, which I guess irritates a lot of people (never used BE myself).
LOL, sorry that was probably waaaaay too much information. I am an admitted product junkie and have worn makeup for a long time (and spend too much time on Makeup Alley's website )

[rede4bed]

Hey R4B.....Everyday minerals makes some really good mineral makeup brushes, that's the best application method for minerals. I was wearing their makeup for a while and another brand of pressed mineral powder before that (but I think I might have a little sensitivity to mica). I personally like the flattop brush, but I have a Kabuki brush too. Their brushes aren't expensive and seem to be good quality...very soft and not irritating. Just make sure you wash them often so they don't get all gross with bacteria and stuff. I was worried my skin would be too dry for powder makeup on Accutane, plus I wanted something with a little more coverage since my stupid skin is going through a flare up right now which really suuuucks , so I've switched to a different makeup for now.
But if you aren't used to wearing makeup, and your skin isn't super dry, mineral makeup is probably good (I've read a lot of logs/posts that people use it all through their course even with dry skin though and no problems). It looks really natural and doesn't have a lot of ingredients. I've heard a lot of people on these boards say EDM is better than BE anyway because BE has bismuth oxychloride in it, which I guess irritates a lot of people (never used BE myself).
LOL, sorry that was probably waaaaay too much information. I am an admitted product junkie and have worn makeup for a long time (and spend too much time on Makeup Alley's website )

Hey Indygal, thanks for the reply and advice. One more question, what do you use to remove your makeup at night?

I got my shipping confirmation from EM, so by my next days off I will be playing around with makeup.

[indygal]

Well have fun playing with the makeup! When I used the minerals, my normal everyday cleanser was good at getting that off. I use either Neutrogena fresh foaming cleanser or Olay foaming cleanser for sensitive skin. I know a lot of people use Cetaphil cleanser on accutane, but I am not a fan at all, don't think it removes makeup well and feels like it leaves a film or something.
Now that I'm wearing a foundation with more coverage, I just rub a little jojoba oil on my face first, then follow with my normal cleanser. HTH!

[ld70]

Hey R4B - you are making great progress - congrats!!! I can feel the confidence coming through now that the accutane is starting to do it's job. Good luck with the makeup - I don't use mineral makeup - but hear great things about it. I have been quietly following your log. Keep us posted on everything.