36 replies to this topic

[hopeinabottle23]

Accutane. Woooo boy. 9 months. This is going to be a pain in the ass and a half.

History: Acne began in the sixth grade. Like many others on this site, i thought it was just a phase that everyone and their mother went through. Was i wrong! See my acne is a mixture of genetics and hormones. Genetics because my mother had cystic, white heads acne until the age of 22. Hormones because well one: I am a teen. Two: I am a female. Double-whammy anyone? So i've been a lurker on acne.org for about a year or so trying to find the cure. Let me give everyone a time sequence of me and my bff (not for long! ha!) acne:

6th grade (11-12)- Mild acne. White heads popped all over. I felt grown up because i finally got a facial cleanser. Lol it was the clean and clear morning burst. Some improvement on my baby acne.

Junior High (12-14)- Hormones finally kicked in and cysts continued to sprout all over. I remember the boy i had a giant crush on said that i had the rocky mountains growing along my forehead. Re-tina, pro activ, neutrogena, biore, clean and clear, clearisil, duac, tazorac, aveeno, and benzoyl peroxide were given a shot during this time.

Freshmen, Sophomore, and now Junior year (14-16)- Hormones still raging. White heads and the occasional cyst appear. Breaking out in 7-8 whiteheads each day. Anti-biotics were given a shot but they weakened my immune system. Then bc was tried. Seriously helped out my skin but i still break out in 3-4 whiteheads a day.

Now here we are. God these pills were a killer pain to get. I was prescribed this in Colombia over the summer (vacation for a month) and that was in June. Months later (wasted a lot of money and a lot of blood and urine) i finally got the pills today. FOUR MONTHS!

I am currently on 20mgs (claravis) and will be on a low dose for NINE months (small person. 105 lbs and 5'5"). I just popped the pill an hour ago. Peanut butter and milk and a little brown pill.

Feel free to comment whenever. So this was a long post. Posts like this won't come that often lol. I promise. Pictures will be up soon (still trying to figure out how to get them on the blog)
-Floppy

Pictures:
Accutane Album!

[lets_dance]

Good luck!! You're only about a week and a half behind me, except I'm on 40mg. Nice to find someone the same age as me (i'm 17) going through the same thing.

[George's Sister]

Hopeinabottle, congratulations on getting Accutane after 4 months! That's a really long time. I'm sure that you'll clear it up beautifully. Looking forward to seeing pictures.

That's so terrible about the Rocky Mountains comment! Hopefully those kind of comments are soon coming to an end.

[hopeinabottle23]

I'm back!!
WEEK 2 (14 days)

So since I'm going to be on accutane for 9 months , I've decided to update this log every 2 weeks. or if things get bad, every week. Here's what's been happening so far:

Side Effects:
Pros:
-My perpetually shiny nose (since the sixth grade. Even with cleansing my face, it would never stop shining) is long gone.
-Skin not as oily!! I love having a pretty matte face. Some oil still lingering around, but that's after 8 hours or so.
-Acne subsiding, but more on that in the cons section
-Back virtually free of acne
-Hyperpigmentation is fading faster!!

Cons:
-Joints crack. They are so loud (taking vitamin D supplements)
-Skin peeling in the area around my mouth. Make-up looks bad with peeling skin....
-IB? Pretty sure. With BC, i've only had 3-5 whiteheads and now i have about 6-7 and a cyst on the middle of my right cheek. I haven't had cysts in a while and yesterday it was just a below the surface hard bump, but now it's risen with a vengence. Little bumps along my chest. (Taking omega-3 supplements to combat inflamation)
-Dry lips. Not so bad. Haven't cracked but they're definitely peeling.
-Hair is drier. To combat this, i use about 3 spoonfuls of avocado oil and 3 spoonfuls of olive oil and i let it sit there for 30 mins. I do this once a week and my hair feels soft and shiny. Lol i love my hair so i want that to stay normal! (going to cut it soon)
-Lower back pain!!!!!! I can't stand for too long or bend too much.

I believe that's it... Overall, I'm pleased accutane is working. I truely do have faith in this treatment. I just wish others could approve of me taking this. My bf is completely against it and whenever I mention it, he talks negatively about it and says it's poison. I know why he is so negative (he took some experimental pills for a gull bladder infection that his doctor gave him and these pills left him completely color blind, which means he can only see in black and white, and he must get shots to help him keep his eyesight) but I just wish I could talk to him about it. And it really doesn't help that we're on a break because he needs to sort out his life. Believe me, he's not the cheating type. I know he wouldn't ever do that because he's always been cheated on in his past relationships. I just hate that we're on a break. It's almost been a month since we're decided to go on a break. I just feel uber impatient, but I love him and he promised that we will get back together. I just don't like wasting my time (lol that was a bit blunt)

Well I shall be updating on my month anniversary with tane (anddd that will be around my birthday! lol wooo. it's the 23rd and I'll be 17!). Best of luck to all of you on your courses!

[hopeinabottle23]

So i need help... immediate help would be nice

Just got over a huge embarrassment

What can i do to prevent nosebleeds on accutane???

I just had two today. One while playing with my cousins and one...err.. doing stuff with my bf.
Help is greatly appreciated!

[brandish]

hey, nose bleeds on tane are normally caused by dry nostrils, the booklet i got on accutane said to use Nozoil or Fess nasal gel, they might be specific brands to Australia though, so just ask a pharmacist about dry nose gel or something. I've also heard applying vaseline works too.
good luck

[dykim90]

some info: peanuts/peanut butter are legumes which cause acne as well as milk. i would just take the pill with a large glass of water at night or whenever at the same time of day everyday. preferably with a large meal like dinner.

[vanillatwilight]

Hey you're really really preeeetty! HAHAH anw just wanted to wish you good luck and all the best! I'll follow your log since we're like on the same dosage!

[ItalianBoy]

some info: peanuts/peanut butter are legumes which cause acne as well as milk. i would just take the pill with a large glass of water at night or whenever at the same time of day everyday. preferably with a large meal like dinner.

Don't listen to him

You can put a nasal spray for the nosebleeds

[hopeinabottle23]

ItalianBoy: Thanks for the tip! Suggestions for any brands? And don't worry about the whole diet thing. A change in my diet did nothing for my acne

vanillatwilight: Lol thanks for the compliment. How long will your course be? I've been scouring throughout these forums for a person on a long, low dose course! I'll be checking in on you and best of luck!

brandish: I had a hunch that it was it. As a kid I used to get really bad bloody noses (longest ever was an hour and a half), but i haven't gotten one since then. It's strange lol

[Kirbatha]

No sense being embarrassed, if he likes you enough then he won't care I know I wouldn't if my boy suddenly sprung a nosebleed.

You must be way excited. You're about a week ahead of me (today is Day 8 for me) but you'll be on for longer than me (40mg/day, not sure for how long, 5 or 6 months), but I'll try to keep up posting in this thread to see your progress.

[hopeinabottle23]

DAY 31

Month overview:
-Backpain is still present. Also, if i lay down long enough on my stomach, my ribs start to hurt. Weird.

-Oil is gone entirely! I can definitely get used to having a matte face. My cheeks and t-zone used to get oily and I felt pretty dirty by the end of the day, and now I no longer feel that way. So I'm pretty sure everyone knows how certain lightings make acne look worse or better. At my hs, I HATE looking at my face because the mirrors there seem like you're being looked at through a microscrope. I no longer feel the mirror

-Nosebleeds continue. Now they come every so often, but i still get them. They're the type of nosebleeds that flow freely and creep up without a notice.

-RED RED RED. I have a nice tane glow across my cheeks and somewhat on my forehead. The pictures i post will show the redness. I just call my cheeks rosy now. < that's me x's 2.

-Big breakouts have ceased. I only get at most 3 or 4 small red inflamed pimples. They quickly turn into whiteheads within three days.

-Chest and back are completely clear. Hyperpigmentation is fading. My face is close to clear, but i have major redness and some hyperpigmentation.

Four people have told me that my skin is clearing up nicely!! I'm so glad i chose to take accutane. Oh and in other news, i actually let my bf touch my cheeks. It was liberating. He cupped them and told me that they feel so smooth and soft. Afterwards he stroked them and told me that i had the nicest cheeks he's ever felt. Lol this sounds corny but he said if i would have let him touch my cheeks before, he would have fallen in love with me faster and kissed me.
Lol shhhh. I didn't say a word.

Progress is great so far. I don't have to put as much foundation on and it looks nice without all the oil and zits. Derm still put me on 20mg for the 2nd month and he said everything is coming along nicely. Thanks for stopping by!






If pics can't be viewed or if you'd like to see them close up go to the link at the bottom of my first post!

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[vanillatwilight]

HEY! Yep I sure see the red glow - but no worries, you're so clear! YAY! Anw glad to hear about you and your boyfriend, thats soo sweet Wish you good luck and hopefully those nosebleeds stop heehee!

[hopeinabottle23]

It's been almost of month of not updating! Sorry
So I believe today is:

Day 57:
-I want a higher dosage!! I'm still at 20mg per day but i'm still breaking out. Though it may be a pimple or two (maximum three) they're the whiteheads that are painful to the touch! I'm going to ask my derm if I can go up! Oh and it really sucks to have your derm date on the 25th. I'm going to do my bloodwork on thursday and have my appointment on saturday. I should only miss one pill.Maybe i can go to 40 mg per day?

-Tane burn is still here. Well now since my hyperpigmentation is gradually fading, the burn looks kinda cute. I just wish i wasn't so red!

-Uh this is a weird side effect: My nails are yellowing. Idk if it was from a dye that i put my nails in two months ago or if its the tane. I'm going to bring this up with my derm

-Back and chest are clear (also the forehead too). No little to no hyperpigmentation on these areas (oh and the chin too because i never had any problems with my chin, even before tane). I like the way my back looks now! Now i can proudly wear one shoulder tops
Is there anything you guys reccomend to fade hyperpigmentation across the cheeks? A while back my doctor prescribe triluma to help it fade but man was that expensive! It was 140 bucks for a small tube! Any suggestions would be great! I hate that i have golden skin. It's dark enough where it is quite prone to hyperpigmentation.

Personal Note: Need a job. Badly. I'm thinking about Prom (lol i know it's super early) but i want a stunning dress. I already have two designs that i want someone to make. I'll choose one but i know that the cost will be more than 300 dollars. Plus dinner, make up, hair, ride, and tickets are expensive! Lol and the holiday season has left me broke. Bf and i are doing well so far. We're slowly improving, but hey at least it's something. Today is our seven month anniversary. It definitely hasn't felt that long. Well wish me luck job hunting (it's hard to find a job, especially now but also because it'll be my first job). Any tips for a person looking for their first job?

Note: The there are two dark marks on my cheek pictures. The one on my right side (near ear) is a popped cyst. bad bad i know. The left one near jawline is a popped whitehead. Sorrrryyyy

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[Realme2008]

It's been almost of month of not updating! Sorry
So I believe today is:

Day 57:
-I want a higher dosage!! I'm still at 20mg per day but i'm still breaking out. Though it may be a pimple or two (maximum three) they're the whiteheads that are painful to the touch! I'm going to ask my derm if I can go up! Oh and it really sucks to have your derm date on the 25th. I'm going to do my bloodwork on thursday and have my appointment on saturday. I should only miss one pill.Maybe i can go to 40 mg per day?

-Tane burn is still here. Well now since my hyperpigmentation is gradually fading, the burn looks kinda cute. I just wish i wasn't so red!

-Uh this is a weird side effect: My nails are yellowing. Idk if it was from a dye that i put my nails in two months ago or if its the tane. I'm going to bring this up with my derm

-Back and chest are clear (also the forehead too). No little to no hyperpigmentation on these areas (oh and the chin too because i never had any problems with my chin, even before tane). I like the way my back looks now! Now i can proudly wear one shoulder tops
Is there anything you guys reccomend to fade hyperpigmentation across the cheeks? A while back my doctor prescribe triluma to help it fade but man was that expensive! It was 140 bucks for a small tube! Any suggestions would be great! I hate that i have golden skin. It's dark enough where it is quite prone to hyperpigmentation.

Personal Note: Need a job. Badly. I'm thinking about Prom (lol i know it's super early) but i want a stunning dress. I already have two designs that i want someone to make. I'll choose one but i know that the cost will be more than 300 dollars. Plus dinner, make up, hair, ride, and tickets are expensive! Lol and the holiday season has left me broke. Bf and i are doing well so far. We're slowly improving, but hey at least it's something. Today is our seven month anniversary. It definitely hasn't felt that long. Well wish me luck job hunting (it's hard to find a job, especially now but also because it'll be my first job). Any tips for a person looking for their first job?

Note: The there are two dark marks on my cheek pictures. The one on my right side (near ear) is a popped cyst. bad bad i know. The left one near jawline is a popped whitehead. Sorrrryyyy

Wow, you are so pretty! You are going to have absolutely amazing skin after accutane. On the job front it was really hard for me to find my first job also in high school, because they all want people with experience? Well, how are you supposed to gain experience if no one will hire you, and give you a chance? lol, anyway I finally just applied at a Fast Food place for my first job and they hired me on the spot. The best way to get a job these days is by connections like from family members or friends.

[hopeinabottle23]

Realme2008:: Thank you so much! Lol see I have a lady from my church who owns her own company and such, but how do you randomly come up to someone you've never talked to before and ask for a job? lol i was just going to wing it but i felt a bit bad because i feel that would be using someone. Oh well i think i'm going to go along with it anyways.

[Jezika]

Hi there. Just wanted to pop on by to say you're lookin' gooood. Your skin looks great, and that picture was from a while back!

Hope things are OK with your boyfriend and also on the job front. If you're still looking, I'd suggest just having an awesome resume that talks up your qualities and drop them round to loads of places in person, then in interviews just make almost unsettling eye contact (haha) and just try to be really relaxed and jovial. You seem like a warm, kindly person anyway, so I can imagine others would naturally warm to you.

[hopeinabottle23]

Day 86:
(Since my derm appointment was on scheduled to be on the 25th, i had to wait a couple day to get my pills. This number is based off how many pills consumed)

So it has been a while. Sorry for the wait! I've had finals this past week so i couldn't update.
Here's what's new:

-Pounding Headaches: I seem to get this almost daily for the past week. Stress? Acctuan related? I believe it's a combo of the both. Thank god finals are over. These headaches are situated towards the back of my head and do have a pounding like feeling.

-More soreness than usual: I've been going to the gym lately (around 2 or 3 times a week) to get back in shape for track/soccer season. The first time i went back, i did a lot of running. My thighs and butt burned like crazy the next day. I don't know how i can handle that on a daily basis, since practice is every single day.

-Hair is dry: I can probably go 3 or 4 days without washing my hair. I cut it this past week because the tips were dry and damaged. My hair was above my chest and now is a bit shorter than my collar bone. I needed that cut lol. To combat the dryness, I leave my conditioner in my hair for at least 30mins each time. Now if i want to put some effort in, i leave in olive oil from my ears down to deeply condition.

-Joints hurt more: You know when you lie down for a while and get up? Well it hurts to get up while on tane. When i get up to walk, it hurts. Blahhh. It's alright. The pain subsides after ten seconds or so.

That's all that is new. I am still on 20mg. I tried talking to my derm about upping my dose a bit, but he said since i have mimimal side effects and it's working well they are keeping me on 20mg for my entire 9 month course until further notice. Bummer.
Skin has been fairly well. Only small tiny red ones appear. That's only if i'm stressed or i'm near my period (which is the case in my current pictures).
So i kinda love using homemade beauty recipes. Last night i made myself a blueberry mask (with honey, strawberries, oatmeal and olive oil). It's a weird obsession that i've had with my skin since i was 12. I did that mask to reward myself for the hard week.

On the job and bf front, my bf and i are doing very well. We went to a healthclub together yesterday and had so much fun swimming together and relaxing in the jacuzzi and steam room.
About the job... I think i am going to save as much money as i possibly can for prom. To cover the rest of the costs, i am going to ask my parents for a loan. I have come to realize that i have too much on my plate during the spring and a job will overwhelm me. I have soccer/track (practice everyday and i dont get home till 6), act class (6-8pm once a week), and grades to keep up (not to mention the ACT this spring). I will work for the money this summer and give back every penny (plus if i have leftover money, i want to treat my parents out to dinner. Give them a free date night to show my gratitude).

Thank you everyone for reading my log and supporting it

Ps: So my parents give my 30 bucks a week to spend whatever. I have calculated that i must start saving up towards the end of february. 30x16=480. Plus my grandmother gives me ten bucks every month soo i would have 510 dollars. Prom is on the 21st of may. Wish me luck lol
Oh and in the pictures, the when where i am SUPER red is from walking 20 mins outside in the cold. Go tane burn! Oh and the third one is with make-up on.

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Edited by hopeinabottle23, 16 January 2010 - 02:14 PM.

[hopeinabottle23]

Dear Jezika,
You're like a celebrity on this message board lol.
Lol i barely say anything if the aquaintance doesn't say anything. But usually i'm pretty friendly so i wont make a fool out of myself. Hahaha i would do that for the shits and giggles! Make shift eyes and freak out the interviewer. Oh and btw, i keep up with your posts and your skin have transformed into something lovely. It really has.

[hopeinabottle23]

A special treat. Pre-tane pictures!!!

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