7 replies to this topic

[Sun-ah-san]

I am tired of the persistent whiteheads and inflammation I am getting. Now, I just want to speak to a doctor and get on accutane. I am 23 and I still have constant acne (almost a new one every day). I know my condition isn't severe but rather mild to moderate. However, I would still like to try accutane and see what it can do for me.

I know the risks and side effects that come with the drug but they do not outweigh the prospect of having clear skin.

Thus, I would like to get advice on how I can get a prescription for accutane. Can I speak to my general doctor? Or do I have to get it from my dermatologist? Also, I am worried that the doctor might not fill the prescription and give me the run around, if this happens what can I do to get on the prescription? Seek another doctor?

It just seems like it is really hard to get on.

Thank you very much for your advice!

[daveeh27]

hey sunaah.
I was in pretty much the same situation as you and finally decided to take control last week. If you're already seeing a dermatologist you can talk to them and they'll ask you a few questions and you'll probably have to do a blood test then you'll have your prescription. Otherwise the GP is needed to get a referral before seeing the derm.
It's really not as hard as you think, my acne is pretty mild and accutane was the first thing the derm suggested.
hope this helps abit, goodluck

[Melie87]

I am 23 years old and too suffer from mild to moderate...but sometimes it gets severe, not recently tho since I am on a new antibiotic and have changed my diet and such..doing all i can before I even think about accutane.

I just asked my derm about it....she would have given it too me right then and there. We talked about it and I had a lot of questions. But she was willing..all you do is ask your dermatologist.

[Sun-ah-san]

thanks a lot I am going to see a dermatologist soon for the very first time. If I do get it I will share my experiences

@daveeh27
Hey since you only had mild acne, I am guessing you didn't need it as long and that they gave you smaller dosages? Do you have a blog of your time on accutane?

@Melie87
yup, I've had acne since I was 16? It was really bad back then but I have learned a lot since then and have done much better at keeping it under control. Sometimes, I feel like I have finally defeated it because I am clear for a week...but then it comes back and I am back to square one. Your description fits me; mild to moderate most of the time and then randomly severe to mild, and then back to moderate, repeat...The only thing that is keeping back the severe breakouts is my regimen, however, the regimen can only get me to mildly clear and that is why I want to try accutane and stop the cycle.

My facial type is very oily.

[shopaholic]

.

Edited by shopaholic, 24 November 2011 - 02:10 PM.

[Sun-ah-san]

My acne was mild and my Derm was reluctant to give me accutane the second time but I explained how it was very persistent and I was concerned about developing scars and that seemed to do the trick. Accutane was awesome for me until it was over but I found that taking vitamin A after seemed to help the results last. Good luck!

Thanks for sharing. I see that some people use it once and never have their acne return again, but then there are others who are clear during accutane but it may come back after a few years. I hope mine stays away for good.

[Sun-ah-san]

Wow, what a great day! I just want to share my story of how I got Accutane today!

Woke up at 6 AM in the morning, only had 3 hours of sleep (studying for college finals ), to get ready for my first ever visit to a dermatologist. Me, being an lazy idiot, almost convinced myself to "eff it" and go back to sleep thinking that I would never get accutane anyways. But slowly I get up and take a shower to get ready.

After taking my shower I got onto my computer and looked around for advice on what to tell your derm to get accutane (yeah, I was pretty stupid ). My appointment was at 8 AM so I had a bit of time to kill.

Left the house at 7:15 AM and drove to the clinic through stop and go traffic. All the while thinking about how I can get my message across and make them understand that I am serious about treating my acne. When I got there I filled out all the paperwork and followed the procedures.

Around 8:30 AM, the doctor walks in and he is the nicest and most comfortable doc I have ever met. Really charismatic.

To be honest, if you look at my face, many will say that I am just a crybaby or over reacting to my mild acne. I even admit that at times I can control my acne and live with it. But, in my situation, the acne has been consistent (nearly one new acne everyday) ever since freshman year in high school. For over 5 years I have had acne everyday. That was my situation.

The dermatologist continues on just talking about topicals and antibiotics that he can use. He says there are over 1,000. He also slides in accutane during the conversation, and this is when I ask if he could tell me more about accutane.

This is where it gets interesting. He tells me that he has been on accutane for adult acne and it worked well for him (even I can see from looking at his 100% clear skin). He tells me the risks and directions to take it. But the most surprising thing was that he would always hint for me to go with this option! He told me the side affects but made SURE that I knew that they were rare and far in between.

But I didn't say anything yet and casually the conversation moved back to antibiotics. I stupidly implied that antibiotics would be nice if they worked and he started to fill out prescriptions for something called tetra. But thankfully I grew a pair and said, "Sir, instead of antibiotics, could I get accutane?" He immediately said sure and threw out all the antibiotic paperwork and told me I was making the right choice. He even winked at me saying, "you will do well." Man, I was a happy kid.

Oh, and another funny thing was I didn't even need to tell him why and how much acne was affecting my life and never had to persuade him at all! Before I could even speak and tell him my reasoning, he handed me the slip of paper! Amazing.

Furthermore, he said that I didn't need BP or SA anymore. He told me to just take the accutane. God, that lifted so much off my shoulders.

And, to top it off with a cherry on top:
So I got my ipledge paperwork and blood test done, and I go down to the pharmacy to get accutane.

I walk into the pharm and I give them my prescription for accutane. They giggle and tell me it will cost a lot! They ask me for my insurance and I give them my card. I wait 15 minutes while they see how my insurance works with the payment...and then I hear a, "Wow! His insurance rocks and his co-pay is ridiculous!"

Later, I find out that it would have cost me $1,300 for the accutane...but because of my insurance I only had to pay $15!


What I learned:
1. You never know how your day will turn out, at first the prospects might be slim, but you never know without trying.

2. The fear mongering of accutane on the internet is ridiculous. I can't believe I almost bought into that. If you want to try accutane, speak with your doctor and he or she will tell you if it is right for you. Do not let anyone else tell you you can or cannot take it. I have mild acne and I even got accutane without a SINGLE disagreement.

3. I know it is only the first day, and I only took one pill so far, but I can honestly say that I simply feel free right now.

4. Thank you to daveeh27 and Melie87 for giving me the belief that it was possible to get accutane for even mild to moderate acne. You guys rock! If you lived nearby I would send presents

5. If any of you guys have questions about my first experience at the derm or anything else, please ask! I will help the best I can!


I attached a picture of my Claravis!!

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by sunaah, 02 June 2011 - 12:15 PM.

[Sun-ah-san]

btw I am making a slideshow every single day I am on accutane I wanna see how much I can change!