228 replies to this topic

[Clare M.]

Day 5

Fifth day on Accutane. This drug is working pretty quickly. My face feels a little bit dryer each day. My skin feels especially tight around my mouth and I can even see it flaking slightly along my cheeks. My jawline was really itchy last night I'm guessing because it's the most dry there. I've also noticed a small rash that itches on my hand and wrists. The bumps are really tiny and you can barely see it so I don't really mind. I'm pretty sure it's the Accutane causing this because I've never had that before...has anyone else experienced this?

Other than that, my face is clearing up from my last breakout...thank God. That was ridiculous. How is everyone doing?

[Again!]

So I went in to see my doctor today. He's supposed to enter my pregnancy result into the IPledge website and then I answer a few questions and THEN I finally get it! Sheeeesh. So much regulation and it's pointless (for me) since I'm not having sex so can't possibly be pregnant.

Anyway,
He's prescribing me 20mg three times a day; so a total of 60mg. Is that a high dose? I think it is. I thought normal was 40mg?... Well, that means I'm going to probably experience the side effects full force. Ah, it's also kind of annoying because my prescription insurance isn't too great. I was estimating 30 pills to be ~250 without insurance, and my insurance usually covers at least half leaving me to pay ~125. Manageable. But he's written me for 90 pills?? That will be ~$350 at the best.

Here we go... :/

Hi Claire! Congrats on starting tane. I wouldn't be so concerned about your dosage. I am 130lbs and I'm on 80mg twice a day. I'm on day 10 and quite honestly haven't really had any side effects and I've had some fantastic results already. Amazing. feel free to check out my log for more details if you want.

I have never heard anyone going on accutane and taking a pill three times a day, not that there is anything wrong with that. I only mention it because I was told that the 40mg pills verses the 20mg pills is cheaper. And instead of 90 pills a month you could go down to 60 pills which could save you money. Just ask your doctor.

Good Luck!

[Clare M.]

So I went in to see my doctor today. He's supposed to enter my pregnancy result into the IPledge website and then I answer a few questions and THEN I finally get it! Sheeeesh. So much regulation and it's pointless (for me) since I'm not having sex so can't possibly be pregnant.

Anyway,
He's prescribing me 20mg three times a day; so a total of 60mg. Is that a high dose? I think it is. I thought normal was 40mg?... Well, that means I'm going to probably experience the side effects full force. Ah, it's also kind of annoying because my prescription insurance isn't too great. I was estimating 30 pills to be ~250 without insurance, and my insurance usually covers at least half leaving me to pay ~125. Manageable. But he's written me for 90 pills?? That will be ~$350 at the best.

Here we go... :/

Hi Claire! Congrats on starting tane. I wouldn't be so concerned about your dosage. I am 130lbs and I'm on 80mg twice a day. I'm on day 10 and quite honestly haven't really had any side effects and I've had some fantastic results already. Amazing. feel free to check out my log for more details if you want.

I have never heard anyone going on accutane and taking a pill three times a day, not that there is anything wrong with that. I only mention it because I was told that the 40mg pills verses the 20mg pills is cheaper. And instead of 90 pills a month you could go down to 60 pills which could save you money. Just ask your doctor.

Good Luck!

Thanks! & I'll definitely check yours out. Actually, my insurance covered a lot more than I expected. It's only $70 for 90 pills and that's manageable. That's great you're seeing results already - how long are you on the course for?

[This Kid]

Hey! Good luck with your course! I started accutane the same day you did! so if you want to compare i have a log (the link is in my signature) (:

[Clare M.]

Hey! Good luck with your course! I started accutane the same day you did! so if you want to compare i have a log (the link is in my signature) (:

Hey! Awesome, I'll check it out. Good luck to you too!!

[Clare M.]

Day 6

My back is killing me today!! It hurts to bend forward. I noticed it last night before I went to bed so I don't think I messed it up in my sleep...ahhh. It hurts to bend forward and type this. Alright, well, I can definitely feel the side effects! My lips are dry but not bothersome at all. I've been applying chapstick randomly. My face is a lot dryer than usual. Usually by this time, my forehead is an oil slick. It looks perfectly dry and has no shine to it. If this is an indication of how my skin is going to look post-Accutane then that's awesome. However, my jawline and cheeks are SOO flaky and tight. It looks disgusting. A lot of the healed pimples from my recent breakout are scabbing over and flaking off...sort of gross, but that's good I suppose. I'm wondering how the hell I am going to apply makeup when this dryness is at the extreme. Ughh. I refuse to leave the house without some sort of concealer. I usually use Mary Kay concealer and then the Bare Minerals loose powder over.

So, does anybody know if the dryness and flakiness lasts the entire course of Accutane? I can deal with the dryness. But the flakes are so irritating because I can't even chew food or wipe my mouth without flakes of my skin falling off.

How is everybody else doing??

[Again!]

Day 6

My back is killing me today!! It hurts to bend forward. I noticed it last night before I went to bed so I don't think I messed it up in my sleep...ahhh. It hurts to bend forward and type this. Alright, well, I can definitely feel the side effects! My lips are dry but not bothersome at all. I've been applying chapstick randomly. My face is a lot dryer than usual. Usually by this time, my forehead is an oil slick. It looks perfectly dry and has no shine to it. If this is an indication of how my skin is going to look post-Accutane then that's awesome. However, my jawline and cheeks are SOO flaky and tight. It looks disgusting. A lot of the healed pimples from my recent breakout are scabbing over and flaking off...sort of gross, but that's good I suppose. I'm wondering how the hell I am going to apply makeup when this dryness is at the extreme. Ughh. I refuse to leave the house without some sort of concealer. I usually use Mary Kay concealer and then the Bare Minerals loose powder over.

So, does anybody know if the dryness and flakiness lasts the entire course of Accutane? I can deal with the dryness. But the flakes are so irritating because I can't even chew food or wipe my mouth without flakes of my skin falling off.

How is everybody else doing??

Hey Claire Bear! hahahahaha-sorry I just couldn't resist. Okay I wont do it again, I promise!

I'm glad your course is looking up. I'm with ya on this dryness business. I really can't remember if the flakyness goes away. I really feel like you should try that baking soda exfoliating method and then also some oil of some sorts with moisturizer overnight. (I had posted it on my log) It really helps with the flaking. But the whole dryness and make-up thing, ugh-nothing helps-it sucks! Big time! If you find a way to fix this whole make-up issue, I would love to know.

[Clare M.]

Haha ok thanks. I will try that baking soda idea. It looks so gross haha. I really hope the IB isn't too bad. Ughhh breakout + dry nasty skin sounds horrible. Have you tried jojoba oil with moisturizer?

Haha ok thanks. I will try that baking soda idea. It looks so gross haha. I really hope the IB isn't too bad. Ughhh breakout + dry nasty skin sounds horrible. Have you tried jojoba oil with moisturizer?

Edit: Meant the flakes look gross, not the baking soda idea. :S hehe

[Clare M.]

Day 7

I woke up this morning with pretty much no oil on my face. Usually my face is pretty oily in the morning. I haven't been washing my face in the mornings lately since it dries and tightens everything up and it is soooo uncomfortable. Last night I added jojoba oil to my moisturizer. I think it has really helped with the flakes. So I have this thin, flake-like piece of skin on my lower left cheek along my jawline. I know it was probably because this was the most dry part of my skin. Well, anyway, it looks disgusting. I look like a peeling little creature or something. Ughhh, joy, I get to go into work tomorrow under bright lights. Fantastic.

Well, no IB thus far. No new pimples really. I had a tender one developing on my forehead (yes, very attractive) but the Accutane literally dried it out overnight. So awesome. Lips are dry, chapstick isn't necessary yet. I've been drinkings lots of water. I had 2 glasses of wine the other night :S (hope that was okay). I just hope this peeling face thing slows down a bit.

How is everybody else doing? I'm going to read your logs now.

[Again!]

Haha ok thanks. I will try that baking soda idea. It looks so gross haha. I really hope the IB isn't too bad. Ughhh breakout + dry nasty skin sounds horrible. Have you tried jojoba oil with moisturizer?

Haha ok thanks. I will try that baking soda idea. It looks so gross haha. I really hope the IB isn't too bad. Ughhh breakout + dry nasty skin sounds horrible. Have you tried jojoba oil with moisturizer?

Edit: Meant the flakes look gross, not the baking soda idea. :S hehe

I haven't tried jojoba oil, but it seems to be quite popular on here. So, do you know what it's good for? Like, almond oil is good for calming & vitamin e oil is good for scars.

And to answer an earlier question that you had asked, I will be on accutane for 5 months-you?

[Clare M.]

I haven't tried jojoba oil, but it seems to be quite popular on here. So, do you know what it's good for? Like, almond oil is good for calming & vitamin e oil is good for scars.

And to answer an earlier question that you had asked, I will be on accutane for 5 months-you?

Jojoba oil is really great for dry skin. It really helps with the flakes and dryness - making it much easier to apply makeup also. You should try it. And I'm not sure how long I'm going to be on it - my doctor said like 5 to 6 months.

[Polyspast]

Good luck Clare! You are a day ahead of me! I seem to be experiencing the same symptoms as you. Itchy face, dry lips, tight face etc. No back pain though. Although it may not be related to the Accutane. Maybe you just slept on it funny

[Clare M.]

Good luck Clare! You are a day ahead of me! I seem to be experiencing the same symptoms as you. Itchy face, dry lips, tight face etc. No back pain though. Although it may not be related to the Accutane. Maybe you just slept on it funny

Thank you!! I probably did sleep on it wrong haha. I hope we see results fast...so desperate! :S

[Lipslikesugar22]

Good luck its going to be awesome!

[Clare M.]

Good luck its going to be awesome!

Thanks! Can't wait till I'm done haha.

[Again!]

I haven't tried jojoba oil, but it seems to be quite popular on here. So, do you know what it's good for? Like, almond oil is good for calming & vitamin e oil is good for scars.

And to answer an earlier question that you had asked, I will be on accutane for 5 months-you?

Jojoba oil is really great for dry skin. It really helps with the flakes and dryness - making it much easier to apply makeup also. You should try it. And I'm not sure how long I'm going to be on it - my doctor said like 5 to 6 months.

Okay, so I just bought some jojoba oil and will be using it tonight! ;) I'm crazy. Now I have like four different oils that I can put on my face. Not all at once of course. A little overboard.

[Clare M.]

Okay, so I just bought some jojoba oil and will be using it tonight! ;) I'm crazy. Now I have like four different oils that I can put on my face. Not all at once of course. A little overboard.

Lol. Well if it works then it works!

[Clare M.]

Day 8

No new breakouts. I wonder if I'm even going to go through an initial breakout. My skin is never this dry. I love it. I've noticed my skin breaks out, usually, when I'm over oily. The times I've been dried out (while starting BP), my skin clears. I only broke out when I became adjusted to the BP and the oil returned. But then again, when my hormones fluctuate, I'm covered in huge bumps. Who knows. Probably a little too much optimistic thinking here but it's much needed.

Ughh, my lips are so unbearable today. It feels like a thick, dry piece of skin covering my lips. Lol, that sounds kind of weird. No matter how much chapstick I load on, I can still feel the dryness. Ickk. I've noticed Burt's Bees is really horrible for this dry of lips. Aquaphor really does work the best, imo. Skin is drying more and more. Not flaking so much since I've added jojoba oil in. I LOVE that stuff. My nose is dry and sore.

Sorry my daily posts are so redundant. I want to track my course daily to read the changes since I'm to chicken to takes progress photos.

Ok back to finish Fahrenheit 451 (AWESOME book)

[Again!]

So I used the jojoba oil again last night. I like it. Seems to be working. Thanks for the suggestion. Glad everything is going well for you. Today is my 2 week mark and no IB yet. Whoohoo! Maybe you and I will be the lucky ones. You never know.......

[Clare M.]

So I used the jojoba oil again last night. I like it. Seems to be working. Thanks for the suggestion. Glad everything is going well for you. Today is my 2 week mark and no IB yet. Whoohoo! Maybe you and I will be the lucky ones. You never know.......;)

I hope so! I'm noticing new pimples I get are just drying up since there is barely any oil on my face to "fuel" them.