228 replies to this topic

[PaulH85]

Looking great, Clare!

Edited by PaulH85, 14 October 2011 - 08:25 AM.

[Clare M.]

Eva,

No worries! You're not being obsessive. I am the same way about all my little indents. I do remember having the raw patches heal over rather quickly. I had some that definitely took some time. It did level out and now I don't have anything like that. I think you will be fine. Take a good look at it and see if it pretty deep - if so, it might take longer to heal over. An indent is much deeper in the skin than the raw patch. It probably just looks much worse since it is larger but will probably heal much faster than an indent. I would keep some Neosporin on it. Keep it moist definitely.

Thanks for the photobucket tip. Ill check that out.

[Again!]

If computer illiterate over here can figure out how to use photobucket, you can too! =)

[Eva2202]

Thanks so much Clare for your insight. I don't know its been a month and its still dark and really obviously deep. I think 2/3 layers came off now looking at it. I asked my derm and he said it will level eventually but I don't get that. How come scars don't heal then? Its also very strange as you cannot see it in some lights with make up on and then bang, out of nowhere it looks very dark, shadowy and huge. The skin that came off does not resemble what I see in the mirror. SIGH. Guess I am just freaking myself out. In a negative headspace at the moment over it so can't think positively! I will pray it heals though. If you need help with photobucket, let me know, its easy peasy. You should be flaunting your skin, you've done so well.

Eves xxx

[Clare M.]

Eva,

I think with an actual scar, the tissue surrounding it was damaged beyond repair due to picking and scratching it to death. Even though we shed skin cells constantly, new skin cells aren't going to be able to replenish the damaged tissue. I would trust what your doctor said, especially with s/he being a skin specialist. If it was a permanent scar I'm sure he would tell you truth. I think it will level out. My skin takes forever to heal on this medication, even minor scrapes and scratches. Hopefully that is true for you too and reason why you haven't seen much improvement in a month. I know how frustrating it feels, Eves. Time should eventually restore all these horrible marks. You've probably tried this but have you considered getting a darker shade of concealer for this mark? Perhaps that would cover it a little more.

Edited by Clare M., 16 October 2011 - 11:54 PM.

[Clare M.]

#87


I'm really happy about the progress. I wish the pictures were better quality so you could see the scars. They are very apparent in natural light and up close. That is my only battle right now. It's nice to be able to touch my face and feel smooth skin - not bumpy, tender skin. My face was always so itchy when I had acne too.

Update:
My dry nose and lip have healed since I started using the Neosporin. Neosporin works wonders!! I couldn't believe how quickly my sores in my nose and on my lip healed. Bad news is that I think my lip is cracking on the other side now! I've been loading on the Neosporin and Vaseline so I can hopefully catch this early! My hands had this rough, dry patch on them. It didn't itch it just felt very dry and scaly. I woke up this morning and it was gone... freaky...

My arms are also very dry but they don't itch. I've noticed I've been able to use less foundation but I still can't go without. I can't wait until I can stop using foundation. My face is so red though and blotchy that without makeup it still looks like I have acne.

Edited by Clare M., 02 November 2011 - 02:29 PM.

[Eva2202]

Hey Clare,

Thanks for the reply! I will try and bare all you said in mind. Nothing I can do now, the damage is done so its learning from it and moving on and letting the drugs do its thing. Hard to do but gotta get on with it. In the midst of another breakout. Toxic. Glad to hear your skin is doing so well, it gives me hope. I tried going on the photobucket link but its password protected. Think you need to make it a public folder in the settings!!!

Love Eves xxx

[Clare M.]

There it's public now!

Yep, I'm in the same state of mind. Nothing really more to do except wait it out. I had really good luck using Retin-A in the past. The marks literally shed within a month or so. I want to use it again but I don't think I can while on Accutane. You should give it a try too.

[Clare M.]

#100

Sorry for the lack of updates. This last month has been very rough on me. My nose is dry inside. It is always cracking and bleeding inside. I've been using Bactroban in my nose at nights since it is much safer to use than triple antibiotic ointment. I pretty much have to apply it every night or I'll have a dry painful nose. I noticed two new rough patches on the back of my hands today. They are very rough and bumpy and dry. They don't itch though. It's probably the worse rough patches I've gotten. I think this extreme dryness has a lot to do with the weather changes. It has been getting a lot cooler now that it's nearly November. The skin around my nails is cracked and broken making my fingers very sore. Lips are peeling really bad. Ugh, I can't wait until I'm all done. This drug is drying me out so bad. Also, this might be too much information (I'm sorry!) but I am only mentioning to see if anyone else has a similar problem... Ladies: My doctor said the Accutane will even dry out your vagina... well, I'm not having sex so I can't really test this but I recently developed a possible vaginal infection? I'm not sure if perhaps it's a response since it is dry inside?? I never get vaginal infections. It doesn't itch or have a fishy smell just a yellow discharge and a sweet/sour-like smell. Too much info, I know! I'm sorry any guys reading this, ughh, I just need any advice... not a fan of physicals so trying to sort this out without a doctor visit.

[Shannon S]

Hey Clare,

As far as your vag goes, it could be anything really! but if it's not itching, than it's def not a yeast infection because i've had one before (and my sister get's them ALL the time) and they itch like crazy it hurts! Extreme discomfort to say the least! I would honestly just go visit your gyno, it could be a complete coincidence that your have some sort of infection while on accutane. I am actually going through something quit similar! About a 2 weeks into accutane, I developed a bartholin's gland cyst. Doesn't bother me the least bit, but went to the doc anyway to get it checked out, she gave me some antibiotic to take for 10 days, and it's healed up a lot, but still there..

As far as your dryness goes, have you gotten a chance to try out aquaphor? I know I keep annoying you about its powers, lol, but it's honestly done wonders for my skin. I also recommend using aveeno's daily moisturizing lotion too, very gentle, yet verrry effective at combating dryness, esp when you use it everyday!

[Clare M.]

Thanks for the advice Shannon. Might just have to bite the bullet and visit the gyno. I hate doing so. I've been using clotrimazole which is an anti-fungal that takes about 7 days to finish. If whatever I have isn't gone by then then I'll visit the doctor... :/

Aquaphor is great, I was using it for my lips until I ran out. I switched to Blistex and that is working alright. I think as long as I constantly use chapstick my lips won't get too bad. Aquaphor is my favorite though, I think I'll get more... where you only using it for your lips or is their a body lotion available by Aquaphor?

(Btw - I love Aveeno. I have Cetaphil and I absolutely hate it. I need something non-greasy.)

[Shannon S]

Clare M., on 02 November 2011 - 01:31 PM, said:

Thanks for the advice Shannon. Might just have to bite the bullet and visit the gyno. I hate doing so. I've been using clotrimazole which is an anti-fungal that takes about 7 days to finish. If whatever I have isn't gone by then then I'll visit the doctor... :/

Aquaphor is great, I was using it for my lips until I ran out. I switched to Blistex and that is working alright. I think as long as I constantly use chapstick my lips won't get too bad. Aquaphor is my favorite though, I think I'll get more... where you only using it for your lips or is their a body lotion available by Aquaphor?

(Btw - I love Aveeno. I have Cetaphil and I absolutely hate it. I need something non-greasy.)

Hey Clare!
No aquaphor doesn't make a moisturizer (unfortunately, I think it would be the bomb, lol!) but I still pretend like it's one! I used to have these dry patches on the backs of my upper arms (like the tricep area) and i thought it was because of my deodorant (i just use dove, always have). I just kept moisturizing with whatever moisturizer I had on hand, but it wasn't until i decided to slather on some aquaphor on the whole of my arms that they disappeared within a couple of days.

Good luck with your "issue..." lol

Edited by Shannon S, 02 November 2011 - 03:18 PM.

[Again!]

Hi Care! I wanted to stop by and say hi. I agree with Shannon on the aquaphor or vaseline in my case. It works wonders. Please, let us know what the results of your (issue) are. Good Luck!

[Again!]

Hello! Long time no update. I hope things are going well. I'm guessing your almost done with your course. I am doing a 6th month, so one more to go.

[Clare M.]

Hi!! Ahh, yes, I have slacked a whole month. I just have nothing new to report.

I was supposed to finish ~12/15. I was forgetting a couple of pills here and there so I'm still finishing up. I have a week left about. Everything is the same really, hence the reason for no update. Scarring still bums me out and I still have tons of redness. I hope things even up, however, 5 months down the road and I'm losing hope. Not really happy with my skin although it's clear. Everything is dry which exaggerates the scars.

I can't imagine being in the state I was in pre-Accutane. I owe so much to it. I don't obsess over my skin. I feel much more confident. It's wonderful. I would recommend it to anyone with a persistent case. It works magic.

Again,
I read you are doing a 6th month. Good luck! I have been reading your log even though I haven't posted or commented. I hope you are doing well... very close to the finish line. Thank you for checking up on me.

[Again!]

Congrats on almost being done!

[Clare M.]

Now that I'm finished with Accutane I'm debating going off birth control. I have no need to be on it. I was only on it because that was a requirement for taking Accutane. Anyways, I am so scared that going off the pill is going to cause a huge break out! Please respond if you have any advice. I don't want to be on birth control and I'm not sure if it's going to cause a break out if I go off it. What would you do??

[sd85]

Clare M., on 09 January 2012 - 07:07 PM, said:

Now that I'm finished with Accutane I'm debating going off birth control. I have no need to be on it. I was only on it because that was a requirement for taking Accutane. Anyways, I am so scared that going off the pill is going to cause a huge break out! Please respond if you have any advice. I don't want to be on birth control and I'm not sure if it's going to cause a break out if I go off it. What would you do??

I would stop taking it.

[Clare M.]

So I decided to keep my log going post-Accutane! It has been nearly a month now since I stopped Accutane and honestly... not much of a change yet! I have noticed zero oil return and my scarring hasn't lightened up much (although I haven't taken the time recently to really scrutinize my skin). The inside of my nose still gets pretty dry and sore occasionally. My allergies (mostly a runny nose) are still a nuisance (especially at work with the AC running). My lips are not nearly as chapped, broken, or peeling as they were while on Accutane. They are still slightly dry though but it isn't a necessity anymore to apply chapstick 24/7. No eczema-like rashed on the back of my hands anymore. My lower back still aches occasionally. One VERY strange side effect that I'm sure is Accutane-induced are the horrible dreams I've been having. They are extremely violent and gory. I started having them on the last month of Accutane and they are still occuring - I've had about four total. I know the medicine has a rare side effect of possible psychosis and I feel like that is a reason for my horrible nightmares. My hair feels a bit thicker also. I don't think I'm losing as much hair as I was while on Accutane & that is wonderful.

Also, I've been off birth control pills for about a month now too. It feels so great to be off them - I don't think I'll ever use BCPs again! I just really hope my hormones don't go whack and cause a horrible break out. I will do Accutane again without hesitation if I feel acne returning!

I'll be updating occasionally. I love reading your logs and it's great you guys are continuing to update post-Tane too!

[Again!]

Sorry to hear about the dreams. Hopefully they go away soon. I think you made a good decision in going off birth control pills. Glad you'll be updating too!