3 replies to this topic

[hamleys]

So here it is, the end of my Accutane course and this should be a short recount of what happened to me and what I recommend to keep yourselfs sane if you do choose to go on it!

First of all: I highly recommend this drug, I know that's easy for me to say as I have had no lasting side effects (to my knowledge), however my parents insisted I would be fine, my Dad being a GP has never had anyone come back to him with lasting problems from Accutane, and he has prescribed it plenty of times...


Without further ado, here is my log/list/encounter with Accutane summed up in a few 'memorable' experiences.


- Initial breakout around 6/7 weeks in, also coincided with christmas/new years period unfortunately so in all the family photos I look awful, they weren't even like gross spots, just big red lumps almost... one thing I urge you not to do in this stage is DO NOT PICK!!. I picked a spot on my chin, and due to my dry skin it took absolutely ages for the scar to go away. Just do not do it honestly, the spots will go in a few weeks max, the last thing you want is a scar.


- Nosebleeds and Dry skin (everywhere).
Carmex, I'm not sure I couldn't have survived. Seriously as far as dry lips go, Carmex is the thing you need.
Olay SPF Moisturiser - This is the only moisturiser I found that a) had SPF and b) didn't make my face go red :/
My arms, neck and legs got very dry too, to the point of getting quite flaky so I used some Doublebase moisturiser in the shower in place of shower gel and just layered it on all over. Very nice.
Vaseline - Stick it up your nose before you go to bed, very pleasant!


- I had a bike accident towards the end of my course and cut my shin up quite badly, on top of this the weather in england got very sunny and I sunburnt my already cut shin, which didn't go down well and then to top it off my incredibly sensitive skin came up in a weird allergic reaction to the dressing I put over the cut, which resulted in me not being able to walk for a few days...

Not sure of the moral of this story, try not to cut yourself and don't get sunburnt!! It took a whole lot of moisturiser on regular occasions to sort it...



To be honest, apart from the stuff I've mentioned I didn't really run into any problems whatsoever.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend doing an Accutane log on Acne.org (blasphemy!!), I found it a lot easier to just get on with it, keep it as just a tablet I took after dinner and not worry myself about anything else, keeping it out of mind as much as possible, but then I always had my Dad and Derm to talk to about any problems.


Anyway, so that's that, I do feel better for getting it down here in the end. Any questions I'm more than happy to answer!!


and I'll just reiterate: Carmex is the next wonder of the world.

[IjustWantToBeMe]

Great post mate, I'm glad Accutane worked out for you!!

I start my course on Tuesday so wish me luck D:

p.s CARMEX FTW

[hamleys]

Just an update (and a very late one at that). Something like 8 months since I finished my course, I'm still alive, I'm still spot-free, my skin is smooth as a baby's bottom.

The scarring is going, slowly but surely.


For me, this drug has absolutely changed my life for the better.


Anyone that is going on to Accutane, I wish you all the best! And I know I can't promise anything, but I hope that it will be worth it. Of all the potentially 'life-changing' decisions I've made by the tender age of 21, this one is shining as one that has really been a good choice.

[Viny]

It's conforting to see some positive posts about Accutane. I just started the treatment and im on my 1 week now, the acne has got a little bit worse but not too much, and my skin is drier but that gives me a sign that at least the pill is working inside my organism.

I'd like to ask you, when did you start seeing some clearing of your acne? They say its usually after 2 months .