218 replies to this topic

[Gutterflower]

I failed my test four times. Four. The first time, I failed my test within 2 minutes of the test starting. The time I actually passed, I was so over it that I just drove and didn't care about the outcome. I think being almost relaxed and semi-complacent about it is what got me there, instead of being so tightly wound that my knuckles turned white with my grip on the steering wheel. Plus the guy I got was such a douchenozzle. He insisted on winding the passenger side window down regardless of weather conditions.

The first guy I got actually screamed at me. It didn't really put me in a great mindframe every time I went for my test after that. He was unprofessional and just generally not a good person, but every time I sat my test after that, the anxiety of failing crept up because I knew how it felt and I didn't want to feel it again. The time I passed I was genuinely shocked about it. I don't think I'm a bad driver. I mean, I think I've accidentally cut people off three or four times, maybe more. But I've never had any kind of prang/accident, I'm pretty cautious/defensive. Whereas my best friend passed her test first try and she has been in three different minor prangs and every time I drive with her she hits the curb, forgets to put her headlights on, oversteers and generally terrifies me.

[pooratbest]

Long time since i checked out your blog Elle, your skins looking FANTASTIC and your profile pic's cute too

Gutterflower, on 05 December 2011 - 10:17 PM, said:

I know, right? I used my skin as an excuse not to go out, not to see my friends, not to go on dates, everything. I used as it as an excuse not to move - I wanted my skin to look good before I moved cities. That's how firmly rooted I was. Now that my skin is clear, I have to face the fact that the reason I really couldn't do all of those things was just fear, especially with moving.

Have any of these issues improved with your skin condition or have they stayed the same?
Mark.

[Gutterflower]

Thank you!

They have definitely improved! Still haven't moved cities though. Kind of imperative if I want things in my life to work out so I suppose I need to get a wriggle on...

[brownbag]

wow your skin is flawless! you're so lucky you dont have to deal with red marks.

[Gutterflower]

brownbag, on 12 December 2011 - 04:58 AM, said:

wow your skin is flawless! you're so lucky you dont have to deal with red marks.

I do have red marks, they are most prominent after I get out of the shower, or after I've exercised. They're also a lot more obvious in sunlight. But I definitely do have them, mainly on my cheeks. They are slowly fading thankfully, and because I haven't had any new breakouts for a couple of weeks, they've had time to fade a bit without immediately being replaced with new ones. I'm so excited!

[Gutterflower]

I can't remember what day I'm up to, but I thought I'd make a tiny update here. My arms are a bit rashy at the moment, it's really itchy and annoying, although I don't know if it's anything to do with Accutane since I started using a new shower gel the other day and I think I might just be loofah-ing too hard. Sigh, it was such a nice one, too. Oh well!

I woke up and felt what I thought was a pimple on my chin, turns out there was nothing there and I've just forgotten what a pimple feels like (not really, but I was worried over nothing). The texture of my skin is pretty bumpy, especially on my chin, and my nose pores are enormous. At the end of the day when my makeup has sunk in, there are all these foundation-coloured dots on my nose. I prefer these over the blackheads that used to call my giant nose pores home, though.

I like being able to choose which kind of foundation I want to wear based on my level of laziness and not the condition of my skin. I use mineral powder when I can't be arsed using liquid foundation, but liquid has better staying power. I've also found that it's much easier to match foundations to my skin because I don't have as many mottled, patchy bits. The redness is fairly minimal too, which is awesome...

That's about it I think?

Anybody who is skeptical over Accutane, who is still trying to decide whether to take the plunge or not, please, I implore you, do it. You mightn't have side effects at all aside from dry lips. My lips are gross, they start off alright in the morning but dry out over the course of the day, but I can deal with that. I've not had any other side effects, the aforementioned rashy arms I'm pretty sure aren't related to it (I'll stop using my shower gel tonight and see what happens).

[sd85]

Gutterflower, on 13 December 2011 - 08:50 PM, said:

I can't remember what day I'm up to, but I thought I'd make a tiny update here. My arms are a bit rashy at the moment, it's really itchy and annoying, although I don't know if it's anything to do with Accutane since I started using a new shower gel the other day and I think I might just be loofah-ing too hard. Sigh, it was such a nice one, too. Oh well!

I woke up and felt what I thought was a pimple on my chin, turns out there was nothing there and I've just forgotten what a pimple feels like (not really, but I was worried over nothing). The texture of my skin is pretty bumpy, especially on my chin, and my nose pores are enormous. At the end of the day when my makeup has sunk in, there are all these foundation-coloured dots on my nose. I prefer these over the blackheads that used to call my giant nose pores home, though.

I like being able to choose which kind of foundation I want to wear based on my level of laziness and not the condition of my skin. I use mineral powder when I can't be arsed using liquid foundation, but liquid has better staying power. I've also found that it's much easier to match foundations to my skin because I don't have as many mottled, patchy bits. The redness is fairly minimal too, which is awesome...

That's about it I think?

Anybody who is skeptical over Accutane, who is still trying to decide whether to take the plunge or not, please, I implore you, do it. You mightn't have side effects at all aside from dry lips. My lips are gross, they start off alright in the morning but dry out over the course of the day, but I can deal with that. I've not had any other side effects, the aforementioned rashy arms I'm pretty sure aren't related to it (I'll stop using my shower gel tonight and see what happens).

I'm totally with you on people using accutane---please do not hesitate people! Get out there and take care of your problem! It seems so silly to wait!

I haven't had much in the way of side effects other than dry lips.

[followyourbliss]

Glad to hear your skin is looking good!!! Woohooo!

I also agree! If you're considering Accutane, DO IT!!!
I've had almost every single negative side effect and I still think it's worth it!!
Just look at the before and after gallery if you need motivation to start it.
SO worth it IMO.

[pooratbest]

The rashy arms are probably related to it (unless you know you may have an allergy to a product in your shower gel) - they're common on backs of hands too. Just a by product of skin been dry, moisturise and my bet is they'll begin to go.

[Hopeful*]

I have a itchy rash on my arm It's definitely the dry skin from accutane!

[Again!]

Wow! Absolutely awesome. I honestly can say that I am officially jealous. I am way farther along than you and I do not look even close to how good you look. Sure, I'm clear, but oh the marks I have!

[Gutterflower]

Three months and fourteen days.

Still only dry lips. Cool beans.

[Gutterflower]

It's been more than a month since I even posted here, what is this madness?! Actually, I haven't been active on the Org at all... to be perfectly honest, I don't think about my skin much, because I don't need to. But when I really stop and think about it, I'm absolutely amazed that it has come this far, to the point where I'm no longer plagued by the one thing that took up so much of my headspace for eleven years straight...

So, this is my fourth month. Almost my fifth. I have my last dermatologist appointment on Monday, and everything has been fine. No horrible side effects except for the dry lips, which are absolutely disgusting and I can't wait to be rid of them, but it's been worth it. I know I'm going to be scared when I finish my course and I stop taking the pills, but I have my fingers crossed that the acne stays away. I have at least another month to go, my derm should prescribe me my last refill.

I'm nervous and excited. But if it eventuates that I need to do another course, I will do it with no hesitation.

[LoveLife!]

hehe. today I remembered about this site..

I could copy+paste ur last post, as one of mine ) (well im close to 6 months thou`) so by what my derm said this is when I finish my course.. although there will be prophylactic course at superbly low dose for an extensive length of time..

im glad that ur doing fine aswell.

Forgot to add that I`m also going to driving school. I hope i will do my test better than you.. no offence )

Edited by LoveLife!, 16 February 2012 - 12:08 PM.

[Gutterflower]

LoveLife!, on 16 February 2012 - 11:32 AM, said:

hehe. today I remembered about this site..

I could copy+paste ur last post, as one of mine ) (well im close to 6 months thou`) so by what my derm said this is when I finish my course.. although there will be prophylactic course at superbly low dose for an extensive length of time..

im glad that ur doing fine aswell.

Forgot to add that I`m also going to driving school. I hope i will do my test better than you.. no offence )

I'm glad everything turned out well for you too!

Hahaha I hope you do better than me, too! It was only nerves that got the best of me, I'm not actually a bad driver, I swear.

[Jesoli]

Looks like your results are quite similar to mine! I'm almost done, 11 more days, and most of my red marks are quite faded. I can go without foundation, but my skin isn't perfect that way. I also have some texture scars on my chin and along my jaw, more on the right than the left. I too hope that they will plump up once I'm done with my course.

I'm really happy for you that your skin is doing so well!

[pooratbest]

Great to hear youre still going well, are you still on just 20mg?

[LoveLife!]

Sooo, How are you doing, so far? I guess u have finished ur course..?

[OPeggyGordon]

hey there , I was wonderin how youre getting along? Looks good since last time eh? you dont seem to be on here as much which can only be a good thing means youre occupied with stuff other than worryin about your skin.
I really hope youre doing perfect. An happy. drop us a line darlin...
)