11 replies to this topic

[Britt4ny]

Britt's Accutane Log:

I regret to post on here- because somewhere deep down I always thought the first course would clear me for good, and I hope this for everyone that is on their first course. I'm not going to bore you with all of the past creams/medications I've been on, since we've all been there done that.

Basically, accutane kept me clear for about two years. And it was amazing!!! I loved this drug... so when it came time to go on it for a second time I wasn't going to make the mistake I made the first time around- which was waiting to long to start, in fear that it was going to kill me.

My side effects the first time were pretty mild (50mg a day- 110 lbs): dry lips, skin, hair throughout my entire course (wasn't as bad by the end of it), headaches and back pains the first two weeks, and by the last few weeks it was a little hard to go number two because it was so dry down there- I know gross! But let me tell you, a few weeks after being off the medication and the dryness goes away- your scares become less noticeable and life is good =)

So here's what's changed since my last course:

1: I'm getting married next September to the love of my life (woooo for corny-ness)! With all the showers, parties, the wedding, and the honeymoon- Acne can suck it! There is no way it's going to ruin such an important time in my life.

2: Last time I was on accutane I was a college student, and it was my last year, and I was an art student, so I made a lot of my own hours, and could basically camp out in my apartment with no makeup for most of the course. This time around I have a full time job that I dress cutely to, and wear all that fun makeup stuff to.. so I am a little worried about being presentable as my skin shrivels up. So any recommendations for a nice concealer would be great. And are my eyelashes going to fall out if I continue to lather them up with the mascara? Eek I hope not!

3: My acne is different this time around. They don't lie when they say it doesn't come back as severe. The first time I didn't have as many cysts.. but there where so many pimples covering my forehead, chin, and cheeks that it hurt. This time it is more persistent then anything. For the last six months I haven't not had a breakout on my face. It's mostly concentrated on my chin and jawline- yay for hormones! But that doesn't mean I don't still get them on my cheeks and forehead.. just not as bad! I've been on doxy for about 4 months now, and it did squat :/ Except make my stomach hurt.

4: Last time I was in a really bad spot. I feel like I have come to terms with my skin not being perfect- where as two years ago I just couldn't get past it. So even though I'm a little scared, I am trying to keep my head up and stay positive. I keep telling my self this is only five months of my life- I know what to expect this time (I hope).. and I have a great group of people supporting me.


Day Four:
110-115 lbs.. starting at 40mg

I'll keep it short since I just went off in this first post. A little achy- But I am taking fish oil pills. Seriously people these things do wonders for your mind and those nasty headaches that accutane loves to give us. The three cysts I had forming on my chin turned into white heads last night- just in time to enjoy some Thanksgiving dinner. And when I woke up they had popped. There is a little activity brewing on my right cheek and the side of my face- but other then that we are off to a good start here. I hope everyone had a good thanksgiving at the org!

xo.

[dreamer003]

Haha no, your eyelashes won't fall out because of mascara, or else we would all be screwed
Anyway, good luck! Are you going to do a full course again?
And congratulations on your engagement

[blahdeeblah]

Loved reading you post! Congrats not only on taking acne on with a vengeance but also on your engagement, how exciting! I'm on day 7, so we are close. I'll be following your progress!

Good luck!

[Britt4ny]

dreamer003, on 25 November 2011 - 11:10 AM, said:

Haha no, your eyelashes won't fall out because of mascara, or else we would all be screwed
Anyway, good luck! Are you going to do a full course again?
And congratulations on your engagement

I would assume so... but I guess we havent really fully talked about it. Since this is my second course my derm has been super easy going, and I think she thinks I remember everything. Next time I go in I need to ask her those important questions. And yay for keeping my eyelashes! I know it sounds like a stupid question, but I do remember by month four I was all clear but the hair on my head and my eyelashes were brittle- and it sucked!

PMalaska, on 25 November 2011 - 12:59 PM, said:

Loved reading you post! Congrats not only on taking acne on with a vengeance but also on your engagement, how exciting! I'm on day 7, so we are close. I'll be following your progress!

Good luck!

This is great- I love having someone to compare too I'll definitely check out your log.. and it looks like we are about the same age too. I turn 26 in April. So hopefully after this we have clear skin forever and can enjoy the rest of our 20s


Day 6:
So I got my first accutane headache last night. I'm taking the pills at dinner time, so luckily I was able to sleep most of it off. My lips are starting to tingle and feel chapped, but they aren't at that uncomfortable phase yet- which Im sure is just around the corner.

One of the Thanksgiving cysts that popped, formed another white head. Now..... I am queen of not touching my skin and popping pimples when they aren't ready, but this next event just had to happen. For those that have this self control you know that this works for some blemishes, but then there are the ones that literally form a new white head for what seems like forever. This was that pimple. So I popped it- and we are good to go. Sorry accutane gods :/ ... I wont do it again

Still camping out for the IB. In the meantime I picked up the book Hunger Games, and the boy and I are going to get our first real christmas tree together. Yay for distractions.

[Britt4ny]

Day 10:

So day 8 was the worst. My lips felt like they weren't apart of my body, and no amount of carmax, vaseline, or aquaphor would sooth them- I tried a cocktail of lip balms and nothing worked!! But then the following day wasn't as bad, so that kept me from having a panic attack. Overall my skin looks pretty bad. I had about 5 spots that were really bothering me, but they now seem to be at a stand still. My worst spots have always been right under my smile crease about a half an inch down- on my chin. Oddly enough right before I went on accutane that area had cleared up, but I had three really wicked red marks. And now those red marks look like they are starting to become active again... ugh.

Overall the texture of my skin looks raw and even though my breakouts aren't as bad when I wash my face all I feel is bumpyness.

I've been comparing this log to my last log, and so far things are right on que. My lips dried out on the 8th day last time.. so if all goes to plan I will be clear at 2.5 months... wooooo!

Other annoying side affects to report: I wake up and I am literally dying of thirst.. while I get ready for work I have to chug water. I also work on a computer all day so I have had some pretty wicked headaches.

Still need a concealer recommendation!

[Britt4ny]

Day 15

I am typing on my iPad- so I apologize in advance for any auto corrects

So here we are at day 15. I had to meet my Mom for dinner tonight so I packed my pill in my purse. As I was getting out of my car the little bugger slipped between the seats. I was able to get it after adjusting the seats and dislocating my arm- so that's good. Today was also 10 degrees. Which became a bit of an issue when I had to walk my dog this morning. My face was perma-red for the rest of the afternoon.

Still haven't really experienced an IB...but I did have a really nasty cyst that decided to form three whiteheads tonight. And I popped it. Oops. But I don't regret it! Because the way I look at it is tomorrow when I would be getting ready for work that thing would have been three HUGE whiteheads, and if it popped in the shower I would have to go to work with a huge inflamed spot. Where as when I go to sleep on this huge inflamed spot...by the time I wake up the inflammation sill have gone down. Oooooo the things I tell myself.

Eyes are dry and miserable. And the army of blackheads that I remember so well from my last course have started to arrive.

Happy Taning!

Edited by Britt4ny, 12 December 2011 - 03:58 PM.

[luc_nic]

hi there
best of luck with your course! im on my seond round too and im 24, first one was at 19 and worked wonders. damn acne returned so im back for another go. im starting really low though, just finished a week of 10mg and upping to 20mg now. slowly working up to 40mg so we shall see.
i'll be interested to see if you do another full course or not. my acne isnt as bad as it used to be so im not sure how long my course should be, did 8 months last time at 30mg (i weigh about 55kg). i havent really had that talk with my derm either yet.
heres to clear skin! co9ngrats on your engagement. awesome stuff.

[blahdeeblah]

Girl! My blackheads are bananas right now! Do they go away?! I feel like they can be seen from ten feet away....

[Hopeful*]

I'm on a second course too Hopefully this course workes wonders for the both of us!

[Britt4ny]

luc_nic, on 08 December 2011 - 06:57 AM, said:

hi there
best of luck with your course! im on my seond round too and im 24, first one was at 19 and worked wonders. damn acne returned so im back for another go. im starting really low though, just finished a week of 10mg and upping to 20mg now. slowly working up to 40mg so we shall see.
i'll be interested to see if you do another full course or not. my acne isnt as bad as it used to be so im not sure how long my course should be, did 8 months last time at 30mg (i weigh about 55kg). i havent really had that talk with my derm either yet.
heres to clear skin! co9ngrats on your engagement. awesome stuff.

Honestly I wouldn't mind doing the full course- i just want this to be the last time.. and I really want to kick it in the butt! Hopefully this is the case for both of us!

PMalaska, on 08 December 2011 - 10:25 AM, said:

Girl! My blackheads are bananas right now! Do they go away?! I feel like they can be seen from ten feet away....

I know isn't it awful! But its a good sign.. means the tane is working it's magic. Honestly I can't remember when they went away last time.. I feel like it was half way through my course?

Hopeful*, on 08 December 2011 - 02:33 PM, said:

I'm on a second course too Hopefully this course workes wonders for the both of us!

Amen!


Day 21 (third pack)

So the IB started two days ago.. All of a sudden I noticed 7 new cysts, just in time for my Christmas Work Party. My acne sure does like to rsvp to get togethers... such a social bugger. I can tell that their the type of cysts that will probably linger throughout half of my course and leave red marks :/

Also I have a new side effect.. the one I think I was dreading the most. My hair is stray and DRY! I hate it... I'm using head and shoulders and a deep conditioner, and then an oil before I blow dry- but any recommendations would be greatly welcomed... Bad enough I have to have ugly skin, but now the ugly hair too.

Edited by Britt4ny, 12 December 2011 - 03:58 PM.

[Britt4ny]

I forgot how awful the healing process is on accutane. All the actives from my Ib have literally stayed the same...no heads, no change in size or inflammation. Just hanging out.

Derm appointment on Monday- I'm curious to see what she says.

[SavedByGrace1]

Britt4ny, on 14 December 2011 - 11:00 PM, said:

I forgot how awful the healing process is on accutane. All the actives from my Ib have literally stayed the same...no heads, no change in size or inflammation. Just hanging out.

Derm appointment on Monday- I'm curious to see what she says.

Hey there,
Just wanted to see how the rest of your course went? I am also on round two. It's been about 3 weeks now. I'm already clear for the most part. Just dry, and I have a rash on my hand...and my veins are showing all over my body, I am so pale.

In any case, how long is your second treatment? My Dr. didn't tell me how long I'll be on. I am on 80mg/day and I'm 120 lbs. I was kind of hoping it would only take 4 months this time...but I might as well go all the way right?