90 replies to this topic

[lannemore]

I went and got that Aveeno Radiant Skin SPF 15 stuff, I liked the promise that it would help even out skin tone and brighten skin. I didn't notice any immediate results, but like all good things, I suppose that takes time. At least my face was only shiny from the sunscreen for a few minutes.
Congratulations on your big step going without makeup! I bring powder with me everywhere, but now that I'm not really shiny anymore it just looks chalky on me. I need another solution.
How many days into the treatment are you again? I'm at 69 days.

[sissuperstar]

69 days - wow i'm super jealous - I'm only at 22 - 22 lousy days - ha. Actually it's gone pretty fast. So you are over two months- from what i've read the third month usually is the charm - so you should see wonderful things this month!

[lannemore]

It has gone by really fast! My skin is "getting there", a few clogged pores and stuff coming out. I had a lot of clogged pores and whiteheads before I started, so I think that led to all the breaking out, like I mentioned before. But I can really notice a difference!
I guess if I can offer some warnings for you as the Amnesteen builds up in your system, they would be to wear a lot of sunblock, I am starting to turn pink even with SPF 30 on! But I live in Denver, so the elevation doesn't help I'm sure. Also, any cuts or scrapes (including squeezed or picked at pimples) take a million times longer to heal than usual. It's been hard to resist the urge to pick at my face, but the red marks last forever!! My scalp has gotten really dry too, and has started to look dandruff-y, so I am using dry scalp dandruff shampoo and that helps. I also have this Burt's Bees avocado hair repair stuff with a bunch of oils in it, that I rub into my scalp in the shower to help moisturize it before shampooing. Anything you find that helps you, please let me know! I'll continue to share my progress and discoveries with you!

[sissuperstar]

DAY 25

Okay here is an update on my skin issues:

SKIN:
Chest - The breakout I got on my chest at the beginning is pretty much gone. It looks a lot better - I actually can wear v-neck type shirts at the moment. However when I'm in the shower I feel little (really little) bumps - like my pores are raised - I think clogged pores or my pores cleaning out.
Back - About the same - a few here and there but nothing to be sad about.
Arms - a few more bumps here and there (a huge one developed yesterday - but it's going down). The exema on my hands is better today- but I think it's b/c I'm having an oily day.
Face - Okay I can honestly say now that there has been overall improvement. If I would have written this update the end of last week I would have been even more positive but some things have popped up since then (ohhh the roller coaster of accutane), but my cheeks and forehead looks oh so much better. I use to have a million bumps on the forehead and now there are just a few. My cheeks cleared completely up last week but have a few bumps today. I'm still have issues w/ my chin up to my nose (and the surrounding areas). I only have one large pimple (right on the side of my nose - why is it always there - ha)but have some clogged pores and whiteheads. Anyway - I think overall there is improvement so I'm trying to hold on to that.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Lips- always chapped - always!
dry skin - but not really dry - as long as I moisturize in the morning I've been fine.
dry eyes
lower back pain - I actually exercised this last week (I've been so lazy) - and my back did hurt a little - but nothing huge.

I go for my one month update in two days. My next prescription is up to 60 (from 40). I'm excited for more dryness - I know I'm weird. I'm hoping that my initial (b/c I don't think I've had one yet - just normal breakouts) doesn't hit me w/ the increase - b/c I know it can.

[sissuperstar]

It has gone by really fast!  My skin is "getting there", a few clogged pores and stuff coming out.  I had a lot of clogged pores and whiteheads before I started, so I think that led to all the breaking out, like I mentioned before.  But I can really notice a difference! 
I guess if I can offer some warnings for you as the Amnesteen builds up in your system, they would be to wear a lot of sunblock, I am starting to turn pink even with SPF 30 on!  But I live in Denver, so the elevation doesn't help I'm sure.  Also, any cuts or scrapes (including squeezed or picked at pimples) take a million times longer to heal than usual.  It's been hard to resist the urge to pick at my face, but the red marks last forever!!  My scalp has gotten really dry too, and has started to look dandruff-y, so I am using dry scalp dandruff shampoo and that helps.  I also have this Burt's Bees avocado hair repair stuff with a bunch of oils in it, that I rub into my scalp in the shower to help moisturize it before shampooing.  Anything you find that helps you, please let me know!  I'll continue to share my progress and discoveries with you!

I know I'm sad about the sun issue. A few of my really good (and super fun) friends are going to Hawii in the middle of August (which will almost be four months). I told them I just can't b/c I dont' want to go and be a hermit from the sun - though they understand they are just sad.

I actually have issues w/ the high elevantion as well - I live in Salt Lake City. And it just turned summer overnight - very hot!

Are you using Aquphor for your lips - it's great! So far since I'm not super dry I'm just using cetraphil to wash my face, and eucerin lotion to mositurize in the morning. When things get more dry I'm sure i'm going to have to use more products to control things.

Are you staying on 40 the whole time? Also did your derm. act like you shouldn't do the generic? Mine seemed a bit hesitant but my insurance will only cover the brand name if I've tried a generic and it failed.

[lannemore]

So what are you stats (your probably already said this) such as dosage, etc. Also did your derm. act like you shouldn't do the generic? Mine seemed a bit hesitant but my insurance will only cover the brand name if I've tried a generic and it failed.

Hi! My insurance won't cover anything but the generic, and I can't afford the brand name (unless I wanted to deplete my savings account!!). I'm seeing a regular physician, not a dermatologist. I don't think there could be enough of a difference between the brand name and the generic that it would be any less effective. I am taking 40mg/day right now, but I am asking to go up to 50 or 60mg/day for the last two months. My fourth month appointment is June 1. I weigh 110-ish pounds, so I feel like I should have a slightly higher dose than 40mg.
And honestly, I haven't been so dry that I'm uncomfortable. My lips are chapped all the time, but if I keep putting chapstick on them, they're OK. The corners have cracked a couple of times, but if I put Neosporin on the cracks they heal pretty quickly. I use Burt's Bees chapstick, and Kiss My Face chapstick with SPF when I'm outside. My eyes have been sort of dry, I wear contacts during the day. I have to take them out every night (I didn't use to have to do that, I have the kind you can wear straight for 30 days) and carry eyedrops with me, but I hope I won't have to wear my glasses!
I run for exercise, and always try to go as early as I can in the morning before the sun is too intense. I was planning on training for another half marathon for the end of this summer, but I get way too achy if I run for more than an hour or so. My back is sore most of the time after exercise, but my whole body gets sore if I exercise too long. So I decided to just hold off the long distance running until my treatment is over.
I went shopping for a cute sun hat to wear when I'm outside during the day this last weekend, but couldn't find any! I think it would help to have something covering my scalp and shading my face a bit.

[sissuperstar]

Actually for 110 and think 40 sounds find - just from the charts I've seen. I weigh between 140-150 - and I'm on 40 for the first month and 60 for the rest of the time. I hear you on the glasses thing - I hate wearing glasses during the day - I feel like I didn't get ready ( just b/c that is usually when I wear my glasses the days I wake up and just leave).

I'm impressed w/ the half marathon. I'm so horrible about running. I have no endurance. Last year I was pretty good about going to the gym frequently (this year I've been a lazy ace - and you can tell in my rolly polly stomach - ha), but even when I was in shape I didn't run much - (eliptical or aerobics) - so I'm always impressed w/ runners.

I can't wait till I only have two months left - so how long is your course - 5 months? I think w/ my weight my dr could probably do 80 for 5 months instead of 60 for 6 but I'll just do what I'm told - ha.

[lannemore]

Actually for 110 and think 40 sounds find - just from the charts I've seen.  I weigh between 140-150 - and I'm on 40 for the first month and 60 for the rest of the time.

I can't wait till I only have two months left - so how long is your course -  5 months?  I think w/ my weight my dr could probably do 80 for 5 months instead of 60 for 6 but I'll just do what I'm told - ha.

I had seen a chart that suggested 50mg/day for 110 pounds, so that's why I thought I should incease my dosage. I also read somewhere that the higher doses end up being more effective in the long run, with fewer subsequent breakouts.
My glasses are obnoxious to wear, they sort of distort everything and it's hard to walk around in them. I know that sounds weird, but they do!
My insurance will only cover the generic for 5 months, so unless my doctor thinks I should go longer, I'll be on it for 5 months. I suppose I could have her write a prescription for double the dose for the last month, and then I would take it over two months, if that makes sense. We'll see what happens though! She wanted me to stop after the first month because my cholesterol went up so much, but I pleaded with her to let me stay on it and take a cholesterol lowering drug too. So now I joke that I'm taking a medication for a problem that 17-year-olds have (acne) AND a medication for a problem that 57-year-olds have (high cholesterol), and I'm 27. Ha ha.
Thank you, but I'm not an impressive runner, I don't run fast or anything. I didn't used to run, I always did ellipticals or walked, but finally got motivated to stick with it. I enjoy it most of the time, but sometimes it's really just miserable! Lately I've just been trying to stay consistent and haven't been putting in any good distances. But it took me a long time to get where I was when I ran the half marathon, and it would take me awhile to get back into that kind of shape!

[lannemore]

Arg! I had been clear for about 3 or 4 days, and it was so nice! But this morning, I woke up with a pimple on my cheekbone. So obnoxious!! Today I am halfway through the treatment. I was hoping to be all clear by now! I guess I have read about people breaking out into their fourth month, but I was hoping that because my acne wasn't terribly awful before I started Amnesteen that I wouldn't have as many breakouts. The last couple of times I broke out was the week after my period, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't happen again this time (that would be two weeks from now). How are things with you?

[sissuperstar]

Arg!  I had been clear for about 3 or 4 days, and it was so  nice!  But this morning, I woke up with a pimple on my cheekbone.  So obnoxious!!  Today I am halfway through the treatment.    I was hoping to be all clear by now!  I guess I have read about people breaking out into their fourth month, but I was hoping that because my acne wasn't terribly awful before I started Amnesteen that I wouldn't have as many breakouts.  The last couple of times I broke out was the week after my period, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't happen again this time (that would be two weeks from now).  How are things with you?

I hate random break outs!!!! My third week I didn't have really any big ones (i have lots of clogged pores and small [pin hole size] white heads) this week I got like four. they are starting to go down though - yay! What is weird - and glad you said something about it is it's the week after my period. I use to break out a few days before and while one my period - so while on it - my third week - i thought yay i'm not breaking out as much - then this last week it came. I've heard the third month is the charm - so if you are 2 1/2 - I bet you are just right around the corner from completely clear skin.

I went to the derm. yesterday. He called and I guess my red blood cell count is down. He said it could be a lot of factors so we will just watch it. I guess that is your energy - so no wonder I felt so tired! Also he upped my prescription to 60 (suggested to leave it at 40 - since after a month there is improvement but I asked to go to 60 - and he said either is reasonable for my weight and so he went to 60)

[lannemore]

I used to break out the week BEFORE my period, and now it's the week AFTER. Weird. I am on a new bc pill, so maybe my skin is just getting used to the new hormone levels. I hope your RBC count improves. I had a big problem with my cholesterol, it went up to 274! The last time I went in for my refill the labwork came back better, thanks to the lovastatin.
I hope I'm right around the corner to clear skin! I have another big one on my chin that came up yesterday, and another on my back. That's almost the most depressing, it's summertime and I want to wear tank tops, and I still can't.
I posted a couple of articles on the message boards, one had some great information on Accutane. They suggest a cumulative dose of between 120-150mg/kg/body weight over the course of the treatment. So, to do some math:
body weight in pounds * 0.45 = kilograms. Multiply your current dose of mg/day by the number of days you are on your treatment, then divide by your weight in kg.
For example: I am taking 40mg/day for 150 days = 6000 mg total / 51 kg = 117 mg/kg of body weight. If I increased to 60 mg, then it would be 40mg/day for 90 days = 3600 mg, plus 60mg/day for 60 days = 3600mg, 7200mg/51 kg = 141 mg/kg.
Since I am only on the treatment for 150 days, I will have to increase my dose in order to reach the suggested minimum of 120 mg/kg. The paper said anything less than 120mg/kg has an increased risk of relapse, and anything greater than 150 mg/kg provides no added benefit.
Hopefully that makes sense! Check out my other posts, and you can download that article.

[missktee]

I know I'm sad about the sun issue.  A few of my really good (and super fun) friends are going to Hawii in the middle of August (which will almost be four months).  I told them I just can't b/c I dont' want to go and be a hermit from the sun - though they understand they are just sad. 

I actually have issues w/ the high elevantion as well - I live in Salt Lake City.  And it just turned summer overnight - very hot! 

Are you using Aquphor for your lips - it's great!  So far since I'm not super dry I'm just using cetraphil to wash my face, and eucerin lotion to mositurize in the morning.  When things get more dry I'm sure i'm going to have to use more products to control things. 

Are you staying on 40 the whole time?  Also did your derm. act like you shouldn't do the generic?  Mine seemed a bit hesitant but my insurance will only cover the brand name if I've tried a generic and it failed.

Hey, don't stress about the sun thing too much... I went to Aruba after three months on the tane... I had a GREAT time! I just sat in the shade while the other girls sat in the sun... I wore SPF 50 the whole time. There is always a shady spot to sit... go and enjoy yourself...

I'm on Day 125 (almost 18 weeks) and I'm 100% clear... no new acne for over a month!

2 weeks @ 20mgs, 1 and 1/2 month @ 40 mgs, 3 months @ 60 mgs... I weigh 123lbs

GOOD LUCK!

-Katie

[sissuperstar]

I used to break out the week BEFORE my period, and now it's the week AFTER.  Weird.  I am on a new bc pill, so maybe my skin is just getting used to the new hormone levels.  I hope your RBC count improves.  I had a big problem with my cholesterol, it went up to 274!  The last time I went in for my refill the labwork came back better, thanks to the lovastatin. 
I hope I'm right around the corner to clear skin!  I have another big one on my chin that came up yesterday, and another on my back.  That's almost the most depressing, it's summertime and I want to wear tank tops, and I still can't.
I posted a couple of articles on the message boards, one had some great information on Accutane.  They suggest a cumulative dose of between 120-150mg/kg/body weight over the course of the treatment.  So, to do some math:
body weight in pounds * 0.45 = kilograms.  Multiply your current dose of mg/day by the number of days you are on your treatment, then divide by your weight in kg. 
For example: I am taking 40mg/day for 150 days = 6000 mg total / 51 kg = 117 mg/kg of body weight.  If I increased to 60 mg, then it would be 40mg/day for 90 days = 3600 mg, plus 60mg/day for 60 days = 3600mg, 7200mg/51 kg = 141 mg/kg.
Since I am only on the treatment for 150 days, I will have to increase my dose in order to reach the suggested minimum of 120 mg/kg.  The paper said anything less than 120mg/kg has an increased risk of relapse, and anything greater than 150 mg/kg provides no added benefit. 
Hopefully that makes sense!  Check out my other posts, and you can download that article.

Sorry I haven't written for a few days - I'm a bit sad about the skin - I will write a proper update though. Anywho - that is funny you wrote all this, b/c before I looked I searched sites to try to figure it out and it was in my own journal all along. My course is 180 days and with 40 the first month then 60 the rest I come to exactly 150. However my dr. said that the generic is about 80 percent what accutane has in it and not sure what the rest is. So 80 percent of it would equal 120. So I guess I'm between 120-150. I also read in my research that older patients don't usually go on as high of dosage (ex. closer to 120 than 150).

[sissuperstar]

Hey, don't stress about the sun thing too much... I went to Aruba after three months on the tane... I had a GREAT time!  I just sat in the shade while the other girls sat in the sun... I wore SPF 50 the whole time.  There is always a shady spot to sit... go and enjoy yourself...

I'm on Day 125 (almost 18 weeks) and I'm 100% clear... no new acne for over a month!

2 weeks @ 20mgs, 1 and 1/2 month @ 40 mgs, 3 months @ 60 mgs... I weigh 123lbs

GOOD LUCK!

-Katie

Hey mistakee - I have been following your journal for awhile and it's really helped - thanks - nice of you to write in mine. What SPF did you use. I went to the pool w/ my niece on sat and put on her baby sunblock and I don't know if it's b/c of that but my shoulders and upper arms ahve been breaking out since.

[sissuperstar]

Day 33

Dosage Increase: 40 to 60 (to stay 60 for the next five months).
Derm Visit Results: Well I went last week (wed.) and he said "clear improvement." I least I got the word "clear" in some regards to my skin - ha. Also my red blood cell count is down. Not sure what the means, but we are going to "watch" it. How do you watch your red blood cells?

Skin
Chest: Not bad, the small sand paper bumps have gone down but I do have a couple tiny pimples here and there.
Back: I got a good sized pimple on the back over the weekend but it has gone down. Upper back a few whiteheads have formed.
Arms: HORRIBLE. My upper arms and shoulders have broke out in small and medium pimples - so weird! Might be from the increase dose, might be from the sun block I applied at the pool on Sat., and might be from the cetraphil cream I caked on my arms b/c I developed a nice eczema rash on my hands and arms. I'm still applying the cream but only to the hands and lower arms.

Face: I think it's time I divide the face updates since some areas are good and some not so much

Starting w/ good then to the bad:
Forehead - Pretty dang good. This a few months ago, was my worst area - small bumps everywhere. It's pretty slick clear right now - YAY (have to see good things).
cheeks (upper) - pretty good as well!
Nose - better, still blackheads and big pores but doesn't feel like sandpaper as much and a ton of crap has come out of it (from the skin and b/c of my allergies - ha).
Jaw line (lower cheeks) - my right side not bad, my left side is experience a small to medium bumps breakout - came up this weekend and still getting worse - hopefully it will stop soon.
Chin -OH MY POOR CHIN!!! - Where do I start - I can't remember when it was clear. Okay first to be positive a lot of the small sandpaper like pumps have gone, but instead I have an infestation of tumors (my word for cysts). I'm guessing they are cysts since I haven't had one in a while. They are big inflamed and won't pop - cyst? The problem is I kind of sort of played w/ them well I took off have my skin on my chin w/ one gentle squeeze. So right now I have five good sized zits/cysts and a two huge!!! scabs. Not so happy w/ myself !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well so here is my fear is this maybe the initial breakout coming - since I've avoided it so far. I hope it doesn't keep getting worse - I had a taste of good skin and now it's getting ripped from me (literally skin ripping off).

Anywho - any encouragement would be great.

[lannemore]

Jaw line (lower cheeks) - my right side not bad, my left side is experience a small to medium bumps breakout - came up this weekend and still getting worse - hopefully it will stop soon.
Chin -OH MY POOR CHIN!!! - Where do I start - I can't remember when it was clear.  Okay first to be positive a lot of the small sandpaper like pumps have gone, but instead I have an infestation of tumors (my word for cysts).  I'm guessing they are cysts since I haven't had one in a while.  They are big inflamed and won't pop - cyst?  The problem is I kind of sort of played w/ them well I took off have my skin on my chin w/ one gentle squeeze.  So right now I have five good sized zits/cysts and a two huge!!! scabs.  Not so happy w/ myself !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well so here is my fear is this maybe the initial breakout coming - since I've avoided it so far.  I hope it doesn't keep getting worse - I had a taste of good skin and now it's getting ripped from me (literally skin ripping off). 

Anywho - any encouragement would be great.

My chin and jawline were the worst for me too. My chin is just starting to look normal again, and I still get a few random pimples on my jawline. I try and keep my phones clean, in case they are dirty and touching my face when I talk on them. I also change my pillowcases every couple of days so I'm not sleeping on grime. I have no idea if either of those things help at all.
I have also found that benzoyl peroxide seems to be the most effective spot treatment, I tried clindamycin lotion and retin-a as well. I have a 10% BP that I'm using once or twice a day now, I think I might try a 2.5% since I read it's just as effective as the 10%, with less drying.
I understand how discouraging it is to feel great about your skin, and then have it fall apart right in front of you. I feel so helpless sometimes!! I have been having nightmares that I wake up with huge cysts all over my face and the first thing I do when I wake up is touch my face all over to make sure it didn't actually happen. This has been such a test of patience for me, I had such high expectations of Accutane. I was ready the second I took my first pill to look in the mirror and have clear skin. It's so frustrating and saddening to still wake up and see new pimples forming, and the red marks the old ones have left behind.
I'm surprised your doctor said that about the generics, I am sure that the FDA has requirements about generics being equivalent to their brand name. The only thing that would be different are the inactive ingredients, which shouldn't affect the level of isotretinoin in the capsule. I'll ask my doctor about it tomorrow.
I go back for my fourth refill tomorrow morning, I faxed my doctor the article about accumulating to at least 120 mg/kg, so hopefully she will agree with me and increase my dosage. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

[sissuperstar]

Okay so right before I left work I work I replied and I closed the window before I sent it - such my luck...ha.

I know I hate the chin I got another bump today. It's got to stop sometime right?

I'm trying not to use any topicals on my face b/c the derm said to stop - but I might try 2.5 just on these tumors on my chin. I used it before I started going to the derm and found it effective on the spots.

I know it's such a roller coaster. On sunday my skin was pretty decent then two days later it's horrible!

Your nightmares made me teary. People just don't understand. My friends and families think I overeact but they just don't get the self-cousious feeling.

So are you not picking, popping, squeezing at all. I'm struggling w/ taht. I need to keep my hands off my face. It's at night - I don't do it in the morning - but at night right before I wash my face I have issues.

Good Luck!!!! at the derm. I think since you are informed he will up the dosage. I hope it goes the way you want it!

[lannemore]

I'm trying not to use any topicals on my face b/c the derm said to stop - but I might try 2.5 just on these tumors on my chin.  I used it before I started going to the derm and found it effective on the spots.

Your nightmares made me teary.  People just don't understand.  My friends and families think I overeact but they just don't get the self-cousious feeling.

So are you not picking, popping, squeezing at all.  I'm struggling w/ taht.  I need to keep my hands off my face.  It's at night - I don't do it in the morning - but at night right before I wash my face I have issues.

Hi!
I ordered the 2.5%, so I'll let you know how my skin reacts to it when I get it. The 10% is OK right now, but in the morning the spots I use it on get pretty dry.
The doctor agreed to increase my dosage to 60mg, so I will start taking 60mg/day next week when I finish my last pill pack.
I am also going to switch to a different kind of birth control pill starting this Sunday. I have tried literally almost every kind on the market, and have had different reactions to all of them. I'm taking one with a high dose of estrogen to help reduce the cramping I would get on my period, but it also has a higher dose of progesterone (which can act like testosterone), and can cause breakouts. I'm going to switch to Ortho Cyclen, which has the same amount of estrogen as Ortho Novum (the one I am currenly on), but a different kind of progesterone that doesn't act like testosterone, and shouldn't cause breakouts. My friend is taking that one and has beautiful skin. She also took Accutane when she was 17, and is the one who suggested I try it too. Are you taking bc pills too?
I love that we have this message board to write to people who really understand each other. It's nice to be able to share with someone who really gets it. I feel like any time I have something on my face that everyone can see it and thinks it's as disgusting and horrible as I do. Do your friends or family know you're taking it?
I have a really hard time not picking at my face too, it's almost obsessive. I've been a little better about it lately, mostly because the redness stays around for so long! The worst is trying not to squeeze the big ones. I try and keep my nails cut pretty short to minimize the damage they can do. Plus, my nails have gotten kind of soft and tear easily, it must be from the Accutane.
I can totally relate to the "tumors" on your chin, I had some monsters on my forehead the week I drove out to meet my boyfriend's parents. It was awful. I read somewhere that if you put a moist, hot washcloth on those big ones for 10 minutes, and then put some hydrocortisone cream on it and leave it on for an hour (I just rub it in and leave it on) that's supposed to help calm those down. It's worked for me about 50% of the time.
Oh, and I asked my doctor about the generics being only 80% as effective as Accutane, and she said that wasn't true. The FDA has strict requirements that the active ingredients in prescription drugs be the same in generics as the brand name. The only differences would be in the inactive ingredients, like the color of the dyes in the capsule, etc. So I don't think we need to worry that we're not getting as much from Amnesteen as we would from Accutane.

[MeganP]

I was just reading through your journal and thought I would drop off a "hello".

Our situations sound very similar...you're farther along in your treatment than I am, though. I'm only on day 10. Argh, the torture!

My chin and jawline are also my worst areas...and I also have those weird, tiny bumps that you can feel but not see at all...

And I also agree that my skin looks worse at night than it does in the morning, and I'm also tempted to pick a lot more at night...

I found myself nodding a lot when I was reading your entries.

GOOD LUCK! To both of us.

[sissuperstar]

lannemore:
YAY! that the derm agreed to the dosage. I hate going into an appointment knowing they might not agree. I did have to start a birth control. It's actually kind of funny b/c I'm a virgin and don't plan on having sex till marriage but the derm. wouldn't hear about (b/c of lawsuit issues) so I'm on orthra tri cyclen. It's makes me a bit sick the first few days of each pack but after that I'm fine.

I know I like to read people's stories here and I'm like ya that is exactly how I feel. My family and friends do know (well some of my friends - the closest ones). I didn't tell my boss or co-workers (I work for an appellate judge at the court of appeals - I'm an attorney, what do you do?), b/c I don't think they even take notice of things like that. Did you tell everyone?

I've made a new goal to try really hard to just wash my face and go to bed and not even look at it- b/c it's when i look at it that I start to pick. I'll keep you updated.

How long have you and your boyfriend been dating? His He pretty understanding. I was on accutane when I was 19- and my boyfriend at the time was great, made the whole process easier. I'm not dating anyone right now.

It's funny how different derms. say different things, but it makes me feel a lot better that yours said we are just as fine using the generic.

Thanks for replying in my journal - otherwise it would be pretty lonely -

MeganP: Thanks for writing - I didn't know if anyone besides me and Lannemoore were reading it. You are the first to say I'm "ahead of them." in time. It was actually nice to hear that I'm not a newbie anymore. Time does go fast though - honestly I feel like I just started and it's been almost five weeks. It will go fast for you. My chin had a lot of those tiny bumps and they have started to go down but in there place big big pimples - so I'm thinking most worked there way out and a few inflamed. Keep us updated!