90 replies to this topic

[sissuperstar]

okay so my arms are getting out of control. There are bumps all over from my elbow to my shoulder - is this normal?

[lannemore]

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

Maybe the bc pills will help you with the hormonal aspect of acne. I guess it works by controling the amount of androgens in your system, which cause acne by increasing sebum production and increasing pore size. It would seem counterproductive to have excess androgens doing the opposite of what Accutane is supposed to do. So it makes sense to be taking bc pills. Plus, I have found that it eases the cramping and shortens the length of my period - both good things!!
I have been trying not to even look closely at my skin now when I wash my face, or I will find some little thing to pick at. I hope I can stick to it and keep my hands away from my face!
My boyfriend and I have been together almost 7 months now. We're going to get married someday, but we're not engaged yet. We won't live together until after we're married. I was in a 4 year relationship right before I met him, and he is so amazing! I never knew a relationship could be like this, he's so supportive and understanding. We're going to visit his younger brother in Manhattan tomorrow (I'm so excited!!!), so I might not be posting for a little while unless I can get internet access while I'm there. I'll be back next Thursday.
I didn't tell my coworkers, but some friends and my parents know I am taking it.
I am glad to have your journal to post in! It's nice to go through the process with someone else, especially someone my age with so many other similarities!
I'm not sure about your arms, I didn't have that happen. Have you showed it to your derm yet?

[sissuperstar]

That is the only plus of the bc pill is that maybe it will add to the clearing, but my period actually went longer while on it (use to be 4 this last month 6), but it did help w/ cramping.

I hear you on picking I can wash my face and feel fine w/ it then i look in the mirror find one little bump and make a huge spot out of it - it's silly.

That's awesome that he is supportive. I think that makes a big difference in this process (as well as life). Manhattan - how fun! I was going to go to NY to visit a friend but put it off since it would have been right now (an I was worried my intial breakout would be horrific - which it's not great but not as bad as I pictured it might be - though cross fingers it's not coming out now). Some other friends of mine are going in December so I'm going to plan on doing that.

The arm thing just developed since Saturday - so I haven't told him. I'm going to give it a week and see if it works it's way through. I'm wondering if it is the sunblock I put on (took my niece to the pool on saturday). What sunblock do you use? I'm trying not to pick at it and just wear long sleeve or 3/4 sleeve so I won't see and and be tempted. Cross fingers it improves. The tumors on my chin/jawline have gone down in size but increased in number - not sure which is better.

I'm so happy you write in my journal it makes it a lot nicer to have a conversation then me talking to myself. (which I do at times, ha).

[MeganP]

okay so my arms are getting out of control.  There are bumps all over from my elbow to my shoulder - is this normal?

Is it itchy at all? Does it look like an allergic reaction? Hopefully it's just a normal reaction to the meds and will go away on its own. If not, then hopefully your derm will know right away how to deal with it when s/he sees it.

I know you didn't ask me, but...for sunblock, I just bought neutrogena's healthy defense for sensitive skin, SPF 30 (or maybe 45?) I haven't used it yet...and it was very expensive...the stuff better work well! What have you been using?

Have a great time in NYC, lannemore. I lived there for 9 years until I moved out to Jersey last year...

[lannemore]

That is the only plus of the bc pill is that maybe it will add to the clearing, but my period actually went longer while on it (use to be 4 this last month 6), but it did help w/ cramping. 

The arm thing just developed since Saturday - so I haven't told him.  I'm going to give it a week and see if it works it's way through.  I'm wondering if it is the sunblock I put on (took my niece to the pool on saturday).  What sunblock do you use?  I'm trying not to pick at it and just wear long sleeve or 3/4 sleeve so I won't see and and be tempted.  Cross fingers it improves.  The tumors on my chin/jawline have gone down in size but increased in number - not sure which is better.

I'm so happy you write in my journal it makes it a lot nicer to have a conversation then me talking to myself.    (which I do at times, ha).

Hello! We're just waiting around for our ride to the airport this morning. I of course have a new pimple on my forehead, but hopefully it will calm down soon.
I use Aveeno Radiant Skin SPF 15 on my face, and on my body I use Banana Boat Sport SPF 30 - for when I'm running outdoors. I also use Kiss my Face SPF 30 sunblock for "face and neck" for when I'm running again, or for when my face will be exposed for ahwile. I have used the Kiss my Face stuff for awhile and I like it, it's not greasy and seems to work really well. The Aveeno stuff is nice, it actually does brighten my skin, but I wouldn't trust it to offer me much protection from the sun for anything too prolonged.
I bet if your rash is from the sunscreen you could go to Clinique or one of the department stores to get a body sunscreen for sensitive skin. I might end up doing that for when I go up to 60mg next week, start wearing SPF on any exposed skin. The Banana Boat stuff is great, but it's thick and waterprooof and I wouldn't want to wear it all the time.
I'd give the bc pills a couple cycles to see if it still makes your period longer, and then you can try another one with maybe more estrogen in it. I think that's what helps shorten it. Mine is usually around 4 days or less now, and it used to be at least 7 when I was on lower hormone pills.
Thanks guys, I will have a great time in New York! I'll try to post while I'm there!! If I can't, take care for the next few days! It's great to have you guys to write to.

[sissuperstar]

Hey I hope your NY trip is going well!!! sounds like a lot of fun.
That is a good idea about getting some for sensitive skin. My skin usually doesn't react like to Sunscreen but it might be the accutane effect. I've been on the bc for 2 1/2 months. The first period on the pill was normal 4 day cycle, (mine is usually only 3 days normal w/ the fourth day really light) the second period on the pill lasted at least six days, i about a week away from the third - so maybe it will regulate.


As far as my arms though I thought the cethrapil cream might be the problem w/ my arms by not using it I started to get dry patches of skin (ya know small red patches) so I started putting the cream on and though my arms are still quite disgusting I think there is improvement - so I'm going to keep up w/ that - moisturize and let the accutane do the clearing.

I should update today - my offical update - but i just feel yucky (not really skin wise but just feel kind of ill) so I will do it tomorrow. All in all not much change except for a slight improvement on the arms and the upper back (that is said had some whiteheads forming).

[FrankieBGirl]

Hey girl, I've been following your journal! I am so glad you are on your way to clear skin.

Continue to be positive. I know how hard it can be to look in the mirror each day, and say to yourself... "ok, put make up on, go to work, face the day." Sometimes, it's really hard for me, but I do it each day. And I am not on accutane- so at least you have an end in sight, ya know? In a few weeks, you will have glowing, beautiful skin.

You are going to be fine. Do you think you've experienced your intial yet? I remember in the prescription forum we were both scared of the initial breakout. If I end up on Accutane, I will be terrorfied of getting the initial. I just don't want to explode, ya know? I can handle a few here and there- but I don't want to get massive breakouts. How are your arms doing? Did you break out on your arms previously to taking accutane?? I get them on my arms on occasion, too and I hate it. I especially hate the really nasty ones that take forever to go away because you just want to wear a cute shirt and you cant. Gr!

I am going to the derm tonight at 745, so I will write in my journal about the appt.. Drop by on mine if you want, and I will continue to check in with you, too. Good luck with everything. If you ever need to vent, just let me know, ok? We are in this together, and acne is not going to ruin our lives anymore!

[sissuperstar]

FrankieBgirl:

Hey frankie - wow thanks for reading my journal - you are so nice.

It's funny b/c that is what I have to do - i put the make up on then I say okay i still don't look great but I have to go to work and so I just try to pretend it's not all there.

How did the derm appt. go? I hope you can get accutane b/c you are right when I'm sad about my skin the light at the end keeps me going.

I had a horrible night last night - and your message picked me up, so thanks!
(horrible b/c I'm having issues w/ a friend not b/c of the skin - though it didn't help of course -ha)

I don't know about the initial. I've had breakouts but nothing worst than I've had before. I did have several on my chin this last week or so but it's gotten better. So it might have been the intial - but I'm not ruling out a future issue. I'm about six weeks so I'm hoping I missed the horrible of all horrible breakouts that people talk about it. Mostly I've just experience the up and downs w/ my skin. ONe day looking great the next like crap.

Ya, my arms erupted but seem to be going down - if what was on my arms had been on my face I would have died (so that might have been an initial - which I would prefer it on my arms than my face. I use to get occasional small breakouts and sometimes that one nasty one that you are talking about, but never what I experienced last week.

[FrankieBGirl]

Hey sweetpea, How's it?

I'm pretty sure that most breakouts occur around the 3rd to 5th month.. So I don't want to say it too loud, but maybe you are 'in the clear'? *crosses fingers* We can only hope, and think positive.. and I'm sure you are over the hump anyway.

Well, it's very possible, also, that your intial was on your arms. I'm pretty sure the only reason you get an initial breakout is because there are clogged pores. So, if your face doesn't have many clogged pores.. there's nothing to turn into a zit... But your arms might have had alot..so that's where the bulk of breakouts was. Just a thought, ya know?

I do make up pretty damn good, so after I get my make up on- I'm usually ok... But! Within a few hours it starts to get icky..so then it poses a new problem. Pretty soon you won't even be worrying about make up.. You'll be like, Powder? For what? I'm oil free, baby!!

Well, I am just trying to have a positive attitude right now towards my skin. It honestly doesn't look too bad right now. The worst I have is 2 cysts on my chin, but they are able to be covered with make up... So as long as that can happen, I'm ok I guess. Even though I'd love to have make up free skin.. I don't think I ever will, even with Accutane.. I just feel better with make up. My skin right now looks fine without make up, except for the areas I have a breakout in.. Like my cheeks look ok, but my chin has the 2 cysts..so its like.. F-U Chin! Clear Up your act!!!!

Anyway girl.. Keep on truckin'. Clear skin is on it's way- and you'll do great with the accutane. Good luck with your treatment! I'll keep dropping in to see how youre doing!

[sissuperstar]

FRANKIEBGIRL:

Did you mean 3rd to 5th "week" not "month"? I think you might have otherwise I'm not anywhere near the clear. Well I keep breaking out but ya I haven't got any monster breakout that I've read about and experience my first time on accutane (8=9 years ago). Today marks my sixth week mark so hopefully it will just continue to clear and stop breaking out.

I do think my arms had some horrible breakout occur. They have gotten better but are still bumby and have red marks. so Weird - but again would rather have it on my arms then my face.

I still have clogged pores and little tiny bumps under the surface on my face but they slowly are coming out and not really inflaming - excpet for the occasional one (such as those I had on my chin and now I have two on my cheek and an enormous one on the side of my nose).

I'm trying the same thing about my attitude - Lately I've really just tried to keep the light at the end of the tunnel in sight.

I would love to just be able to go w/out makeup or even just throw a little powder on and that's it - I hate foundation. I really want to try bare essentials - it just looks like it would be really light.

Anywho....Thanks for your support it means a lot - and I hope this new derm works out for you.

[sissuperstar]

I didn't do an official update this week but I think pretty much explained a lot - so I will do one next week.

[lannemore]

Hello! I'm back from NYC. I had so much fun! We did so much, on our feet all day and walked all over Manhattan. I started the trip with a big yucky zit on my forehead, but it cleared up after a couple of days. Then I was mostly good the rest of the time. I keep getting little pimples here and there where I can still see little clogged pores on my chin and forehead. Hopefully once all my stupid little clogged pores do their thing and turn into giant, hideous zits, and then clear up, I will be all good. How are things going for you? Are your arms doing better? Are your issues resolved with your friend? I'm glad a few more people are reading your journal and posting their experiences too.
Today I start 60mg/day for my last 60 days. I'm curious to see how my body handles it. My doctor said to take the 40mg in the morning and 20 at night, but I don't see how it could make any difference. I don't eat a very big breakfast, and would rather take the larger dose with a larger meal, so I will take the 40 at night instead.
Also, I wanted to recommend the "Kiss my Face SPF 30 for face and neck", I used it the whole time we were in New York and it worked great! We were literally outside all day everyday walking around, and I didn't get burned at all. I'm sure being at sea level helped a lot, since the sun at elevation is a lot more intense, but this is such a great lightweight non-greasy, non-stinky sunblock.

[sissuperstar]

Yay - I'm glad you had fun, and glad the forehead blemish went away pretty quickly. I have got to get to NYC sometime in the near future. I'm hoping to go w/ some friends in December. I'm glad you went - I think it's good to get out and forgot about the whole skin thing whenever possible - don't you?

My arms have definitely gotten better. Are they back to normal - nope - but better nonetheless. I always fear saying that but I think there is enough noticeable improvement that it's okay to state. I just started putting cetraphil cream on them each night and morning (which I had done before the breakout so thought it might have contributed so I stopped but then started getting really dry patches so I decided to start up again). I still have small bumps, but have minimized, and the large bumps have gone down as well. Also b/c I put the cream on morning and night it's not the dry patches are gone. Hopefully it will continue to improve and not breakout again.

I noticed a difference from 40-60. Here is how:
-Lips - I use to be able to control them now sometimes they are chapped regardless of continual aquaphor usage.
-mouth a lot more dry - craving water all the time.
-little breakout right after i went to 60 - but not the "horrid initial yet," well except for the arms - ha.

However, my skin didn't get a ton more dry. To be honest I haven't experience (don't know if that is a bad thing) the dry super flaky skin on my face that everyone talks about (my arms however mind you had horrible dry patches here and there for the last six weeks - but not the face). I guess right at first my nose (outside- the inside gets really dry) got dry, but besides that. My skin had defiantly gotten less oily, but not the dry peeling skin. I moisturize (eucerin daily renewal) in the morning but nothing at night. (just washing w/ cetraphil morning and night).

Anyway - good luck w/ the 60 mg!!!! Oh and ya I take the 40 at night b/c my breakfast is really small as well.

I will have to try the kiss my face stuff - so you don't find it clogs pores? Where can you get it at?

Good to have ya back...

[lannemore]

I noticed a difference from 40-60.  Here is how:
-Lips - I use to be able to control them now sometimes they are chapped regardless of continual aquaphor usage.
-mouth a lot more dry - craving water all the time.
-little breakout right after i went to 60 - but not the "horrid initial yet," well except for the arms - ha.

However, my skin didn't get a ton more dry.  To be honest I haven't experience (don't know if that is a bad thing) the dry super flaky skin on my face that everyone talks about (my arms however mind you had horrible dry patches here and there for the last six weeks - but not the face).  I guess right at first my nose (outside- the inside gets really dry) got dry, but besides that.  My skin had defiantly gotten less oily, but not the dry peeling skin.  I moisturize (eucerin daily renewal) in the morning but nothing at night.  (just washing w/ cetraphil morning and night). 

I will have to try the kiss my face stuff - so you don't find it clogs pores?  Where can you get it at?

Hello!
I looked for the Kiss my Face stuff at the grocery store last night, and didn't see it there (King Soopers). I bought mine on drugstore.com, here's a link to a picture of it so you know what it looks like: http://www.kissmyface.com/Product/Kiss+My+...Care/1800200EA/
I haven't tried Aquafor yet, I looked at it in the store and noticed it was mostly just petroleum jelly, like Vaseline. What is it like? Is it creamy or greasy? Does it work better than regular Vaseline for chapped lips?
When the inside of my nose gets really dry, I dip a Q-tip in Vaseline and rub it on the inside of my nose. That helps a lot. My face hasn't peeled much, mostly just where pimples are healing, it will sort of flake off.
I recommend the 2.5% BP for spot treatment, I just got the Neutrogena On the Spot stuff and it cleared up some things on my chin pretty quickly. And it's definitely not as drying as the 10% I was using before.
I hope your arms calm down soon, that must be so annoying!!

[sissuperstar]

Thanks for the link!

I love aquaphor! It has been a life saver. I never used just vaseline, but did use vaseline lip therapy (in the small tube), and there was no comparision to that and aquaphor. I carry around a pretty big tub of it. When I pull it out people laugh but they use it and love it. I had the girl that does my hair use it and she said she is addicted to vaseline but after using aquaphor she ]really liked it. It's greasy, not creamy. But if vaseline works, I bet they are pretty close.


The arms are annoying I'm just trying to stay positive that they will clear.

Question::

What food do you eat w/ your pill. I'm starting a diet next Monday so I'm worried about absorption.

Also I take it w/ my dinner but I take it w/ water. So w/ food but actually swallow it w/ water. Is that okay or are you suppose to take it w/ food and a fatty drink?

[lannemore]

Question::

What food do you eat w/ your pill.  I'm starting a diet next Monday so I'm worried about absorption. 

Also I take it w/ my dinner but I take it w/ water.  So w/ food but actually swallow it w/ water.  Is that okay or are you suppose to take it w/ food and a fatty drink?

I will have to try the Aquafor, I can already tell my lips are chapping up again. It was nice to be in such a humid place when I was in New York, I didn't feel too dry at all! Too bad Denver is so dry.
I take my Accutane after I finish my meals. I take it with a full glass of water, I don't think it needs to be a fatty drink if you're taking it with food. I would take it with milk or something like that with a little bit of fat in it if you're eating a small meal, or a fat-free meal. My lunches are pretty lean, so I take it with my little breakfast (usually a Balance bar so there is some fat) and with dinner.
They say to take it with food because it inceases absorption, and because Accutane is Vitamin A which is fat-soluble, it will absorb better with something with fat in it. I don't know what, if any, the minimum amount of fat to eat with it is, but I wouldn't think it would have to be much. There are only 7g of fat in the Balance Bars I eat for breakfast, and I think it works OK with that.
Does that help at all?

[sissuperstar]

Ya it does - I just want to make sure I'm getting the most out of this stuff - ya know

I will have to try the Aquafor, I can already tell my lips are chapping up again.  It was nice to be in such a humid place when I was in New York, I didn't feel too dry at all!  Too bad Denver is so dry.
I take my Accutane after I finish my meals.  I take it with a full glass of water, I don't think it needs to be a fatty drink if you're taking it with food.  I would take it with milk or something like that with a little bit of fat in it if you're eating a small meal, or a fat-free meal.  My lunches are pretty lean, so I take it with my little breakfast (usually a Balance bar so there is some fat) and with dinner. 
They say to take it with food because it inceases absorption, and because Accutane is Vitamin A which is fat-soluble, it will absorb better with something with fat in it.  I don't know what, if any, the minimum amount of fat to eat with it is, but I wouldn't think it would have to be much.  There are only 7g of fat in the Balance Bars I eat for breakfast, and I think it works OK with that.
Does that help at all?

[lannemore]

Ya it does - I just want to make sure I'm getting the most out of this stuff - ya know

I understand! I feel like I have done so much research just to understand what's happening and how to make it more effective, etc.
I've been on the 60mg/day for 5 days now, and I feel more tired and achy and my head hurts more than usual. Did you find that at all when you increased your dose? I feel like I still have so much longer to go until I finish!
I posted some pictures in my gallery. I need to upload the picture of me during my initial breakout at the end of March, I have it on my computer at home. I hate looking at it, but you will see what a difference there is now.

[sissuperstar]

I have been more tired -actually took friday and monday off of work b/c I just didn't feel well - a lot of it contributed to being so tired. Also I've been getting lower back pains the last few weeks. (but I have a bad back - so you never know). I actually get a really bad headache once every couple of weeks (but that has been going since my 40 dosage as well). Oh i havent' looked at your gallery - I need to.

I understand!  I feel like I have done so much research just to understand what's happening and how to make it more effective, etc.
I've been on the 60mg/day for 5 days now, and I feel more tired and achy and my head hurts more than usual.  Did you find that at all when you increased your dose?  I feel like I still have so much longer to go until I finish!
I posted some pictures in my gallery.  I need to upload the picture of me during my initial breakout at the end of March, I have it on my computer at home.  I hate looking at it, but you will see what a difference there is now.

[sissuperstar]

I just looked at your gallery - that is great success. It is fun to put a face to the name as well.