267 replies to this topic

[Vanessa13688]

Hey

I'm 17 and had persistant acne for 8 years now so I decided enough was enough and I'd struggled through school so put a stop to it for my second year of college. My dad had wanted me to go to a dermatologist for a while but I'd never dared as I never like talking about it - I was supposed to go into a primary school to do volunteer work but I couldn't face the children asking why my face was all spotty ; mum made a docs appointment and I went private to get it sorted; thankyou Mum, Dad and Bupa!

I started Roaccutane last Wednesday so I'm on my...5th day now. So far the only difference is that my lips have been really dry but nothing that a bit of chapstick wont help, apart from today I had to go to a Christening and ... yes the initial breakout arrived. I look awful! All of my existing spots have come out red and theres a few extra but I had to grin and bear it.

My TZone is especially greasy but lets hope it doesnt last...

I was a bit apprehensive about starting Roaccutane as I have heard many stories of depression and aches and pains but I thought the outcome would be worth it. I've had over-the-counter treatments, prescription treatment and alternative therapies but nothing seemed to work. When I tried Dianette (the pill) it made me depressed...also made me nervous!

Thought this was a good idea of a way to track my treatment and feelings, so here goes...!

[Vanessa13688]

Day 6 I went into my dads office to earn some extra money today with a faceful of really nasty sore whiteheads, Im thinking twice about tomorrow! The burning after washing my face kicked in today but I found that holding a cold flannel against my mouth area really calmed it down ... has anyone found a way to avoid this?

Also reading up on hair loss; does anyone know if it happens is it permanent? It sounds really bad and would damage my ego as I have thin blonde hair anyway!

Other than that today hasnt been too bad...

[kch1986]

i am on day 37 and i haven't really experienced any hair loss....40 mg one day, then alternating 2 40mg pills...you should be OK. however, my hair gets suuuuper dry and it's pretty thick and wavy so if you have thinner hair ti will probably get really dry too but just use a good conditioner.
Don't worry, accutane takes a ltitle while to kick in but my face is loookign allright now (besides all the red marks) so just hang in there and ti will be fine, althoguh alot fo people i know who have taken it see amazing results on month 3.
good luck!

[Vanessa13688]

Hey thanx thats made me feel loads better bcoz like I said my hair is already quite thin - having dry hair will be a change though because my hair has been really greasy for as long as I can remember! So the red marks fade? I seem to have more than normal now so am hoping they will.

Thanks again I hope I dont lose any hair!

Good luck to you too, I'm hoping this is the treatment to end them all.

V

[Vanessa13688]

Day 7 and I woke up to discover my whiteheads had multiplied and theres loads of nodules which are inflamed and very sore. Tempted to pick them but I know thats the worst thing you can do - when will this phase be over so I can see some improvement??!

Confidence dropped loads this morning, glad I didnt go into work but will tomorrow when, chances are, it will be worse. Most of them are around my mouth making talking, eating and facial expressions painful. Its not even lunchtime and Im already fed up! Will be back later to update...



Hey Im back. Just looked at my lips and theyre all purple/brown! Does anyone else have this or is it just me?...hope it isnt the 'tane changing the pigment in my skin that would be awful. Vaseline has been rubbing off so I'm going to try Blistex and see if that works. Still very painful.

I havent picked any yet but theres time - im worried if I do then the scars will be worse. Had a really bad mood swing last night, not sure if its related to the 'tane but it was really sudden and I couldnt place a reason on it

Walked about in the sun as well; I know you're strongly advised not to but I was careful not to burn and the sunlight lifted my mood (which vitamin is produced?) so great if you're feeling down... just be careful. Also, I feel dehyrated so drink LOADS!

Back tomorrow

[mjoyce]

Keep at it, I'm on day 7. Yeah when the nodules get all red and seem to be bulging out makes you want to squeeze 'em, very hard to resist. For lips I use Vaseline Lip therapy cherry flavor, very good, and I was recommended Burt's Bees but I dunno where to buy that.

For my hair I am using Nioxin for dry scalp, and it's worked all the time put in the past 2 days I've noticed flakes!! So, I believe the accutane is the culprit here, looks like I'm gonna have to condition my hair twice a day; I already run a mile after work with my dog and take a shower after, but I think I gotta start showering morning also, man i sound dirty. good luck people!!

[Vanessa13688]

Thanks Marty -

Where can you get Nioxin from? Ive researched and its what everyone suggests. I used to run about 4 miles a day but I had to stop last year and since trying to start my joints ache! I only ran 1.5 miles yday but it killed me...must get fitter.

I discovered blistex yesterday for my lips, its amazing! I use the "hydrate" one in the morning and night and the lil pot during the day.

Woke up with even more nodules and the start of 2 cystic ones - I never had cystic acne - which I suppose is a good thing because if there was no wosening Id be worried it wasnt working.

Did I reply to one of your posts?? I recognise the name.

V

[Vanessa13688]

Day 8 and I am still seeing a worsening if the skin although few new spots seem to be appearing, only the existing ones are extremely sore. My arms are more or less clear already which is great, I just cant wait to see some improvement on my face! Blistex had saved my lips as they bled last night because they were so chapped but relatively normal now. Felt a bit down when I got up and touched my face to find it felt as if needles were pricking it but got over it - cant wait til I can touch my face without it hurting and feeling loads of spots there!

[Vanessa13688]

Day 8 and my skin is much less sore today YAY! WOOHOO! Thats great because it means my skin may improve soon although people say there will be another breakout

Never mind though

Blistex really has saved my lips they no longer crack when I smile which is good.

Overall a good day not much to say!

[Vanessa13688]

Day 9 and my face is looking slightly better, less inflamed and definately clearer looks like this could be the end of the initial breakout! People have told me that there could be breakouts later in the course - does anyone know any more bowt this?

No change in mood but a marked change in appetite - I really dont want to eat but know that I have to in order for the 'tane to be effective and to prevent ulcers

Anyone else have a change in appetite? Dont want to lose too much weight.

Er, thats it for now I think...

[Vanessa13688]

Just a quik notr (day 10) coz I just workd a 9h waitressing shift as am tired - does anyone know how important eating when you take 'tane is coz Im not really at the mo, dont want it to cause unnecessary side effects or not be as effective.

Arms and chest looking great, face still broken out but massive improvement at last!

My skin feels a bit 'prickly' when touches on my arms, kind of like when I had flu but dont know if its related.

Lets hope for still more improvement...

[Vanessa13688]

Good day really, worked 6h shift. Think the grease from the fryers clogged my pores n made my acne worse last night because I seem to have more spots this morning. My cheeks are clearing nicely and the clear patch is spreading, its nice to be able to smile and not to wince.

Few days off work now so can see if the grease affects my skin.

'tane and alcohol dont mix do they???? Oops lol.

My appetite seems to have completely disappeared though, am a bit worried in case the derm takes me off 'tane because I may lose weight. That would be the worst thing to happen!

[Nymue]

Hey Rosie,

I wanted to respond to your question about how important it is to take Accutane with food. Accutane is a Vitamin A derivative, and Vitamin A is fat soluble, meaning that it can only be absorbed if taken with some fat. So not only do you need to take it with food, but you should also make sure that the food contains some fat as well.
I just always take mine with breakfast (whatever time that happens to be at!).

Beth

[Vanessa13688]

Hey thanks Beth - I'm finding that I really dont have an appetite at all on 'tane for some reason and Im forcing myself to eat to avoid losing weight so I take 2x20mg at lunch and 1x20mg at dinnertime to make sure I eat two meals while I found out if eating was important. Will aim to eat more fat with the pills because at the moment Im not as they will work better then.

Thanks for the advice,

Vanessa


(rosie is the only username I'll remember, strange I know lol)

[Vanessa13688]

Day 16. Got a complement about how clear my skin is looking and I was so happy yesterday! It made me really motivated to make this treatment work but got in from work last night to find my spots bled when I washed my face and I had a nosebleed. That made me really down but luckily my star of a boyfriend was there to encourage me to keep goin on them since 'tane is the treatment I have hoped for for so long and he wants to see me happy!

going on holiday 2m so no posts for a while

[Vanessa13688]

hey im on holiday and connected up to add on another post; I havehad a ruogh couple of days because I seem to have developed exzema again from when I was younger on my arms which looks awful - got in touch with my derm who told me to use eumovate. Good stuff!

Got another breakout and my skin is back to being sore and dont want to talk and eat again. Not good for holidays at all really ut never mind.

My skin has started to flake really badly and stings whenI put even the most gentle lotion on after washing...so much so that it made me cry!

Glad Im getting this acne started becuase went into primary school to help and the children started asking why I have big spots all overmy face. What could I say? Theres no way I can go into teaching like this.

I have also been extremely tired lately; dont know if it is the 'tane but I have fallen asleep so often and dont have any energy.

Has anyone else found they have exzema or fatigue? I have an appointment with my derm so will ask him but would appreciate some comment?

V

[stee]

fatigue is common side effect and if its a dry red rash its also an affect caused by accutane, the rashes will go away after a few days or after you stop taking accutane

[Vanessa13688]

Thanks, feel better knowing that the fatigue is a side effect.

Face is very sore, am going to ask my derm if it is really working but I suppose I have to keep going on with it anyway.

I live in the UK but have some Neosporin from my holiday in America but I'm not sure if I should use it on 'tane.

Holiday was great apart from my face although I had some photos taken of my boyfriend and me, a very depressing experience because my face looked awful next to his (which has never seen a spot) all red and blotchy. Cried every time I washed my face and was tempted to give up, however someone was asking about my 'tane experience and after all has happened I found myself telling them to go for it! ?!

Decided to buy some dumbells and work out more as over the last few years I seem to have neglected my body, I just feel that I may have more confidence in the 'tane if I'm fitter so I am reducing my alcohol intake and eating healthier though I seem to be drinking more now than before 'tane!

Back at work to earn extra money before college in September now

Thanks for your post

V

[Vanessa13688]

Ive let the daily logs slip while I was on holiday so Ill just post when thinhs happen now. Went into town yesterday. Had a bad time at the optician as I have blind spots in my peripheral vision - 'tane related??? Anyone know??? Peoples faces when they look at me show how appauled they are at my skin, don't know where to look. I WANT OUT!!! I've been asked to persuade a friends mum to let him use 'tane but she doesnt like the side effects, will also mentor him if he uses it. Might help me some maybe. Confidence took a battering yesterday. I'm a 'grebo' so had people shouting "Get a wash, smelly grebo!" at me and my boyfriend. Crap.

[gamarwil]

Hi Vanessa! I posted a reply on your other board about dryness!! Hope it helps! How did your derm visit go? Good Luck!