343 replies to this topic

[RainyDayAndrea]

Accutane Day 47

Wow, exciting. My boyfriend went snowboarding today so I am home alone, bored. I should be working on my presentation. Instead I am searching through my friends online photo album for a picture of me. My avatar is an older one, when differin and minocin were helping. I hope I look like that again somday. I thought it would make me feel happy looking at old nice pictures of myself but its actually really depressing. I have such a long way to go. Waaaahhhhhh. Okay, over it.

I am really mad at myself as I have not worked out 1 time this week, I feel so lazy and I blame accutane. Maybe I'll go later today. Pimple on my forehead is still behaving but it hasn't gotten smaller, I think its waiting for just the right time to jump up and slap me good. Here's hoping it stays weenie. I'm developing many little bumps even some on my cheeks which are normally untouched by the evil that is acne. But they aren't really visible, I can just feel them when I thouch my face, which I need to stop doing.
Overall things are looking up but I just want this to be over already. It is not fair!!!!

I don't listen to a lot of music and I don't mean to copy Tgrl but right now I'm listening to Metric - combat baby and it is such a great song.

Andrea

[trenem]

Hey there-
Thought I would drop by as your dropped by my log. THanks for the positive note. I hope everything goes well for you. I really feel the same as you when you wrote in one of your logs that it was so nice to be able to touch your chin at the end of the day and not feel the oil. My forhead and cheeks would be so shiny, i would just be embarassed when I would come home and look in the mirror. Not any more! Yay!

[RainyDayAndrea]

Accutane Day 48

Well yesterday, after I wrote my last log I went to wash my face and then put on lotion and to my horror I noticed several (maybe 6, maybe more) of my white bumbs had turned onto the dark evil and painful road to redness-ville, meaning another major breakout is on the way.

I got so frustrated I just had to have a good cry. I'm not trying to make you feel sorry for me, I don't feel sorry for myself, I just have been really getting more and more overwhelmed lately. I am so homesick for my family and my friends back home and lab work is getting really stressful, and my skin is just so ugly sometimes. To feel like I'm getting so much better and then taking a giant step back.
Well crying is better than punching a wall or eating an entire cheesecake.

I feel better today. I think only 2 of the red spots are going to be anything to write home about. I can deal with 2, I can not deal with 6. So I'm gonna wear very little makeup and try with all my might not to touch my face. And I need to get rid of some of this tension. Back to the gym I guess.

Symptoms:
Moodyness is high
Nose is dry
Barely any soreness
Face dryness is manageable, just put lotion on my cheeks and nose and under nose.
Hair - dry
body skin - great except one inch diameter rash on side
eyes - normal but tired
tiredness - no worse than normal
Face - many new red spots, 1 really big near mouth, another big one on chin, other smallers on chin and two on forehead
Lips - very dry (need to buy more carmex)

Andrea

[shunts]

Hi Andrea

I hope you’re feeling a bit better now but I can completely relate to your frustrations. I’ve just had a quick wash and after what thought was a good say, I;ve noticed a lot of small bumps under the skin which are more than likely going to develop. It’s a horrible feeling.

You look great in your picture and even if you don’t look exactly like that right now, you soon will. I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think. We are always our own worst critic and you are beautiful so a few spots isn’t going to alter that. I’ll keep everything crossed for you and I really hope you start seeing the results you want soon. I’m sure you will x

[TennesseeGrl]

I hear the frustrations as well.. just be sure you keep the crying in check! Make sure those around you are aware you are a little down, okay? I'm sorry you're not having the best skin day... it is just good that your skin is purging all the nasty stuff. Better now than later.

Love always.. chin up!

[RainyDayAndrea]

Aww you guys are so sweet, I almost cried! Just joking, but that is really nice of you shunts to be so encouraging in my log when I'm so "evil" in yours. Ha ha! I love this place. Anyway, I do feel better. Its outta my system. If a huge breakout happens, then it happens. I'm ready to roll with the punches.
luv u guys!

Andrea

[martin06]

if a huge breakout happens, then that's more crap that accutane is getting out of your system! and it'l be over so quick. stick in there, good luck

[trenem]

Hi Andrea-
Don't you just love the ups and downs of accutane?!?! Its wonderful, haha. Then add the ups and downs of regular life to that. I just keep thinking about the clear skin I will have HOPEFULLY by summer. I can go swimming, get sweaty and not worry about oil and red marks! Have you had any trouble with blackheads? I never really ahd them that bad but as everything is pushing out, they are a lot more noticeable!

[RainyDayAndrea]

Accutane Day 49

Its raining...I wanted to go to the store and buy more blistex but it looks cold out there! Well my skin stll looks crappy but none of the red spots have gotten big or puss-y... uh u know what I mean. Well I did an official count this morning and I think there are three red pimples on the forehead and 4 on the chin, and 2 on the cheek. Only 3 of them are really noticeable. I'll scream for joy if they just go away instead of exploding into uglies.

Well nothing else to report symptoms wise except my lips really hurt, i think I got some cuts on them maybe from biting my lip. Softlips is not very efficient at mosturizing my shcmoozer. I'm still disapointed in my skin but I'm being patient. I have faith that it'll work out.

Speaking of faith I have a dumb story to tell. Not really a story, well anyway...just before this christmas is when my skin started to get really really bad. I was using differin and minocin for about 6 months and they'd stopped doing their job. Everyday it was getting so much worse, so I started to think I was thinking about it so much and worrying so much that I was psychologically worsening my skin. So I thought if I shut out my negative thooughts I would reverse the breakouts. So whenever I started to think about my skin I would counter with "I will heal, I will heal, I will heal, I will heal...". I really thought I could tell myself to stop breaking out. Man that is so embarrassing but I felt like reminding myself how silly I used to be, and also to remember it didn't work. Okay, now that I look like a complete lame-o. I'm glad I'm on accutane. I think if I hadn't started my skin would be 10 times worse by now.

Sorry I always post so long.

Back to work.

[RainyDayAndrea]

Accutane Day 50. Big number.

So...I was picking yesterday. So I have some extra red marks. One that hurts. I don't think I have any new pimples but I am avoiding looking at myself too hard. Somethings wrong with my lips though. They really hurt and it looks like I got punched in the mouth kinda. I musta ate something hard or really acidic or maybe I'm biting my lips in my sleep. I bought more carmex yesterday and have been applying it religously so hopefully they heal soon but it really hurts to eat or drink.

Other than that no new ditties. Whatever that means. I have my next derm appointment on monday at 730 pm. I am really hoping I don't have to deal with that big ipledge mess. Monday is the 27 so that means I'll have 5 days of pills to old me off. I hate missing taking a pill for anything so I really hope that doesn't happen.

Gotta go. Big presentation tomorrow.

Andrea

[TennesseeGrl]

Does anyone ever call you Andy? I just wondered. I always wanted a "boy" nickname... but nothing is boy-y about "Sarah"!

Sorry about your redmarks.. they SSSSSSSUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!! And I'm sorry about your dry lips too! At the beginning mine looked like was wearing lipstick... like gothic blood red! YUCKY! I hope that is getting better as the hours go by!

Hooray for no new zitlets! I'm hoping we both clear up completely soon! And I hope you don't miss any pills! Anyway, love you always and thanks for the notes as usual!

[corrine_1980]

Hi Andrea

Just browse through your Accutane Diary..
Very interesting..
Agree with you that this forum is very useful and give a lot of great encouragement to those taking Roaccutane.

I am also very obssessed with my pimples.
Since high school whenever I have pimples, I will refuse to go out.

And it's getting worse and better, worse and better with different medication.

Guess it's time to stop it forever.

I am also breaking out rite now(still in my 36 days).
I think I am breaking out worse and more horribly than you .
Right now my face is 10 times worse than before until tons of people are asking me What happens to my face .
But now I am so used to it..

So good luck with your Accutane journey,,
We'll be clear soon.

[AmberLynn]

I hope, too, that Ipledge does you right. If all goes well, you will get a prescription dated for 30 days after your last visit. That may be the day you are there, or a few days later. After that, the day that marks 30 days since your last derm visit, you must answer a series of questions and get a 100 percent, after this, go to the pharmacy and hand them your card and they can then fill your prescription. IF, for any reason, the last derm appt you had was only 20 some days ago, ask your derm for some samples of accutane to get you though, they do have them laying around. AND make sure to tell them they need to go confirm your appt and consuling on the 30th day after your last appt or a vicious cycle starts and to date your prescrip 30 days after the last appt because you only have 7 days leeway before the scrip expires. Hope this helps, hun!

[shunts]

Evening Andrea

Hope you’re feeling good today. Just a quick one as I’m whizzing around leaving little notes on all my favourite people’s logs. Isn’t that nice of me? Even if you do revel in my misfortunes. Check out my log, there’s a few new ones in there for you to gloat over.

As for the lips, get some Bepanthen ointment. I don’t know if it’s called the same thing over there but it’s actually for nappy rash. I’m not winding you up either. It really does heal sensitive skin so it’s excellent on sorting your lips out. Did wonders for mine anyway and I still use if for maintenance. Honestly, if you saw my lips you would want to kiss me. Honestly. OK, maybe not.

[trenem]

Hi there Andrea-
Sorry that things were not going so well. I haven't had any big ones come up since I started but guess what, I feel one coming. Right on my cheek. About an inch from my nose, so it will be noticeable staight on. Boo. Oh well its gotta come up sometime. Hope fully it won't be too big, but I have a feeling, not my luck. Have a wonderful day!

[RainyDayAndrea]

Accutane Day 51!!!!

Thanks for the posts, I love it!
TGrl - back home (Saskatchewan) all my friends call me Andy. My gramma and grampa and mom call me Andy too. Or Andy Pandy. But no one here in BC calls me Andy yet, I'm sure they'll start, I really am more of an Andy then an andrea, its easier to say too.
I know the red marks totally suck, but I guess it’s better than scarring right? I hope we are both super clear too!

Corrine - I definitely hate the breaking out part but hopefully like martin mentioned that just means your skin is purguing all the crap and then the pores will stay clean forever. I can't wait till month 4. Thats when I am expecting the real miracles.

AmberLynn - thank you so much for your post, I won't feel so lost hopefully when the time comes to deal with it. Thats a great suggestion about asking the derm for a sample to tide you over. Really, I appreciate you explaining it to me. I'm still hoping that its different in Canada but well see on monday I guess.

Shunts - thanks for pooping, I mean popping in, ha ha. I'm so flattered to be on your favorites list, despite my obvious psycho evil need to feed on others pain. (I dont really...usually). I'll come see how your doing right after I post. I can just imagine myself going up to my pharmacist and saying "pardon me sir but where may I find the nappy rash cream?" Maybe I just better look myself. Thanks for the info though I'll be nappy in no time...

Trenum - your so lucky to not have had any big ones come up. Sounds like accutane really agrees with you. I hope your cheek pimp behaves itself, but if your luck is like mine...it works 50% of the time, could be worse I guess.


So I had my big presentation today, funny story , and I brought my laptop down to the room with my presentation on it and halfway through my computer just shuts off. My battery died cause I had it unplugged all afternoon. So my cord is upstairs in the lab office. So my evil lab tech (not so evil today) runs upstairs and gets it for me, meanwhike I'm like "does anyone have any questions yet?" other than are you totally blond? Well it wasn't so bad but I was mortified at first. Oh well its over, other than that it went well.

My lips are so in pain today, there are little tiny bumps all over them, its so peculiar. I really don't know why the sudden change, or why it was so drastic! My pimples are doing okay, its definitely a pre-period breakout but not as bad as last month (sorry boys for the topic) so hopefully that means my sebum glands are shrinking. I deffinitely think my hormones have a huge role in my rebelious skin.

I'll stop now cause I post too long all the time. But I'm feeling happy today and positive.
Luv u guys and accutane even though its a bumpy ride.

Andy!!!

[browneyz]

I've just finished reading your entire journal and I think you are hilarious girl! I feel a sort of kinship towards you because you remind me SO much of one of by best girl friends. BTW, I have those little bumps all over my lips too, but I'm not really in pain because of them. Hope yours feel better soon! All my best! -LT

[NoIDon'tHaveTheChickenPox]

Hi ANDY!!!!!!!!

I love reading your log. You always make me smile! You seem like the kind of person that would be so much fun to hang around.

I am so glad you got through your presentation and are feeling good. And hey, Miss Evil co-worker turned out to be of some use!!

I really think there is a lot of truth in the idea of your skin "purging" out the icky crap. I am finding that it seems like every pore on my face has had a turn purging, and hopefully once it's done, those same pores will be finished for good. Consider it the one last hoorah...going out with a bang!!! It's a PORE PARTY!! At least that's what I am telling myself.

Good luck and hang in there. What you are doing is so important and you are truly making a very important contribution to the future of healthcare. Not many people can say that! You should be very proud of yourself. and remember that even when you are homesick, you still have all of us crazy cornball complection companions to comiserate with!

[RainyDayAndrea]

Chicky - A pore party, I like that. Hey Guys its a pore party and your all invited!!!! I just wish I could call the pimple police and have them kick everyone out.
Thanks for the encouragement with my work. Sometimes I lose sight of what I'm doing and why I am doing it, its nice to have a reminder and to have someone else recognize that and appreciate it. Thats so nice and considerate of you. And I am glad I can make you smile

Browneyz - I just skimmed through your log and posted but thanks for thinking I'm hilarious. I think humour is the single most importnat thing. ever. I love to laugh, I love it when I make people laugh, and I love people who make me laugh. Its so heartwarming to feel that energy burst out of you when something hilarious happens.
I know I am not like the funniest person ever, I am not even a clown type I'm just kinda blond and don't hide it, people seem to get a kick out of that so it gets encouraged.
I hope your back feels better and everything goes swimmingly in your accutane experience. (this is my fav smiley)

Accutane Day 52
MY LIPS HURT SO MUCH!! So much that I have forgotten about my face. They are all bumpy and swollen and red and it sucky sucks. Now I am wondering if rubbing on carmex is making them worse. I guess I should go find some nappy stuff...i'm thinking a nappy is a diaper...is nappy cream baby bum cream??? Okay that is so funny...please tell me you don't put baby bum cream on your mouth! Well who am I to talk, my mouth does look like ass.

Well no crazy stories today. I went to the gym finally yesterday. And I just realized I am not even sore today, thats a good sign. I wish I had good news about my face. Well I havn't gotten new spots but now 4 of the red spots on my chin are now large sized. One has been, uh, evacuated, one is a white head that I don't really notice cause my lips distract me, and 2 are just red. My forehead has a few small red bumps but they aren't worth writting songs about.

Soooo, its my boy toys birthday this weekend so I am going to make him a huge fattening meal on saturday and then we are going to whistler on sunday. oh man another day of snowboarding in the busiest and biggest? mountain resort in canada. I do not belong there but its his birthday so I will do what he wants.

I'll stop here, I have been sitting here for an hour and a half at work. I'll never get anything done!!! Have a great day all you accutane ami's. Love you all!!!

Andy

[trenem]

Andrea-
You are such a dedicated poster. I'm sorry that your lips are so chapped. Can't say I know that nappy rash cream is baby bum cream though. Oh my, I am so glad that it is friday. Too bad my boyfriend has to be to work at 2 am so he is already asleep and has been since 6:00. Leaves my friday night pretty boring. Sounds like you will be having much more than I. Good luck with your weekend!!
T