My Accutane Journal

So I started my log on a different site, but then discovered this and I think it's great that everyone is sharing their stories here, so I thought I would share mine as well. I am currently about a week and half in, so I'm going to add all my previous posts now

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First Steps

I am starting this blog to track my progress while taking Accutane. I will be posting photos of my progress here in this blog. I failed my 2 initial pregnancy tests, and the blood test needed before I can start the med. I had to sign all the iPledge consent forms and sign up for my account online. After I received my first prescription on Monday, I had to log on to answer numerous questions; mostly about birth control, since this drug causes sever birth defects. I am filling my prescription today and will start taking it tonight. I have decided to take my pills at night, since the medication works better when taken with fatty foods. Since I don't have time to make bacon and eggs every morning, I thought it would be best to take the pills with dinner.

I got all my lotions, creams and ointments yesterday as well. I am using the following products that were recommended by my dermatologist:

Face Wash: Johnson & Johnson Purpose
Face Moisturizer: Johnson & Johnson Purpose with SPF 15
Body Cream: Aveno Relief Cream
Lip Ointment: Aquaphor Healing Ointment

I'm not sure if I will need to switch shampoos or body washes yet. I have heard some horror stories about hair loss from people taking Accutane. I already use Dove body wash for sensitive skin with moisturizers, so I think that should work fine. Hopefully I don't have to apply it all more than once a day, but we'll see how bad it gets. I've been preparing for this for a while now, probably over thinking it. Well I am off to pick up my first prescription. I'll post my before photos tonight.
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Before Pics
Here are my before pics. I took my first dose last night. I'm a little scared, but excited to see the results 4 months from now! Please note that I am posting this as a sort of "study" and this is the first time I have posted pics with no makeup/editing in a VERY long time! Wow, I'm proud of myself! ha ha

Left Side


Right Side


Front


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Week 1
I have just completed my first week of Accutane. I hadn't noticed many changes until about 2 days ago. I am breaking out pretty bad around my chin and mouth. It is the painful kind of inflammatory acne that is coming out right now. I have read that everything will start coming out a lot in the first few months as your sebaceous glands shut down. I woke up with about 30 small white zits all over my chin and mouth and a few around my nose. It is really painful to eat or talk, but I am convinced it will all be worth it...plus my skin has been worse than this in the past so I can deal. It got pretty bad last night though, and kept waking me up because of the pain. I have a feeling it is going to get much worse though...but either way; it's still worth it!

My skin has started to feel very different. The oiliness seems to be disappearing and it feels almost like a mix of my old skin and something harder/rougher (alien skin!! AHH!!). I'm assuming this is because it is less oily and I'm so used to being an oily person. I also noticed that meat smells weird to me. I've never been a big meat eater, but I had a meatball sub and it smelled sooo disgusting to me!! Then I made some Sloppy Joe's last night, and when I was cooking the burger I thought the smell would make me puke! WEIRD...side effect??--I'm not sure??? I think I read about something like that happening to someone on Tane though?-- I am starting to get a little dry, but nothing horrible yet. I decided to invest in some overnight eye drops I read about for dry eyes and some saline nose spray (because the inside of my nose is getting REALLY dry). So I am adding to my "Product List":

Bausch & Lomb Advanced Eye Relief™ Night Time Lubricant Eye Ointment
Breathe Free Saline Nasal Spray

So that ends my updates for week 1! I'll post photos tonight!

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IB and Other Facts

So I found out in a blog today that IB means "Initial Breakout" in Accutane terms. I didn't realize that what I currently have on my chin is so common. It seems that I have gotten my IB before some of the other people I've read about, but from what I've read it should only last about 2-3 weeks. Good thing! It gave me more peace of mind to know it won't be this bad for months--instead just for a few weeks. I can deal with that, but it does hurt REALLY bad...makes it hard for me to forget it's there and just ignore it.

After reading some other blogs I thought I should also note some other stats on myself. I am 25 years old (will be 26 in July). I struggled with acne in my younger teen years, but nothing like it was around the age of 24. I currently live in upstate NY and realized my skin started getting worse after I moved back to upstate (I grew up here) from Virginia Beach (where I lived for 2 and half years, without bad breakouts). So here is more info on me:

Height: 5'8
Weight: 118
Age: 25
Dosage: 60mg/day

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Week 1 Photos
I took some at week one, but also some this morning because it has gotten even worse. It's so painful, I don't want to leave the house. My chin is a disgusting mess!!

Left Side



Right Side


Gross Disgusting Painful Chin


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Accu-torture (1.5ish Weeks)

So it just keeps getting worse. Luckily my chin has started to turn into a big ugly white scab. I'm hoping that part goes away soon. Bad news is that I'm starting to get similar (but small) patches like this on other parts of my face. It seems like this is all happening very quickly for me. I keep google'ing to find others IB photos, but they don't look like mine does (maybe it's caused from wearing a new SPF moisturizer?). I hope it's normal. I've also noticed the I have a really swollen gland in my throat that hurts when I touch it. I can no longer wear my contacts, and my eyes are forever red (check out my most recent photo for proof)! No wonder people get depression from this drug...not because it actually causes it, but because it just makes you look and feel like shit! ha ha I'm trying my hardest to keep a positive attitude though. It took all my "positive thoughts" not to call into work the last 2 days. Thankfully it's Friday and I can spend all weekend hiding in my house...guess that will give me a chance to get stuff done around there and relax.

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