137 replies to this topic

[Sasch83]

Day # 5

My face is feeling a wee bit dry but that could be due to me exfoliating. No peeling though so that's a good sign i suppose. My lips are dry but not unbearably so though i would like a recommendation for a lip balm that doesn't look like i went to town on some fried chicken . Also, i am interested in possibly buying makeup so any recommendations would be helpful (i am oily as a mutha but i know Claravis is gonna dry me out so....). Other than that, no noticeable side effects. I definitely am breaking out, especially in places that i don't usually break out in (my lip has 3-4 under the skin bumps that may or may not come up soon). My chin and mouth area is getting gross as usual as it rotates from clearing up to breaking out to clearing up to breaking out....well you get the picture. If you take the time to see my pics in my gallery (took them today), take into consideration that my acne at this moment is not at its worse (you should have seen me last Saturday with at least a dozen inflammed bumps and popped zits). Having been on accutane before, i know how bad it CAN get so i definitely want to head it off at the pass. Feel free to comment, share your experiences or/and ask questions.

[Again!]

I use Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk and I love it. It covers, doesn't rub off and it doesn't look caked on-no matter how much I pile on. It's ridiculously expensive and it's way above my budget, but it helps me get out of the house to face the world-so totally worth it.

Edited by Again!, 15 October 2011 - 05:15 PM.

[Sasch83]

Thanks Again! I am at a loss as to what shade to get. Did you just pick your shade due to trial and error? Makeup will last me a long time as i wouldn't wear it too often. Wish i had my own personal makeup shopper )

[Sasch83]

Day # 6 - it's amazing how therapeutic blogging about this is! I really should be lesson planning for my kids and i will in an hour or so . Just took my pills and overall i feel pretty good. No body pains, dry eyes, rashes or the like. I just feel itchy on my back (but then again i didn't lotion) and my scalp (could be because i'm waiting for my deep conditioner to get here/ i'm due to get my hair relaxed but have decided to just go natural instead and my scalp is like a crack addict going through withdrawl).


Face wise: I noticed today that i have a hard cyst like bump under my ear and it hurts to the touch but i'm not going to over think it. Breaking out more in the usual spots but nothing gasp worthy . Face looked greasy on waking up this morning but doesn't feel as greasy as it usually does. I am getting a few dry patches though so i'll be monitoring that as time goes on. Still looking for a recommendation on lips balms for the day time (that moisturize and look non-greasy). Other than that, nothing new to report.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Edited by sasch12, 16 October 2011 - 06:52 AM.

[Sasch83]

Day # 7 - What a difference a day makes! My face looks/feels tight and dry and i don't have moisturizer with me - won't be making that mistake again tomorrow. No flaking/peeling per se but i'm trying not to move my face too much for fear of making my dryness more obvious . Acne wise, things are relatively the same - breaking out no more than usual. I have a whitehead below my lip and two on one side of my mouth but i will have self control and not pop cause i know it will spread like wild fire. On the oil front, even though my face is dry, it's greasy as a vat of fried fish (mmm mmm mmm). Not much i can do about it so i'm not stressing.

In other news, i'm trying to gain weight while trying to clear my face and i'm trying to do it as healthy as possible - it's so ironic though. For years i tried to lose weight and now that i finally have and then some, i'm struggling to gain a measly ten pounds (per my dr's suggestion). Anyone that has gained/maintained a healthy weight with healthy foods, please give a sistah some tips. I'm a pescatarian (fish eater) who is cutting out for the most part dairy, soy products and gluten (which is soooo hard).

Will keep you all posted

[Sasch83]

Day # 8 Oh happy happy joy joy. I think (and i stress the word think), that i am beginning my initial outbreak. I woke up with upwards of 4 red pimples by my mouth area and they itch like a mutha....definitely feeling self conscious and to top it off it's THAT time of the month (sorry for the TMI male readers) and i feel like crap. Mood is definitely deflated but going to force myself to be positive. Face feels super tight, dry and irritated and looks that way too but thank God no flaking....yet. Lips are a pain- every 30 minutes i have to apply moisturizer and it looks and feels greasy.

To find the positive in all of this though, i guess it means the Claravis has begun to work its magic...you go boy!

How do other readers deal with their initial outbreak and how long did it last...it's been too long for me to remember what it was like. Wish i knew about this blog back then.

[Sasch83]

Ok - i am in desperate need of some help. I feel as if my face is about to fall off due to dryness. Need recommendation for a good moisturizer that won't clog my pores (i need it not to have any nut type products in it - allergic to hazlenut). Also need a non greasy looking lip balm besides aquaphor that i can wear in the day

HELP HELP HELP

[Again!]

Okay, so sorry I didn't answer your make-up question sooner. As far as picking out your shade goes-they match it for you. Hey, if your spending all that money, you should at least get the perfect shade, right? And if you buy it at like a Nordstroms, they have a great return policy, so no risk. Have fun with it and waste some time on going to several of the different make-up contours, have them match you and then bring the samples home to try. God knows how much time and energy I wasted trying to find the right brand, shade and do on. Just ask Eva. Her and I are in sync with this not showing your face without our warrior gear. People like you amaze me. If only I had your self-esteem! You know, I've been thinking.......the really sad part about all this is, I wanted to clear my acne so I could go without make-up, but now I still won't because of all my scarring. Sad, sad & sad.

[Sasch83]

Don't be so down on yourself Again. We all have our insecurities - trust me. I've had years to adjust to not wearing makeup so it is a foreign concept to me. Maybe you can try one day a week without makeup (maybe when you go grocery shopping) and see how you feel. It can be quite liberating (sorta). Thanks for the make up tips. I ended up ordering a brand call Signature Minerals so we'll see if i picked the right shades. I wanted something light that wouldn't totally change how i looked.

Anyway, any advice for a heavy moisturizer that won't clog my pores (can't have nuts or nut products in there as i am allergic) and lip moisturizers that are not greasy?

Thanks

[Sasch83]

Day # 9 So yesterday three of my bumps produced whiteheads in a matter of hours and i actually had to walk around with them like that as i refuse to pop them (i felt really self conscious too). Add to that my mood and my afternoon/evening was not that great. This morning the bumps are still there but no white heads...yet. They haven't started to flatten or anything but i'm hoping that in a few days they will go away and not come back....at least for a while. On a side note, i walked into school today and was promptly reminded by a co-worker that today was picture day! So i took a photo which no doubt highlighted me in all my naturality - hair was a mess, face was greasy, and red pimples galore - can't wait to see (oh happy day)!

Face today is drying out and i need recommendation of heavy facial moisturizers that:
a) won't clog my pores
b)doesn't have nut or nut products in them (hazlenut, almond, etc)

as well as a non-greasy lip balm.

Oh Claravis....the element of 'surprise' that you bring to my life!

[Riosha]

I'm following you...
We started on just about the same day and we're experiencing just about the same symptoms.

Oh that bitter sweet life with Accutane... We're in this together! Eventually the magic pill will make our wishes come true - but oh, do we have to go through all that sickness before health?

[Sasch83]

I'm following you...
We started on just about the same day and we're experiencing just about the same symptoms.

Oh that bitter sweet life with Accutane... We're in this together! Eventually the magic pill will make our wishes come true - but oh, do we have to go through all that sickness before health?

Cool- definitely looking forward to the support . we do have to stick together because it's a rough road to happiness. Right now my skin is super dry and super uncomfortable and looks mega irritated (get the picture?). What moisturizer are you using? I definitely need a recommendation for an oil free, non-pore clogging moisturizer that doesn't have parabens, fragrance or any nut products in eat (ie: Cetephal has almonds). Ahh....i need my own Claravis supply getter.

[Sasch83]

Day # 10- will take my pill in a few minutes and today the side effects are kicking my @$$ big time!

Side Effects:
so tired- my eyes are drooping and i'm having a hard staying awake, even while i'm walking! Also, i feel a bit spacey (like when i take pain medicine and am in a brain fog). My mood today is ehhh and i felt a little bit sad but then i started doing stuff and i feel a bit better.

Skin wise: my face feels/looks so uncomfortable - it's mega dry but super shiny - not peeling yet but i do have dry patches and i'm yet to find a moisturizer that helps. I've noticed at least 4-7 new bumps overnight (no heads yet). I'm so over Claravis and cannot wait to be off this drug.

On a personal note, i have an appointment with a nutritionist today - trying to gain weight while eating healthy (no dairy, maybe no glutten, low sugar foods). I'm excited to get my life (body and mind) back on track as this has been a very tough year for me with medical, body and self esteem issues.

A big shout out to all of you on this forum that have been supportive - the outpouring has been amazing!

Thanks

Sascha

[Riosha]

Sascha - I'll be your supporter
As I wrote we're in this together and today I upped my dose, so now we're also doing the same dose - and exactly same number of days.

I am sorry for you feeling those side effects. I've been feeling moody too and my skin has gotten worse...bleh....

I am using Decubal's product. They are VERY good and effective for sensitive and dry skin and they are free of weird stuff and fragrance... I can also recommend A-Derma's Exomega, which is helpful and very very moisturizing.

I use those - and then I supply with Vichy's Normaderm Night, but that one has fragrance in it. I find it good anyways...

Hold on! When our bodies get used to the drug everything will look brighter

[dreamer003]

Hold on Sascha! You're starting on 40mg as well right? My derm says (I'm underweight too, or aren't you? I figured since you're trying to gain weight..) that it might be a high dose for me and if the side effects get really bad I can go back to 30mg. So maybe if it gets even worse you can talk to your derm about lowering the dose?

[Sasch83]

Hold on Sascha! You're starting on 40mg as well right? My derm says (I'm underweight too, or aren't you? I figured since you're trying to gain weight..) that it might be a high dose for me and if the side effects get really bad I can go back to 30mg. So maybe if it gets even worse you can talk to your derm about lowering the dose?

Well my derm originally put me on 60mg. The last time i took Accutane i was 189lbs - i now weight 140 if i'm lucky so i dropped my dose to 40mg (i also have other health things going on so the lower dosage won't complicate things that much). What's your weight and dosage dreamer? Different derms hvae different perspectives on dosages (for example, for my last course, my derm kept me on 60 mg for my entire treatment - no testing the water crap)

Sascha - I'll be your supporter
As I wrote we're in this together and today I upped my dose, so now we're also doing the same dose - and exactly same number of days.

I am sorry for you feeling those side effects. I've been feeling moody too and my skin has gotten worse...bleh....

I am using Decubal's product. They are VERY good and effective for sensitive and dry skin and they are free of weird stuff and fragrance... I can also recommend A-Derma's Exomega, which is helpful and very very moisturizing.

I use those - and then I supply with Vichy's Normaderm Night, but that one has fragrance in it. I find it good anyways...

Hold on! When our bodies get used to the drug everything will look brighter

Thanks Riosha - i'm gonna need all the support i can muster up Hopefully we can compare notes and maybe trade pics - i have mine up in the gallery section and will try to add new ones on a weekly basis. I will definitely look into the products you mentioned as my face feels as if it is ready to be ripped in half (so uncomfortable). How are you dealing with your moodiness and skin? Do you wear makeup? I don't and the way my skin feels, i don't want to put anything else on it that can possibly aggravate it. Ahhh- you make a very positive point though -everything will look brighter down the line.

Thanks for looking out, it's appreciated

[dreamer003]

OK, well I'm 116lbs and I'm starting on 40mg.. And yeah that's true, my derm says she never likes to start with a really low dosage because you won't get results any time soon. Well we'll see how it goes
Keep posting

[Riosha]

Hey again!

Yeah - I wear make up and can't live without it... Seriously. My scar condition is so bad I cannot leave my apartment to even go for a run or to the grocery store without it :/
I know it's no go using too much make up, but I cannot help it...

Btw you should try and use E-vitamin capsules and put that on your skin before bed time. I'm seriously having really, really good results with that!
I just buy the capsules, so at night I pin a hole in it and put that oil on my face before going to sleep. It's good because the E-vitamin-oil's molecules are too big for clogging the pores, but it definitely is good for helping with the dryness problem...on days when I remember to do it. My skin feels much better in the morning, although it's sooo sticky!
You should try it

[Again!]

Riosha-

Thanks for the tip. I actually do use vitamin e capsules, but I had no idea about the whole molecule thing. That's pretty awesome and makes sense considering I have used it in the past when I was clear of acne. And yeah, super sticky!

Glad I'm not the only one who puts make-up on to go running!!!

[Sasch83]

Hey again!

Yeah - I wear make up and can't live without it... Seriously. My scar condition is so bad I cannot leave my apartment to even go for a run or to the grocery store without it :/
I know it's no go using too much make up, but I cannot help it...

Btw you should try and use E-vitamin capsules and put that on your skin before bed time. I'm seriously having really, really good results with that!
I just buy the capsules, so at night I pin a hole in it and put that oil on my face before going to sleep. It's good because the E-vitamin-oil's molecules are too big for clogging the pores, but it definitely is good for helping with the dryness problem...on days when I remember to do it. My skin feels much better in the morning, although it's sooo sticky!
You should try it

Thanks! Maybe i'll try it. I broke down and bought Cetaphil mositurizing cream and i mixed it in with neutrogena facial moisturizer so i'll see how that works out.

DAY # 11

Side effects are becoming more troublesome - mostly peeing ALOT! I am also very tired and lathargic and i felt a bit of joint ache yesterday and today. Face and lips are drying out and my face is still Greasy/ Shiny/ Yucky. It's 60 + degrees in NYC so i just want to lay curled up in my bed. I feel so out of it mentally and physically and it is at times like this i wonder if taking this medication is right for me. When i do my next blood test in a few weeks time, i will look at the results with my doctor to see if continuing this course is worth it for me (especially if things come back abnormal). Hopefully the weekend will bring better things....including sleep. BTW - i will have to take my pills at night because today at work, i felt like a crack addict -my eyelids were falling down every few minutes and i had to pee like a mutha. Anyone else have that?

On a side note, i will be taking and posting pictures this weekend so feel free to check them out in the Gallery section. I am definitely breaking out - more than usual and in places that i hardly break out in so this just may be the wonderful beginning of my initial outbreak. Also, nutritionist was very helpful in guiding me in the right direction in terms of foods i should be eating. So we'll see if i can healthily gain wait and keep my glucose levels stable (one concern i have being on Claravis
). Anyone ever take fish oil or CoQ 10 while on Claravis?

Edited by sasch12, 21 October 2011 - 06:55 PM.