264 replies to this topic

[SupernatualFanatic]

I cannot believe I'm finally making this log! I had my appointment at a new dermatologist about 5 weeks ago, and I basically told her that I have tried EVERYTHING under the sun, just like the rest of you guys! I told her I had been on Accutane 2 years ago, and while it had worked incredibily, I am now breaking out again. BUT FIRST, before I explain my story, when I first took Accutane, my insurance ran out about 2 months into it, and I was only on 10mg. So, I know I didn't get a full course in, let alone a very effective one. She recommended that I go back on Accutane and I told her absolutely, because my parents now have insurance again, and my mom knows it won't run out. Anyway! Back in fourth grade, I noticed my first cyst on my cheek (because it showed up in school pictures) and had no idea what it was nor cared. In 7th grade though, it was like a time bomb went off with my hormones and skin and blahblahblah, and I broke out in cysts everything. It was 99% cysts, and 1% clear skin.. A lot of students in middle school looked at me sympathetically, and I could tell they were looking at my skin. My friends never mentioned anything about it, and always compliment me which has kept my attitude at its best. When I did have cystic acne, I would cry probably 3 times a week when I was washing my makeup off, and I was completely done with it. My mom took me to a ton of dermatologists, and finally I was prescribed Accutane. Even on 10mg, I was exhausted, and had the most driest lips ever. BUT, it did clear up my cysts, and 2 years later I haven't gotten a cyst yet. I have mild-moderate persistant acne, that I just want to be done with, so as of tomorrow at 4pm, I will be picking up my prescription WOOHOO! I'm nervous because my derm said she always goes big, and I'm thinking to myself, wow my side effects were pretty brutal during only 10mg, imagine 40, 60, or 80? But I feel that it's totally worth it. So I will be updating my log every time I notice a side effect or change in my skin. I will post pictures too, I don't have any on this computer without any makeup on, but I promise you that I willl update daily and would love for people to respond! I hope there are a couple of you starting soon so we can have our journey together!
Forgot to mention this:
Age: 17 - going to be a senior this coming Fall, so it'll be exciting to come back with hopefully clear skin!
Gender: Female
Weight: 115 lbs
Mg: ???

Edited by Taylor Sydow, 16 April 2012 - 08:43 AM.

[kaydon]

Good luck with your second course!! I wish I had the chance to take Accutane at 17!

[random1]

I wish you smooth sailings and hopefully you get the results you want !

[*Can*I*Live*]

good luck!

[SupernatualFanatic]

Holy cow, already 4 replies and I haven't even started yet!
kaydon - Yes I am lucky for my parents to allow me to go on it at a young age, I still have 7 months until I'm 18 so by my 18th birthday, lets hope I have been clear!
BeautifulDisasters - I'll have to check out your log, how's it going for you? I'm so excited for tomorrow to take my first pill, but extremely nervous at the same time..
random1 - Thank you so much! I hope I get the results I want too!
Can I Live - Thank you!

[SupernatualFanatic]

I had a quick question - For those who are/have been on Accutane, did your derm prescribe you prednisone for the IB? I had one on my first course, that wasn't too severe, and I'm not sure how mine will be this time, or if I'll even get one, but my mom is actually being extremely supportive and wants me to go through this process with the best treatment I can get, and she knows about prednisone, and how it helps redness, inflammation, etc. but I've never been on it, and don't know if I'd need it, or what are the risks from coming off of it? She's going to has my derm about it tomorrow during my appointment when I get my prescription, but I'm just curious if anyone else had an experience with it, good/bad? Thanks!

[random1]

My derm didnt prescribe me prednisone (or any other med for that matter - although I wish he had grrr) anywho, what he did tell me is that the IB is correlated to the dose you are given out to start with. The higher you start off , the higher the potential (and the more severe) the IB can be. But leaving that aside I think u dont have to worry as much since as youve said youve taken accutane before so your body may be familiar with the drug already and may not have to adjust to it as much (which is all the IB signifies - the body adjusting to the medicine). Yeayea, good idea talking to the derm bc he'll know for sure. Luck!

[SupernatualFanatic]

That is correct, except my first course was only 2 months on 10mg, and since my derm repeatedly said she goes big, I'm assuming she is putting me on a lot more than 10mg which kind of scares me.. and I'm sorry you're breaking out into your second month! In no time you will be clear I try to keep staying positive, otherwise it's easy for me to break down and cry and just hate life because of acne. This may sound weird, but I've been taking a bath every other night, just for the heck of it, and bought a ton of unscented candles just to set the mood, and it puts me in the most relaxed state. Also, when you wash your face etc, DON'T look in that harsh, bathroom mirror. Go into your bedroom, turn on a small light, don't look in the mirror at all, and just do what you want (tv, read, etc) It's helped me a lot. I'm the type of person who checks EVERY mirror I can find to see how I look in that lighting, and it's taking a toll on my self esteem. So what I've done to prepare for Accutane, is I told myself 5 weeks ago, to stop looking in all mirrors except when applying makeup. My parents helped be supportive by turning over the mirrors in their rooms (we all live together but they're seperated, and they are friends, kind of an oddball eh?) ANYWAY, they also turned around the one we have in the living room. I have two in my room, a full length and one for my makeup, I only use the full length one to do makeup because the lighting is more dim near it. It's been 5 weeks, and I've only looked in it to get ready and it honestly helped put me in a better mood. Well.. also knowing I'm going on Accutane has helped which is kind of cheating.. but it's helped a lot. The baths are just a way for me to stay in a peaceful mood and have a generally, positive attitude. Try it for a few days, I know everyone is different, but just take the pill(s) when you need to, wash your face, shower, etc, and just go straight to what you want to do if you don't wear makeup, or apply it if you do and don't think about it too much. I know I'm only 17, but I've wasted a lot of my time obsessing like crazy over my acne, and as extremely happy as I am to finally end it hopefully, I regret all the time I wasted. I wish you the very best of luck and I know you will have clear, smooth, skin!

random1 - Thank you for the information! I never knew the IB was correlated with the dosage, I guess it isn't that hard to figure out haha but, I hope now that my dosage isn't too crazy, yet again, if it is, that only means I'll have gunk come out faster, and the sooner the healing begins! Maybe.. thank you for that information

Edited by Taylor Sydow, 16 April 2012 - 11:36 PM.

[nikj16]

I put towels over the mirrors in my house! I used to constantly check mirrors and tilt my head etc to get the light shining differently on my face to the point where I became obsessed and am now on tane because of how a few pimples would prevent me leaving the house...this medication really hardened me up when the intial breakout came! That's why I had to cover the mirrors because I'd catch sight of myself and cry. Needless to say I can't leave the house atm. Nobody without this curse really understands the social impact it can have. But I'm liking the suggestion about baths etc..I'd do anything to cheer myself up right now!

Good luck on your journey! Hopefully it will be smooth sailing for you

[SupernatualFanatic]

Okay everyonee! There is a picture of me with the exciting box of Claravis! I will be starting on 80mg a day, crazy because I only weight 114lbs but she said she likes to go big, kind of dirty? I think sooo. Anyway! This is just me and my excitement that the day has finally come! Can someone answer if it's okay to take 2 pills tonight, or should I just take one? Each pill is 40mg.

Yus, I has makeup on , BUT I promise to include pictures without for all of you lovlies to see.
BeautifulDisasters - Yeah I'm lucky to be able to spend time with both of them even after them realizing they don't want to be married anymore. I'm very grateful for that.
Nikj16 - I'm sorry you feel like you can't leave the house I totally understand what you mean, those with perfect skin may think it's extreme and being overdramatic, but I've gone through the same thing. I've called into school, work, seeing my boyfriend, etc.

Edited by SupernatualFanatic, 26 August 2012 - 12:34 AM.

[SupernatualFanatic]

Someone pwease reply .

[kaydon]

YAY! You look so happy.
I'm happy for you.

80mg is a very high dosage for your weight!

[SupernatualFanatic]

YAY! You look so happy.
I'm happy for you.

80mg is a very high dosage for your weight!

I thought it was! I'm kind of nervous haha. Should I pop both pills tonight? I took one at 6, should I take one around 10pm or just take one tonight and start taking two tomorrow? From your signature, it looks like you started not even a month earlier than me, we can be on this adventure together! If I'm correct. How's yours going?

[SupernatualFanatic]

Thank you so much for telling me that, and that's a great idea. Why am I still up..

[SupernatualFanatic]

I don't have any idea why either of us are awake. Yours maybe the excitement of starting the accutane tonight. Mine I have no idea. Haha hope your first dose goes smooth and I'm sure I'll be checking with you on my log and on yours!
I look forward to going through this with you and tracking progress!

That could be it! I'm so nervous, do you think the high dosage could be correlated with how bad the IB may be if I receive one?