660 replies to this topic

[redhead rachel]

Tiger 1 -

Yep! We're about two weeks apart, so that's not too much of a difference. Sounds like a great birthday present to yourself! It'll be an even better birthday present when you're finished your course and have clear skin!

I'm not sure what it is about biotin. I took it for the first time in 2006 and again last August. Both times I've taken it my face breaks out like crazy in places I never get zits! But that's great you haven't had any problems with it! It'll surely help during your time on Accutane.

I'm actually not taking any supplements. Not yet at least... I do think I should take something though. I asked my derm what kind of pain reliever I should take if I experience any back pain or anything like that. I thought back pain was a normal side effect considering how many people mention it in their logs. He told me I shouldn't have any aches or pains and if I do to contact him. Hmm. Maybe that's because he'd want to monitor any pains to make sure they don't become something worse? I asked if I'd have to stop taking Accutane if I developed back pain, but he said we'd talk about that if it happened. We'll have to keep our fingers crossed for pain-free journeys on Accutane!

So far everything is going good, but it is only my second day! I'm sure things will start changing by the end of the week.

You're having your initial breakout right now? How has it been? I'm hoping mine isn't too bad...

Edited by AnalogHeart, 16 May 2012 - 12:05 PM.

[*Spiro*]

Hello Ladies!

Like many of you, I've been using this site for a few years as a source of information and support. Lately I've been following BeautifulDisasters and Taylor Sydow - you've both been very helpful. And Ginanutrition, you too have been helpful, I'm into all the health stuff like you so I relate to your approach. Here's my sad acne story in a nutshell.

First of all, I'm the oldest at 48 (Holy cow! Just had a birthday and that's the first time I've written that number down, how did I get to be 48?!) and have been dealing with acne on and off since I was a teenager but until I went off the pill in my 30s I was able to control it. Once I hit my 40s it turned into typical adult acne and the cysts and nodules began. I've tried it all, resisted accutane like all of you but finally had the last straw when my chin broke out in 6 painful cysts and I ended up in my derms office in tears a few months ago. Fast forward to today - I am on day 17 of my accutane journey. My derm is awesome, very empathetic and very patient with me. Her policy is to start everyone on 80mg and go for six months but I was very nervous with that amount of mgs based on all my research (I am 5'3 and around 112 pounds) and she listened to me and we agreed to start me off on 40mg a day (two 20mg pills a day) for the first month. Tomorrow I go for my first blood test since being on the medicine and my appointment for my next allotment is next week. So far I've experienced the typical side effects - the first was a really itchy scalp but it's getting better (really hoping not to have hair loss - I have fine hair and really want to keep it all), a few nose bleeds but vaseline took care of that, dry lips that are getting drier by the day but I'm lip balming the crap out of them and my body skin is itchy but I'm just living in the Cerave cream. My face is drier which is nice and I don't have to blot my oil 20 times a day which has been wonderful. The worst part has been the breakout. I knew it was going to happen but you just can't prepare for it. I've told my husband, I've got the Rocky mountains on my chin and the Sahara desert on my lips. It's been very tough dealing with the breakout - I don't cry easily and I've been in tears several times over the painful cysts on my chin. It's not like I haven't dealt with this before but it just seems harder I guess because I'm taking a medicine that's supposed to be helping but feels like it's just making it worse.

I can relate to almost everything each of you has said even though you're all younger. I can tell you that at age 48 it is absolutely mortifying to be with my peers and have such a different set of skin problems than they have - it's truly embarrassing to have all these red inflamed bumps or oozing sores on my face when my peers have beautifully smooth skin and are only worrying about a few wrinkles here and there. Recently I sat at my son's soccer banquet with the other parents and the entire time I was constantly worried my makeup was coming off the two cysts that had turned into wounds or that their scabs were coming off and bleeding - it was so awful! I'm really skilled at talking to people while strategically keeping my hand around my mouth to cover up the latest disaster. Ugh!

When I'm really feeling down, I read all of your posts and it keeps me going. I really never thought I would end up taking accutane and I too felt so much anxiety when I took that first pill - I sat on my bed for about an hour reading encouraging posts with the pill in my hand. But now I look forward to taking each pill and think of it as one step closer to the clear skin I've always dreamed about. My husband and two kids have taken turns holding my hand or giving me a hug to keep going so I feel lucky to have a great support system.

And for the record, I also was completely floored when I picked up my first set of pills and they basically gave me a freaking huge bag. The packaging is absolutely ridiculous - getting a pill out is like breaking into Fort Knox!

Good luck to all of you and keep those encouraging posts coming!!

Hi Tiger!! Im glad that you find my log useful in some way ... I know that when I started accutane I was on these logs every single night reading everything I could. I couldn't get my hands on enough information I swear. I am still looking for useful tips if anybody has any. I know how you feel about hiding your face, my jaw broke out so bad while on this medication. I've never had acne the way I did my first few months on Accutane. Pain in the butt if you ask me. Finally I am starting to see improvements here and there. Lots of up and downs on this medication. LOTS and LOTS actually.

At 26 years old I am also mortified during a breakout to see or speak to anyone but my immediate family. No one I am in touch with that is my age has acne anymore. If they did it was during teenage years when it was supposed to happen. I was clear as a bell when I was in high school and I swear I am paying for it now. Its terrible, it really is. You would think by now there would be something that could take it all away. I think we are on the medication that will provide us with the closest thing to that. Hopefully it works out and we are clear in no time!

Congratulations on starting the medication. Long journey to get to this point and not a easy process either. Join in on the chatter on these logs, it helps a lot.

[ginanutrition]

Hello Ladies!

Like many of you, I've been using this site for a few years as a source of information and support. Lately I've been following BeautifulDisasters and Taylor Sydow - you've both been very helpful. And Ginanutrition, you too have been helpful, I'm into all the health stuff like you so I relate to your approach. Here's my sad acne story in a nutshell.

First of all, I'm the oldest at 48 (Holy cow! Just had a birthday and that's the first time I've written that number down, how did I get to be 48?!) and have been dealing with acne on and off since I was a teenager but until I went off the pill in my 30s I was able to control it. Once I hit my 40s it turned into typical adult acne and the cysts and nodules began. I've tried it all, resisted accutane like all of you but finally had the last straw when my chin broke out in 6 painful cysts and I ended up in my derms office in tears a few months ago. Fast forward to today - I am on day 17 of my accutane journey. My derm is awesome, very empathetic and very patient with me. Her policy is to start everyone on 80mg and go for six months but I was very nervous with that amount of mgs based on all my research (I am 5'3 and around 112 pounds) and she listened to me and we agreed to start me off on 40mg a day (two 20mg pills a day) for the first month. Tomorrow I go for my first blood test since being on the medicine and my appointment for my next allotment is next week. So far I've experienced the typical side effects - the first was a really itchy scalp but it's getting better (really hoping not to have hair loss - I have fine hair and really want to keep it all), a few nose bleeds but vaseline took care of that, dry lips that are getting drier by the day but I'm lip balming the crap out of them and my body skin is itchy but I'm just living in the Cerave cream. My face is drier which is nice and I don't have to blot my oil 20 times a day which has been wonderful. The worst part has been the breakout. I knew it was going to happen but you just can't prepare for it. I've told my husband, I've got the Rocky mountains on my chin and the Sahara desert on my lips. It's been very tough dealing with the breakout - I don't cry easily and I've been in tears several times over the painful cysts on my chin. It's not like I haven't dealt with this before but it just seems harder I guess because I'm taking a medicine that's supposed to be helping but feels like it's just making it worse.

I can relate to almost everything each of you has said even though you're all younger. I can tell you that at age 48 it is absolutely mortifying to be with my peers and have such a different set of skin problems than they have - it's truly embarrassing to have all these red inflamed bumps or oozing sores on my face when my peers have beautifully smooth skin and are only worrying about a few wrinkles here and there. Recently I sat at my son's soccer banquet with the other parents and the entire time I was constantly worried my makeup was coming off the two cysts that had turned into wounds or that their scabs were coming off and bleeding - it was so awful! I'm really skilled at talking to people while strategically keeping my hand around my mouth to cover up the latest disaster. Ugh!

When I'm really feeling down, I read all of your posts and it keeps me going. I really never thought I would end up taking accutane and I too felt so much anxiety when I took that first pill - I sat on my bed for about an hour reading encouraging posts with the pill in my hand. But now I look forward to taking each pill and think of it as one step closer to the clear skin I've always dreamed about. My husband and two kids have taken turns holding my hand or giving me a hug to keep going so I feel lucky to have a great support system.

And for the record, I also was completely floored when I picked up my first set of pills and they basically gave me a freaking huge bag. The packaging is absolutely ridiculous - getting a pill out is like breaking into Fort Knox!

Good luck to all of you and keep those encouraging posts coming!!

Hi tiger! I'm so happy to hear that some of the things I have said have been helpful or reassuring for you. I can definitely relate in the way that my acne turned into cysts and nodules, almost rash-like in my adulthood. Before I made the decision to take this medicine, I literally read a bajillion of the personal accutane logs until my eyes hurt. I even read the negative experiences, but after a while, I couldn't bear to read them anymore because they were making me depressed. I felt trapped, but then I realized that I am in control of my health and no one can make me feel like a victim. I am making this decision because I deserve to not have my face oozing pus and blood. You deserve it. We all deserve it. As long as we are taking care of ourselves on this medicine, I think we will be pleased.

[redhead rachel]

The negative Accutane experiences thread freaked me out!! I started researching right after my derm told me I needed Accutane. Unfortunately, one of the first things I stumbled upon during my researching was that negative thread. It scared the crap out of me! But it's important to remember that people are more likely to write negative things like that than positive ones. Plus, who knows how many of those issues were truly caused by Accutane.

[Tiger 1]

How do you guys make your reply specific to each other-meaning you put the little box of who your talking to in your reply? I have never been on a message board before and remember I'm the 48 year old and I've been a stay home mom for almost 20 years - kinda missed some of the technology train.

Anyway, until I learn how to do that here's my reply to each of you so far....

Rachel, My derm also said she hasn't had anybody have body aches and pains. I did have a backache last week but I am pretty sure it was due to an extra hard workout I did and I stretched it for a few days and it's fine now. My initial breakout started on day 6, it was localized to my chin which is my main problem area and went from two big painful cysts to 5 or 6 other smaller cysts that are either still small harder bumps or came to a small head and just went away (after I popped them). The two big ones turned into yucky little wounds and are the ones that are giving me the most trouble but they are healing. I do have a few other random under skin bumps here and there but they haven't done anything and are going down. So it's been about 11 days of yuckiness but compared to some I guess I can't complain too much. Hopefully this is it but it sounds like most people have ups and downs. I LOVE not having to blot my face a million times a day, usually I'm a greasy mess. My derm said she would clasify my acne as moderate and recalcitrant meaning very, very stubborn and unresponsive to most treatments. But I know accutane is going take care of it! Positive thoughts for all!! I hope you skip the IB and just skate right into the smooth skin.

Ginanutrition, I read some of the negative stuff too but once I made the decision to do it, I only read the positive stuff while I waited the month to get my perscription. I totally agree that we are in charge of our health and we need to do what's best even if we're not completely comfortable with it. None of us should have faces oozing blood and pus, it's so wrong!! I'm sure you can relate but I sometimes feel everyone has beautiful skin but me. I constantly am looking at other women's skin. At night when I take off my makeup is the hardest but I've recently not allowed myself to turn on the bright lights in my bathroom and sometimes brush my teeth in the near dark. No need to punish myself and all it causes me to do is pick, pick, pick. So hard to leave your face alone, right? I'm so glad all of you are taking charge of your skin now and not nursing it along because of fear of accutane. I want all of you to get to your 40s and love that part of life. It's awesome and shouldn't be ruined by the disease of adult acne..

[veruca salt]

The negative Accutane experiences thread freaked me out!! I started researching right after my derm told me I needed Accutane. Unfortunately, one of the first things I stumbled upon during my researching was that negative thread. It scared the crap out of me! But it's important to remember that people are more likely to write negative things like that than positive ones. Plus, who knows how many of those issues were truly caused by Accutane.

Very true... all the thousands upon thousands of people who've had success are likely to just be pleased and go on with their lives (because honestly, who wouldn't rather just forget about it altogether?).

My derm also has never had anyone with really bad side effects either, so that makes me feel better.

How do you guys make your reply specific to each other-meaning you put the little box of who your talking to in your reply? I have never been on a message board before and remember I'm the 48 year old and I've been a stay home mom for almost 20 years - kinda missed some of the technology train.

At the bottom right corner of each person's response, you should see a "Quote" button. Click that and you can quote that person in your response!

And I forgot to add: there's people who have negative side effects because they either aren't using the pills correctly, or don't take care of themselves while on the medication.

[redhead rachel]

Rachel, My derm also said she hasn't had anybody have body aches and pains. I did have a backache last week but I am pretty sure it was due to an extra hard workout I did and I stretched it for a few days and it's fine now. My initial breakout started on day 6, it was localized to my chin which is my main problem area and went from two big painful cysts to 5 or 6 other smaller cysts that are either still small harder bumps or came to a small head and just went away (after I popped them). The two big ones turned into yucky little wounds and are the ones that are giving me the most trouble but they are healing. I do have a few other random under skin bumps here and there but they haven't done anything and are going down. So it's been about 11 days of yuckiness but compared to some I guess I can't complain too much. Hopefully this is it but it sounds like most people have ups and downs. I LOVE not having to blot my face a million times a day, usually I'm a greasy mess. My derm said she would clasify my acne as moderate and recalcitrant meaning very, very stubborn and unresponsive to most treatments. But I know accutane is going take care of it! Positive thoughts for all!! I hope you skip the IB and just skate right into the smooth skin.

Everyone definitely has their ups and downs, but the one thing to remember is that it WILL get better! Hopefully your IB starts clearing up soon and the acne stays away for good!

And thank you! I can only hope I somehow manage to avoid the dreaded IB.

Very true... all the thousands upon thousands of people who've had success are likely to just be pleased and go on with their lives (because honestly, who wouldn't rather just forget about it altogether?).

My derm also has never had anyone with really bad side effects either, so that makes me feel better.

Exactly! Those people are content with their clear skin and they move on with their lives. People who post negative reviews of things just want to complain to someone usually.

But that's definitely good your derm hasn't had anyone experience any bad effects!

[Tiger 1]

The negative Accutane experiences thread freaked me out!! I started researching right after my derm told me I needed Accutane. Unfortunately, one of the first things I stumbled upon during my researching was that negative thread. It scared the crap out of me! But it's important to remember that people are more likely to write negative things like that than positive ones. Plus, who knows how many of those issues were truly caused by Accutane.

Very true... all the thousands upon thousands of people who've had success are likely to just be pleased and go on with their lives (because honestly, who wouldn't rather just forget about it altogether?).

My derm also has never had anyone with really bad side effects either, so that makes me feel better.

How do you guys make your reply specific to each other-meaning you put the little box of who your talking to in your reply? I have never been on a message board before and remember I'm the 48 year old and I've been a stay home mom for almost 20 years - kinda missed some of the technology train.

At the bottom right corner of each person's response, you should see a "Quote" button. Click that and you can quote that person in your response!

And I forgot to add: there's people who have negative side effects because they either aren't using the pills correctly, or don't take care of themselves while on the medication.

Thanks Veruca Salt! I hope this works. I'm still learning all this messageboard stuff. I just realized there's a notifications thingy that tells me who's responding to me, haha! My kids would be mortified. I don't even have a facebook, would definitely be time waster for me - I would get totally sucked in! I completely agree with you on the negative responses regarding accutane. This is definitely a drug where you have to follow the directions and take very good care of yourself.

[redhead rachel]

I honestly think we'll be fine as long as we take care of ourselves. We all have dermatologists checking our blood monthly, so that'll let us know if something starts to go wrong. We just have to pay attention to our bodies!

And speaking of which... What supplements are you all taking? I didn't discuss this with my derm, but I meant to. I'd like to take the essentials though so I know I'm staying healthy.

[veruca salt]

I honestly think we'll be fine as long as we take care of ourselves. We all have dermatologists checking our blood monthly, so that'll let us know if something starts to go wrong. We just have to pay attention to our bodies!

And speaking of which... What supplements are you all taking? I didn't discuss this with my derm, but I meant to. I'd like to take the essentials though so I know I'm staying healthy.

- multivitamin
- fish oil
- acidophilus
- milk thistle
- omega 7

Whew! I've always been big on taking vitamins and supplements, though.

[redhead rachel]

Lol! Thanks! Taking vitamins is something I've never managed to do regularly... Oops.

[Tiger 1]

I honestly think we'll be fine as long as we take care of ourselves. We all have dermatologists checking our blood monthly, so that'll let us know if something starts to go wrong. We just have to pay attention to our bodies!

And speaking of which... What supplements are you all taking? I didn't discuss this with my derm, but I meant to. I'd like to take the essentials though so I know I'm staying healthy.

I'm just taking the biotin (freaked out about any hair loss) and fish oil (to help combat any sore joints and help with inflammation). I think I saw someone mention milk thistle (Ginanutrition maybe?) for the liver. I am thinking about taking that because I do drink wine moderately and I'm not changing that for the first month to see how my liver does. I do drink a lot of green tea which is supposed to help the liver also, we'll see in a few weeks when I go back to the derm.

I honestly think we'll be fine as long as we take care of ourselves. We all have dermatologists checking our blood monthly, so that'll let us know if something starts to go wrong. We just have to pay attention to our bodies!

And speaking of which... What supplements are you all taking? I didn't discuss this with my derm, but I meant to. I'd like to take the essentials though so I know I'm staying healthy.

- multivitamin
- fish oil
- acidophilus
- milk thistle
- omega 7

Whew! I've always been big on taking vitamins and supplements, though.

How much milk thistle do you take? I read somewhere you should take 200mg?

[veruca salt]

I honestly think we'll be fine as long as we take care of ourselves. We all have dermatologists checking our blood monthly, so that'll let us know if something starts to go wrong. We just have to pay attention to our bodies!

And speaking of which... What supplements are you all taking? I didn't discuss this with my derm, but I meant to. I'd like to take the essentials though so I know I'm staying healthy.

I'm just taking the biotin (freaked out about any hair loss) and fish oil (to help combat any sore joints and help with inflammation). I think I saw someone mention milk thistle (Ginanutrition maybe?) for the liver. I am thinking about taking that because I do drink wine moderately and I'm not changing that for the first month to see how my liver does. I do drink a lot of green tea which is supposed to help the liver also, we'll see in a few weeks when I go back to the derm.

I honestly think we'll be fine as long as we take care of ourselves. We all have dermatologists checking our blood monthly, so that'll let us know if something starts to go wrong. We just have to pay attention to our bodies!

And speaking of which... What supplements are you all taking? I didn't discuss this with my derm, but I meant to. I'd like to take the essentials though so I know I'm staying healthy.

- multivitamin
- fish oil
- acidophilus
- milk thistle
- omega 7

Whew! I've always been big on taking vitamins and supplements, though.

How much milk thistle do you take? I read somewhere you should take 200mg?

I take one pill of 150mg a day. Got a 200-pack on Amazon for probably $15 or so.

[redhead rachel]

Tiger 1 - Thanks!

I've read a lot of people mentioning milk thistle. Sounds like it would be good to take since Accutane can potentially impact the liver. I don't drink at all though, so I'm not too worried about it... I'll definitely be picking up a few vitamins to take.

[ginanutrition]

Hey! I'm glad you're finally about to get started! iPledge is seriously the worst crap ever. Did you end up getting all sorts of products in preparation for this journey (seriously, I love just comparing beauty loot!)?

I'm so excited! iPledge is definitely going to be annoying!

I bought a few things to use while on Accutane. I didn't have a moisturizer that would suffice, so I bought CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. Most products make my face break out, so I did a couple spot tests with the CeraVe cream and it seems to be fine. For a body moisturizer I bought an Olay in-shower lotion that someone on this forum mentioned. I also bought some Neosporin to help heal the zits that I'll inevitably get. I have Aquaphor and Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm in Vanilla & Lavender for my lips.

I've been using Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash, Neutrogena's Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 50 Purescreen, and Neutrogena's Norwegian Formula Hand Cream for years, so I'm going to continue using them. The only thing I might have to switch is my cleanser if I find it to be drying, but I'll see!

Congratssss!

Thanks, Taylor! So happy to finally be starting!

Do you like the Neutrogena PureScreen Spf 50? Is it thick and whitening? I have such a problem with sunscreens because the ones I do like are often only spf 15 and then I need something for when I'm out hiking/boating/sporting in the summer, but they all suck. I was told by my dermatologist to try to wear about spf 15 on most days while taking isotretinoin.

I was thinking of trying the Kiss My Face Spf 30 face sunscreen because it caught my eye in the drugstore, and it's not as expensive as La Roche Posay, but you get nice antioxidants and moisture. Otherwise I might try that Cerave AM everyone keeps praising, but I'm scared cause I broke out from Cerave before, like you!

Green tea is great for your liver, as are most vegetables. My liver support supplement has 150 mg of milk thistle, along with 150 mg of artichoke leaf extract and 150 mg of curcumin from turmeric.

[redhead rachel]

Day 2
Nothing major to report. My left collarbone has been itching off and on today. Overall I've felt itchier than usual. Quite annoying! I'm not experiencing any dryness yet, but I'm sure the itchiness is a sign it's coming soon. I'm also developing a zit along my hairline.

I had a very minor headache this evening. I'm also super tired tonight. I'm probably going to pass out shortly, which isn't normal for me since I'm usually up until midnight at least.

On an unrelated note... My family and I got a second dog tonight. Yay!

Do you like the Neutrogena PureScreen Spf 50? Is it thick and whitening? I have such a problem with sunscreens because the ones I do like are often only spf 15 and then I need something for when I'm out hiking/boating/sporting in the summer, but they all suck. I was told by my dermatologist to try to wear about spf 15 on most days while taking isotretinoin.

I was thinking of trying the Kiss My Face Spf 30 face sunscreen because it caught my eye in the drugstore, and it's not as expensive as La Roche Posay, but you get nice antioxidants and moisture. Otherwise I might try that Cerave AM everyone keeps praising, but I'm scared cause I broke out from Cerave before, like you!

Green tea is great for your liver, as are most vegetables. My liver support supplement has 150 mg of milk thistle, along with 150 mg of artichoke leaf extract and 150 mg of curcumin from turmeric.

I love the Neutrogena moisturizer! I've been using it for a long time. The regular kind makes me break out though, so I can only use the Purescreen one. It's not thick, but it is whitening (for me, at least). It isn't really moisturizing though. My skin doesn't usually get dry, so it has been fine before Accutane. However, I'm sure once I start experiencing dryness, it won't be enough of a moisturizer. I do plan to continue using it though since I'll still need sun protection. I'll just be relying on another moisturizer to help with the dryness in the morning. Probably the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream since that's what I have right now.

The Kiss My Face sunscreen sounds great since it has antioxidants. Let me know how it is if you get it! I haven't tried CeraVe AM, but I'm hesitant to use their moisturizers because of the previous breakouts. Fortunately, their cream seems to be fine for my skin. I hope you can find something!

[veruca salt]

On the first one or two days, I got minor headaches as well. I don't get them anymore though. Also got the same itchy spots on my body, especially after getting out of a hot shower. They're basically gone now, too. Hopefully it's just the initial adjustment!

[Drummergurl4u]

I know this is random, but i have a question and nobody ever seems to see my post on here sooo if any of you guys have time can you check out my topic http://www.acne.org/...er-my-question/

[kaydon]

I also got headaches within the first month and itchiness (I could not stop itching my damn scalp), but I haven't had any headaches recently & my scalp feels great. My hair even feels like it's in better condition? Maybe that's just me though!

[redhead rachel]

On the first one or two days, I got minor headaches as well. I don't get them anymore though. Also got the same itchy spots on my body, especially after getting out of a hot shower. They're basically gone now, too. Hopefully it's just the initial adjustment!

I also got headaches within the first month and itchiness (I could not stop itching my damn scalp), but I haven't had any headaches recently & my scalp feels great. My hair even feels like it's in better condition? Maybe that's just me though!

That's good to hear! Fortunately, the headache wasn't bad at all. But I definitely felt itchier than usual yesterday! I wasn't sure if it was a side effect or I was just imagining things. Haha!

Katie, that's great your hair feels better! I don't think I've heard anyone else say that yet!