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I'm 24 years old and have had acne since I was about 13. To be expected at that age, naturally. After several over-the-counter treatments were unsuccessful, a visit to the doctor presented several Benzoyl Peroxide lotions, which failed. When I was about 15, I was prescribed Duac. I have to say that this is, for my money, the best treatment I have used out of anything - I used it religiously until I was 22. Did my acne go away? No. But it was manageable - the odd occasional huge pimple combined with minor, manageable breakouts. Nothing that was out of the ordinary.
I started teacher training when I was 22. That is when all hell broke lose.
Duac stopped working and my skin started to break out worse than it ever had before. I visited the doctor, who explained that the stress of teacher training may have triggered a severe acne breakout, and that my skin likely had developed a resistance to Duac.
Thus started a long and difficult journey. Since then I have tried any number of creams, lotions, antibiotics, but to no avail. About a month ago I broke down, just the stress of everything, knowing that I had to go into a workplace with a face that looked worse than any of the pupils. My confidence took a massive blow.
I took the decision to go to a dermatologist and get a second opinion. I was given a choice between another type of antibiotic, or roaccutane. An easy decision, even with the 5 pages of side effects - I would go through virtually anything to get rid of this acne.
This log is hopefully going to serve a few functions. For one, I find writing a tremendously cathartic experience, and knowing that I can share my journey with others who are going through the same problems will be a great help. Secondly, I hope that this will be of help for anyone looking to read a 'real-time' accutane log, updated regularly, rather than one written after accutane has had its effect. Hopefully the results will be as positive as they have been for others
Type of Acne - Moderately Severe
- A large number of large, inflamed pustules on cheeks and chin, occasionally under nose
- One or two cysts
- A 95% clear forehead (this was the worst part of my acne when I was 13, but since I was about 17 it has cleared up nearly entirely, only one or two spots - so this will prove a useful measuring stick for the effectiveness of roaccutane!)
Accutane Details
- Brand: Roaccutane
- Dosage: 30mg once a day for a month; due to be doubled to 60mg for months 2-4
Log Details
- Started: End of Week 1 (Day 8)
- Updates: At least three times a week
End of Week One (Day 8)
Pretty sure I've had my initial breakout as skin is worse than it was before, and in places it isn't usually (like behind the ear!).
Have used Sudocrem several nights as I found it worked reasonably well pre-accutane - but tonight I am going to wean myself off it and see, as it doesn't appear to be as effective on accutane as it was before, plus I worry it could have an impact on the effectiveness of the drug.
Side Effects? A few, but all mild. Inside of nose is a bit scabby, had headaches for first few days but they have gone away. Lips are marginally drier than usual (I have always had dry lips) but some days I haven't even needed to use chapstick. Skin fluctuates between dry and oily, which apparently is a sign the product is working. Have only needed to start using moisturiser today. I'm needing to urinate a bit more often too. To be honest though, I'm actually a little worried my side effects are so mild - I know it's only the end of week one, but if the side effects were more severe at least I would know then that the drug was really working, even if the positive results weren't being seen on my skin yet.
Have to keep reminding myself though - 30mg is half a dosage. I imagine when month two comes along, God willing the blood tests come back satisfactory, those side effects will hit a lot harder!
On the whole, week one of accutane has been a struggle in terms of the initial breakout, but side effects have been relatively easy to deal with.
