139 replies to this topic

[BMarieWantsNoAcne]

Day 30!! I can't believe how fast this is going!

I went to my derm this morning and then got my blood drawn. As long as my bloodwork comes back clear they will be raising my dosage from 40 mg to 60 mg I think. That would add up about right considering I'm 140 pounds or 63.5 kg. She also gave me a prescription for an antibiotic to help smooth things along. My skin is smoother but I'm still getting a lot of cysts. Anyways, this should help. I usually respond well to antibiotics for my acne but as soon as I stop them it comes back.. We shall see! I also mentioned my scaly cheeks, but she just said keep moisturizing... not very helpful there...

As for side affects, I haven't had any headaches for about a week now. Thank goodness! They were very mild, but annoying. I haven't been super dry yet, although it varies by the day (and the weather). I still have lower back aches, but I mainly notice it when I first lay down. My hair is getting much drier. I went 4 days without washing it last week.

I will be posting pictures tomorrow, and will let y'all know what antibiotic I'm on as well as what dose I'm on. Have a wonderful day everyone!

Edited by BMarieWantsNoAcne, 20 December 2012 - 11:38 AM.

[BMarieWantsNoAcne]

Day 33.

My derm raised my dosage to 80 mg a day. She also gave me a prescription for Amoxicillin to help clear up my acne temporarily. Hopefully that will help prevent another IB from my increased dosage. I think it's helping already though because I no longer have those giant whiteheads that look like 6 little ones combined. Just small ones. Although I went to the derm on Thursday, my pharmacy didn't have the Accutane in stock until today, so I've had a few days off. Oh well. It shouldn't really affect anything. Will try and post pictures later. I've been busy with Christmas and all that it entails.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Edited by BMarieWantsNoAcne, 23 December 2012 - 11:38 AM.

[ughhhhh]

My next appointment isn't until 32 days, so I'll have to take some days off too. All because of stupid ipledge they can't make an appt for less than 30! So stupid. Jealous you got bumped up! I am improving slowly, but 20 mgs is ridiculous. I'm wondering if all my supplements affected my liver #s. Merry Christmas to you too!

[Aballarina]

That happened to me to! I was missing 3 days, so I jus have been skipping a day every 9 days

[InfernoHawk]

Before the treatment, my face looked quite similar to urs.

I am currently on my 28th day, and ive noticed it has improved although my face is super red and filled with plenty of scars. I didnt really mind the initiial breakout mainly because i didnt notice much difference since my skin was already bad enough.

Hang in there! we're in this together and in like 5-6 months, itll all be better

[BMarieWantsNoAcne]

Day 37.

I did forget to say that my lipids were a little high when I got my blood drawn. They asked if I had eaten anything particularly fatty, but I couldn't remember. Lol. I'm trying to do better about what I'm eating though, but it's hard during the holidays.

I'm still on the antibiotic, which is helping, although now I'm getting a yeast infection. *sigh* Regardless, I am still experiencing a bit of another IB from the raised dose (I think). I'm getting a few bigger zits again. It's hard to be patient sometimes, especially because I'm seeing a bunch of good friends for New Years, and most of them haven't seen my face like this yet.

Side affects: I really haven't had too many. Some days I am dry, and others I'm not. My hair is definitely more dry so I'm washing it about every 4 days. My lips have been fine, but today I went to the dentist for a cleaning, and I could feel my lips getting worse by the second. They're fine now. No more back aches!! They started going away at about the one month mark. No more headaches either, but I'm a little worried they'll come back with the increased dose. Those went away at about the 3 week mark. As for my acne, it's worse than when I started still. Lots of new redmarks (hopefully that's all they are, not scars) and bigger zits.

It's funny how bad I thought my skin was a year ago. I was so self-conscious. Now I look back and think it was perfect. Then in September my skin took a turn for the worse, and I thought it was horrible. Now it's worse than that... when will it start getting better? :/

[Sasch83]

It will get better - unfortunately acne is one of those things that takes time and lots of patience on our part. Feel comforted that you are not alone. I am 75 days in and still going through my IB which i believe started around week 8 (i am almost at week 11). I am also experiencing lots of red marks which i hope will go away when i stop breaking out and my skin actually has time to heal.

Good Luck and keep your head up

[BMarieWantsNoAcne]

I just have to take it one day at a time, and try not to think about it too much. I do try to think about the clear, pain free skin I will have.

[BMarieWantsNoAcne]

Day 47 already. It really helps to stay busy, because time will fly. I missed a few days while I was out of town just because of my crazy schedule, which kind of bums me out. Oh well.

My skin is definitely clearing up from the Amoxicillin. It gave me a yeast infection though, so not fun. I am thankful for the clearer skin. My forehead, nose, and chin are all super smooth and soft now.

Most of my side effects are gone. No back aches. No head aches. No flaky scalp. No excessive dry skin, just normally dry skin for winter time. My lips are fine unless I forget my chapstick, but I've always applied it constantly so no change there. My hair is still drier than before.

I am kind of worried about my next blood work. I was just out of town for a week, so I ate fast food 1-2 times a day. Not good. :/ Any suggestions for supplements I should be taking?

[ughhhhh]

Hey- I would take fish oil at least twice a day, and then just be sure to drink tons of water. My test came back bad last month and from what I looked up that seems like the best you could do. I doubt it will affect it that much though, it is nerve wracking! I have to go 3 days without pills because my appt would fall on mlk weekend so I'm not even sure when to get my bloods done, it's going to leave me a small window so annoying. I'm glad the antibiotic is clearing you up, I'm really thinking about calling my derm to ask about it...

[Brarei200]

I was watching my diet for acne but since I went on Accutane I said screw it and ate stuff I like and it didn't really have an impact on my blood work. /fast metobalism

Edited by Brarei200, 07 January 2013 - 12:08 PM.

[BMarieWantsNoAcne]

Thanks. I've been thinking about fish oil for a while, just haven't gotten any yet. And I haven't watched my diet too closely before now, but with my triglycerides high last time I want to be a little more careful.

Edited by BMarieWantsNoAcne, 08 January 2013 - 12:41 AM.

[BMarieWantsNoAcne]

(removed the pictures so I can add more later on )

Edited by BMarieWantsNoAcne, 23 April 2013 - 12:06 PM.

[blabla05]

My nose when all the black heads were starting to come out...They weren't too bad to begin with though.

More flakiness...

After I finished the antibiotics (taken yesterday). Still very red, but much smoother than a month ago, and my zits are much smaller too.

Other cheek. Looking good!

My cheeks are bad also! Mine are starting to get flaky and I get new breakouts... but my skin doesnt get oily anymore. i love it

[BMarieWantsNoAcne]

It's weird because being a teenager, I hear about the T-zone all the time, but my T-zone looks and feels great. It has the perfect amount of oil too. I really haven't dealt with that much dryness, except for the excessive flaking I had for a little bit there.

[user101]

BMarieWantsNoAcne, i totally agree, my T-zone is the no acne area as well, my acne is more on my cheeks, which is more like the sides of the T. I would say these kids have no idea what they are talking about....

[BMarieWantsNoAcne]

Day 51. Approximately 129 days to go.

More blackheads are coming out. This time on my cheeks. I want to pick at them so badly. Not much change other than that. This definitely is a slow moving drug.... I'm still worried about my next blood test, so I'm trying to eat less junk food and desserts and eat more fruits... I'm not a big fan of vegetables (was extremely picky as a kid). Any suggestions on learning to like new foods? Especially salads? I wish I liked salad...

I also wish doctors knew more about acne and why we have it. If you look on here, everyone's story is different. Some have it their whole teen years, some get it randomly when they become an adult, some get it when they have kids, etc. Furthermore, some have it only on certain parts of their bodies, and some have it all over. Why do we have it? And why can some people get rid of it a certain way but others can't?

Edited by BMarieWantsNoAcne, 10 January 2013 - 12:41 PM.

[user101]

i find this list very useful, http://djamandad1.tripod.com/id3.html,

[BMarieWantsNoAcne]

Drum roll please!!! Y'all, I have no actives. It's day 53 and I have no actives. I don't have any cysts. I have about two healing tiny pimples and that is seriously it. I'm so happy right now, even though this is probably temporary.

[annetossy]

Wohoo! That is awesome!