7 replies to this topic

[Sound of Hope]

Hey, all.

My first month of treatment is nearly complete, but it's better to share my log online late than never. I had been keeping records in a notebook, but I’ll track my progress on this site moving forward.

Here are some of my stats: I weigh almost 75kg, and every day I take 40mg of Claravis for breakfast and 40mg for dinner. I expect to stay at 80mg per day for the duration of my therapy, however long that may be, but you never know. I’m thankful that my dermatologist is very accommodating and values my opinions.

As for my survival kit, I use Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser twice per day and follow it with CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion. Just yesterday I started using Dr. Dan’s CortiBalm for my lip dryness. Then there’s a copious amount of water that I drink.

Almost all my acne, which can be mild on good days and moderate on bad days, but always stubborn, occurs around my mouth, especially underneath the corners. I get mostly pustules, rarely get cysts, and get just a few blackheads on my nose. Luckliy, my cheeks and forehead hardly ever get spots.

My breakouts got to the point of really bothering me about a year ago, when the increased flaring began. During that time, salicylic acid, benzoyle peroxide, and a combined topical retinoid and antibiotic failed to impress me. Previous to this period, the last time I saw a dermatologist was in the eighth grade. Accutane did the trick after the other meds did not impress me back then, so I'm hoping for a similar result today!

To bring you guys up to speed:

Day 4: First noticed light flaking in problem areas after showering.

Day 5: Sebum production definitely decreased.

Day 8: Nostril slightly bloody, but it coagulated instantly. (This is no longer a problem.)

Days 13-27: Initial breakout! These two weeks were a bummer. I remember a lot of puss and self-consciousness and avoiding people. God willing, this won’t happen again. There was one pustule under my eye, which seemed to come from left field, but the vast majority of purging occurred in my problem areas. Within this timeframe, here are a few other observations: Day 17: Lip cracking (the CortiBalm has helped this); Day 20: Sides of nose flaking (since using the CeraVe moisturizer on my nose, this is no longer an issue); and Day 21: Rash on right hand (Jergens has helped this).

Day 29 (today): My skin is at a point where it’s better than it was before isotretinoin. During the initial breakout phase, it was certainly worse than it was before the drug, so I’ve healed quickly. My skin is pretty smooth, oil-free, and there’s only one active pustule on my chin.

[jkoz]

It sounds like your initial breakout came and went very quickly, that's very cool. Might I make a suggestion to do a photo jounrnal with this as well, if you aren't already

[Sound of Hope]

It sounds like your initial breakout came and went very quickly, that's very cool. Might I make a suggestion to do a photo jounrnal with this as well, if you aren't already

It was brief, but the acne was peculiar in its aggression. When the lesions formed, it was like an army of puss charging to the surface.

If I wasn't Internet camera shy, I would post photos.

Day 31: A new lesion developed under the corner of my mouth yesterday. It hasn't gained much ground since. The active lesion from day 29 has been deactivated! Overall, I've had a few good days in a row. Facial dryness is only a problem right after I wake up. Otherwise, my CeraVe moisturizer takes care of it.

[Sound of Hope]

Day 39: The lesion from day 31 developed into two heads! But those broke off the day after Xmas, and now the area is flat. Since then, I've only had one lesion break on through to the other side. This one happened on the side of my nose, where I usually only get blackheads, and also formed two heads! There were a few other minor spots, but they didn't get the chance to complete their cycles, thankfully. It's almost like the isotretinoin is winning battles against actives that wouldn't otherwise be stopped by topicals. My lips are in wonderful shape, thanks to CortiBalm. Here's a tip: Make sure to apply it even when your lips aren't in need, and be sure to apply it not only on the lips but also slightly outside of the lips to heal the skin dryness there, too (doesn't break me out). So far, I'm pleased with my results.

I'm looking forward to a clear 2013.

[Sound of Hope]

Day 48: I currently have no significant actives! During the previous several days, there were a couple very small pimples in the early stages of development, but they shrank quickly and hardly got inflamed. This medication is picking up more steam!

[Sound of Hope]

Day 57: My skin continues to improve overall. I had a few insignificant zits (around my mouth, as usual) since the last update, yet they disappeared quickly and barely got inflamed. The texture of my face is very smooth, and my nose looks better than ever - bye, bye blackheads! My forearms are flaky, which is a common side effect, and most likely could be treated by Jergens.

[Sound of Hope]

Day 66: Since the last update, there's only been one memorable pimple, predictably in my problem area. It became visible last Thursday morning and is still calming down and flattening. At its peak, it was definitely one of the largest pimples I've had during treatment, but thankfully it never came to a head. On the whole, my face is looking better and better by the day, my cheeks and forehead and nose being virtually unblemished. Skin dryness on my neck where I shave and arms and outer ears is somewhat bothersome, but I'll see if the Jergens helps that. This is an amazing medication.

[zhfac]

You're lucky your IB went by so fast; I'm still getting hit, and I started about 2 weeks before you.