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DAY 35
Today is my 4th day with my dose increased to 60mg. So far, not much change from my previous dose of 40mg on my face. HOWEVER, my back has broken out with 4 or 5 large, painful cysts since starting it. Nothing new on my face, but just my back. I'm afraid my face is next to breakout with the dosage increase, but maybe I'll be lucky and just have my bacne be flared up. All in all, I'm not telling a difference with 60mg, but I'm going to wait about another 5 days and see if anything changes.
DAY 36
Well, my back is continuing to break out with cyst after cyst. They are so large and painful to even sit in a chair. The funny thing is that my back/shoulders were never a big problem at all through out my life with acne. It has been mainly my face, which has been clearing up just fine with accutane. I hardly had an IB, so I dont know what this is all about...... any thoughts? Is it the dosage increase thats only making my back break out?
mdn217: I am guessing that it could be the increased dosage that is causing the back-ne. I had back-ne too and accutane cured it during my 1st course of tane (*knock-on-wood*)Dont worry too much about it. I think accutane would slowly clear off those gunk.
Thanks, It's just weird because my back was never really a problem.
mdn217: I am guessing that it could be the increased dosage that is causing the back-ne. I had back-ne too and accutane cured it during my 1st course of tane (*knock-on-wood*)Dont worry too much about it. I think accutane would slowly clear off those gunk.
Thanks, It's just weird because my back was never really a problem.
Hey man I feel you about the back acne. My back was never really that big of a problem until I started to take accutane. Oh man, Its so painful when you forget that you have that cystic pimple on your back and you accidentally lean on it or itch it.
I started following your log a few days before starting accutane and you seem to have pretty good results. Also Thanks for keeping up with my log too.
mdn217: I am guessing that it could be the increased dosage that is causing the back-ne. I had back-ne too and accutane cured it during my 1st course of tane (*knock-on-wood*)Dont worry too much about it. I think accutane would slowly clear off those gunk.
Thanks, It's just weird because my back was never really a problem.
Hey man I feel you about the back acne. My back was never really that big of a problem until I started to take accutane. Oh man, Its so painful when you forget that you have that cystic pimple on your back and you accidentally lean on it or itch it.
I started following your log a few days before starting accutane and you seem to have pretty good results. Also Thanks for keeping up with my log too.
Good to know that I'm not alone with the increase in bacne.....today i woke up and had no new cysts and my old ones seem to not be as sensitive. Accutane sure heals em up quick! Hopefully this is the last of the bacne IB!
DAY 37
Discovered some new, but common for others side effects...
1. My lips began to crack in the corners. It's not too painful yet, but I must load my lips up constantly with Dr. Dan's cortibalm to have any relief. I am continuing to layer on aquaphor before bed. It helps as well if it doesn't wipe off during the night.
2. Secondly, being a long time "Gym-rat" I found out that I could not do certain lifts that I've always done due to joint pain. My elbows are the worst. Doing any kind of triceps exercise where I keep my elbow still and pivot off of it, I really feel a pain where i can't even finish my set. Luckily, I can still Bench press, Dead Lift & Squat with no problems or decrease in strength.
Other than that, all is still going positive. Break outs are minimizing and my skin is pretty soft! Will post pics in a few days!
Have a good weekend everyone!
2. Secondly, being a long time "Gym-rat" I found out that I could not do certain lifts that I've always done due to joint pain. My elbows are the worst. Doing any kind of triceps exercise where I keep my elbow still and pivot off of it, I really feel a pain where i can't even finish my set. Luckily, I can still Bench press, Dead Lift & Squat with no problems or decrease in strength.
Lifting has become an issue for me too. My elbow joints hurt during biceps and triceps workouts, to the point of where I can't even do a complete rep at all.
I'm going to start taking fish oil. I've heard that it helps with joint and muscle pain while on Accutane.
Your skin looks like it is improving! You're a cutie =)
I'm starting to wish I could just get on accutane to (hopefully) get rid of my acne permanently.
I generally don't have more than 3-5 pimples on my face at a time, but in the last 5 months or so i'v been getting cysts on my right cheek that have now left it with 4 pretty fair sized purple marks on my cheekbone (yuck).
My derm appointment isn't for another 3-7 months because this city has only one dermatologist...wonder if they judge giving accutane based on the amount of acne on ones face...because if I keep getting these damn cysts but only one-two every month, I really doubt they'd give it to me 
annnnyways, your skin will be amazing after accutane I am sure, goodluck!
Thanks for starting this thread! I'm in the same boat as you and am very hesitant about starting Accutane. But you are having great results and you're relatively early in your treatment still! I think I'm gonna go for it!!!
And nursing student... that's awesome!
If you've tried everything under the sun, man go for it! Male nurses FTW! lol
Your skin looks like it is improving! You're a cutie =)
I'm starting to wish I could just get on accutane to (hopefully) get rid of my acne permanently.
I generally don't have more than 3-5 pimples on my face at a time, but in the last 5 months or so i'v been getting cysts on my right cheek that have now left it with 4 pretty fair sized purple marks on my cheekbone (yuck).
annnnyways, your skin will be amazing after accutane I am sure, goodluck!
Thanks 
haha! I sure hope everything clears up for good here soon!
Have you tried anything else to keep you clear? That's usually the first thing they ask you. (Antibiotics, various topicals, birth control for females etc.)... If they fail, accuatane is usually recommended. However, if the cysts are the main problems accutane may be considered sooner.
Your skin is looking great! I'm hopefully starting accutane on the 1st. I'm really never for the IB, the main reason I'm getting accutane is because I get horrible cysts on my noes ever 1 month and I hope my IB doesn't give me one.
Have you had your derm. appointment already? There is a lot of hoops to jump thru before actually getting the pill. It took me 3 weeks after the apointment my derm. told me i was going on it. I thought that was a long time for a male. (no preg. test required obviously)
My IB wasn't that bad because i was on antibiotics up until my first accutane pill... maybe ask to go on one (bactrim was mine) up until you actually go onto accutane to decrease the chance of ur IB!...it's worth a shot!
Yeah unfortunately the list of medications I have tried is pretty long, it seems like my dermatologist is making me jump through a few more hoops before he puts me on Accutane. And that is so awesome, I think it's about time people overcome the stigma for male nurses!!! Nursing is such a respectable occupation! When are you graduating? (Sorry not trying to get off topic.)
Thanks for starting this thread! I'm in the same boat as you and am very hesitant about starting Accutane. But you are having great results and you're relatively early in your treatment still! I think I'm gonna go for it!!!
And nursing student... that's awesome!
If you've tried everything under the sun, man go for it! Male nurses FTW! lol
Your skin looks like it is improving! You're a cutie =)
I'm starting to wish I could just get on accutane to (hopefully) get rid of my acne permanently.
I generally don't have more than 3-5 pimples on my face at a time, but in the last 5 months or so i'v been getting cysts on my right cheek that have now left it with 4 pretty fair sized purple marks on my cheekbone (yuck).
annnnyways, your skin will be amazing after accutane I am sure, goodluck!
Thanks
Have you tried anything else to keep you clear? That's usually the first thing they ask you. (Antibiotics, various topicals, birth control for females etc.)... If they fail, accuatane is usually recommended. However, if the cysts are the main problems accutane may be considered sooner.
Your skin is looking great! I'm hopefully starting accutane on the 1st. I'm really never for the IB, the main reason I'm getting accutane is because I get horrible cysts on my noes ever 1 month and I hope my IB doesn't give me one.
Have you had your derm. appointment already? There is a lot of hoops to jump thru before actually getting the pill. It took me 3 weeks after the apointment my derm. told me i was going on it. I thought that was a long time for a male. (no preg. test required obviously)
My IB wasn't that bad because i was on antibiotics up until my first accutane pill... maybe ask to go on one (bactrim was mine) up until you actually go onto accutane to decrease the chance of ur IB!...it's worth a shot!
I'v tried clindamyacin (sp?) gel and that does virtually nothing for the cysts I get on my cheek. And I'v tried BP and SA, that doesn't help. All I wash my face with is honey because I don't want any chemicals drying out my skin or make me break out more.
I don't know if they'll give me antibiotics because I only get so many cysts at a time and generally don't have *alot* of acne on my face at one time, but it is getting worse as the months go by.
I know antibiotics only work temporarily but really I just want some relief and to not have any acne for awhile...or at least no more cysts on my cheekbone because its getting ridiculous now.
when chuck norris goes swimming he doesn't get wet, the water gets chuck norrised! Yeah unfortunately the list of medications I have tried is pretty long, it seems like my dermatologist is making me jump through a few more hoops before he puts me on Accutane. And that is so awesome, I think it's about time people overcome the stigma for male nurses!!! Nursing is such a respectable occupation! When are you graduating? (Sorry not trying to get off topic.)
It's frustrating until you get your hands on the meds. I remember calling my derms. office for like 2 weeks straight until he got his Shit together!
I agree! I will be a senior in the fall, so May 2012 i will graduate!
DAY 40 -->NEW PICS
First off, Happy Memorial Day!
Secondly, some new pics from 40 days in. today is my 11th day on 60mg.
I have very few actives, but my skin still has room to improve. Meaning, a lot of old spots need to clear up. I recently got a cyst or 2 on my neck (dont know if the pic's lighting allows you to see), but by leaving them alone they are starting to heal and decrease in size. Not much of a problem with redness, but my ears (odd i know) flush at random times in random situations....still havent figured that out...? Overall, at this point I am very, very satisfied with the results. They are definitely out-weighing the side-effects.
At this point, I have not been outside for long periods at mid day (swimming pool, amusement parks, etc.) I don't want to risk a severe skin irritation. It sucks, because I usually get really tan during the summer, but I'm staying busy with work and a few online classes.
As for the side effects, the cracking of my lips hasn't really progressed and is very tolerable at this point. Joint pain still is bothersome, but I know my limits when it comes to strenuous activity such as weight training. The painful cysts on my back are healing too, and nothing new on my back either which is a relief. I'm blaming that big flare up on the dose increase from 40mg to 60mg. No other explanation in my opinion. That's about it so far....
Stay cool! It's 92 degrees here in Pittsburgh!*!*! 
Hey babe!
U r looking great!
Can still see some actives, but they'll clear soon enough! The old marks r def my biggest complaint, but hey once the zits stop forming in the first place I know I feel better overall! U know, once that "I'm infected" feeling goes away... we will be super clear in the end!
Btw, thx for making me suuuuper nervous about my dose increase, lol!
Wow your face looks so much better compared to Day 1. Thats funny that you mention your ears flushing at random because thats been happening to me for the past week. Ha maybe we've discovered one of accutane's random side effects.
Also I'm supposed to increase my dosage from 40Mg to 60Mg and the dermatologist told me that it shouldn't really have an effect on breaking out more. Are you taking 30 Mg twice a day or just one 60Mg pill?
BTW hows your self confidence?
Hey babe!U r looking great!
Can still see some actives, but they'll clear soon enough! The old marks r def my biggest complaint, but hey once the zits stop forming in the first place I know I feel better overall! U know, once that "I'm infected" feeling goes away... we will be super clear in the end!
Btw, thx for making me suuuuper nervous about my dose increase, lol!
HEY now! I'm just giving you a heads up! I'm not going to lie and say its 100% certain that a dose increase will not cause a breakout lol!! oh crystal!
Thanks for the compliments though! Soon enough, You and I will both have a before and after pic!! Something to look forward to! 
Wow your face looks so much better compared to Day 1. Thats funny that you mention your ears flushing at random because thats been happening to me for the past week. Ha maybe we've discovered one of accutane's random side effects.
Also I'm supposed to increase my dosage from 40Mg to 60Mg and the dermatologist told me that it shouldn't really have an effect on breaking out more. Are you taking 30 Mg twice a day or just one 60Mg pill?
BTW hows your self confidence?
ahh the ear thing is so strange! Man, mine get beat red and i can feel the heat... I take 20mg in the morning and 40mg with dinner. I know claravis only comes in 10mg, 20mg, 40mg capsules i do believe.... I'm not sure about the other brands.....like i put in my log, the only thing i got with the dose increase was several cysts on my back. They are healing now though, so I'm pretty positive it was from the increase. When is ur increase?
My self confidence is getting better...a lot actually. I can walk by people and not feel like they are looking at my skin. I still rock some facial hair to cover up some marks (as you can see in the pics) but I'd like to go clean shaven and i think i will be able to soon.