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I thought it was always cold and dark over there? My dad visited this year, says that people wear shorts when we would consider it cold because it's practically a heat wave.
Ha, it's not got the best weather in the world that's for sure. I'm hoping some nice foreign lady (hint hint) will adopt/import me, if it works for those Russian brides it could work for me too!
What dates your next appointment with the wonderful Dr Ooi?
Hey, to other Australians I'm not foreign! 
I've already promised Paul the space underneath my bed, and a few other people from overseas have claimed my wardrobe, desk and all of my drawers, but if you can find room amongst my adoptees, you are most welcome. 
My appointment's on the 7th. 
At 8:30 in the morning. 
Looks like I've got the best spot - pity whoever has to sleep in a drawer! I'll probably show up randomly one day, just you wait and see. 
I feel a need to stick up for our country and defend our weather, but it's pretty indefensible to tell the truth. Still, give it a few months and we'll start seeing a bit of daylight again... 
I'm considering hibernating until about March. In fact, a warm drawer or cupboard might be ideal for that. Somebody wake me up when spring comes please!
I see you aren't a morning person Does this have anything to do with kitty cuddling on the bed? I am powerless when they want to cuddle, because it's only on their terms. :angryfistiftherewasoneherebutthereisn'tsothiswillhavetodo:
Anyhoot, how goes the treatment? Skin is vell I hope?
I see you aren't a morning person
Does this have anything to do with kitty cuddling on the bed? I am powerless when they want to cuddle, because it's only on their terms. :angryfistiftherewasoneherebutthereisn'tsothiswillhavetodo:
Anyhoot, how goes the treatment? Skin is vell I hope?
It's weird, because I love getting up early on weekends and resent getting up early on weekdays. I think it has everything to do with work, really! My kitties don't sleep in my room because I keep the door shut and I don't like having a litter box in there, they have an enclosed area outside in our entertaining area (safely and completely enclosed ) where their beds, food and litter is. Otherwise they dart around, scratch at the doors, wake people up, knock things off the sink/shelves/TV cabinet. If they're outside they just play with what's out there. There's three of them so together they can make the most ungodly racket you could ever imagine (and they playfight constantly... Luna Spoons crashtackles Skeet and Maury at every opportunity, even if they are not hugely enthusiastic about playing). Thankfully the warmer weather here works in their favour. When it's really cold or really hot they sleep inside. ^-^
Skin is okay! Except I have this massive, massive nodule on my cheek that I've accidentally scratched, now it's bright red, scabby and it's going to leave a deep scar. 
I put Solosite (wound gel that seals the wound) on it to try and keep it from getting worse, it seems to have calmed it down but because of Tane, my skin is so dry that everything scabs and flakes over.
Lol, my cat Dexter swats EVERYTHING onto the floor so he can wake my fiance and me up in the middle of the night to get out. He's the biggest jerk! My fiance doesn't mind, but I go insane opening and closing doors all through the night. I make my fi lock him out before he comes to bed
I also have a big cysty on my cheekBONE, worst, most prominent place EVER...
Lol, my cat Dexter swats EVERYTHING onto the floor so he can wake my fiance and me up in the middle of the night to get out. He's the biggest jerk! My fiance doesn't mind, but I go insane opening and closing doors all through the night. I make my fi lock him out before he comes to bed
I also have a big cysty on my cheekBONE, worst, most prominent place EVER...
My cats sometimes houdini their way out of the gate even though I have patched every single spot I think they can squeeze out, and they do the same thing. Straight onto my windowsill and cling onto the flyscreen and make nuclear meows 'til they're let in again. I open the curtains to fluffy cat belly and pantaloons and big desperate eyes. -_-
Bleugh I hate those too, I had one a few months ago just under my eye and the red mark is still there.
Neighbours is full of lies! Liiiiiiies! The world would be a better place if Elle's prescription-delivering Kangaroo friends did the rounds. I'd happily swap my grumpy mail man for a Kangaroo. I'll write to Royal Mail about it and see if they want to take a look at restructuring their workforce. Then again, I don't suppose our bouncy friends would appreciate our climate and we'd just end up with loads of dead marsupials and a backlog of mail....
I received a Christmas card from Australia once and it was a cartoon of a guy on a beach, wearing a cork hat, drinking a beer and hugging and Kangaroo dressed as Santa. Not an especially festive scene, stereotypes-abound, but it did look like fun.
PaulH85, i can believe what you're saying about about not drinking- I always enjoy a good binge in Sheffield, I'm Doncaster scum. Small world [if you ignore the top half of this post].
Well Mark, I suppose Sheffield probably feels like Vegas to you lot.
Nah, I've never really been a big drinker to be honest, I get bored of it. It's not as if I was out much anyway prior to stopping drinking for a while so I don't really feel like I'm missing out. Besides, if I can do my bit to make sure the medication I'm taking works to the best of its ability of my skin, it'll surely be worth it.
oh boy loving this whole thread....you know what, I have an English friend who says "we sent Australia the Wild Colonial Boy to pillage and defile their fair land...and they sent us "Neighbors"! The Ba-stids!" lol
Looks like I've got the best spot - pity whoever has to sleep in a drawer!
I feel a need to stick up for our country and defend our weather, but it's pretty indefensible to tell the truth. Still, give it a few months and we'll start seeing a bit of daylight again...
I'm considering hibernating until about March. In fact, a warm drawer or cupboard might be ideal for that. Somebody wake me up when spring comes please!
Its not much better in NY. Really they always say England is so rainy and foggy and all that but we have the same amount of rainy days, if not more, than you 
(
I'm updating from my dads little tablet thing (sitting in an airplane - agonizing impatience to finally get home from the city) so I can't actually remember what day I'm up to. Something like 38 or maybe 40...
I had a dermatologist appointment this morning that was quite brief. Dear Dr. Ooi decided that he would not put my dose up at all because of my results on 20mg, which I suppose makes sense. Slightly bugged because I will have to be on my course for longer than average, but I should clear up completely, according to the good doctor, around four months in, and then stay clear. At this rate I'm inclined to believe him. A man with such an unusual, floppy hair style surely would not lie to me. Surely not. Oh, and the degree gives him some stead as well, I do suppose.
I slathered my poor body in sun block yesterday and although my shoulders, face and arms - the most notorious bits to burn like bacon on a hot griddle - were fine, the front of my legs are sporting some gruesome burns, as are the tops of my feet and I am now in pretty considerable pain. This summer is going to be a nightmare full of sunscreen, shade and ballet flat tanlines for poor Elle. Lesson learned!
I'm updating from my dads little tablet thing (sitting in an airplane - agonizing impatience to finally get home from the city) so I can't actually remember what day I'm up to. Something like 38 or maybe 40...
I had a dermatologist appointment this morning that was quite brief. Dear Dr. Ooi decided that he would not put my dose up at all because of my results on 20mg, which I suppose makes sense. Slightly bugged because I will have to be on my course for longer than average, but I should clear up completely, according to the good doctor, around four months in, and then stay clear. At this rate I'm inclined to believe him. A man with such an unusual, floppy hair style surely would not lie to me. Surely not. Oh, and the degree gives him some stead as well, I do suppose.
I slathered my poor body in sun block yesterday and although my shoulders, face and arms - the most notorious bits to burn like bacon on a hot griddle - were fine, the front of my legs are sporting some gruesome burns, as are the tops of my feet and I am now in pretty considerable pain. This summer is going to be a nightmare full of sunscreen, shade and ballet flat tanlines for poor Elle. Lesson learned!
I was wondering why you went to the derm on a Sunday, but then I realized it's already Monday morning there in Australia. And I haven't even gone to bed yet! Lol.
I'm updating from my dads little tablet thing (sitting in an airplane - agonizing impatience to finally get home from the city) so I can't actually remember what day I'm up to. Something like 38 or maybe 40...
I had a dermatologist appointment this morning that was quite brief. Dear Dr. Ooi decided that he would not put my dose up at all because of my results on 20mg, which I suppose makes sense. Slightly bugged because I will have to be on my course for longer than average, but I should clear up completely, according to the good doctor, around four months in, and then stay clear. At this rate I'm inclined to believe him. A man with such an unusual, floppy hair style surely would not lie to me. Surely not. Oh, and the degree gives him some stead as well, I do suppose.
I slathered my poor body in sun block yesterday and although my shoulders, face and arms - the most notorious bits to burn like bacon on a hot griddle - were fine, the front of my legs are sporting some gruesome burns, as are the tops of my feet and I am now in pretty considerable pain. This summer is going to be a nightmare full of sunscreen, shade and ballet flat tanlines for poor Elle. Lesson learned!
I was wondering why you went to the derm on a Sunday, but then I realized it's already Monday morning there in Australia. And I haven't even gone to bed yet! Lol.
Indeed, they're too busy golfing on weekends, presumably.
*hangs up golf clubs for another week*
A man with such an unusual, floppy hair style surely would not lie to me.
Ha
I'm intrigued about leaving you on 20mg, so you'll be on it for over 12 months I guess, but should have less severe side effects overall. Do you have blood tests done with such a low dose?
A little sunburns a good trade off to get rid of acne, hang on in there Elle
Well, he said six at the least. Basically the way he said it, I need to be on it until I am 100% clear and then stay that way for three months. 12 months sounds brutal but at 20mg I suppose it's not a huge deal since the side effects are pretty minimal.
The sunburn I have right now is absolutely horrible though. I've never been this badly burned in my life and I live in Australia... I have hot pink sheets on my bed and when I lay on it, my legs blend in! I just hope the pinkness goes down at least a little. I've put hydrocortisone cream on them for tonight because of the swelling, then I'll have to live with aloe vera gel for however long it takes for this crap to heal. I've never, ever been burnt on my legs. Ever.
Thats sucks, pity the course didn't start in Winter. At least you weren't on 80mg or something! I guess even suncream might not save those poor souls in hot climates.
Is it rude to ask how much you weigh/how tall you are? I thought i'd read it on page 1, but can't find it.
I had a dermatologist appointment this morning that was quite brief. Dear Dr. Ooi decided that he would not put my dose up at all because of my results on 20mg, which I suppose makes sense. Slightly bugged because I will have to be on my course for longer than average, but I should clear up completely, according to the good doctor, around four months in, and then stay clear. At this rate I'm inclined to believe him. A man with such an unusual, floppy hair style surely would not lie to me. Surely not. Oh, and the degree gives him some stead as well, I do suppose.
I'm jealous that your derm gave you an estimate like that, when I asked how long I'll be on it she was like 'eh 6 maybe 7 months' but never any idea of when I should see results, time to move to Australia with all of those other people 
I guess that's New York doctors for you.
I should clear up completely, according to the good doctor, around four months in, and then stay clear.
If someone were to tell me that, I think I'd burst into tears. To get clear and stay clear... imagine how awesome that would be! I really hope that happens for you, Elle.
My doctor told me the opposite; "Because it's carried on beyond your teens, you'll probably have to take antibiotics throughout adulthood and it won't go away completely." 
So even if you do have to go a while longer, if you can manage alright with the side effects you have (and dodge the sun! ) it sounds like the ends will certainly justify the means. That's great to hear. 
That is so odd that your dermatologist would put you on such a low dose!! Maybe its different in austrailia?
Im 5'4 and I weigh about 54 kg and I am on 60 mg for 5 months! god even on a low dose 7-12 months remembering to take pills sounds horrid But HEY! If it makes you clear up then hell its worth it!!
I had a dermatologist appointment this morning that was quite brief. Dear Dr. Ooi decided that he would not put my dose up at all because of my results on 20mg, which I suppose makes sense. Slightly bugged because I will have to be on my course for longer than average, but I should clear up completely, according to the good doctor, around four months in, and then stay clear. At this rate I'm inclined to believe him. A man with such an unusual, floppy hair style surely would not lie to me. Surely not. Oh, and the degree gives him some stead as well, I do suppose.
I'm jealous that your derm gave you an estimate like that, when I asked how long I'll be on it she was like 'eh 6 maybe 7 months' but never any idea of when I should see results, time to move to Australia with all of those other people
I guess that's New York doctors for you.
I think he had a rough idea after the second consultation because I've cleared up a fair bit already, he estimated around 6 months when I first went in but he didn't know at that stage if I'd need to have my dose increased. It's kind of a catch 22 of sorts, because if I was on a higher dose I'd have worse side effects but I'd be on Accutane for less time, and on the lower dose I have fewer side effects but I need to be on it for longer.
I should clear up completely, according to the good doctor, around four months in, and then stay clear.
If someone were to tell me that, I think I'd burst into tears. To get clear and stay clear... imagine how awesome that would be! I really hope that happens for you, Elle.
My doctor told me the opposite; "Because it's carried on beyond your teens, you'll probably have to take antibiotics throughout adulthood and it won't go away completely."
So even if you do have to go a while longer, if you can manage alright with the side effects you have (and dodge the sun!
It baffles me that your doctor can tell you that doxy won't clear you up completely yet they will not allow you to go on Accutane. Ridiculous! If they know your acne is that persistent, I just don't understand...
Wow. It sounds like your making really great progress with Accutane ! What moisturizer are you using to combat the dryness? Lol the last time I was on it, the worst part was the dry lips ! ugh.lol
So far, so good! I'm using stuff by Ego, QV daytime moisturizer with SPF and a night cream that's a bit thicker. Seems to work okay. I don't wash my face unless I've been wearing makeup whereas I used to wash my face twice a day. The dry lips definitely suck! I often wake up and I can taste blood because my lips have cracked while I've been asleep. So gross.
That is so odd that your dermatologist would put you on such a low dose!! Maybe its different in austrailia?
Im 5'4 and I weigh about 54 kg and I am on 60 mg for 5 months! god even on a low dose 7-12 months remembering to take pills sounds horrid
I thought it was weird too! But I guess because it seems to be working fine at 20mg he didn't feel that he should tamper with a good thing? I don't have issues with remembering the pills, that's no big deal. Oh, you are tiny! I wish I were that tiny.
If taking them in a lower dose over a longer period is equivilent in terms of success rates I think it's a great idea - one pill a day for a year+ is alot easier imo than 2 or 3, plus accutane ha s avery low bioavalability (which is why your doc will ask you to take it with food, to make it easier to digest more of the med) so it stands to reason it is more efficient to take a smaller dose each time.
If taking them in a lower dose over a longer period is equivilent in terms of success rates I think it's a great idea - one pill a day for a year+ is alot easier imo than 2 or 3, plus accutane ha s avery low bioavalability (which is why your doc will ask you to take it with food, to make it easier to digest more of the med) so it stands to reason it is more efficient to take a smaller dose each time.
Uhggg there is so many theorys it makes my head spin! I really think that nothing is proven and its really all dependent on the derm that prescribes the drug to you.
I trust my derm to do the right thing by me.
I'm also going to my GP today to (finally) talk to him about getting a copper IUD... eugh, not looking forward to that... but I can't do birth control pills anymore, I won't want to mess with my hormones because I turn into a monster.
So apparently copper IUDs are old practice and the only one I can get is a hormone one. Bah! I liked the idea of the copper one because it won't turn me into an angry monster. I have an appointment with my gyno on December 5th. I don't want the implant or injections either. Bleh if I trusted myself to be abstinent this wouldn't be a problem.
