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Day # 8 Oh happy happy joy joy. I think (and i stress the word think), that i am beginning my initial outbreak. I woke up with upwards of 4 red pimples by my mouth area and they itch like a mutha....definitely feeling self conscious and to top it off it's THAT time of the month (sorry for the TMI male readers) and i feel like crap. Mood is definitely deflated but going to force myself to be positive. Face feels super tight, dry and irritated and looks that way too but thank God no flaking....yet. Lips are a pain- every 30 minutes i have to apply moisturizer and it looks and feels greasy.
To find the positive in all of this though, i guess it means the Claravis has begun to work its magic...you go boy!
How do other readers deal with their initial outbreak and how long did it last...it's been too long for me to remember what it was like. Wish i knew about this blog back then.
Ok - i am in desperate need of some help. I feel as if my face is about to fall off due to dryness. Need recommendation for a good moisturizer that won't clog my pores (i need it not to have any nut type products in it - allergic to hazlenut). Also need a non greasy looking lip balm besides aquaphor that i can wear in the day
HELP HELP HELP
Okay, so sorry I didn't answer your make-up question sooner. As far as picking out your shade goes-they match it for you. Hey, if your spending all that money, you should at least get the perfect shade, right? And if you buy it at like a Nordstroms, they have a great return policy, so no risk. Have fun with it and waste some time on going to several of the different make-up contours, have them match you and then bring the samples home to try. 
God knows how much time and energy I wasted trying to find the right brand, shade and do on. Just ask Eva. Her and I are in sync with this not showing your face without our warrior gear. People like you amaze me. If only I had your self-esteem! You know, I've been thinking.......the really sad part about all this is, I wanted to clear my acne so I could go without make-up, but now I still won't because of all my scarring. Sad, sad & sad. 
Don't be so down on yourself Again. We all have our insecurities - trust me. I've had years to adjust to not wearing makeup so it is a foreign concept to me. Maybe you can try one day a week without makeup (maybe when you go grocery shopping) and see how you feel. It can be quite liberating (sorta). Thanks for the make up tips. I ended up ordering a brand call Signature Minerals so we'll see if i picked the right shades. I wanted something light that wouldn't totally change how i looked.
Anyway, any advice for a heavy moisturizer that won't clog my pores (can't have nuts or nut products in there as i am allergic) and lip moisturizers that are not greasy?
Thanks
Day # 9 So yesterday three of my bumps produced whiteheads in a matter of hours and i actually had to walk around with them like that as i refuse to pop them (i felt really self conscious too). Add to that my mood and my afternoon/evening was not that great. This morning the bumps are still there but no white heads...yet. They haven't started to flatten or anything but i'm hoping that in a few days they will go away and not come back....at least for a while. On a side note, i walked into school today and was promptly reminded by a co-worker that today was picture day! So i took a photo which no doubt highlighted me in all my naturality - hair was a mess, face was greasy, and red pimples galore - can't wait to see (oh happy day)!
Face today is drying out and i need recommendation of heavy facial moisturizers that:
a) won't clog my pores
b)doesn't have nut or nut products in them (hazlenut, almond, etc)
as well as a non-greasy lip balm.
Oh Claravis....the element of 'surprise' that you bring to my life!
I'm following you...
We started on just about the same day and we're experiencing just about the same symptoms.
Oh that bitter sweet life with Accutane... We're in this together! Eventually the magic pill will make our wishes come true - but oh, do we have to go through all that sickness before health?
I'm following you...
We started on just about the same day and we're experiencing just about the same symptoms.
Oh that bitter sweet life with Accutane... We're in this together! Eventually the magic pill will make our wishes come true - but oh, do we have to go through all that sickness before health?
Cool- definitely looking forward to the support
. we do have to stick together because it's a rough road to happiness. Right now my skin is super dry and super uncomfortable and looks mega irritated (get the picture?). What moisturizer are you using? I definitely need a recommendation for an oil free, non-pore clogging moisturizer that doesn't have parabens, fragrance or any nut products in eat (ie: Cetephal has almonds). Ahh....i need my own Claravis supply getter.
Day # 10- will take my pill in a few minutes and today the side effects are kicking my @$$ big time!
Side Effects:
so tired- my eyes are drooping and i'm having a hard staying awake, even while i'm walking! Also, i feel a bit spacey (like when i take pain medicine and am in a brain fog). My mood today is ehhh and i felt a little bit sad but then i started doing stuff and i feel a bit better.
Skin wise: my face feels/looks so uncomfortable - it's mega dry but super shiny - not peeling yet but i do have dry patches and i'm yet to find a moisturizer that helps. I've noticed at least 4-7 new bumps overnight (no heads yet). I'm so over Claravis and cannot wait to be off this drug.
On a personal note, i have an appointment with a nutritionist today - trying to gain weight while eating healthy (no dairy, maybe no glutten, low sugar foods). I'm excited to get my life (body and mind) back on track as this has been a very tough year for me with medical, body and self esteem issues.
A big shout out to all of you on this forum that have been supportive - the outpouring has been amazing!
Thanks
Sascha
Sascha - I'll be your supporter
As I wrote we're in this together and today I upped my dose, so now we're also doing the same dose - and exactly same number of days.
I am sorry for you feeling those side effects. I've been feeling moody too and my skin has gotten worse...bleh....
I am using Decubal's product. They are VERY good and effective for sensitive and dry skin and they are free of weird stuff and fragrance... I can also recommend A-Derma's Exomega, which is helpful and very very moisturizing.
I use those - and then I supply with Vichy's Normaderm Night, but that one has fragrance in it. I find it good anyways...
Hold on! When our bodies get used to the drug everything will look brighter
Hold on Sascha! You're starting on 40mg as well right? My derm says (I'm underweight too, or aren't you? I figured since you're trying to gain weight..) that it might be a high dose for me and if the side effects get really bad I can go back to 30mg. So maybe if it gets even worse you can talk to your derm about lowering the dose?
Hold on Sascha! You're starting on 40mg as well right? My derm says (I'm underweight too, or aren't you? I figured since you're trying to gain weight..) that it might be a high dose for me and if the side effects get really bad I can go back to 30mg. So maybe if it gets even worse you can talk to your derm about lowering the dose?
Well my derm originally put me on 60mg. The last time i took Accutane i was 189lbs - i now weight 140 if i'm lucky so i dropped my dose to 40mg (i also have other health things going on so the lower dosage won't complicate things that much). What's your weight and dosage dreamer? Different derms hvae different perspectives on dosages (for example, for my last course, my derm kept me on 60 mg for my entire treatment - no testing the water crap)
Sascha - I'll be your supporter
As I wrote we're in this together and today I upped my dose, so now we're also doing the same dose - and exactly same number of days.
I am sorry for you feeling those side effects. I've been feeling moody too and my skin has gotten worse...bleh....
I am using Decubal's product. They are VERY good and effective for sensitive and dry skin and they are free of weird stuff and fragrance... I can also recommend A-Derma's Exomega, which is helpful and very very moisturizing.
I use those - and then I supply with Vichy's Normaderm Night, but that one has fragrance in it. I find it good anyways...
Hold on! When our bodies get used to the drug everything will look brighter
Thanks Riosha - i'm gonna need all the support i can muster up 
Hopefully we can compare notes and maybe trade pics - i have mine up in the gallery section and will try to add new ones on a weekly basis. I will definitely look into the products you mentioned as my face feels as if it is ready to be ripped in half (so uncomfortable). How are you dealing with your moodiness and skin? Do you wear makeup? I don't and the way my skin feels, i don't want to put anything else on it that can possibly aggravate it. Ahhh- you make a very positive point though -everything will look brighter down the line.
Thanks for looking out, it's appreciated
Hey again!
Yeah - I wear make up and can't live without it... Seriously. My scar condition is so bad I cannot leave my apartment to even go for a run or to the grocery store without it :/
I know it's no go using too much make up, but I cannot help it...
Btw you should try and use E-vitamin capsules and put that on your skin before bed time. I'm seriously having really, really good results with that!
I just buy the capsules, so at night I pin a hole in it and put that oil on my face before going to sleep. It's good because the E-vitamin-oil's molecules are too big for clogging the pores, but it definitely is good for helping with the dryness problem...on days when I remember to do it. My skin feels much better in the morning, although it's sooo sticky!
You should try it
Riosha-
Thanks for the tip. I actually do use vitamin e capsules, but I had no idea about the whole molecule thing. That's pretty awesome and makes sense considering I have used it in the past when I was clear of acne. And yeah, super sticky!
Glad I'm not the only one who puts make-up on to go running!!! 
Hey again!
Yeah - I wear make up and can't live without it... Seriously. My scar condition is so bad I cannot leave my apartment to even go for a run or to the grocery store without it :/
I know it's no go using too much make up, but I cannot help it...
Btw you should try and use E-vitamin capsules and put that on your skin before bed time. I'm seriously having really, really good results with that!
I just buy the capsules, so at night I pin a hole in it and put that oil on my face before going to sleep. It's good because the E-vitamin-oil's molecules are too big for clogging the pores, but it definitely is good for helping with the dryness problem...on days when I remember to do it. My skin feels much better in the morning, although it's sooo sticky!
You should try it
Thanks! Maybe i'll try it. I broke down and bought Cetaphil mositurizing cream and i mixed it in with neutrogena facial moisturizer so i'll see how that works out.
DAY # 11
Side effects are becoming more troublesome - mostly peeing ALOT! I am also very tired and lathargic and i felt a bit of joint ache yesterday and today. Face and lips are drying out and my face is still Greasy/ Shiny/ Yucky. It's 60 + degrees in NYC so i just want to lay curled up in my bed. I feel so out of it mentally and physically and it is at times like this i wonder if taking this medication is right for me. When i do my next blood test in a few weeks time, i will look at the results with my doctor to see if continuing this course is worth it for me (especially if things come back abnormal). Hopefully the weekend will bring better things....including sleep. BTW - i will have to take my pills at night because today at work, i felt like a crack addict -my eyelids were falling down every few minutes and i had to pee like a mutha. Anyone else have that?
On a side note, i will be taking and posting pictures this weekend so feel free to check them out in the Gallery section. I am definitely breaking out - more than usual and in places that i hardly break out in so this just may be the wonderful beginning of my initial outbreak. Also, nutritionist was very helpful in guiding me in the right direction in terms of foods i should be eating. So we'll see if i can healthily gain wait and keep my glucose levels stable (one concern i have being on Claravis
). Anyone ever take fish oil or CoQ 10 while on Claravis?
day # 12 - so i had 2 new under the skin bumps pop up today but suprisingly, they didn't bug me that much. I tried just going out with my neutrogena moisturizer and found that it didn't moisturize my dry skin so i think i'll have to coninue mixing it with cetaphil. I notice that a few of the bumps that popped up this week have shrunk so hopefully my new visitors will get the hint and do the same. I took my pills at 8 pm and i feel soooooo drowsy! I think i'll start doing it at night versus in the morning to see if i am able to function better at work. My face is still looking greasy (made even worse by the moisturizer) but it feels dry - no flaking....yet. Those under the skin bumps on my cheeks are coming up and i expect them to make their grand appearance before the end of the week . Overall, the biggest thing i notice so far besides the horrendous side effects, is that my overall texture has improved. It could be from my facial two weeks ago or from the Claravis. Either way, it's one positive thing happening. I'll post pics tomorrow as i am so tired - Oh Claravis, thanks for impeding on my already fragile social life!
My mood today was great and i so needed that
Hey Sasch, nice to hear your skin texture is looking better! Can't wait for that to happen
I take my pills at night as well, can't really do it otherwise cause i don't eat regularly during the daytime Are the pills really making you tired? Great, i'm not really the most energetic person to begin with..
Hey Sasch, nice to hear your skin texture is looking better! Can't wait for that to happen
I take my pills at night as well, can't really do it otherwise cause i don't eat regularly during the daytime
Are the pills really making you tired? Great, i'm not really the most energetic person to begin with..
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that things are headed up. Yeah - the pills definitely make me dog dead tired so nighttime it is.
Day # 13
I noticed today that the sides of my nose are peeling (no matter how much i moisturize). It doesn't bother me too much...yet. Two more under the skin friends decided to join the party on my face so we'll see how long they take to leave. The two that were there yesterday are still there today. The under the skin bumps on both my upper cheek bones are coming to a head .....slooooooooooowly. Overall, texture feels better but i am definitely still breaking out.Ahh Claravis- can't wait to see what element of surprise you bring to me this week!
On another note, i don't like how Claravis makes my body/mind feel. I feel extremely lathargic and a bit 'high' like when on cold medicine. Will have to mention it to my derm when i see her in a few weeks. Anyway else have similar symptoms?
Day # 14
Today has been absolutely TERRIBLE! Last night i slept in 1 hr shifts - having to get up to use the bathroom. I'm having that checked out by my doctor. I cried 3 times already today and its not even NOON! And i definitely have new pimples today. All in all today sucked! I am tired as crap but i plan to keep forging ahead until i get my blood work for next month. My lips are mega dry and gross and my skin looks oily- I am definitely not in a good mood today. Oh Claravis.....how i HATE YOU SO!!!!!!
Sweet Sascha, I am still with you and following you on that very same number of days and that very same dose.
I am sorry to hear that you are not well
...if it's any comfort (which it could or could not be) I am experiencing similar symptoms.
My skin today: HORRIBLE!!! My lips are falling a part, my skin is oily, terribly red og violently sore (as if the every scar I've ever had has come back and even grown!), I am having pimples and blackheads coming out every-frikkin-where and at the same time my face is flaking and dry all over...
I am soooo tired - and I've noticed that my stomach is upset these days and I'm also peeing more than usually. I don't know if that's normal...?
Also my body ironically seems to be retaining water, I feel like everything has just grown... I dunno.
Sorry - I don't want to go on about my horrific side effects here, but I'm just trying to let you know that on the same dose on the same dates...it might not be a coincidence what we are experiencing...
Hugs!
Riosha
Sweet Sascha, I am still with you and following you on that very same number of days and that very same dose.
I am sorry to hear that you are not well
...if it's any comfort (which it could or could not be) I am experiencing similar symptoms.
My skin today: HORRIBLE!!! My lips are falling a part, my skin is oily, terribly red og violently sore (as if the every scar I've ever had has come back and even grown!), I am having pimples and blackheads coming out every-frikkin-where and at the same time my face is flaking and dry all over...
I am soooo tired - and I've noticed that my stomach is upset these days and I'm also peeing more than usually. I don't know if that's normal...?
Also my body ironically seems to be retaining water, I feel like everything has just grown... I dunno.
Sorry - I don't want to go on about my horrific side effects here, but I'm just trying to let you know that on the same dose on the same dates...it might not be a coincidence what we are experiencing...
Hugs!
Riosha
Thanks for the support Riosha! I need it so bad. Sorry to hear that you too are going through this. I guess i forgot how difficult this treatment can be. I see my doctor tomorrow to get some tests done as i am worried about some of these side effects. Peeing a lot has been reported but i'm not sure if it is the norm. But anyway, here's to hoping tomorrow and the rest of the week gets better. Also hoping your side effects let up too. We're in this together. Thanks again for the pick me up hun. It is appreciated.
Day # 15
Took my pills five minute ago. Today was blah for me - still emotional but not as bad as yesterday. Lips are dryer than a mutha. Skin was shiny and greasy looking and had new pimples today. What else is new! I'm at a place with claravis where i feel as if its more of the same $#!t but just a different day. Still feeling tired to the max and peeing alot. MY GP said to continue taking this until blood results come back. Hoping for the best.
Day # 16 - nothing new to report except more new pimples - once cyst like pimple on my cheek and a few under the skin, gross looking bumps. My face is oliy to the touch and very greasy looking. My lips are getting DRY and Aquaphor is just not cutting it. I am definitely not liking Claravis at the moment . When did other users notice a let up in oil production. What moisturizers are you guys using that doesn't make your face shiny?
DAY # 17 - Ouch! So right now i am experiencing bumps that hurt like a mutha - they are big, under the skin and extra hard to the touch. They are also developing in clusters - i guess even acne needs buddies My face is super oily but i find that if i blot with sheets, i look less greasy. My nose has a ton of blackheads which in the bigger scheme of things doesn't bother me at all and it is peeling on the sides. My face is not dry (thanks Cetaphil!) but i'm not getting too complacent. I get my blood work next week so that will determine if i continue on this path or not. I'll be sad if i have to stop but even acne is not worth my long term health.