I hope you're doing okay sach! It really would be sad if you have to stop now

I'm having those clusters too ughh i have to force myself not to pick at them.

Hold on

 

Thanks for the support dreamer. Blood work results were not what i was hoping for but the doctor did not take me off the meds. I will be seeing my derm next week and will get another blood test done so if she agrees that i should stay on, then i will. The most worrying side effect at the moment is my need to pee all the damn time. My bladder was not the strongest to start with but this is just ridiculous. I would hate to be taken off as topicals have not worked for me but if the doc told me to stop, i would do it in a heartbeat. I'd pic my health over acne, any day.

Day # 18

Can't believe its almost the third week already! I am getting more small, inflamed pimples on the side of my chin (so much for being clear) as well as the tiny tiny pimples that don't seem inflamed but have a very rough texture. My forehead is smoother and blackheads have gone but my nose is another matter. lots of blackheads and a rough texture. A painful cyst like pimple on my chin has started to shrink ever so slightly. Here is to its departure. Skin is oily, not dry looking or feeling today. Lips are getting dry but i'm moisturizing (i don't care if i look like a took a bathe in oil). Overall, my skin has gotten worse compared to last week but i know it could be worse so i'm not complaining. Here's to great weekend! Everyone Enjoy!

Thanks for the support dreamer. Blood work results were not what i was hoping for but the doctor did not take me off the meds. I will be seeing my derm next week and will get another blood test done so if she agrees that i should stay on, then i will. The most worrying side effect at the moment is my need to pee all the damn time. My bladder was not the strongest to start with but this is just ridiculous. I would hate to be taken off as topicals have not worked for me but if the doc told me to stop, i would do it in a heartbeat. I'd pic my health over acne, any day.

Day # 18

Can't believe its almost the third week already! I am getting more small, inflamed pimples on the side of my chin (so much for being clear) as well as the tiny tiny pimples that don't seem inflamed but have a very rough texture. My forehead is smoother and blackheads have gone but my nose is another matter. lots of blackheads and a rough texture. A painful cyst like pimple on my chin has started to shrink ever so slightly. Here is to its departure. Skin is oily, not dry looking or feeling today. Lips are getting dry but i'm moisturizing (i don't care if i look like a took a bathe in oil). Overall, my skin has gotten worse compared to last week but i know it could be worse so i'm not complaining. Here's to great weekend! Everyone Enjoy!

 

Sweet Sasch - I am glad you're blood samples were good!! It's important. And yes - you should always choose your general health over acne, I think. But with these pills it's seems hard to judge where the line between the one and the other goes, because of all the side effects that may be just normal and passing - or may be more serious. It's hard to know really...

On this third week my skin is worse than ever, but we're on our way to an era of beautiful skin, so... I guess you just gotta fight for your medal 😉

I will. We will

Thanks for the support dreamer. Blood work results were not what i was hoping for but the doctor did not take me off the meds. I will be seeing my derm next week and will get another blood test done so if she agrees that i should stay on, then i will. The most worrying side effect at the moment is my need to pee all the damn time. My bladder was not the strongest to start with but this is just ridiculous. I would hate to be taken off as topicals have not worked for me but if the doc told me to stop, i would do it in a heartbeat. I'd pic my health over acne, any day.

Day # 18

Can't believe its almost the third week already! I am getting more small, inflamed pimples on the side of my chin (so much for being clear) as well as the tiny tiny pimples that don't seem inflamed but have a very rough texture. My forehead is smoother and blackheads have gone but my nose is another matter. lots of blackheads and a rough texture. A painful cyst like pimple on my chin has started to shrink ever so slightly. Here is to its departure. Skin is oily, not dry looking or feeling today. Lips are getting dry but i'm moisturizing (i don't care if i look like a took a bathe in oil). Overall, my skin has gotten worse compared to last week but i know it could be worse so i'm not complaining. Here's to great weekend! Everyone Enjoy!

 

Sweet Sasch - I am glad you're blood samples were good!! It's important. And yes - you should always choose your general health over acne, I think. But with these pills it's seems hard to judge where the line between the one and the other goes, because of all the side effects that may be just normal and passing - or may be more serious. It's hard to know really...

On this third week my skin is worse than ever, but we're on our way to an era of beautiful skin, so... I guess you just gotta fight for your medal 😉

I will. We will

 

Thanks for the continued support Riosha - it really has helped boost my spirit. As i continue on this journey, i am realizing that acne is not the worst thing that can possibly happen to me. As i mentioned before, i have recently been battling other health issues and my acne has somewhat taken a back seat to that. I guess what i am trying to say is that if i had to be taken off of Claravis, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Some days i'm ok with that and other days the thought of abandoning treatment makes me break down in tears. Anyway, on to the report:

Day #19 I definitely count at least 3 visibly inflamed red bumps. One under my chin and one on either side of my jaw. I also have loads of smaller looking bumps on my upper cheek bones. My forehead is probably the smoothest area with just a handful of barely visible bumps. Overall, my skin is ehh. I am able to leave my house without too much anxiety and zero makeup so not much to complain about. I am itching a lot more though and my lips get dry if i don't aquaphor every hour on the hour. The one positive side effect of claravis though is that i sleep at night like a baby (except when i have to get up for the gazillionth time to pee). Face is still shiny but doesn't feel dry and i find that oil blotting sheets help a ton!

Day # 20 - Another day, other annoying side effects. Still peeing like a mutha but i've been checking my glucose levels and they are normal so it really must be the Claravis. My facial texture is rough and grainy, especially on my nose - i guess my blackheads wanna come out and play! I am definitely noticing many under the skin bumps coming up and less tiny whitehead bumps. Kinda curious to see if this is the initial outbreak (or a continuance of the initial outbreak) or if its a preclude to my IO. I guess time will tell. Face is still oily, lips and nose are the only dry areas.

Ahh Claravis .....what goodies will you bring me this week?

Day # 20 - Another day, other annoying side effects. Still peeing like a mutha but i've been checking my glucose levels and they are normal so it really must be the Claravis. My facial texture is rough and grainy, especially on my nose - i guess my blackheads wanna come out and play! I am definitely noticing many under the skin bumps coming up and less tiny whitehead bumps. Kinda curious to see if this is the initial outbreak (or a continuance of the initial outbreak) or if its a preclude to my IO. I guess time will tell. Face is still oily, lips and nose are the only dry areas.

Ahh Claravis .....what goodies will you bring me this week?

 

Oh yes - what will we be facing this week? That is the question...

It's quite interesting how you're still oily, while I'm dry like Sahara and we're on the same number of days and dose...

O well. I guess people are different 😉 For now I would LOVE not to be flaking so much that my face comes off and it keeps bleeding :/

I hope we'll both be okay...and get that result worth fighting for in the end!

Day # 20 - Another day, other annoying side effects. Still peeing like a mutha but i've been checking my glucose levels and they are normal so it really must be the Claravis. My facial texture is rough and grainy, especially on my nose - i guess my blackheads wanna come out and play! I am definitely noticing many under the skin bumps coming up and less tiny whitehead bumps. Kinda curious to see if this is the initial outbreak (or a continuance of the initial outbreak) or if its a preclude to my IO. I guess time will tell. Face is still oily, lips and nose are the only dry areas. Ahh Claravis .....what goodies will you bring me this week?

Oh yes - what will we be facing this week? That is the question... It's quite interesting how you're still oily, while I'm dry like Sahara and we're on the same number of days and dose... O well. I guess people are different 😉 For now I would LOVE not to be flaking so much that my face comes off and it keeps bleeding :/ I hope we'll both be okay...and get that result worth fighting for in the end!

Yes Riosha, it's amazing how different people react to similar doses. For the most part only my nose is flaking and my face overall is still oily (definitely not complaining).

Day# 21 and 22

Face is still the same - i definitely notice my under the skin bumps are coming and going quickly - very very excited about that. i am going to speak to my derm on my next visit about a shorter stay on claravis due to concerns i have about my glucose level and some symptoms i am displaying. I will also ask about topicals. I know my body and i know when it doesn't feel as strong as it could be. I have determined that claravis is not a cure all for me so hopefully topicals that did not work before, will work now.

Not much else to report

Well it's been a while since i've updated. Things have been crazy these last few days and i have been going through a lot of changes. Needless to say, i have come to the decision to end my Claravis treatment. The risks associated with it is not worth my already fragile health. I am sad about it but i know that i would regret not stopping if my health deteriorates. I will do my last blood test, have my derm prescribe something and probably go to a second derm to get a second opinion. I would like to thank everyone for their continued support as i could not have done it without you. I will continue to follow up on the log of others.

Good Luck!

Oh no! I'm really am sorry if you do need to end. I know that this must be a decision you really don't want to make. No one wants to have acne, which means that your other health issues must be serious. Since you are dealing with other health issues, you must have a better reality of your acne. You know that there is worse things in life than acne, but still.......I'm really sorry. Please keep us updated. Maybe you can stay on it. Maybe a low dose?

Oh no! I'm really am sorry if you do need to end. I know that this must be a decision you really don't want to make. No one wants to have acne, which means that your other health issues must be serious. Since you are dealing with other health issues, you must have a better reality of your acne. You know that there is worse things in life than acne, but still.......I'm really sorry. Please keep us updated. Maybe you can stay on it. Maybe a low dose?

 

Thanks so much for the support Again!. Right now, staying on Claravis is just not an option. Back to the drawing board i guess. I am super sad about it but i go see a new derm on Friday and we'll see where i'll go from there. Having struggles with my health has definitely put my acne in perspective but i definitely don't want to have it for the rest of my life.

Well it's been a while since i've written and so much has changed......and not for the better. I gave the topical route a decent chance, at least 6-8 months and then tried the natural route for 2-3 months to no avail. I even did the holistic route for 9 months (3 different practitioners over a 3 month period each) as well as extensive diet changes and yet still, my acne is as bad as i can ever recall seeing it. It is definitely much worse than it was in October when i started my Claravis treatment. What's even worse is the bumps are mostly under the skin, red, inflamed and don't come to a head. I have had one bump on my cheek for almost 2 weeks and worse yet, they scar. After visiting 4 derms over the last year, my most recent derm took a look at me and said two things:

You're scarring really bad

You have holes in your face (not sure if she meant enlarged pores or what)

I really wanted to cry when she said that. She asked if i wanted to go on Claravis again and i broke down and said yes. So we did the pregnancy test, filled out the paperwork and i have to wait the 30 day period to get into the system and of course get my blood work done.

I am not sure if my blood work will be ok as i have been going through so many changes with these stupid supplements, diet changes, stress at work and such.

Also, a part of me really doesn't want to do this again while the other half feels as if i have reached the end of my rope. Ultimately, the blood test will decide if i continue or not. If i can't go on this drug again, i honestly don't know where else i can turn.

On another note, i went to get my annual checkup last week and hand my GP run blood tests such as A1C, thyroid, etc so maybe those tests will reveal something that can help me along this acne journey.

If i am able to proceed with this course, i hope to be able to connect with other accutane users who are going through the same thing. I am also hoping that this will be a judgement free zone.

will keep you all posted.

My blood work from my GP appointment more or less came back good so i'm hoping that when i go for my accutane blood test in two weeks it comes back good as well. Honestly, if accutane is not an option i honestly don't know where to turn. Face is breaking out in all sorts of horrid under the skin bumps that hurt and are red. Feeling sad about the whole situation and resigned to the fact that i may have to deal with horrible skin for the rest of my life. I am so embarrassed to be seen like this by anyone, especially being almost 30.

The only things i have not tried are:

tazorac

some forms of birth control

spiro

But no point in stressing as that will only make my acne worse.....will update in a few weeks as thewhether i will be starting tane again or not.

So 2 days until my derm appointment to see if i will go on Accutane....again. Woke up this morning and my face is really broken out bad. Large inflamed pimples (under the skin of course), skin is bone dry and smaller red pimples all along the sides of my nose and mouth. Such a wonderful start to the weekend! I tried to use my cerave AM moisturizer yesterday so my skin could be reacting to that - i feel so sad, especially after 3 weeks on acne that didn't bother me as much.

When will this shit end!

T-1 day until my derm appt - finally glad its here but mega nervous. My face has really broken out in small red bumps (irritation?) as well as three inflamed pimples on my right side.

I am bracing myself for accutane to not be an option, just in case. If my blood tests don't come back good then i'm not sure what my next step will be- Spiro or the Regimen? Those are probably the only two thing that i haven't tried yet. I am definitely not interested in birth control or any kind or antibiotics.

My skin is bone dry and red and clearly irritated and i am dreading stopping the Acanya as i know it is the only thing keeping my face from exploding more.

If i do get the green light tomorrow though, i will be taking and posting pictures just to give you all an idea of what i am working with.

Sotret Day # 1

So it's official, I'm BAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCK! I was prescribed 60mg per day for an unspecified amount of time (will discuss the time frame with my derm) but i believe i may be on a typical 5-6 month course.

It feels weird to be back here again and already i am imagining every itch, bump, redness to be a possible side effect but i can't let my mind run away from me or else i won't make it through the next few months.

Even though i was prescribed 60mg, i will only start off with 40mg for the next few weeks to see how my body and skin react. I have many under the skin bumps as well as several inflamed bumps that are being tamed badly by Acanya but as of tonight, i will stop ALL topicals (scary!)

I took my first set of 40mg tablets so we'll see how it goes.

Hoping to reignite discussion on this board and make new friends.

Will post pictures sometime this week/weekend as well as products that i will be using once i settle on a cleanser and moisturizer.

I will use aquaphor for my lips and nose as well as a boots lip balm made from cocoa butter that i really like. I will update every few days depending on how busy i am with work/life as well as how my skin progress' or worsens.

Here's to more cheers than tears.

Claravis Day # 10

So far, side effects have been:

tiredness, despite taking pills at night

bruising/getting cuts much more easily

dry skin/dry lips (not horrendous but definitely noticeable and uncomfortable)

itchy skin and hair (i'm scratching like crazy)

hair shedding (i'm not going as far as to call it hair loss but it seems as if i am losing more strands than is usual. I am definitely keeping an eye on this)

Acne has seemed to improve for the first week but during this second week i am noticing more pimples coming up - not horrendous but they are there.

Will keep you updated.

Day # 11

Itching like a mutha. Everything itches:

my face

my neck

my scalp

my body

It's very uncomfortable. I also have the infamous tane burn going on. Lastly, i get tired so much more easily.

Ahhh Claravis, i can tell we're gonna encounter problems.

Good luck! Are you keeping track of your progress with pictures?

Good luck! Are you keeping track of your progress with pictures?

 

Hey Matt. i definitely am. Been so busy with work though that i haven't been consistent with this. Definitely feel the sde effects kicking in.

BTW, congrats on both jobs - you've been sounding really upbeat these last few weeks - keep it up man!

i hope the side effects won't be too bad this time around. im on day 9 of 40mg claravis (180lb). i took accutane a few years ago, but it was cut short due to health issues. i think my derm is starting me off slowly this time around.

hang in there! : )

i hope the side effects won't be too bad this time around. im on day 9 of 40mg claravis (180lb). i took accutane a few years ago, but it was cut short due to health issues. i think my derm is starting me off slowly this time around.

hang in there! : )

 

Thanks hun - i definitely plan to hang in there unless things become unbearable (positive mindset is half the battle, right?) Hope your course is going well also

Day # 15

This itching is getting ridiculous. I put on lotion, calamine lotion and other potions and nada- still itching like a mutha. I've had to shorten my showers and on some days shower only once a day.....sigh. I also for the first time began to notice flaking, especially around my chin.

I am trying a new moistrizer that is creamier and has very few ingredients, somewhat low on the comodogenic scale according to the ratings chart so we'll see how it works out:

Avene Tolerance Extreme Cream (ingredients: Avene Thermal Spring Water (57%). Avene Thermal Spring Water (Avene Aqua), Glycerin, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Squalane, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil (Carthamus Tinctorius Oil), Cyclomethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Carbomer, Titanium Dioxide.)

When my Aveno moisturizer is finished, i will be trying a new cleanser

So far, nothing too crazy going on in my course. Breaking out but definitely not as bad as before pre treatment. Pictures soon, i promise. I am in NY and we are in the middle of a hurricane so keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

So to recap, side effects include

• extremely dry skin that is NOT being helped by moisturizer. My skin looks greasy and dry at the same time

   

• nose area has clearly visible white flakes

   

• chin is the most dry area no matter how much moisturizer i use

   

• getting new whiteheads everyday. They develop as as inflamed bump and in a matter of hours/day or so, they have a white head (this was similar to what happened to my first course)

   

• lips are dry

   

• getting numerous clogged pores on chin (yikes)

   

Definitely was expecting this but it seemed to come on virtually overnight. Bracing myself for things to come

Took pictures to represent week two and face has definitely worsened - still better than what it was a few weeks ago.

Not sure when i will post but hopefully soon.

I am having weird itching too haha! Maybe it's just my imagination though cause i've only taken two pills!! You know what it's like, you feel one itch and then you can't stop!

I hope you are safe in the hurricane!

I am having weird itching too haha! Maybe it's just my imagination though cause i've only taken two pills!! You know what it's like, you feel one itch and then you can't stop!

I hope you are safe in the hurricane!

 

Thanks hun - we are just seeing the effects of this hurricane and its pretty bad- we will recover though as NY'ers are strong.

Yup, thats how it usually starts. One itch and then another. Itching can start early or later but it is likely that it may not be your imagination. Good Luck with everything and i will be following along with you.

Day # 30

Really happy with the way my course is going.

PROS:

• dryness has been reduced and flakiness is at a minimum. Face doesn't look as oily as it was pre-accutane

   

• Itching while still happening is not as severe as it was

   

• pimples that i am getting is mostly non inflamed (keeping my fingers crossed that this continues) though jaw area pimples are mostly inflamed

   

  CONS:

   

   

  • getting a lot of non inflamed acne on my chin (not surprised as chin has always been my major hot spot)

     

  • I have a knarly cyst like pimple on my fore arm that looks as if it got infected(it feels very hard underneath my skin and is EXTREMELY inflamed)

     

  • I am still itching

     

  • Really tired

     

  • I seem to be getting a persistent redness in the corner of my right eye and its been that way for a week. I know its not pink eye so i am thinking it may be allergies or just extreme tiredness. In any event i have my follow up derm appt on Monday so i will speak to my derm about my issues and hopefully will be continuing treatment.

     

Day # 49

So i am getting a NUTRIBULLET and i am super excited. I have really gotten into blending fruits and veggies and it has been a great feeling. I still don't feel at the top of my game but i know this is probably the healthiest that my body has been (despite having acne).

I am still eating healthy despite being on accutane (not using it as a free pass to eat crap) and i am consuming more low carb root vegetables in place of carbs all the time.

As for acne

PROS:

dryness is a thing of the past (but i still have to mositurize)

inflamed pimples are few and far apart

my jawline has cleared up almost 100%

skin feels much smoother than it was

CONS

lips are a HOT MESS. Really painful and dry so i am slathering vaseline on at night and it seems to work somewhat

getting a ton of flesh colored pimples on chin - looks as if they may come out in the coming weeks

face is red

developed small excema patches on my hands which i am treating with topicals from my derm

Overall, accutane has really made a difference. I have thankfully not experienced hair loss, depression or anxiery. I feel so much more human these days.

I know that i have work to do when it comes to my self esteem as clearness of my skin cannot be responsible for my level of happiness. But for the time being, i am taking things day by day, treating my body right and hoping that this course will get me on the right path to clear skin