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I feel like updating again because I am a total mess. All I do now is read other people's logs. It is comforting to know that there are so many people out there who have acne and are using accutane (going through the same symptoms). Sometimes, I feel alone. I guess I feel like this because I have low self esteem. Next week, I am going to go see a shrink to help me through this. I need to toughen up. Wish these stupid breakouts will go away once and for all.
hey buddy!!!!
dont give up!!!!
i am on my 5th pill today!!!
sometimes , i do feel lonely(when i took the first pill i did feel lonely, maybe i am afriad of this drug!!!)
my school ends, having holidays here.
i try to go out everyday with my friends, family,
that helps, BUT!!!! everyone will just say, "What happened to you? why you have acne that bad .... blah blah blah..... (Rolling my eyes)
i had Mino a year ago, it worked super well within 2months, my face was so clear, without any scars, its perfect!me
time flies, Mino no longer worked for me, my acne back again..
i saw my derm,
she asked me to try Accutane, i was afriad,
then i got Doxy + Epiduo (Tactuo Canadian version)
i had WASTED a month on that Epiduo shit!!!!!!!!
Epiduo Made my ance Worse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
especially on my left Jawline!!!!!!!!!
my left jawline is swollen like its a huge bump that stick up, and it looks like a whole group of pimples together(4-5) its really bad! and itcontains some Soft whiteheads that i can use a Tweezer to pick it up easily, but its so weird, like, i pick the whitheads in the morning,and then i come home after school, thry are there again dont know what to do and dont know if i should pick those freaking whiteheads.
Good Luck!
Hi Kenny, we are definitely in the same situation. I didn't have good results with the Epiduo. It was a waste of time. Minocycline is by far one of the best antiobiotics but also for me, the acne came back. I think it is important to stay busy. Like you, I am finishing school at the end of this week, then 2 months off which means that I can focus on the things that I want to do and maybe it will make me happy.
I was looking into activities that can get my mind off this drug and the side effects as well as make me happy.
My next derm appointment is in July 10th. Hope they increase my dose or something so that I can see if this drug is working. As of now, it seems that I have to deal with more annoying acne , worse then I ever had it before.
I feel like updating again because I am a total mess. All I do now is read other people's logs. It is comforting to know that there are so many people out there who have acne and are using accutane (going through the same symptoms). Sometimes, I feel alone. I guess I feel like this because I have low self esteem. Next week, I am going to go see a shrink to help me through this. I need to toughen up. Wish these stupid breakouts will go away once and for all.
Hang in there, Pam! I know it's rough, but you will get through this. We're all here for you if you need some support!
I feel like updating again because I am a total mess. All I do now is read other people's logs. It is comforting to know that there are so many people out there who have acne and are using accutane (going through the same symptoms). Sometimes, I feel alone. I guess I feel like this because I have low self esteem. Next week, I am going to go see a shrink to help me through this. I need to toughen up. Wish these stupid breakouts will go away once and for all.
Hang in there, Pam! I know it's rough, but you will get through this. We're all here for you if you need some support!
Thanks Rachel... I def need the support.
Hi Pam!
I wanna know which moisturizer are you using in daytime,
I brought Cataphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 50 today,
Hope it works
I am using the Neutrogena Facial Moisturizer for the daytime. It is SPF 45.
During the day, I use Aquaphor lip moisturizer. I also bought this night time lip moisturizer called Neosporin (weird coming from that brand, since I didn't even know they make lip products) and its white petrolium jelly. Very moisturinzing and I love it.
I have a question/dilemma for everyone....
I am due to get a new prescription on July 6th (10 days from now) and the doctor will be on vacation. I asked the nurse, if he can call in the prescription on that date and she said No because doctor will not have access to email etc..So, she told me that he will come back from vacation on July 9th. Nurse advised me to get my blood work taken before July 9th so that I can be set with the results, once the doctor returns from vacation. Anyway, does anyone know what is the window from taking the blood tests to getting the RX? Its always a challenge with Ipledge.
How many days can we go without taking Accutane. I just need to figure out if 3 days would be ok? Since that will be the time from when I finish my last pill to when the doctor comes back into the office.
Don't worry. Three days without Accutane isn't a problem. Many people here have to go a few days without pills before a derm appointment.
I would check with your derm's office to see when they recommend that you get your blood work done. I get mine done three days before my derm appointment. I think that's what most people do, but it'll be best to check with your derm!
On 6/26/2012 at 7:34 AM, KennyDeWyze said:Pam!!
[Removed]
My email,
Let's share our experiences!!!
Thanks!
My email is [Removed]
you can always write to me as well.
On 6/26/2012 at 7:38 AM, redhead rachel said:Don't worry. Three days without Accutane isn't a problem. Many people here have to go a few days without pills before a derm appointment.
I would check with your derm's office to see when they recommend that you get your blood work done. I get mine done three days before my derm appointment. I think that's what most people do, but it'll be best to check with your derm!
How is your last month going? Is your face clear?
Today was not a good day. I have 4 big huge cysts and I don't really even like walking on the street anymore. I am using some sulfer product to try and dry them up but I don't see anything helping. I've been reading other's posts and people are saying the breakouts go away quickly. Well, this isn't the case. I am trying to stay strong but its difficult. I'm crying writing this post. Maybe in a few days I will have better news to write.
So, today I went to the pool and I felt fine. It is almost one month since I started. I guess on 30mg, I am not as sun sensitive as people made it out to be. My lips are not that dry either. I guess I was expecting them to peel off but nothing like that.
As for my initial huge painful cycsts, I had to pop one and it made a big mess with puss everywhere.
Now, I hope it won't scar.
I'm going for blood work tomorrow. Let's see what happens. I'll keep everyone updated.
So as another update. I finished my 30 day course and now I am having a hard time getting a new prescription for Accutane. I had all my blood test results etc and when I called the doctor, he said I have to wait another 5 more days so he can go into ipledge to take the test. I am very upset because I feel like waiting a week without Accutane will make me go back to the begining. This is such a mess. I guess whatever the government is looking to regulate is becoming a nightmare. Of course, I am fully aware of the pregnancy side effects but this isn't fair.
I totally feel like a drug addict now...never thought that I would say this but I actually like Accutane. My side effects are very mild, for now but I want to continue the next 4months without drama.
Has anyone been in this type of situation??
Hi, Pam! Sorry, I never saw your last post to me. I haven't noticed whether I'm more sensitive to the sun or not. I don't seem to be... But I have very fair skin, so I've always burned easily. And since genetics has blessed me with freckles, they usually get darker or I get more after being in the sun for a long time. I did manage to spend a day in the sun while at a theme park a few weeks ago. I only put sunscreen on my face and arms that morning and I was fine after the whole day outside. I did get a minor burn on my back though. Nothing major.
I've never heard of anyone having that issue with a derm and iPledge. What should happen every month is... You get your blood work done. Then, you meet with the derm and when the derm makes sure all your levels are okay and you're not pregnant, he confirms that in iPledge. As soon as he confirms it, you're able to log on to the site and answer questions and then you can get your prescription. Your derm shouldn't be taking so long to confirm your results to iPledge. This should happen on the same day as your visit with him. He really has no reason to wait five days that I can tell since you've finished your 30 days. If you hadn't finished your 30 days, then there would be a wait. But you've already finished...
Update on Day # 35
So, after one whole week without Accutane (I stopped my last treatment and I couldn't get another prescription for 7 days), I can say that I am glad to be back on track. The doctor prescribed 60mg (2x a day) until the end of the last month (4 more months for me). This goes by very fast but I have no regrets so far. The initial breakout stage is almost done. My symptoms are nothing serious yet. I have just the dry mouth and dry skin on my legs.
I will update again very soon.
I am a nervous reck now be because my red blood cell count is a bit low. I am wondering if this is from the Accutane or it is beause of another type of condition. Has anyone experienced this??
So far, my side effects are not so bad. I am approaching week 1 on the 60 mg. ( so far, I have been on Accutance for 5 weeks.
Hi Pam - I'm Stacey. I think I might have commented on your log before. I'm 48 and I started accutane, 40mg, on April 30th. Today is day 80something for me. I've done three blood tests so far on this medicine and I currently know the results of two. Both showed my cholesterol and blood sugar elevated but everything else was fine. I'm not too concerned with the cholesterol because my HDL is really high but the blood sugar thing freaks me out. Of course this medicine in general freaks me out but strangely I'm getting used to the feeling.
I've had low red blood cells in the past not related to accutane and it's always meant I was anemic. This runs in my family and also I'm not a big meat eater so that factors in too. Usually I either have to go on iron supplements for a while or I have to up my intake of iron rich foods (such as red meat and spinach) and then my doc checks my levels again and they always go back up but they're always on the low side. I would think that if this hasn't been an issue for you in the past then it would be due to the accutane. I really don't think it's a big deal and will probably return to normal once you're off the meds. What did your derm say you should do? Do you eat a lot of iron rich foods? If you don't maybe it would be beneficial for you to try that for a month. Some good examples of iron rich foods are red meat, spinach, lentils and beans, sardines (an acquired taste I'm sure), pumpkin seeds, turkey, and oysters.
Glad to hear your side effects haven't been too bad. Mine either, more annoying than anything but I'll take that over giant oozing cysts on my face any day and I have to say that not having to blot the oil on my face a billion times a day has been ahhhh-may-zing!
Nick, you are soooo young, which is great that you went on Accutane and now you don't really have any scars. Unfortunately, my mom wouldn't let me get on Accutane when I was your age and now I am 32 and I have some very deep scars on my cheecks etc. I hope that I will be part of the 80% that accutane actually works for because I want to believe in this drug. But I am dissappointed in getting the flare ups while on Accutane. I am also trying to be careful in the Sun because I heard Accutane makes you sensitive to the sun, while other people said its not so sensitive.
Nick- I saw that you took it during the winter. Did you have nosebleeds? Headaches?
I am not so worried about the side effects as I am right now with these huge cycts. I feel like just not eatting anymore, so I can see if it is caused by my diet.
It's okay, I have some scars too.
NUMBER ONE RULE! Don't go in the sun! Seriously! And sorry it took me so long to reply! I did take it during the winter & had nosebleeds. No headaches though. I had a lot of nosebleeds. i used vaseline & a humidifier every night though & it healed!
& most likely the only thing that could be causing cysts in your diet is milk or heavy creamy stuff like ice cream because I drew a link to that with my body. (every time now that I eat ice cream I get a zit or two but nothing serious).
I'd say just be careful on accutane. Do NOT get any scratches because they WILL scar! I have on in between my eyes that is STILL healing from months ago. And it was a super duper superficial scratch.
Just.. take care 
It will work! It's still working for me. If you flush/look sunburned, it goes away. I thought it was going to stay forever but my skin is just glowy now! I have color in my cheeks that nobody else in my family has & i know it's from accutane & i like it!
Update on Day # 35
So, after one whole week without Accutane (I stopped my last treatment and I couldn't get another prescription for 7 days), I can say that I am glad to be back on track. The doctor prescribed 60mg (2x a day) until the end of the last month (4 more months for me). This goes by very fast but I have no regrets so far. The initial breakout stage is almost done. My symptoms are nothing serious yet. I have just the dry mouth and dry skin on my legs.
I will update again very soon.
I did 80mg a day and you're probaby smaller than me! Don't expect anything this month. Wait for month three... holy crap it's amazing. and then month 4 & 5! Just stupendous!!!
Also, I had some blood problems around month 3 (low liver count). Everybody's body is different. The doctors make sure that you won't get to such a low/high level that will be dangerous to your health. And it does regulate after your done with treatment or as your body gets used to it. It is such a high level of vitamin a that it's almost toxic, which brings along the side effects. But from what I've seen, they aren't permanent. If you can live through 5 months of being comfortable, the results are definitely worth it Just my 2 cents!
I know a lot of people will come on here saying that it's poison and stuff, and essentially it could be. But the doctors monitor you so that the toxicity doesn't reach a level that will cause permanent damage.
I am so thankful that there are many of you are giving me such positive an encouraging advice.
As I am approaching the end of Month 2, I am only really getting dry lips and it isn't so unbearable. I just have to carry Aquafor with me at all times.
I have my next derm appointment on August 2nd and I am going to see how my blood levels are doing. I was away for the weekend and I have to admit that I did drink a bit more then usual. So, I am just hoping that my liver enzymes aren't to low and I can still continue on the 60mg dosage.
UPDATE
So, I didnt get a change to write much since the last month because I have been traveling and on vacation. I am already moving forward with my 3rd month of Accutane. The doctor changed me to 80mg. I thought this was a bit high but i guess it all goes by the culminating dosage at the end of the 5 month treatment. So far my symptoms are only dry lips. Once in a while I will have a pain in my lower back but this can be caused by sleeping the wrong way etc.
I did not get any effects from the sun and I was able to tan for 7-8 hours with no problems. (used SPF 30).
My acne is already cleared but I have huge scars etc.
If anyone has any advice on scar treatment, please let me know.
Thanks
I am finally done. 6 months later!! I recommend Accutane to everyone that has cystic acne. I wish I did this a long time ago to have prevented the scarring. Well, I can't go back into time and change anything, all I can do is move forward. My doctor did say that I have an 80 percent chance of being cured, and a 20 percent chance for acne to come back. Just as a reflection, I didn't have any serious side effects. Just beautiful, not oily skin. Chapped lips, yes! Back pain, yes but tolerable.
Trust me.....Accutane is the best! It has changed my life, hope it changes yours!