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Update:
The more I think about it, I think it's because of that one night at the club. Because for the past 3 weeks, I had flawless skin. But after that one night of drinking and especially smoking, I randomly broke out a bit. Yes, it ain't bad and it's almost gone in a day, but I still wanted to know why I got a blemish. Now, I believe it is because of smoking. I haven't smoked for over 3 weeks and during that time I had zero acne. But a week ago I lit up a bunch, and two days ago I lit up again. I got acne the next day each time I lit up! Coincidence? Maybe...we shall see. I'm going to stay at 20mg for now since I believe it was just the smoking that started this blemish. Later players!
Is it true that I can avoid flushing/red face by taking low dose? (like 5mg/day ?)
Hi yunchange!
Same as you, I'm on low dosage maintenance program....have been on it for more than 2 years actually ^^;
I don't recommend it at all unless for a short period of time. You never know what damage it can do to your body. But as you and many others have said, I'm already at my wits' end, tried almost everything so I have no other choice but to stick to it.
I'm so paranoid I kept asking my dermatologist the same old question every time I see him: if there's any problems/issues with such low dosage maintenance program. And he said no. I even asked for a double confirmation every single time.
You are really lucky that you are totally cleared up at only 10mg per month and I'm really happy for you!! ^^
I'm taking 10mg 3 times per week and I'm not clear...unless I stick to a very strict regimen of exercising, eating properly, don't be stressed, get proper sleep, use correct products etc. But without the accutane, the acne comes back even with the strict regimen *cries*
Because I'm so scared of the side effects, sometimes I further reduce the amount I take. Like not taking for a few weeks, or just take this week, then not take the next week. It's not a very good idea but it's the best I can do to try to prevent the acne flare up while making sure my body system gets some rest time. My dermatologist doesn't have an issue with me doing this either.
I really wish to stop accutane though. I'm a girl and I wish to have my own kid, so I can't go on taking accutane forever. I don't mind having to stick to a very lifestyle so long as it keeps the acne away, but right now nothing except accutane works...
Sorry for posting so many out of topic stuff ^^;
That being said, I can identify with the low dosage program and it does help even without the overloading, just don't keep to it for too long ok? Go off it once you are able to =)
Continue updating! I have been curious about this ultra low dose as well. I've got yet Another derm appointment Thursday and will ask about this.
I'm still here! Going strong! What did your derm say?
Update: Been low dosing for 146 days! My average dosage per week has been 15-20 mg. 30 mg per week was too much for my lips. My skin is not perfect perfect but it is perfect for me! I am usually 98% clear all the time. My skin is white like a Japanese Geisha and my oil levels are still controlled (not gone but much lower). Sometimes I get little flare ups or random acne, but they disappear rapidly in a day and my doubts are gone. I will keep you guys posted and I promise to deliver a proof picture!
Is it true that I can avoid flushing/red face by taking low dose? (like 5mg/day ?)
Yes yes yes yes! Hell yes. At 35 mg a week you should see very little reddening. I have zero flushing and reddening at 10 mg, 20 mg, or 30 mg a week. I fucking hated the redness when I was taking 60 mg everyday.
Hi yunchange!
Same as you, I'm on low dosage maintenance program....have been on it for more than 2 years actually ^^;
I don't recommend it at all unless for a short period of time. You never know what damage it can do to your body. But as you and many others have said, I'm already at my wits' end, tried almost everything so I have no other choice but to stick to it.
I'm so paranoid I kept asking my dermatologist the same old question every time I see him: if there's any problems/issues with such low dosage maintenance program. And he said no. I even asked for a double confirmation every single time.
You are really lucky that you are totally cleared up at only 10mg per month and I'm really happy for you!! ^^
I'm taking 10mg 3 times per week and I'm not clear...unless I stick to a very strict regimen of exercising, eating properly, don't be stressed, get proper sleep, use correct products etc. But without the accutane, the acne comes back even with the strict regimen *cries*
Because I'm so scared of the side effects, sometimes I further reduce the amount I take. Like not taking for a few weeks, or just take this week, then not take the next week. It's not a very good idea but it's the best I can do to try to prevent the acne flare up while making sure my body system gets some rest time. My dermatologist doesn't have an issue with me doing this either.
I really wish to stop accutane though. I'm a girl and I wish to have my own kid, so I can't go on taking accutane forever. I don't mind having to stick to a very lifestyle so long as it keeps the acne away, but right now nothing except accutane works...
Sorry for posting so many out of topic stuff ^^;
That being said, I can identify with the low dosage program and it does help even without the overloading, just don't keep to it for too long ok? Go off it once you are able to =)
Wow, thank you for sharing your lovely story and I wish you all the best from a fellow low doser. Stories like ours will help people make informed choices later. I am glad you are seeing the doctor and getting check ups. I will keep your advice to heart. Hehe, I do feel like a guinea pig for sure. But I will keep continuing as long as my doc says my levels (especially trig and liver enzyme levels) are good. In my opinion I have better skin than some models because I low dose, and I don't need airbrush or photoshop! =)
I have a tip for you! If you remove breads, wheat, pasta, sugary foods, sugary drinks, chocolate, and candy from your diet your acne will improve!
Drop in more Melie! By the way, where are you from?
Please Please do not take accutane for a long time. did it and here is what is happening:
Extremely oily skin. Accutane was the only thing that helped. My Dosage: 10mg a day for the first month. Incrementally increased each month, and ending with 40 mg a day at month 4.
Read the same articles on how safe ultra-low dosage was, and started a regimen of 10mg every other day for 6-7 months. Total time on accutane - 12 months.
Never had any severe side effects while on the drug. The first 3 months I had some dry lips and thats it. All side effects disappeared while on the ultra-low dose course Skin was beautiful. Able to eat normal food. Basically, had no restriction on normal life habits.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
At the end of month 12, I started to experience some problems. 4 months post tane, my issues are the following:
1). Light color stool. Dark urine, despite drinking tons of water.
2). 24/7 dry mouth and throat
3). Dry and semi-red eyes
4). mild Joint and muscle pain
5). bad digestion. Bloating, gas, etc.
6). Insomina. Can't sleep no matter how tired.
Stopped Accutane immediately.
Accutane is a form of Retinol and accumulates in your body. while taking it, you may not experience any symptoms, b/c you body is protecting your other organs by storing it in your liver and fat cells (accutane is fat soluble). This gives you a false sense of safety. Many many people experience side effects AFTER stopping the drug. Its like smokers that smoked for 30 years and remained healthy. After they stopped smoking, they develop problems.
Anyway, i could go on and on about how accuntane works. My advice to evreyone is: Never Never take accutane for a long time. This ultra-low dose thing that everyone is talking about is not safe and should never be practiced.
Contact me if you have questoins.
I've been contemplating about doing low-dose accutane but wasn't so sure how effective it was.
Also, can you clarify something for me because I was skipping through some of the posts and you interchange the words 10mg a *day* then you say 10mg a *week*. Which one is it? Because that is vital information you need to be very clear on.
just to comment...
I used to have terrible TERRIBLE acne, then accutane saved my life. Unfortunately, I believe it made my stomach sensitive, and I had to stop because I ended up getting bloody stools. I think that was my fault because I was eating spicy foods and drinking beer while on accutane..so i think that may have been the actual problem..
...anyways.. I'm currently in the same boat you were in. After a year off accutane, I started to get break outs again, and my skin started to be oily. Fortunately, I am able to control my break outs with tretinoin cream .05% and I am now 85% clear. My acne was getting pretty bad without it (not as bad as it was before accutane , but still bad) ...However, I don't want to rely on that cream for the rest of my life, and would definitely like to try another method such as low-dose accutane.
, this post you made definitely convinced me to go and try accutane again because that shit worked so well for me the first time around..hopefully it will clear things up once and for all. :] Fuck acne. haha
Hiya guys,
This thread has kinda helped me hope again. I've tried accutane low dose 3 months, all back acne cleared but my cheeks still red, acne no where near as bad though. Should I be looking to accutane again? Please look at my topic list I've got a picture up, please help me. And congrats guys
I've been contemplating about doing low-dose accutane but wasn't so sure how effective it was.
Also, can you clarify something for me because I was skipping through some of the posts and you interchange the words 10mg a *day* then you say 10mg a *week*. Which one is it? Because that is vital information you need to be very clear on.
just to comment...
I used to have terrible TERRIBLE acne, then accutane saved my life. Unfortunately, I believe it made my stomach sensitive, and I had to stop because I ended up getting bloody stools. I think that was my fault because I was eating spicy foods and drinking beer while on accutane..so i think that may have been the actual problem..
...anyways.. I'm currently in the same boat you were in. After a year off accutane, I started to get break outs again, and my skin started to be oily. Fortunately, I am able to control my break outs with tretinoin cream .05% and I am now 85% clear. My acne was getting pretty bad without it (not as bad as it was before accutane , but still bad) ...However, I don't want to rely on that cream for the rest of my life, and would definitely like to try another method such as low-dose accutane.
, this post you made definitely convinced me to go and try accutane again because that shit worked so well for me the first time around..hopefully it will clear things up once and for all. :] Fuck acne. haha
I have never ever said I take 10 mg everyday. Right now I am on 10 mg a week. Sometimes I will take 20 mg a week.
Hiya guys,
This thread has kinda helped me hope again. I've tried accutane low dose 3 months, all back acne cleared but my cheeks still red, acne no where near as bad though. Should I be looking to accutane again? Please look at my topic list I've got a picture up, please help me. And congrats guys
Cheeks still red? How much of a low dose was it? I have been doing low dose for 164 days now and I have zero redness. I need more information from ya, like skin type, if you've ever done a full course, oil levels, acne level, age, sex, etc. Feel free to ask!
Update!:
Everything is still going good and I am clear most of the time. Not all the time. This is what I want to talk about as I have come to the realization.
I still get tiny acne spots from time to time but the Accutane kills it off fairly quickly and it does not happen frequently. Still happy with how things are going. Initially, I thought low dosing would make my skin clear 100% for 100% of my life. No, that is not true. It will help you control it and stay clear, but you will still get some spots now and then.
However, I am still happy with how it controls my oil levels and greatly reduces inflammation with the blemish I get from time to time. Everyone gets acne from time to time so I'm okay with this. I'm still continuing to do this as the benefits outweigh the bad. No side effects other than drier than normal lips! Woot!
Update :
Still going strong! Zero side effects now! Skin is 100 clear and smooth. And it's only been less than 2months!
Scratch that it has been 69 days since I took 10 mg a day
said it here.
but all good. glad low dose accutane is working well for you. i'll probably get mine when i can.
Omg my sincerest apologies. I will fix that right away. Just to clarify again. Never have I taken accutane daily for this low dosage experiment. Only weekly. 30 mg was my highest. But mostly (and currently), I am on 15 mg a week.
Update :
Still going strong! Zero side effects now! Skin is 100 clear and smooth. And it's only been less than 2months!
Scratch that it has been 69 days since I took 10 mg a day
said it here.
but all good. glad low dose accutane is working well for you. i'll probably get mine when i can.
Edited and fixed! Thanks!
I started 10mg of Epuris ( A brand of accutane ). Just today, took my first pill. Didn't feel anything.....I took 40mg before for a week or so. The first pill I took I felt something when I took a 40mg. This time, nothing. I'm looking to do long term, but probably will ask to ramp the does up if the side-effects are tolerable..
Also did your diet changed while on accutane. Did your lifestyle change overall due to Accutane. Currently I go out of my way to change bedsheets, stay clean of alcohol, eating as healthy as possible,etc. Would you slack on it a bit seeing the success of the
I do not eat processed foods, sugary drinks, and every single type of junk food. I always try to eat at home where I know what is going in my food. I stopped smoking and I stopped alcohol. Yes, I slack on it a bit and I can cheat because of Accutane. However, I rarely cheat because I know certain foods increase sebum production and that leads to acne. Beer and smoking also cause me to break out so fuck that stuff. And, the doc told me not to smoke or drink while on Accutane.
How long do you plan on taking low dosage accutane?
I plan on taking it until it stops working. Currently, it makes a profound difference in my skin (in a good way) so I will continue.
How long have you been taking accutane now yunchang?
On 20mgs a week, is there dry lips or dry eyes?
Been on this low dose for 178 days. On 20mg a week I don't get dry lips or eyes.
I wish it always kept me clear 24/7 but I get acne sometimes. It has reduced my oil greatly so I'm going to stick with it. Clear right now but I know I'll get some once in awhile. I'll keep u guys updated!
Hi Yunchang- thank you for all this information. I have finally had it. I've done everything, literally everything besides accutane for my cystic acne. I decided to call the dermatologist Monday to talk to her about Acvutane.
I know drinking is off the table (but I think it triggers my acne anyway), I eat fairly well. Working on cutting out sugar and processed foods, as I need to anyway - again, I think it's a trigger.
I'm nervous about the toxicity, the dry skin- ( my skin is different. I actually have dry skin to begin with) and the chapped lips.
I know myself so well, I'm certain my face will redden and my lips will chap.
My questions are this :
1) did you have to take a regular dose the first time you tried accutane? Is this maintenance?
2) can I suggest to my doctor to start me off super low to see how I do and build from there? Is that common?
3) how long does the initial break out take to come and go?
4) are you able to use any sunscreen you want? Is your skin more sensitive?
Thanks in advance for the information. Thanks for the months of updates!
Hi Yunchang- thank you for all this information. I have finally had it. I've done everything, literally everything besides accutane for my cystic acne. I decided to call the dermatologist Monday to talk to her about Acvutane.
I know drinking is off the table (but I think it triggers my acne anyway), I eat fairly well. Working on cutting out sugar and processed foods, as I need to anyway - again, I think it's a trigger.
I'm nervous about the toxicity, the dry skin- ( my skin is different. I actually have dry skin to begin with) and the chapped lips.
I know myself so well, I'm certain my face will redden and my lips will chap.
My questions are this :
1) did you have to take a regular dose the first time you tried accutane? Is this maintenance?
2) can I suggest to my doctor to start me off super low to see how I do and build from there? Is that common?
3) how long does the initial break out take to come and go?
4) are you able to use any sunscreen you want? Is your skin more sensitive?
Thanks in advance for the information. Thanks for the months of updates!
1. Yes, I would recommend doing a full course first! Because there is a chance that you may not have to do low maintenance if you have a successful first course! Listen to your doctor and you will be fine.
2. Yes, you can start low...but I would not ultra low dose like me. You have cystic acne, you need a higher dosage. But since you have dry skin, your doctor will probably give you a smaller dosage than the full.
3. Initial breakout will come. Mine was not as severe, but it definitely came. It will come within the first month if you are on full dosage, but it should reside within a week.
4. You HAVE to use sunscreen everyday! Heck, even if you have never touched accutane and your skin is already tanned, I would tell you to use sunscreen everyday! If you are going to be out in the sun, use it. The sun can be very damaging to our skin!
Yes, your lips will dry and your cheeks will redden! For sure. The higher the dose, the worse the cheeks and lips will dry. My cheeks were so red! Lol, but it all goes away once you finish. good luck! if you have any more questions, just ask me!
I am on Spiro and have dramatic positive changes. It is the second month. I wanted to try this before Accutane. My face is smooth and my scaring is subsiding. I think all women should def look into Spiro, before the accutane plunge, I knew my acne was hormonal, and I realized after hormone testing that my DHEA level was way out of wack even tho it said that I was wihtin the "normal" range. I investigated. And hopefully this is my cure. I will post a picture of me without make up on.
I'm a month into Low Dose as well. 10 mg/day. I've been put to 20 mg/day as of this week. I had no listed side-effects from 10 mg except for more drying of my hands, and "chappier" lips. Even with those, I could still manage without lipbalm if I drank enough water. Feeling the benefits though...
Frequency of new pimples are decreasing, but i'm still not satisfied yet...
I'm a month into Low Dose as well. 10 mg/day. I've been put to 20 mg/day as of this week. I had no listed side-effects from 10 mg except for more drying of my hands, and "chappier" lips. Even with those, I could still manage without lipbalm if I drank enough water. Feeling the benefits though...
Frequency of new pimples are decreasing, but i'm still not satisfied yet...
im glad you are taking accutane but I just want people to be sure that what I am doing is 20 mg a WEEK. Not 10 mg each day or not 20 mg each day. my experience is for those who are doing ultra low dosing for long term instead of the average 5-6 month course.
Update:
My skin is doing really really well. I am not 100% clear because I do have some signs of tiny acne. But unless you are kissing me with your eyes open...you will think I am 100% clear. Been eating healthy, exercising, sleeping well, and no fapping (lol). just a lot of self control in eating and exercising. i hope accutane keeps working...
Yunchang, wow, that *is* ULTRA low! I was on low dose for basically a decade, with regular breaks (about a month to six weeks each year). I was taking about 40-60mg each week (so, let's say 50mg per week on average), usually in 10mg or 20mg doses every second or third day. I didn't have any side effects except for almost clear skin (I was still getting breakouts around my period, but nothing I really worried about). At that dose, it would take between three to four years to match a single "traditional" course of accutane, so you could say I've been on three courses.
I was side-effect free on this regimen until this year. About six months ago, I noticed mild hair loss and significant crepitus in my knees (crackling and popping sounds, but no pain). The hair loss is now subsiding and could well have been the result of a very stressful event last summer, and the crepitus is common in my family, so these could be totally independent of accutane, but I've stopped accutane as well as running, and am working on strengthening some muscles supporting my knee cap. After stopping the low-dose accutane, I was on doxy for a few months and then got sick of how finicky it is (you really have to be careful how you ingest it so you don't give yourself an ulcer, which I did, multiple times -- oops). Now I'm on 25mg of spironolactone which is keeping me almost entirely clear. I had taken spiro in my early 20s and needed 100mg per day, but now this small daily dose of 25mg seems to be enough.
I wouldn't recommend low dose isotretinoin over such a long term to anyone without proper supervision and blood tests. It is not a well studied approach, and risking musculoskeletal or other unknown systemic consequences is simply not very smart, to put it mildly. However, it would indeed be interesting to see some serious attention be given to this approach by the research community.
Yunchung, what does your doctor say about your approach now that you've been on it for a while? Does s/he still dismiss it as laughable? I must admit that dose sounds too low for your body to even register it, but if it's working, who are we to argue?
Yunchang, wow, that *is* ULTRA low! I was on low dose for basically a decade, with regular breaks (about a month to six weeks each year). I was taking about 40-60mg each week (so, let's say 50mg per week on average), usually in 10mg or 20mg doses every second or third day. I didn't have any side effects except for almost clear skin (I was still getting breakouts around my period, but nothing I really worried about). At that dose, it would take between three to four years to match a single "traditional" course of accutane, so you could say I've been on three courses.
I was side-effect free on this regimen until this year. About six months ago, I noticed mild hair loss and significant crepitus in my knees (crackling and popping sounds, but no pain). The hair loss is now subsiding and could well have been the result of a very stressful event last summer, and the crepitus is common in my family, so these could be totally independent of accutane, but I've stopped accutane as well as running, and am working on strengthening some muscles supporting my knee cap. After stopping the low-dose accutane, I was on doxy for a few months and then got sick of how finicky it is (you really have to be careful how you ingest it so you don't give yourself an ulcer, which I did, multiple times -- oops). Now I'm on 25mg of spironolactone which is keeping me almost entirely clear. I had taken spiro in my early 20s and needed 100mg per day, but now this small daily dose of 25mg seems to be enough.
I wouldn't recommend low dose isotretinoin over such a long term to anyone without proper supervision and blood tests. It is not a well studied approach, and risking musculoskeletal or other unknown systemic consequences is simply not very smart, to put it mildly. However, it would indeed be interesting to see some serious attention be given to this approach by the research community.
Yunchung, what does your doctor say about your approach now that you've been on it for a while? Does s/he still dismiss it as laughable? I must admit that dose sounds too low for your body to even register it, but if it's working, who are we to argue?
In Korea ultra low dosing is common for isoretinoin. They hand out isoretinoin like candy here. Also, the doctors approach is nowhere near as dramatic as the USA. In America, they blast you with a full course for 5 months. Here, the dosage is a lot smaller and long term.
My doctor does this with many of his other patients. Frankly, it is my firm belief that ultra low dosing for maintaining skin after accutane should be standard procedure. It helps so much and I am currently getting little to no side effects. I think we will see more and more research coming out. Check out the study done by Plewig for more info.