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Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum and wanted to document my journey as I start taking accutane (isotretinoin).
First of all, let me give you a bit of background - I'm 29, female and I live in the UK.
I've had acne since I hit puberty at around age 14-15. I tend to always have an assortment of red pimples, inflamed spots and skin coloured pimples that don't get inflamed but I can squeeze white stuff out of. I also get (about every month or two) deep, very painful cysts that are impossible to cover with makeup and can last for weeks. A lot of these get severely infected and require a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to clear them up. The most recent ones have been around my mouth, making it painful to talk or eat.
I was put on contraception when I was 15 to try and control my acne, then moved on to topical zinc ointment and then and various topical antibiotics. None of these worked so last year I finally found a doctor who was willing to put me onto oral antibiotics. I tried doxycycline first, that was fine and I saw a mild improvement in my skin. However, after a couple of months it started to make me feel extremely nauseous so it was stopped and replaced with lymecycline. I was fine on that and was on it for 6 months. My skin improved but still wasn't completely clear and I still got the occasional cyst. After 6 months it was stopped (as per the treatment regime, apparently) and I was told to see how I got on. Within the month my skin went back to its usual crappy self. I was put back on the lymecycline but this time saw no improvement at all. After 4 months I was taken off it and referred (finally!!) to a dermatologist. He took one look at me and recommended accutane. He suggested a month of double strength lymecycline before I started accutane as he has found that it reduces the chance of having an initial breakout when you start the accutane.
I have now been on the high dose lymecycline for a week and got my prescription for accutane today after a second visit to the acne clinic. I've been researching ways to deal with the most common side effects and found this forum so I thought I'd make a log, hopefully so I will get some support from you guys who have all been there before and maybe some tips on how best to cope. I'm a bit nervous but looking forward to the journey towards clear skin!
Why do people always feel the need to comment on your skin? I got called into work (I work in a hospital) just as I'd got ready to go out to a meal so I had makeup on. The antibiotics have started to clear my skin up too so I was feeling pretty good about myself until one of the people I work with peered at my face and said 'hey, you've done your makeup - I can't see your spots any more!' Ouch. Back to square one of feeling crappy about my face.
Welcome Astarte (Love that name). I wish you the best of luck with your journey, and will keep things crossed that the double round of antibiotics will help keep your initial breakout at bay. I was on 2 different antibiotics in the month leading up to my start on accutane, and it did help, I've not had much of a breakout at all. How many MG are you taking?
Best suggestions I can give: Drink LOTS of water, keep lip balm on hand, and make sure you get a good moisturizer for when you start to see the flakes.
Thanks, PersnicketyChick! 
I'm taking 408mg twice a day, so 816mg daily. To be honest I don't think I'll mind too much if I have a bit of a breakout when I first start on accutane, from what I've read on here it seems like your skin has a bit of a purge and that can only be a good thing! As long as I don't get any of the really painful cysts I'll be happy.
Hi, waytoooldforthis! Thanks for dropping by my log.
Yeah, the GP's have been messing about for years, I've had a variety of comments ranging from 'well, I don't think your skin looks that bad' (NOT HELPFUL!!) to 'I don't want to refer you to a dermatologist, they'll just put you on roaccutane and I don't think we're there yet' (what's this bloomin' *we* business, it's not you who has to look in the mirror at this face!)
Just a short update tonight. Two and a bit weeks to go on the antibiotics and at the moment I have *no* actives (for the first time in as long as I can remember!) I still have a bunch of red marks all over my face but hey, let's celebrate the little milestones! Can't wait to start accutane now and kick this acne into touch forever!
Hi, waytoooldforthis! Thanks for dropping by my log.
Yeah, the GP's have been messing about for years, I've had a variety of comments ranging from 'well, I don't think your skin looks that bad' (NOT HELPFUL!!) to 'I don't want to refer you to a dermatologist, they'll just put you on roaccutane and I don't think we're there yet' (what's this bloomin' *we* business, it's not you who has to look in the mirror at this face!)
Got to say, I wish more people would SAY this sort of thing to doctors, and be more proactive about their health care. I know that doctors have the education, but they DON'T live in our bodies, or experience what goes on in our emotions and thoughts.
Less than a week till I start on accutane! I don't know whether to be excited or scared!!
My skin is actually looking the best it's looked in a long time, apart from a couple of healing spots that I got the day after my post that I had no actives (typical!) I'm going on a blue & red light machine on Thursday to help reduce the existing red scarring I have before I go on the accutane, because I don't know if I'll be allowed on it after I start (will have to speak to derm).
By the way, has anyone tried lotus oil on their face while on accutane? I use one at the moment by Clarins and it's lovely - just wondering if it will still be ok?
So, here we are...day 4! Not really noticed anything yet, skin wise or side effects. The two spots I had popped today (which is great cos they were painful) so hopefully they will heal quickly. The only thing I have noticed is that this evening my skin feels a little...tender, almost like sun burn. I know it isn't because I haven't been outside much since I started accutane on Sunday and when I have been out, it's been early morning or late evening, when it's dark (I work in a hospital and do odd hours!)
So far, so good!
My skin did the same sunburnt thing. It was just super-sensitive. Even the pillow case hurt against my cheek. As far as the oily-flaky thing, I've been through that, too. My forehead in particular did that before I started Tane, and since then what little oil I have on my skin seems to come with some flakes. You should definitely start lotioning right away. Don't wait to get gatorfied.
I haven't had the sunburn thing today so maybe I just scrubbed my skin too hard with the flannel last night. I've been putting moisturiser on morning and night like normal but haven't put it on in the day yet - how do you guys manage that with makeup? Does it not rub it all off or smear it? Or do you take your makeup to work too?
You should probably put on sunscreen even when you're inside. The windows won't protect you!
I'll bear that in mind, thanks!
Soooo...is it possible to be oily and a bit flaky all at the same time?? That seems to be what is happening today!
Yep, it's possible. This is especially true with seborrhoeic dermatitis.
Good luck! I'm 43 days into my treatment after years (broke out when i was about 17, now i'm 25) of horrendous skin and i know the pain of being ashamed of the way it looks. 'Off-hand' comments from people who have always had perfect skin is irritating but just ignore them and remember you're doing something to try and improve it 
(i remember a friend moaning to me how she got 1 small spot on her cheek and acted like the end of the world - considering the way i look i just wanted to slap her haha)
But yes drink lots of water, moisturise and use chapstick/equivalent to manage the dry lips - seems to be working for me atm though i'm going through chapstick like they're going out of fashion!
Once again best of luck, don't let the bastards grind you down!
Thanks, simski22! I'm doing ok so far, at the moment apart from an occasionally itchy scalp and slightly drier lips I haven't noticed any side effects. Not yet anyway, although I have only been on it a week! I am starting to break out on my face and my body though, so much for my derm's theory that a month of double strength antibiotics before accutane stops an IB!
Today has been a bit of a rubbish day. Started off fine, but then late morning within the space of about five minutes an itchy rash came up on my arm by my elbow, then late afternoon I got lower back pain, my scalp and chin are really itchy and to top it all off I think I'm getting a cold, so every time I blow my nose I have to put balm on it. Meh. It's not all bad though, I got home, put my pj's on and my lovely boyfriend made me a hot toddy and dinner Going to have an early night and start again tomorrow!
