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Hi everyone,
About to embark on a second round of accutane at ultra low dose so thought I'd keep a log since it might help others with what to expect. My history;
- Acne and a bit of dermatitis, super oily skin, since 13, cleared at 21 with accutane
- coming off accutane had a hideous dermatitis reaction to the oil returning, so went onto three 40mg tabs (I think) every 3 months, kept everything in check for a couple years
- since then, using the regimen has worked well
- now am 31 and have had a few cysts in the past few weeks, which is new. Think the oil has come back at a level to cause cysts, I don't know. It is far, far better than it was back in the day before my first course though.
I knew it was time to do something medical again when I found myself cancelling business meetings and social events, even taking time off work, because of my skin. Had forgotten about how that felt since it was teenage years the last time I felt like that.
So I figured sod it, I want to live my life properly and stop messing about. Went to see the derm and he prescribed some ultra low dose accutane.
Here's my Rx: 20MG daily for two weeks, then twice weekly for 6 months. I'm going to keep on using BP, because in my previous experience of low dose accutane, you can use other stuff along with it, it just saps the oil out of the equation a bit more. See how I go.
The main thing I'm afraid of is initial breakout. It was absolutely horrible last time, but I did it whilst on holidays from Univeristy. This time, no such luck. I'm in a job where I occasionally have to be on TV and I'm dealing with people a lot, often social events I'm required to be at. I'm hoping since my acne is wayyyyy better than it was back on my first course, and this is a low dose, that the oil will just clear up.
About to pop the first pill and feeling optimistic. I know first hand what life is like in the latter stages and after accutane and it's FANTASTIC. I used to party all night, forget to wash my face, work out all the time, eat whatever I wanted, not a single blackhead or zit even in sight. That's what I want back again.
Current situation: blackheads all over nose, one huge zit on side of nose, been there about a week, 4-5 smaller zits on upper lip, two painful cysts on back of neck. Wish me luck!!!!!!!
Why hello there! I am on my second round of Accutane also, after having cleared up for 9 years with my first course. Like you, I was MOST DISPLEASED to see my acne return, after having completely changed to a happy, free person from a sad, acne-trapped person, and not wanting to return.
Anyhoo - just wanted to say hi! I related so much to many of the things you said.
I am just now starting to feel that wonderful feeling where you get up in the morning and think about what you are going to do that day and how tasty coffee is, instead of waking up and instantly wondering about that big f-ing zit you discovered last night.
Yay to freedom. I hope your course goes well!
Wow, almost exactly the same situation! Yeah life without acne, it's like you become a different person. Little things just like you said. If someone asks you if you want to catch a drink your first thought is 'do I feel like it' not 'must look in the mirror and let my acne decide whether I go out',. Sucks so bad. Here's to killing acne for good with a second course 
Haven't been updating this log much because - there's nothing of interest to report! Day 5, and it seems like the oil is just drying up. I haven't had one new zit since I started the course, and the old ones are just drying up and disappearing. Fingers crossed I've dodged the initial outbreak bullet. One thing I want to recommend is a cream called Neo Medril or something like that. Absolutely unbelievable stuff, dries pimples right out when applied twice a day. Anyway, will update again in a few days, hopefully, everything continues to improve! Actually can feel me getting my life back day by day as it improves. I was under some bright lights the other day with people and normally I would be really self conscious but I didn't care. It's the little things that give you the biggest satisfaction when you're kicking acne's ass.
Hmm ok spoke too soon. Day 8 and there are new spots popping up daily. Weird, small ones though. The cysts are all but healed, but the new ones are kind of small red bumps, 5 at the moment. I thought about stopping the pill every day for two weeks but I think I should push through. Most of them aren't really coming to a head just staying as small bumps, going to douse them in BP in the morning and New Medril at night, see what that does. I'm at that point where even one small spot really pisses me off, so this is quite annoying. The first week was like a magic bullet. Accutane works in mysterious ways.
Day 14 and not doing too well. Over the weekend things were really healing up but this morning I woke up to two cysts and a third on the jawline which has been coming for a few days, God, so wanted to avoid initial breakout. Also I can still see oil on my face but with dry skin too. This is the worst combo for acne, dead skin bathed in oil. Christ.
Anyway following the derm's program I now have to drop back to two tablets per week. Will this make it worse or better? Who knows. Of course I have a huge schedule coming up of vacations and important events. Superb timing acne, as ever, you bastard. 
Update, As soon as I stopped taking it every day and dropped back to one 10mg tablet a week things have really been improving. In fact if I look after myself my skin would be spotless. The issue is if I go out for a few drinks or exercise for a particularly long time I am still getting the odd zit. On the whole though I would say that so far, I can confirm that super low dose accutane is working.