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Hi all,
Wanted to post a quick update! Thanks for your positive vibes!
In a few days I'll be starting Month 4 - can't believe how time has flown by! I just got the blood work done a few days ago and dropped my prescription off yesterday! Of course they had to order it.. Absorica is never in stock.
Few side effects to note:
Lips still chapped, more so are cracking on the sides. Hard to get them to heel but I've been using Dr. Dan's Cortibalm multiple times through the day which helps some.
BIG negative side effect, joint pain. Goodness gracious, joint pain. Is this connected to Accutane? I would guess so but I guess I won't be able to tell until months after stopping. A few months ago I started to feel lower back pain and with months it's gotten worse. I got to the point that I went to the neurologist who had me get Xrays and MRI done. I saw him again this week and everything seems to be fine. This makes me believe it's the Accutane. I've read that others have similar joint pain. My pain is in my very lower back, almost at my butt. It usually hurts in the right side. Any type of walking, moving, lifting will irritate it. I live in NYC so I walk alot so this is not very comfortable. I've been trying to take it easy and have a heating pad on it right now which does help some. My neurologist also suggested I take Glucosamine pills which I started taking today (along with Vitamin D). Glucosamine is specifically for to assist in joint pain so let's hope this helps it because it hurts a whole lot!
Until next update...!
Hi all,
Wanted to post a quick update! Thanks for your positive vibes!
In a few days I'll be starting Month 4 - can't believe how time has flown by! I just got the blood work done a few days ago and dropped my prescription off yesterday! Of course they had to order it.. Absorica is never in stock.
Few side effects to note:
Lips still chapped, more so are cracking on the sides. Hard to get them to heel but I've been using Dr. Dan's Cortibalm multiple times through the day which helps some.
BIG negative side effect, joint pain. Goodness gracious, joint pain. Is this connected to Accutane? I would guess so but I guess I won't be able to tell until months after stopping. A few months ago I started to feel lower back pain and with months it's gotten worse. I got to the point that I went to the neurologist who had me get Xrays and MRI done. I saw him again this week and everything seems to be fine. This makes me believe it's the Accutane. I've read that others have similar joint pain. My pain is in my very lower back, almost at my butt. It usually hurts in the right side. Any type of walking, moving, lifting will irritate it. I live in NYC so I walk alot so this is not very comfortable. I've been trying to take it easy and have a heating pad on it right now which does help some. My neurologist also suggested I take Glucosamine pills which I started taking today (along with Vitamin D). Glucosamine is specifically for to assist in joint pain so let's hope this helps it because it hurts a whole lot!
Until next update...!
Joint pain is a big symptom of Accutane because it dries out the joints. That's pretty much the only symptom I've had as I'm entering month 3. It gets rough!
Wow this treatment has worked wonders for you minus the joint pain! I've read endless amounts of blogs to which some are very scary but reading yours has helped. I'm now 30 and I think it's a common age for us acne suffers to finally admit defeat and realise it's just not going away, my journey is literally word for word the same I can relate to your story completely but you're were lucky to have mild to moderate mines on another level I just hope I can stay positive, I start my treatment next week and would love to have the success as you have so far, keep us all posted
Wow this treatment has worked wonders for you minus the joint pain! I've read endless amounts of blogs to which some are very scary but reading yours has helped. I'm now 30 and I think it's a common age for us acne suffers to finally admit defeat and realise it's just not going away, my journey is literally word for word the same I can relate to your story completely but you're were lucky to have mild to moderate mines on another level I just hope I can stay positive, I start my treatment next week and would love to have the success as you have so far, keep us all posted
Good luck, I hope you have great success with this! Keep me posted on your results!
Well guys - it's been crazy but I haven't had one new zit in a entire month. Nothing. I've never felt or saw anything like this since I was too young to even care. It really is a fantastic feeling and I am beyond happy so far with the progress. I am very happy with my choice on going on Accutane.
Tomorrow I go in for my blood work (least favorite activity) to start my 5th month (!). I can't believe it's starting on 5 months next week!
My back pain stinks. Today is especially hurts, and it doesn't help that I live in NYC so I walk a ton. I've been taking Aleve and putting a medicated cream on it (like Icy Hot). I'm going to talk to my dermatologist about the pain tomorrow.
I'll report back with some new photos next week as well as posting my regime with products!
Wow this treatment has worked wonders for you minus the joint pain! I've read endless amounts of blogs to which some are very scary but reading yours has helped. I'm now 30 and I think it's a common age for us acne suffers to finally admit defeat and realise it's just not going away, my journey is literally word for word the same I can relate to your story completely but you're were lucky to have mild to moderate mines on another level I just hope I can stay positive, I start my treatment next week and would love to have the success as you have so far, keep us all posted
If it helps I'm about to start month 4 at 40mg a day. I have no symptoms. Not even dryness!
Wow this treatment has worked wonders for you minus the joint pain! I've read endless amounts of blogs to which some are very scary but reading yours has helped. I'm now 30 and I think it's a common age for us acne suffers to finally admit defeat and realise it's just not going away, my journey is literally word for word the same I can relate to your story completely but you're were lucky to have mild to moderate mines on another level I just hope I can stay positive, I start my treatment next week and would love to have the success as you have so far, keep us all posted
Good luck, I hope you have great success with this! Keep me posted on your results!
Well guys - it's been crazy but I haven't had one new zit in a entire month. Nothing. I've never felt or saw anything like this since I was too young to even care. It really is a fantastic feeling and I am beyond happy so far with the progress. I am very happy with my choice on going on Accutane.
Tomorrow I go in for my blood work (least favorite activity) to start my 5th month (!). I can't believe it's starting on 5 months next week!
My back pain stinks. Today is especially hurts, and it doesn't help that I live in NYC so I walk a ton. I've been taking Aleve and putting a medicated cream on it (like Icy Hot). I'm going to talk to my dermatologist about the pain tomorrow.
I'll report back with some new photos next week as well as posting my regime with products!
A month without a breakout! That's so awesome!!!
Hi all,
Here's a update!
I went and got my blood taken 2 days ago to start my 5th month. I told my dermatologist about my lower back pain and she said that was a pretty common side effect. She asked if it hurt often, and I said I did. Like I mentioned I live in a city so it's common to walk miles every single day to get around, so that doesn't exactly help the situation. We decided to lower my dosage from 30 MG twice a day to 30 MG once a day. She said it's not about how long you take Accutane for, it's about the dosage.
For example:
Taking 30 MG twice a day equals 60 MG.
Taking 30 MG once a day for 2 months equals 60 MG.
These are the same thing in the long run.
So it looks like I might stay on for a few extra months for lower dosage to make sure we get the full dosage in my body. She said I should start feeling better with back pains shortly, so I will report back to you guys about that.
Besides that the only other side effect is some chapped lips. Not really the lips themselves but the outside of my mouth. Today they don't look as bad as I tried to rub that extra skin gently off with a warm towel. Also the inside of my nose is still very rough, so I dab Vaseline inside them.
Here are pictures from today.
And a closeup for the lips:
If anyone is interested in the products I've been using during this journey, let me know and I'll post them!
Hi all, *waves*!
Today's update is Day 153, can't believe it's been this long already!
When I cut my Accutane dosage from 2 to 1 pills a day from my last post, I got a few small zits and started to worry. But after less than a week, they were all gone and my skin was clear again! I think my body was reacting to the dosage. It's an amazing feeling and I wish I could throw glitter up in the air for a celebration!
I went on vacation last week and what a fantastic feeling it was not to pack a whole suitcase full of lotions, spot medicines and tea tree oils! Not only did I hardly have to pack anything, but to go all day at the park (and water park!) feeling comfortable in my skin was such a difference then past trips. I'm still semi self conscious about my face, but after you've had acne for the majority of your life it's hard to break.
Right now I don't have any spots, I still have small scars on the side of my face from past acne, but I'm told it's not that noticeable and I'm just playing mind tricks on myself. Again... it's a hard habit to break!
Here's a picture last week:
I promised I'd post the products I use. I only use these.
I use Cerave for everything. I use the Hydrating Cleanser when I wake up in the morning and after I get out of the shower at night. I use the Moisturizing Cream when I go to sleep at night, it's amazing and helps so much in keeping dryness away. I haven't really had bad dry skin on my entire Accutane journey. I use the Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM in the morning before I put on my minted moisturizing foundation (down below). The great thing about this AM lotion is that it also has 30 SPF in it.
I take one of these babies a day. NO BABIES!
For my lips I use CortiBalm throughout the day (as well as Lip Smackers Dr Pepper!). When I go to sleep at night I use the Aquaphor, I only use this while I sleep.
And my dearly beloved, Tarte BB Cream. This is tinted moisturizer, slightly foundation (but I hate calling it that as it's much much lighter). It also has 30 SPF on it for extra coverage. I use the color "light".
Hope you enjoyed my update!
Hugs to you all!
Hi all,
A quick update!
I went to the dermatologist for my latest appointment and she told I was done Accutane. I thought I had a little time left...but guess not! So high 5! I made it.
To transition going off it she put me on Tretinoin Cream (0.025%). I just put on a small dot at bed time.
So far I've been off Accutane for 2 weeks now. I have to admit it's pretty scary as everyday I fear the acne might come back. The first few days off it, I had 2 small dots and started to worry already. Being on Accutane did teach me not to pick, so I just let them go and they were gone really fast. My dermatologist told me that I might get a initial breakout when I change, so I'm hoping those 2 were it. Now I'm back to being clear! The Tretinoin Cream should help my scarring and already I think my skin looks smoother.
The only bad part was that the Tretinoin Cream was a pain to get. I guess it's mostly used for cosmetic reasons, such as removing wrinkles. In that case, Insurance does not cover it. So I had to go through this ordeal of the pharmacy wanting me to pay $300, and then calling my dermatologist who had to call my insurance. The cream often needs to be pre approved by the dermatologist, so they tell them it's for acne. A few days later, it was covered and I picked it up for $10.
So now I begin life post Accutane...
Hi all,
A quick update!
I went to the dermatologist for my latest appointment and she told I was done Accutane. I thought I had a little time left...but guess not! So high 5! I made it.
To transition going off it she put me on Tretinoin Cream (0.025%). I just put on a small dot at bed time.
So far I've been off Accutane for 2 weeks now. I have to admit it's pretty scary as everyday I fear the acne might come back. The first few days off it, I had 2 small dots and started to worry already. Being on Accutane did teach me not to pick, so I just let them go and they were gone really fast. My dermatologist told me that I might get a initial breakout when I change, so I'm hoping those 2 were it. Now I'm back to being clear! The Tretinoin Cream should help my scarring and already I think my skin looks smoother.
The only bad part was that the Tretinoin Cream was a pain to get. I guess it's mostly used for cosmetic reasons, such as removing wrinkles. In that case, Insurance does not cover it. So I had to go through this ordeal of the pharmacy wanting me to pay $300, and then calling my dermatologist who had to call my insurance. The cream often needs to be pre approved by the dermatologist, so they tell them it's for acne. A few days later, it was covered and I picked it up for $10.
So now I begin life post Accutane...
That's good to know about the Tretinoin cream! I've had it prescribed for wrinkles and ended up getting it from Canada because it was so much cheaper.
Good luck in your quest to stay clear!
Hi all,
1 month, 6 days post Accutane and still completely clear! The Tretinoin cream is really helping with the scarring. I noticed my complexion is starting to look overall brighter and have less noticeable scarring. Someone told me a few days ago that my skin looked so clear, I almost cried, hahaha.
Happy Holidays!