Hi...I did 40mg a day and was about your weight. I was 24....month 3 was when things really turned around. I did 5 months. Back 4 years later though!

Moisturise lots and look forward to clear skin!

Also....never ever be without lip balm!!

so did u do 40 mg the whole way through...and what mg are u doing now....I mean maybe I should do the 80 mg I am just afraid of the side effects....im just praying these red marks will go away...and the cystic outbreaks will stop atleast after one month....I feel so ugly right now

I'm not on it this time round and dont think i will to be honest. Wasnt worth it for me in the long run. Just back on the boards looking for answers!! I did 40 all the way through. I know it's horrible but at least the end is in sight for you. I hope it works but definitely have some kind of regime for when you're off it.

I used BP every night after until I got pregnant. Now I'm battling again to get it under control.

80 is very high. You will be so dry. Try smaller dose for longer. Seems a lot of people going down that route now.

Day 6.....After a week of no air conditioner in the hot sun of Arizona...I am praying I get my air conditioner fixed today. This heat has not helped my skin at all. Today I have decided to try to make some changes while on Accutane....I want this journey to try to be an over all healing experience for me. I believe my sudden case of severe acne is due to me really having a breakdown in my life and not accepting me for me and maybe even allowing the wrong people in my life. So...I am setting new goals....1. to not think about my skin too much in the day....to find new activities that I love....to pray more, laugh more, love more, meditate.....to not be afraid of the scars...to heal not just physically but mentally and emotionally....to exercise, eat more....gain weight....and bring more joy into my daughters life.

Unfortunately, I am not ready to go out to malls or big public places because my skin is so messed up right now...but I am taking this time for me....if any of you guys have any ideas or foods u think will help with me gaining weight too healthily please add on. Ive lost over ten pounds in the past few months and I want to work on my overall health and healing. If you are reading this...thank you....and I wish u well on your Accutane journey also. Day 6....

Sankofa1: I'm sorry to hear about the sudden and traumatic onset of cystic acne for you. I never had a problem with it in middle or high school and didn't struggle with it until suddenly as I turned 21. Not the same as 32, I know, but it was still rough. Fortunately, Accutane is very successful and a great treatment option for most people. Clear skin is in your future.

In the mean time, I found that getting back to what I loved and what made me me was most helpful in my darkest moments. I tried to stop focusing on how I looked and enjoy reading and running and doing productive things. I always loved animals and had gotten away from that passion, so I got a pet fish (doesn't sound like much, but it actually helped me regain some perspective regarding what I valued as a person. I placed a pretty heavy emotional burden on that poor fish, but he's doing alright Point is, it isn't superficial or vain to want to look presentable to the public, but I think it is easy to get caught up in skin obsession and appearance that we can lose sight of what is most important to us. I was upset that, at 21, I wasn't out hitting up the bars with friends because I felt debilitated by my breakouts. But being on Accutane, I know I'll get those experiences and I am a better, more balanced person because of it.

Being on Accutane is not easy. The side effects are not fun, and the first few months can be really tough. But use this as a time to find what you truly value (art, music, your daughter, etc.). I'm not always the biggest believer that everything happens for a reason, but I think there is always a lesson to be gained from negative experiences. So hold your head up high, get ready for some bumps in the road, and know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck on your course!

awww thank you Break it out now...how were the first few months tough for you? My biggest concern now with the initial breakouts is scarring which I hear can happen on Accutane. I try to not look in the mirror much since my face is filled with a lot of red marks already...and more bubbly little cystic scabs emerging and I HOPE dying off. For some reason I feel like my acne is different from others. I have been reading a lot , listening to music, and making future plans when things get better...

The toughest part in the beginning for me has been the apprehension. I constantly wondered "is this the IB? Is it going to hit now?!" I am 72 (73?) days in now and I can say my face never exploded into awfulness. There was just a steady stream of breakouts popping up and that was a pain. The scarring potential is real. I never scarred (or at least not much) until the last month on accutane where I got 2-3 deep pitted marks. I'm not real self conscious about them but they aren't fun. Just be very careful not to pick at anything, especially further into your course as your skin gets more brittle. Additionally, for any open wound type things (if you do pick and it is bloody and scabby and whatnot) aquaphor helps a lot and is noncomedogenic I believe. It can reduce scarring potential. Just keep in mind that you can't expect results right away and it's a marathon not a sprint. But it pays off and it is so worth it. Continue posting on the logs as you see fit, but don't use them as an excuse to pick apart every aspect of your skin. I've fallen into that trap myself and had to remind myself that it was probably better to just let it go and try to think about something else for awhile. That said, we're here for you if you need some extra support in these first few weeks.

Day 6.....After a week of no air conditioner in the hot sun of Arizona...I am praying I get my air conditioner fixed today. This heat has not helped my skin at all. Today I have decided to try to make some changes while on Accutane....I want this journey to try to be an over all healing experience for me. I believe my sudden case of severe acne is due to me really having a breakdown in my life and not accepting me for me and maybe even allowing the wrong people in my life. So...I am setting new goals....1. to not think about my skin too much in the day....to find new activities that I love....to pray more, laugh more, love more, meditate.....to not be afraid of the scars...to heal not just physically but mentally and emotionally....to exercise, eat more....gain weight....and bring more joy into my daughters life.

Unfortunately, I am not ready to go out to malls or big public places because my skin is so messed up right now...but I am taking this time for me....if any of you guys have any ideas or foods u think will help with me gaining weight too healthily please add on. Ive lost over ten pounds in the past few months and I want to work on my overall health and healing. If you are reading this...thank you....and I wish u well on your Accutane journey also. Day 6....

I think these are awesome goals! I find that not looking in the mirror really benefits my state of mind. Who gives a crap if people don't like what they see when they look at me - their problem, not mine at all. I am not a fan of big places either but just walking around outside or taking your daughter to a park means that your focus is on something besides your skin. Also, starting a journal of your dreams can be helpful - gives you direction for your life. Keep on praying for the strength to keep on keeping on and you will get it. You are an amazing person and as God is my witness, you will make it through this.

On another note, i found that keeping a log on my acne experiences helped me track progress. Maybe once a month updates. You'll also get a chance to connect with others.

finished first pack of claravis 40mg today.....still breaking out..not sure if its the stress or the Accutane..its mostly pustular.. but kind of had a breakdown today...as my life is in pure chaos...and I cant stand the me that is now...but im trying to deal with it....not so well though. Need to find a new direction and hope....for some reason since starting Accutane it seems like my skin looks more prominent with scarring on one side of my cheek and especially on my chin......just really a down day today....I miss my old skin

Day 13...still breaking out in 2 more new cysts ...this is so frustrating!

Keep your head up. Know that your experiencing the initial breakout. Think of it as a good thing. Really what it means is the Accutane is working a pushing out all the acne that was in waiting under your skin.

I was on Accutane for just under 8 months and things got much better around month 3 and by month 5 my face was clear, but I would get acne that cropped up still so my derm kept me on until I went a full month without a single zit. It's a process, remind yourself of that. I think so many people start this medication and expect it to be a miracle right off the bat. It takes time.

Also I was on

40mg, 40mg, 40mg, 60mg, 60mg, 60mg, 40mg

I'm going to echo Moonlight here and offer encouragement. I broke out pretty badly around Day 12-16, cleared REALLY nicely around Day 40, hell again Days 45-60, and since then I've only had 3-4 small things that are barely noticeable and go away quickly (1-2 days). The first two months you just have to get through. Use this time for YOU and doing the things you love. Things are going to clear up and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Just keep your eye on the long-term goals here.

I also think you should look at the IB as a good thing (easier said than done). Think of it as a layer of clear skin working it's way to the surface and pushing out anything in its way. It's acne's last stand.

Just wanted to say good luck and that I can completely relate to how you feel. I have a daughter who is 7 now but when she was 3 my skin went crazy. Couldnt take her anywhere as I was so self conscious. Lost out on valuable time with her. I did accutane 4 years ago. When you clear you will make up for lost time. For now just enjoy reading books, painting and indoor games.

Im now going through it all again with my 6 months old baby boy. Gutted.

it will work...it takes time....month 3 was where my spots cleared x

im so depressed tho I don't even know if they will keep me on the Accutane as I started an antidepressant to combat the anxiety and am losing too much weight....I look sickly went from a size five to a 0 which cant help my skin...I almost feel like going all natural but im going to try to be strong..its just the fact its scarring already and my pores and everything looks bigger now and cysts everywhere

I know you feel down but by the time your skin clears you will be a different person. The scars.....are they ones that were there before or are they new?

Also keep in mind that scarring is MUCH more noticeable on Accutane because your skin dries out and has nothing to plump it out. I sometimes look in the mirror and even if I'm clear I feel like my scars make me look downright OLD. But your skin will balance out nicely at the end and it will get better. And after Accutane there are scar treatments you an do. Don't fret too much! You're going to be alright! This is just a tough time in the course but it will get better. Just keep taking the pills and passing the time!

Day I don't know think about three weeks now..came from derm...she said I should not be doing the 40 mg and really should be atleast at 50 mg...she said the higher the dose the less likely I would still be breaking out and would be more dry...everyone else has told me different hmmm? anyways she said my scars are not too deep and can heal after Accutane and then I can do treatments so now its time for me to get more positive....make some friends...find things to do in the house...and have faith this shit is going to go away...I just hate going out and seeing those clear skin mfs...and my shit is all f'cked up u know!

also...did u guys see blackheads surfacing on your nose..i never even thought I had blackheads all on my nose and now its like dayummmm blackheads just all over my nose

Yep....I never knew I had black heads there til they came out! Don't squeeze them though!!

50 is quite high if you're only small but if your derm thinks it's best then go with it! However if the dryness and side effects are too much then you can drop down!

So about three and a half weeks in..its been a very stressful time for me...so i dont know whats accutane and whats just me breaking out...getting alot of breaking out on chin still and side of face unfortunately...and its still cystic...been feeling really depressed and not sleeping well but its because im in a place in my life when i feel like everything is falling apart. im practically homeless...broke as all hell...and having the worst social anxiety due to this acne and my weight loss. I just hope i overcome all of this...i just want to look and feel normal again

another day trying to deal with the acne breakouts. chin is a warzone right now...blackheads purging...cysts and whiteheads...left side hyperpigmentation fading ..plus,,,right side...old cysts healing i hope...forehead a bit of underground bump breakout...getting very dry now...and lips chapped non stop...trying to keep the faith...going to start to do some biblical counseling.....positive reinforcement tactics...its very hard to get caught in the why me or why did i do this to myself? so right now just dealing with the acceptance of it all

almost a month in...and my skin looks worse then ever...im waiting to write a post that seems positive but I am so hurt right now. Five months of only having acne and im scarring already in pitted scars and so much hyperpigmentation all along my face. so many cysts..large bumps coming out...shit is depressing....I don't even recognize myself anymore in the mirror. Before Accutane I didn't have scars....now this crap is scarring me for some reason and making worse breakouts bigger. This week I ate a lot of crap to try to make myself feel better. I don't know if that's contributing to the breakouts....but I am just miserable

The first month is always the worst. Hang in there and focus on getting yourself healthy, that will do wonders for you skin and your stress levels. Thinking of you!

One month in going for blood work tomorrow then going to see dermatologist thursday..hoping to get my second month and see some results..last week was the worst ...woahhhhhh serious breakouts...im still in hiding.....waiting to go out really and start living again...feeling kind of lonely..except for the people on acne.org most people dont get why im so depressed over this skin thing....

Hi there, I've noticed your problems and thought I'd give you my experience of Roaccutane.

I'm 29, and had three months on Roaccutane earlier this year, and I've never looked back.

Like you, mine was cystic, however I was pretty lucky as my problem was on my back, so it was easy to cover up, but some of the cysts used to measure 4 inches across at times, and there was nothing more uncomfortable than getting in and out of my car resting my back on the seats, or generally sitting at home watching TV with my body weight pressing against the cysts.

I put up with this for roughly 10 years, and I've had various courses of oxytetracyclines and erythromycin, but in the end, I got an appointment at my local hospital to see a dermatologist.

The first month will always be bad, I'm not going to lie to you. You'll find your skin has become completely dry, and the spots/cysts appear more enraged......this is normal so try and think positive. The isotretinoin in the roaccutane is pushing all the bacteria from your pores......top tip - keep a lip balm on you at all times, and get hold of a tinted moisturiser to try and tackle the redness in your face. (I'm sure there are products like this for women?!). I found E45 cream useless, so I got a Boots for Men gradual tint moisturiser which took away the appearance of red on my face to a more brown look. Yes, my problem was my back, but my face got the side effects (red skin as if I was hot, dry, irritable to the touch, nose bleeds, and dry lips, although my eyes were fine). I also suffered from dry and peeling skin on my arms, so here's another top tip - use a moisturising shower gel and try and keep away from soap.

The second month can be as bad, but generally after a few weeks, things will calm down, however you'll still get the dryness of the skin.

One thing I will try and advise is to not let everything you see on the internet put you off about using this drug. Also, don't let it get in the way of your hobbies and interests. I was advised to cut down on my physical activities, especially lifting weights and my cycling, but I ignored this completely. It was gym, protein shake, the roaccutane. Infact, I was caught taking roaccutane with a protein shake!

Once my treatment was up, everything felt great. I could relax sitting down. About two weeks after my treatment I went to Vegas, and it was the first time in a very long time that I took my shirt off around a pool with friends. I felt and looked normal................

.....................although I badly sunburned my ankle - the roaccutane can still make your skin sensitive to sunlight even a few months after treatment, so beware! If you're going on holiday, get your factor 50 out!!!!

Good luck, you'll be fine

Chris