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Hey guys! I'm gonna make this a bit shorter than what I had just written (yes, I was writing like 5 paragraphs and all of a sudden this site refreshes itself and now I have to rewrite it ALL OVER again)
I'm on 80mg a day Myorisan (accutane) treatment.
My background:
22 years old. Asian american. NY. Male.
Background on how my skin used to be:
1. Mild acne. I had TONS of blackheads. My nose, chin, forehead, and basically my whole T zone is covered with blackheads. Pimples would come here and there, but never severe.
2. Back and shoulder acne. I had pimples that hurt so much. Mild.
3. Ear pimples that grow on my ear lobe and it hurts when you squeeze your earlobe.
4. Chest acne (mild)
Treatments I've tried:
1. Differin and other tropicals. Didn't do shit. They only helped with a couple of pimples. Never blackheads
2. Oral medications (not accutane). Didn't do shit either. Only tried it one month and quit.
3. Facials. This helped clear my blackheads and pimples for a bit. But I hated the pain + it was costly. I have to come every month or else the blackheads would come back and stuff..
Why I got on accutane:
I watched many youtube videos on Accutane and saw so many success stories (and nightmares too). For me, at least during that time, the benefits outweighs the side effects. I wanted perfect clear skin. I haven't had it since I was 10 years old. I wanted to be more confident with my skin.
What accutane has done so far (4 1/2 month):
1st month: CLEARED MY BLACKHEADS. It was a fucking miracle to say the least. My face has never been clear of blackheads since I was 10 years old. This was one of the HUGE milestones in using Accutane. I didn't experience any breakouts, maybe a few pimples but nothing noticeable. My lips are super dry. I have those cracked lips in the corners of my lips (it's called Angular something something? I forgot) Well those hurt like a bitch, but my dermatologist gave me a lotion for it which helped alleviate the pain TREMENDOUSLY (they lasted 3 weeks without the lotion, but when I used the lotion, they just disappeared).
2nd month: This is when i experienced my initial breakout. My face broke out LITERALLY in CLOCKWISE MOTION. It first started on my forehead, then it spreads to my right cheek, chin, and left cheek. When it spread to my right cheek, the forehead acne started to diminish. When it spread to my chin, the forehead acne diminished, and my right cheek acne is slowly diminishing as well. So on..
No horrible side effects. Breakout wasn't too bad, but more noticeable
3rd month: BACK AND CHEST ACNE = GONE. Another huge milestone in the Accutane treatment. My forehead and chin are clear as well. HOWEVER, my right cheek BROKE OUT like it NEVER did before. It was seriously bad, so bad that my cousins asked me why I broke out all of a sudden. That totally killed my confidence. I never had skin this bad before. Now I completely sympathize with those who said that Accutane made their skin 'worse'. It definitely did to me (atleast on my cheeks).
4th month: Left cheek BROKE OUT too, just like my right cheek. They're both bad now, and I feel HIDEOUS. I have this new cyst that has been forming since month 2 on my jawline. BTW, I've had these 2 cysts on my jawline (not the new one) before I used Accutane. They have been there for over 2 years. They never went away. It's kinda small, sometimes it's flat sometimes it's big, but never came to a head. When I was on month 2, one of these cysts came to a head, and it popped, but it came back. NOW this new cyst that came after Accutane is HUGE. It never came to a head as well. So I have 3 permanent cysts on my jawline now. You will be able to see it on the pics i posted. These cysts only appear on my right jawline, not left.
Sum it up :
Pros : Blackheads = gone. Chest and back acne = gone. Forehead and chin = clear. Ears = clear. Face = dry, which is good cause I don't have to wipe my face every freaking minute. Side effects = mild.
Cons : Cheeks are worse than ever. Skin actually looked noticably worse than before Accutane simply because of these cheeks (those blackheads weren't noticeable from far, but these cheek acne are). Jawline has an additional big cyst thanks to Accutane. Eye irritation, my right eye is irritated and dry. Both of my eyes are kinda red and sore.
-------
Questions:
1: Do I still have hope for clear skin? I'm going for my 5th month and I feel hideous. I keep hoping that when I wake up, my face will miraculously clear up. But nope, it only gets worse. A new pimple is formed on one of my cheeks every day. Sometimes I give in and pop them because I hate them so much.
2. Will these red scars eventually go away? My face has never had any scars before accutane, and during those days, I ALWAYS popped my pimples, even the hard ones. I would sometimes leave scars on my face so badly, that it looked like i fell on the ground. BUT that would clear up within days or a week. These red scars haven't gone away in WEEKS. So I'm just wondering if they'll go away after the treatment.
3. MY JAWLINE cysts is a HUGE MYSTERY to me. Why do i have them for OVER 2 years? WTF? Is that even normal? It feels like small tumors to me now lol. I'm considering to get the cortisone shots. My derm actually asked me like twice for the shots, but I told her I wanted to wait the Accutane treatment out and see if it'll clear up those jawline cysts. But instead, I got another cyst thanks to accutane.
4. If by the end of my treatment I still have acne, does that mean I'm one of those odd ones who do not react to Accutane? If that's the case, how come Accutane has helped me clear blackheads that never went away since I was 10 years old? And also my back and chest are clear! So I must be responding to this treatment right?
Well that's it for now. Thanks so much for reading my story. I hope some of you can help me. I'm so discouraged right now with my skin. Please give me some insight thank you!!
Get the cortizone shots for the cysts on your jawline next time you're at the derm and if they're still there. I'm in month 5 of a high dose of accutane (Absorica) for my weight (60mg a day and I weight 45kg currently). I didn't completely clear up until the beginning of this 5th month. I got a cyst on my jaw in my 4th month and a few other pimples. I've read that some people on here don't clear up before their course is over, then shortly after they've finished they clear up totally. Since you're clearing, I would definitely have some hope that accutane will work well for you in the end. If you can handle the side effects and you weigh 80kg or more, I would perhaps suggest to your doctor to up your dose to see if that will help speed things along.
Like the Queen said, there are individuals who don't clear up completely until after their final month. Discuss your concerns with your derm. Depending on your necessary cumulative dosage, he / she can adjust how much you are taking for how long you are taking it. Also, I would definitely go for the cortisone shots. The only possible side effect from them is some skin atrophy, however the atrophy is temporary and would likely be completely unnoticeable on your jaw-line anyway. Scarring is a much worse risk, in my opinion - especially since it's permanent.
Get the cortizone shots for the cysts on your jawline next time you're at the derm and if they're still there. I'm in month 5 of a high dose of accutane (Absorica) for my weight (60mg a day and I weight 45kg currently). I didn't completely clear up until the beginning of this 5th month. I got a cyst on my jaw in my 4th month and a few other pimples. I've read that some people on here don't clear up before their course is over, then shortly after they've finished they clear up totally. Since you're clearing, I would definitey have some hope that accutane will work well for you in the end. If you can handle the side effects and you weigh 80kg or more, I would perhaps suggest to your doctor to up your dose to see if that will help speed things along.
Like the Queen said, there are individuals who don't clear up completely until after their final month. Discuss your concerns with your derm. Depending on your necessary cumulative dosage, he / she can adjust how much you are taking for how long you are taking it. Also, I would definitely go for the cortisone shots. The only possible side effect from them is some skin atrophy, however the atrophy is temporary and would likely be completely unnoticeable on your jaw-line anyway. Scarring is a much worse risk, in my opinion - especially since it's permanent.
Like the Queen said, there are individuals who don't clear up completely until after their final month. Discuss your concerns with your derm. Depending on your necessary cumulative dosage, he / she can adjust how much you are taking for how long you are taking it. Also, I would definitely go for the cortisone shots. The only possible side effect from them is some skin atrophy, however the atrophy is temporary and would likely be completely unnoticeable on your jaw-line anyway. Scarring is a much worse risk, in my opinion - especially since it's permanent.
Thank you guys for your replies!
I'm 183 lbs. I'm doing 80mgs/day. I take it at the same time (2 pills) every night after meal.
Do you guys think my whey protein intake is what causing this breakout? I'm kinda suspecting it, but doubting as well since I've been using whey protein before accutane and I never had this bad breakout before.
I'll ask about the cortizone shots on my next visit. My jawline cysts aren't improving, theyre getting purple and inflammed, but havent come to a head. I'm frustrated. and now even my left jaw has a cyst growing .. sigh I'm so discouraged
I really am praying that i'm not those odd ones who do not react to this treatment.. i'd be so depressed.. I'm starting month 5 in 5 days.. So yea..
BTW, i've heard of people taking an additional oral treatment for inflammation? I heard they take it while on accutane to prevent/alleviate breakouts
Should i take those too? Idk what they're called though
Thank you guys for your replies!
I'm 183 lbs. I'm doing 80mgs/day. I take it at the same time (2 pills) every night after meal.
Do you guys think my whey protein intake is what causing this breakout? I'm kinda suspecting it, but doubting as well since I've been using whey protein before accutane and I never had this bad breakout before.
I'll ask about the cortizone shots on my next visit. My jawline cysts aren't improving, theyre getting purple and inflammed, but havent come to a head. I'm frustrated. and now even my left jaw has a cyst growing .. sigh I'm so discouraged
I really am praying that i'm not those odd ones who do not react to this treatment.. i'd be so depressed.. I'm starting month 5 in 5 days.. So yea..
BTW, i've heard of people taking an additional oral treatment for inflammation? I heard they take it while on accutane to prevent/alleviate breakouts
Should i take those too? Idk what they're called though
I take two pills a day as well and my derm recommended that I take them at seperate times of the day, not together, and also each with/after a meal. She says they're aborbed better that way. Also, I got a new little pimple on the side of my face yesterday so I take back my prior statement saying that my face was completely clear :-/
Regarding the oral treatment, do you mean antibiotics? I believe some people take that in the beginning of treatment to help with the initial breakout but I don't believe it's commonly taken toward the end perhaps so the derm can more accurately assess their patient's progress toward the end of treatment. But you can always ask you derm what your options are as each derm and each patient is different. I also doubt consuming whey protein will make a difference.
Just hang in there, they WILL heal eventually, I promise. You'll start to notice one day everything slowly clearing up and no new pimples popping up (well, maybe the occasional small one like I have now). Conduct a search on this site in older blogs and forums for others who were in your situation and were breaking out pretty badly in their last few months, it'll likely give you some hope.
If you have any pimples that are scabby, I would recommend neosporin to help heal them faster and to minimize scarring. Whenever I put neosporin on pimples that still had a lot of "crap" in them or on cysts, it didn't help. But hey, it doesn't hurt to try and see what helps and what doesn't. Also, if you have any BP, old BP/clindamycin type creams or something else similar to help dry up your pimples, don't be afraid to try that as well. Unless trying it makes your skin fall off or something, then you probably should not do that anymore.
Also, here's a peer-reviewed scientific study regarding really high cumulative dose outcomes and relapse rates that I found the other day: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24173086
Even more incentive to inquire about upping your dose 
80 mg is about 1mg / kg for you (183Ibs = 83kg), so the derm may be hesitant to up your dose. However, if you aren't experiencing any bad side - effects and your labs are good, it's worth talking to him / her about your options.
The cortisone shots are a temporary solution, unfortunately. They don't prevent new ones from forming, but they can help the inflamed ones from getting worse and help them heal a little faster. I have heard of people taking prednisone (a steroid that helps with inflammation) for bad flare-ups on accutane, maybe look into it? Don't lose hope, your case might take a little longer, but it doesn't mean it wont work. My dermatologist told me that he has had patients that required up to 8 months before clearing up, but they did eventually clear up. In the mean time, focus on scar prevention by reducing inflammation as best as possible.
Definitely get cortisone shots as soon as you can for all of your active cysts. Many dermatologists are willing to fit you in for an emergency appointment for these shots. If you don't have an appointment coming up soon, definitely call and find out if there is anything available sooner for the shots. Continue moisturizing, and don't pick at anything. Try to make sure all of the products you use are non-comedogenic and non-irritating. If you suspect whey-protein is causing your acne, stop using it for the next few weeks and see if your skin responds.
80 mg is about 1mg / kg for you (183Ibs = 83kg), so the derm may be hesitant to up your dose. However, if you aren't experiencing any bad side - effects and your labs are good, it's worth talking to him / her about your options.
The cortisone shots are a temporary solution, unfortunately. They don't prevent new ones from forming, but they can help the inflamed ones from getting worse and help them heal a little faster. I have heard of people taking prednisone (a steroid that helps with inflammation) for bad flare-ups on accutane, maybe look into it? Don't lose hope, your case might take a little longer, but it doesn't mean it wont work. My dermatologist told me that he has had patients that required up to 8 months before clearing up, but they did eventually clear up. In the mean time, focus on scar prevention by reducing inflammation as best as possible.
Definitely get cortisone shots as soon as you can for all of your active cysts. Many dermatologists are willing to fit you in for an emergency appointment for these shots. If you don't have an appointment coming up soon, definitely call and find out if there is anything available sooner for the shots. Continue moisturizing, and don't pick at anything. Try to make sure all of the products you use are non-comedogenic and non-irritating. If you suspect whey-protein is causing your acne, stop using it for the next few weeks and see if your skin responds.
Thank you guys for your replies!
I'm 183 lbs. I'm doing 80mgs/day. I take it at the same time (2 pills) every night after meal.
Do you guys think my whey protein intake is what causing this breakout? I'm kinda suspecting it, but doubting as well since I've been using whey protein before accutane and I never had this bad breakout before.
I'll ask about the cortizone shots on my next visit. My jawline cysts aren't improving, theyre getting purple and inflammed, but havent come to a head. I'm frustrated. and now even my left jaw has a cyst growing .. sigh I'm so discouraged
I really am praying that i'm not those odd ones who do not react to this treatment.. i'd be so depressed.. I'm starting month 5 in 5 days.. So yea..
BTW, i've heard of people taking an additional oral treatment for inflammation? I heard they take it while on accutane to prevent/alleviate breakouts
Should i take those too? Idk what they're called though
I take two pills a day as well and my derm recommended that I take them at seperate times of the day, not together, and also each with/after a meal. She says they're aborbed better that way. Also, I got a new little pimple on the side of my face yesterday so I take back my prior statement saying that my face was completely clear :-/
Regarding the oral treatment, do you mean antibiotics? I believe some people take that in the beginning of treatment to help with the initial breakout but I don't believe it's commonly taken toward the end perhaps so the derm can more accurately assess their patient's progress toward the end of treatment. But you can always ask you derm what your options are as each derm and each patient is different. I also doubt consuming whey protein will make a difference.
Just hang in there, they WILL heal eventually, I promise. You'll start to notice one day everything slowly clearing up and no new pimples popping up (well, maybe the occasional small one like I have now). Conduct a search on this site in older blogs and forums for others who were in your situation and were breaking out pretty badly in their last few months, it'll likely give you some hope.
If you have any pimples that are scabby, I would recommend neosporin to help heal them faster and to minimize scarring. Whenever I put neosporin on pimples that still had a lot of "crap" in them or on cysts, it didn't help. But hey, it doesn't hurt to try and see what helps and what doesn't. Also, if you have any BP, old BP/clindamycin type creams or something else similar to help dry up your pimples, don't be afraid to try that as well. Unless trying it makes your skin fall off or something, then you probably should not do that anymore.
Also, here's a peer-reviewed scientific study regarding really high cumulative dose outcomes and relapse rates that I found the other day: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24173086
Even more incentive to inquire about upping your dose
You guys have been incredibly helpful I can't thank you enough! I will definitely keep you guys updated with my skin condition. You guys gave me some hope, and I hope you'll have completely clear skin after your treatment too!
I'm def gonna get those shots cause these cysts have been stubborn. The flat ones have existed for 2 years and I hope that these shots would take care of them.
I'll try taking the pills separately from now on, thing is I don't really have breakfast and I usually eat once a day (I know it's bad lol) so I'm gonna have to work on my diet.
I'll also ask him about upping my dose, although as you said before, my derm would be hesitant to increase the dose because it seems like the dose is the right amount for my weight? I don't know how much mgs you have to consume in relation to your weight for it to be effective. But yeah I'll talk to him about it.
And Lastly, I'm getting a new dermatologist this Thursday because he's much closer to my home and he accepts my insurance, so hopefully the shots will be free or cheaper. One of the reasons why I didnt get those shots with my previous derm is because my insurance doesnt cover it.
Thanks guys
80 mg is about 1mg / kg for you (183Ibs = 83kg), so the derm may be hesitant to up your dose. However, if you aren't experiencing any bad side - effects and your labs are good, it's worth talking to him / her about your options.
The cortisone shots are a temporary solution, unfortunately. They don't prevent new ones from forming, but they can help the inflamed ones from getting worse and help them heal a little faster. I have heard of people taking prednisone (a steroid that helps with inflammation) for bad flare-ups on accutane, maybe look into it? Don't lose hope, your case might take a little longer, but it doesn't mean it wont work. My dermatologist told me that he has had patients that required up to 8 months before clearing up, but they did eventually clear up. In the mean time, focus on scar prevention by reducing inflammation as best as possible.
Definitely get cortisone shots as soon as you can for all of your active cysts. Many dermatologists are willing to fit you in for an emergency appointment for these shots. If you don't have an appointment coming up soon, definitely call and find out if there is anything available sooner for the shots. Continue moisturizing, and don't pick at anything. Try to make sure all of the products you use are non-comedogenic and non-irritating. If you suspect whey-protein is causing your acne, stop using it for the next few weeks and see if your skin responds.
>>
Thank you guys for your replies!
I'm 183 lbs. I'm doing 80mgs/day. I take it at the same time (2 pills) every night after meal.
Do you guys think my whey protein intake is what causing this breakout? I'm kinda suspecting it, but doubting as well since I've been using whey protein before accutane and I never had this bad breakout before.
I'll ask about the cortizone shots on my next visit. My jawline cysts aren't improving, theyre getting purple and inflammed, but havent come to a head. I'm frustrated. and now even my left jaw has a cyst growing .. sigh I'm so discouraged
I really am praying that i'm not those odd ones who do not react to this treatment.. i'd be so depressed.. I'm starting month 5 in 5 days.. So yea..
BTW, i've heard of people taking an additional oral treatment for inflammation? I heard they take it while on accutane to prevent/alleviate breakouts
Should i take those too? Idk what they're called though
I take two pills a day as well and my derm recommended that I take them at seperate times of the day, not together, and also each with/after a meal. She says they're aborbed better that way. Also, I got a new little pimple on the side of my face yesterday so I take back my prior statement saying that my face was completely clear :-/
Regarding the oral treatment, do you mean antibiotics? I believe some people take that in the beginning of treatment to help with the initial breakout but I don't believe it's commonly taken toward the end perhaps so the derm can more accurately assess their patient's progress toward the end of treatment. But you can always ask you derm what your options are as each derm and each patient is different. I also doubt consuming whey protein will make a difference.
Just hang in there, they WILL heal eventually, I promise. You'll start to notice one day everything slowly clearing up and no new pimples popping up (well, maybe the occasional small one like I have now). Conduct a search on this site in older blogs and forums for others who were in your situation and were breaking out pretty badly in their last few months, it'll likely give you some hope.
If you have any pimples that are scabby, I would recommend neosporin to help heal them faster and to minimize scarring. Whenever I put neosporin on pimples that still had a lot of "crap" in them or on cysts, it didn't help. But hey, it doesn't hurt to try and see what helps and what doesn't. Also, if you have any BP, old BP/clindamycin type creams or something else similar to help dry up your pimples, don't be afraid to try that as well. Unless trying it makes your skin fall off or something, then you probably should not do that anymore.
Also, here's a peer-reviewed scientific study regarding really high cumulative dose outcomes and relapse rates that I found the other day: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24173086
Even more incentive to inquire about upping your dose
You guys have been incredibly helpful I can't thank you enough! I will definitely keep you guys updated with my skin condition. You guys gave me some hope, and I hope you'll have completely clear skin after your treatment too!
I'm def gonna get those shots cause these cysts have been stubborn. The flat ones have existed for 2 years and I hope that these shots would take care of them.
I'll try taking the pills separately from now on, thing is I don't really have breakfast and I usually eat once a day (I know it's bad lol) so I'm gonna have to work on my diet.
I'll also ask him about upping my dose, although as you said before, my derm would be hesitant to increase the dose because it seems like the dose is the right amount for my weight? I don't know how much mgs you have to consume in relation to your weight for it to be effective. But yeah I'll talk to him about it.
And Lastly, I'm getting a new dermatologist this Thursday because he's much closer to my home and he accepts my insurance, so hopefully the shots will be free or cheaper. One of the reasons why I didnt get those shots with my previous derm is because my insurance doesnt cover it.
Thanks guys
The diet this is definitely important! You see, isotretinoin MUST be taken with a high-fat meal, because it cannot be absorbed into your system otherwise. On an empty stomach, it's efficacy is dropped by 60%. In other words, if you are taking a 40mg pill on an empty stomach, it's the same as taking only 16mg!!!!! So, if you take 40 mg twice a day on an empty stomach, only about 32mg is absorbed by your system total. You should be taking your pill within 1 hour before or after a full meal, and you must do this consistently.
Here is an excerpt from the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509883/
How might concomitant ingestion of oral isotretinoin with food influence therapeutic outcomes, and is co-ingestion with food a clinically relevant concern?
Early studies with oral isotretinoin found that it was 1.5 to 2 times more bioavailable with food ingested one hour before, concomitantly with, or one hour after dosing than when given during a complete fast.25
To ensure more consistent gastrointestinal (GI) absorption and maintenance of therapeutic blood concentrations, all conventional formulations of oral isotretinoin should be taken with food, preferably with a high-fat meal.2,3,25 When taken without food, fasted isotretinoin plasma levels obtained from standard oral formulations can be nearly 60 percent lower than levels in the fed state.25 Alarmingly, peak plasma concentrations between fed and fasted conditions can vary by a factor of nearly threefold, which may potentially affect both efficacy and safety.25
The diet this is definitely important! You see, isotretinoin MUST be taken with a high-fat meal, because it cannot be absorbed into your system otherwise. On an empty stomach, it's efficacy is dropped by 60%. In other words, if you are taking a 40mg pill on an empty stomach, it's the same as taking only 16mg!!!!! So, if you take 40 mg twice a day on an empty stomach, only about 32mg is absorbed by your system total. You should be taking your pill within 1 hour before or after a full meal, and you must do this consistently.
Here is an excerpt from the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509883/
How might concomitant ingestion of oral isotretinoin with food influence therapeutic outcomes, and is co-ingestion with food a clinically relevant concern?
Early studies with oral isotretinoin found that it was 1.5 to 2 times more bioavailable with food ingested one hour before, concomitantly with, or one hour after dosing than when given during a complete fast.25
To ensure more consistent gastrointestinal (GI) absorption and maintenance of therapeutic blood concentrations, all conventional formulations of oral isotretinoin should be taken with food, preferably with a high-fat meal.2,3,25 When taken without food, fasted isotretinoin plasma levels obtained from standard oral formulations can be nearly 60 percent lower than levels in the fed state.25 Alarmingly, peak plasma concentrations between fed and fasted conditions can vary by a factor of nearly threefold, which may potentially affect both efficacy and safety.25
Hey megtree!
I finally changed dermatologist because my insurance didnt cover cortisone shots with the old derm. First time of meeting the new derm, I asked him to give me shots, and he said absolutely. Not only he shot my jawline cysts, but he also shot on my pimples that are inflamed. A day after the shots, my face feels 'clear' of actives. I feel like my cysts and pimples are finally calming down and becoming flat. However, the cysts still look bumpy, and it's actually very red.
This is how my face looks like after the shots :
There's so many red marks around my face.. I look disgusting.. If I can I want to hide myself from society until my treatment is done (well hopefully if the acne marks are gone by then..)
I don't feel any actives coming up, I hope I'm not jinxing this..
But yeah do you know how long does it take for these marks to go away?
and btw the new derm said it's pretty unusual that I'm still breaking out when I'm on month 5, he said his clients clear up by 3rd-4th month. That really discouraged me..
Please give me some feedback I'm kind of torn right now 
It a magic pill at least for me it is because by the end of 3rd month i had alot of pimples and i was depressed because i was going to canada for my studies but then when i came to canada which was my 4th month on accutane everything started to clear and now i have 1 pimple. i have complete 90mg/kg a day and so far its a hell of a ride. you will clear soon bro don't worry
It a magic pill at least for me it is because by the end of 3rd month i had alot of pimples and i was depressed because i was going to canada for my studies but then when i came to canada which was my 4th month on accutane everything started to clear and now i have 1 pimple. i have complete 90mg/kg a day and so far its a hell of a ride. you will clear soon bro don't worry
Hopefully man!
I'm starting my 5th month tomorrow.. And my face still looks like in the pictures. I wonder how much longer I have to be patient for.. Alot of people get much clearer towards the end of the treatment.. I get worse 
It was working in the beginning idk why im breaking out like a bitch
Dont take pictures and dont read acne.org blogs just don't. i cleared suddenly in 2 weeks suddenly.
Why? huh?
BTW guys those cortisone shots didnt really do anything on my jawline cysts.. i got more cysts now actually.. wtf..? theres 2 that kinda flattened out but now i have more cysts
The diet this is definitely important! You see, isotretinoin MUST be taken with a high-fat meal, because it cannot be absorbed into your system otherwise. On an empty stomach, it's efficacy is dropped by 60%. In other words, if you are taking a 40mg pill on an empty stomach, it's the same as taking only 16mg!!!!! So, if you take 40 mg twice a day on an empty stomach, only about 32mg is absorbed by your system total. You should be taking your pill within 1 hour before or after a full meal, and you must do this consistently.
Here is an excerpt from the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509883/
How might concomitant ingestion of oral isotretinoin with food influence therapeutic outcomes, and is co-ingestion with food a clinically relevant concern?
Early studies with oral isotretinoin found that it was 1.5 to 2 times more bioavailable with food ingested one hour before, concomitantly with, or one hour after dosing than when given during a complete fast.25
To ensure more consistent gastrointestinal (GI) absorption and maintenance of therapeutic blood concentrations, all conventional formulations of oral isotretinoin should be taken with food, preferably with a high-fat meal.2,3,25 When taken without food, fasted isotretinoin plasma levels obtained from standard oral formulations can be nearly 60 percent lower than levels in the fed state.25 Alarmingly, peak plasma concentrations between fed and fasted conditions can vary by a factor of nearly threefold, which may potentially affect both efficacy and safety.25
Hey megtree!
I finally changed dermatologist because my insurance didnt cover cortisone shots with the old derm. First time of meeting the new derm, I asked him to give me shots, and he said absolutely. Not only he shot my jawline cysts, but he also shot on my pimples that are inflamed. A day after the shots, my face feels 'clear' of actives. I feel like my cysts and pimples are finally calming down and becoming flat. However, the cysts still look bumpy, and it's actually very red.
This is how my face looks like after the shots :
There's so many red marks around my face.. I look disgusting.. If I can I want to hide myself from society until my treatment is done (well hopefully if the acne marks are gone by then..)
I don't feel any actives coming up, I hope I'm not jinxing this..
But yeah do you know how long does it take for these marks to go away?
and btw the new derm said it's pretty unusual that I'm still breaking out when I'm on month 5, he said his clients clear up by 3rd-4th month. That really discouraged me..
Please give me some feedback I'm kind of torn right now
Hi there! I am amazed at how smooth your skin looks, even with the acne! WOW! I know that seems disingenuous, but I really mean it - you have very nice, smooth skin. It will be unbelievable when everything clears up! I do see some slight scarring, but your skin tone is amazing, and honestly, even the acne doesn't look too, too bad - and definitely not disgusting.
In terms of the shots, unfortunately, they wont prevent new acne cysts from forming. They will help with inflammation of the old ones, which will improve the overall look of your skin. But it isn't a very good preventative, unfortunately. My dermatologist prescribed me a Z-pack at the beginning of my course and again when I had my initital IB. I refused it the second time because I was concerned it would aggravate other issues, but it might help in your case. Maybe ask the doctor about azythromicin treatment?
I can only imagine how discouraging it must have been to hear your doctor say that, but just remember that you HAVE improved. It might take longer for you, but you will clear up!
The diet this is definitely important! You see, isotretinoin MUST be taken with a high-fat meal, because it cannot be absorbed into your system otherwise. On an empty stomach, it's efficacy is dropped by 60%. In other words, if you are taking a 40mg pill on an empty stomach, it's the same as taking only 16mg!!!!! So, if you take 40 mg twice a day on an empty stomach, only about 32mg is absorbed by your system total. You should be taking your pill within 1 hour before or after a full meal, and you must do this consistently.
Here is an excerpt from the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509883/
How might concomitant ingestion of oral isotretinoin with food influence therapeutic outcomes, and is co-ingestion with food a clinically relevant concern?
Early studies with oral isotretinoin found that it was 1.5 to 2 times more bioavailable with food ingested one hour before, concomitantly with, or one hour after dosing than when given during a complete fast.25
To ensure more consistent gastrointestinal (GI) absorption and maintenance of therapeutic blood concentrations, all conventional formulations of oral isotretinoin should be taken with food, preferably with a high-fat meal.2,3,25 When taken without food, fasted isotretinoin plasma levels obtained from standard oral formulations can be nearly 60 percent lower than levels in the fed state.25 Alarmingly, peak plasma concentrations between fed and fasted conditions can vary by a factor of nearly threefold, which may potentially affect both efficacy and safety.25
Hey megtree!
I finally changed dermatologist because my insurance didnt cover cortisone shots with the old derm. First time of meeting the new derm, I asked him to give me shots, and he said absolutely. Not only he shot my jawline cysts, but he also shot on my pimples that are inflamed. A day after the shots, my face feels 'clear' of actives. I feel like my cysts and pimples are finally calming down and becoming flat. However, the cysts still look bumpy, and it's actually very red.
This is how my face looks like after the shots :
There's so many red marks around my face.. I look disgusting.. If I can I want to hide myself from society until my treatment is done (well hopefully if the acne marks are gone by then..)
I don't feel any actives coming up, I hope I'm not jinxing this..
But yeah do you know how long does it take for these marks to go away?
and btw the new derm said it's pretty unusual that I'm still breaking out when I'm on month 5, he said his clients clear up by 3rd-4th month. That really discouraged me..
Please give me some feedback I'm kind of torn right now
Hi there! I am amazed at how smooth your skin looks, even with the acne! WOW! I know that seems disingenuous, but I really mean it - you have very nice, smooth skin. It will be unbelievable when everything clears up! I do see some slight scarring, but your skin tone is amazing, and honestly, even the acne doesn't look too, too bad - and definitely not disgusting.
In terms of the shots, unfortunately, they wont prevent new acne cysts from forming. They will help with inflammation of the old ones, which will improve the overall look of your skin. But it isn't a very good preventative, unfortunately. My dermatologist prescribed me a Z-pack at the beginning of my course and again when I had my initital IB. I refused it the second time because I was concerned it would aggravate other issues, but it might help in your case. Maybe ask the doctor about azythromicin treatment?
I can only imagine how discouraging it must have been to hear your doctor say that, but just remember that you HAVE improved. It might take longer for you, but you will clear up!
Thanks alot for the compliment! My skin used to be great even with the mild acne and blackheads, it looked NOTHING like this.. that's why i felt so low..
I have 2 actives on my left cheek and 1 that I believe is developing on my right. But so far, it looks 'ok'. I hope the scar will go away after the treatment...
Can you recommend me any good scar removals?
And as for the jawline cysts, 2 of them are 'permanent', or what I just found out about this term - 'dormant'. New ones developed during accutane, and the shot helped decrease its size but its still there and it's dark. Kind of like what you see on the latest picture. 2 new ones developed after he injected on one of the developing cyst. I'm not sure if it's just a coincidence or that cortisone shot made my cysts to spread.. i dont know.. maybe my next option is to have it drained?
any recommendations for my jawline cysts? thanks