Mark: I've read the Accutane monography and ''The recommended dosage range for Accutane is 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg/day given in two divided doses with food for 15 to 20 weeks. [...] The safety of once daily dosing with Accutane has not been established. Once daily dosing is not recommended.'' I also read on some forums people taking all at once and having stomach problems... But some others did not experience any discomfort with taking it all at once. I was just afraid to take such a high dose all at once... I feel like it's gonna be easier for my body to get used to the new dosage this way. But maybe I'm wrong. I'll keep you informed! What is your dosage now and what will be next week?

 

Hi everyone! Glad to see everyone is doing quite good. There are good and bad days!

Derp: when I was in my IB it was also very hard to wash my face without breaking all the pimples/crusts. The cup is a good idea!

Kim : I'm using nothing else than my cetaphil cleanser and my moisturizer. I'm trying to let my skin alone for a bit even if it's hard. I feel like it's irritated enough.

enigma: Happy for you! I hope it continues on getting better and better!

Ok a little update...

day 31 I upped my dosage to 60 mg a day. I have decided to ignore the "take it all at once" that the pharmacist told me and decided to split my dosage in 20 mg in the morning and 40 mg at night. It's not exactly 12 hours between both but I suppose it's okay? It's so hard to know what's best since there are many different opinions out there.

Side effects: my main (and only?) issue for the moment is dry skin. It's peeling a little bit around the nose and between my nose and mouth. It doesn't look very good with makeup but that's not very bad. Lips are very mildly dry but I've been using lip balm like crazy. The other morning I even woke up with my Chapstick in my hand! I had woken up a couple of hours ago and I put some and it seems like I felt back asleep with it still in my hand. I laughed so much!

My nose bleeds a little but it's the exact same situation I was in last winter and it's just so normal for me that I can't blame the med. I will buy a humidifier this weekend.

As for the body pain it's very hard to tell if my light back pain is due to accutane or not since I used to have it before the treatment. No joint pain. No other bad effects.... I wash my hair twice less often which is good!!! I almost don't lose hair at all, I wonder if it's normal. I used to lose quite a lot (I have very long hair). Nothing else to report really. Since my dosage is now so high I'm expecting the worst and I'm frightened but we will see! Okay sorry for the long post!!

Best of luck to all!!! I'm so happy that month 1 is done, can't believe it.

Thanks..think skip the toner

I was bright red for a bit and now that Im on 40mg might be too much

was afraid just cleanser wouldnt take off all my makeup, but only using a dusting of powder

Hang in there!!

Ive never wanted time to pass this quickly before...LOL..HURRRRYYYYY

Mary, let us know how you get on with the 60mg a day, i'm going up to that next thursday so am curious. What benefits do you think there are of taking it spread out instead of all at once?

So its been 3 weeks i've been taking it now, week 1 was pretty bad and my skin was terrible, week 2 was pretty good and my skin was looking good, week 3 and its somewhere in the middle. Getting large spots (mostly on my neck/jawline) but they are going away quicker than they would have normally. Excited to see what the increase of dosage will do!

Hey Mark

I have to say I see a HUGE different between taking 40mg all at once or split

For mw I dont really have any symptoms..except a little hair shedding

Im not nearly as tired..and I doubled my dose

so maybe my body got used to it, or it was something else

no joint or body pain and Im not even that dry...feel tight but no peeling

I guess my skin is tough as nails (oops., maybe i should take that back)

when I tried 40mg in one clip for 2 days my face was on FIIIRRREEE and BRIGHT red!

It scared the crap out of me!

my dr said splitting wouldnt make a difference but it absolutely did..I didnt change anything else

so i think if u can splitting up a little bit is worth a try

kim

Kim: I use very soft cotton pads to remove my make up along with my cleanser. I think it's enough. It also helps removing all the dead skin. I pass it very very gently over my face.

Ok got it..thanks for the tip

im going to try skip toner..just cleanse and moisturizer

Im using a gel cleanser now..I need to ax that next

too harsh/drying

another silly question but do u even cleanse in the am?

if u wash at night is water in the am enough?

I guess ill try a creamy gentle cleanser...cetaphil?

im still curious about cleansing oil but little hesitant of oil still at the moment

thought using a moisturizing C serum in the am

combat my hyper-pigmentation

idk wait until i see dr wed

b/w tomorrow

kim

For the moment, I'm fine using cleanser in the morning and at night... If my skin gets too irritated I might skip it in the morning tough and sitck with water only. Cetaphil works well for me!

Thanks mary!!

Sure u said eArlier but what moisturizer are u using?

Thanks!!

Thanks mary!!

Sure u said eArlier but what moisturizer are u using?

Thanks!!

Clean-AC by Avene. It's a moisturizer for those on drying acne treatment.

I got two compliments on my skin today but I don't really count them because it's only because my skin is clearing from the gross IB I had...if I had on my face now a month ago those compliments would not have come....but still....felt good!

The bumps on my chin (which were like clogged pores, nothing red, just bumpy) were really annoying me yesterday, so i popped a few. I looked terrible, but it healed overnight haha.

 

Thanks mary!!

Sure u said eArlier but what moisturizer are u using?

Thanks!!

Clean-AC by Avene. It's a moisturizer for those on drying acne treatment.

Ok yes I remember that

might have to look into it

Im using a pricey serum/booter by natura bisse hate the darn fragrance and not sure worth the $$

scared to switch that it might break me out

I got two compliments on my skin today but I don't really count them because it's only because my skin is clearing from the gross IB I had...if I had on my face now a month ago those compliments would not have come....but still....felt good!

Great!

It must have been hard but hopefully u are passing the IB phase!!

I only have a few small breakouts but texture is awful

I feel like i keep hearing everyone raving about texture improving?

The bumps on my chin (which were like clogged pores, nothing red, just bumpy) were really annoying me yesterday, so i popped a few. I looked terrible, but it healed overnight haha.

Boooo on the popping (though i cant help myself either..LOL) but yeahhhhh healed up so nicely

My face looks like ass

my lips are officially dry

im red and bumpy...not cute

Got some gross zits brand new from some point b/t the time I woke up to now...

yippeeeeeee

OMG me toooooo!!!

wwwtttffff!????

My right side is a war zone...

chin, forehead and left side fine...red side looks evil

CRAZY!

Im not happy today

Im going to have to only talk to people from my left side..that should be interesting..

j/k

Kim

Thanks for the advice. I think I might split the dosage, the only worry would be forgetting to take it at night since I'm used to taking it in the morning.

Kim strange you should say only one side of your face is bad, the usual spots for my worst skin (chin and upper lip) are really clear but the right side of my face/neck is not good at all. I only ever got mild breakouts there before, strange that its the worst area for me right now!

Overall the texture of my skin has improved a lot, not even dry anymore

Thanks for the advice. I think I might split the dosage, the only worry would be forgetting to take it at night since I'm used to taking it in the morning.

Kim strange you should say only one side of your face is bad, the usual spots for my worst skin (chin and upper lip) are really clear but the right side of my face/neck is not good at all. I only ever got mild breakouts there before, strange that its the worst area for me right now!

Overall the texture of my skin has improved a lot, not even dry anymore

Great!

What day are u

Im annoyed because my right side is bad and my overall texture is bumpy and blackheads galore

I think...Im day #26

so might be behind u guys a bit

plus i did 20mg for first 14-15 days

so that could be why i look like crap right now

HOpe things clear up for u soon!

Hey guys,

Can I join you? I am on day #29 of my Accutane journey.

My dermatologist started me on 40mg (said we will work up to 80mg, I weigh 130 pounds)and also started me on a round of prednisone. (She said the prednisone which is a steroid will help with the IB or only maybe delay it a month or so). It has defiantly delayed it this first month...if I forget to take it the next day my skin has flared up but as long as I take it my skin looks better and better.

I saw her a couple of days ago and she has continued the steroid with the accutane for the next month. Also kept the dose at 40mg.

A bit of history I developed severe cystic acne right after my 40th birthday (Happy Birthday to me!!)...I have tried every treatment natural (dietary changes, homeopathic doctors, vitamins, supplements, etc etc) and pharmaceutical (topicals, antibiotics, birth control, spiralactone, etc etc). So, going on accutane was a very last resort and also really my only hope of clearing my face as I developed rosacea fulminans (Google it and look at images...I looked hideous!!). My current dermatologist thinks that my last dermatologist left me on Bactrium DS so long that it triggered the RF. So between cystic acne and RF, accutane is my only choice to clear my skin. I am really praying that I can withstand the side effects and finish the whole course of treatment which for me is slated to be 8 to 9 months.

I am currently having:

dry lips (aquaphor is barely getting me by I put it on at least once an hour)

very dry skin on my face (I don't even wash it with water, just moisturize) and it sheds/flakes off once a day like face dandruff

thin/sensitive skin on my face...while the dry skin flakes a falls off if I touch it too much it will bleed.

dry hair, it was coming out by the brush full the first two weeks of treatment but that has stopped.

dry butt...didn't know this one existed, but yes TMI it is dry

this morning I had a migraine (not sure if this is a side effect or not)

So there, I am taking pill #30 tonight. I am glad to know I am not alone on this slightly scary journey!!

Retta, Welcome! We got an awesome crew over here as you can see!

I'm right behind you on day 24.....you are definitely not alone,

It's gonna be good times when were all celebrating five months from now!!

Best of luck!

looking forward to keeping in touch!

Derrrrpp

Well, its day 17 and i havent had my IB yet *knock on wood* but i dont know if its because of my low dose. My skin has evolved rather positively, although improvement is very slow and i still have two pimples that have been there since the first day (they have lasted 17 days so far fml) the bumps on my chin have diminished to the point that theyre barely noticeable (yay!)

Lips are dry, scalp is really itchy, my skin isnt flaking off, but it isnt anything close to oily anymore.

I had this terrible knee pain yesterday, i could hardly walk. And guess what?! I had to walk all day around Madrid because i need to sell these lottery tickets in order to raise funds for my class trip.( we want to go to Prague) haha.

The knee pain has dissipated almost completely, and im looking forward to today's roast chicken.

Btw, my dad wants to cook fish for Christmas Eve. WTF?? Any thoughts on this?? Lol

Have a great sunday ppl!

Ana

Hey guys,

Can I join you? I am on day #29 of my Accutane journey.

My dermatologist started me on 40mg (said we will work up to 80mg, I weigh 130 pounds)and also started me on a round of prednisone. (She said the prednisone which is a steroid will help with the IB or only maybe delay it a month or so). It has defiantly delayed it this first month...if I forget to take it the next day my skin has flared up but as long as I take it my skin looks better and better.

I saw her a couple of days ago and she has continued the steroid with the accutane for the next month. Also kept the dose at 40mg.

A bit of history I developed severe cystic acne right after my 40th birthday (Happy Birthday to me!!)...I have tried every treatment natural (dietary changes, homeopathic doctors, vitamins, supplements, etc etc) and pharmaceutical (topicals, antibiotics, birth control, spiralactone, etc etc). So, going on accutane was a very last resort and also really my only hope of clearing my face as I developed rosacea fulminans (Google it and look at images...I looked hideous!!). My current dermatologist thinks that my last dermatologist left me on Bactrium DS so long that it triggered the RF. So between cystic acne and RF, accutane is my only choice to clear my skin. I am really praying that I can withstand the side effects and finish the whole course of treatment which for me is slated to be 8 to 9 months.

I am currently having:

dry lips (aquaphor is barely getting me by I put it on at least once an hour)

very dry skin on my face (I don't even wash it with water, just moisturize) and it sheds/flakes off once a day like face dandruff

thin/sensitive skin on my face...while the dry skin flakes a falls off if I touch it too much it will bleed.

dry hair, it was coming out by the brush full the first two weeks of treatment but that has stopped.

dry butt...didn't know this one existed, but yes TMI it is dry

this morning I had a migraine (not sure if this is a side effect or not)

So there, I am taking pill #30 tonight. I am glad to know I am not alone on this slightly scary journey!!

Welcome!

I am right there with u..started this cary at 38..be 42 in a few mnths

Im also 130 and around the same timefare..next Friday will be my first mnth complete

having a bad day..so nothing happy to report just hope it passes soon

I started on only 20mg and upped 40mg on day 14-15..so maybe i am having my IB little later than others here

Well, its day 17 and i havent had my IB yet *knock on wood* but i dont know if its because of my low dose. My skin has evolved rather positively, although improvement is very slow and i still have two pimples that have been there since the first day (they have lasted 17 days so far fml) the bumps on my chin have diminished to the point that theyre barely noticeable (yay!)

Lips are dry, scalp is really itchy, my skin isnt flaking off, but it isnt anything close to oily anymore.

 

I had this terrible knee pain yesterday, i could hardly walk. And guess what?! I had to walk all day around Madrid because i need to sell these lottery tickets in order to raise funds for my class trip.( we want to go to Prague) haha.

The knee pain has dissipated almost completely, and im looking forward to today's roast chicken.

 

Btw, my dad wants to cook fish for Christmas Eve. WTF?? Any thoughts on this?? Lol

 

Have a great sunday ppl!

 

Ana

Glad to hear all is going well!!!

as far as the fish..here in the stats if u are Italian that is all u eat on xmas eve..fish and pasta no meat etc

at least hubby's family

have a good one

I like the sound of fish on Christmas Eve...I live in the states; however, my stepmother is Lebanese, so for Christmas Eve we get the full Lebanese extravaganza (stuffed chicken, stuffed grape leaves, stuffed cabbage leaves, some sort of raw meat dish, meat sticks, hummus, etc)...wow, didn't realize how many things are stuffed, including all of us by the end of the evening.

Oh, thanks for the welcome!! It will be nice to walk through this journey together!

Today my only complaint is eyebrow dandruff. Yes, they are flaky and "snowing" down onto my face. My scalp is fine but my face is dry dry dry and flaking/peeling. No make up today for me. Oh and a small place on my forehead looks inflamed more than usual.

Question, my dermatologist told me to take vitamin D3 and calcium supplements, has anyone elses' doctor recommenced supplements?

Here's to cracking open my second box of Accutane today...month two has officially started!! )

I like the sound of fish on Christmas Eve...I live in the states; however, my stepmother is Lebanese, so for Christmas Eve we get the full Lebanese extravaganza (stuffed chicken, stuffed grape leaves, stuffed cabbage leaves, some sort of raw meat dish, meat sticks, hummus, etc)...wow, didn't realize how many things are stuffed, including all of us by the end of the evening.

Oh, thanks for the welcome!! It will be nice to walk through this journey together!

Today my only complaint is eyebrow dandruff. Yes, they are flaky and "snowing" down onto my face. My scalp is fine but my face is dry dry dry and flaking/peeling. No make up today for me. Oh and a small place on my forehead looks inflamed more than usual.

Question, my dermatologist told me to take vitamin D3 and calcium supplements, has anyone elses' doctor recommenced supplements?

Here's to cracking open my second box of Accutane today...month two has officially started!! )

Cheers to box #2

My derm did not rec any supplements

can I ask cleanser/moisturizer u are using?

Today is probably my WORST day since this journey brgan

fingers crossed things dont get worse and resolve themselves soon!

Kim

Hi Retta, my derm actually specifically said not to take any supplements while taking accutane because they might interfere.

Kim i'm slightly behind you on day 24. The skin on my face is actually quite good and I have no complaints, but my neck isn't good! I'm beginning to actually think the pimples are because of an electric razor I started using not long before going on accutane. I don't know if the medication will help get rid of it though if its a reaction to the razor!

Hi Retta, my derm actually specifically said not to take any supplements while taking accutane because they might interfere.

Kim i'm slightly behind you on day 24. The skin on my face is actually quite good and I have no complaints, but my neck isn't good! I'm beginning to actually think the pimples are because of an electric razor I started using not long before going on accutane. I don't know if the medication will help get rid of it though if its a reaction to the razor!

Mark...glad to hear things are going well

I wonder im hitting bad stage now because of my slow start on tane (20mg)

Not Im kicking myself because if I started at 40mg I might be over this crap by now

things look ugly

Im dry, congested, bumpy looking with 2 big klonkers on my cheek

Kimber don't be kicking yourself....I don't think there's any set way tane works and I don't think it's possible to know what would have happened if you started with a higher dose. It's different on everyone, for all you know things would be way worse now if you started higher.

I started on 80 mg/day and I could tell you I see slow signs of breakout # 2 on the way...I woke up with some painful eyebrow zits as well as some new zits here to join the forming team on my cheeks....SCREWWWW THISSSSSSS

Kimber don't be kicking yourself....I don't think there's any set way tane works and I don't think it's possible to know what would have happened if you started with a higher dose. It's different on everyone, for all you know things would be way worse now if you started higher.

I started on 80 mg/day and I could tell you I see slow signs of breakout # 2 on the way...I woke up with some painful eyebrow zits as well as some new zits here to join the forming team on my cheeks....SCREWWWW THISSSSSSS

Hang in there

the other post on this board got me thinking..am I going to have more/worse breakouts and scarring before this shit resolves itself

ugh

my chin is red and irritated and hurts and it dry no matter what i do

Ok lets turn this around

just because it looks stilly

LOL

Hang in there

everyone!