I hope that's the case for them!! And I feel sorry for us. I have an ugly one which seems to have two heads on my chin... WTFFF I reached 120 mg/kg a week or two ago... If I'm still breaking out I don't even want to think about the chances of relapsing... Anyway we can't talk about a relapse if we havent cleared in the first place!!! please someone tell me it's not too late and that the best is still to come.

Im back and I'm here to bitch too. I just started month four and after several weeks of relatively clear skin I have at least 8 breakouts mostly on my nose and a couple on my cheeks. A bunch are clustered right where my sunglasses sit. It almost looks like a rash bc they aren't white heads but more like itchy red bumps with clear fluid in them. Tonight I noticed it spread to the sides of both of my eyes. Like very close to the water line. Something to do with oils maybe? Just so freaking bizarre and upsetting. I am taking 60mg (30 twice a day) and I am horrified that I look that way as I enter month four. I didn't even have horrible acne before, just cystic stuff on my forehead and chin and blackheads. This is totally different. I put hydrocortisone on it tonight so I hope it helps it heals overnight. I've also noticed that old marks take an eternity to heal on this stuff so who knows when I'll look clear again. I asked my Derm to put me take down on 30s twice a day instead of 40 + 30 because I was having tons of joint pain, especially in my feet. It was so hard to walk in the morning and at night. I can already feel the pain subsiding now that I've come back down. I'm sooooo exhausted 24/7 and I look like hell. I am shocked when I see photos of myself. I look five years older and have horrific dark circles too. Botox is needed! You guys are not alone!

Wtf is this stuff? It had better work for all of us!!! DAMMIT!!!

Welcome aboard Marilyn! How much left do you have?

lets pray things will get better.

I also have feet (heels) and hips pain, nothing too severe but still annoying. I'm glad to read that it lessens for you with a lower dosage. I'm also on 60 mg (20 in the morning and 40 at night).

Welcome aboard Marilyn! How much left do you have?

lets pray things will get better.

I also have feet (heels) and hips pain, nothing too severe but still annoying. I'm glad to read that it lessens for you with a lower dosage. I'm also on 60 mg (20 in the morning and 40 at night).

The 40 is what messed me up. I would suggest you ask for two 30s a day instead. It might help!

I have two months left.

Today marks one month on accutane!!

Definitely improved to a point. I have no more cysts but still do have active acne. Mainly just two big red dry patches with a few acne spots in them on both sides of my face. Didn't have to get a blood test today because my levels before were already very healthy yay! Actually I was a little upset that I didn't get my blood tested. Am I weird? I love to see my levels on my iPhone app. I think it's only with my dermatologists office Or for all of colorado, but every time I get my blood tested, it shows all my levels on the app. Sorry, nerd moment. My doctor gave me a ton of samples of epiceram to deal with dryness and flakeyness and wow this stuff works so much better than cereva. Maybe my face will get used to it and not respond to epiceram later down the road, but for now it took 90% of the flakeyness away. She then gave me some prescription steroid cream for the dry patches on my arms. Also she mixed up a batch of Aquaphor With steroids and its amazing! My lips are like before I started ACCUTANE!

Here's to clear skin!

Or at least I hope.

No new side effects, the Fatigue is gone and so is the back pain. Yay!

Hey Marilyn..sorry to hear u hit a rough patch

so frustrating...

Im back from Boston...I couldnt help myself and came here time to time but it was nice to get away and get away from obsessing over my skin (which is what Ive been doing)

I swear my skin looked better on vaca....im back one night and my skin seems more red/bumpy

I was actually thinking that I slept w/ out a humidifier for 3 nights in the hotel...now Im back and using a humidifier on me night stand..could that be causing any neg. side effects?

I dont think so.but again my mind obsesses over everything, and all things skin related

I def didnt notice my skin/lips etc any drier w out the humidifier..so might just ax it

My skin is red..it feels like a slight sun burn

I have a flat black head so big it looks like someone drew it on with a magic marker

I had a big red mark on my upper cheek that has been around for a while..its not a result of a breakout..not sure when it popped up..but seems to be getting bigger and spreading

hope to hear good news..

derp GL at your derm appt!

Kim

Kim: for me it was the opposite... When I slept without a humidifier for a couple of nights my skin got really dry. Maybe that's because you were somewhere else (different light etc.) or maybe that was just because you didn't have so much time to be in front of the mirror worrying about what you look like? I also noticed that when I'm busier, I take less time to examinate my face so I always feel better about my skin. Just a theory!!

I think u are absolutely right!

Different mirror...different light

sure the humidifier isn't making things worse

seems no change but will keep using it until temps increase

Same old

few new spots...superficial dumb kind

Feel like a broken record

Kim

Sorry about that...

I'll find out tomorrow if I can go for an extra month... (I left a message to the Dr secretary to know whats happening with my request of renewal, but on the message she left me back, she says that the Dr can see me only on May 5th. I didn't understand everything she said....) I have only two days left. I'll end on Saturday so I guess I can't stop for a couple of weeks and go back just for 1 month. Anyway I'll call tomorrow again to see. So not ready to go off!!!!

Mary I'm right there with you...about a week left on this stuff and not happy at all with my new comedone development...seeing derm on tues. will let ya know what happens.

Keep up updated!!!

Mmmm...why did I think your derm appt was THIS week?

GL Derp!

same old same old on this end

I think what I hate the most about tane at this moment is that one area on my face gets attacked and cleared and the drug keeps moving to a new section

My entire face was clear and my forehead went nuts for about 2-3 weeks and I just kept thinking if only my forehead was clear...it cleared and than it was between my brown and around my eyes....and so on

My cheeks have been pretty clear but last night i saw a red bump and this am it is a tiny whitehead..last week was 2 red bumps on my right cheek

I guess my cheeks didnt want to be left out of the plan

IDK..I have ZERO energy and just feel completely drained ....feel like a walking zombie

It was great to be away and have to be out doing stuff and staying busy but now that i dont' have to..I feel its so difficult to push myself and force myself to do stuff..go out and be sociable

Im not depressed but i am just happy/content staying home in my own little shell

well thats my freaking update

kim

Currently bleeding out my nose all over my bed... I thought I was lucky and didn't ever get nose bleeds. Oh well

Skin is getting clear!!!

I hope it stays that way.

One little active spot by my mouth but nothing big. And maybe a few on my cheek that are really tiny.

Oh No sorry about the nose bleed!!!!

never had those..just dry crusty nose

BUT glad to hear skin is looking good!

yeahhhh!

My nose actually bled a couple of times and there was always a little blood when I blew my nose. But that is not something unusual for me, as it happens often in the winter so it was no big deal (except when my nose bled like hell in the bus). Happy to hear you're being luckier cshock and that your skin is already clearing up!!

Today was supposed to be my last day but I will finally go for an extra month. I finally spoke with my Dr yesterday and she has sent the 1 month prescription to my pharmacy. I might not do the whole month though, my idea is to reach the cumulative dose of 150 mg / kg. I will see. I have been feeling better about my skin for a couple days so I am back to being hopeful. But realist also... I will never have a porcelain perfect skin.

I feel like my skin gets better every single day. Still a long way to go until I'm clear but accutane has been treating me great! Fingers crossed

Hey Mary

Did your Dr have any advice/input as far as how long to take the drug in regards to your skin being clear..or that your skin will improve even after the meds?

Were u on 60mg the entire time?

I dont know what to do..its hard for me because the first 2 weeks I was on 20mg..bump to 40mg for 4 weeks than up to 60mg..until I started having eye trouble...reduced my dose to 50 for a bit, back up to 60mg than back down to 50mg

50mg seems to be were i'm doing the best...when i jump back up to 60mg again for an extended period my eyes start acting up again...gluey with discharge even using drops and ointment

I just want to make sure I reach the absolute max that I can to avoid a relapse

My Dr prescribed 60mg a mnth or 75 (which i never did) so I may just take all the pills I have..if that takes me to 7-7.5mnths

I just want to start looking better!

Im red with red patches..not from past breakouts..Im not sure what they are from..and hope they will go away after tane

Im soooooo tired today..I seriously need a nap at 5:30

My nose isnt bleeding but crusty and red

HOLY CRAP Derp..just a few more days and this shitty ride is OVEERRRRRRRRR!

cant even imagine!

Kim

Kim, the Dr didn't say anything, she has not even seen me since I started. I just asked for an extra month over the phone (shitty health system)... I was on 60 mg for 4 months (first month on 30 mg). My cumulative dosage to this point is 135 mg/kg.

Yup that what i thought/remembered Mary

Have you decided if you are going to take the full mnth of 60mg or reduce dose..only half mnth?

How are the breakouts coming along?

I am FEDDDDDD UPPPPPPP

I lowered my dose to 40mg for a few days just because i was sick of the constant red marks/blips....increased to 50mg for a few days and all was good

I think I went a while 6-7 days w/ out marks so bumped to 60mg as I really want this over with AND the VERY NEXT DAY I get a flat mark by my eye and a super small but super RED BLIP on the tip of my nose!

WTFFFFFFF

I calculated first mnth (20mg to 40mg)

30=900

2nd mnth 50 mg (40 went to 60)

30=1500

Next mnth solid 60

30=1800

To be conservative i going to say 50mg mnth 4-5

60= 3000

I think Im being conservative as Ive taken 60 mg longer than a mnth but dont know the exact timeframe...and threw in some extra doses time to time but that brings me to 7200 now

If I take 40mg for 2mnths (mnth 6 and 7) that would add another 2400mg

which will bring me to 9600 (probably a smidge more)

so im bummed but i guess im on the damn 7mnth plan now

thats if the 40mg works..if i get blips anyway than Ill go back to 60 or in a week or 2 give 50 a try again

anyone have any insight/feedback?

130 pounds

kim

Im so annoyed

I might just go back to 40mg bump to 50mg and see if I can stay there and just do the damn 7th mnth

Kim

Kim: Hang in there!! So now you are at month 5?

I think I will do another 15 days at 60 mg and either stop or take another 15 days at 40mg...

I think I have not broken out for a week now. And I really feel a change in the texture of my skin. The first place to clear was my forehead (a couple of months ago). It changed overnight, I woke up one day with my forehead very smooth and I haven't had any new pimple on it from then on. Now I'm getting the same feeling with the rest of my face (smoother and flater). I feel like the healing on my cheeks and chin is slower though. I started using moisturizing at night also and it really helped with the appearance of my skin. It's not a dry mess anymore. Maybe it has something to do also with the fact that I'm not using so much heating.

4/17 will be 5 full mnths down the hatch

sounds like a good plan Mary

Its crazy how much different 40mg is than 60

after only 1-2 days my skin is less red/bumpy and lips are much much better

once u get to 40mg u may just feel ok finishing up the pills

Im just afraid if i dont go high enough for an extended period the tane wont work

I hear ya!

I had 2-3 weeks of constant breakouts on my forehead and it has also been smooth now for 2+ mnths

I dont know why I keep breaking out or getting these weird red spots on my nose and around my eyes..its been weeks if not mnths!

Glad to hear thing look better!

yeahhhh

I keep thinking ive reached the other side and bam I get a new little one

I tried a moisturizing water spray etc to give extra hydration and that was a bust

so I cant say hydration is the problem for me

I dont think the red marks are dryness

because the more I add on products for hydration the worse it is (just like th epast)

so much heating??

Kim

BLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Heating in the house, heating at work... It's not that cold anymore outside!

BLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Thats not good right?

Ok ill sing my song I wrote for ya anyhoo *clears throat*

You are almost TANE freee.........You made it on this shitty drug from hell....

Tane Tane Tane freeeeeee

Res spots and acne can shove it....

You are almost Tane freeeeeeee

No more stupid pills...

Doing Ok?

Heating in the house, heating at work... It's not that cold anymore outside!

Ooooooooo

gotcha

I agree just starting to warm up here..60's this weekend

forced heat had to be a killer with the dryness etc

My derm suggested going down to 60mg (when she was pushing 80) until the weather changed saying the higher dose would be easier to handle in the spring

Glad things are looking up though

CRAZY how we want so bad to be done with this med..but afraid to get off too soon/early

My biggest issue is my super creepy dehydrated skin

and my freckles have come back with a vengeance since stopping retin-a

and for all those that dont have freckles but think they are cute.they are not..

Kim: do you take 40 mg all at once or do you split it ?

I think freckles are cute!!

Kim: do you take 40 mg all at once or do you split it ?

I think freckles are cute!!

U non freckled gals always say that..LOL

I took 20/20 split

than bumped to 25/25 split...had a week with no new blips

bumped to 6mg again because i was afraid i would gte enough and wanted the 6 mnth plan and the NEXT day I get 2 red blips