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Accutane Log - I'm loving it!

 
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(@sophia07)

Posted : 07/06/2011 7:17 pm

Hi everyone!

 

So, today is officially the end of week 2 (DAYYYY 14!) of being on Claravis 30mg two times a day and man I am happy with my results so far. I'm kind of scared to say something on here and jinx myself...but, I'll take the chance

 

So far, I have not had an initial breakout. I've had a few tiny whiteheads, but nothing obvious. I guess reading on here for years the awful experiences the first few weeks folks have had on Accutane and reading about the dreaded I.B. that I was totally freaked out about that. But, my skin is getting better and better each day. The bumps are going down so my skin is looking smoother, my skin is still a little oily and so is my hair, but not nearly as much as it used to be. I used to have to dab my skin almost every hour to wipe the oil...(Girls you should know how annoying that is, especially when you have makeup on! ) Also, my redness on my face has definitely gone down. I used to get out of the shower and see my tomato red face and be like WTF?! now its pink, but fading! I don't know, so far all is going well.

 

As for side effects, the first couple days I had this headache that was always there and constantly annoying. I don't get them anymore. I type a lot and my fingers have been aching a lot, but other then that, nothing.

 

I'll keep yall posted.

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(@tamadrummer)

Posted : 07/06/2011 8:16 pm

That's great and also interesting, because my experience is going exactly the same, and from what I've heard, it's very uncommon. It'll be neat to see how our treatments compare.

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(@darkmatter)

Posted : 07/06/2011 8:37 pm

Hey! Im on day 22 and am having similar results!

No real I.B. and one or two pimples in a whole week that go away in a day.

I am pretty excited, but nervous to jinx it lol

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(@sophia07)

Posted : 07/07/2011 7:59 am

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(@sophia07)

Posted : 07/07/2011 8:05 am

Here's my first post on Acne.org from June 23rd just to give everyone info about me.

 

Hello! Female, 117lbs, 21yrs

 

So I started on Claravis (isotretinoin) today, 30mg 2 times a day. I took my first pill this morning at 11AM and my 2nd one tonight at 8PM. I AM SO EXCITED BUT EVEN MORE-SO I AM NERVOUS!

 

Just some background on me... I have had this cursed acne since end of middle school and all through high school and now college. So it has been probably 7-8 years. Over the years, my skin has had its ups and downs. From Benzyl Peroxide to Tretinoin to Doxycycline to goodness, I canat remember all the others.. worked briefly. Nothing lasted too long. I can only remember one time in high school where my skin was so clear and pretty and I was so happy! But, that was short-lived. After 4-5 months of happiness, my acne came back with a vengeance! Iam in college now, my skin is pretty bad! Ugh. I hate this. Can I just tell you that having acne is the worst! It totally prevents me from having a social life, I constantly have to check the mirror to see how my make-up looks and dab my oily skin carefully or pick at dry skin. I hate waking up super early to put my foundation on!! I hate it. And even after putting on my make-up, my skin is still hideous! I hate not being to run random errands outside the house bc I have to pause and put make-up on. I want to one day wake up and not have to worry about what my face will look like.

 

This thing had been a constant never-ending, constantly teasing nightmare. But, Iam giving Accutane a shot. I hope this works.

Cross your fingers folks.

 

For the last 8 months I have been using BenzaClin (a Benzyl peroxide and clindamycin gel), Tretinoin cream 0.05%, and jojoba oil. The last month I stopped using the BenzaClin bc I knew I was going to start on Accutane.

 

While on Accutane I will be taking Women 1 a day, a tablespoon of probiotics and a tablespoon of flax seed oil daily.

 

Acne has scarred my skin. I have ice pick scars and some shallow ones and redness all over!! Anyways, I think I'll be posting weekly and responding to questions as well!

 

Wish me luck!

 

RANDOM STORY! So I take the metro to and from work and can I say I absolutely dread it in the afternoon when the weather is hot and humid and after an 8 hour day my make-up that looked crappy before looks even crappier after walking 5 minutes in sticky heat to get on an even stickier train where everyone is jam packed like sardines and I feel like everyone is staring at my face! ugh..

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(@sophia07)

Posted : 07/20/2011 6:38 am

3rd week on Accutane Gone!, Day 22 - Bring on Week 4!

 

Well, the week is going by smoothly still.

 

I have one pencil eraser size pimple on my right cheek and my blackheads are surfacing! The blackheads aren't obvious though.

But, other then that, everything else is healing. My redness from acne scars is down to a pink now which is great!

 

I use Bobby brown make-up which conceals everything - not perfectly, but enough for me to feel comfortable.

 

Also, my lips are getting drier but I don't have to chap-stick up too often. I usually put on chap once every few hours.

 

My oil production has gone down severely, especially in my hair. i don't have to shampoo everyday anymore which is soo nice!

 

Also, my skin is not dry at all. I wear jojoba oil under my make-up and when I go to bed. Maybe this is why? Besides Pear brand soap, jojoba oil, and foundation, I don't use any other product on my face.

 

All in all, a nice end to week number 3. See you next week

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(@sophia07)

Posted : 07/20/2011 7:05 am

TODAY IS THE END of WEEK 4 ‚œ DAY 28

 

Okay, so this was my toughest week on Accutane regarding side effects. But on a bright note, my face is the clearest today than it has been in a couple years.

 

> So I have experienced the dry lip side effect but nothing nearly as bad as others have. Heck, I wouldn‚„t call my dry lips bad. I just put on whatever Chap Stick I have with me on every couple hours. This is no big deal.

 

> I noticed I am shedding hair more often then I normally do. I have thick hair so I‚„m not too worried about it, but it is annoying. Maybe this is bc I dyed my hair right before I started Accutane a month ago? I noticed it then too and figured the shedding was from having dyed my hair, but it‚„s still going on... I‚„m going to go buy a different shampoo today and see what happens.

 

> I have not experienced dryness on my face. BUT, my elbows for two days this week were horribly dry and my skin was peeling off. Two nights of applying Aquafor fixed the problem though. Phew The skin on my palms and arms is also pretty dry so I‚„ve been putting more lotion on.

 

> The above are nothing compared to the lower back pain! 2 days ago was the worst. I put Icy Hot Pain Relief cream on it for two nights and as of this morning the pain is 85% gone. But on Monday, sitting in a chair and bending down, even slightly, hurt.

 

Other than the side effects listed above, everything else seems to be going smoothly.

 

Quick question for anyone reading this‚¦ So, I have to get my blood drawn about 8 hours from now but I forgot and had a Grande soy mocha from Starbucks. Will this be a problem bc I know you‚„re supposed to fast‚¦? Ugh ‚œ P.S. / I hate getting my blood drawn! I always almost pass out right after.

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(@sanderella24)

Posted : 07/20/2011 10:06 am

I'm having such similar results crazy.

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(@sanderella24)

Posted : 07/20/2011 10:44 am

I'm having such similar results crazy. I just don't want to jimx myself.

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(@sophia07)

Posted : 07/25/2011 6:06 am

I'm having such similar results crazy. I just don't want to jimx myself.
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(@sophia07)

Posted : 07/27/2011 6:21 am

SO today is the end of Week 5 - Day 35

 

I'm not having any problems with dry skin. My palms are slightly peeling along the border

My lips aren't as dry as they were 2 weeks back

I have a job where I'm typing pretty much most day so my fingers get really sore, which has never happened before unless I'm typing a 10 page paper for school

I did notice that on my right cheek (which is worse than my left) that I think my comodones are rising which is great but they seem to be rising slowly! ugh... Comodones is one of my BIG problems

My hair isn't shedding as much as before either. wohoo

Also, I did notice a breakout on the back of my shoulders, but hey, its not my face which i wish would hurry up and get better!

 

So on a more personal note can I say that i hate having problems with my skin...

jeez it sucks.

again, riding the train sucks bc everyone is so jam packed in there that i feel they're staring right at me..

Thank goodness for make-up but still! I want to be make-up free one day. Also, I do not get girls that wear a ton of foundation when their skin is flawless!

I didn't go to a party last week bc it was with people I haven't seen since high school and at that time, my skin was good, just the occasional pimple. NOW, its bad. Ugh, I know I'm being pessimistic, but this hot humid weather isn't helping any.

 

I go back to school in a month. keeping my fingers crossed

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(@sophia07)

Posted : 08/04/2011 7:03 am

************ Day 43! Week 6 **************

 

Ugh, I am so sick of acne. You know staying positive is tough sometimes.

I want my acne gone, my redness gone, and my scarring gone.

Being make-up free is my goal!

 

The symptoms I am having now

> pains on the back of my feet - when I walk, right above my heels (the achilles tendon) is whats been sore

> my knees get sore really quickly if I sit too long which sucks bc i work as a writer so most of the day I am sitting...

> dry eyes and watery eyes sometimes

> loss of appetite which is great bc I'm fasting this entire month anyways, goodbye 5 lbs that love to stick to my tummy! :)

> a few times my nose was SO dry on the inside, I was sure I was going to have a nosebleed

> my lips are dryer and so I'm applying more chap-stick but again, nothing too crazy and my lips don't look chapped, just dark red

 

My face right now

> I had several big ones this week... ugh Fortunately most were in less obvious... 5-6 near my ears... never had them there before

> 2 pencil eraser size ones on the right jawline and 1 that's now on my right cheek

> the rest of my acne is comodones that seem to be rising out of my skin, these ones take the longest to come out bc they're so deep - i hate them - but i'm glad to see some are surfacing bc I was afraid the never would!

> 2 tiny pencil tip size ones near my right eyebrow

 

I hope my face clears up soon! I just want this to be done. I know I need to be patience but jeez, over six years of pimples and acne is patience enough

 

I'm annoyed is all. Plus, this hot muggy weather doesn't help any. I hate humidity and it hates me back.

 

On a positive note...

 

My skin is sensitive to laundry detergent and I learned this the hard way... my back and chest had broken out pretty bad months ago and I never thought they would go away... but my backs' almost cleared and so is my chest, which is grreat!

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(@ingaa)

Posted : 08/04/2011 10:42 am

So you said you were getting your blood drawn the other day and had to fast all day... do you do this once every month? And get it drawn like... out of your arm? My derm hasn't had me do any blood tests like that, but they do a finger prick every month and I'm wondering if that's really enough considering I read about people getting real blood work done. Do you have to get this done during the entire treatment?

And also don't feel bad about almost passing out after, when I got my tiny little finger prick I felt sick after! If I have to start getting blood drawn it will be a disaster.

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(@topbitch)

Posted : 08/04/2011 9:24 pm

So you said you were getting your blood drawn the other day and had to fast all day... do you do this once every month? And get it drawn like... out of your arm? My derm hasn't had me do any blood tests like that, but they do a finger prick every month and I'm wondering if that's really enough considering I read about people getting real blood work done. Do you have to get this done during the entire treatment?

And also don't feel bad about almost passing out after, when I got my tiny little finger prick I felt sick after! If I have to start getting blood drawn it will be a disaster.

 

You only get a finger prick!! lucky!! i also have to get like a needle shoved into the crook of my elbow ! every month! then they take out like little packets of blood!

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(@sophia07)

Posted : 08/07/2011 11:22 am

So you said you were getting your blood drawn the other day and had to fast all day... do you do this once every month? And get it drawn like... out of your arm? My derm hasn't had me do any blood tests like that, but they do a finger prick every month and I'm wondering if that's really enough considering I read about people getting real blood work done. Do you have to get this done during the entire treatment?

And also don't feel bad about almost passing out after, when I got my tiny little finger prick I felt sick after! If I have to start getting blood drawn it will be a disaster.

 

You only get a finger prick!! lucky!! i also have to get like a needle shoved into the crook of my elbow ! every month! then they take out like little packets of blood!

 

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(@sophia07)

Posted : 08/08/2011 5:23 am

UGHHHHHHH! Having a crummy morning!

Jeez, I hate acne!

 

Today is ******* DAY 47 ********

 

I have a pencil sized pimple on my right cheek and another one growing right above it! NOOO!!

I freaking hate this!

 

SO its bloody humid outside and I had to walk to work from the train station and my face is all oily. I figured okay once I get indoors it'll all be good. Itll be air conditioned and nice and cool. ... NO! The freakin AC is broken in this place. I feel like I'm in a sauna. My face is oily and my make-up is already wearing off bc I have to dab off the oiliness. On top of all this, my face is blotchy red. I haven't even been at work an hour yet!

 

I have one whitehead on my chin. The rest is just my comodones rising upwards but they haven't surfaced yet. I'm really worried about when they do surface just bc i have sooo many! ugh! and did I mention my face is red all over?? and my acne scars are more obvious?? ugh

 

hurry up and work your magic accutane!

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(@trixy)

Posted : 08/08/2011 1:32 pm

Hey!

 

I've got my appointment tomorrow with the skin specialist and really hoping I can get prescribed Roaccutane, I have tried everything else and this is the final straw!

 

Thank you for posting your experience, it's great to read how everyone is doing.

 

It wont be long until you're clear clear clear!! I'm jealous that you are already so far in :) x

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(@sophia07)

Posted : 08/09/2011 5:34 am

Hey Trixy!

If you've tried all else and nothing has worked, then I hope you get put on Roaccutane. Its the only med thats worked this fast on me. But then again, my skin hasn't been this bad. Also, I'm glad reading how everyone is doing hasn't deterred you from going on Accutane. I know my biggest regret is not going on it sooner. Reading everyones experience scared me and now I have more scars than I would have had I started earlier! arghh

 

lol, but that's life right?? never works quite the way you want it to

 

Good luck today!

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(@trixy)

Posted : 08/09/2011 7:38 am

Thank you! He has said he will put me on Roaccutane! Can not wait to start next week :)

 

How are you doing?

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(@sophia07)

Posted : 08/10/2011 2:10 pm

Aw, I'm excited for you Trixy. I truly hope this works for you!

 

I am doing okkkkkkk. sort-of. So its ****** DAY 49! WEEK 7 ************

 

I skipped work today bc of my face! I used to do this all the time with school too but since going on Accutane this is my first time skipping work. I get embarrassed of my face sometimes. BUT, this does not mean I'm discouraged or anything. I know Accutane is working, I can see it working. I dunno, its just one of those days. My right side is worse then my left. My chin and forehead are clear. I have 5 pimples on my right cheek. On my left cheek, I have 3 tiny ones that are healing. I still have scarring all over my cheeks that have lightened but still, I hate my scars. I hope Accutane works on tightening up my pores too. Jeez, I'm picking my face apart. COME ON FACE, HURRY IT UP ALREADY!

 

 

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(@accutanked-2)

Posted : 08/16/2011 4:21 pm

Aw, I'm excited for you Trixy. I truly hope this works for you!

 

I am doing okkkkkkk. sort-of. So its ****** DAY 49! WEEK 7 ************

 

I skipped work today bc of my face! I used to do this all the time with school too but since going on Accutane this is my first time skipping work. I get embarrassed of my face sometimes. BUT, this does not mean I'm discouraged or anything. I know Accutane is working, I can see it working. I dunno, its just one of those days. My right side is worse then my left. My chin and forehead are clear. I have 5 pimples on my right cheek. On my left cheek, I have 3 tiny ones that are healing. I still have scarring all over my cheeks that have lightened but still, I hate my scars. I hope Accutane works on tightening up my pores too. Jeez, I'm picking my face apart. COME ON FACE, HURRY IT UP ALREADY!

 

 

 

Hang in there! I'm rooting for you!! :)

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(@sophia07)

Posted : 08/17/2011 6:40 am

Thanks accutanked!

 

************* DAY 56 WEEK 8 ************

 

Ahhh, lol. Last week sucked. So does this week. I have 1 active on my right cheek, but 1 is all it takes to make me self-conscious! Over the weekend, I had 3 new actives under my jaw line. They‚„re healing right now. My left cheek and chin are clear. I have 2 tiny actives on my forehead that don‚„t really bother me. They‚„re already shrinking, plus, my bangs cover ‚œem up.

 

A friend of mine wanted to go shopping yesterday and I didn‚„t want to go bc my 1 active was pretty gross yesterday. But, I sucked it up and went shopping. Had a good time, but was super uncomfortable with my face.

 

So from what I‚„m noticing, my comodones are surfacing, slowly but surely. And when they do surface‚¦they unfortunately become huge pimples that take forever to go away (by forever I mean about a week). I start school the 29th. Hopefully, all is well by then! - hopefully

 

P.S. my new symptoms is itchy and dry eyes. I wear contacts literally all day long from like 5AM to 11PM at night. I will be buying glasses this week. I think I need to give my eyes a rest.

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(@sophia07)

Posted : 08/18/2011 5:25 am

*************** DAY 57 *******************

 

I'm going to vent... This just happened less than 15 mins ago. Thanks to the asshole for ruining my day.

 

So I'm walking to work and somebody I know pops up beside me and starts talking. We hardly ever talk. After the usual greetings and stuff, she asks me, ARGHHH, she asks "What happened to your face?!"

 

My response was a blank expression, shock, fear, and embarrassment. I didn't know what to say. She just smiles with her perfect effing skin and says, "don't worry, we all have problems."

 

In my head I was thinking....err screaming actually, "WTF do you think happened you bloody effing idiot? Why the fuck would you ask such a effing stupid and rude question?!"

 

I do not think my face is as bad as it was before. Yes, I am NOT happy or comfortable with my skin, but I AM TRYING for once to be optimistic. But then people like that fucktard have to come around and crush you!

 

What? Does she think I asked for this? I hate having the skin I do and I hate it when people try to tell me how to care for my skin.

 

Please, please, please, Accutane work!

 

what an idiot girl she was - sigh - some people are so clueless about how what they say affects someone

 

this calls for a Grande Soy Mocha from Starbucks

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(@sanderella24)

Posted : 08/18/2011 5:26 am

IT WILL GIVE IT TIME!!!!

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(@again)

Posted : 08/18/2011 10:31 am

Yeah, that's horrible! The older I get the better I'm at telling them to their face how rude they are. I'm not mean, I just simply say in a nice but frank way, "Wow, that was kinda hurtful and rude." it makes them feel a tad uncomfortable and puts them in the position of not knowing what to say, not me.

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