A Daybook For Accutane

[=== 9]

Day 121 | 4 months

Blood tests came back ok! I've got a third of my Accutane course left to go. On week seventeen, I think. Recap of the month:

- Around 3-5 actives (consistently) at the start of the month, 1-2 by the end

- Dry autumn air + Accutane = bloody noses all the time

- Improvement was a bit depressing compared to month three... but that's largely because month three was awesome

- Aside from 1-2 fewer lesions at a time, my face looks more or less the same as it did at the month

- Dry areas haven't been noticeable recently

- I'm a veteran member now, so that's cool

- Lots of facial peeling if I missed a shower

- I haven't been able to really start/continue the ACV

The derm was pleased despite the fact that I'm still breaking out a little. Next visit will be my last unless we agree that another should be scheduled. Hopefully, I'll see a little more change throughout month five.

Edited November 2, 2012 by ===

[=== 9]

Day 124

No new actives! Face looks about the same. 68.888...% done

[=== 9]

Day 129

Been pretty sick the past few days . Well, things are looking pretty good (relatively speaking), but those two stubborn lesions from a couple weeks ago still haven't gone away.

Edited November 10, 2012 by ===

[=== 9]

Day 134

I'm quite a few pills behind; life has been hectic and I was asleep for about 16 hours yesterday, heheh. Nothing new to report, which is a mostly good thing.

[jamie o 15]

Hey mate you skin's looking pretty damn good. Glad it's working for you and good luck for the rest of the course.

Also how's your back/leg injury going?

[=== 9]

Day 135

Slowing catching up on pills. No new actives, and my cheeks look fairly good today. There is a tiiny bit of activity on the right side of my face, but it's pretty scarce. Still just waiting on this bump between my eyebrows and the spot on my left side; they've been pretty stubborn, about three weeks now.

Hey mate you skin's looking pretty damn good. Glad it's working for you and good luck for the rest of the course.

Also how's your back/leg injury going?

[=== 9]

Day 136

My old phone finally petered out, got a new one... oh man, the photos do not flatter. This is an unfortunate view of things. Attaching pics just so it isn't a shocker next time I do a pic update.

Edited November 17, 2012 by ===

[=== 9]

Day 142

Haven't had an active since my last post, I think. The remaining stuff hasn't quite gone away.

Edited November 23, 2012 by ===

[James9 23]

When you run your fingers down your cheeks is it really smooth or bumpy?

[=== 9]

Day 145

Over 80% done at this point. I haven't been updating as much lately because there simply isn't much to say; I still have a couple minor, lingering actives and my share of PIH. It's more or less a broken record at this point. I will say that I've been peeling a lot around the mouth the past few days.

When you run your fingers down your cheeks is it really smooth or bumpy?

[dsamson 5]

Just wanted to say thanks to you for keeping this log. Really detailed. Just started my course a few days ago. Best of luck man, your almost there!

[=== 9]

Day 159 | 5.3 months

Alright, into the home stretch now, month six. Here's a long overdue recap of month five:

- Began the month with 1-2 actives, and they stayed for the majority of the month; they're now gone. Currently have 0-1 active.

- Side effects didn't get much worse, which surprised me; I thought they would given the dry wintry weather. In fact, I haven't gotten any of those red, rashy areas at all recently

- More snail-pace progress with the red marks, but they really are becoming less noticeable

- No new side effects; mood and whatnot has been pretty constant

That's basically it! I was under the impression that my last appt. with the derm was the final one, but apparently I have another. I'm hoping that I won't have any new actives this month. Going on here and reading other people's stories makes me remember how much waking up to three new bright red zits sucked, and I'm very thankful that it's not one more thing I have to deal with now. I know I complain about my red marks a lot, but honestly, if you told me nine months ago that I could take this medication for half a year and only have to wake up to red marks, I'd sign up in a second. It's easy to underestimate how much acne sucks when you don't have it.

In case you care to know, my routine is still much the same, and pretty minimal: CeraVe moisturizing lotion 1-2x/day, CeraVe hydrating cleanser 1x/day in the shower.

Just wanted to say thanks to you for keeping this log. Really detailed. Just started my course a few days ago. Best of luck man, your almost there!

Edited December 10, 2012 by ===

[=== 9]

Day 171

I'm very behind on pills, but as far as days go, I'm 95% done today! (Weird how 171/180 = .95.) Red marks are still progressing. Had a clogged pore the other day, hopefully that's not an omen.

[=== 9]

Day 176

Dont think threre's anything new in terms of acne. Might move on to my red mark healing regimen very soon.

[=== 9]

Day 185

Well, I have about five more days of pills to go, but I'm effectively done. I'll still wait until then for the final monthly update. Red marks look a LOT better than they did on day 136. It's been over a year since my face has been doing this well.