Fin!

Well, I started Accutane on 10/28/2009 and now, on 4/22/2010, I am finished with my Accutane treatment!

All in all, this has been the best thing I have ever done. My skin has cleared beautifully. I no longer have oily hair (even after 7 days of not washing it), I don't have oily patches on my face or other parts of my body (ears, etc). I am thrilled with the results.

The side effects have definitely been noticeable: joint pains, especially in my ankles and lower back, and fatigue have been the most difficult. I am considerably less energetic than before treatment. I have also noticed I am a lot grouchier! Although I have struggled with these side effects (plus extremely dry lips and some dry skin rashes) I STILL consider Accutane to be a miracle drug for my acne.

Before Accutane, I tried SOOOOO many OTC remedies--all the Proactiv, washes, Zeno and other stuff they sell you for acne. I also was on antibiotics, creams and Retin-A thru a dermatologist. Vitamins and diet changes, etc.....none of it helped me in a long-term way.

I LOVE WHAT ACCUTANE DID FOR MY SKIN!

That said, it is definitely a drug not to be taken lightly. The hassles of bloodwork, side effects and even getting my Rx filled where considerable. However, overall the results have been wonderful and I would not change a thing--except that I do wish I had done this sooner. I now have the skin/complexion I wanted, but I am nearly 30 years old. If you, or someone you know, has tried everything and the only thing keeping you from trying Accutane are the "horror stories" you read/see/hear....go for it!!! I have noticed that many websites touting the "horrors" of Accutane are actually trying to sell you their product. I am sure there are people who have had bad luck with this drug--there are always those bad cases, with ANY treatment.

I still think you should find a dermatologist you trust, who will monitor you closely while you're on Accutane, and try this. Give OTC stuff 6 months. Give antibiotics/whatever your derm prescribes for you 6 months. After a year, if you are still having the breakouts--ask for Accutane! It was the best decision I have made for my struggles with acne.

I will post my last pictures soon. I wish you all well & hope that you find relief. Be smart and don't succumb to all the advertising that's out there: it should NOT cost you hundreds (or 1000's) of dollars to "treat" your acne. Find a licensed dermatologist and make sure they're not adverse to prescribing Accutane if their other suggestions don't work for you.

Everyone is different and will respond to treatments differently. Hang in there and good luck!

Stuff that's helped during Accutane....

This is a nice body moisturizer for after your shower or bathe, especially in the winter when skin gets REALLY dry!

Found Emu Oil soap at a healthfood store....good on your face everyday because it's not drying.
Don't wax! No Nair! (Your skin is sensitive on Accutane and prone to scarring or burns). Eyebrow threading works really well!
Nice body wash that hasn't dried me out too much!
Aquaphor can be used on lips--it's not just a "hand cream"! Very successful in dealing with the dry, peeling lip problems you get on the medication!

Quick Pics of HUGE Progress!

The top pic is from the day before starting Accutane. The bottom pic is 4 months into my treatment. Can you see the difference?!

4 months on Accutane & new photos!

Well, my last appointment was a few days ago. I have now been on Accutane for 4 months, and the improvements are dramatic....as you can see!

Not so good is that my cholesterol shot up to 388! Now for the stupid part: I had been forgetting to take my Lovastatin (I have genetically high cholesterol, before Accutane). Sooooo....Dr. Amy gave me my final Rx and ordered me to have my bloodwork done again in 2 weeks rather than the standard month. As long as I can have my meds, I am happy! This has been a miracle for my skin!

Now, for the stinky side-effects: I feel like an old woman! I am tired quite often, and my feet, ankles and legs ache. Especially after sitting or laying down, I have a hard time getting up without some pretty major pain. My lower back kills me getting out of bed in the morning. My lips are dry as usual, but I am still using my Aquaphor. I only take a shower about once a week because my skin and hair are NEVER oily! I don't even need the shower, but I feel gross if I don't do it at least once a week. (Of course, I clean up in the meantime LOL). Even my cuticles, which were always overgrown, have improved. Still no depression or weird thoughts.....just the extreme fatigue.

Overall, even with the side-effects, I would completely recommend Accutane for someone with stubborn acne. It's been a miracle and a life-changer for me--I'm so thankful to have such improved skin!

Luckily, I am not noticing too much scarring. I think that peels and/or dermabrasion will help after I am finally able to do those. Again note: you CANNOT WAX OR DO PEELS/DERMABRASION while you are taking Accutane. It causes major scarring, burning and pain that is permanent!!!

Also, another tip I discovered after a friend told me she was going on Accutane & wasn't sure what to do if she couldn't wax her brows: eyebrow threading! I got my upper lip (sorry mustache!) and eyebrows "threaded" today at a place in the mall. It was $16 (total) and was no more painful than waxing, and it won't damage your skin! Only the hair is pulled out--it's basically like plucking big sections rather than single hairs. I was amazed at how smooth and good the results were! So, there's my tip of the day I guess!

Thanks for reading and checking out my pics! Good luck to everyone in your pursuit of better skin--and hang in there!

1/29/10 Three Months On--Week 13 of 20

I am really pleased with the results of my treatment--my cysts and acne are barely noticeable. My skin/hair/etc is really dry, most bothersome being dry lips. I use Aquaphor like mad!

I am noticing more side effects lately related to my mood; I am not "depressed" and certainly not suicidal (both of which have been reported in users) but I am pretty grouchy. I have a short fuse when it comes to dealing with irritating situations. I am also feeling more self-conscious than usual and I am very, very tired. My lower back and my heels/feet are still achy.

My cholesterol and triglys are still in an acceptable range. Nothing abnormal on my liver panels. Overall, even with the mood effects, I believe Accutane has changed my life in a positive way. I think the mood issues are resulting from me getting closer to my "maximum cumulative dose".

After 20 weeks of 170 mg/day, I will have obtained enough of the drug in my system to (hopefully) "cure" my acne. As I approach 23,800 mg total taken (over the full treatment), I think the drug has started giving me more side-effects. It's an oily, Vitamin-A analog so it builds up in your system over time.

I am posting pics and will post again soon!
Thanks for reading and best wishes to those of you dealing with acne.

PS--I decided to stop blocking out my eyes......but this doesn't mean you can PhotoShop me into weird pics. I can totally sue your butt if you do!

Full-face pics at Start and 2 months into treatment!

Top: 2 months on Accutane
Bottom: Day before starting drug.

2-month photos

Well, my 2 month anniversary on Accutane was 12/28/09. Had another set of blood work and took more photos of my progress. My cholesterol was 288 and my triglycerides were also higher than before....I think about 206. Derm did not seem concerned with this. The elevated levels are normal, they just have to stay in a range that is not unsafe. I have 3 months to go until I am done!!

The improvement is HUGE already. I have no cysts right now. The red spots on my face are from healing breakouts. I have very few blackheads and very few sites of inflammation. I can FEEL a huge difference.
Underneath my skin, I have always been able to palpate and "feel" pimples forming. I now feel smooth skin that is healing/healed under there!

I am SO very happy--thrilled actually--with my results! I am convinced that all those products out there "for acne" are just crap. Accutane (Amnesteem) is the ONLY thing I have found that has such amazing results! It's been wonderful. My self-image has improved so much already.

Side effects: still DRY lips (Aquaphor is the only thing that works). My lower back is not so achy, but now my ankles and heels (weird, right?!) kill me, especially after I have not been moving for a while (in the morning). I also have an itchy, scaly rash on the backs of my hands....this is not super-annoying, but can be painful. I am using the derm's hydrocortisone cream on that. No depression, nothing else. No headaches after the first couple of weeks. Every now and then, I see things in the periphery of my vision, just for a second. None of it is anything more than noticeable......and SO worth being free of acne, finally!

Best wishes to those reading and I hope my story/pics are helpful.

PS--I know I have a mustache but you CANNOT wax while on Accutane, or for 6 months after. I promise I will take care of it after my waiting period is up. So, next October, no more mustache! ;-D