[QUOTE=searching4help;3466502]Hi Everyone! Well heres my story. I have a really mild case of breakouts, but my skin has become immune to any treatments. I will be going on Accutane next month, I recently got all the tests done and I had to join an "I-Pledge" group online, which basically is a promise that I will not get pregnant while on the medicine, since it is known to cause birth defects. I'm really scared to start and I even feel a little bad that I am going to be messing with my body internally. Its really scary, but I have had acne for almost ten years and I am so sick of it. It really is the most annoying thing I have ever dealt with. My doctor told me that the medicine gets a worse reputation than it deserves, but I have been constantly researching the effects and everyone is always complaining about the dryness and redness and thats scary since I have to go to college everyday and cannot stay home if it gets too bad. Oh, well, guess I should just suck it up and get it over with. 23 more days until I start. I'll keep it updated. :)
Why so long to start? Everyone does the I-pledge thing these days. (I didn't have to do it 9 years ago.) In fact, once I took my I-pledge stuff in, my derm looked me over, asked some questions, and wrote out the prescription. Then I was told to get the prescription filled that day, then go get my first blood test. So, I started it all the same day, in effect.
Hi All,
Reading everyone’s journals and experiences has helped so far, although I have to say it also puts a little bit of anxiety into my life as well.
I have had severe nodular/cystic acne since I was in the 6th grade, about 12 years old. Im now 24. I had a very close friend that went on accutane when she was in high school...and the side effects were horrendous, and prolonged my decision to go on it. I have been out of highschool for about 6 years now, and after many many acne treatments, decided that it was time for the last resort...probably past time. I dont believe that anyone, unless experiencing severe acne, understands how it effects your everyday life, and your individual self confidence.
I started accutane last week - February 25 2008. So far, including today, I have been on 40mg once a day, for 9 days.
The only side effects that I have experienced thus far are chapped lips, and an itchy scalp. I apply Chapstick, Carmex, Vaseline, or Blistex on my lips religiously after reading many journals. For my scalp, I use an extra moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, and make sure to really knead it into my scalp in the shower...it seems to help! Ive had one break-out in the past 9 days, and it was rather painful....although I dont feel that its any more severe than what Ive been going through for years now....
I have very high hopes for the results of accutane, Ive heard some really great stories, and some complete turn-arounds for people! I cant wait to be a sucessor giving other people advice and encouragement....
[QUOTE=acutaneworries;3466984]Hello everyone
MY son started taking Acutane 9 days ago. I have to be honest and say that I really do not like the side effects that I am seeing so far. He is suffering from alot of back pain and his face is extrememly dry and red . I am using Advil for the pain. For the dryness a friend of mine made a mixture of Shea butter, gylcerine oil and witch hazel. Finally his face is looking a little more moisturized. My son has found this to be a relief. I am hopeing that the pain will go away soon. All of these side effects have made him miss school and 4 of his baseball practices. Does anyone know how long these side effects go on?? I dont know for sure...what the time frame is for the side effects...but I do know that most people start to see results around the 4th month of treatment.
I would talk to your sons dermatlogist, and see what they say. If they have any intensions of upping the dosage (mg) ... Ive heard and researched that everytime the dosage is increased, the side effects will worsen for the first couple weeks/months that your on the new dosage.
I would definitely consult with your sons dermatologist...they can give you a more accurate time frame that you can expect your son to have side effects.
Also...I just wanted to add...Being a 24 year old and having had acne for the past 12/13 years...I want to stress how important it is that (even through the worse side effects) your very supportive of your sons decision to go through with Accutane. I know that having my mom, and friends support....makes a huge difference. Acne is such a difficult skin disease to live with...its embarassing and can really damage your self confidence...and if he's taking the initial steps to get help...he will need your support. What seems like a small deal to someone without acne...its MUCH MUCH larger to someone with acne...
Just wanted to throw that in. Tell your son that we all wish him the best of luck!! Looks like he's going through it about the same pace that I am! 9 days and counting...
[QUOTE=HighHopes11;3473881]I will have to look into the "Soothing Splash" ... haha...maybe they have it at Walmart? Thanks for the recommendation.
That would be nice since it would be cheaper. I got mine at CVS while I was standing around, waiting for my Accutane to be filled. I knew what was coming...
Yeah, I feel so manly whipping out my "Soothing Splash" lip protector 20 times a day.
That is funny! But its probably better than having your lips pealing all over the place!! haha...
I was told that I should use "Aquaphor" ... I heard that was really good. I just cant seem to find it at Walmart, and that seems to be the only store that I visit lately....but Ill have to check the drug store here in town...see what they have!
I will have to ask my pharmasist for that...thank you for the recommendation!
I use Cetaphil for my face too, and it ROCKS!! I have been on accutane for only 12 days...but so far so good....I put it on in the mornings, and before I go to bed...sometimes in between, and my face does get dry, but I have yet to "flake"... Do you have any recommendations for a face wash, or face scrub to use in the shower?
Congrats to those of you on accutane and to those who are going to start! I was on it four years ago and it really gave me my life back. I'm sure all acne sufferers can relate to my former feelings of insecurity. It's hard to be confident and I just wanted to blend in. I had acne from 6th grade to my junior year of college. I feel like my first years of college were ruined and I didn't get the full "college experience" because I was so ashamed of my skin. I did not go out and make new friends; I did not join study groups or clubs on campus; I didn't volunteer to speak in class because I didn't want people to look at me. Sometimes, if my skin was particularly broken out, I'd even skip classes all together. There were several times I was in the car, driving to school, and I'd turn right back around and come home. I'd catch a glimpse of myself in the rearview mirror and realize I couldn't have people see me looking the way I looked. I was so depressed, but now I'm finally the confident woman I always wanted to be...
Accutane's side effects like chapped lips, nose bleeds, and dry scalp ARE rather bothersome, but trust me, the clear skin you get afterwards is SSSOOO worth it! It was the only thing that helped get me clear and keep me clear.
Just pile on the moisturizer (keep some in the fridge, it helps with the redness and stinging, if you have those problems) and keep your head up! Also Aquaphor is a miracle cream! Put some up your nose if it's really dry. I had to and it really helped. There is also a hair mask called "cholesterol cream" I would get at the drug store. It's yellow and stinky, but if you put it on your scalp and leave it on as long as possible (I'd usually put it on Sunday afternoons and leave it on until the evening) it'll really help with the scalp dryness.
I try to add some encouragement whenever I see accutane posts, because lots of people are so negative (especially if they tried it and it didn't work for them) or scared to take the drug. There ARE some serious side effects, but taken correctly and under careful supervision of your doctor, accutane is a miracle.
[QUOTE=HighHopes11;3482832]:( Do you think they are going to take you off of it? Your derm? That would really suck, I hope that they dont! Maybe they will just have you retake the blood test!? Good luck, keep us posted!
ps. Im having the same symptoms as you...dry skin, scalp, and lips...but its really easy to take care of! Way easier than a face full of pussy acne!!!
well got the bad news yesterday. I have to stop taking accutane for about a month or so. The second blood test came back and the doctor says i have hepatitis A, which while it isn't too serious they dont want to completely screw over my liver. I'm disappointed to say the least.
The doctor says that Accutane can lead to hep A, but im leaning towards the fact that raw food was what caused it. About a week before i took the test i didnt get my chicken thoroughly cooked through and didnt think anything of it, but from what i've read that can cause it too.
I'm hoping my medical doctor will agree and tell my derm that its fine to stay on the accutane. *fingers crossed*
anyways, good luck with your treatment too. 6 months of hell is alot better than a lifetime of acne.
Highhopes11-After reading your message I felt like I have been going through the similiar situation. I am 25 and have been suffering with acne for quite some time. I always thought about accutane but heard all the horror stories so i never went through with it. I always figured that my face wasn't too bad and that i would eventually out grow it. Well...needless to say I don't think it's going anywhere and I am tired of hiding my face with makeup and feeling self-conscience so i finally made the plunge and will be starting accutane next month! :)
I want to reassure everyone who is scared of going on Accutane. I am now 30 and have the occasional hormonal monthly breakout, but when I was 25 I started getting this crazy cystic acne combined with small red zits and it was awful. I have always been great with the makeup but this was totally beyond anything makeup could help. I went on Accutane for 6 months and that was it. The only side effects I experienced were some mild dry mouth and slightly chapped lips. I think the reason I had such a great experience is because I took about half the dose I needed-20mg BID. Anyone who has kids suffering from side effects might try lowering the dose because it was totally effective--my case cleared up significantly within the month. I encourage anyone to start out on a low dose and move up if they can get the doc to agree. Good luck!
[QUOTE=kristea25;3484055]Highhopes11-After reading your message I felt like I have been going through the similiar situation. I am 25 and have been suffering with acne for quite some time. I always thought about accutane but heard all the horror stories so i never went through with it. I always figured that my face wasn't too bad and that i would eventually out grow it. Well...needless to say I don't think it's going anywhere and I am tired of hiding my face with makeup and feeling self-conscience so i finally made the plunge and will be starting accutane next month! :)
:DYAY!! Good for you! It was a decision that I certainly didnt take lightly. I went to two dermatologist before it was recommended to me, even though my doctor had recommended it over a year ago!
Im almost done my first month of pills...I have my next Derm appointment on Monday...and Im looking forward to starting my second month! The only side effects Ive gotten so far is a bad rash on the top of both my hands, and very dry skin. Chapped lips...but not too bad, and the occasional breakout, but it seems to go away overnight.
Good luck to you! I hope that you get the results you are looking for....Cheers to both of us for taking the plunge!
Hello! I have been on Accutane since November and LOVE itt!!! It has been wonderful to my long 7 year battle with acne and all that comes with it. When I first started takin it i had dry skin... like peeling off in sheets.. for like a week or 2... then I had some neck and back stifness.. and the usual dry lips. When I went in for my 2nd test one of my levels of sumthin was too hig.. so i had to re-take it... but its fine now. It has really been wonderful... i would say within that first month i had alot of different side effects... but none bad enough to make me stop. So, I will be on it till probably june or july.. I love it!! my face really isnt that dry anymore.. i only use equate sinsitive skin cleaner... anything else was to harsh and drying... if you are having drying problems.. try that or some sort of milk cleanser... best of luck to you!!
[QUOTE=HighHopes11;3516840]Does anyone have any recommendations for really dry nostrals?? My nose bleeds on a regular basis and it hurts alot....
My lips have gotten really really chapped, and the bottom one split down the middle...Ive been putting Neosporen on it at night time..that seems to be helping! I had a big cold sore last week, but its gone for the most part...still lingering a bit, but not too bad.
I really would like a recommendation for the nose problem tho -- its bothering me alot!!
Thanks!
When I was on accutane (4 years ago---time flies and that medicine gave me my life back) I had nosebleeds and dry nostrils too. I used to use regular ol' vaseline. Just put a little on a q-tip and rubbed it around, basically. ;)
Good luck to everyone who just started. It was the best thing I did for myself.
