32 Year Old Going on Accutane -New Hartford, NY

Welcome to the community :) I can relate on how frustrating adult acne can be, mine started at age 18 and lasted well into my 30's!! Your side effects seem in line with everyone else, dry lips is so common - lots of water :) 

What is your dosage?

Hi, I wasn't going to comment, but I thought to myself that I only wish someone had shared an alternative treatment with me several years ago after my 1st, 2nd and 3rd round of Accutane. I mean don't get me wrong, Accutane was a God send to me for over 15 years because it worked miracles for my stubborn acne. However, it was also a curse as much as it was a blessing because now that I am in my 40's, my hormones are so out of wack and apparently they were getting progressively worse over the years, but I just didn't know the extent because I'd run to the Dr. to find a drug that only treats the symptom, but not the problem. I now realize that all along I should have been working on correcting the hormonal imbalance instead of using Accutane to mask the problem. 15 years of masking the hormonal issues with Accutane has lead to all types of issues that i probably wouldn't have had, had I listen to what my body was telling me through my face via the chronic acne. The Accutane would work well and stay in my system for about 2-3 years, then all hell would break lose in my face again and again then I'd go right back on it as my masking drug of dependence. This past fall after I was begging and pleading with my dermatologist to put me on a another does of Accutane, something deep inside compelled me to finally came to my senses whereby I realized that I really needed to get my hormones and thyroid tested to see what was really going on with my body hormonally. I found out that I was estrogen dominant with very low progesteron which contributes to acne. After reading tons of articles, seeing many specialist including natropathetic Dr's, I took the most relevant information they shared with me to cure my acne without the Accutane. I was so accustomed (dare I say addicted) to using Accutane that I was very doubtful anything would work like it, but because of other health concerns, I really couldn't chance going back on Accutane for yet another dose that would only be a temporary fix despite the fact that I found a Dr who agreed to put me back on it. Fast forward, I was amazed that a natural supplement could work as good as (actually better) than Accutane, but with no side effects. There are many things that I did to clear my stubborn chronic acne, but the main thing I did was take Nature's Way Dim Plus and 10,000-15,000mg per day of Organic Alfalfa Tablets made by Swanson. After months and months of spending time, money energy and agony trying to find something to heal my body and of course my face, those two products worked for me in 2 weeks what Dr's could only do through prescribing a toxic drug like Accutane. Please go and get your hormone levels tested and do not mask the problem by merely treating the symptom. Accutane will make your skin beautiful temporarily, but it will not fix your hormone issue. In fact, it could silently be making it worse. Take it from me, 5 or 10+ years from now, you'll (and your body) will be glad that you took the time to endeavor to fix the cause instead of putting a temporary bandage on the symptom... Good luck! :-)

Thanks for sharing your pictures, your skin looks less red and inflamed in the after shot - you are off to a great start! I look forward to following our progress. Did you ever try a diet journal to see if you have any trigger foods?

Dr. Dan's Cortiblam will save your lips!!! I was using just as many chapstick balms as you and none of them worked they actually made them dryer. I was able to purchase it online on Amazon for cheaper. Highly recommend!!! It is made for Accutane users.

Hi, I wasn't going to comment, but I thought to myself that I only wish someone had shared an alternative treatment with me several years ago after my 1st, 2nd and 3rd round of Accutane. I mean don't get me wrong, Accutane was a God send to me for over 15 years because it worked miracles for my stubborn acne. However, it was also a curse and it was a blessing because now that I am in my 40's, and my hormones are so out of wack, I realize that all along I should have been working on correcting the hormonal imbalance instead of using Accutane to mask the problem. 15 years of masking the hormonal issues with Accutane has lead to all types of issues that i probably wouldn't have had, had I listen to what my body was telling me through my face via the chronic acne. This past fall after I was phening and begging and pleading with my dermatologist to put me on a another does of Accutane, I finally came to my sense and realized that I really needed to get my hormones and thyroid tested to see what was really going on with me hormonally. I found out that I was estrogen dominant with very low progesteron which contributes to acne. After reading tons of articles, seeing many specialist including natropathetic Dr's, I took the most relevant information they shared with me to cure my acne without the Accutane. I was amazed that a natural supplement could work as good as (actually better) than Accutane, but with no side effects. There are many things that I did to clear my stubborn acne, but the main thing I did was take Nature's Way Dim Plus and 10,000-15,000mg per day of Organic Alfalfa Tablets made by Swanson. After months and months of spending time, money energy and agony trying to find something to heal my body and of course my face, those two products worked for me in 2 weeks what Dr's could only do through prescribing Accutane. Please go and get your hormones level tested and do not mask the problem by treating the symptom. Take it from me, 5 or 10+ years from now, you'll (and your body) will be glad that you did...

Thanks for the update, sorry to hear that you are breaking out so badly but I understand that this can happen, I found this FAQ on the site that speaks to this

DOES EVERYONE EXPERIENCE AN INITIAL BREAKOUT WHEN ON ACCUTANE?

I know it's uncomfortable when you have bad breakouts and it makes you want to hide your face, but I say keep your chin up, don't worry about what others think, put a smile on your face and keep going forward. 

Keep us posted ok :)

I am a 31/f I can totally relate to your story. It is truly awful to still have acne, at 31. I was too scared to try Accutane before. I am going to give it a try too. My daughter is 6, and she asked me why did I have so many boo boos on my face all the time. Honestly...I wanted to cry. So I went to get my first blood test, and in a few weeks I will start my journey as well. I just wanted to comment on your post Please let us know how your treatment is going. Good luck!