Going on Accutane for Nodular Acne

Skin is still clear. I do still get the occasional bump here and there but it’s always gone the very next day. Still Happy I did it! I even got my natural lip color back lol. I’m on my period so there has been some activity but it’s very mild. Isotretinoin has truly even a lifesaver for me.

Last month I woke up one day and decided that I was sick and tired of being on this medication. I’d tired of the side effects and the whole routine involved in staying on the treatment. I was ready to finally be free lol. So two and a half weeks ago, I saw my derm and she agreed that I could be done with it. She informed me that due to my acne being hormonal, I should not expect to be 100% clear 100% of the time because Accutane does not treat the hormonal aspect. I guess that makes sense. I have noticed over the last month, tiny little bumps that will pop up and disappear within a day or two. I just extracted a small white head pimple this morning that emerged from down inside one of my new smile lines a few days ago lol. So many people report having had not a single pimple for months or even years post treatment. I’m not experiencing that same storybook ending to my Accutane course so far but I’m still happy I did it and I’m extremely pleased with the results. Proudly running around town with no makeup on is something I do regularly now and with every bit of confidence I have when I do wear it. My Mom saw me bare face and thought I had on foundation. Yayyy!! That’s all a lifetime acne sufferer could ever ask for.

So I’ve been off Accutane for over 2 weeks now due to insurance issues that have been going on for the last four months. I refuse to pay out of pocket again so I decided to wait until the issues were resolved. Anyway, I’m going to the dermatologist tomorrow because my coverage will be reinstated and I can see my doctor and fill my script in peace lol. This will mark the start of month 6 for me. My doctor said he wants me to go a couple of more months (2, maybe?) Its my most recent understanding that doctors want a patient to have received at least 9500-10000 mg of Isotretinoin before a course can be considered completed. I’m at about 8000. So I hope to go back on my 40 mg twice daily tomorrow. I started my period today and I have two tiny little cysts on either side of my face. That lets me know I definitely need to complete my course as planned. I’m so ready to be off this medication. I’m just tired of the side effects. Being off of it for this long, I’ve been slowly starting to feel like myself again. My lips are no where near as dry. But to possibly be able to say farewell to acne forever...I’d do it all again in a heartbeat! Even with the exorbitant out of pocket costs that I really couldn’t afford. We had to make some sacrifices but we worked it out financially. I absolutely cannot begin to describe how much better and more at peace I feel. Previously, my face seemed to always feel inflamed even when at times it looked calm and clear on the outside. I told my husband I could almost feel the acne brewing beneath the surface, working hard to rear it’s ugly, cystic head once more lol. I recognize myself in the mirror now. I can see my little moles better( which I love and wish I had way more of), I look younger and my eyes look brighter...Yeah, let’s keep this going until the end!