POSTED UNDER Accutane REVIEWS
28 Years Old..starting Accutane Treatmen! Eek! - Australia, AU
ORIGINAL POST
Hi Everyone, My name is Charlie, I'm 28 years old...
charlottekepinskiAugust 8, 2015
$100
Hi Everyone,
My name is Charlie, I'm 28 years old and have been struggling with acne since I was 14.
At 18 I was put on the contraceptive pill which cleared up my skin beautifully, I was so over the moon, then around 11 months later I had a massive migraine and the doctor said I could no longer take that pill, I was devastated and within 3 months all my acne was back. Since then I feel like I have tried everything, I was on one antibiotic for over a year as well as a number of other antibiotic treatments, topical prescriptions, chemical peels and every new skin cream that came out, after a while I was over taking medication so I had a York test, I've tried elimination diets, gluten free diets, sugar free diets, I've seen a naturopath and tried natural remedies, etc. nothing but the contraception has worked.
I am a really health concious person, I eat a healthy diet, lots of water, don't drink alcohol, and exercise at least 3 times a week, I'm super super nervous to take accutane! The thought of putting something in my body that could damage it scares me, but I feel after 14 years of emotional upset, sore, throbbing skin, being so self concious and feeling like I don't even want to go out of the house some days..something's got to give? So tomorrow is the big day, my first pill of Accutane!
My doctor has prescribed me a low dose of 20mg per day for 16 weeks, I'm currently planning out a healthy meal plan to support my body through it and fingers crossed all will be well :) I'll keep you updated :)
My name is Charlie, I'm 28 years old and have been struggling with acne since I was 14.
At 18 I was put on the contraceptive pill which cleared up my skin beautifully, I was so over the moon, then around 11 months later I had a massive migraine and the doctor said I could no longer take that pill, I was devastated and within 3 months all my acne was back. Since then I feel like I have tried everything, I was on one antibiotic for over a year as well as a number of other antibiotic treatments, topical prescriptions, chemical peels and every new skin cream that came out, after a while I was over taking medication so I had a York test, I've tried elimination diets, gluten free diets, sugar free diets, I've seen a naturopath and tried natural remedies, etc. nothing but the contraception has worked.
I am a really health concious person, I eat a healthy diet, lots of water, don't drink alcohol, and exercise at least 3 times a week, I'm super super nervous to take accutane! The thought of putting something in my body that could damage it scares me, but I feel after 14 years of emotional upset, sore, throbbing skin, being so self concious and feeling like I don't even want to go out of the house some days..something's got to give? So tomorrow is the big day, my first pill of Accutane!
My doctor has prescribed me a low dose of 20mg per day for 16 weeks, I'm currently planning out a healthy meal plan to support my body through it and fingers crossed all will be well :) I'll keep you updated :)
Replies (11)
August 9, 2015
I'll be following along as I'm only 7 days into my treatment and I'm 28 years old as well. I can totally relate to all that you mentioned. I've tried elimination diets, vitamins, supplements, teas, herbs, topicals, etc and I too could no longer take the upset of my skin. After nearly 17 years, I finally decided to go for Accutane with the encouragement of others on this site. I found some relief with the pill a few years ago, but like you the migraines became a problem. I'm back on the pill now, but it hasn't really helped to improve my skin.
I wish you so much luck! We're both going to have clear, beautiful skin in a matter of months! :)
I wish you so much luck! We're both going to have clear, beautiful skin in a matter of months! :)
August 9, 2015
Thankyou so much for your message, it can feel like such an uphill battle with acne ey, I always thought ah give it some time I'll eventually grow out of it and now being 28 I just don't want to spend the next however many years trying to manage it. I hope your first week has gone well, and wish you heaps of luck also :) it'd be lovely to have someone to chat to throughout the Accutane journey :)
August 9, 2015
I definitely feel that it's an uphill battle! Sometimes it feels like an all out war. It's tough. At 28 I've realized that I'm not just going to grow out of it either. I wish that were the case, but it's just not.
Thank you! It'll be great to share stories and encourage one another when things get tough :)
Thank you! It'll be great to share stories and encourage one another when things get tough :)
August 10, 2015
I will be turning 28 this week, with hormonal chin acne and bad indented scarring. The acne isn't even that bad right now. I want to fix the scarring but everyone I go to says no procedures until acne is completely gone. I'm just waiting for my 1 month after blood work to be up so I can get on it. I'm going to be on absorbica, can I ask what generic form you are both taking? So glad I found this post!
August 10, 2015
That's what my derm said too. She wants to get my skin clear before we work on the scarring. I'm also taking Absorica :) Perhaps you have one already, but if not, ask your derm about a coupon card that says pay no more than $10. It saved me $400!!!
August 11, 2015
I'm taking Oratane, so far I'm been quite lucky in that I don't have much scarring but the acne is so sore and inflamed sometimes. My chin is def the worst area for it and flares up and down depending on time of month :) good luck hopeful13 ..exciting to think in a few months we'll all have pretty skin hehe :)
August 13, 2015
Wish you see positive results early. Good luck
November 17, 2015
Hi, I too had Acne like you when I was your age and Accutane saved me! It's a form of Vitamin A but very strong. It was the only thing that worked for me. I think I was on it for 6 months. You have to take blood work etc as you know... but it is soooo worth it. I had some side effects like headache, a rash on my arms sometimes, and nose bleeds every once in awhile from dry nose. the mild side effects are so worth my clear face. Hang in there and don't miss a dose. Feel free to ask any more questions. good luck!
UPDATED FROM charlottekepinski
4 days post
One week in!
charlottekepinskiAugust 15, 2015
I've been taking Octane 20mg for one week now! My skin is breaking out and I have lots of little white heads appearing all over the place, about 3 days in I had a big lump appear right in the middle of my forehead.. Gorgeous lol!!
The only noticeable thing has been the itching! Pretty much straight away my skin felt a bit itchy but yesterday my scalp was soo itchy and it freaked me out a bit as I know that some people experience hair loss whilst taking Accutane. After having my little girl a few years ago I lost all the hair around the front of my head it was horrendous and it's taken me over 3 years to grow it back and get it long and strong again! I love my hair and would be devastated if anything happens to it so if anyone has any recommendations for looking after your hair while on Accutane and preventing hair loss i would love to hear?
I'm drinking a minimum of 3 litres of water per day and using blistex to moisturise my lips. So far not too much dryness :) I've added some pics ... One week down 15 more to go :)
The only noticeable thing has been the itching! Pretty much straight away my skin felt a bit itchy but yesterday my scalp was soo itchy and it freaked me out a bit as I know that some people experience hair loss whilst taking Accutane. After having my little girl a few years ago I lost all the hair around the front of my head it was horrendous and it's taken me over 3 years to grow it back and get it long and strong again! I love my hair and would be devastated if anything happens to it so if anyone has any recommendations for looking after your hair while on Accutane and preventing hair loss i would love to hear?
I'm drinking a minimum of 3 litres of water per day and using blistex to moisturise my lips. So far not too much dryness :) I've added some pics ... One week down 15 more to go :)
Replies (5)
August 15, 2015
The itching is driving me crazy!!! My neck and chest are soooo itchy! My scalp started itching last night and I thought the same thing about hair loss. It's odd how similar our stories are. I too lost a lot of hair in the front after my son was born, but it didn't start growing back until this year and he'll be 4 in December. I'll post a picture to my log of my hair growth. It looks ridiculous, but I'm just happy it's finally growing back lol. As for the hair products, I'm curious to see what people have to say. I'll be praying that neither of us lose our hair :) My skin broke out at about 4 or 5 days in. It was one painful pimple after another, but it has calmed way down. Hopefully your initial breakout doesn't last long :)
August 16, 2015
Aww thanks so much Hun, oh wow I remember how awful it was to lose that hair after she was born, I'm so happy for you that yours is finally growing back. I have been doing some reading and going to get some biotin shampoo and conditioner to try help keep it thick and I'm going to talk to my doc about taking a biotin supplement, if not eggs and peanuts are really high in it so I will try eating more of them! I will def check out your pic, I remember mine looked mad like I had loads of baby hair lol! Glad your skin has calmed down a bit :)
August 15, 2015
Hi, thanks for the update. I thought you may find this information helpful:
August 16, 2015
Thankyou Eva, that's really helpful, I know it doesn't happen to everyone but you can get scared reading some of the stories on the Internet, fingers crossed o don't start shedding.
UPDATED FROM charlottekepinski
12 days post
2weeks... Feeling rubbish!
charlottekepinskiAugust 22, 2015
So I'm two weeks in and I think I have picked up a virus, that's what I've put it down to.. I have a sore throat and really tight chest and a cough too, I haven't seen anyone else mention these kind of things before but wondering if it could in any way be linked to the tablets?
My initial flare is really really bad too, I have cystic acne in places I've never had it in my life and am waking up every day with more and more acne, questioning if I'll actually have anywhere on my face without acne soon, didn't leave house last couple of days def the worst it's been in a long long time. Trying to keep positive I know I'm only two weeks in but hard when it's so much worse, don't know if my low dose could be linked to how bad this flare is or whether it's just me! Hoping for some improvement soon :)
My initial flare is really really bad too, I have cystic acne in places I've never had it in my life and am waking up every day with more and more acne, questioning if I'll actually have anywhere on my face without acne soon, didn't leave house last couple of days def the worst it's been in a long long time. Trying to keep positive I know I'm only two weeks in but hard when it's so much worse, don't know if my low dose could be linked to how bad this flare is or whether it's just me! Hoping for some improvement soon :)
Replies (9)
August 22, 2015
Hang in there, according to Dr. Joshua L. Fox "most patients will see improvement by the third month, some may not see improvement until the fourth month" [Read more]
I looked up flu like symptoms, including sore throat, and wasn't able to find anything relating to Accutane side effects. I would suggest following up with your doctor. Feel free to post a question to the doctors on site, you can click here to do so.
August 23, 2015
Thankyou Eva :) hoping that by the third month it's helping! At the mo would just be happy to go back down to how it was at the start lol! In pretty sure it's just a bug as its winter here but not much fun, thanks again
August 23, 2015
Hang in there beautiful! :) I'm breaking out in places I don't normally breakout too. I have several under my jaw, down my neck and behind my ears. I even got one in my ear! It was so weird. I actually asked my doctor about this prior to starting and she said that patients tend to tell her that breakouts occurred in random places. I'm guessing it's pretty common to breakout in places that were previously clear.
I actually noticed a sore throat this morning too. I'm not sure if it's from the medication or if it's from the poor air quality due to the fires in my area. I'm going to keep an eye on it though. I've been super fatigued though, so I might be coming down with something too. Keep me posted on how you're feeling. Sending good thoughts your way! :)
I actually noticed a sore throat this morning too. I'm not sure if it's from the medication or if it's from the poor air quality due to the fires in my area. I'm going to keep an eye on it though. I've been super fatigued though, so I might be coming down with something too. Keep me posted on how you're feeling. Sending good thoughts your way! :)
August 23, 2015
Thanks so much lovely :) it's so weird isn't it! I had a random huge one in the middle of my back! Never had that before! That went pretty quick though and I have a lump up behind me eat too! I was like what on earth! Knowing it's not as unusual as I thought though is a good thing.
Aw I hope your not coming down with anything Hun, I feel worse today so think I've got a bug but def keeping an eye on it and will see doc if it gets worse.
Hope the fires are nothing serious where you are Hun? Thanks again :)
Aw I hope your not coming down with anything Hun, I feel worse today so think I've got a bug but def keeping an eye on it and will see doc if it gets worse.
Hope the fires are nothing serious where you are Hun? Thanks again :)
August 24, 2015
Oh no! I hope you feel better soon! Get as much rest as you can. I know that's tough with a little one, but I hope you kick this bug very quickly :)
August 23, 2015
Keep your head up Charlie. The low dose is a catch 22. Its supposed to acclimate your body to accutane and reduce side effects but it takes much longer to kick in. If you get acclimated to the side effects in a few months then definitely ask for a dosage increase. From my personal experience, my immune system was much lower on accutane so definitely continue to be conscious about your diet and exercise. Also, take liver support supplements if you have them available.
August 25, 2015
Thankyou Sasch12, def noticing that they seem to be taking much longer to kick in, I don't have any dryness or anything, an itchy scalp for a few days has been about it. The biggest thing just seems to be this sickness, my immune system feels like it's taken a massive hit and I'm just picking up every bug going!! I so badly want to exercise!! Saw the pharmacist last night and got some immune boosters and some medicine for my chest so fingers crossed that should help and as soon as I'm well can crack on with exercise, I'm drinking heaps of water but finding it hard to eat much at the mo although I know I need to. I'm booking in to see my doctor in a couple of weeks to discuss the dosage and have my blood work done, hopefully an increase in dosage might see a bit more improvement in my skin but gotta get over this pesky virus first hehe :) thanks so much
November 17, 2015
Your flu has nothing to do with Accutane. There is a flair up initially but it coms down. I was on 40 mg. maybe go higher dose...?
I am so glad that you joined us and decided to document your journey here, I am most certain that you will receive a ton of support and help countless others in the same boat as you. I thought that you may find the following information helpful, and be sure to check-in here as well, good luck! Accutane: 5 Things You Need To Know About This Popular Acne Treatment