POSTED UNDER Accutane REVIEWS
42 Yr Old Professional, Mom on 2nd Round of Accutane
ORIGINAL POST
I had extremely clear skin until going off to...
rickleflFebruary 6, 2016
I had extremely clear skin until going off to college and then the cystic acne started- anywhere from 1-10 around my chin area at any given time. My self esteem plummeted, didn't want to go to class, avoided people and functions, grades suffered. It was a complete 180 degree downward turn since high school and I couldn't handle it.
Antibiotics, birth control pills, creams and lotions worked fairly well throughout my twenties, but I never gained back the confidence I once had b/c every time a big event came up I had a major breakout. Finally at age 30 I was offered accutane and it cleared my acne. Luckily I did not even have any scars. I had my life back!!!! My career flourished, met the man of my dreams and got married, and had a baby!! However, after 7 yrs (age 37), the acne came back. I didn't want to go back on accutane b/c we wanted a second child and so I suffered through acne until I finally got pregnant at age 39. During the second half of my pregnancy my skin was awesome - glowing and virtually zero acne. It started coming back when baby was about 10 mo old (I was tapering breast feeding). In last 1.5 yrs I've been on antibiotics and for last year on spirinolactone. Once added the spiro, my skin cleared up nicely (except for scarring) however had to keep increasing the dose and was maxed out at 200/day. In Sept of 2015 I started needing injections in the large cysts on my face, and so the accutane discussion started again. From Sept to Dec I have had 2 injections and several large cysts and Derm recommended accutane. With all of the IPledge checks,I just started my first dose a couple days ago.
Antibiotics, birth control pills, creams and lotions worked fairly well throughout my twenties, but I never gained back the confidence I once had b/c every time a big event came up I had a major breakout. Finally at age 30 I was offered accutane and it cleared my acne. Luckily I did not even have any scars. I had my life back!!!! My career flourished, met the man of my dreams and got married, and had a baby!! However, after 7 yrs (age 37), the acne came back. I didn't want to go back on accutane b/c we wanted a second child and so I suffered through acne until I finally got pregnant at age 39. During the second half of my pregnancy my skin was awesome - glowing and virtually zero acne. It started coming back when baby was about 10 mo old (I was tapering breast feeding). In last 1.5 yrs I've been on antibiotics and for last year on spirinolactone. Once added the spiro, my skin cleared up nicely (except for scarring) however had to keep increasing the dose and was maxed out at 200/day. In Sept of 2015 I started needing injections in the large cysts on my face, and so the accutane discussion started again. From Sept to Dec I have had 2 injections and several large cysts and Derm recommended accutane. With all of the IPledge checks,I just started my first dose a couple days ago.
UPDATED FROM ricklefl
10 days post
10 days of Accutane completed
rickleflFebruary 15, 2016
Been 10 days on Accutane - I've been started on 20mg/day and next month the dose will be increased. The two bad cysts have calmed down, but one new one formed a few days ago, so it's painful. I notice my lips being a bit chapped and cheeks/chin are flushed and feel warm. I feel more irritated this weekend(usually I'm calm and pretty easy going), but we are closing on a new house in a couple weeks, so I'm chalking my angry mood up to that stressor!
Replies (4)
February 15, 2016
This is a very interesting review, thanks for posting it. I noticed in your first 2 pix that you seem to have triangular areas of slight indentation on the sides of your chin. Do you tend to break out in cysts in those 2 areas? I think I have a similar issue since my cystic acne -- which is chronic and which I've had since my teens -- tends to appear on the sides of my chin and wreak havoc there. Is that the case with you? (BTW, I am 47 now.)
February 16, 2016
Yes that is where I seem to have the most breakouts. I also had two recent kenolog (cortisone) injections for the large cysts in those areas- I did notice some indentation after those. I'm told that the indentation should wear off in 3 months.
February 16, 2016
You're my chin skin twin! My chin totally drives me nuts. The skin there is a mess from decades of blackheads and cysts, and the middle of it also developed some rosacea (more fun!!). Right now there's a big hypertrophic scar on the right side from a recent mega-cyst that my derm wants to dissolve with a steroid injection, but my other derm says no, she doesn't recommend that solution. I think I will just have the dang thing shaved off or cut out.
February 20, 2016
Have you tried cutting out Wheat/Gluten from your diet. I did and I have not gotten a single bump since then. And it didn't cost me a thing. Wheat/Gluten is in many food and even medication. I even find out that the birth control pill I was taking had Gluten. Good luck.
UPDATED FROM ricklefl
30 days post
One month after accutane
rickleflMarch 5, 2016
Just finished a month of 20mg/day and I will be starting 40mg today. Very typical side effects- dry lips, dry eyes, slight back ache. My skin looks amazing and I'm starting to not think about it!! I had some very stressful meetings at work this week, and having clear skin elevated my confidence a thousand times over. I'm grateful for this med. I was a little disappointed with my insurance coverage, but can't say I'm surprised. My bill for labs was $233 and the script cost $80;it's going toward the deductible. On the good side my triglycerides were only 45 and the APN said that's the lowest she's seen in someone over 30! I'm really concentrating on making sure my skin is moisturized and the cetaphil cream seems to be working the best.
Replies (2)
March 8, 2016
I'm starting accutane in two weeks. Would you mind sharing which cetaphil cream you use? Think I should stock up and be prepared for dryness. Thanks
Replies (3)