Starting the Accutane Journey Soon. Haverford, PA

I'm a 26 yr old African American female and I have suffered with acne most or all of my life. Over the years of trying to get treatment, during the initial consultation, the first location the dermatologist or aesthetician looks is at my face. But unfortunately, its not my face that's the problem. In my case, I have "bacne". I've been suffering and hiding this for a VERY long time.

Over the years, I've spent hundreds, maybe even a couple thousands on labs test, microdermabrassions and chemicals peels. A lot of the treatments always included topical ointments. I didn't have someone around on a constant basis that could help me apply that on my back because I obviously couldn't (easily). And as you can see from the photo (taken a hour ago), nothing has changed.

After many failed attempts and money wasted, I gave up. I spent all of my adult life and all of my teenage years dealing with this that to keep hiding it wont be hard and I figured I would be stuck with this condition. I actually thought about getting a tattoo to cover up the hyperpigmentation. But that obviously meant having to show my back to a stranger and trying to figure out a believable lie (that's if anyone would touch me). Besides that, I get constant breakouts. Sometimes I swear its at least a dozen at a time. Once they erupt in the middle of the night (I have to make sure I wear a T-Shirt), a day or two later, a new batch is forming.

The dermatologist that I go to now did prescribe me the typical stuff (DOXYCYCLINE) and of course, a topical ointment (SULFACETAMIDE). But after 30 days of really not seeing any results and having a hard time getting the ointment on my back, I quite, again.

8 months later, I started thinking about when it would be my time to actually wear a backless shirt out in the summer and not be ashamed. When I would actually want to go to the beach and not be overdressed (I don't go because of this). When I would stop looking at other females backs with envy. So last month, I went back to the dermatologist and told them that I want to take the next step, Accutane.

I was told that there is a 30 lock out period required. I took a pregnancy test at the office (negative). Enrolled in iPledge. Received a lab order for blood work and another pregnancy test. I go for testing on March 18th and on March 23rd I see the dermatologist again for my first prescription.

They say there's a 70-75% success rate with this and I hope I fall in this bracket. I have nothing to lose and so much to gain.

I know that Accutane is only going to help with the breakouts and to stop the acne. And it will not help with the discoloration. I know that I have to wait at least 6 month after taking Accutane, to start any elective procedures such as fractional lasers, to start evening out the skin tone and repairing what the acne has done to my skin for over a decade.

I will update as much as I can while on this journey to better skin.

I had my blood collected this morning for the lab tests. It was quick and painless. They only took 2 valves of blood.

I'm less than 5 days away from starting treatment and I'm anxious and excited at the same time. I know for a fact that I'm not pregnant so that shouldn't put any roadblocks up.

My original appointment was for 6pm, but I have a free schedule that day so I wanted something earlier so I can get the ball rolling. I already rescheduled my appointment 2 times looking for something sooner than 6pm. I love the fact that you can schedule your appointments online. So I kept checking for open time slots from cancellations and finally have a 9:30 appointment this coming Monday!

Will update in a few days.

So literally, 5 mins ago, I took my first pill. But lets back up a little bit.

Yesterday, I went into the dermatologist and was cleared to start. They received my baseline lab results. They stated that this drug is a weigh based drug. Based on my weigh of 199 (I'm not ashamed, lol) they put me on 40mg to be taken twice a day. She told me to inform her of any headaches out the norm that I get and any other symptoms to her no matter how small they be be.

I asked her the time frame and she stated the typical 4-6 months. She said that if it takes me 3 months to start seeing effects, it could take me the whole 6 months. But if I start seeing results in 2 months, it may only take me 4 months for treatment. So that a upside to looking at this.

So fast forward to today. I was unable to pick up the prescription yesterday (had a busy day). And today was the last day to pick up the prescription with the 7 day time frame after the negative pregnancy test. So the pharmacy that the prescription was sent to did not have any in stock and was not expecting any. I explained to the pharmacist that I NEED to get them today because of the cut off. She made a couple of phone calls and finally found another Rite Aid that had some in stock. I drove an extra 15 mins to get there. The process at the pharmacy is just as crazy. They have to call iPledge and get an authorization code to release the drug. To do that, you have to give them your iPledge #. They also have to key in the #'s on the box of prescription. Basically, a drawn out process. I was there like 20 mins.

So as you can see from the pictures, these pills are not cheap. But if you have insurance, its a life saver! I got 2 boxes of 30, separated in groups of 10. She told me to take the pills with "good fats" like yogurt, so I'm eating one now while I write the post, lol.

So, based on other reviews, I should be updating in a couple days with side effects. Uh oh. But it should all be worth it.

A DAY AT A TIME.

Until next time!