POSTED UNDER Accutane REVIEWS
24 Year Old Female Struggled With Acne Since Age 15 - Round 2 of Accutane - Medina, OH
ORIGINAL POST
I've struggled with acne for a while. By a while I...
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I've struggled with acne for a while. By a while I mean almost ten years. I'm sure many of you reading this are on a similar journey.
When I was about 15 I developed severe cystic acne, the kind that makeup does not hide. I was on numerous different types of medications: topicals, antibiotics, and finally Accutane. Accutane was my lifesaver. While the drug is nothing to shake your head at (it has some serious side effects), it certainly does it's job. My skin was completely clear for about 6 or 7 years.
Last year, my skin started to break out again. I had postules underneath my skin that would inevitably come to surface after a while, but rarely if ever developed into cysts. The acne I suffer with now is absolutely nothing close to what I dealt with when I was a teenager. However, regardless of it's severity, it's annoying. I don't want to wear makeup every day to try to cover it up. I want to find a way to cure my ailment and live my life. Sadly, acne sometimes stops me from doing things just because I feel too self conscious to be around other people. I still haven't been able to be around my friends or family without makeup on since my skin started breaking out again. So I needed a change.
I started seeing Dr. Torok in Medina, Ohio about three months ago and told her my story. Within a few minutes of knowing me, she had come up with a plan of action, which ended with putting me back on Accutane if the initial treatments didn't work. Low and behold, the initial treatments failed to work. However, she didn't make me wait very long before putting me on Accutane (possibly because I had been on it previously with such wonderful results).
I started my treatment on November 27, 2015. I was originally going to be taking 20 mgs of Zenatane (a derivative of Accutane), for three months. I have since come close to finishing my first month, and just had my follow-up appointment. I discussed with Dr. Torok possibly putting me on a higher dose for a longer period of time to reduce my chances of remission (aka acne reoccurring). Studies I've read have indicated that being on a dose that is higher than or in equivalence to 1 mg/kg of weight leads to lower remission possibilities. This would indicate a total dosage of 120 mgs/kg - 150 mgs/kg leading to the lowest remission possibility. I weigh 115 pounds, or 52 kilograms. I've currently taken about 600 mgs of Zenatane total (20 mgs x 30 days), so I asked if we could up my dosage to either 50 mgs a day or 60 mgs a day for 5 or 6 total months. Dr. Torok agreed with my rationale and recommended I begin taking 60 mgs a day rather than the 20 I was taking. I'm thinking my skin will get much worse for a while after this increase, but I'm hoping this higher dose will help cure me for good! I am also on 100 mgs of Aldactone.
After a month of taking Accutane I've seen the common side effects. I have very dry lips, my lower back is a bit sore, the skin on my body is beginning to get flaky, and my eyes are dry (although I had LASIK last year and they are continuously dry from that procedure). No nose bleeds or flaky peely skin on my face as of yet. I have that to look forward to if my last course of Accutane can help me predict the future with this course. :)
I'm going to try and post photos and an update every week in the hopes that it can help others that are struggling with acne. I'm really hoping that this is the last time I'll have to ever take Accutane again! But we will see.
When I was about 15 I developed severe cystic acne, the kind that makeup does not hide. I was on numerous different types of medications: topicals, antibiotics, and finally Accutane. Accutane was my lifesaver. While the drug is nothing to shake your head at (it has some serious side effects), it certainly does it's job. My skin was completely clear for about 6 or 7 years.
Last year, my skin started to break out again. I had postules underneath my skin that would inevitably come to surface after a while, but rarely if ever developed into cysts. The acne I suffer with now is absolutely nothing close to what I dealt with when I was a teenager. However, regardless of it's severity, it's annoying. I don't want to wear makeup every day to try to cover it up. I want to find a way to cure my ailment and live my life. Sadly, acne sometimes stops me from doing things just because I feel too self conscious to be around other people. I still haven't been able to be around my friends or family without makeup on since my skin started breaking out again. So I needed a change.
I started seeing Dr. Torok in Medina, Ohio about three months ago and told her my story. Within a few minutes of knowing me, she had come up with a plan of action, which ended with putting me back on Accutane if the initial treatments didn't work. Low and behold, the initial treatments failed to work. However, she didn't make me wait very long before putting me on Accutane (possibly because I had been on it previously with such wonderful results).
I started my treatment on November 27, 2015. I was originally going to be taking 20 mgs of Zenatane (a derivative of Accutane), for three months. I have since come close to finishing my first month, and just had my follow-up appointment. I discussed with Dr. Torok possibly putting me on a higher dose for a longer period of time to reduce my chances of remission (aka acne reoccurring). Studies I've read have indicated that being on a dose that is higher than or in equivalence to 1 mg/kg of weight leads to lower remission possibilities. This would indicate a total dosage of 120 mgs/kg - 150 mgs/kg leading to the lowest remission possibility. I weigh 115 pounds, or 52 kilograms. I've currently taken about 600 mgs of Zenatane total (20 mgs x 30 days), so I asked if we could up my dosage to either 50 mgs a day or 60 mgs a day for 5 or 6 total months. Dr. Torok agreed with my rationale and recommended I begin taking 60 mgs a day rather than the 20 I was taking. I'm thinking my skin will get much worse for a while after this increase, but I'm hoping this higher dose will help cure me for good! I am also on 100 mgs of Aldactone.
After a month of taking Accutane I've seen the common side effects. I have very dry lips, my lower back is a bit sore, the skin on my body is beginning to get flaky, and my eyes are dry (although I had LASIK last year and they are continuously dry from that procedure). No nose bleeds or flaky peely skin on my face as of yet. I have that to look forward to if my last course of Accutane can help me predict the future with this course. :)
I'm going to try and post photos and an update every week in the hopes that it can help others that are struggling with acne. I'm really hoping that this is the last time I'll have to ever take Accutane again! But we will see.
improvement2010's provider
Replies (2)
UPDATED FROM improvement2010
1 month post
Week 5 Update
On Monday I began taking 60 mgs of Accutane daily rather than the 20 mgs. This sounds odd - but I can already feel a difference! My skin has dried out a bit, as have my lips. Unfortunately my skin hasn’t really seen any other benefits - it is breaking out a bit worse than it was last week. I have 2.5 cysts (one is almost healed) on the left side of my face and a few papules beneath the skin. My chin is in pretty good shape - as is the right side of my face. I’m hoping that this is the worst that it will get and things will improve from here. Accutane is somewhat unpredictable - so this could be false hope. It will work eventually, however.
I have noticed that the small pain I was experiencing in my lower back has ceased. This had continued for about a month. I have yet to workout this week so I think that may be the primary cause for the continued soreness. My lips have become more dry and I stash Carmex everywhere. Carmex has bee my savior, but I’ve also had a lot of luck with Aquaphor. Try either of those on your lips and you won’t be in bad shape.
Also, for anyone on Accutane, my dermatologist recommended that I take each dose with something fatty - such as eggs or peanut butter. She also recommended a green tea moisturizer to help with the redness of my face. Hope that helps someone!
For some reason I can't get my photos to load - I think it might be the internet. Will try and upload them tomorrow.
I’m hoping that next week I will have more positive news! Happy New Year everyone!
I have noticed that the small pain I was experiencing in my lower back has ceased. This had continued for about a month. I have yet to workout this week so I think that may be the primary cause for the continued soreness. My lips have become more dry and I stash Carmex everywhere. Carmex has bee my savior, but I’ve also had a lot of luck with Aquaphor. Try either of those on your lips and you won’t be in bad shape.
Also, for anyone on Accutane, my dermatologist recommended that I take each dose with something fatty - such as eggs or peanut butter. She also recommended a green tea moisturizer to help with the redness of my face. Hope that helps someone!
For some reason I can't get my photos to load - I think it might be the internet. Will try and upload them tomorrow.
I’m hoping that next week I will have more positive news! Happy New Year everyone!
Replies (4)
January 6, 2016
Your skin is looking great! Just viewed your latest pics. There's major improvement, seriously! I was wondering how long it'll take to feel the 60 mg jump. I figured just a few days. Keep on updating-you look beautiful:)
January 7, 2016
Thank you so much, it means a lot to hear you can see a difference! It really didn't take me long to feel the 60 mg jump - maybe three days or fewer. It's not too much of a change, though. Same symptoms just a bit exacerbated. You are beautiful too, both inside and out!! :) Thanks for the updates, I'll definitely keep posting!
January 7, 2016
I wish you all the best on your Accutane journey !!!! You mentioned you face being red...was this pre accutane ? Or just from being on it ? If from being on it , does the redness go away ?
January 8, 2016
Thank you so much! You know my face really isn't typically red when it's clear. HOWEVER, when I get breakouts, they are incredibly red and irritated - very noticeable on my skin even if they aren't large. I think this is due to my complexion but I'm not sure! It's relatively easy to cover with makeup, but still rather noticeable. Accutane definitely doesn't cause my skin to be any more red, if anything I would say it has helped diminish the redness!
Replies (2)
January 3, 2016
I hope, that it will help. I was taking the pill to get rid of them. Maybe one advice, sleep in your back and evitate the contact to your pillow.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
January 5, 2016
That is so funny karina2004, I was just thinking of my sleeping position the other night. I'm going to try that tonight. Thank you so much for the advice and the well wishes! :)
I am so glad that you decided to join us and share your journey, I wish you all the best with your treatment and I look forward to your updates.
Just a side note as you mentioned that you have tried LASIK, we have a whole community dedicated to that procedure and I would love for you to also share your experience there -- here is a link when you're ready.
Take care ☺