POSTED UNDER Accutane Reviews
47-Year Old Planning to Start Accutane for Peri-Menopausal Acne - Minneapolis, MN
UPDATED FROM MomOfFourinMN
8 months post
3 months post and acne seems to be coming back
MomOfFourinMNSeptember 16, 2016
WORTH IT$1,700
I'm so discouraged right now. This past week I developed a cluster of new pimples in one of the spots where I always had recurring breakouts (so I'm sure this will result in even deeper ice pick scarring in that area). Two of them are cysts. I'm not sure what to do since I know I can't go back on zenatane or Claravis for another 3 or 4 months. I also was hoping I wouldn't have to given how expensive it is. I'm 48 years old, I can't believe I'm still having to deal with this. I just want to crawl under a rock. Worst thing is that I had an internal job interview at my company yesterday and I had a huge cyst with a white head on it. This just kills my confidence.
UPDATED FROM MomOfFourinMN
4 months post
Ready to start my 5th Month
MomOfFourinMNMay 17, 2016
I made it through most of month four without much issue. I did get two pimples - one near the corner of my mouth that went away on the 3rd day and another on my cheek that is still lingering. Because of the slowness to heal it's been more difficult to cover with makeup. But overall I'm still pleased with my results.
I have noticed some hair loss but nothing terrible at this point. The more irritating side effect I've had this past month is the joint pain. If I sit anywhere for more than 15 minutes I struggle like an old woman to get up (which is rough since I work at a computer all day). I've even noticed joint achiness in my feet. I had been attributing much of this to the fact I work out a lot, but I'm pretty sure this is due to the Claravis. My eyes have been dry and red - between allergies and taking this medication, I am needing to use eye drops a few times a day. I also have scaliness on my arms. It gets better with lotion, but it almost looks like eczema. I also feel like the dryness makes me look older - I moisturize my skin but there is still a subtle difference (could be that I am overdue for fillers too).
My doctor said I will complete 6 months of the drug - so two more to go! It's strange seeing my skin so pale these days. I had often gone tanning as a means to lessen the visible effects of the acne (terrible, I know). Now that I need to avoid getting tan/burnt my skin seems so ghostly white to me. This summer will be a challenge since I am outside a lot.
Even with the new and not so pleasant sides - I'm still glad I've done this. In the past, even when my skin was "good" there were always little pimples at my hairline, or behind my ear, and I was so oily in my t-zone! Not always having to worry that a little bump or red spot is going to sprout into a gigantic cyst is truly wonderful. I'm just hoping that I stay clear once I've stopped the medication.
I have noticed some hair loss but nothing terrible at this point. The more irritating side effect I've had this past month is the joint pain. If I sit anywhere for more than 15 minutes I struggle like an old woman to get up (which is rough since I work at a computer all day). I've even noticed joint achiness in my feet. I had been attributing much of this to the fact I work out a lot, but I'm pretty sure this is due to the Claravis. My eyes have been dry and red - between allergies and taking this medication, I am needing to use eye drops a few times a day. I also have scaliness on my arms. It gets better with lotion, but it almost looks like eczema. I also feel like the dryness makes me look older - I moisturize my skin but there is still a subtle difference (could be that I am overdue for fillers too).
My doctor said I will complete 6 months of the drug - so two more to go! It's strange seeing my skin so pale these days. I had often gone tanning as a means to lessen the visible effects of the acne (terrible, I know). Now that I need to avoid getting tan/burnt my skin seems so ghostly white to me. This summer will be a challenge since I am outside a lot.
Even with the new and not so pleasant sides - I'm still glad I've done this. In the past, even when my skin was "good" there were always little pimples at my hairline, or behind my ear, and I was so oily in my t-zone! Not always having to worry that a little bump or red spot is going to sprout into a gigantic cyst is truly wonderful. I'm just hoping that I stay clear once I've stopped the medication.
Replies (1)
Pittsburgh9239
September 12, 2016
Hi momoffour! I just finished reading your journal as I'm getting ready to start accutane tomorrow for a 5-6 month course as well. I'm 46 years and never had acne until I turned 40. Was checked for hormonal issues but had none. Been on every medication with no results. Have a patch of small cysts on my face that have been there for literally 2 years. I'm hoping the side effects won't be too bad and that I will clear. Your story has me hoping for success. I'm curious how you are today and if you feel the accutane overall was a good decision?? I just had my Botox but can wait for the fillers for the 5-6 months if I have to. Just exhausted from having this acne at my age and hope for good results.
MomOfFourinMN
September 14, 2016
Hi! I wrapped up my 5 months on Accutane around mid-June. The dry lips cleared up about 3 weeks after I stopped taking zenatane/claravis. After about a month and a half my skin stopped being dry and became somewhat oily again. I've had a few smaller pimples since I stopped treatment and if I catch them early enough, I can get them to clear in about 24-48 hours with the little Tanda Zap device I bought. No cystic acne since I've wrapped up treatment though. I'm glad I finally decided to try isotretinoin - if this holds up it will be a significant improvement. I'm just worried that I may start breaking out again. I would be willing to do a second round f treatment - especially since I'm finding that the scarring I have now at my age is much much worse than I was a teen- but the cost of the drug is terrible on my high deductible plan (apparently they passed a law in my state that does not allow me to use a coupon anymore either) and the joint and muscle pain was really pretty bad. So, I'm REALLY hoping I have lasting results. Best of luck! I know how terrible it I storage to deal with aging skin and acne at the same time.
Mowgrin
September 15, 2016
HimomoffourinMN, I'm 42 finishing my last month of accutane. I'd had a hysterectomy in 2007, have been on fake estrogen since then, so went into menopause early and blam, 2 years ago was hit hard with cystic acne. I was also hit with Melasma which is a different story. Because mine is totally hormonal and I'm trying a lower dose estrogen now to help clear the Melasma (brown patches/weird shapes on face and neck), there is a concern the lower estrogen might cause the acne to reoccur. So I can't decide if I should increase the estrogen which I really don't want to Do as the fake estrogen causes the Melasma. Ugh. So my questions for you are do you know if your acne come from low estrogen? Also, what is your zap tool? I see the name you typed but just curious to hear a little more of your review. I'd heard some of those things work and some don't so was excited to see you like using one as I've never tried one before. As you've mentioned, our skin is so much more fragile now and scars so easily. I'm trying to avoid all the chemical clearasils and what not is time around. Thanks for your feedback!!
UPDATED FROM MomOfFourinMN
2 months post
Almost through month 3
MomOfFourinMNMarch 29, 2016
So it has been awhile since I posted since things sort of seem to normalize. I'm used to dry eyes and chapped lips. I'm sure it will be weird once this is over, when I don't always have to always make sure I have lip balm with me. I still haven't had any of the really negative side effects (hair loss, muscle or joint pain), and I'm really enjoying not having to fight with oily skin. I've had a couple of pimples here and there, but nothing major. The skin healing seems to be more normal these days too.
I even went in for Botox (I could not wait until end of summer-I felt like my face was melting) and there were no marks. I was a little worried because my derm for the accutane would not inject me because they said it was a keloid scar risk. I read all the reviews and posts from patients and doctors here on RS and decided to go ahead with it. I'm glad I did.
I put together a before and after of my skin when I started and my skin now. Still not perfect, but much better as far as pore size and active acne. I feel like I'm in the home stretch and I'm so happy I started treatment!
I even went in for Botox (I could not wait until end of summer-I felt like my face was melting) and there were no marks. I was a little worried because my derm for the accutane would not inject me because they said it was a keloid scar risk. I read all the reviews and posts from patients and doctors here on RS and decided to go ahead with it. I'm glad I did.
I put together a before and after of my skin when I started and my skin now. Still not perfect, but much better as far as pore size and active acne. I feel like I'm in the home stretch and I'm so happy I started treatment!
Replies (1)
March 30, 2016
Acne is clearing up nicely :). One thing that helps with dry flakiness on face would be to get a gentle scrub (exfoliant) and gently massage all over and rinse well, then use a moisturizing cleanser on top and use a warm wet washcloth to gently massage (circular motions) in the problem areas that are still dry. And use moisturizer at bedtime. A Good one! Aquaphor healing ointment is another good lip balm too if neosporin stops working. Best of luck! Hopefully at the 6 month mark, you won't need to go a second round. But your skin looks good so I doubt it will be needed.
Replies (0)