Epuris (Accutane) Journal - Adult Acne - Canada

Just starting Day 1.
I'm a 31 year old female who has struggled with acne my whole life.
Started wearing makeup in grade 5, birth control in grade 7, been on so many antibiotics I developed an allergy/sensitivity to them.
Tried every topical treatment in the drug store, bleached clothes, sheets and towels with benzoyl peroxide, have missed days of work because I was too embarrassed even with makeup to leave the house.
I have kids and I want to wake up in the morning and feel like I could just jump out the door - not go put on concealer first.
My acne is mild but stubborn, and when monthly hormones kick in I get a couple of those big gross pimples that you want to pop but CANT! Stress also causes me to break out, and as a working mom, stress is constant.
The thing that really pushed me to try Epuris (a Canadian version of Accutane, apparently is more easily absorbed without a high-fat meal) is that my chest and back started breaking out.
I could deal with makeup on my face, but wearing high neck clothes or scarves, sitting out from going swimming, etc - now my acne was interfering with my life, & my self-confidence was at an all-time low.
So I know this can be a rough ride, I hope keeping this review going will help others and maybe also help me stick with it.
My derm said 6-8 months, some as short as 4. I'm pretty pessimistic, already thinking I'll have all the horrible side effects, a brutal purge/initial breakout, and that I'll have to be on this for 8 months. But here goes nothing. Day 1 of my journey to an acne-free life :)
Here are 2 before pictures:

So I'm trying to be as quantitative as possible here but I feel like my skin has changed already. Some new breakouts still, but they're not quite as bad as I'm used to.

Found my cheeks got a little pink when I used some Retin A last night (against doctors advice, guess this is why!) so won't be doing that again. Still using some 2.5% benzoyl peroxide on problem areas to try to tame everything down.

I also noticed when I did my 10am "blot" at work, nothing was on the tissue - could my skin actually be less oily after only a few days?

I feel like I have a few breakouts on my back, unfortunately. This has only happened when I'm really stressed out, like the first time I took my kids on a vacation with my inlaws - and I hid under a beach cover-up the whole week. Hope this is the last I see of that... acne on your face is one thing, but on your body?... I feel like its a whole new level of self-confidence sabotage.

Fingers crossed side effects remain at bay and results kick in.

Missed a weekly update but I just want to say if you've ever had a day that you didn't want to leave your house because of acne, or you're self confidence has ever suffered because of persistent acne, and if other treatments have failed to help, TRY ACCUTANE (or whatever version your doctor recommends).

I waited years because life is busy and you don't want to reach for "drastic" measures. Read horror stories of side effects. Meanwhile, i spent ridiculous amounts of money on products that did nothing, makeup to hide my skin, hours in front of the mirror obsessing over blemishes... and I'm just kicking myself for not taking care of ME sooner.

I have dry lips, but keeping chap stick on hand is so much easier than worrying about if my face is shiny or a pimple is showing. My skin is no longer oily and I'm still adjusting to using new products (after decades of drying products, I think I used moisturizer for the first time this week!)
I drink lots of water (2L a day) and take my pill with dinner. Added a multivitamin, and got Johnson and Johnsons "Stress Ease" multi too - has lots of zinc and omegas and B vitamins, all things I read on hear that help with redness (zinc) Omegas (dryness) and B vitamins for energy. Also have fish oil capsules. Taking multi in the morning and then the stress multi & fish oil before bed. Other than a little dandruff I noticed earlier this week (went away after one wash with Head and Shoulders), I'm not noticing any crazy side effects or major changes in mood/energy/etc.

If anything, loving that I don't wash (just condition) my hair, and that I'm not juggling as many acne products now.
I do still use a light benzoyl peroxide at night just to keep any initial breakouts at bay, though I have noticed my blackheads are a bit more noticeable this week, they're easily covered under light makeup and I figure they're making their exit for good now! No scarring or anything for the times I have poked at my face (bad, I know).

Also - lots of people asking about drinking and this drug. Admittedly, I have had a glass of wine almost every night I've been on it. I know this is not recommended. I go to my derm in a couple of days for my monthly update, and will get blood work done as well. Hope that all goes well and my kidneys/liver counts are still good, because if so, I'd say there has barely been any "disruption" to my lifestyle while taking Epuris. However, if they tell me I need to stop, of course I will. Not trying to sabotage my health here! But just being candid and as honest as I can for others reading this.

Anyway, really hoping I don't have any "initial breakout" ready to ruin what has been pretty smooth sailing so far. Still crossing my fingers! Thinking my dose may go up when I see my doc, but with the side effects at bay I wouldn't mind a lower dose for longer, too. Will keep you posted.

Big big thumbs up for Epuris so far!!