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POSTED UNDER Accutane REVIEWS

23 year old female; trying different skin care measures after deciding against Accutane - Greenville, SC

ORIGINAL POST

I was recently prescribed to accutane & didn't...

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allemaser
$50
I was recently prescribed to accutane & didn't know about the 7 day rule or whatever so have to start the whole process over again but honestly, I'm really scared to go on it after some of the things I've read. I have terrible cystic acne, it is very painful & I hate even putting make up on bc of how bad it hurts to touch my face but I'm a server and let's be real, I'm a girl.. I can't not try to cover it up. It's just really taken a toll on my self esteem and my over all personality. I've never had skin problems until about 8 months ago, out of no where. I hit a point 3 years ago where I went from 120 pounds & then hit 167 within 6 months (comfortable relationship probs) & after the break up, I'm back down to 115. It's awful that I'm confident in my body after going through being overweight, but my skin is a nightmare. I am really unsure about the medicine because I am already on anxiety medicine due to my anxiety (obviously) & I have a heart condition on top of nerve damage and problems with walking (after numerous surgeries bc of my broken femur & drop foot from spending 3 months in the hospital) due to a car accident 7 years ago. Like I said, I'm a server, a very fast paced one.. I can't afford the awful side effects, on top of my preexisting conditions. Any advice? I just don't know what I should do..

allemaser's provider

Upstate Dermatology

Replies (129)

February 18, 2015
Hi. I'm on accutane for the second time, but after seeing your pictures and reading your story, I wonder if your skin problems are hormonal. Have you looked into aldactone?
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February 18, 2015
I just started seeing a dermatologist for the first time ever & he immediately looked at me & said accutane. I took the pregnancy test, stayed in the system for 5 weeks without being pregnant and then went back, well you know how it works. The reason I didn't do the iPledge right away is so silly but my mom lives about an hour away and after my first visit, I left the book in her car so I wasn't aware that I only had 7 days to do it. I work so much, I didn't have the time to go get it and kept putting it off. I'm on Keflex 500 mg 2x's a day, he prescribed it with the accutane, saying it would help the cyst a lot. I've been on it for about a week and I'm seeing less cyst but a bunch of pimples..
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February 18, 2015

Welcome to the community :) Sorry you are dealing with cystic acne. I understand how painful it is and I sympathize with you, I suffered with it for years. Mine started when I was around 18, out of the blue I had 2 giant cysts on my cheeks. Have you changed anything in your diet that may have triggered the outbreak?

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February 18, 2015
Thank you! & I have come up with one theory, I have never worked as much as I do now. During the summer, I basically live in the sun, whether I'm on the lake or by the pool.. I always used to call myself a tannoreix LOL but last summer I worked NON stop. I MAYBE laid out 4 times sparingly. I'm really thinking the UVA & UVB rays have always been good for my skin (besides cancer, obviously but you can get it from anything these days) plus all the vitamins from the sun. Is that a dumb theory?
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February 19, 2015

No, I don't think that's a dumb theory at all and agree that moderate exposure to the sun has many benefits. My son has mild acne and his skin looks great in the summer. Looking back, when I was dealing with my acne my skin was also better in the summer, especially when I was swimming in the ocean. In fact, I used to take the fresh seaweed and place on my skin. I also used to use tanning beds to help control my acne, in fact my doctor advised me to use them moderately, so I went 2 times a week - I don't advocate using tanning beds, moderate natural sun in my opinion is best. I found these FAQ's you might find helpful: 

DOES A SUN TAN REALLY GET RID OF ACNE?
HOW BAD IS SUN FOR ACNE SCARRING?
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February 19, 2015
that is EXTREMELY helpful, thank you SO much!
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February 19, 2015

You're most welcome :) I was thinking, look up ingestible bentonite clay. I use it regularly to help get rid of toxins from my system. It has lots of other benefits too. Just be sure before you try anything you speak with your doctor to ensure there is not conflict with Accutane. 

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February 18, 2015
awww you poor thing, it looks so painful, but at least your not alone with this :) you cover it up so well but! I was exactly the same though, it was so painful to cover up & I was only using a powder, no foundation or anything because my fave was so painful I couldn't even touch it, but yeah we're girls & of course were going to cover it up, I hated it when people asked me why would I cover it up with make up? as if I was going to do out in public without it!
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February 19, 2015
exactly & the worst part is, it doesn't really cover it up. It just covers up the redness.
February 19, 2015
I'm sorry that you are having to deal with this. I feel your pain. I had sever acne and am one of the rate cases where one course of accutane was not enough. I ended up doing three courses and I would do it again in a heart beat. I understand your fear, but one thing to realize is that a loot of the severe side effects that you read about are not that common in most patients. That being said, accutane is no picnic. Your skin will probably get worse (months 2-3) before it gets better. Your skin and lips will be extremely dry, and you will probably at some point wonder what you were thinking but it is worth it. I saw many estheticians and top plastic surgeons who specialize in skin care and I can tell you, the only long term successful treatment for cystic acne is accutane. Good luck
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February 19, 2015
Thank you for your advice. After my next dermo appointment, I'm going to discuss my hesitation a little more in depth. I've always been the patient that's like "yeah, ok, whatever" & just do it but there's just so much to this.
UPDATED FROM allemaser

A friend of mine works in Esthetics & I have an appointment Friday

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allemaser
So, an old high school friend reached out to me yesterday, telling me that she works in Esthetics. I had never even heard of it before and still don't really understand it, but I trust her. It apparently works wonders for your skin so I will keep y'all updated. If anyone knows anything about it, please let me know! :)

Replies (7)

February 22, 2015
is it Esthetics works on you?
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February 23, 2015
I went Friday & have been meaning to update. I'm about to right now with some pictures!
February 24, 2015
Please do
February 11, 2016
Esthetitian are great for improving skin.. Not acne. Acne peels are reasonable for people with minor acne like black heads and whiteheads. It in fact could make your cystic acne worse. I recently was seeing an esthetition for the past 4 months.. A total of 7 acne facials peels leaving my face worse than before.
February 12, 2016
I've also had cystic acne. I've tried all sorts of things. Tetracycline, Doxycycline, and Minocycline. I was eventually put on BACTRIM. Bactrim 100% helped me. You should ask your dermatologist to prescribe it. It's worth a try.

Also, it turns out I all sorts of food triggered my acne. Skittles, Starbursts, all brands of potatoes chips (which I loved), sodas, and the oddest thing of all -apples. Yep apples and any juice or products that contain it (like fruit juice) triggered it badly. It took me quite a while to narrow everything down but I eventually did.

FYI even organic apples, organic apple cider, apple sauce, organic apple cider vinegar etc. You would think something organic wouldn't be a trigger but for me it didn't matter as apples are my kryptonite (plus the other foods I named above).

Don't listen to people who say it's not what you eat because it can be anything. For me it's the above for my daughter it was organic yogurt. Everyone's different. You should definitely watch everything you eat and drink then pay attention to see if you have any new pimples within the next day or two. Then you can narrow it down. Remember it can be anything because we are all different but food is definitely a trigger.

Also don't forget to try BACTRIM.

Ask your dermatologist for it.

Hope this helps and God Bless!!!
February 12, 2016
I like to you learn a little bit about Nerium skincare.
My friend having the kind of you.
www.nerium.com
Try it.
UPDATED FROM allemaser

I just want to take a minute to thank everyone on this site..

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allemaser
I am very thankful & so lucky I found this site. I've only been on it for what, like almost two days & y'all get me more than any of my friends or family has. I guess it's bc we're all going through it together or have been through it. I especially want to thank those who are no longer going through it, but still encouraging others. There is NO WAY I would post pictures of me without make up with this horrible skin ANYWHERE else but thanks to each & every person on this website, I feel safe and not judged here. It's like a huge support group. & I love it. & to think I found this site on google, looking up accutane reviews.. it was a blessing in disguise

Replies (6)

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February 19, 2015

That's great, so glad that you have found the support that you need here.

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February 19, 2015
:)
February 20, 2015
Try Spironolactone. It is a high blood pressure medicine that works for acne. I went through two cycles of Accutane and it did not work. I also have anxiety and I can take Spironolactone with it. It is basically Accutane without all of the crazy side effects. I just started it for cystic acne and it is helping. There are no side effects besides having to go to the bathroom frequently since it is a diuretic.
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February 21, 2015
Omg thank you so much! I will most def look into it! :)
October 26, 2015
Yep....Spironolactone has worked best for me too. So well I was able to stop my antibiotic Doxycycline. I also have had great success with CeraVa SA cleanser, Obagi toner, Neocutis Biogel mixed with Peter Thomas Roth's 10% Glycolic Acid Hydrating gel. As you know you are not alone. Being able to be at peace with yourself and focusing energy on the positive has taken me discipline and support from those who relate:) Best wishes and thank you for sharing your journey:)
December 26, 2015
Hi
You are a very good looking young lady and I wish you the best
Lazer sounds like a very good idea
I don't know what this is costing you but if it was m
If it were me I would consult a dermotologist MD that does lazer and see how much my medical insurance covers of the treatment. It might be a great deal less then doing it where you are having it done. I would also see if there was a teaching hospital near you that has a dermotology clinic.
Good luck and keep us posted