Appx. 1 Year Later Update!

Ok after lots of requests to let people know about my skin appx 1 year later………..

My skin has not had any new breakouts, I did have one stubborn way under the skin cyst like on my cheek that left a scar, due to picking and such, the scar is still there, the cyst is mostly gone…i did say mostly, i still feel it under the skin but it has not come to the top of filled up to a break out at all, it is just there (the small bump under the skin and scar) My hair returned to normal about 3 months off the medication, while on the medication my hair was drier, but in a good way, humidity never bothered it and it was never ever oily, it never looked dry but I could go 3 days without washing it and I am back to washing it every day, for a women with curly hair that straightens it, the medication was a god send to not having to wash it every day. That was a real great perk for taking the medication for me. As far as weight loss, My appetite while taking the medication was down, after about 2 months my appetite returned to normal, i lost between 7 and 10 pounds while on medication and gratefully only put about 5 – 6 pounds back on after my appetite came back (so I guess is it what we put in our mouths that make us gain weight) as simple as that sounds to realize, I really thought I never ate that much until being on the medication. Again another per of the medication for me. I found the medication to be wonderful, All the hype I read everywhere, blogs, question and answer sites etc….said very bad things, I did not have any of those worries, I don’t know if I was just a lucky one, but I truly checked in with my doctor, any questions or symptoms (dry lips, appetite, etc…I asked the questions and got answers, rather than trying to figure things out, I even called the doctor and emailed with any question I had, they were very tolerant of my few questions and was very glad that I asked them) I too was glad to have a professionals opinion, so again throughout my blog I have said and continue to say….check with you doctor for questions, problems, inquiries, weird feelings if you have them ( I did not, but read about others having them) I did exactly as I was told by the doctor wear sunscreen was a big one to this day I am still wearing sunscreen, neutrogena puts out an spf 90 its nearly greaseless, ,my dry lips returned to normal about 4 days after stopping the medication, my dry hands returned to normal about 4 days after stopping the medication. For me and I only speak for myself, I loved the medication, If others read this and had problems, I truly am sorry for them, again I happen to be a grateful customer. Good luck with you Skin and I hope that you have the great results that I did…..I really do not answer any emails any longer, I feel I have pretty much said my story, There is no more to say, I am not a doctor and have not ever even played one on T.V. ( alittle humor, very little i guess LOL) so please,please, please check with your doctor, stay in touch with them through the process, do what that say, ask them questions as they arise and my best advice is BE PATIENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot promise my results…..Happy Skin to You!

My Last entry!! Yippie Hooray!

I have been off accutane/sotret/clavaris (generic brands that were substituted by the pharmacy) for about 2 weeks, my skin is healing the brown marks are slowly becoming lighter in color but noticeable just after 2 weeks my lips are back to normal my hands are not dry my skin is about 90% better but the derm says it will get better now that i am in optimal healing after stopping the medication.  I could not be happier, i don’t know if i could do 6 months of pills twice a day ever again and the dreaded dry lips but it was worth it for me I could not be happier, i say 90% and not 100% because of the marks left behind by old acne and scarring but as far as cysts pimple and the like all are and yes i said all are gone!!!! yeah!!! Hippie!! Hooooraaayyy! Good luck to all of you in the beg,mid,or end! for me i would recommend with derm supervision.  Good skin to all who have read and continue to read my weblog and keep the faith!!

Starting Month Number 6

It has been a long road of skin ups and downs (mostly ups though!) I have been very lucky I understand and the derm feels I have tolerated the medication very well….No real upsets skin, mood etc…I will be finished soon and am incredibly pleased with the outcome…my face is not perfect but oh my goodness 95% better than when I first began.  I guess what happens when you end the medication is that your skin goes back to its optimal healing any brown or pink (red) marks from previous (6 month ago) breakouts begin to deminish and when your skin is not breaking out anymore and your not creating new marks the old ones (with tons of sunblock) and no picking go away over the next 6 months so to that I am looking forward!  I will keep updating over the next year or so checking in and posting from time to time.  I really wish patience and good skin to everyone who reads my blog…Off I go to get ready for work takes about 3 minutes to do my face and (skin) look good used to take about 14-20 minutes and it never looked good just a covered over mess.  Lots of people have commented on how great I look that I don’t look as tired anymore (brownish marks and sallow skin will do that I guess) also a little side not while taking the medication I find I am not nearly as hungry as I used to be 3 meals a day is fine so what if I don’t snack (I lost 7 pounds in almost 6 months) yippie yahoo and horrary to Sotret!! What a great side effect!!!

COMMENTS……

Hi everyone, just a side note and a thank you for all your comments…I do get back to them via your email. If you have any other questions or comments about my experience..please leave a comment..Thanks and Happy Skin to You!

60 days!!!!

Well 60 days..I never thought Iwould get here, the beginning seemed to be so slow, while waiting for visible change….Still taking 1 pill in the am and 1 pill in the pm 30 mgs per pill currently the perscription was changed to clavaris (generic form of accutane) the perscription cost to me is $10.00 for 1 month supply.  (blue cross is my insurance carrier)

As far as changes go:

The Good, my face is smoother visibly and to the touch drier but not dried out.  Have not had a breakout since starting medication. 

The Bad, my lips have never been so dry, not breeding dry but pretty close to that.  Started using Carmex, and still keep handy Burts Bees lip balm.  My joints are a little achy most days, as if i worked out the day before. 

At this point, I am extrememly happy with the results!  If your doctor feels it would be a good fit for you and you like me have tried everything…..Give it a try, testing for liver and pregnancy is done every month and you are mentally montitored at the time of your derm appointment.  I feel it is a safe way to have a cure to the nodular,cystic acne I had, but you have to be comfortable with your decision.  Good wishes and smooth skin to you! 

Accutane Sotret Blog

Well, It finally happened at 41 years old, (female) my skin looks tired,scarred,cystic and still breaking out after all these years…This year for what I hope will be the last year I  got tired enough of the expensive, inexpensive cover up embarassment and feelings of low esteem and decided to go to a Derm who prescribes Accutane. 

During my initial Derm appointment where we discussed accutane and all of it Major side affects we decided together it was the last resort and I really needed it.   One month later I would go back to this Derm after blood work had been done for liver,blood count and pregnancy making sure all were in the right place to start Accutane oral treatment.  Pregnancy is a HUGE NO NO!! At every turn I have taken so far prior to starting Accutane I have been told that Pregnancy CAN NOT happen!  I then went to the OBGYN and started birth control, again pregnancy is not to happen and you can NOT be pregnant prior to starting Accutane. 

After all blood work is good and preg test is negative, one month later I have been given a prescription for accutane (Sotret) a generic version (costing 10.00 us) with Blue Cross Blue Shield. 20mg in am with fatty food (peanut butter and piece of toast or Glass of whole milk).   20 mg in the pm with the recommended milk and/or peanut butter.

But…..Before the presciption is able to be filled……. I have to take a urine (preg test, that day) then wait one day for the results (just to be sure, says the derm)  then my prescription may be filled as of tommorow which is now 5 days ago….. (sorry about all the preg stuff, but really it was at every turn that I heard and was tested about it)

So my blog starts…….

First Day First pill 20mg at night (nothing different felt the same no effect)

2nd day 20 mg in am and 20mg in pm (same nothing….)

3rd day same dossage as the day before and felt slight headache

4th day same dossage as the day before and felt slight headache, dry nose (sinus feels dry) and starting to have tiny breakouts on back upper arms and forehead and chin

5th day same dossage as the day before and felt all the same stuff as day 4, although alittle more small breakouts on back and a little bit itchy.  Also woke up alittle lightheaded this am. Also this pm got a few waves of lightheadedness and tingling feelings thru out my fingers.

Will keep you posted probably about once a week.