Abi’s Post-Roaccutane Diary - A month later

Abi
 

Abi

Wednesday 21 November, 2007

Posted in Abi's Roaccutane Diary

So, I’ve been off the Roaccutane for over a month now and I thought I would give you guys an update on how I’m getting on without it :-)

Hair
Unfortunetly, within about 2 weeks of coming off the Roaccutane my hair reverted back to its greasy old self, therefore I’m back to washing it everyday. I had really enjoyed not having to faff about everyday with hair drying and straightening, but ah well. Oh, and also, still no signs of any hair loss for those of you concerned about that.

Dry lips
My lips are still a bit dry, but nowhere near as bad as when I was on the Roaccutane. I am now applying the nipple cream about 3 times a day (yes, I am still using the nipple cream, all regular lip balms now seem inferior in comparison!)

Dry skin on arms
After about a week I started noticeing the dryness on my arms improving and now it is completely gone. No itchyness, redness, flaking or anything. Yay.

Tiredness
Whilst taking the Roaccutane I did find myself falling asleep much easier and feeling quite worn out, but now I’ve come off it I’ve slipped back into my old sleeping habits.

Ankle aching
Completely subsided.

Scarring
I still have some red scarring on my face but I know this will take a while to fade. Also, now my face is much less dry it’s easier to cover the scars with make-up.

And most importantly, my skin!
Since I have stopped taking the Roaccutane I have not had a single spot! My nose isn’t peeling anymore, however I do still have a slightly dry forehead. I am still using the Simple face wash and I have now switched to Boots expert sensitve daily defence moisture cream spf 12. I have found this to be a really good post-Roaccutane product.

20 Responses to “Abi’s Post-Roaccutane Diary - A month later”

#1 Ella says...

Hiya!
I think the accutane makes ppl thirsty too, i drink like a fish at the mo (non alcoholic lol) and I’m not a big drinker!
The hair thing is a bummer. I’m still enjoying my n on greasy hair!
Have a fab day :)
Elle x x

November 22nd, 2007 at 7:04 pm

#2 Abi says...

Hey again Ella! :-)

Yeah the hair thing does suck. I can just about leave it for 2 days without washing it but on the 2nd day I do feel a bit paranoid that it looks bad, therefore its better for my confidence to wash it everyday!

Let me know how your course is going for you,

Love Abs
xxxxxxx

November 22nd, 2007 at 7:53 pm

#3 paul says...

how long after stopping did you get back to normal sleep patterns?

i still need help wiv this insomnia issue if anyone can help please cos its driving me insane!!!

November 23rd, 2007 at 4:15 pm

#4 Abi says...

Hey Paul,

Within about 2 weeks of stopping the Roaccutane my usual sleeping habits returned.

Have you asked your doc/derm about your insomnia? You could try some herbal sleeping remedies or sometimes when I have a problem sleeping I take a “sleepeaze” from Boots :-) You should check they are okay to take at the same time as Roaccutane though,

Abs
xxx

November 23rd, 2007 at 6:01 pm

#5 paul says...

yeah i asked the doctor but as always they were pretty much useless, il give these sleepeaze a tr otherwise im just gonna have to give up on the roac, i cant stand feelin this knackered all the time but not beein able to sleep!!

thanks abi

paul

November 23rd, 2007 at 6:26 pm

#6 Leah says...

Hi Paul, don’t know if u’ve ever tried lavendar oil, but sometimes it’s helped me 2 sleep - don’t put it on ur skin, but put some drops on your pillow or tissue near ur bed.
Also if u can poss get used 2 it - camomile tea used to really knock me out! I originally tried it to sooth my hayfever symptoms, and it used to make me incredibly sleepy! Depends if u can drink it - some people can’t stand herbal teas!

November 25th, 2007 at 6:17 pm

#7 emma j says...

Glad to see someone else likes Boots expert products, i think they are fab!

November 26th, 2007 at 1:49 pm

#8 Abi says...

Hey emma j!

Yeah, i bought the moisturiser before I started Roaccutane and somehow never got round to using it as I didn’t think it would be strong enough for my flaky peeling skin, but its perfect for my skin now!

I’m definetly gonna try some of the other products!

November 26th, 2007 at 6:43 pm

#9 Sue's Son says...

Hi Abi - really encouraging that one month after stopping Roaccutane you are still spot free!

My son is into his second week and the results are quite remarkable. I am obviously concerned that once he finishes his treatment the dreaded acne will return.

Your diary accounts are fantastic and I (along with everyone else I am sure) would really appreciate it if you continue to write to let us know how you are doing.

Good luck to you.

November 27th, 2007 at 11:12 am

#10 Sue says...

Hi Abi

Really good news that after a month of not taking Roaccutane you are still spot free!

I have found your diary accounts so informative and encouraging it would be great if you could still keep us all updated. How about another one before Christmas?

Good luck to you.

November 27th, 2007 at 5:39 pm

#11 Abi says...

Hello Sue!

Thank you for your lovely comment :-) I’m so pleased your son’s treatment is going well.

I do plan on doing a few more updates so people can see how my skin is doing the longer I am off Roaccutane.

I hope your son’s skin continues to improve,

Abs
xxx

November 27th, 2007 at 6:13 pm

#12 Jill says...

Hi Abi,

I have been visiting the website regularly since about my 5th week on Roaccutane. I haven’t contributed so far but it has been really really encouraging to hear everyone’s comments and to know there are people in the same boat. It’s especially refreshing to find a website that puts up the positive effects of the drug and discusses the most common side effects.

Today is my last day of pills! (And it’s been very successful :-) )

And so now I have a question for you and others who have completed the course. Do you have any advice on what i can do now I’ve stopped taking it, to prevent a recurrence?

For example, I’ve been using moisturiser for the first time in my life. Previously it made me break out in spots so i didn’t use it. Now that I’ve stopped do I keep using it, gradually reduce it, or stop using it?

I noted that you had to have 2 courses. How long did it take for your skin to go back to “normal” and when the acne came back after the first course, was it as bad?

Would really appreciate any tips you or anyone else can offer.

Thanks again for driving this site!

Jill

November 28th, 2007 at 2:24 pm

#13 Abi says...

Hello Jill!

So glad the Roaccutane treatment has been successful for you :-)

Yes I have had to have 2 courses. After my first course my skin stayed clear for about 9 months and then I started to get a few spots that gradually got worse, however, it never went back to how bad it had been before I had ever taken Roaccutane.

I put up with my skin being bad again for a while but then decided to have a second course of Roaccutane, which has worked fantastically :-)

I would now describe my skin as “combination”. It’s still a bit dry on my cheeks, nose and forehead and everywhere else is normal. My face never ever gets greasy anymore, so hopefully yours won’t either. I now use “Simple moisturising face wash” and “Boots expert sensitive moisturiser”. If you are worried about moisturising after your treatment you could try getting an oil-free one. It’s basically trial and error finding the perfect products for you. Have a good look at your skin once you are off the Roaccutane and decide what it needs. If it’s still quite dry, then don’t be afraid to moisturise. Before I ever took Roaccutane I thought the idea of moisturising was ridiculous, but your skin changes after the treatment so it’s okay to treat it differently to how you did before.

Don’t worry if you do get the odd spot after you finish your course, it is natural to still get the odd one, if it does bother you though, try asking your dermatologist to prescribe a cream to put on them if it happens. Some people only ever need one course and then their skin is fine, I think I may have just been unlucky in needing two.

Hope this helps, and I hope your skin stays clear :-)

Love Abs
xxx

November 28th, 2007 at 2:55 pm

#14 Emma says...

Hi Jill,

I just read your comment about asking how to prevent a recurrence. Aside from cosmetic stuff, my dermatologist told me that the research suggests that the higher a dose you take during your course, the less likely it is that you will relapse. People who do relapse tend to have a longer interval before doing so if they have taken bigger doses. Obviously this depends on your dermatologists and how you tolerate the treatment. My consultant gave me a choice of continuing on my initial dose of 30mg or going up to 60mg, so for this reason I chose 60mg as I really don’t want the spots back if I can possibly avoid it!

November 28th, 2007 at 5:26 pm

#15 Jill says...

Thanks Abi and Emma for your advice.

I guess I’ll just have to wait and see….! I have been on the higher dose of 60mg since week4, so hopefully that has been enough to reprogramme my skin cells! :)

I was also a bit worried that if i relapse I’ll be back on the 20 week NHS waiting list - but I spoke to my dermatologist nurse yesterday and she said that if it comes back within a year then I can get my doctor to write a letter and go in without waiting so long.

I wish i had before and after pictures like you Abi. I didn’t think to take any before because I felt so ugly !What a confidence boost it must be to see as well as feel the difference! I thinkI will do it in reverse though…take some pics now so I can compare if it starts to come back.

Cheers, J

November 29th, 2007 at 8:08 am

#16 paul says...

camomile tea works!!

ive finally been able to sleep properly, i dont feel washed out all day and im not grumpy anymore,

the only thing that helps me as much as the tea is a nice rum and coke but that’ll have to wait, thanks leah for solving the insomnia puzzle

November 29th, 2007 at 10:02 am

#17 julie says...

hi has anyone done this treatment without blood tests????? i have some left from last time was on it and my doc wont send me back to the derm but i am tempted to take the tablets without the blood tests???

December 18th, 2007 at 10:38 pm

#18 Sue says...

Hi Abi - I have noticed its been a month since your last diary entry where you said that you have been off Roaccutane for one month. It would now be two months since taking the pills and I would love to know how you are getting on.

I hope you don’t mind me asking - but I would love to read how your second month has been.

Looking forward to reading your account.

Merry Christmas!

December 20th, 2007 at 5:07 pm

#19 Abi says...

Hiya Sue!

I shall post an update asap :-)

Merry Christmas!

xxxxxx

December 22nd, 2007 at 1:39 pm

#20 AliciaH says...

yes! I knew it caused drowsyness. I just feel drowsy all the time on this :/, its awful. Anyway, really happy for you, looks like it paid off :) xx

March 31st, 2008 at 12:44 am

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