jennifer: Jen + Accutane, weeks one and two (photo included)
February 17th, 2009Hi everyone! I’m a 27 year old librarian in Nashville, TN. My skin was fine through my teens and early twenties, but I began to look like a pizza when I stopped taking birth control a few years ago. Antibiotics and spironolactone didn’t help, so my doctor prescribed Accutane in December. The picture below was taken the day the medicine was prescribed. After two(!) negative pregnancy tests and a lot of silliness with the iPledge program, I took my first dose on January 26. I’m taking 20 mg of Sotret, a generic version, every morning. I’m also taking 800 I.U. of Vitamin E every day, per doctor’s orders. He says it will help make the dryness more tolerable.
Week One: The constant thirst began and hasn’t abated. My lips became dry and my skin became so sensitive that I was painfully aware of my shirt touching my back. These side effects weren’t bothersome enough to deter me. My acne was present, but no worse. My energy level was very high, and my mood was GREAT. I was so happy to begin a treatment that might permanently improve my skin!
Week Two: The week began with the dreaded hand rash. My right hand BURNED and looked like a scaly bird’s claw. Aveeno anti-itch cream did the trick. As the week wore on, my skin and lips became drier. No more oily shine, yay! I broke out BADLY toward the end of the week with deep, painful red pustules. Worse, I made the mistake of squeezing my zits. Do NOT squeeze your skin while you’re on Accutane! After I squeezed, I was horribly red and inflamed for days. Ice packs barely helped the swelling. But my mood continued to be good. I’ve been so happy since I began taking Accutane!
Tomorrow will mark the end of week three, and I’ll post more then.
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claire72
17th Feb, 09
hi jen
ati too am on 20mg a day, i am slightly behind you, it’s day 11 for me and like you my mood is very good as i carnt wait to see results!!.how long is your course? and when are you next seeing the derm, has the derm given you any advice about what products to use.
hope everything goes well, keep us posted
claire
x
jennifer
17th Feb, 09
Hi Claire! Congratulations on starting Accutane, and best of luck to you!
My doctor hasn’t told me how long I’ll take Accutane; he says he needs to see how I respond to the medicine before he can be sure. I’ll see him again on February 24. He instructed me to avoid ALL products containing acne medication. I’ve thrown out all my old cleansers, moisturizers, and even some of my makeup because if contained salicylic acid. Right now I’m using Cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer, and of course I’m using Chapstick on a constant basis!
atLouise
19th Feb, 09
Hey,
I’ll be following both your posts, I am on day 6 and althoigh my acne has never been very severe its always there!!
A friedn of mine who was on Roaccutane a while ago told me her saviour was Aqueous cream (as a body moisturiser and to wash with) and E45 face wash too…
She also told me that Elemis milk bath is very good and this can be used straight onto wet skin as an intensive moisturiser (she has a friend who works for Elemis!).
My skin already feels dry – its probably my fault I didn’t expect it so soon!!
Wish me luck!!
atjennifer
20th Feb, 09
Hi Louise! I wish I could buy Aqueous cream and E45 in the US. Everyone here talks about them so I googled them, and they sound marvelous.
It’s a good thing that your skin is already getting dry; that means it’s working. Good luck!
at