jennifer: Jen and Accutane: And she lived happily ever after? Photos, etc.
July 10th, 2009Hi everyone!
I think I’ve described the iPledge program and the ridiculous things that American women must do to get Accutane. Every month we must have blood drawn for a pregnancy test and a liver test. After the results return, we have a few days to go online, log into the iPledge website, and take a patronizing test to prove that we know how to prevent pregnancy. After that, we have 3 days to go to the pharmacy and get Accutane. If you fail to do one of these steps within the required window of time, you must start over, get more blood drawn, etc.
I had my blood drawn on Friday, June 26. The results were returned on Monday, June 29. I was told that I had until the end of the week to take the iPledge test. I logged into the iPledge website on Friday morning and was told that my blood test had already expired, and I needed another one. Excuse me?! I don’t think so!!! I’m uninsured and paying almost $200 for my bloodwork every month, and I can NOT afford to do another one. This is baloney.
I looked in the mirror.
I decided that I like what I see.
I decided that I am done with Accutane.
I took my last pill on Sunday, July 5.
YAY!!!
Final stats:
Length of time on Accutane: 5 months
First month: 20 mg/day
Second month: 30 mg/day
Third month: 60 mg/day
Fourth month: 60 mg/day
Fifth month: 80 mg/day
Total ingested: 7,500 mg
My doctor wanted me to take a total of 9,900 mg. I still have a doctor’s appointment scheduled for the end of July, so if I break out badly beteween now and then, I’ll get more Accutane at the end of the month. But I’m not sure it’s necessary, and I’m so ready to be finished. I’m sick of having to glue my mouth back on every hour! I hate tearing my hands open every time I touch something. I’m tired of being red-eyed and avoiding the sunshine.
two days post-Accutane
I’m learning that my skin is happiest when it’s left alone. My skin does not like to be touched or picked. It does not like moisturizer, exfoliation, or heavy-duty cleansers. In the morning, I wash my face with lukewarm water. I use minimal makeup (pressed powder, lip gloss, and eye makeup). At night I wash with Cetaphil cleanser. That’s it. I should probably use an eye cream; I smile so much now that I’m probably going to get bad crow’s feet.
4 days post-Accutane... Oh no, a teeny-tiny hormonal pimple!
This morning I woke up with a small pimple. For a moment my heart stopped, but then I remembered that a lot of women say they break out around their period, even after taking Accutane. One teeny-tiny hormonal pimple is NOTHING compared to the half-dozen huge tender cysts I used to get every month. This is a huge improvement. I’m human, and I wasn’t expecting perfection. I can live with this.
Here’s a question for the veterans: I’m feeling strange. I hurt all over. My ribs ache as if I was punched. My joints hurt, even my toes. I’m thirstier than I’ve been in months, and my mood is taking a nosedive. Do the side effects get worse as the Accutane leaves one’s system?
I promise I’ll be back to report on life post-Accutane. Good luck to you, keep going, keep smiling, and hibernate with movies, snacks, and cozy blankets when you’re feeling sad. It’s worth it!
P.S
This is totally random, but listen to the Dodos and Ruby Suns and British Sea Power. They are AWESOME. I cannot stop listening to them. Yay!
lynda22
10th Jul, 09
Good luck Jen. Thanks for all your posts and pics. You look great and I look forward to hearing how you get on – we’ll miss your updates! I hope this acne journey is over for you now and you can enjoy clear skin.
atTake care,
Lynda
sparklypickle
10th Jul, 09
Awww, I’m so happy for you
you look beautiful !!!! I hope you come back from time to time because your comments are always helpful and cheer me up!!! If I visit Nashville I should swing by the library (I have no idea how many libraries Nashville has..lets assume there is 1) and take you for a celebratory drink! I hope you have a great time once the side effects wear off, and that you never have to take any more acne-related medication again!
p.s. you do not need to worry that I am going to go on a mad visit to all the libraries in Nashville, the probability of me visiting Tenesee in the next few years are slim to none!! (not that I’m saying its a bad place…errrmmm…..now I sound like a rude wierdo….hmmmm…)
Sparks x
atWill
10th Jul, 09
Hey Jen, you look great
, thank you for posting your diary on the site, you’ve been such an inspirational poster, and I think you’re our fist member from the US that has posted their full diary.
I second Lynda’s and Sparklypickle sentiments, I hope you post updates in the future.
Enjoy your life with clear skin
atkings11
10th Jul, 09
You look uber-fantastic, so happy for you.
Great diary by the way, really enjoyed reading it and it all ended well! So thank you Jen.
I hope we hear from you for all the right reasons, so all the best and good luck!
Darren
atVivi
10th Jul, 09
Awww I’ll miss you!! Like the others have said, please do come back every now and then! And yes, you look soooo great!! Well done!!
x
atnatalie
11th Jul, 09
Hi,
You look so lovely.
I’ve just finished my course a week ago after 6 months and roughly the same total dose as you. To be honest I thought having clear skin would make me happy but I’m feeling more depressed than I did throughout the whole course. I’m even more tired, my hair is breaking off like mad so i’m debating having it cut off and I just dont feel all that happy. But my skin is 100% perfect so why am I feeling like this?. And i’m convineced that I’m going to get up one day and be back at square one!
Sorry my post is a bit of a downer.
Hope you remain clear, will look forward to reading your future posts,
atNat xx
Abi
11th Jul, 09
You look super
atAndrea
14th Jul, 09
Hi Jen
atIts great to see that you finished and your skin looks fab! Once the drug starts to leave your system it will take a while for your body to realise, the tane actually stays in your body for 4 weeks after you finish so although your not topping up the dose you will still feel some of its lasting effects. i started to feel better after about 2 weeks of stopping and the aches slowly went after that. Mood should improve with time and now you have great skin so that should be something very pleasing! hormonal spots are common i think i get one (just one!!!!) every month and i seriously cannot complain about that, 4 months on and skin is looking good and i’m more confident everyday.
goodluck and keep smiling you have a lot to smile about now.
A. x
ton254
14th Jul, 09
Congratulations! You look beautiful!
atjennifer
14th Jul, 09
Thank you so much, everyone!
I was just showing this site to my sister and explaining how important your support has been to me. She thought I was crazy, ha! Oh well. It’s difficult to explain Accutane to someone who hasn’t taken it. Anyway, THANK YOU for being so kind and encouraging. I want to take each and every one of you out for a drink to say thank you. AFTER you’ve finished your courses, of course!
Will – I’m happy to represent the US!
Vivi, Lynda, Abi – Your support has meant the world to me.
Sparks – I do NOT think your comment is weird at all. I think if we lived in the same city, we’d be friends! If you ever do come to Tennessee, we’ll have celebratory post-Accutane drinks. And if you hear of any libraries near you that are hiring, do message me. I’ll be looking for a new job soon and I’m itching to live someplace new.
Natalie – I’m feeling down, too. I’m hoping that we just need more time for the drug to leave our bodies, and then we’ll be happy again(?)
Andrea – Thank you for reminding me that it’s just going to get better, with no side effects.
Oh my gosh, you all are the best.
at