Hi guys,
Well week 7 & 8 have now passed, nearing the end of week 9 now. In terms of spots, fairly stable, am still getting some. Actually more on my forehead and cheeks (have a massive one on my cheek in the same place that I had one a few weeks back) which is odd as my chin is normally the worst area. Still getting some on my chin but less and not the monsters I used to get! During week 8 I noticed my skin getting drier – most of my face is ok with a good coating of moisturizer morning and night but the area around the corner of my mouth keeps getting really dry. I have to apply moisturizer several times throughout the day. The lips are still the worst. Have ordered the nipple cream – so am hoping when it finally arrives this will sort them out. They could be worse and no doubt will get worse when my dose is upped further. But I still have to apply lip balm all the time and the dry bits really show up when I put on my factor 40 lip balm – but this is required in the sun because it makes them 10 times worse. People who don’t know I’m on Roaccutane (most people) must find it weird that I sit with my lip balm on the table in front of me in a bar or restaurant and am constantly applying it!
A few days ago, I developed the hand rash. I’m not sure why. I switched from 20mg to 30mg yesterday but the rash came before the dose increase and was not alcohol or sun induced. It’s still there but going down I think. It’s really rough now though. Went to the chemist and they recommended Avène Cold Cream so I’m using that at the moment. Desperately tried to keep my hands out of the sun today. Was sat with a scarf over my shoulders going down to my hands! Don’t appreciate people kicking me stick about my sun avoidance (they don’t know of course but it’s still annoying). I am fair skinned and have to be careful anyway so they don’t find it too strange. However wouldn’t normally take it to the extreme of covering my hands!
Only on the second day of 30mg, am worried the side effects are going to increase.
Oh, I tried having a glass of wine the other night. Didn’t seem to have too much of an effect. Will still try to avoid alcohol but think I will let myself have a glass occasionally. Think I have at least 5 or 6 months left so can’t stay completely alcohol free for all that time. I really enjoy a drink normally so it’s really hard.
Anyway, will try to update in week 10 when I’m able to see if the dose increase has prompted more side effects.
Hope everyone is getting on OK with it all.
Until next time.
Laura x