Well a bit late as I am now into my sixth week of taking roaccutane, but I thought I would try and help others by writing a “Roacc” diary.
I first suffered from acne in my early teens - wasnt too bad and managed to get minocyn tablets and cream from my GP. This helped a huge amount and my skin was virtually clear by about 18.
It stayed this way until I was about 26 when my back started to explode! I wouldnt have minded too much, but it exploded into huge cyst like lesions. These never seemed to really go and each one lingered around for an age.
From the age of 28 until 34, my back became more like a pizza each month. More annoying was the mammoth cysts that appeared on my neck, throat, hairline etc. I would get a couple each year and they would stay for most of the year!!
Visiting the GP each time to be given antibiotics which I knew would not work. They didnt.
After a particularly severe couple of cysts on my throat and neck (combined with the state of my back) I visited the GP and got an NHS referral this year.
The wait however was about 3-4 months - so luckily through my private healthcare scheme at work, I managed to go private. I saw the consultant dermatologist at St Thomas’ in London within 3 days!! Unbelievable that you have to wait 3-4 months on the NHS and 3 days privately.
The consultant suggested I go on Roaccutane and asked me to have a blood test then and there and to come back within within 7 days after I had considered whether I wanted to go on Roacc.
The blood test was fine and I decided to start the course. I knew the side effects could be bad but was worth it.
Week 1 & 2
Started off on 30mg. My lips dried within a day but - having been expecting this - I had pots of Vaseline to the ready!
My skin reacted very quickly and had a kind of glow to it. A couple of people commented on my skin being clear and so I was pretty pleased.
No other side effects other than the dry lips. Skin became drier but nothing that slathings of moisturiser wouldnt sort.
Had a mini breakout after around 2 weeks. Nothing really major - my old cysts just became infected and red. This calmed down within about a week and skin looked even better
Weeks 3 -4
The lips continue to get drier but I dont mind that too much. Got a weird rash on the back of my hand this week. Sometimes in the day it looks worse and sometime better. It doesnt really bother me too much and isnt itchy. I read on here others have suffered from this too, so dont think anything unsual! Spots on my back got remarkably better. Couldnt quite believe the difference. Also cysts on my throat and neck getting smaller every day!!
Week 5
After having my blood tests done again (all fine) and having seen the doctor again - my dose was increased to 60mg. She said that I will be on the increased dose for 16 full weeks. So that makes 20 weeks in total with the initial 20mg 4 week course.
Week 5 was a bit horrendous - conveniently just after I had visited the doctors! My back has developed three huge boil like spots (nice!) and also I have 2 boil like volcanoes on my neck. Nice! Also my lips have become even drier and I developed a nice yellow head on my lip!!!
Other than that no more side effects. My rash on my hand is still there and I stupidly forgot to tell the doctor about it. Will mention it next time.
Week 6: Again no change in side effects which is a relief. All I have had so far is a rash on my hand and also very dry lips. Nothing horrendous at all. The zit breakout of last week is starting to subside. The cysts are still there but starting to shrink in size!
Additionally my back looks even more clearer in the most part and even the 2 cysts that developed the other week are now going.
I am back to see the derm next week and will post week 7 information then.
Hope all are well
