Vivi: Progress, but also regression
July 3rd, 2009Stats
Week 5
Day 1
Treatment started 28th May
2 weeks of 20mg/day
3 weeks of 40mg/day
Aiming to get up to 60 mg/day at next derm appt which is 15th July
Hello all!
Am feeling quite good at the moment, even though my face is now sporting two new spots! Read somewhere that a lot of people on this site seem to break out around week 5 which fits in with me…! Nice to feel I’m normal at least, haha!
Side effects-wise I’m ok. Right arm is covered in eczema and little cuts I have no idea how they appeared, suddenly they were just there. My skin is also a little bit itchy, but I think that’s the heat rather than roaccutane, however, when I scratch I can feel my skin is soooo sensitive and I have to be really careful with my nails.
Lips are awful, really sore and feel mucky and horrible. I don’t mind though, and I try not to complain to my husband too much as I feel it’s a small price to pay for clear skin. It really is clearing, I can see huge improvement and although my skin is still covered in red marks I now feel fairly confident in going out in just some powder and a small dab of concealer on the occasional spot. (Mind you, it’s the Clinique one called Almost There, and despite the name it’s actually quite a good coverage.)
Inspired by Glampunka going to Top Gear filming I thought that would be a fantastic present to my husband as it’s is birthday tomorrow. I know the waiting list is stupidly long and it’s more or less impossible to get tickets, but as I work at the BBC I thought perhaps I could ask for Mark to go behind the cameras when they film a challenge or something.
After a bit of detective work (I work in radio, not TV) I found someone to email and within a few minutes she said she had 4 tickets for next days filming, if we could make it? My husband work in London Ambulance Service and happened to be off that day and my boss was so lovely and gave me a days holiday with short notice! We then had to find two more and after a bit of ringing around we had found them. It wasn’t very difficult…! 
I even had a friend in Sweden looking at flights to fly over just for the show! Crazy!
I really enjoyed the show, Clarkson is incredibly rude off screen but also rather amusing. I was excited when the producer pulled me to the front for the interview, but also scared, like Glampunka said, showing off my face with very little makeup on national tv? Gaah! I’m in view behind the celebrity, wearing a black and white dress with a red necklace and sunglasses on my head. Look out for me! (Cos obviously I want you guys to see me, you’re my friends, we’re in this together!
And lastly, two pictures, showing the improvement before treatment and now. (Well minus the two new spots that is!!) One is from 19th April and one is 26th June. Not hard to see which one is which, is it?
jennifer
3rd Jul, 09
Wow, your skin has already improved so much. You look SO PRETTY! And you look so much happier in your second picture, too, with that playful hint of a smile. I’m happy for you. Also, I love the true sense of community here; we are in this together.
About the skin sensitivity – isn’t it the worst? Yesterday I scratched at a little itch on my arm, and even though I didn’t scratch hard, I cut myself with my nails. Yuck!
atvivi
3rd Jul, 09
Thank you! *blushing*! Yes, there is such a good spirit in this community. It’s helped me LOADS having you guys.
And yes, the sensitivity is awful!!! All you want to do is scratch but you know the punishment is severe! I’ve started just rubbing with my whole hand rather than my nails as they are too sharp. But accidents happen when I’m at work, thinking about something else and absentmindedly scratch my arms…! Ouch! I also pick at the eczema which is really bad. Must stop.
atkings11
3rd Jul, 09
Your looking great, the results are really good after just 5 weeks. The chin is really starting to clear and you look years younger too!
I’m really happy for you and thank you for posting progress pictures, it really does help knowing that despite the rubbish dry lips, the self deprecation, the bouts of depression, the fatigue, the lack of alcohol etc theres a bright light at the end of the tunnel.
Thanks again Vivi, good luck with the next 10+ weeks…
atVivi
3rd Jul, 09
Thanks Kings! It’s not easy putting up the before pictures, but I know how I felt when I came to this site for the first time. The before and after pictures really is a great motivator so I thought it was time to give something back and brave it.
x
atfanniemarie
3rd Jul, 09
Wow! The difference is fantastic, and like Jennifer said you look so happy and so should you, well done
Will definately look out for you on Top Gear, how fantastic getting pulled to the front, that must have been such a huge confidence boast. I know exactly what you mean about the scratches, I’ve noticed I loose little bits of skin on my hands and it’s all red, absolutely no idea how! My fiance’s stubble also hurts my face lots! Bless him. The up side of having a sore face is I mess with it less, although I’ve really squeezed a new addition on my neck…whoops, but sooo satisfying! Hope the week 5 break out ends soon.
atTake Care
FM
glampunka
4th Jul, 09
Well done on getting the tickets! Its amazing what you can get when you pull a few strings isn’t it? Glad you enjoyed the day- what a fab bday present! I’ll look out for you when its on. I agree with the itchy thing too- the sun really seems to aggravate it, although I have to say I don’t think my skin is quite as sensitive as yours cos i’m always having a really good scrat! Can’t believe the improvement you’ve seen in 5wks though! Its fantastic, I’m really pleased for you.
atx
Vivi
5th Jul, 09
FM, don’t talk to me about stubble!!! Gaaahhh! I’ve told my husband he’s not allowed to kiss me unless he gives me a warning first and takes it VERY gently!! Haha!
Glampunka, Thanks!
And yes, it’s amazing what a few contacts can do!
xx
atfanniemarie
6th Jul, 09
Check you out on top gear, didn’t know if they were interviewing you or the comedian you were on that much! You looked really happy and really giggley! Well done you
atVivi
6th Jul, 09
Cheers FM! He was just sooo funny!
Was a bit surreal seeing myself on the telly!
at