Well firstly i must apologise for being completely rubbish at updating my diary, hence why i am consolidating the last 14 weeks into 1 update!!
My last update was when i had about 7 weeks left. Then in April i went to Australia for 3 weeks on holiday. I was worried about getting burnt etc and wore factor 50, and then 30, (and made sure it contained titanium dioxide on advice from my derm) and i was actually fine. I didnt burn at all and ive even still got abit of the tan now!!
When i got back my derm extended the course for a further 4 weeks and also put me up from 40mg to 60mg. There were a few extra aches and pains as you would expect, but nothing too bad, although I did have a few nose bleeds.
I finished the course about a month ago, and i am soooooo pleased with the results!! I was still getting spots whilst in Oz but the bump up to 60mg and those few extra weeks really seemed to sort me out and ive only had 1 or 2 tiny pimples since, which come and go quite quickly. I do have some scarring and red blemishes, but these are easily hidden with a small bit of foundation and are the least of my worries, compared with all the spots!!
Also - an extra bonus which i didnt know would happen - i got a cold sore last week, but it was the most pathetic attempt at a cold sore ever! It didnt blister or weep like normal and went away quite quickly - i guess the skin cells dont react as badly as normal..?
One word of warning though - i managed to rip a big patch of skin off my back a couple of weeks ago when my physio taped it up afte some massage. I have avoided waxing and exfoliating throughout the duration and for the next 6 months as advised, but didnt even think about the effects of ripping a big plaster off!! So now i have a nice pink patch - im hoping it will fade with time!!
So to sumarise my roaccutane experience:
The results are brilliant but you will have to put up with some sore lips, nosebleeds and muscle aches along the way.
Best buy = nipple cream for cracked lips - its the best and cheap!!!
It actually goes really quickly - although it might not seem like it at the time!!
A million thanks to everyone for contributing to this website, as it really helped me understand the effects and provided support at the times i needed it most!
p.s my brother has actually just started taking his course so im looking forward to supporting him in that!
Good luck to everyone!!! Love Claire xx