Friday, April 02, 2004
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day twenty-two, week four
MINI-UPDATE: good news/bad news
The good news is that my initial breakout is over, I hope. Still watching for more flare-ups. I have had no *new* acne for the past 2 days, yay! (I usually average 4 or 5 new big ones every morning.) All of the cysts are gone and I no longer look like a blistering burn patient.
Here's the bad news: a melee of new side effects, some of which are worrying me. One (kinda gross) is intestinal/rectal bleeding. Definitely bringing that one up during my visit next week. Two is bleeding sinuses... no acutal nosebleeds, but when I blow my nose it's all bloody. Another one is joint and muscle aches, mostly my back and knees-- both prior problem areas, but I haven't had body pain this bad since surgery 6 years ago. Also, major indigestion due to the anti-biotics (250 mgs of erythromycin 3 times a day) my derm switched me to. Yuck. Finally, accutane seems to make my asthma a little worse. I wasn't expecting this one, it's not listed in the FDA symptoms. But it makes sense... if all of my other body tissues are more delicate and sensitive, why not my bracheal tubes?
Anyway, working out lately is downright miserable. Dehydration, body pain, asthma... if you're experiencing anything similar, I recommend low-impact aerobic machines like those eliptical runner things (I lasted a lot longer on that thing than on the treadmill) and VERY frequent water breaks. Take it in small sips for maximum absorbtion.
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The Guinea Pig |
My name is Allisan, I'm a 21-year-old college student with very bad acne and a chip on my shoulder. I'm taking Accutane to kick the thing in the butt once and for all, and documenting the experience for the benefit of anyone else considering giving it a shot. Read on, fellow acne sufferers!!
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About Accutane |
In Laman's terms... Accutane limits the body's production a natural oil called Sebum that builds up in your pores and causes acne. Generally you spend 5 months on it, and most people see results within 2 months. It has a 75% success rate after the first round, 85% after 2 rounds - that means that the acne never, ever comes back for most people. During the course of the therapy, the most common side effects are dry flaky skin, chapped lips, dehydration, irritation while wearing contacts, and backaches. Basically it makes your body tissue really sensitive to EVERYTHING. Some people also experience moodiness and, in rare cases, severe depression. It also causes some nasty birth defects, so they make absolutely sure you can't get pregnant while you're on it.
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Products I Swear By |
- Mary Kay medium coverage foundation
- blistex original lip balm
- neosporin cream (not ointment)
- St. Ives 24-Hour body lotion
- Cetaphil moisturizer & face wash
- Generic vitamin e supplements
- Visine original eye drops
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Products I Swear *At* |
Blistex Complete Moisture lip balm - Jackie recommends it, but I disagree! It's really thin (heavy petroleum-based ointments are the best) and makes your breath smell funky.
Victoria's Secret lotion - Love the smell, but it stings like a mofo. Same goes for Bath&Body or any other heavily scented lotion, accutane makes your skin VERY sensitive to that kind of stuff.
Proactiv products - great for semi-problematic skin, but totally useless for severe acne. They *do* give your money back, so it *is* worth a try. But if you're serious about dealing with your acne, try something else.
erythromycin - if you get this, make sure they prescribe the capsules, not the tablets. This stuff is powerful, it can really upset your stomach.
Yasmin birth control - makes acne *worse*, turns you into a hormonal one-woman soap opera.
Chapstick brand lip balm - nothin but glorified ear wax. Buy the medicated stuff, folks.
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