Friday, July 16, 2004

day 121, week seventeen Things are actually looking a bit more optimistic now.  I haven't had any new acne in over a week, so I'm more or less clear!  There are a few red spots from old breakouts and scars, all of which will fade in their own time.  The depression has lifted now that my dosage has been cut to 40mg too, so I'm feeling a lot happier lately. current medications/supplements: accutane 40mg vitamin e current products: generic SPF 30 waterproof sunscreen Neosporin cream with pain relief Visine Original and Visine for contacts St. Ives 24-hour lotion cetaphil moisturizing lotion cetaphil face wash blistex lip balm lots of water current symptoms: moderate depression irritation, anger bloody nose extreme sensitivity to sunlight and heat severly dry, chafed skin and rashes all over the place dry, irritated eyes dry lips dehydration WEEK SEVENTEEN REPORT:Despite what the derm said last week, my face IS improving.  Plus my attitude is a lot better now that I'm not so depressed.  I'm going camping this weekend and I'm gonna go it without any makeup on!  That's a huge step for me, I'm SO jazzed about it. RECOMMENDATIONS: stick with it!  If MY skin can pull through, anyone's can. | || [2:00 PM]

Thursday, July 08, 2004

day 113, weeks fifteen and sixteen I had my second-to-last derm appointment yesterday, and it was a different guy filling in for my regular doctor. I actually liked him a lot, he was honest and straightforward with me. He was surprised that my skin wasn't clear yet, after 4 months of therapy. He says my skin probably won't get any better than it is right now, until grow out of it naturally. So this is as good as it's gonna get... which isn't all that impressive. current medications/supplements: accutane 40mg vitamin e current products: generic SPF 30 waterproof sunscreen Neosporin cream with pain relief Visine Original and Visine for contacts St. Ives 24-hour lotion cetaphil moisturizing lotion cetaphil face wash blistex lip balm lots of water current symptoms: moderate depression irritation, anger bloody nose extreme sensitivity to sunlight and heat severly dry, chafed skin and rashes all over the place dry, irritated eyes dry lips dehydration WEEK FIFTEEN/SIXTEEN REPORT:Like I said, my face still isn't getting any better. But then again, it isn't getting any worse either. It's just frustrating to think of all the money I've spent on the medication, only to end up right where I started out. It's hard not to lose hope at this point. Accutane is such a powerful drug, and every OTHER part of my body reacted really dramatically to it. Just not my face. Between the bloody noses, the mood swings, nasty flare-ups of the worst acne I've ever had, depression and anger, not to mention dry lips and rough skin... I honestly can't say it's been worth it. I'll give it one more month, and after that I'm going back to not caring about my stupid face. RECOMMENDATIONS: | || [12:57 PM]

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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.

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

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.

More Accutane Stuff

Fun With Accutane - Jackie's journal Accutane Information Page - the real deal, run by the FDA. The Skin Site - very comprehensive and easy to understand. Accutane Action Group - anti-accutane awareness group.