Accutane Month 1

I thought I would blog about my experience on Accutane.  I have taken this medication before but I don't really remember how it effected me.  I was in the 8th grade at the time and it messed with my triglyceride levels and put them through the roof so I was never on it for a long period. 

I started Accutane 1 month ago.  I have cystic acne I have tried every over the counter acne treatment you can think of and it still would not work (yes my face just laughed when I tried ProActiv although ProActiv made it less red!) 

My dermatologist before putting me on Accutane put me on a round of antibiotics to say that he had treated me with something else before resorting to Accutane and my face just laughed at that one too.  I have never been treated by this dermatologist so he has no prior experience with my reactions to other antibiotics.  All he knows is my long laundry list of antibiotic trials.  Every dermatologist I have been to has run out of options and has wanted to put me on Accutane I just haven't had the time for the monthly testing until now. 

My dermatologist has me taking Vitamin E for dryness up to 1200 I.U. per day, Fish Oil to hopefully keep my triglyceride levels down if necessary I am currently taking 1000 mg of that, and Vitamin B6 to help with my chin flares.  I am not allowed to use any acne washes, toners, creams etc.  I am to use a gentle face washing soap (cetaphil, cerave etc.)  I also need mosturizers (they weren't joking about this one) and sunscreen they suggest bull frog sunscreen.  I haven't really had much use for the sunscreen yet being as it is January.  They also suggest Vaseline or Eucerin Aquaphor Lip Treatments for the dryness. 

 You are not allowed to drink while taking this medication due to Accutane messing with liver function and your body already having a hard enough time metabolizing alcohol.  You also have to choose 2 forms of birth control due to Accutane causing miscarriage and head deformities in babies.  For me personally I chose abstinence that was the only way to ensure that I would not get pregnant.  I could not handle having a miscarriage so this was the option for me!

My pre-lim blood work came back perfect (my triglycerides were below normal) so I was cleared to begin my treatment.  I was started on 10 mg. of Accutane to be on such a low dosage I am very dried out.  I constantly have to keep something on my lips and by the end of the day my face is peeling off!  To me my face is already showing improvement people have even been asking me what I have been using.  I just keep reminding myself that all of this is worth it. 


Before:

1 month on 10 mg.:

My scars have been filling in and most of everything on my face is flat.  Hopefully the increase next month will take care of that!

Today I have bloodwork as well if all my numbers are where they need to be I will be increased to 20 mg.  Prayers for great numbers would be appreciated!