One year and one day later:

HEY!

I'm still here, and oddly, am typing this one year and one day after my last post, hehe.

Still clear, still looking great!

Comments

[Paige]

Hey your site has helped me make my final decision about taking accutane.I have been suffering from acne for about 5 yrs.and I just started my first dose yesterday. i am so excited i cant wait to see results, but i am also very worried about the side effects.

[ash]

Wow. Such a handsome person was just waiting to come out. I am so happy for you.

[Dee]

I took Acccutane many years ago- A God-send to me. ADVICE TO ALL- every night put liquid Vitamin E on a Q-Tip & wipe inside your nose- this will DECREASE the nose bleeds. Also Cetyphil Lotion worked on all external skin the best. Good Luck everyone.

[Beth]

Hello - I found this site and it's so great to hear what you all have to say about it. I started accutane 9 days ago and I am seeing dry skin on my face and ears plus my nose bleeds. I am taking 2 40 MG pills a day. I can already see a difference, do you think I will have a major break out before it gets better? It's hard to imagine no more brake outs - is it real? :)
I am so excited but worried about the depression and extreme dry skin and lips..will it happen to me?

[Samantha]

Your blog has really helped me with seeing how much accutane can help! I was really nervous about taking it, but seeing actual results on someone calmed me down :] Unfortunatley, I have to wait one month before I can start taking it because of all the restrictions (like iPledge). Although, if I was a boy I would be able to start taking it ASAP. Very unfair!

[Lil' Myke]

I can't wait to visit my dermatologist tomorrow... I AM GOING TO GET ACCUTANE!!!

[mdlestat]

Thanks for all the comments everyone-- I am so glad this site is helping a few people out there-- it makes it worth it!
Best wishes, and good luck!

mdlestat

[Ramon]

hey mdlestat! I just wanted to let you know that your site is what finally convinced me to go on Accutane...and it's going great! I'm starting week 9 right now and am over the worst part from what I can tell...large areas of my face are now clear and are staying that way! At this rate, my skin will be clear by christmas! Thank you for posting up the pictures, you rock!

[mdlestat]

Hey Sierra!

Thanks for the comment and kind words--
As for side effects, I didn't experience anything other than the most common--the dry skin, lips and nose (which caused bleeds) and such.

Never altered my mood, or affected my lipids in any of the tests I took for it during treatment.

If I remember right, (forgive me, but it's now been a few years!)I started with 20mg for a few weeks, then up to either 40 or 60, where I think I stayed for the course.

Words of encouragement? What can I say-- I never felt bad about looking so broken out during treatment because I knew it was going to lead to clear skin-- which I can attest to from years of having it now, is EASILY worth the discomfort of a few months. Yes, it's a hassle in some ways, but if you are smart about it, don't drink alcohol while using it, and use cetaphil to clean your skin, with the Aquaphor petroleum stuff for your nose like I wrote about, it is surprisingly easy to go through, and after the worst of it, which like you said, starts around the 5-6 week area and is mostly over by the 10th, you just sit back and watch your acne disappear forever.

I still have clear skin, and it's ONLY because of this stuff-- I'm happy for you, and hope you'll come back and let me know how it's going for you!

[Sierra]

This is incredible... I'm just starting accutane, and I'm kind of nervous. Did you have any unfortunate side effects? Everyone talks about dry skin and lips, but some people have mentioned things like hair loss, dry hair, depressed mood, etc.

Anyway, congratulations on the treatment. You look incredible and to have endured something like that must have been heartwrenching. Weeks 7 and 8 are, from what I gather, the most intense as far as the flare-ups go. I'm not looking forward to that.

Let me know if you have any words of wisdom or encouragement, ha. I don't know too many people who have undergone this treatment. Also, what mg were you taking daily? I'm starting at 60mg/day.