Breakout History

I didn't even have pimples in high school. I first got pimples in my 2nd year of college, but not bad. I never saw a derm for acne until probably my senior year of college and even then it was not a bad case.

I continued to take The Pill off and on for years and it was in my late 20s that I realized when I wasn't taking it, I had acne. Although I was then told the acne was cystic, it was not all over me, and not severe nor painful.

I have used numerous types of topical treatments and some prescribed antibiotics, which worked as long as I took them everyday. Well, you can't take those forever.

Then in April of 2004 I developed a medical problem related to The Pill and was told I could not take birth control pills again.

I went on Dynacin (antibiotic) right away for fear the acne would get bad. It wasn't clearing the acne, though, and my back actually got worse. Within weeks of stopping the Dynacin, I had small bumps peppered across my forehead. I mean hundreds of them. They were very small and most of them not worthy of messing with. In a short time, tender red lumps (just a few at a time, but ouch!) started to appear.

By now the small (numerous) bumps were at my temples and moving down in front of my ears and now even behind my ears. Then there were bumps at my jawline and on my neck. I mean many many bumps. Not huge, but so many and not just little whiteheads. They are cystic according to my derm (when I squeeze them, a clear or yellowish core-like thing comes out- I know, gross!).

She said that my hormones are surging and that because I can't take The Pill, this could go on into menopause- no way! I am 35 and not willing to live like that for 10+ years.

I have many small pimples on my chest as well- up to the collar bones and between my breasts. I also have pimples on my back (mainly upper) to include my shoulders. My husband checked out my back last night and said he could see (from a few feet away) 15-16 pimples. I want to keep track of how each body part is progressing and since I cannot see my own back.....he has to do it (poor guy).

I went through the blood work (perfect results, according to the nurse) and had the pregnancy test done. I received my prescription for 40 mg once daily for thirty days. I guess the recommended dosage (according to Roche website) is 1 mg/kg of body weight.

Since I weigh about 135 pounds (61.2 kg), I can take 60 mg/ day. So, I think the doctor may increase my daily intake after a month or two. I'm sure they want to see how the blood work comes back and how severe (if any) the side effects are. See the Roche website for information RE: dosage and administration. I have been taking the Accutane with supper (dinner). Roche indicates that taking these pills with food is crucial (for absorption).

I already increased my water intake which is going to suck because I don't like it (no taste, boring). I have heard in the past that it's best to drink 1/2 your body weight (in ounces). So, I would normally need to drink about 70 ounces daily. More now since I am taking a drug that is going to dry out my nose, eyes, lips, everything. I worry a bit because I have always had dry skin on my legs, arms, and at times the scalp.

I bought lip ointment (neosporin brand) as well as Aquaphor which is very good. I put it on last night and my lips felt moisturized even after my morning shower! A friend of mine took Accutane and said her lips even swelled up for a couple weeks initially.

I am also taking Vitamin E (natural d-Alpha) 400 IU daily as I heard this helps with the dry eyes and of course the skin. I wear contacts and hope I can wear them throughout the treatment.

Well, it's a waiting game now. I pray that I do not get the bad initial breakout that people have talked about in other journals. Internet sites (not sure about the validity of the info) have indicated that 1 in 500 will get severely worse, and 1 in 4 will get somewhat worse before getting better.

I have taken a dose for four days and so far, I can't tell in anyway that I have taken them. I think that's a good thing. All the hype about side effects is a bit scary.