Accutane log

[Nemesis RR]

I am 48 and have almost always suffered some type of acne on my back and shoulders. Sometimes if I was very persistent on treating it I could get my shoulders mostly clear and some light back acne. When my natural hormones took a hit it cleared up a lot but of course I was miserable.

I am now on TRT (60mg 2X a week), 10% body fat and feel fantastic. Excellent diet. Everything under a doctors care. No recreational drugs, no candy, No desserts, and 1 or 2 glasses of wine a week.

In the past I did 20mg of accutane a day for 15 days and then every other day for 45 days and my acne disappeared almost immediately. The acne came back a few months later but no where near as bad and just reverted back to almost where I had been over time.

My life has always been crazy stressful but last few months are insane (amazed actually that I'm keeping it together). And with the stress came the worst acne ever. So bad I am on doctor prescribed 40mg of accutane a day. 12 days in and the acne has gotten worse.

Side effect last go around were, (in order) dry lips, dandruff, and then dry skin. This was all in less than 2 weeks. This go around only dry lips. My bald head is still oily.

 

[Sk8man101]

Your previous accutane run was not nearly enough.
Most doctors believe in prescribing it off a accumulative dose but I don't know if I really buy into that.

You acne will continue to get worse and take longer for your skin to heal for the next couple months.
After that you will notice your skin changing for the better and by the 3rd month you will be cured and you'll just be finishing out your doctors protocol.

 

[Nemesis RR]

Day 13

Some new smaller pimples on shoulders and arms. The cystic acne on lower back has started to flatten out a lot but I have 1 big new one.

My only concern now is the summer sun that is coming.

 

[Nemesis RR]

Your previous accutane run was not nearly enough.
Most doctors believe in prescribing it off a accumulative dose but I don't know if I really buy into that.

You acne will continue to get worse and take longer for your skin to heal for the next couple months.
After that you will notice your skin changing for the better and by the 3rd month you will be cured and you'll just be finishing out your doctors protocol.

You think 3 months of just 40mg a day would do it.

And yes to short of a run last time at to short of a dose. Once my skin got cleared I stopped way to early.

 

[Sk8man101]

You think 3 months of just 40mg a day would do it.

And yes to short of a run last time at to short of a dose. Once my skin got cleared I stopped way to early.

I have posted some links on studies.
It seems to be that it is the duration of your time on accutane that matters and not the cumulative dose.

 

[Nemesis RR]

Day 20.

Still more acne than normal (still under crazy stress) but much smaller and not cystic. I have a bald head that is always oily and that has drastically reduced. My skin is dryer but not dry. Im debating on whether I should start moistening.

I'm light olive/tan skin Hispanic. On accutane the slightest sun leaves my skin a tiny bit red.

 

[Sk8man101]

Day 20.

Still more acne than normal (still under crazy stress) but much smaller and not cystic. I have a bald head that is always oily and that has drastically reduced. My skin is dryer but not dry. Im debating on whether I should start moistening.

I'm light olive/tan skin Hispanic. On accutane the slightest sun leaves my skin a tiny bit red.

Shit man at 20mg there was no question that I need to start moistening. It was like walking around with a sunburn that never goes away.

 

[Nemesis RR]

Day 30

2 showers a day. Shower right after workout and then go into the steam room. Skin still not dry. I have started to use lotion occasionally just to help with the marks.

No side effects other than dry lips.

Went to see my dermatologist and he confirmed it is the worst it has ever been. Stress is also at the absolute worst and is a huge trigger for me. Sleep is almost impossible some nights. I won't get into details, but just to show the stress level, I have made an appointment to see a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist knows of me and was worried. Thank God he is seeing me very soon.

On the positive note I believe the worst of the acne is over.

 

[Nemesis RR]

Over 41 days and had to stop. My eyes have huge bags under them. I can ice them down but they continue to come back. I look horrible from it. I have never had this level of puffiness, not even from a black eye. Will restart once this is settled.
This is the only side effect that is not tolerable. Hurts to blink.

The only other thing I have had is the dry lips. I don't have dry skin. Keep in mind that I take 2 showers a day and suana or steam 3 times a week. I don't even use lotion.

If anyone has any ideas on how to take away the bags under my eyes please share. I have put hydrocortisone cream (doesn't help) tea bags (helped a little) and ice (moderate relief but who has time to ice an hour a day 2 times a day and still have some puffiness)

 

[Nemesis RR]

Quick update. If I lay down for a quick nap my eyes get worse quickly. Maybe drainage?