Just about to start a 20mg course of Roaccutane and am completely terrified if I’m totally honest.
I’ve had acne for almost 10 years now and no-one has ever taken me seriously as it’s never been that severe. My friends always say, ‘I’ve never noticed your skin’, to which I reply “it’s called MAC”. I’ve been on Dianette for sometime now but started to develop migranes at which point it was decided I should try Roaccutane.
Not only do the potential side effects worry me but so does the reaction of my friends and colleagues when the side effects kick in. I feel completely under-prepared, not sure there is a way to prepare myself but I am going to continue with a diary and stock up with creams etc with recommendations from surviving roaccutane but not sure what else to do. I’ve noticed a couple of people say it’s best to take the tablets with a fatty meal – can anyone recommend the type of foods that are the best as I’m aware I should also avoid these?
I feel a little silly being so apprehensive as I’ve longed for treatment to finally rid me of my lumpy painful skin (which is heavily scarred now).
Am grateful this site exists as I have a feeling I will be using it regularly!!
Hi Amy, I am replying to reassure you… Although with this drug everyone is different in how they react. Your acne sounds similar to what mine was like and I too have friends and colleagues who said they never noticed my skin.. But it’s about how it has made us feel and for me I suffered so long that it really took away all myself confidence to the point where I missed out on enjoying so many social occasions as I felt too self conscious and I hated looking in the mirror each morning to see 2 or 3 big painful cyst like areas on my face which made me feel really ugly..
Anyway, like you I was really terrified about starting roaccutane, reading all the side effects and thinking I was gonna really suffer and my face would look a real mess! … I am halfway through my treatment and for me it’s the best thing I ever did, honestly! I have not had oneK of those painful cysts since I started roac. . Initially I had a breakout during first couple weeks but for me it wasnt anything worse than what I had been having before. In the first month I had some drying of face mainly on chin where my spots had been worse and sides of my nose. Into month 2 the dryness is improved on my face but my lips are constantly drying out so having Carmex lip balm on me at all times is really important to avoid them drying out and cracking. I’ve noticed my arms have many dry areas on them now but not noticeable to public. I also have felt very tired and have had some aching joints- the aching hasn’t been severe though.
My advice to you is to moisturise from day one… I shower using sanex shower gel for very dry skin, moisturise with e45 on my body and cetaphil moisturising lotion( found I’m boots), regularly apply Carmex lip balm to my lips especially last thing at night. Don’t use any spot treatments as they dry your skin out and make sure you moisturise morning, night and in between as needed- I’ve only needed to do morning and night but we are all different.
So Amy please don’t feel too scared , try not to read too many negative stories and keep my positive experience in mind as you begin. Im on 40 mg and after just a couple weeks my confidence has returned and already my skin is great! As for food, I just eat normally, my derm told me to just eat normally.
Good luck Amy, keep smiling and lete know how you get on.
Sue x
- Sue Dodds on May 26, 2012 at 9:30 am
Thank you so much for your lovely message Sue, it really means a lot to know there is support out there and that you are getting on well with the treatment.
Will definitely stay in touch, take care
Amy x
- Amy on May 28, 2012 at 3:34 pm
hi amy, im sarah. I am on week 6 of roaccutane, im now on 60mg per day. I too was terrified to start due to the list of side effects however i am a nurse and know that if you read side effects for paracetamol you would never take them!
Thankfully i have had no real problems (fingers crossed) just some muscle aches and pains, VERY dry lips carmex and vaseline have saved my life! and some dry skin on my face which was worse in the first two weeks. I use hydromol at night as it is very oily and dermol 500 during the day. I also wash with a dry skin shower gel and only wash my hair when required which is now only every three to four days! as the scalp can be sensitive to dry patches as with the ends of hair. I have been advised not to dye my hair either due to scalp irritation, dont know if this would be an issue for you.
My skin did get a bit worse in the first weeks however this is improving now and although i cannot see a big difference yet people have started commenting on how good my skin looks which is such a confidence boost!
Hope all goes well with your treatment! try not to think about the side effects as the majority are quite rare
sarah x
- sarah-louise on May 29, 2012 at 8:45 pm