Hello all, happy new year!!
Ok so I’m about to go to the dermatologist this evening. When I last went it was suggested that only 8 weeks more weeks was going to be needed, so tonight could potentially be my last prescription of Roaccutane (which will cover the next 4 weeks). I’m not sure whether this will be the case, but I really, really hope it is!
Skin wise, the progress that I’ve had has settled. I’ve had a few new spots which aren’t major and I have old ones which are clearing / scars. This makes me suspicous about whether 5 months will be enough. I guess I will wait and see what the doctor says later!
Side effect wise, the more obvious physical side effects have mostly gone, but my lips are EXTREME! As in, when I open my mouth to eat both sides of my mouth crack and bleed, skin is falling off them all the time, I’ve stopped caring that I go about life with a thick layer of blistex cream all over them and I look like a cricketer wearing sun block. Attractive. Otherwise I am starting to feel roaccutane taking its toll on my mood now. Like generally feel moany and I’ve been quite sharp with some of my friends, started an argument that I was in the right about but went further than I normally would have. Also on nights out find it a bit difficult – I don’t think my friends have ever properly grasped that I shouldnt really be drinking (because I have been drinking (!)) but then when I lay off its all “what’s wrong?” and I just feel a bit disconnected from the world.
In light of those feelings I was a bit rebellious over Christmas and took 30mg instead of 60mg on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years eve and this helped A LOT. Not sure if it was psychological but regardless I was glad that I did it.
Anyway, the thought of just 4 more weeks (fingers crossed) fills me with hope and I know that in the end it will all be worth it 
.
Hope Christmas and New Year has been good to you all xx
Tags: week 16 17
Happy New Year to you too Beckala
I’m a little apprehensive finishing the course as I know I do still have a long way to go . . . I’m only getting the occasional new spot but my skin is still covered in red marks albeit they are all flat and my skin is reasonably smooth, lots of people have been commenting on my skin and how much it has improved so that always makes me feel better 
I just want to get rid of the mild scarring and these marks, my derm has kept telling me these fade within the next 12 months and you should be clear . . . 10% need a top up of “R” within the months following treatment if you feel spots are appearing but hopefully I’m not in that 10% 
I haven’t felt depressed or angry (apart from the normal teenage tantrums ha ha ) . . .
I hope you got on ok at the Dermatologist . . . let us know what he/she had to say ? . . . . I’m on my last 2 weeks tablets now and that will be 6 months on isotretinoin
I think that having this treatment early in life (15yrs) it has maybe helped with the mood/feelings you are all experiencing but that’s just what I feel, perhaps your emotions are even more upside down I don’t know
Hope you are feeling a little better now that you have seen the derm
Don’t forget the tablets continue to work in your system even when the course finishes and you skin will continue to heal and improve (so I keep being told !!!)
Good luck & Happy & spot free New Year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! x
- gigi on January 2, 2013 at 5:39 pm
Hi Beck,
Happy New Year to you too!! Good idea easing off the dosage over the essential Christmas days. I’ve had two days where I’ve not taken any, simply because I’ve been getting headaches about once a week, sometimes they were lasting a couple of days, always seems to be on a Friday/Saturday…. great (not!)
I know what you mean about the moods, I’ve found it a bit hard over the Christmas break but I sometimes put it down to stress of Christmas (two Kids) and lack of sleep. My husband thinks I’m a complete fruit loop and I keep saying it’s the pills. I’m a bit concerned because when I come off them and I’m still moody, what do I blame it on then?! The other fail safe is the good old hormones:-)
Sorry to hear your lips are bothering you so much, I’ve been quite fortunate, not needing to apply that much. Hope this eases off for you. Let us know how you get on.
Take care
V x
- Vanessa on January 2, 2013 at 9:10 pm
Hey guys!
Thanks for your comments. Could well be that its a bit easier early in life Gigi – I guess there’s ups and downs either way. Vanessa – I’m totally with you!! I’m still single so lifestyle wise probably a bit different to you but I just feel like my brain isn’t functioning properly. I notice the difference on the days when I take less so that makes me hopeful that I’ll be ok once I stop. I had headaches at the start and every time I upped the dosage but they eased off eventually, hope yours do too!
Right – dermotologist update… She seemed impressed with the progress and not overly concerned that I’ve had new spots. So, my current prescription is my last one, UNLESS I get an outbreak in the next month. I have an appointment slot but they wont book one unless I ask for it. She said that their policy is to give 5 months and after that they will go to 6 months but only if it’s below 150mg / kg. I’ll only be just over 100mg by then. I have a couple of big lumpy spots on my back still and she said that if they don’t go to go back and they will inject / laser them to get them to go. This makes me feel a lot better about the steroids, which I am still trying to wean myself off, as they were being used to calm the inflammation on the bigger spots.
Also she added that the red marks from spots will be looking worse becaise of the roaccutane and that this will ease at a quicker rate once I’ve stopped taking it.
So… 4 weeks left (fingers crossed). THANK GOD! xxx
- beckala on January 2, 2013 at 11:19 pm