I have just started my 16 week course of roaccutane, i am currently on day 3. This wasnt an easy decision for me as the side effects sound awful. However i have suffered from acne since i was a teenager – i am now 28. Although my acne is moderate, what i do have is likely to scar if left untreated. I have had a mild headache that comes and goes since starting R on friday but nothing i cant handle. I have been started on 70mg a day and go back in 4 weeks to the derma clinic in 4 weeks. Just really on here for a bit of support and to speak to people who are going through the same thing as i am finidng it all a bit daunting
Tags: day 3
Hi there . . . good luck with your treatment
This is a wonderful forum for keeping in touch with other “R” survivors 
a great comfort & informative site, hearing other peoples & suggestions is of great benefit to us all & will help you get through your treatment & come out smiling & spot free at the other end !!
I just have red marks & moderate scarring left . , . which in time will fade (so my derm & others say) so happy days !!!!
I have just completed a 6 months course of “isotretinoin”, started on 20mg and finished on 60mg
I have just 3 spots left which are a little annoying as I thought I would be completely clear however a vast improvement from 6 months ago
Good luck with your treatment . . . you’ll be just fine
- gigi on January 21, 2013 at 10:15 am
Hey thanks very much,I am glad your treatment has been successful. I didn’t expect to get side effects so quickly but noticing them today! Sore joints and really dry skin on my nose! Can you recommend any creams or moisturisers? Well done on your 6 month course
- LeeLee on January 21, 2013 at 2:46 pm
I’m not surprised you have already experienced side effects even after a couple of days . . . 70mg starting off is amazing but then it does depend on your height and build as to the amount they give you
I only started on 20mg !
Lips – Carmex or blisteze
Nose – vaseline & sudocrem
Face & body – E45 & Boots own brand body lotion & moisturiser for dry skin
Hope this helps
Hair – T Gel -
- gigi on January 21, 2013 at 4:29 pm
That’s great thanks
- LeeLee on January 21, 2013 at 4:33 pm
Sorry only first line of my reply has posted! I am 5.6 in height and just over 11stone so not small but not huge lol. I did worry this was high to start with but derma said it was normal! Only 4 months to go lol
- LeeLee on January 21, 2013 at 4:36 pm
Well if Derm happy and you are managing ok that’s great you will finish your course alot quicker then maybe in 16 weeks perhaps if you stay on that dosage
I think it takes your body time to adjust to the drug but at least it shows it’s working 
My hair really dried out and only needed to wash it a couple of times a week, so I used the T Gel shampoo for sensitive scalp and you can lose a little hair along the way !!
I kept exercise to a minimum as they suggest as I also suffered a little back ache but nothing that I couldn’t handle. The only other side effects I had were really cracked blistered lips & the sides of my mouth, dry nose which did bleed occasionally but these are all expected and you know they’ll all be reversed when you finish your course.
Even though I’ve finished my course the drug stays in your body for up to 2 months they say so I still have the dry lips but not as bad as when I first started
Good luck & keep posting
- gigi on January 21, 2013 at 5:36 pm