Right, I should be due to start on Roaccutane on 18th February. Does anyone have any last minute tips to prepare myself before starting?
Danielle x
Tags: Starting Roaccutane
18th February
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Danielle
I've had acne since I was 11 and tried all the treatments both topical and oral. I did have improvements but it's never cleared up entirely. I've even tried laser therapy which did clear it up mostly but it came back worse within a couple of months. I'm 20 now and it's quite severe now although it initally started out quite mild.
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acne treatment
- Roaccutane/Accutane/Isotretinoin
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More posts by Danielle
Try not to worry too much . . this is a fantastic drug with fabulous results, although side effects aren’t particularly pleasant everyone is different (all reversible on completion of the course) you may only suffer the obvious & more common ones
I’ve just finished by course after 6 months on “R” & would recommend it completely. My course was taken over 6 months because of my age (15yr, 5ft 4″ & approx 62kg) my doses were increased slowly starting on 20mg & ending on 60mg.
x
Only suffered from the dry cracked lips, dry eyes, dry sore nose & moderate back ache so I think myself lucky in that respect others have had more severe side effects.
I did have 2 really bad outbreaks but this is also part of the treatment & is expected , 1st one at about 5/6 and the second at 19 weeks !! so be prepared things get worse before they get better
Good luck with starting your course . . . don’t forget each tablet taken is a step nearer to having clearer skin
Keep posting & let us know how you are getting on Danielle
- gigi on February 16, 2013 at 12:42 pm
Thank you for your comment, it’s very helpful and reassuring! I’ll be sure to keep updating my profile and let everyone know how I’m getting on.
Just out of curiosity, how bad was your skin before you started and how good is it now?
x
- Danielle on February 16, 2013 at 2:56 pm
Hi Danielle, my skin was absolutely dreadful when I started . . . I had been on several different anti bio, dianette pill & duac cream for about 4 years and my spots did not improve then got worse. I was covered especially my chin, chest & forehead but also my cheeks started to get spots on too .. nothing helped . .. they said it was only mild/moderate acne ( I have never had boils or cysts thankfully) my back was clear.:( I’m glad to say I have been off “R” since 17 January 2013 & I have just two small spots left, one on my chin & one on my cheek but I can cover these easily, everywhere else is completely clear . . . what I will say is that I still have the red marks left on my skin where the spots were & moderate scarring on my cheeks, my derm has assured me that these red marks will continue to fade over the next 6 months, I can see already after 1 month of being off “R” that the marks are fading . . . If in 12 months I need a little bit of laser just to resurface the skin that is offered but hopefully I won’t need that. I can assure you that for me it has worked, my skin does not produce anymore oil & never will now (according to derm) this is permanant so I no longer have a shiny, greasy face full of spots . . . I wish I could upload some photos as my mum took one the day I started the treatment & I would love to share the results . . . I think the site are trying to find a way so we are able to post before & after pics . . . lets wait & see
anyway good luck again, you’ll be just fine & will handle the course well I’m sure 
- gigi on February 16, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Your comments mean so much to me! I’m not worried about the side effects anymore as I think I can deal with dry skin, lips and some joint and back pain! I’ve heard about depression being linked but I don’t think it’s very common.
x
Let’s hope your red marks will soon fade too!
- Danielle on February 16, 2013 at 9:21 pm
Thanks Danielle . . just a matter of time before they do fade I’m sure
Yes my Mum was concerned about the depression etc after reading up on the possible side effects, she did mention to my derm on our very first appointment about this partiuclarly worrying side effect, however the derm said that this was very rare and that they had to list it as a possible side effect because maybe only a very small percentage felt depressed whilst being on “R” or whether this was just a coincidence but it had to be noted ( to be honest what is more depressing than having to live with a face full of spots, surely “R” is helping you to get rid of these pesky things !!!! As you said it could be linked but it is very rare and I’m sure its only a certain type of person that falls into that area, perhaps a family history of depression or anxiety is a factor
This is why the support of this website & your family is a great help getting you through the next few months. 
x
- gigi on February 17, 2013 at 3:41 pm
I don’t have a family history of depression as far as I know and like you, I too believe that living with a face full of spots is much more depressing than taking a drug used to clear these spots!
I should hopefully be getting my prescription tomorrow so I’ll keep you updated on my progress. I’d also like to hear about how your skin is since finishing. Let’s hope it stays clear and the red marks will soon fade! x
- Danielle on February 17, 2013 at 4:47 pm
Ok Danielle will keep in touch & let you know how my skin is
Good luck tomorrow & keep posting
xx
- gigi on February 17, 2013 at 6:16 pm
Hi Danielle,
Like Gigi says try not to worry too much. I remember when I first started R I was looking out for side effects and checking my spots everyday. When you have been on it a few weeks you settle in and don’t think about it as much. I’ve got 3.5 weeks left to go (will be 5 months 1 week in total when I finish) and to be honest found the last 3 weeks or so the toughest. Even these weeks haven’t been a fraction as bad as I thought it was going to be.
Moisturiser and blistex are a definite. The non greasy hair is great, I have long hair and it was a pain washing it all the time. Now I wash it about once or twice a week.
I’m finding my eyes are bothering me now, dry and stuck together in the morning. Like I said though only just getting this near the end so I will just tough this one out. After eye wash and drops I’m fine. It will be so worth it. My skin is much better and the time has just flown by.
Good luck Danielle, just keep coming on here for advice – we are all in the same boat. Keep in touch x
- Vanessa on February 18, 2013 at 10:37 am
Thanks for all the support Vanessa, have you noticed a big improvement in your skin since your started? I heard it continues to work for a couple of months after you stop taking it.
I can’t wait to start! Hopefully I’ll be able to start on 7th March!
x
- Danielle on February 19, 2013 at 4:10 pm
Thanks for all your support! I had my appointment today and unfortunately I’ve got to wait until the 7th March!
The Dermatologist wouldn’t put me on Roaccutane until I started on the contraceptive pill even though I’m not sexually active! I was so upset and annoyed so I’ve started the contraceptive pill but still so angry, I really thought this was going to be the start of my journey to clear skin.
I feel like I’m never going to get them, by the time I have my next appointment it will be nearly 4 months since I first went to the doctor’s. I just feel like they’re doing everything to stop me from having them, are they ever going to give them to me?
Has anyone else had experiences like this? x
- Danielle on February 18, 2013 at 6:07 pm
Hi Danielle,
The contraceptive thing is pretty annoying but they have to do it as it’s very harmful to the baby if you do get pregnant (and if you do then you have to have a termination as it’s so damaging). I’m on the contraceptive too.
In regards to the depression thing, I was told by my dermatologist that the drug can only make depression worse. So if you’ve never had it then you won’t get it although that’s only from a medical perspective so if you’ve had undiagnosed depression then you really do need to keep a close eye on your mood and let someone know if you do start to feel depressed.
Good luck. x
- Aimee on February 19, 2013 at 12:52 pm
Did you have to start the contraceptive pill a few weeks before you started Roaccutane? I found it quite annoying because if I’d been told I would’ve started before so that I coud’ve gone on Roaccutane straight away. Oh well, at least I’ll be able to drink on my birthday now!
I’m booked in on 7th March so hopefully I can start then!
How far along are you on your course Aimee? And is it going well?
Thanks for all the advice guys! You’re great and I hope your courses are all going well! We’ll soon all be spot free!
Danielle x
- Danielle on February 19, 2013 at 4:08 pm