My Journey to Clarity

I'm 22. Just out of college. Working full time. This is my experience on Accutane....

[reya22-blog]

Pretty obvs but I'm off Accutane!!

It's been about two months now and it's been crazy how I haven't have ONE. SINGLE. PIMPLE!!!! It's so crazy! My skin is still getting better and as my derm said, the scaring has gone down significantly since I've been off the meds. The differences from where I am now and where I was half a year ago are amazing!!!! It's crazy! I went from having over 20+ active blemishes at any one time to having nothing! Well.....I have this one fucking zit on my jaw that has been there for MONTHS! I kid you not...months--maybe 4--that is not gone. It just sits there. All the time. Doesn't get better. Doesn't get worse. Doesn't do anything. It's just.......there. Well, better that one then 20+, right? My skin and hair are back to the oily mess they were before but you know what, that's okay bc I'm ZIT FREE! Aside from all that "medical" nonsense: I'm back to drinking, going out, and doing other shot I probably shouldn't be doing but I can now! I can! I'm happy I don't have to worry about taking the medicine and going to doctors visits and getting blood drawn and going to the pharmacy every month! I'm glad that I can now focus on my job and my upcoming training and my impending move to the city! Only a couple more months and I will be a city gal. I truly can't wait to be in the city, live on my own, and make my own rules. It will be amazingly magical. It really will. I definitely recommend this medication to anyone that wants clear skin. It's for that person that has said, "I've tried everything and nothing works." It's for that person that is always walking with their head down, hiding their face with their hair/hat. It's for that person that can't enjoy their life, really, bc of the madness going on their skin... ...This medicine is for you. (I was trying to be motivational there of you didn't catch it.) :P

[reya22-blog]

This is one months worth. Thank god for health insurance!

[reya22-blog]

Day 121 on Accutane

Well over 100 days and I am officially on my last month. It's crazy how quick the time has passed and how much progress I have made. My face is smooth and my scars are fading. I know have the guts to leave my house without makeup....I need to invest in some light weight makeup: a tinted moisturizer or a BB or CC cream. I haven't had any crazy breakouts but I've had this one bump on my jaw line for like month or two that just would not go away. It wasn't huge or painful, just a little bump but it finally exposed itself yesterday...maybe now it will go away. I also got a pretty massive zit on my back that is slowly going away but, man it's painful! I know, TMI. Also, turns out I'm done with my blood tests and appointments. My doc said, once I take my last pill, I'm done. I can email her/call her with any questions but I'm done with the formalities. CRAZY! I will most definitely celebrate once I'm done with my medicine. I have friends that have a, "she can drink again" reminder on their phone lol. I'm going to throw a "IM OFF MY MEDS" party and celebrate with a $150 bottle of wine that I've been saving for just this! Thanks to my work friend that practically gifted the bottle to me ;) When I'm done, maybe I'll post my pics to show my progress during this 5 month journey.

[reya22-blog]

Day 92

I have surpassed 90 days. 60 more to go. Nothing but great coming out of this magical pill. I have not experienced any bad side effects. I'm as normal as can be. I can't wait to finish my 5 months only bc I want to go out and party and not have to take care of my annoying drunk friends--they're not annoying when sober. There's not much to report except for I finally bought foundation for dry skin and I love it. My oily skin foundation was drying out my face too much. I can't believe how far I have come and how little time I have left. So many people told me this drug was bad and that I shouldn't go on it but I have experienced nothing but good things. I have had some side effects but they have all been manageable and have not caused me any harm. Here's to 60ish more days!

[reya22-blog]

Oh god I hope not!!!

[reya22-blog]

The death of me....only 2 more months. Only 2 more months. Only. 2. More. Months.

[reya22-blog]

Day 81

I’ve been neglecting this blog. Work has been NUTS! But no excuses….

It’s been 81 days since I’ve been on this beautiful drug—almost 3 months. I can’t believe how time flys. I’ve been taking 2 40mg pills every for the last two months and I’ve noticed nothing but good come out of that. Sometimes I forget to take a pill but I have yet to miss an entire day so it’s still working, I guess.

My skin is extremely smooth. My scars are vanishing but I could only thank Clinique's Dark Spot Corrector. I’m still peeling some around my lips but nothing lotion can’t fix.

The one and only thing that I STILL hate and will hate for the remainder is the CHAPPED LIPS! I can’t go 5 minutes without re-applying. I’ve only liked Carmex, the one in the tube, bc of its consistency. Anything in stick/ball form is just horrible to me. I’ve purchased so many lip balms and have received so many lips balms but I keep going back to my love…Carmex. Speaking of, I need to purchase some more. I go through one every couple weeks. That’s nuts to me! I could have one for months before but not any more. Honestly, it’s my fault. All I do is smack my lips and lick it off. That’s why I re-apply every 5 minutes.

Something that also has been bugging is this one side effect. The only side effect that hurts. I’ve been getting red, burning bumps on my hand. They come back every 1-2 weeks. They burn for a couple hours, like when I put hand cream or put my hand under hot water but by the next day they are starting to dry up. They last on my hand for about a week and then they completely go away. Like completely! Like they were never there to begin with. They don’t leave scars, nothing. It’s weird and unappealing.

I don’t think there’s anything else that’s new/different. I have lost the urge to go out and party. I can go out without having to drink but I’ve just become lazy. I can’t wait to be able to drink again and do everything that’s normal that I can’t do right now.

Anyway, I have my next appointment next week…let’s see how that goes.

[reya22-blog]

Day 32

Today is day two of my 2-a-days and god my eyes are killing me!! They are soo crazy dry, it’s unreal! And my lips! I think I’ve used up half my tube of lip balm just today. My acne is getting worse too! Last month I saw nothing but improvements but I’m seeing a lot of active breakouts and a lot more that are coming.

[reya22-blog]

Day 31: 2-a-Days

I’ve gone up in dosage due to my perfect labs and little to no side effects. I went from 1 40mg pill a day to 2 40mg pills a day. So I’m up to 80mgs a day!!

I have a couple bad breakouts on my neck, forehead, and back but they’re drying out now. But god, they were pretty bad ones. I heard from some people that the breakouts got worse when they went up in dosage. I really don’t hope this happens but so be it if it happens. I just hope it’s for a short time.

My side effects have still been mild to none. My skin isn’t oily any more and it’s not dry so it’s normal which I LOVE! Also my hair is normal too! I wanted to see how long I could go without washing my hair and I went an entire week (I still showered) without washing it! It was soo nice. Not once did it look greasy or flat. It was full and bouncy and shiny and everything you would want in hair! I’m only mad that this won’t be forever. :(

Also, I got some roughness on my right hand. You can’t see it but you can feel if so I have to apply hand cream all day long. It doesn’t hurt or itch it’s just there.

Well anyways. 4 more months to go…

[reya22-blog]

DO NOT GET PREGNANT!!!!

[reya22-blog]

Day 10

Today I had the last pill of my first pack of Claravis. I love the packaging and how they have little “don’t get pregnant” pictures on every tab where the pill is lol. You’re honestly an idiot if you get pregnant hole on these meds bc that’s all yet tell you not to do!

I continue to have extremely dry lips. They just seem to get dryer and dryer EVERY. DAMN. DAY.

My hair is drying up. I just got out of the shower but I didn’t wash my hair. I probably won’t wash it tomorrow either. I want to see how long I can go until it starts getting dirty/oily.

My eyes have been hurting. Even when I have my glasses on so I believe that’s bc of the meds.

Also, my chest pain, my doc and my mom seam to think its nothing. My mom thinks it’s all in my head and honestly, I think so too. I just need to keep thinking that everything will be A-OK.

A positive: my skin is soooooooo smooth, it’s crazy. I’m still a little oily on my t-zone and what not but my god, my face is smooth! Well, the parts without an active breakout.

Let’s see how this next week treats me!

I need to go buy more lip balm!

[reya22-blog]

Day 8

Everything is still the same. Skin is getting dryer (kinda happy for that. My face is too oily), hair is getting dryer (yay) and lips are chapped like crazyyy (boo).

There is one thing that has been bothering me…I’ve been experiencing some chest pain but only when I position myself in certain ways. Like when I sit up straight after slouching for a long time, which I do a lot, I know that’s bad. Also I felt it today when I was getting up after laying down on my stomach. It hurts but I don’t think it’s toooo serious. I emailed my doctor just to be safe to let her know what’s going on. I don’t want this to become anything that can be harmful to my health.

I hope this goes away…

[reya22-blog]

Day 6

Well, the peeling has spread. I'm starting to peel all over my nose and above and between my brows. This is the time that I don't mind my face getting oily after a couple hours. 

My lips can't go without lip balm/Vaseline. I've been using Carmex, Blistex Deep Renewal and the cute little tiny Vaseline Cocoa Butter Lip Therapy. 

I have Carmex stashed in my car, purse, and all over my bedroom and use it throughout the day; I use my Blistex at work; and I use the Vaseline when I wake up and before I go to bed. Don't ask why I use different products at different times, I just do, it somehow turned out that way. 

I went to Macy's today to buy some face moisturizer and I purchased the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+. I have heard a lot of good things about this lotion and I have tried other products from Clinique that I have loved, so I thought I would give this a try. I used it tonight, so far so good, but we will see how I feel in the morning and in the next couple days.

No other side effects other than that...I'm sure this won't be the worst of it but I hope these are the only side effects I experience. 

[reya22-blog]

#storyofmylife

[reya22-blog]

Day 5

I’m starting to get the dry lips and the dry skin. I’ve been applying lip balm A LOT. On average, about 2 times per hour.

Also, I noticed that I’m starting to peal around my nose. It’s not cute but it’s something I’ll have to deal with.

This is only the beginning….

[reya22-blog]

Day 4

Today is day 4 and I have yet to experience any side effects. I have been reading other peoples tweets and blogs and anything really and there are some people that have noticed side effects. If anyone out there reads this…how long did it take for you to get the dry lips or the mood swings? Right now, my lips are as smooth as a babies bottom. No noticeable mood swings—I have my coworkers keeping an eye out as well. So far, everything has been going great!

[reya22-blog]

Day One

Today I took my first pill of Claravis aka isotretinoin aka accutane. I took a picture of what my face currently looks like but I don't think I am ready to reveal that yet even though I know no one is reading this or will probably never read this.

I wanted to document my day to day or week to week because I'm finally trying something that has proven results. While this medication has many side effects and has a huge stigma, I believe that this will finally change my life. 

I have dealt with acne for as long as I can remember, since middle school maybe even before that. I have tried everything from over the counter products to natural supplements. I tried Clean and Clear, Neutrogena, expensive shit from department stores, herbal medicine, prescribed medicine, cleaning my face too much to not at all...I've tried EVERYTHING and nothing has worked.

Not only do I have acne on my face, I have acne on my chest and way too much on my back; my back is what I'm most self conscious about. I also get pimples on my scalp, neck, arm, leg and even my lady parts now and again. It really is not pretty.

You know, I see women out there that are able to wear tank tops or cute strapless/backless/low cut dresses and I can't do that. Don't get me wrong, I can find cute dressed that cover what needs to be covered but I wish I didn't have to. I can't even wear a swim suit. 

I finally went to a dermatologist and got prescribed what I was expecting. I had been told that I should get on accutane about 2 years ago but I was going to be out of the country for 6 months so I couldn't start that treatment due to the fact that I had to be present for monthly doctors appointments. I forgot about this medication when I got back so I never went back to start it. Fast forward to a couple months ago when I graduated college, got a big girl job and realized that my acne is doing nothing but setting me back. You know that commercial of the chick that feels like everyone is staring at her and not taking her serious because of her acne, well that's how I have been feeling at work. I said, FUCK IT and I went back to the derm. I saw a new Dr. and she said I definitely need to be on it, which is what I was expecting. What I didn't know is that there is soooooo much that needs to be done before I can start the treatment. 

First, I needed to sign an online pledge promising that I would not get pregnant. While I do like to have my fun, I'm positive this is a non-issue for me but because this medication can cause severe birth defects, I had to agree. 

Second, I have to be on 2 forms of birth control. I'm already on the pill and I'll be using a condom. 

Third, I had to wait 30 days before starting. I guess to let the birth control kick in or something but I still had to wait because those are the rules. 

Fourth, every month I am going to have to get blood drawn to make sure everything is functioning right and that I am not pregnant. I had my first labs done this past Saturday (10/26). It wasn't bad, I didn't mind it at all really and I didn't have to pay. I might get a bill and if I do I'll document that, 

Finally, I had my first appointment this morning at 8am. I went in and my doc said all of my labs came back perfect and that I was ready to go. But first, I had to fill out a questionnaire and take a little quiz to make sure I knew what is right and wrong. I picked up my prescription and this is where we are right now. 

I took my first pill this evening at about 9:45. I might start taking them earlier though when I have dinner because I have to take it with food. So far so good. It is the first couple hours so we will see how it continues. 

I am taking 40 mg tablets once a day. 

I want to document whenever I experience a side effect like the dry lips, dry mouth, dry skin, 

I am also going to be taking a picture of my face and if I can get help from my mom, my back every 7 days and I will keep them to myself until I feel more comfortable. 

I can't wait to see how this process goes. It is going to be a long 5-6 months, especially since I can't drink :( but it will be soo worth it when all is said and done. 

I'm optimistic....I'm excited....I'm ready.