My Acne Diary - Isotretinoin, Roaccutane, Accutane

Well, my face is still looking very clear, though I am mid cycle. I also think that the Yasmin (contraceptive pill) is helping too. I don’t seem to have much dryness and my lips seem ok too, but that is probably as I haven’t been without lip balm since I started.

I am still waiting for my Dermalogica to arrive so I have been using Simple foaming face wash and Nivea calming day cream, both of which I had already.

Two things to note. Firstly I have had a pain/ache on my right hand kind of under my ribs since yesterday, I have been paranoid that my liver is packing up so I bought some Milk Thistle, the seeds of this plant contain an antioxidant called silymarin which is supposed to help protect the liver, it’s worth a try!

Secondly, I went to my first exercise class since taking the first dose. I normally go a bit red when I work up a sweat, but, my face was like a beetroot and quite hot really quickly…At least I looked like I’d worked hard!

I am taking my 40mg Accutane dose with my evening meal tonight as I’m having a steak, it’s good to take it with protein.

It has surprised me how quickly this drug gets going. I have had a dull headache, nausea and my husband commented on the fact that my chin area looked a darker colour to the rest of my face!I took my 40mg Accutane dose at lunch time again as it was going to be my largest meal and contained protein, good for absorption so I’m told.

As for the overall state of my face today, it is still in a clear phase, my chin is a bit sore under the skin so may have something on the way there. My cheeks have become a bit red and overall my skin is getting drier.

I am still so thirsty and my lips are feeling dry, I can’t let the Vaseline, Carmex, Eight hour cream basically whatever is to hand, wear off!

My face looks allot clearer in this photo than it does really, as I said I am having a bit of a clear phase. The combination of the Isotrexin gel and Yasmin contraceptive pill have helped to settle my skin.

I took my dose (40mg Accutane) at about 2pm today, only because we were at a friends for lunch and I knew it would be my biggest meal of the day. I have decided to make sure I take the tablets on a full stomach as I think it may help to stop any nausea. I have felt really tired, not that that is unusual!
Other things to note are I am feeling very thirsty, needing to drink much more than normal and I am also feeling warmer?

After what seemed like such a long wait I had my appointment with the dermatologist today. He checked my blood test results, they were fine and also did a pregnancy test which was negative…Yeh!

I had to sign a form to say I was aware of the effects of the drug on an unborn child and he asked if I had any questions, which after all the reading I have been doing I didn’t.

That was it, I was given my prescription, told to make an appointment for a months time and off I went to pick up my first 30 day supply. I am feeling really good about doing this.

I am on 40mg of Accutane a day and am also continuing to take Yasmin (contraceptive pill).

I took my first dose, as soon as I got home! I couldn’t wait, I took them with toast and peanut butter and a glass of milk as it is recommended you have them with something fatty. I don’t know if it was just my imagination but I felt a bit rough after an hour or so, nothing too bad, just a bit sick. My skin is going through a good patch so I don’t have any major cysts at the moment and with my make up on I look okay!

Just for the record, I have stopped using the Isotrexin gel and will not be using any facial scrubs, I am going to stop using any face washes containing salicylic acid, BHA or AHA too as they can be too aggresive. I have ordered a new bottle of Dermalogica calming cleanser (I have used previously) and Dermalogica barrier repair too. I am also stocking up on vaseline for cracking lips. I will update on the effectiveness (or not) of these products.