This is my blog about my upcoming experience with Accutane.

After constant babbling to my friends, family, roommates, boyfriend and now coworkers about my worries about this helluva drug, I figure I should share this experience with those who need it most – anyone who doesn’t want to feel alone during this process, i.e. you dear readers.

Let me introduce myself. I am in my early 30’s and have struggled with bad acne and the accompanying self-image issues since my teens. I have tried all of the methods to fight my acne: topical gels, cleansers with salicylic, glycolic, hydraluronic acids, creams, toners, gels, antibiotics, probiotics, different methods of birth control, monthly facials, dietary changes, naturopathic treatment . . . the list goes on and on. While some methods have worked, the cure has always been temporary. I would be graced with clear skin for a few weeks or months, but would always end up back on some kind of treatment after the acne returned.

The ultimate nail in the coffin for me was overhearing coworkers at my previous job mocking my complexion and calling me things like “Grease Face”. I wish I were kidding. Talk about one of my worst fears coming true! As a result, I decided to make my skin better – besides the facials and antibiotics I was already taking – and try a different birth control. This not only didn’t help, but just made it even worse than it had been in years, and increased the insults and mockery directed my way. I tried going to a naturopath for a while, but the expense was too much and I wasn’t seeing any results. (I do recommend naturopaths, however, to help find the root of any kind of medical issue you have.)

I visited a new dermatologist who told me I was a perfect candidate for Accutane. I have always been terrified of Accutane because of its reputation, and my fears are certainly not lessened after reading the side effects of this drug. I was hesitant, but I decided that I cannot continue to live life the way I have been with acne. Acne has prevented me from going after certain dreams, stopped me from befriending people I wanted to befriend, kept me hidden in my apartment for weeks at a time during my twenties, and has generally kept me from living a fulfilling life.

No more. It’s time to beat this thing, once and for all. I am done looking like a female “Deadpool”.

GETTING STARTED

Starting this drug is not easy. There are pledges to make, contracts to sign, windows of time that you can actually get tested and prescribed the medication. It’s a bear. I signed up for iPledge and promised to be on two forms of birth control for the time I am on the drug. This was the easy part for me since I am in no hurry to get pregnant and have always been pretty good about using protection and being safe. Birth control and condoms for me. Check.

I got my first blood test and pregnancy test to prove I am in good condition to start the drug. Blood tests are not exactly my bag (Read: I freak out and faint every time), but it was a necessary evil. My results were good and I was approved. Check.

After a few phone calls with the call-in pharmacy and listening to a long list of warnings and instructions, I finally get my prescription filled and it arrives in the mail within a day. I have never been so apprehensive but excited to start a medication than now. When it arrives, it comes with a flyer for an app(?!) called Promius Promise that I can install on my iPhone with a couple of 1-800 numbers to call with questions or concerns about side effects. It’s like a counseling service on my phone. This drug is not messing around.

Day 1

Game On! I thought I felt a little nauseous and had a slight stomach ache, but I wonder if I wasn’t just doing a number on myself after reading blog after blog of possible side effects. I made sure to take my 30mg dose with food a a full glass of water.

Day 2

My eyes felt irritated in the morning and I purchased Visine Clear Eye eye drops that night to combat any kind of eye irritation and dryness.

Day 3

I am noticing the beginning stages of my skin peeling and sloughing off. I felt a few pangs of itchy skin and my hands were rashy in the morning. I made sure to apply Vaseline lip therapy throughout the day as well as hand lotion. My feet also felt a little rashy and dry. I wonder if I’m not just doing a number on myself mentally after reading all of the side effects, but it’s still early on, so who knows.

The hand cream that I have been digging lately is the Tokyo Milk hand cream in “French Kiss”. It smells heavenly, and I feel like I’m living on of those picture-perfect lives straight out of an Anthropologie catalogue. I also keep L’Occitane hand cream in my purse for when I’m out.

While I wait for this product to do its thing, I am still dependent on my foundation and concealer. I have also been told by aestheticians that I need to start wearing mineral-based makeup, so I invested in some Bare Minerals powder and Physician’s Formula Mineral Wear®Talc-Free All-in-1 ABC Cushion Foundation SPF 50. These are the two products I’m using to cover up my compromised complexion:

I am scared to be on this drug, but with all of the steps I’m taking to monitor the side effects, I am optimistic about the course of treatment. Progress pictures coming soon! I hope this blog will be helpful for those who are thinking about taking it or are already on it. Thanks for reading!