**Groundhogs Accutane Log**

Groundhog2109 · 02-25-2009, 06:49 PM

so I know some miscers are either taking this or are curious about Accutane so Im going to document my 5-6 month experience with it. Im starting tomorrow.

unlike a lot of people on this, my acne isnt really that bad, I just get pimples from time to time. Im taking it more so because Im already 21 but still get breakouts, dr. recommended it because he wants to make sure I dont get any scarring down the road. for personal reasons, I unfortunately won't be posting any pictures, cuz I like to keep my anonymity across the boards in net forums.

ill give a day by day update, just things like how my skin is, any side effects I feel, and am definitely open to answering any questions. this is meant to be a helpful guide for anyone out there who is ever thinking about taking this.

first update comes tomorrow! im anxious but also excited..

Groundhog2109 · 02-25-2009, 08:20 PM

Day 1
Just took my first pill. Already have my lotion and tons of chapstick ready...heard this stuff really dries the body out. Sucks that I gotta stay outta the sun for the next 5 months, come to think about it, I prolly should have taken this a couple months ago before winter set in hahaha..watever

Here goes nothing...

Beast2Be · 02-25-2009, 08:24 PM

I'd start taking a joint support if I were you, such as Animal Flex. My joints took a heavy beating on Accutane and are still fcked to this day

laxster · 02-25-2009, 08:25 PM

make sure you have a pct

Groundhog2109 · 02-25-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beast2Be

I'd start taking a joint support if I were you, such as Animal Flex. My joints took a heavy beating on Accutane and are still fcked to this day

Im currently taking fish oil so I heard that helps cancel out any joint side effects...how did it work out for u?

Quote:

Originally Posted by linebacker123

make sure you have a pct

what is a pct?

TheDude88 · 02-25-2009, 08:31 PM

gl brah. long journey but worth it

Groundhog2109 · 02-25-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDude88

gl brah. long journey but worth it

thanks brah...you finish the whole 6 months? how did it work out for u?

jacko16 · 02-25-2009, 08:41 PM

I'm doing 20mg for 4 months (this is my 2nd cycle of it, did first cycle 2 years ago)...It will be my 4th month in 20 days...Right now i have a few spots left, but my skin is so damn dry along with chapped lips...and upper arms are very dry...I decided to start mine in October due to me being off it by summer time.

Groundhog2109 · 02-25-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacko16

I'm doing 20mg for 4 months (this is my 2nd cycle of it, did first cycle 2 years ago)...It will be my 4th month in 20 days...Right now i have a few spots left, but my skin is so damn dry along with chapped lips...and upper arms are very dry...I decided to start mine in October due to me being off it by summer time.

haha yah I heard about the dry skin and chapped lips...I am prepared...I figure I could wait til after summer but lifes too short, might as well jsut get it over with

Groundhog2109 · 02-26-2009, 06:00 PM

Day 2

been one day since I started. haven't noticed any changes. for some reason, didn't sleep that well last night but I doubt its because of the medication. skin feels normal today, not really any drier than it usually is but then again I just started, will expect more dryness coming. no real symptoms/changes.

Kharig · 02-26-2009, 06:03 PM

before/after pics plz

lprun · 02-26-2009, 06:08 PM

I recommend aquaphor for you lips. It's amazing. My derm gave me free samples every visit. Good luck!

Groundhog2109 · 02-26-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kharig

before/after pics plz

read my first post. plus Im on day 2...

Quote:

Originally Posted by lprun

I recommend aquaphor for you lips. It's amazing. My derm gave me free samples every visit. Good luck!

thanks, my derm prescribed this other one, but Ill also look into the aquaphor.

snakeboots · 02-26-2009, 06:13 PM

you wont notice dryness until like day 5 or 6 depending on the dosage

Groundhog2109 · 02-26-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snakeboots

you wont notice dryness until like day 5 or 6 depending on the dosage

i c u r 17, are you on it currently or have u already finished a cycle? how did it work out for you?

how dry do you get? I usually only moisturize once a day after I shower...do you need to moisturize several times throughout the day once the dryness sets in?

Groundhog2109 · 02-28-2009, 07:51 AM

Day 3
dryness starting to set in a bit. after washing face, noticed that skin felt a bit dryer than usual, but still nothing out of the ordinary. had a couple tiny pimples here and there, but I attribute it more towards my lack of sleep and stress from work this week.

irata · 02-28-2009, 08:16 AM

why are you taking this medication for symptomtic breakouts? Do you experience scarring? This drug is usually reserved for more severe cases like cystic and other scarring acne. the risks dont outweigh the benefits for the purpose youre taking it seems. no hate here, it just seems like a weak prognosis for that purpose by your doc.

Groundhog2109 · 03-01-2009, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irata

why are you taking this medication for symptomtic breakouts? Do you experience scarring? This drug is usually reserved for more severe cases like cystic and other scarring acne. the risks dont outweigh the benefits for the purpose youre taking it seems. no hate here, it just seems like a weak prognosis for that purpose by your doc.

no scarring but I sometimes do get pimples that are slightly larger which I think the dr calls cystic. Thats the reason he has me on this because he doesnt ever want it to progress t anything that might lead to scarring,

Day 4
No real change in attitude or side effects from the medicine. Skin still feels fine, altho a bit dry this morning but thats mostly from drinking last night. Still not visible change in skin complexion. No new breakouts.

Groundhog2109 · 03-01-2009, 07:35 PM

Day 5
still no visible effects. no real dryness but then again some guy on this forum said that the dryness usually starts from day 5-6 so Im anticipating its gonna start coming. then again, Ive been moisturizing regularly after showers so it wont be any change/inconvenience.

read a thread that says sitting in sauna and sweating out toxins can help with skin as well so Im gonna try to do that tomorrow and see how I feel.

no other noticeable side effects.

Groundhog2109 · 03-02-2009, 08:00 PM

Day 6

Dam its freaking cold today. Was like 10 degrees outside with the wind howling. I blame my dry skin today partially on that. Face was pretty dry and so were lips. Cant really tell if its from the accutane or if its just REALLY cold and dry outside but prlly both.

Groundhog2109 · 03-04-2009, 07:44 AM

Day 7

Definitely feeling more dryness in the face and lips now. Need to constantly reapply chapstick to keep them moist. Skin is starting to look clearer which is good! No other side effects.

Groundhog2109 · 03-05-2009, 06:36 AM

Week 1

Dryness set in at day 5 and 6. Definitely need to moisturize face and lips. Body I do moisturize after daily shower but not really affected by any dryness there. Face still has occasional breakout, but overall skin tone and complexion is looking brighter and clearer. No side effects, no joint pain, no change in moods.

Hopefully once my work schedule gets a lot better next week, skin will clear up even more. Been averaging about 4-5 hours of sleep a night just because I'm working 13-14 hour days - real busy lately.

Will go ahead with 1 weekly update in the future as day to day there is not much new haha. Stay tuned.

McFarr · 03-08-2009, 05:37 PM

hey groundhog, Im on day 21 of Accutane bro, first cycle here, and my skin is a bit like yours, I dont have the severe acne people usually have before accutane, but I have persistent basically uncurable annoying whiteheads and such that even antibiotics arent doin jack for. Normally my skin is very oily so i wonder how bad my skin is gonna dry up, but so far, its drier and im noticing some flaking here and there. Lips gettin chapped a little. I am noticing a slight change in mood though, its easier to take things the wrong way when talking to people...oh btw im on 40 mg right now. keep up the log, man!

Groundhog2109 · 03-10-2009, 08:43 PM

Week 2

overall facial complexion looks A LOT better...skin definitely glows a lot more and overall looks healthier and more vibrant (no homo)

no new pimples in a couple of days even despite my awful sleeping schedule, which is great because I used to get breakouts if I didnt sleep well.

facial and body dryness hasnt been so much of an issue since the weather has warmed up a lot. my LIPS tho, omfg so dry all the time. I constantly have to reapply chapstick. I think my current one sucks so Im gonna look at picking up aquaphor per a lot of suggestions.

no mood changes, no joint pains, no headaches, so far no negative side effects.

alphamate · 11-03-2009, 10:58 AM

and now ?

GabrielNovar · 11-03-2009, 11:00 AM

LOL no way you saw any effect after a week..

Its all mental.