Accutane Nails

My nails are weak from the accutane, since what is now at the tips of my nails was created while on accutane. They keep breaking and peeling back. Its kinda a pain.

My skin is still looking good.

I'm still not convinced that I won't get acne again, but I am really enjoying this time without it.

I am going to look into microderm abrasion or some other therapy for some of my scaring.

But...

I really need to get back into shape.

The accutane was basically disabling physically as well, and so is my summer job. Lifted wieghts for the first time at home yesterday, and not much, but I feel it....

It will still be a while before I feel totally recovered- mind, body, and skin.

So Far So Good

So far the accutane is still working.

For review:

• The accutane made me more crazy then I appreciated while on it. Only from the perspective of sanity can I see ho bad it was.
• I still think of myself as having acne, but I am surprised when I look in the mirror.
• I've been doing pretty good at not picking, but not perfect.
• I've had the smallest white heads, about 3, and about 3 blackheads. But its hot here and I have a stressful job.
• I don't moisturize per the advise of my dermatologist who says people are over moisturizing. Moisturize when you are dry, thats it.
• I use a medicated cleanser I bought from the dermatologist.
• I use a great sunscreen I bougth from the dermatologist.

Two Weeks After

Its been two weeks since I threw away my last 3 accutane pills. And since I was in the desert and suffering from crazy eczema, and hiking in the desert drinking a gallon plus of water a day, I didn't feel bad skipping out on a day and half of accutane.

Things are going well. My energy is good. My skin is good. Joints are getting better. Brain is still improving.

Most importantly, occasionally I am thinking of myself as someone who doesn't get acne. Having acne was such a constant thing, then all the acne medications were something that needed my attention, now occasionally, I think/worry about my skin, but then I don't need to. So much will be freed up if this treatment continues to work.

The dermatologist gave me some cleanser and told me not to moisturize my face unless its dry. He said there's too much moisturizing going on under false information, and that this topic should be on Oprah. So I'm cleaning my face really for the first time in 6mo. I used to just use a wash cloth to get all the dead skin off.

My desert eczema is clearing up since we go back from the southwest. I was diagnosed with Polymorphous Light Eruption. This is the most fun to say ailment I've ever been diagnosed with. Say it out loud. You'll enjoy it. Basically, I'm allergic to the sun. Ha!

Ok so i am in

Ok so i am in utah. Its like 100 degrees everyday and super dry. I have some rash on my arms. I threw away my last 3.
-Renee

35 days left-blood test-absorption

I went for my blood test at the end of my 5th month today. I am going to take an additional month of accutane, 6 months total. I feel pretty down in the dumps about it. Although I know its what I should do since I've continued to get some cysts, but I'm not optimistic that this additional month will cure me so that I don't need a second treatment. I guess I just hope that it delays a second treatment.

For the past couple weeks, I've been taking my accutane with oil, which helps with its absorption, which I just learned. I am having a resurgence of side effects. I feel so tired, achy, and kinda down in the dumps. I am going to take a nap today, which I haven't needed for over a month.

Looking back on my treatment, this has been really hard. I think while it was happening, I didn't really appreciate how bad it was making me feel, especially emotionally. Looking back at the winter, I'm surprised it went as well as it did. I guess I'm lucky.

It feels really hard to generate the energy and motivation to get through this last month.

Pimple and Cyst- mid month 5

Why am I still getting stuff???!!!!

I got one pimple/blackhead thing on my temple today. One pimple on my scalp yesterday. And a small cyst is living in my cheek for the past few days.

Why is this happening on the accutane?

Was it the pizza from this weekend? Why am I so stuck on this dairy and acne relationship?

On the plus side most of my bad side effects are gone. I don't feel 100% physically, but I am feeling so much better!