Let this be a Lesson to Y'all --- Incorrect Accutane Usage

[Guest guest]

I came across this post a while back on some random acne site. It is

a classic case of the incorrect way to use Accutane. By using too

much and causing chronic flushing, it will lead to development of

rosacea. 10 mg/day, maybe 20 mg if you need it, but never more!

No one in this group should binge on Accutane this way. Never, do

not accept it from your doctor as he is most likely acting under the

influence of managed care.

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Mike's Experience

Well here is my personal experience as of 10/8/98. Well it isn't easy

to say where to start but ill go back to the age of 17. I'm 20 now!

Very minor skin then in new jersey, where id been my whole life. Went

to quickly on tetracycline, not knowing of sun sensitivity side

effect. Also used benzamycin but problem was so minor that I don't

even think I used it daily. Same story for my 18th year, no

complaints. Went off to University of Mass. near Boston. stress

increased and acne was still so mild and moderate, average. not

noticeably bad at all and no irritation. Here is where the change

occurs. Turned 19 and decided to follow parents to Arizona, as they

wanted to retire here and id transfer to the University of Arizona.

in state tuition! well this played tricks with my body and the new,

odd climate. My skin broke out from the dryness, dust, sand, heat,

and sun at all times. Lots of small, tiny pimples all over, scrubbing

made it worse. got very red and irritated and painful. overwashing

made it worse. my skin went from dry in the east to very oily in the

west. well I managed through embarrassment as I was always the center

of attention to dodge everyone until semesters end. Came home to see

if it would tone down. Did not! was red and oily and broken out bad

from march of '98 to October '98. Went to all doctors in Arizona,

given all topical creams and gels,a dn antibiotics. minocin, ery tab,

cleocin t, akne mycin, erythromycin,.. I was fed up with short term

progress. I even went to Boston and the best derms, at mass general

hospital for answers. they called it seborrheic dermatitis, maybe

rosacea. to be honest no one knew. many blood tests for lupus or

something. every blood test showed some new reading. I knew I felt

great but looked bad, solely from acne and pimples. I wanted Accutane

and now! I researched it and learned about it and no one zoned it out

but they wanted me patient, I felt like it was me against the world.

I refused to accept scarring or anything. I had withdrawn from u of

Arizona to heal, as I couldn't accept going back and going through

hiding in the cave again. I got my parents to side with me and give

me total support. Decided to do my course now for 5 months and then

go back to University of Mass. in the spring semester so I am home ,

out of the Arizona sun at all times to heal fully. I'm doing what it

takes and good luck, email me with questions or concerns and follow

my progress. My prayers are with you as I hope yours are with me too.

Bye

Week 1: started on 80 mg a day (weigh 190). felt all side effects,

dry skin, mouth, nose, eyes.

Week 2: acne seemed to worsen, all came to surface; dry eyes and

watery at times, lips controlled with carmex, red with moisturel.

Week 3: Acne began to show improvements, stopped moisturel, used

vaseline on lips and perfect, neosporin in nose, slight pain in head

and body

Week 4: Cause for concern! got dizzy. doctor lowered dosage to 40 one

day and 60 mg the other. body feels much better! used vanicream for

moisture, got red, very. stopped use. use very than free and clear

shampoo. off of all topicals, much less red, skin is much more

smooth, shirsty and hungry, weight is still 191. no complaints. blood

work came back better prior to accutane.

Week 5: Hernia diagnosed for surgery; less red; oily at times but

very under control; skin is much more smooth but still very peely;

high blood pressure seen many times reverently; no pain in face

anymore; less depressed; doing its thing, no real complaints!

Week 6: Very red, still on 40 mgs, dry, flaky skin have the Accutane

look big time, cant hide it! lots of blood work being done for other

things Accutane blood work OK but not great! lips fine skin still

very smooth, no new break outs but no real improvement from last.

Week 7: fully red on face, derm. moved dosage back up to 80 mgs.. dry

skin peeling all over, bad on nose, no oil secretion at all.. bad

look to those on the outside, using no moisturizer still lips OK and

eyes OK, nose drier (use neosporin twice a week), skin smooth did

lots of bloos work on adrenal gland and cortisol levels. hernia

surgery soon, worried about a scar down there!! worried about red

face!

Week 8: OK with 80 mg this week. tomato red on face still, maybe

pinkish, and lighter on forehead in spots dryness is peely and flaky

and obvious but not so bad lips are fine with Vaseline, Neosporin in

nose once or twice this week, no bleeding ever liver enzymes have

been higher (83) other tests came back fine, blood pressure

decreasing gradually hernia surgery scheduled for a week from

tomorrow lots of joint pain with work outs, will have to take days

off am used to it and not depressed anymore skin smooth still, no new

pimples, redness bothers me!! Parents made appointment for

psychiatrist for me to talk with.

Week 9: Tomato red tint on face only all other redness from chest and

shoulders is gone! very dry and flaky on face, still use nothing

topically had my 1st nose bleed (very minor), went away with

neosporin ointment eyes dry and so are lips, drink 2 gallons a day

(feel like i live by the toilet bowl) surgery on double hernia

tomorrow!! worried of anisthesia with accutane liver function test is

higher with higher dosage they want to monitor this closely skin

still smooth, no break outs, face seems thinner weight is still fine

and going up(196+) cant lie, would give anything to see non oily and

non red(not broken out) skin all at one time, maybe after week 20!!

Week 10: hernia surgery was done and im healing well!! missed a few

doses, but caught up ok very dry skin, very flaky, no oil at all, no

pores even visible.. not red, but very rosy or pink color to all of

face(the accutane look), and bothers me.. looks like ill go strong

and finish after week 16 nothing else has changed, am worried of

stopping early for oil to return but want redness and side effects to

go away before college jan.26th!!

Week 11: blood test came back better than last one switching between

80 and 100 mg per day to finish last month decided on 16 weeks total

being that i am acne free very RED in face still, just face now am

very concerned of redness and wondering why it is there and when it

will go away, derms dont know anything about it still side effects

are bareable, very depressed, hate going out stay home all day, even

though i have no pimples hate my ruddy look!!!!!! cant blame it on

accutane though cause i was red for 6 months before accutane, it

might be cause i have fair skin that is dried out(type 1 skin)

help......

Week 12: clear skin.. no oils RED face, ruddy color still dry, and

flaky skin no more dry nose, dry lips and eyes though a few head

aches, still drinking lots on my way to last dosage on new years

eve!! very concerned about only visible side effect, red face!

Week 13: well my last day( new years eve) is inching soo close now!!

still only prob is RED FACE dry and flaky face, itchy few mild

headaches i heard the redness will go away anywhere from within the

month i stop to three months from then either way, thats a deal, just

go away!!!!! if it does, accutane was so worth it, no other

complaints!! so happy to see my last refill dwindling away.

Week 14: red and dry, cracking face teeth work done killed my face,

soo dry and caused some bad cold sores on lips i have to postpone the

rest of my dental work til after im done next week, til the dry skin

and red face subsides, maybe right after new years...all else is

fine, no fatigue, working out twice a day, feel greatnot depressed

anymorevery nervous about going back to umass especially if i have to

look so ruddy red and flaky dry in the face that would be bad,

started on vit.E pills orally(600iu's/day) the redness will go away

done christmas eve!! good luck

June 1, 1999: Hello. Well as you know ive been around for a while..

Ive been going to doctors and doctors for my facial redness that ive

had for over a year now. Well, they seem to have diagnosed me with

ROSACEA!!! familiar with this? well I am and actually im having a

tough time accepting this fate.. Cause i modeled at the gap last

year, was very popular at 2 major universities, played with varsityy

basketball teams, very sociable. This changes everything, but Im

learning to handle it now, it could have been worse, im still lucky

as i see it. I was checked for everything, lupus's, mastocytosis,

carcinoids, tumors on the kidneys, brain tumors, and much, much more,

some things some doctors have never even heard of. but it turns out i

was misdiagnosed by the Mayo Clinic from the start, so we didnt need

to go through months and months of stress, depression(which by the

way i go to a psychologist now and am on PROZAC too) We may even go

to lawyers to sew, but you cant live in the past, must see how to

make future days better than today.. I mean its seems to just be a

SKIN CONDITION, so lets put things in perspective. Im not dying, many

people are, so what, i cant go to HOLLYwood now with lots of

confidence or maybe pursue modeling.. maybe I can, it remains to be

seen how controlled this condition will get for me, i mean im only

going to be 21 on May 7th.. so its not like i spent 10 years

untreating this, im using metrocream now, so im treating the redness,

i have no pimples of rosacea though, yes..

Well thought id fill you in. Life has been hectic but im taking the

measures to get this under " control " and who knows what lies ahead of

me. I mean millions have this and they live ok im sure.. as you know

its tough, especially t such a yung age where looks are critical...

Ill be amture enough to geta grasp on this and fight hard, be

persistent, maybe a cure will come out. Id like to stay in touch, ask

me anything,ill try to respond.. stay well and things always get

better, they must!! remember that

Always,

Mike Lester