My Accutane Report (10th month)

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Dear Group,

I am posting my results with accutane after many ups and downs. As you

know, I have mild stage rhinophyma characterized by swelling and growth

of the nose. I do not have bumps or papules. My nose and cheeks do get

red on occasion, but I do not have permanent redness.

I am finally beginning to see progress again after many months of no

improvment. I am now taking 15mg of accutane per day. I also take

zyrtec, erythromycin, pycnogenol, and Advil to reduce swelling. I am

planning to reduce my dosage to 10mg per day over the next few months.

My goal is to maintain on 5 mg per day.

I have experienced no major side effects except moderate hair loss,

which my derms says will grow back and is already starting to grow back

in part.

I am also doing V-Beam in conjunction with accutane on a bi-monthly

basis and it is helping as well. My derm says it is perfectly safe to

do V-Beam and low-dose accutane at the same time. She even cranked up

the intensity a bit the last time and the end result is I have less

swelling.

For those of you with rhinophyma, I think accutane and laser are the way

to go. ly, I don't know what I will do if the FDA bans this drug

(which I don't think is likely given its miraculous cure rate for acne),

but I will buy overseas if necessary. Yes, the drugs has side effects,

but these are worth risking for those of us fighting disfigurement.

Good luck to all of you,

Heidi

My nose is beginning to look more " normal " on a day to day basis,

although I still swell to heat, cold, wind, humidity and even mild

physical exertion.