Day 5

Today is day 5 and I am definitely noticing some side effects. I am just going to give a quick list of my side effects  below and update more later on day 7.

*Heartburn-  I have noticed this strange heartburn or a strange acid feeling in my stomach/ chest and its almost non-stop. It is not enough to slow me down, but it surely does aggravate me.

*Nausea- I notice just slight nausea and it comes and goes. I notice it more when I am laying down.

     Fatigue- This happens almost within the hour after taking the medication. I usually take a nap but wake up still feeling very sleepy.

Chap lips-  This seems to be a complaint from everyone, the lips become dry and chapped.

Moody- My moods been very cranky I am very snappy and easily annoyed and this is very much out of character for me. (I am also under a lot of stress right now though).

The only thing I have not noticed is my skin clearing up. I have however noticed a small breakout around my nose and that is odd because my nose happened to be the one place I never really broke out.

Day 1

Today is day 1, and it is about time. Day one is the most confusing day of all so far due to not really being sure of what is going on. First I checked my ipledge account and had to answer a series of questions, including a mini quiz on Accutane. The question are incredibly stupid, and everything your Doctor talked to you about the first day you made the Accutane choice. After that I received a call from my Doctor saying my blood work all came back normal and my prescription will be called into my pharmacy of choice within the hour. I have been waiting so long I almost thought that the prescription still would not be ready for a few more days. To my surprise within the hour my prescription was ready to be picked up. I first ate a slice piece of whole wheat bread with peanut butter. I chose peanut butter because Accutane is fat soluble
(soluble in nonpolar substances, such as ether, chloroform, and oils. Fat-soluble compounds are often insoluble in water) peanut butter is a great nutritional fat and would better help the Accutane in my system. Almost imediataely after taking my first pill I was sleeping like a baby. This happens to be a side effect, but lets face it I am also on spring break so sleeping was in my near future and I might have been searching for an excuse. I did have a slight headache that has not really gone away yet, but again I am not really sure I could just be making myself notice side effects. I will check back in a few days and give a fill in on how I am feeling. Till then Cheers to hopefully clear skin in my future.

So Close but So Far

Today I got my blood work done, this is a sure sign I am close to starting Accutane. This is the last leg before that actually prescription is written. This is also considered my second pregnancy test. The blood work should be back to my doctor within 24 to 48 hours. Now with that said this is a Thursday, and that means I most likely will not hear anything further until the weekend is over. I am so close to starting but yet I am so far away. The excitement and nervousness is killing me, and I cannot wait to just start already. I am not sure what happens next or even how I know my script is ready for pick up, but as soon as I know more I will post the details. This has been the longest 30 days of my entire life just waiting around until the next doctors appointment. I will say people around me have noticed my skin clearing up (or so they say). I have not noticed but most likely this is just the birth control. Trust me my acne is still there on my face, just waiting to torture me when I look in the mirror.

Officially Ipledge Registered

Today I got my letter in the mail that has my Ipledge password and account number on it. This means I am officially registered with Ipledge. The Ipledge system is a program the government put in place for the prevention of pregnancy while on Accutane. Accutane is known to cause birth defects so it is very important that you do not get pregnant while using Accutane. Ipledge is a way of having control over woman getting pregnant, it requires two forms of birth control. My two selected birth control options are the pill and make latex condoms. Most dermatologist will not even consider prescribing you Accutane unless you are on the pill, abstinence is not an accepted form of birth control for them. On top of using the two forms of birth control you are also required to have a pregnancy test every month before you can refill your prescription.Your doctor must summit your result into the Ipledge system. After you have taken your pregnancy test and been submitted into the system you have exactly 7 days to pick up your prescription before you are booted from the system and have to start all over again with the process. Only doctors and pharmacies that are registered with Ipledge can prescribe or fill the prescriptions. So my official date for my next pregnancy test and the start of my Accutane is now March 3rd.

Starting Process

The starting process for Accutane is kind of a long one. I first had to find a Dermatologist that would prescribe Accutane because not all of them will due to the amount of paper work involved. When I went to see my Dermatologist I took a bag full of my previous prescriptions, and a note from my previous Dermatologist (she sent me to another Dermatologist because she did not prescribe Accutane). Most if not all people will  have to have already been prescribed prescription acne medication before Accutane will be considered.  I had to plead my case to this Dermatologist to even be prescribe Accutane because of all issues surrounding this product. After my new Dermatologist approved me for Accutane I had to basically sign my life away, and sit through a 30 minute lecture on the possible side effects of Accutane. Before you can begin Accutane you have to be registered with Ipledge for 30 days, have 2 pregnancy test, and be on birth control for 30 days, and have your blood work done. I am currently on the 30 Ipledge wait at the moment, but I am counting down the days till the process begins. I recently started my birth control which in the past caused me to have more skin issues and this makes me pretty nervous. After you begin the Accutane process you have to have monthly blood work and pregnancy test before you can pick up your prescription. I will update weekly once I am actually on the Accutane but for now here is what i am starting with. I only have acne on my cheeks, but it is enough to drive me completely insane. Here is to the start of the Accutane process, and hopefully happy clear days to come.

About Me and This Blog

 About Me and This Blog

 My name is Danielle and I am 25 years old. I have been dealing with acne for about 4 years now possibly longer. I have literally tried everything possible to get clear skin. If someone told me to run around the world once naked with a munchkin on my back to cure my acne, I would probably do it. I recently was Accutane approved and I wanted to share the Accutane process with others. I decided the best place to do it would be with a blog. I will upload pictures (and trust me that is hard for me) and record progress with weekly updates. I will include all the negatives I experience, and positives. Accutane has been shown in such a negative light, but my Dermatologist seems hopeful this is the cure for me.  I would like anyone who is experiencing acne to know I understand what you are going through. I have never been so sad in my life with how I look. Every time I look in the mirror I wish I was someone else. Every time a person feels the need to come talk to me about my skin with there crappy opinions I want to scream and hide. Every time I see a pretty girl with perfect skin I cannot help but think she is looking at the hideous monster I have grown to be with all this acne. I appreciate all comments but please remember I am going through this and it is hard.