Week Seven
Day Forty Three – Monday 15th April 2013
I had my check-up appointment at 8.50am this morning – mission accomplished and successful! It was a very quick chat with my dermatologist, I was happy, he was happy and so he has given me a prescription for another 10 weeks supply of Isotretinoin. It was that simple because everything is going so well. He told me he would see me again at the end of my 16 weeks when one of two things will happen: Either I will have been clear of spots for at least a month which means I can stop taking the Roaccutane and enjoy the rest of my spot free life, or if I haven’t been clear for at least a month then I will need to continue the treatment for a bit longer. He said that the chances are my skin will then be clear for the rest of my life but if in the unlikely event that my acne returns then there is more he can do. Hopefully I won’t be finding out what that is!
Day Forty Four – Tuesday 16th April 2013
My lips are very dry at the moment, they are sore and splitting in both corners. The crease around my nose / nostril has split and feels sore too. Extra Vaseline required! I have felt extra aches and pains in my shoulders and back this week but cannot decide if I should blame the Roaccutane or not?!
Day Forty Five – Wednesday 17th April 2013
It’s the first day of my monthly cycle and I didn’t get the usual break out of spots in the few days leading up to it which I normally would. Result!! Although, today I can feel some spots under the surface of my skin, to the right side of my chin.
Day Forty Six – Thursday 18th April 2013
New side effect alert: I woke this morning feeling very tired. That’s normal tiredness, nothing relating to the Roaccutane. I can blame the medication for a lot of things but not everything 🙂 The strange part was that my eyes felt different when I woke up, they felt extremely tired, it was like I was struggling to wake up properly. They were a bit red, very uncomfortable and watering quite a lot. After half an hour I decided that it was actually a side effect of the Isotretinoin and what I was feeling was due to dryness. Out came the eye drops that I had bought ‘just in case’ six weeks ago! Bliss, what a relief!
Day Forty Seven – Friday 19th April 2013
Aaaaarggh, today I have a new break – out, my spots are back! Those that I could feel under my skin on Wednesday have come out to play. No need to panic, my ‘spot-busters’ are on the case and will soon have them sorted!
I have been using the eye drops today, my eyes have been dry and uncomfortable.
Day Forty Eight – Saturday 20th April 2013
I have slipped on my healthy eating plan, and I have been eating lots of things I shouldn’t all week! I must get back to watching my cholesterol again! My blood test is booked for the end of next week.
I am trying really hard to stay positive but I have to admit that this has been my worst week so far. I haven’t felt so good about myself the last few days and the side effects have gotten to me a bit, probably enough that I have eaten the things that maybe I shouldn’t to try and make myself feel a bit better. I have been very tearful today for no apparent reason. I can only think that it is the accumulation of all the side effects getting to me at once for a few days, like the break out, the tiredness, the extra dry lips, the very dry eyes and the unexpected aching in my bones. I am sure this is just a short term phase and hope to feel back to normal soon.
Day Forty Nine – Sunday 21st April 2013
I’m feeling much better in myself today already, thanks to my lovely boyfriend and a bit of gardening therapy! All the same side effects continuing; dry crustiness in my ears, very dry cracked and sore lips, dry and sore skin on my face and neck. My lips are very sore, they hurt and feel sun burnt. I have also been really tired this week, even when I wake up which is annoying as I am normally a wide awake girl!
I still had the pain in my joints when I woke up, this is frustrating because I haven’t done anything but it feels like I have. It’s the London Marathon today and I feel like I ran it yesterday! (Don’t get me wrong I couldn’t run 26 yards let alone 26 miles! ) I would like to make a very special mention to my sister in law who has run the marathon today in 4 h 15 mins. She is amazing and we are very proud of her! Well done Lisa x
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Thanks so much for your blog it is providing lots of help to me as a newbie to the roccutaine. What can you recommend to put on spots that do appear? I’ve been using tea tree oil but it doesn’t seem to be doing a lot. Thanks
Hey Lucy, You’re very welcome and I’m glad you got in touch. Support was what got me through my Roaccutane journey! I don’t remember using anything on my spots, I left the Roaccutane to do it’s job. It was tough but I remained in the positive thought that this was the last time I had to suffer and it would be worth it. The only thing I did use was Hydromol to moisturise against the severe dryness – my dermatologist recommended it from day 1, said I would need it, and it was a great relief as the dryness was horrible and uncomfortable. I hope all goes well for you and I’m happy if you want to keep in touch. Andrea x