La and Al's Accutane Support Group

[allibear]

Hey everyone! I don't have much to report today. My skin isn't dry yet, and my headaches haven't come back. I'm doing very well so far, and I pray I will continue to do so. I love you all!

Keep those posts coming!

Hey La! Where have you been? I missed your post today. I hope all is well for you. Love you bunches!

[HappyOdyssey]

Originally Posted by allibear

Alex, it is such a pleasure to welcome you aboard our support group! I hope we can be of help to you and offer some much needed comfort. About your hair loss fear, the above paragraph may offer you some products that could help you. If you do a search on the internet for like protein shampoo or conditioner, I'm sure you would get ample amount of results. Some shampoos and conditioners are specifically geared towards preventing hairloss or actually regrowing the hair. While these are mainly for our precious aging population, I'm sure these could suit your young life. Also, if you can get your hands on a vitamin called Biotin, then begin taking these as well. They make hair healthier and are quite accessible at your local Wal*Mart, or the equivalent in Europe. I wish I could help soothe your tender scalp. I'm not entirely sure what that could be. Did it begin soon after starting Accutane? I'm hoping another kind member of these boards will offer more advice to you. Let me know if it continues and I will research it to find possible causes.

The tender scalp began about 8 days into my treatment. I had a friend have a look at it today and she confirmed that it was pretty inflamed towards the back of the scalp. Perhaps it's an infection and is merely a coincidence, but it's certainly odd. I'll give it a week and see what the situation is then, after that it'll be a trip to the Derm once again to perhaps get something to help.

Thanks for all the advice, very much appreciated. On the subject of Biotin, I started taking that the day I started Accutane, so I've got that one covered.

Thanks again!

[allibear]

Hello Alex!!! I may have some comforting news for you! I did a little research, and this is my conclusion - take it for what it's worth. I think it makes a little bit of sense. Ok, when a person begins Accutane, this powerful drug goes to work right away! One of the big effects it causes is definitely dryness. Dryness is closely associated with dandruff. Dandruff can in many cases cause the signs you write about. One factor that aggrivates dandruff is COLD, DRY weather. Not only are you, Alex, experiencing the dryness from your Accutane, but also the weather right now is adding to the drying effects by it being cold! These two factors may be escalating your already sensitive scalp. Did you follow all that? I hope so. Now continue to follow for just a minute. The reason I believe some people have hairloss on Accutane boils down to the dryness issue. In my research, I've discovered that this dry scalp leads to hairloss. It makes sense to me. My recommendation is to use 1% Nizoral Anti-Dandruff shampoo. This should soothe your scalp. Also, grab some Tea Tree Oil to rub onto your scalp. This may do more for it than even the shampoo. Lastly, grab some vitamin E gel caps. They are natural moisturizers and will work from the inside, out to compliment the effects of the shampoo and tea tree oil. Use the shampoo as directed on the bottle, then when you get out of the shower, rub a small amount of tea tree oil onto the infected area. Take 400 IU of Vitamin E three times a day. If you don't notice any improvement over the span of a week, then do see your dermatologist. I hope this helps you! Let us know your progress and if you have any other questions/concerns. It has been a pleasure! God bless!

My update: I took my fifth 40 mg pill today. My skin actually looks a little better, but I'm still waiting on the big breakout. Maybe it won't come. My skin has a mind of its own. I'm not even dry or experiencing any side effects thus far. I'm still praying!

[lala887]

Hey Al! Goodness..it feels like a long time since I've been able to get on here and give my updates. With basketball and then coming down to see you and everyone else in Jasper, I've had no time. But I had an awesome time at Opryland and gettin' to see you!! Love you Al!

Since I wasn't able to have my humidifier while i was out of town, I experienced more dryness than normal and had to moisturize my face three times, before it was somewhat free of dryness. Al, do you think that my face is still dry after moisturizing just because it's so cold outside and I'm on Accutane...or my moisturizer isn't strong enough? I'm using Dove Day Time Moisturizer...but if you aren't dry on your face at all, than maybe I should switch to the Cetaphil.

I've almost come to the point where I can't go anywhere without some sort of lip moisturizer/chap stick. I've been lathering up all day, but haven't quite gotten to the point where my lips are severely chapped and peeling masively. ugh...no fun. I bought some aquaphor,but I can't seem to find it, so I'll probably have to go back to Walgreens and get some more.

Also, I just checked and I've been on my Accutane for a week and 2 days, and surprising, my face appears to be reducing the amount of zits, instead of increasing. I know that the zits start popping up at an unbelievable pace between 2 and 3 weeks, but I'm hoping that since I am on my 2nd round of Accutane that the huge amount of zits that are expected to pop up isn't as big as I experienced during my 1st round of the medicine.

As my process of my 2nd round of Accutane continues, I remember all of the side effects that I experienced during my 1st round of Accutane. After several months, I remember having blotches/scabs on my arms because my skin was so dry and ,therefore, I had to moisturize constantly. However, during this round, my elbows seems relatively dry compared to how they normally are. I don't remember my elbows ever being dry during my 1st round. I'm also hoping that knowing that fatty foods helps Accutane work better will help my 2nd round be more successful than the 1st.

I just pray that this round will be successful and the LAST time I'll ever have to use Accutane or any other acne treatment. I constantly have to tell myself that I would rather be miserable with acne for five months, than miserable with acne for the rest of my life. It'll all be over soon!!

[allibear]

Hey La and all!!!! La, you know I was so tired when we got back, that I forgot to tell you bye! I was so out of it that I just jumped in my car. I'm so sorry.

Anyway, my skin seems to be doing better since starting the Accutane, but after I read your last post, La, I'm a little cautious. I saw that I'm supposed to begin breaking out at the 2 or 3 week mark. Oh no! Oh well, bring them on. They are being killed! I'm STILL not dry. Maybe I'm doing something right.

La, I have actually been using the Proactive moisturizer. It's been sitting in my bathroom not being used for a while, so I decided to give it a try. It has been working rather well for me. I still wash with Cetaphil. The cold, dry weather may have something to do with your face being so dry, but wouldn't mine be the same as well since I'm experiencing cold weather, too? I've been drinking water and taking vitamin E everyday, so maybe you should add the vitamin into your routine. I hope you get a routine that works well for you.

Alex, I told you wrong. Take vitamin E ONCE a day at 400 IU...not three times a day. I'm so sorry about that.

Folks, my face should really be something to write about in 6 days. I will be taking 80 mg a day. I'm expecting to have much more detail and questions to write about.

I hope everyone has a very safe and happy holiday season! God bless you all!

Scripture of the day: Ephesians 6:11