I have just finished my 16th week of my Accutane treatment. My skin is still clear, and it’s still sensitive; not much changes from week to week at this point in the game. I think I’ve fully transitioned from being excited about the improvement in my complexion every week to being excited that I’m nearing the end of my treatment.
This week I noticed a teeny tiny itty bitty little bump under the skin on the right side of my jawline – I have succeeded in not picking at it, but I do touch it a few times a day to see if it’s still there. Why is it there? Why do I have this little pimple-esque bump thing on my face when I have been dutifully taking my Accutane for four months? I try not to worry about such things, but obviously, I do. As much as I try to relax and stay confident that my skin will remain smooth and clear when I am done with Accutane, I do harbor a little bit of fear that my acne will flare up again; but really, who in my situation wouldn’t be at least a little bit worried? In other (miraculous) news, the cyst near my right ear is just about gone. In fact, I can only feel that there is something in that spot when I apply a decent amount of pressure with my finger; if I just lightly run my finger over that area I can’t even feel the cyst at all. I bet it’ll be gone in two weeks.
As for side effects, I still have the same ones: super sensitive really dry skin, insanely dry lips, and muscle soreness. A few weeks after the muscle soreness started, I thought it had reached the height of its intensity, and that it would just stay at that level until I was done with my treatment. Alas, I think my muscles are generally stiffer now than they were a month ago, though other variables (activity level, stress) are in play so I can’t be certain it’s due to the Accutane. The muscle soreness is the side effect I am most excited about being rid of when I finish treatment as it is by far the most bothersome. Though I am looking forward to kicking my obsession with lip balm!
Over the past three weeks or so I’ve been getting intermittent headaches, and I toyed with the thought that they might be Accutane-induced. Headaches are always one of the side effects I’m asked about at my monthly dermatology checkups, and my impression is that headaches are one of the side effects that are taken more seriously. I’ve come to the conclusion that my headaches had nothing to do with Accutane, but were instead caused by too much working and not enough sleeping and relaxing. I really do believe that stress is the worst thing for the body/mind/spirit; it affects everything so negatively.
Despite my lips peeling off my face and my continuously sore muscles, lately I have just been feeling so grateful for Accutane. Anyone who’s struggled with acne, especially severe acne, knows exactly what I mean when I say that being rid of acne has completely changed my outlook on life. The resolution of such a huge problem, and subsequent dissolution of the emotional and psychological burdens that come along with it, has given me the inspiration and energy to focus on making a multitude of positive changes in my life. I hope that my experience encourages and reassures those of you who are currently suffering with acne – regardless of how you choose to treat your acne, please get treatment because there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and boy, is that light bright!
I’m taking Accutane right now and I’m on my eleventh day. Thank you so much for writing this! It’s so insightful! I wish you had more pictures though, I have no idea of what to expect.
Yeah thanks for writing this. It gives me hope. I’ve dealt with acne for 3 years and it has limited my life in so many ways. Even starting Accutane made me feel sad, like it might not work, or something. Your blog made me feel so much better. For some reason I was really getting down about the side effects: The dry lips, peeling skin, and SUPER bad dandruff. Hearing you went through all the same things made me feel so much better. Thanks!