The Beginning (Day 2)

Hi everyone!  As stated at the top of my blog, I am a 31 year old mom to a wonderful daughter.  I love her very much but having a child definitely changed a lot of things in my body, one of them being my skin.  I suffer from cystic acne, which is defined as severe acne in which the predominant lesions are follicular cysts that rupture and scar.  Simply put, it is acne that is deep in the skin that causes fluid filled cysts.  These cysts are often painful and result in scars. 

I sought treatment from my dermatologist recently because I just couldn't stand it anymore.  It was lowering my self esteem, I found it very difficult to look people in the eye during a big breakout.  I was certain that I did not want to be on antibiotics for the rest of my days (it stains teeth, you can build an intolerance to the drug, etc) and topical medicines have never worked in the past.  I was left with only one option....isotretinoin.  In the past people have referred to this as Accutane.  That was a brand name of isotretinoin that was taken off the market in 2009 after several large lawsuits.  I have been put on Amnesteem 40 mg once by mouth daily. 

My first dose was taken yesterday and no real symptoms have emerged yet.  This afternoon my lips felt more dry than usual but I slathered them down with Lime Twist flavored Carmex.  My second dose was taken this evening directly after dinner.  I have read several Accutane (isotretinoin) diaries as well as watched several YouTube videos posted by users on the drug so I feel confident in what to expect, dry skin/eyes/nose/mouth/lips, achy back/joints, possible depression or blue mood and the dreaded "INITIAL BREAKOUT"!!!  I am not looking forward to that!!!  I am hoping that it won't happen to me, it doesn't seem to happen to all who take it but a very good percentage of them.  Follow me along the way!  I will try and post a few times a week and at the minimum once per week. 

Feel free to leave comments, questions or concerns for me!