It’s all in the preparation

Since my first Dermatology appointment I had a number of actions to complete before my next appointment scheduled for 4 weeks later. The first was a fasted blood test to ensure my liver was functioning normally and also to check my cholesterol levels. Isotretinoin/ Accutane can affect your liver function and cholesterol so these are monitored throughout treatment.

The second item on my ‘to do’ list was contraception. Ladies, something your dermatologist will take VERY seriously is contraception while you are on this treatment due to the severe birth defects the medication can course to unborn babies (read more here on the Pregnancy Prevention Plan). I was given the choice to either go on the contraceptive pill combined with always using condoms, or having the contraceptive coil/IUD fitted. I’ve had bad reactions to the pill before (was on Ovranette, Yasmin and Dianette for acne purposes throughout my teenage years) and they caused nothing but mood swings and weight gain. So I decided to brave it and have the copper coil fitted due to its effectiveness and the fact it omits no hormones. Now, I’m my own worst nightmare sometimes as I head straight to Google to research everything! So naturally I Googled everything IUD/copper coil related including ‘does having the coil fitted hurt?’. By the time it came around to the morning of my coil fitting I was a nervous wreck after reading every horror story on the internet! And do you know what, it was absolutely fine! It felt just like a smear test, uncomfortable rather than painful and was over within 10 minutes. I felt a quick pinching/piercing stab like pain as my GP measured my womb but other than that it was a tolerable experience.

With these actions completed I then had some time to read over the information leaflets I’d been given by my Dermatologist to come up with a list of questions in time for my second appointment. And of course I headed to Google. As stated in my first blog when I’ve been researching Isotretinoin/ Accutane/ Reaccutane online there are a lot of extreme encounters. By the time my second dermatology appointment came around I had a long list of serious side effects I wished to ask my consultant about – will I loose my eye lashes? Will my hair thin? Will I get bald spots? Can I not highlight my hair anymore? Will I be unable to have sex because I will be so dry ‘down there’? My list of questions was based on the forums, threads and YouTube videos I’d come across through my research.

‘A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing’ as the saying goes, and I certainly think my excessive Googling had led me to believe I was an expert. My Dermatologist calmly reassured me that perhaps I should lay off the Googling and concentrate on talking to the people in my life that have had this treatment along with my Dermatologist herself as she’s treated 100s of patients with this drug. She explained that it’s impossible to know if these extreme cases had other underlying health concerns, were on other medication as well, were they infact on Isotretinoin as especially in America the label of ‘Accutane’ is a common name sometimes mis-used. She explained that between the 100s of patients she has treated, along with the hospital colleagues she is regularly sharing notes with never had she had a patient complain of any of these symptoms. When I thought about it the 4 friends of mine who have been on in didn’t mention these symptoms either. She also told me I was find to continue highlighting my hair. I felt a lot for going through my list of questions with her, I would definitely recommend airing all of your concerns with your Dermatologist as the answers to the questions will be tailored personally to you rather than a broad general internet answer.

Before handing over my first month of tablets, I had to take a pregnancy test and only when the Dermatologist saw it was negative was I allowed the medication. As I said, contraception and pregnancy prevention are topics your Dermatologist will take extremely seriously. So I left my appointment with the lowest possible dose for my first month – 20mg a day, which I’m due to start taking in 2 days (when the coil will have been in place for a week.) My dosage will increase each month and I’m expected to be on it for 7-8months. I was also given a sample of Cetraben cream to both wash my face with and use as a moisturiser.

I’ve stocked up on lip balm, had my last eye brow wax for a while and enjoyed my last alcoholic drink this weekend (to celebrate my Grand National winnings!) so I’m all set to start the treatment.

I’ll report back when I’ve been on the tablets and give you a low down of my side effects and coping tactics.

Thanks for reading!

Rachael x

The Journey Begins

 

“It’s impossible to make your eyes twinkle if you aren’t feeling twinkly yourself.” Danny The Champion of The World, Roald Dahl

Taken from the works of one of my favourite childhood authors, this quote from Danny about his Father rather sums up the feelings which have prompted the creation of this blog.

For nearly 20 years I have suffered with acne. Not quite at the cystic level which Doctors said I fell short of, but an annoying constant cycle of fresh break outs which turn into scars. The kind of acne which requires a cover of foundation and concealer when just ‘popping to the shops’ or answering the door. The kind of acne which would never allow me to be able to look people in the eye without my mask of make up.

As I approach my 33rd birthday, still with a face of active acne and scarring, I’ve finally had enough of being fobbed off with another topical cream or antibiotic from my GP with limited results. Prompted with my wedding just under the one year mark as well, I’ve finally bitten the bullet and sort the professional help I’ve asked for over and over again but was refused from the NHS for just ‘not being quite severe enough’. I’m about to begin a treatment which was always viewed as a last resort due to its side effects – Isotretinoin (brand name: Reaccutane).

Reaccutane has received a lot of negative press due to its potentially serious side effects which can include:

• skin becoming more sensitive to sunlight – it’s advised to avoid the sun all together while on treatment
• extreme skin dryness as well as dry eyes; dry throat and dry nose leading to nosebleeds
• headaches
• general aches and joint pains
• it’s very rare, but isotretinoin capsules can sometimes cause depression or make it worse, and even make people feel suicidal.

I have searched the internet high and low for reviews, feedback and honest accounts from people who have taken this treatment. What I found was a lot of outdated information, a lot of ‘worst case scenarios’ and a lot of American reviews. While these are helpful what I’m really after is hints and tips on UK based products that have helped users with the side effects. So this blog I hope will provide that platform along with an honest and open account of my journey on Isotretinoin plus why I decided to take it and other avenues I’ve tried previously. Join me along the way and I hope I can provide useful information to you if you’re in a similar position. Please share your hints and tips too!

Thanks for reading!

Rachael x