Before

Click Pictures for a Larger View

As promised, I’m adding the official “before” pictures today.  I don’t know if I’ll be starting the medication tomorrow or not, but these will serve as the before pictures, as I can’t see the condition of my skin changing much.

What a Day

This has been a pretty interesting day so far.  I read an article on WebMD that Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., the company that makes the drug Accutane, will no longer keep Accutane on the market, because it makes up less than 5% of the isotretinoin market (Article Link).  I sent the link to both of my parents, but told them that they have generic versions and other name brand versions and all of that.  Well, one of them threw a fit to say the least, saying that I shouldn’t go on this treatment and that “the risks clearly outweigh the benefits.”  He or she said that they won’t let me go on the treatment.

Begin Rant:

1. I’m really glad that you have acne that you deal with every day and know how it feels.  How did the antibiotics and Retin-A work on your face?  Oh wait, that’s right.  You don’t have acne.  You haven’t been on antibiotics and Retin-A for a year unsuccessfully and other over-the-counter medicines for years, also unsuccessfully.
2. Really? The risks outweigh the benefits? So now clear skin, reduced scarring, and confidence are minor benefits that can just be scoffed at.  Okay, cool.  Because, it’s not like I want clear skin or anything. Thanks.
3. How about you do some real research rather than the frenzied online search that I’m sure occurred.  Obviously people who are happy or who have had an average experience with Accutane won’t take the time to write about it online.  The people who do write online either had incredibly positive experiences, or more likely, bad experiences.  Still, how about you read the literature that the doctor’s office gave, rather than looking up opinionated, biased, and overblown accounts on the internet.
4. Finally, you had no issue with this in June, back when I went for the first consultation.  Why the change of heart? I’m glad to see that you have an interest in my health all of the sudden.

/rant.

Wednesday’s appointment will be another consultation, I’ll be surprised if I start the medication that day.  Or if I do it at all at this point.

**Completely off topic, but still funny: As I was ranting, I thought of the “Really? With Seth and Amy” sketch on Saturday Night Live‘s “Weekend Update.” (Clip)

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s “before” pictures!

Anticipation

So, I have my doctor’s appointment on Wednesday. I’ll be starting isotretinoin then, if all goes as planned. I’m nervous and excited. I’ve been waiting months for this appointment, so I’ve had plenty of time to obsess. I’ll have an appointment every month, where I get my prescription and a blood test. I might have joint pain, I might have hair thinning, and I will most likely have dry skin/nose/eyes/everything. But, in a few months, I’ll be all clear. So, I’m excited for the clear skin, not so excited about the blood tests/joint pain/other stuff.

I set up an area where I’ll take pictures of my progress every week (maybe more often), starting with the “before” picture on Tuesday and ending with the “after” picture to be taken the day after I finish the medication. I’ll take subsequent pictures for a week after, a month after, 3 months after, 6 months after, and a year after isotretinoin. My camera’s on the tripod, so I used my phone’s camera to show you. The boxes on the floor for placement of the tripod and chair are probably a bit overboard, but as many people have told me before: If it’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing.