Monday, December 28, 2009

Non-Running Related: Starting Accutane

I usually wouldn't post something like this but maybe some people can relate.

I am starting Accutane tomorrow morning. Acne has been a struggle for me for many, many years. And it's not little break outs here or there, it's ugly, cystic, scarring acne. It's Yucky! It always makes me mad when people complain about one little zit that they have. Ummm, hello! I have a whole face full of them, they are ugly and painful.

I have tried everything under the sun to make my face look and feel better. Oral antibiotics, topical antibiotics, vitamins, birth control, no birth control, elimination diet, intense pulse light therapy and on and on! I have even had a prescription for accutane before but decided against it because of all the potential side effects. Nothing has worked.

It's hard to look in the mirror because all I see is a red, zitty, scarred face. Most people say " Ohhhh, it's not THAT bad!" Well it shouldn't even be a little bad. I look like a teenaged boy. I ALWAYS exercise with make-up on, ALWAYS! I never leave the house without make-up, covering up the yuck, makes me feel a little better.

It has been quite the process to obtain accutane, as it can cause some pretty severe birth defects. I am sure it's easier to buy a gun legally than it is to get accutane. So after 2 negative pregnancy tests, blood work and registering for the IPledge Program (a government run website to track pregnancies while on Accutane) I finally received my pills today and I will start tomorrow. Apparently, it gets worse before it gets better. How can my fact get any worse? I am soooo dreading the next few months. It would be nicer if I could just go into hiding for 60 days and re-emerge with beautiful skin! If only!!! I thought about posting before and after pics but it is just way too embarrassing to take my make-up off for a picture.

Anyways, I don't want to turn this into a blog about zits, I want to keep it fitness related. But maybe someone out there can relate!

Happy running and exercising!

5 comments:

  1. I really hope it works for you! My best friend was on Accutane in college and her skin is beautiful now. She just had to moisturize like crazy, but it worked in the long run!

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  2. I can totally relate to your struggle. My acne was beginning to cause scarring and in an attempt to stop it before I was left to deal with the scars, I was prescribed Accutane. It was a blessing and I no longer suffer from acne and when I tell people I used to, they are always surprised. It took me about 6 months b/c we had to play with the dosages (I was in between weight ranges) but it finally began to work. I am so glad I put up with the side effects b/c the end results are amazing. I have been off of it for 10 years and I am still acne free.

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  3. Hi, I just want to say I was on Accutane for 3-4 months almost 10 years ago and its honestly the best thing I ever did. Like you I had terrible cystic acne, it went away preety much in about 2 weeks and never came back. Now 10 yrs later iam still acbe free. Just be sure to wear a noncomodegenic moisturizer and tons of chap stick as its very drying.

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  4. So, how's the Accutane working for you now? I still think you are beautiful, by the way!

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  5. Awww Reema!!! It's making me dry, dry, dry and I suspect it will only get worse :(

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