CHAPPED...and I don't mean leather pants

ACCUTANE UPDATE:

I've been taking Claravis (another brand of Accutane--same exact thing) for a week now. So far, I have SUPER chapped lips, my skin all over is a tad bit more dry, my face has cleared up just a bit, and I have been showing signs of bloody noses here and there. Sounds like the medication is working. FUN FUN FUN, no?

Tomorrow's list: FINISH CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AND WRAPPING!!!

love-B

Twenty-one Candles...

It seems like everyone has a "twenty-first birthday" story to tell. Where you were, who you were with, how many shots you remember, and who took care of getting you home. My 21st was no different, and the milestone has now come and gone. Many thanks to Sam and Matt for being my wonderful friends and making sure that I was well taken care of. Happy Birthday to me.

As a little bit of a late birthday present, I am super excited that Kellous is making his Christmas vacation return to Tennessee this evening. Because I was in Costa Rica for his last trip home, I haven't seen him in a year, and I am so excited to see my best friend's face!! I told him that I was going to a bachelorette party tonight and couldn't come to the airport to see him...little does he know that I will be right around the corner at baggage claim with a smile on my face. :)

Accutane update: I started the pill package on Tuesday. No noticeable signs of change, yet. Still pizza-face.

peace & love. love. love.
--b

Accutane: the Beginning of my Journey...

I know that it has been a long while since I have blogged, but tonight, I have an excellent reason. I am beginning treatment for my cystic nodular acne. I have decided to use Accutane, a form of Isotretinoin capsules whose purpose is to cure severe nodular acne that cannot be cured by antibiotics. I decided to use my blog as a personal update... pictures and journals of the coming months are sure to come. Drum roll, please....THE BEFORE....

For those of you who don't know about Accutane, it is NOT just a prescription that is going to change my acne. Accutane is a big deal. Many people have lots of side effects that are torturing during the treatment, but they say they wouldn't change it for anything because the results are so great. In other words, if I REALLY want clear skin NOW, I'm just going to have to deal with it.

For the next 4-5 months, I will be taking the Accutane pill daily.

Because the medication causes birth defects in virtually 90% of pregnancies that occur in women using Accutane, the company and my dermatologist both require that the patient (me) take a monthly pregnancy test before the prescription can be given. I was asked to sign a form promising either: a) complete abstinence, or b) to use two separate forms of birth control, in order to prevent pregnancy. Each month, I must go to the doctor for an update, take a pregnancy test, get online and take a short quiz with questions about my comprehension of the side effects, and then fill my prescription within 7 days of its issuance.

I took a pregnancy test a month ago, it was negative. I took a pregnancy test and blood test today. Once they are approved as negative (will be Monday), I will be approved to go online and answer my quiz questions. Then, I will have 7 days to fill my prescription and begin taking Accutane. Let the fun begin...

Many people say that the worst side effects are SEVERE dry skin; dry, chapped lips; dry eyes; sore joints; slow healing time; headaches; nosebleeds; dry hair; and the acne gets lots worse before it gets better for most patients.

If you see me within the next five months, I'm sure you might notice that my face is transforming: getting worse, better, worse, better....like a skin roller coaster. I don't think I'm going to want to talk too much about it, hoping the process will be as quick and painless as possible. If I am acting weird or looking strange in the next five months...don't worry about me. It's just the Accutane. I will try my best to keep you updated.

Wish me luck!!!