Mom's Accutane Journal

Hello- I am a parent of a young teenager who recently has been under going Accutane treatment for his acne. I've decided to use this blog for my daily diary on his progress using Accutane & other information I can share with you as I receive it. There has been so many wonderful messages of advice & support it's over-whelming & wonderful! I thought if I updated here as I receive information, &/or see any changes in my son's progress this blog site would allow me to update immediately, and publish my updates on the spot. This will also be the means were I can recap my thoughts and information to later add to my web-site. To Bring Readers up to Speed: I started posting my journals on my web-site, and there is a 3 week gap from when my son started taking the accutane till now. He has been on Accutane, a 5 month acne treatment, for 3 full weeks now at 60mg/day. Over the course of the 3 weeks he has become very dry all over. He has noticed dandruff, chapped lips and chapping on his elbows and face, and in the first two weeks has aquired two very large cyst on each cheek of his face. We're told break outs are normal using accutane, and to expect it to get worse before it gets better. Many recommendations have been made for products to help bring him some comfort with these side effects. My web-site also includes his daily routines. From this point foward, I will be including that information as well as new information to my blog, and only post weekly recaps on my web-site. My primary focus is from a parent's perspective which I hope will benefit those parents looking for answers while they decide if accutane is the right choice for there teen. This is a very powerful treatment for acne, and only moderate to severe cases should think about using it under the supervision of a dermatologist. Montly blood test are required before the next 30 day prescription can be filled in order to monitor cholesterol and the triglicerin blood levels. For women, pregnancy test are required to avoid birth defects. Depression may be linked to this drug, yet I have found no evidence either linked or not linked. It is my opinion, depression is linked to severe acne ! Do to the potential severe side effects, this medication is strongly regulated by the FDA (Federal Drug Administration). As a parent of a minor teen, it is my responsiblity to make decisions in the best interest of my child. So with that, I am writting, and collecting information to put together and share with all who find themselves in the same position. My goal is to organize a web-site which will benefit all acne sufferers with facts about acne, and offer a one stop web-site for those looking for answers and support while contemplating or using Accutane to fight the battle of acne. Today's entry: Nov. 8- 9th, 2004 - My son mentions being discouraged that the accutane isn’t working fast enough. Tells me he hates going in public, and is being teased by his pier’s. Advice came from all over. Keep his mind busy. Try going to the gym and build up those muscles, the chicks love muscles. Be patient it will work. Find ways to focus on other things rather than the acne. All advice worth mentioning. Good advice for me as well. I’ve been so busy worrying about results & side effects, I never even thought about keeping his mind on other things. This is a very emotional time for him and myself included. Just not knowing what the outcome will be is troubling. Watching my son get frustrated and discouraged is a very sad position to be in as a parent. I just wish I could make it all better right now, so he doesn’t need to go on this up and down roller coaster ride. I find myself trying to find all the answers for the entire support group. Listening to their stories can be both heart breaking and joyful. I suppose the same is true for them. Heart breaking when they break out becomes worse than before using accutane, and joyful when it’s all over and they have a beautiful clear complexion. But what about those who didn’t get the results they were hoping for? Or those that can’t use accutane for medical reasons? This bothers me, and I am determined to pursue this question and get some answers. There has to be hope for all. I hope I'm sucessful in finding that hope ! Well, that’s it from this parent’s perspective. Any thoughts or information Is always greatly appreciated! E-mail me: I’d love to hear from you! Best of wishes to you all, juliann