I decided to  go ahead and create this blog to follow my trials and tribulations in using Accutane (actually I'm using the generic brand called Amnesteem).  After reading other peoples’ blogs on this same topic, I thought it couldn’t hurt to add another one to the list…

My acne history: I've had severe acne off and on since I was 13 -- I'm 29 now. I've been off and on antibiotics (minocycline) for almost 16 years now in effort to treat my acne.  My biggest problem area has been my face, neck, and scalp, but I’ve also had problems on my back and chest as well. While the antibiotics (and topical treatments) have been effective to some degree, they haven't completely gotten rid of my acne. One reason I wanted to try accutane was that I really don't think it's healthy to be on antibiotics for a long period of time since your body may become used to it and eventually cancel out its benefits... so a few months ago I went to see a new dermatologist expecting to just be prescribed minocycline again; however, to my surprise she asked if I had considered Accutane. I told her I had, but had also heard that its side effects were too severe. She shook her head and eventually gave me a prescription for 40 mg a day (after prescribing a couple of other remedies and also having me undergo blood tests – I also had to sign up on the iPledge site and sign some paperwork). At the pharmacy, I made a quick decision and got the generic brand Amnesteem; but I'm not sure as of yet if this was a wise decision.

…so this is my blog to follow my progress. I hope other people will find it useful. I know it has been extremely beneficial to me to read about others’ experiences on this medicine as it can be quite intense…