I'm 38. For 27 of those years I have had acne. For 21 of those years I have been overweight, and yoyo'd with my weight constantly over the years.
3 months ago I started Isotretinoin (accutane) for my skin. My spots were not cystic. But they were always there - lots of whiteheads. My complexion was dreadful. There was redness, dryness, just all in crap skin. I'd had lots of different medications over the years, most of which didn't work, or if they did, worked for very short periods and didn't clear it all completely.
I read horror stories about the dreadful side effects of Isotretioin. Extreme dry skin and lips, very dry eyes, depression, joint pain to name a few. I didn't find anything from people saying how they had no side effects.
So here I am to say not only have I had no awful side effects, but I have actually had amazing side effects in that my hair no longer gets greasy. I have long straight thick blonde hair, it's been greasy since I started getting spots. The dry shampoo invention was great as I didn't have to daily wash anymore. But it still caused a build up of product and it would always be greasy again the next morning. But now I can't actually remember when I last washed my hair! Over a week ago though. I'm wearing it down, it's perfect, totally lovely... I'm in awe of my own hair! 🤣
My skin is perfect. The dryness has gone, the spots have gone, the scarring minimal now, and the redness has subsided. For the first time in my adult life I have left the house without full coverage foundation on. I could go make up free happily! Never did I think that day would come!! By the end of the first month of treatment my skin was perfect and my hair too! I've stayed on a low dose of 20mg which I think has really helped with not getting the dreadful side effects.
2 months ago I also started on Saxenda, the much talked about weight loss injections. Again, it has been an absolutely incredible journey. I won't talk too much about this one as it is very much in the media right now. What I will say is that I have lost 1st 4 in 7 weeks, and from day 1 the drug worked perfectly. I have no cravings, no food chatter, I'm no longer controlled by food. If anything I'm having to eat higher calorie dense food to meet a 1200 minimum calories. I could easily stop on 700-800 cals and be done.
I would describe it as almost like a gastric band with added psychology to stop you thinking about food! The weight loss is effortless. Literally I'm not feeling in any way deprived. I actually feel free! No sticking to faddy diets, it just is cals in and out and I don't even have to think about that in much detail! And yep, once again, no side effects particualry! I've stayed on a low dose of that also.
So thank you medical advancement for absolutely changing my life! If anyone who is reading this is thinking about these medications - they can and do work! Try it!