Hi Justme
This was me several months ago. My acne was at its worst and I had been told Roaccutane (I'm in the UK) was my last choice but I was still really unsure. I'd spent hours researching, reading the forums on here and watching blogs on YouTube but in the end it was my derm who convinced me and, 4 months in, I can honestly say I have never regretted it.
I'm still getting a few very small spots but apart from 1 cystic spot this month I'm now more or less clear. I have lots of fading red marks from my previous acne but my skin is smooth which is an amazing feeling and I'm no longer scared to touch my face. I started on a low 20mg dose for 2 months as I was so worried about side effects and then went up to 40mg for months 3 & 4. Month 5 starts next week and I've been bumped up to 50mg to see how I get on but have been told to drop it back to 40mg if it's too much.
As for side effects they started the morning after I took my first pill (I take it at night with dinner). I was incredibly thirsty and had a headache but those went by the end of the first week and with drinking lots of water. As for the rest of it I've had dry/sore/split lips (I'm never without Carmex or Dr Dan's and never yawn in the morning without putting it on), flaking on my chin, tiredness and some muscle ache/stiffness which gets worse when I exercise too much (I'm very active and have had to pull back on how much I do) and excema patches on my arms but Aveeno clears it completely. I itch a lot and for the first few weeks my scalp itched but that soon went and Aveeno helps with the rest. I sometimes get a dry nose but have never had a nose bleed and use saline solution to help. I've also had dry eyes and had to wear my contact lenses less but eye drops are a god send and I'm able to wear them when out of the house. I have to be careful in the sun so wear factor 50 and reapply often but I've been in the sun all summer without burning. I did sunburn my lips on holiday which I never want to do again and now take factor 50 lip balm with me if I'm out in the sun and it's not happened again. I've not had any mental health side effects and, if anything, am feeling much more confident and positive about myself.
You definitely have to be mindful of the side effects and be willing to change your skin routines as you go. Be prepared to try stuff and for it not to work but just keep on trying until you hit what works for you. Make sure you talk to those around you and they're aware your on the meds as well.
I have never regretted my decision and am only sorry that I didn't go to the doctors sooner. It's not been the easiest ride at times but so worth it and I wouldn't change my decision. My only fear now is that the acne will come back once I'm off the meds.
Good luck with your choice. I'm happy to answer any other questions if you want to know any more. Just remember that the process is different for everybody. In the end you need to do what's right for you.
Good luck!

Hello coffeeaddict

Thank you for sharing your experience thus far. It's crazy how similar our stories are lol. Id spend hours on YouTube and Google researching.

It sounds to me like you are handling the drug very well and the fact you have no regrets so far is very promising to me. Cus that's what I'm scared of, basically regretting I took it.

Your sides seem pretty manageable which I'm hoping for too myself. I'm pretty active too and am not looking forward to tiredness and muscle pain, but like you I guess I'll have to slow down on the exercise.

im Definitely mindful of all the sides. At this point I feel like I've read too much and that's what's making me sketched out about it haha

But hearing your experience thus far is helping me be not as scared so thanks Bruv. I can't think of anything to ask yah right now but if I think of anything I won't be afraid to ask lol.

much love