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I'm finishing my second month on Accutane this week. So far, I've seen about a 60 to 70% improvement in my acne. Unfortunately, my doctor says it's still not where he wants it to be (and I completely agree). He's increased my dose to the maximum and plans to keep it there for the next three months (the rest of my course) unless the side effects become too much to handle.

Another reason for the increase is to avoid a relapse after I go off of it. He's mentioned this to me several times...that he isn't quite sure Accutane will be a permanent fix for me. The reason being that if I truly do have PCOS (which multiple doctors have agreed with now) then my hormones will just go back to where they were and it won't matter.

So I'm taking some time today to look into my different options with PCOS treatment. Unfortunately, I've done or am doing quite a few of the suggestions. And I'm just not sure where else to turn.

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I was grocery shopping when the phone rang. I didn't feel the vibration in my coat pocket; the call went to voicemail. As I was checking out, I checked my phone. Two messages. One from my mom and one from the doctor's office.

"Hi, Miss Guerin. This is G from Dr. K's office. Your lab results are back. I'd like to talk to you. Please call me back at..."

My heart sank. I've heard those words too many times. At 21 years old, I shouldn't be hearing those words!!! If your lab results are fine, they don't call and ask for a return phone call. They tell you that everything is fine or that the results are in the mail. You're not important if you're healthy.

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Sunday night, my throat started hurting pretty badly. I haven't had any type of cold or cough in probably two years. Usually the first signs, I can kick whatever I have with extra vitamin C and this juice that I drink. I did the usual, but it stayed irritated.

So Monday night, I ate some tomato soup and tried to drink as much water and juice as possible. I was 113 and thought I'd covered the food okay. I went for a run, hoping the endorphins would bump up my immune system. After a quick shower, I was 96. I wasn't sure how the food and running might hit me, so I just waited.

But while waiting, I got distracted. So it was an hour and a half later before I checked again. I felt okay, but I wanted to double check. And thank goodness. I was 55. I drank some juice and ate some crackers trying not to over treat. I didn't want to waste my run by consuming more calories.

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Last night, I took 34 units of Lantus instead of 33 units (note that this is a brand new bottle of Lantus) and increased my bolus for dinner. I dropped to 87 before bed, drank part of a Coke, and prayed for the best. I woke up at 172.

I had a medium sized bowl of high protein cereal, did 10 units of Humalog, and went on my day. Around three hours later, I was 234. Two correction units of Humalog. An hour and a half later, my pre-lunch check was 250 despite the feeling that I was dropping.

I had a small bowl of chili and a salad. I did 8 units of Humalog. And now I'm waiting. Waiting to see where this number ends up, waiting to see if anything drops. Waiting, waiting, waiting!

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Back in 2007, I was on approximately 30 pills and supplements per day. It was extreme, but I was fighting a multitude of hormonal conditions that I couldn't seem to overcome. Although I'd see minor improvements with certain things, the side effect (severe acne) of a major medication at that time forced me to abandon the regimen. Burnout got the best of me and I decided I didn't want to take anything "extra" for awhile. So I just didn't.

From my last post, you know that my new job has me run down and I'm battling my fatigue more than ever. Luckily, I'm distracted a lot of the time so I don't even think about how exhausted I am or how I haven't slept well. But every couple of days, I get so depleted that I find myself wanting to nod off in the middle of testimonies or I drift into no man's land at my desk. This isn't okay.

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I interviewed for a preschool teaching position last week. I observed the class and really enjoyed the kids and fellow teachers. It's a part time position that would work great with my own graduate school classes. One of my initial thoughts was that kids are often sick. And kids don't often remain aware of germs.

The preschool takes precautions with specific things. Hand washing after being on the playground. Handwashing before and after meals. Clean systems in place for other things. But there is still that constant interaction with the kiddos as they have runny noses, coughing without covering, sneezing. And that's just colds.

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I haven't posted much on my other health conditions lately. Ever since taking Accutane, my PCOS seems to be much less of a concern. And my endometriosis is now something that I've adjusted to. But lately, I'm really feeling the physical and emotional strain of these other conditions.

The Accutane cleared my skin completely, although it did nothing for the hyperpigmentation and scarring left behind. My breakouts are now only happening around my period, although they are getting worse with each month. Nothing too alarming yet. I've been taking vitamin A every day for the past few months. I increased it the week of my last period which seemed to help that problem.

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I've always been used to humidity. I may not appreciate what it does to my curly, frizz-prone hair, but I'm used to it. Sixty to seventy percent humidity was fairly common growing up. I just never realized how much my skin appreciated the high humidity of my area.

My mom always said to like it since people in high humidity areas wrinkle less. I didn't make the connection until I moved and started experiencing the irritation of dry skin. Moving, just four hours away, sent me into a completely different climate where the air is typically dry and a lot colder than what I'm used to (except in summers when it's so much hotter than what I'm used to but without that humidity it's actually tolerable at 115 degrees).

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I have a sore throat.   And I feel something, like a cold, coming.  I'm hot in a room that's not hot, clammy, and I'm tired.

I went to the gym today anyhow, all sneezy and gross.  If I'd been another gym-goer, I would have been annoyed with someone like me.  Someone spreading their germs while getting their 45 minutes of cardio and 15 minutes of weight training.

The truth is, I don't get sick all that often.  I have little threats of a cold coming or a belly ache threatening, but I usually fend it off with rest, a day home from work to sleep, water, and a little bit of cold or stomach calming medicine. 

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I'm about to hop into the bathtub for the only relaxation I'm going to get for the next two days. A whole ten minutes set aside for me. Then Marvin is headed this way to hook up my washer and dryer, which I will then proceed to use until I finally get caught up on the laundry that's piled up over the last month.

I also need to pack my overnight bag, try on my evening gown one last time, and organize snacks for tomorrow's intense set-up day at JDRF. I should probably do the dishes, eat dinner at some point, and change the cat's litter box. All before I head to bed early to catch up before I lose sleep tomorrow night and Sunday.

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