Back to NSC

NSC = National Skin Center
It is located next to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, which is in turn next to Novena MRT station.
And I'm back there from 3 yrs. T.T
(Background info: I was a patient there for acne problem, discharged after 1yr of treatment)

It all started after my ICT.
Since then, my face has experienced an outcontrollable outbreak of acnes which wun heal.
I finally decided to visit the polyclinic last month to get referral letter to NSC.
(The standard SOP for seeing specialist)
The doctor at the polyclinic says "ur face acne not that bad leh, are u sure u want to see specialist?"
If I waited any longer, maybe really no face left -_-

So last monday, I took a 1.5h trip to dear NSC.
(Dun complain SG is so small only, think about those that need to go to sch from novena or pasir
ris everyday)
Ah-Q spirit...

During my turn for examination, there was 2 students/trainees inside.
The doc examine and say it's quite jialat, with nodules. (degree of chui-ness 3.5/4)
(Definition: An inflamed acne lesion presenting as a hard, painful lump under the skin. Nodules occur when there is a deep break in the follicle wall and contaminated debris empties into the dermis, infecting adjoining follicles.)
You see, doc of diff level say diff stuff.
She called her boss aka senior consultant to check if she can prescribe the same drug, isotretinoin, I had for last time.

Then came Mr Boss, with 3 more students.
And he starts giving lesson on isotretinoin to students present.
*Students took out notebook*
"This drug is make up of vit A, cannot be used wif ABC (another drug), dosage of the drug is calculated base on the patient weight, relapse is low...."
Relapse is low, but it occurs to me. *saddest*

Very pro, all the info inside his brain, like computer like that.
But I was feeling like WTH, like frankenstein.
No wonder there's a notice on the pamphlet informing you that NSC is a training center for students, if u are uncomfortable with the students ard, u can tell the doc.
Haiz, for the sake of education, endure!

Finally, I signed the agreement form for absolute personal use of the drug, and understanding the side effects of it. But b4 I could take the medicine, I need to do a blood test after fasting for 8h. Meaning, I need to come again to do a blood test(tmr). Wait for results to come out, then going back finally to collect medicine.

This will basically be the cycle for the next 1yr over the duration of the course.

(If u are interested in the drug, isotretinoin, Doc JJ, 久病成医, can gif u some info)
It works by shrinking the sebaceous glands, reducing the amount of oil found on the skin.
It generally causes peeling of skin, lips cracking, dryness in eye.
It increases cholesterol levels and do something do liver enzymes (hence the blood test).
If you are pregnant or may get pregnant, isotretinoin can cause birth defects, miscarriage, premature births, and death in babies.
Patient are forbidded to donate blood within 1 month of last dosage, due to the reason above.
Rare: patients taking isotretinoin may experience side effects including bad headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, stroke, diarrhea, and muscle weakness. Additionally, serious mental health problems, such as depression and suicide, have been reported with isotretinoin use.
Lets hope I dun encounter problems in the last section.
It truly is a dangerous drug. (Polyclinic cant issue this)
And also damaging on the wallet. (I spend 1k on my previous course of 1yr)

Well then, I will be gifing my blood to the syringe and the test tube tmr. Hope I dun faint.
(That's a story for the next time).