Hi everyone,
i've read many stories on here about
people with acne and I just wanted to
share my experience with accutane with
you. I've had mild to moderate acne
since I was about 12...I'm now 20. I
tried everything! Creams, the pill, home
remedies...You name it, i've tried it!
Anyway, a few months ago I decided enough
was enough! I went to go see my derm
and told him I wanted to go on it. He
agree and now here I am...Using accutane.
It's been 10 weeks, I started with 40mgs
and I am now up to 50mgs/day.
The major side-effects i've had are back
pain, dry lips, dry skin and dry eyes, but
besides that i'm doing great and my skin
is looking better and better every day!
I've been using carmex for my lips which
helps a lot and cetaphil cream for my
face. And I never go a day without my
400iu of vitamin e. It's really helped.
For those of you who are worried about the
side-effects...They're not that bad and
the severe ones only happen to a small
percentage of users. Besides, you're
carefully monitered when you're on them.
You have to take blood tests every month
and you have to go see your derm every
month as well.
They've really helped me a lot..Not only
with my acne but with my self-esteem as
well. If nothing else has worked for
you and you're fed up...Think about it.
Christina
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lawman
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Florida
Posted: 06-06-04 21:19pm
Christina,
i'm happy to hear that you are having
success with accutane. I took accutane
when I was in high school. I too had
tried everything, antibiotics, creams,
retin-a, etc. Nothing really seemed to
work. Accutane cleared up my acne once
and for all. I did have to take three
courses before my acne was eliminated for
good.
Of course, there were side effects, but
they were minor for me, basically dry
lips. But, the drug is not to be taken
lightly, there can be some serious side
effects, including liver problems (which
your doctor will monitor you for - be
careful of your alcohol intake. Your
doctor might suggest abstaining), and
birth defects. Less common problems have
been accutane related depression and
recently some talk (unconfirmed) about
bowel obstructions possibly being caused
by the drug.
All of that being said, accutane does do
what it promises, but it's not always
pleasant. It has worked for me and
thousands of others. But you should
consider all of the risks and benefits
before you decide to take this medication.
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niceguy
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Aug 2003 Posts: 150 Location: New York
Posted: 06-06-04 21:35pm
My wife has had a problem with acne for
the last 3, 4 years. For the last two
months she has gone to the birth control
pill. Dramatically, all her problems are
under control with the bc pills and she
doesnt break out at all. Her skin is back
to normal. She was thinking of taking
accutane before, but the pills have worked
so well for her that she probably won't
need it.
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chrisy987
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Jun 2004 Posts: 9
Posted: 06-06-04 21:56pm
Niceguy,
i tried bc pills hoping they would clear
up my acne but they didnt't work...At all!
I'm glad to hear they helped ur wife and
she didnt have to go through all the
annoying side-effects of accutane.
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niceguy
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Aug 2003 Posts: 150 Location: New York
Posted: 06-07-04 00:43am
Chrisy, how long were you on them?
The first time my wife took bc pills they
helped but didnt cure her. Then when she
quit them, her acne came back in full
blast. So after another 3 months she
started back on them. Now its been 2
months and this time they have worked.
But I guess you are right. Her doctor
said it was a hormonal problem, thats why
the bc pills worked on her.
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chrisy987
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Jun 2004 Posts: 9
Posted: 06-07-04 00:59am
I've been on bc pills for almost a year
now...And no results. My Dr. Said they
might help but that they don't help
everyone. I guess acne happens for
several different reasons and my acne
wasn't due to hormonal problems.
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niceguy
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Aug 2003 Posts: 150 Location: New York
Posted: 06-07-04 01:21am
Well at least its over for you with
accutane now so I am glad you are free of
this dreadful problem. I know my wife is
glowing with happiness.
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wakkochic17
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 494 Location: South Carolina
Posted: 06-14-04 11:05am
The bc helped very slightly when I was on
them (for 3-4 years?).. But then I
switched to the depo shot (which contains
no estrogen) and my acne came back in full
force. It didn't clear it up but I
didn't realize what it did help with until
once I got off of the bc. However.. Now
that I have been off the birth control
pill and on the shot for 6 months now, my
face has cleared up and is clearer than
it's been in years, even though I still
get plenty of breakouts.
I went on the accutane myself 3-4 years
ago, which is when I went on the birth
control, and it helped, but the effects
only lasted 6 months afterwards and then
my face went back to the way it was.
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chrisy987
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Jun 2004 Posts: 9
Posted: 06-14-04 22:40pm
Wakkochic,
from what I hear, accutane doesn't always
work the first time on everyone.
Sometimes it takes 2 or even 3 times for
it to work. I'm happy to hear that the
depo shot has helped but if your still
breaking out, and it bothers you, then
maybe you should consider trying accutane
again. Good luck!
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2ferano
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Dec 2003 Posts: 3717
Posted: 06-16-04 04:06am
My sister was going to go on accutane and
they would not let her. Since she is of
child bearing age. They told her that if
she did decide to go on it she had to sign
a contract stating that if she were to
fall pregnant while on accutane or within
some time period after that she would have
an abortion.
Also if there is any history of depression
or any kind of mental illness in your
family (like your whole family tree) that
you should never take it.
Also, people who have never had any
problems with mental illness can develop
it.
I am glad that it works for all of you.
I really am, and I sincerely hope that you
do not develop and major or long term
effects.
I have had acne since I was eight years
old (i am now 25) klear action (generic
proactiv) works wonders for me. I just
wish I would have found it all of those
years ago.
To niceguys comment: acne is only
sometimes hormonal. Sometimes certain
b/c pills help some people which is
wonderful. But it is not a guarantee and
sometimes it can become even worse.
Everyone is different and you kind of have
to experiment to find something that works
for you. I really hope that you all find
something that works for you! Just be
careful, please.
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chrisy987
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Jun 2004 Posts: 9
Posted: 06-16-04 11:08am
I live in canada so it was a lot easier
for me to get accutane. From what I hear
it's a lot harder to get it in the
states..And very expensive! I didn't
have to sign any contracts and all I have
to do it take a blood test every month.
No pregnancy tests! The other amazing
thing for me is that I got it free! I'm
a university student and every semester I
pay $51 (health and dental fee) and I get
all my medication free! Birth control,
accutane and anything else not covered by
medicare. I must say, for that...Being
canadian rocks!
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wakkochic17
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 494 Location: South Carolina
Posted: 06-29-04 14:45pm
My dermatologist told me I had to go on
birth control in order to go on accutane.
I don't remember if she gave it to me or
if I went to my ob/gyn and went on it. I
don't think that's a universal rule, but
it was her rule to make sure that the
users do not get pregnant. I also had to
sign a contract that I wouldn't get
pregnant and that I understood the risks
(but never anything about abortion.. I
think there would be a lawsuit there
somewhere). I also had to do once a
month blood tests for pregnancy as well as
liver function and cholesterol (since it
can shoot your cholesterol up.. Mine was
up over 200 after I got off of it, but
it's back down now) it is very expensive
if you don't have insurance, but thanfully
I just had to pay about $20 a month for
it.
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2ferano
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Dec 2003 Posts: 3717
Posted: 06-29-04 18:23pm
As I said, I am very glad that it works
for you! Very glad.
But it isn't anything to fool around with.
The possible side effects must be
considered.
Yes, they told my sister that she also
would have to go on birth control, but she
would have had to sign a contract agreeing
to get an abortion if she did get
pregnant. There cannot be a lawsuit if
the contract is signed. That is why they
required the contract. That is why my
sister did not go on it.
Well, that and the fact that if you suffer
from depression or if it runs in your
family (or any mental disease for that
matter) can be worsened and can take over
if you use accutane. Also, a lot of
people who never knew or never did suffer
from these things can develop severe
mental problems.
But of course, that does not mean that it
will happen with everyone. It simply
means that it can, and each individual
person has to weight the pros and cons.
Just be careful.
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wakkochic17
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 494 Location: South Carolina
Posted: 06-30-04 13:14pm
Certainly.. I agree.. It should not be
prescribed for just anyone.
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