Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 82 Location: USA, Earth
Thanks: 0
Thanked:3
Posted: 05-10-08 16:50pm
I am 30 years old and have had moderate to
severe acne all of my life, starting from
when I was about 12 years old. I tried
nearly every topical and oral medication
(both OTC and prescription) that was
available and was finally put on acutane
by my doctor, about 4 years ago.
I was on acutane for about 8 months..
During that time and for about 3 years
after, I experienced an extreme decrease
in the level of my facial acne, and have
not had back or chest acne since I was on
it (I actually couldn't wear tank tops or
anything that showed my back or chest
sometimes, for fear that people would
stare at how bad it was).
Within the last year or so, I have begun
to have facial breakouts, again, but they
are extremely minimal compared to what I
used to have (one or two pimples here or
there instead of 3 huge ones in a single
spot and they are generally related to the
week or so before my period) and go away
within a day or two proper facial care
(basic washing with my everyday facial
cleanser; I have not had to use any kind
of topical acne medication in order to
help the breakout go away faster), whereas
my previous acne never seemed to
completely go away.
While I was on acutane, I was required to
be on some kind of birth control and take
a monthly pregnancy test (acutane has been
shown to cause birth defects) and I also
had to have blood work done each month to
make sure my kidneys weren't being
affected. This was a few years back, so
the requirements may have changed.
The only side effect that I noticed while
I was on acutane was some mild to moderate
joint pain, especially in my shoulders and
back; just this random, achy feeling I
would get every now and then. I was also
told that I may not heal as well as I
should, so any cuts would scar more, but I
didn't notice this, personally (I actually
had wrist surgery during my acutane
regimen and do not think it affected the
scar at all). Finally, I was told that
coming off the medication would make my
skin VERY dry for a few months, but I
don't recall that being a problem for me,
at all.
Acutane was very expensive when I took it
and, after my prescription drug benefits
ran out on it (retail was about $795 per
month at the time and my crappy benefits
at the time covered up to $1500 per YEAR),
I ended up having to be part of a 'study'
in order to get the medication. I checked
with my prescription benefit company, and
it looks like the retail has come down
significantly (it looks like a generic
brand is now available, as well; there
wasn't one when I was taking it).
Despite the monthly pregnancy test, needle
pricking, not being able to drink alcohol
(acutane = bad for liver, so no drinking),
and joint pain, my acne has NEVER been as
practically non-existent as it is, today,
after having taken acutane, even for the
short period of time that I did.
I do not regret a single moment of it.
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nightangel73
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 2607 Location: ,
Thanks: 17
Thanked:13
Posted: 05-10-08 18:40pm
Yes, accutane is the only medication that
can cure acne that's just the plain
thruth. Unfortunatetly the drug does come
with a large list of health hazards which
is why it is only reserved for the real
bad cases where the benefit outweight the
risk. I took it too for 4 months and it
did cured my acne. But a couple months
after I had gastrointestinal problems,
lost hair, a number of cavities in teeth.
I recovered a good deal of it but still 5
years later I still have hair thining and
shedding and I still have some
gastrointestinal problems.
Should I regret? I have mixed feelings
about it...
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mlinar13
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 1 Location: ,
accutane. Posted: 05-29-08 16:58pm
accutane isnt the only thing you can use
for bad acne, i have acne and i recently
started going to a dermatologist 4 months
ago, at first they prescribed tetracycline
which is an antibiotic which helps fight
the bacteria but that didnt work for me
(at the time i was also using differin)
after about two months on that, the doctor
decided to put me on accutane, and besides
some of the side effects, it really works
and i would really recommend it for your
daughter. im on my second month of taking
the medicine and i can clearly see a
difference, and i feel so much better
about my acne. (:
i havent even experienced very dry skin, i
have had a few bad headaches, and the
chapped lips, well bring chapstick with
you everywhere, cuz it wont be that bad if
you wear it most of the time.
i hope i have helped you.
(:
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