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Thread: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

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    Featured Member Fawn's Avatar
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    Default I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    The doctors keep telling me not to worry about the side effects, but I've had some bad mistakes with doc's before. A lso, I was just re-prescribed ritalin for the first time since high school, and I know that both drugs effect the liver. I just don't know what to do about my skin anymore. I guess this is just a vent, but advice is welcome.
    " Remember during each test there is some girl in Australia jealous of you who wants to do what you're doing."- Lilithmorrigan

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    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    Try it out for a month or two and see. It was all I needed. My friend is in her mid-30's, and on it. They are giving her some additional steroid-like medication for dryness and inflammation.

    I busted a blood vessel in my nose while I was on it, my passages and sinuses were SO dry! This was almost 14 years ago though.

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

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    God/dess Zabrina's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    Accutane was one of the best things I ever did, I know I've said so a million times on here. I don't break out at all anymore. I can't tell you what a relief that is. It was sooooo worth it.

    Just be sure to mention the Ritalin and 'tane to both your respective doctors.

    Any specific questions you want to know about accutane just ask me.

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    God/dess Vyanka's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    I did Accutane too. Lot of pain in the ass maintnance while you're on it, i'm sure you know that already...but it is worth it if you tried every single thing for cystic stubborn acne. Read the boards on acne.org, ppl on there always give the best advice.

    My side affects, I did get very emotional and crazy angry for no reason. Was always fucking tired, omg that was the worst. Lost a few pounds, not much but I looked like shit bc I was already a tooth pick. Gained back after the course easily. Aside from all of that, I had no severe side affect & i'm healthy.

    I still get some pimples on my face before my period, but no cysts like before... & my face isn't as greasy as either. It's def. easier to combat!

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    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    Be hyper-vigilant about birth control! You do NOT want an Accutane baby.

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    God/dess sxybrat07's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    Anyone that's read my posts on accutane knows I'm extremely against it. I know it has helped people, but the side effects are scary. I had a boyfriend commit suicide while on it. Another friend of mine had to go off of it because of suicidal thoughts, as well as losing all his hair. Just be really really careful.
    I believe you Dottie and you have my support

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    Veteran Member xxambyrrxx's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    I was on it twice, and after the second time am completely pimple free. I tried absolutely everything for acne before it too.

    Just be sure to be upfront with your derm about ANY side effects you have no matter how little. There are risks involved but by giving your doc all the information you can it helps to manage the risks as best possible.

    Good luck!!

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    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    Oh, and my hair was very thin and brittle on it. Again, I didn't even take the entire course. It was effective enough. I would like to take it again for back and shoulder zits, but I don't think its worth the side effects.

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
    "And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion

    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

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    Featured Member Fawn's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    ^^^ That really scares me. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome runs in my family so I'm at a higher risk for thinning hair already. I'm going to have to look more into that side effect and see how common it is.
    " Remember during each test there is some girl in Australia jealous of you who wants to do what you're doing."- Lilithmorrigan

    " If you're young and sexy, why not spend a few years
    Shopping and Fucking? Life is short, but youth is shorter. Ride the wheels off, I say." - FeministStripper

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    God/dess Zabrina's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    ^The thinning hair and dry skin is a temporary side effect. I shed a bit during my course, though not enough that anyone else would notice. Everything went back to normal after I was done.

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    Veteran Member SexyJess's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    Fawn, I went on Accutane when I was 17. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. The first month was weird... I had a few fairly mild side effects... then the pimples just stopped coming. I rarely break out now- maybe a zit or two before my period or if I forget to wash my face before I pass out, but nothing like it used to be. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    Quote Originally Posted by Yekhefah View Post
    Be hyper-vigilant about birth control! You do NOT want an Accutane baby.
    There is a government program called iPledge to help make sure you don't have an accutane baby. Monthly blood draws for liver functioning checks and pregnancy tests are required. You are also required to be on 2 forms of b/c and sign a waver that you will not get pregnant and are willing to terminate on the off chance that you do.

    The whole ipledge thing was really quite invasive, but the end results were worth it for me.

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    Veteran Member katerina29's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    Ive taken 3 courses now and after each time there was a definate inprovement. I was so spotty and oily - now my skins clear and matt, I feel so much cleaner without that layer of oil.

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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    I hate to say it but everyone I know who went on Accutane ended up CRAZY. It's supposed to be linked to emotional distress and suicides too.

    I feel your pain regarding acne. It took me 20 years to nail it (I got my first zit in 2nd grade I kid you not). Finally I found my personal holy grail.

    Good luck and big hugs.

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    Featured Member NatalieFRPhilly's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    I remember when I was 16 the doctor said to stay out of the sun when on accutane..I live for tanning 2x a week so is this true? I mean if the doctor says it is then it is, I just didn't know if you girls had any problems with like a day down the shore or whatever. How much would accutane be with out health insurance also?

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    Featured Member Fawn's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    ^ I've read that you should stay out of the sun while on accutane, but with my half hungarian skin I nevber tan o rburn, I'm always just a pale yellowy white so that's not a problem. However, I am disturbed by this "If the doctor say's it is then it is" idea that you have. I've had two doctors now make some terribly life altering mind changing god awful mistakes. Question everything doctors tell you, because they are human too and make mistakes. Don't forget that. I still havn't gotten over how bad one of those mistakes was. It has crept into a lot of my thoughts on a daily basis and has become a very real fear o fmine. And it was all becaus ethe doc wasn't thorough enough.
    " Remember during each test there is some girl in Australia jealous of you who wants to do what you're doing."- Lilithmorrigan

    " If you're young and sexy, why not spend a few years
    Shopping and Fucking? Life is short, but youth is shorter. Ride the wheels off, I say." - FeministStripper

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    Veteran Member xxambyrrxx's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    Quote Originally Posted by NatalieFRPhilly View Post
    I remember when I was 16 the doctor said to stay out of the sun when on accutane..I live for tanning 2x a week so is this true? I mean if the doctor says it is then it is, I just didn't know if you girls had any problems with like a day down the shore or whatever. How much would accutane be with out health insurance also?
    I still went in the sun while on it and had no problems. Apparently you can burn very easily and get a bad rash though so that is why you should be careful.

    In Canada my script was almost $300 (80 mg daily) for a 1 month supply.

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    God/dess Zabrina's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    Accutane will make your skin incredibly sensitive. It really is a good idea to stay out of the sun. I even noticed that the skin would tear more easily, like if I itched my arm with my nails it would leave a little scratch. You ~really~ have to baby your skin while on the stuff. Especially since you are more prone to scarring while on the drug.

    As for price, I did not have health insurance either. I called every pharmacy in town to see who sold the drugs the cheapest. You'd be surprised, you'd think it would be the same everywhere but its not. HEB, Walgreens, and the rest all sold it at different prices. COSTCO was the cheapest. I think with the drugs and monthly blood checks, it cost around $500 per month.

    It's been a few years though so I don't remember exactly. Again worth it, worth it, worth it! In all these years I have not had one single cystic acne breakout, or even a medium breakout at all. Accutane literally cured me of a life of bad skin.

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    God/dess Zabrina's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    Also, dosage is something to consider. Obviously a higher dose and a 6 month cycle has more risks than a lighter dose with a 3 month cycle.

    Fawn do you know how long the derm would like to make your cycle?

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    Featured Member tRoUbLeMaKeR's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    Curious....can you go tanning on accutane? How about getting plastic surgery done?
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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    MsQwerty
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    Im assuming that accutane is a last resort for you? Have you exhausted all other alternatives?

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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    Side effects depend greatly on the person. I'm on it right now. I'm doing the third month and my skin is now looking great. It's VERY invasive. I guess some people don't understand that you can't get pregnent on it , but I found the process extremly invasive because this kept getting repeated as if I were stupid. I had terrible luck with my first doctor . I was under his care throughout college and for some reason he put me on it for a month or so and then pulled me off. I have a moderate amount of scarring on my left cheek that makes me upset when I catch myself in bad light ( can't notice anything in soft lighting) and I blame that first doctor for this . I went back to get put on it again and he didn't want to . My skin was bad and this time I was smart enough to pull my charts and see another doctor. I just wish I was smart enough in college to get a 2nd opinion.

    So ..... as you can tell, I get a little worked up about this. I'm not going to lie either. It did make me a little "off" emotionally. I feel pretty flat ( emotionless) . I feel tired . I'm still glad I did it / am finishing it though!

    Trouble : Supposed to be no tanning ( I do about 10 min. a week though and always cover my face ) and I know I can't have microderm or peels for 6 months. I'm assuming surgery is at least 6 months after you stop and probably even more.

    Anyone in Utah with this problem ... I'll tell you who not to use and I'll tell you the doctor I'm using now.

    The bottom line is ...... if you are getting bumps that hurt and seem to last forever ( more than a week ) , these can cause scarring. You want this taken care of !

    I'm planning to shell out money to fix the scarring , but wish it was money I didn't have to spend and I'm a little scared.

    About how it affects appetite:
    I'm a little hesitant to post this because I don't want people running out to get the drug, but it decreased my appetite . It was an awesome side effect simply because I used to always feel hungry. When I first went on the drug, my appetite was barely there ( I would eat half the amount I used to and couldn't finish the rest ). Now I feel normal again , just not always hungry like I used to feel before going on the drug.
    Last edited by carmen_b; 02-26-2008 at 08:40 PM.

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    God/dess Zabrina's Avatar
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    Default Re: I got a referal to a dermatologist today. I may be going on accutane. Scared.

    Quote Originally Posted by tRoUbLeMaKeR View Post
    Curious....can you go tanning on accutane? How about getting plastic surgery done?
    You aren't supposed to tan.

    You are not allowed to get elective surgery while on Accutane. My Doc said to wait 6 months after my course for plastic surgery(I was still wanting my BA at the time). I researched online and other sites said to wait 1 year- 3 years before getting any plastic surgery after accutane. I waited about 1.5 years then got my BA and everything went fine.

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