Results 1 to 22 of 22

Thread: Accutane

  1. #1
    Veteran Member xBlackBettyx's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    Posts
    476
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Accutane

    Has anyone on SW ever been prescribed accutane? I've heard horror stories with it's side effects, and facial wise I don't have acne but I'm starting to get body acne (and acne cysts) in the suckiest places, I'm wondering if accutane will get rid of that and maybe even even out my skin tone.

    What have you expirienced on accutane?

    Damnit, searched and found a shitload of threads OOPSIES
    Aequitas Veritas
    Poster Formerly Known as MulattoKittyn


  2. #2
    God/dess sxybrat07's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2006
    Location
    in yer bum
    Posts
    3,827
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    My bf committed suicide while on it. I am obviously, very anti accutane. His fam has a lawsuit against them currently, as one of the side effects is "suicidal thoughts or tendencies".

    If you do take it, be very very careful.
    I believe you Dottie and you have my support

  3. #3
    Yekhefah
    Guest

    Default Re: Accutane

    It does often cause suicidal tendencies, and it also causes horrible birth defects. If you take it, make sure you're using two forms of good birth control, and be prepared for abortion if they fail.

  4. #4
    God/dess Zabrina's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    2,892
    Thanks
    17
    Thanked 42 Times in 30 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    They have a program called iPledge now that will harrass the crap out of you to make sure you are on bc. It's true that if you have depressive tendencies its a good idea to avoid this drug.

    I, however, have great things to say about it. I finished my cycle about 6 months ago and it cured what I thought was going to be a lifetime of acne.

  5. #5
    God/dess Vyanka's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Cash-Stack-istan Island
    Posts
    14,704
    Thanks
    6,564
    Thanked 11,625 Times in 3,697 Posts
    My Mood
    Angelic

    Default Re: Accutane

    I'm on it. I've been on it for five months and this is actually my last month on it. I don't have suicidal thoughts, I never had the issue before it or after. I am a moody person and I noticed that sometimes times I get very angry or sad. But never suicidal. It also has made me very sleepy, I feel sleepy alot. But that doesn't happen to alot of ppl from what my derm told me.

    Other side affects i've gotten is very dry lips, which is common. Two migranes out of the course, but i've always gotten migranes too. Very dry skin, but I don't mind that. Oh, your hair will thin out and shed like crazy but after the course that goes back to normal.

    I suggest you take it if you suffered from persistant cystic acne all of your life, tried everything and nothing has worked. You might want to get your hormones checked before getting on it. The medication is NOT an easy method I tell you that much. You have to register on some site to answer questions monthly before getting the pills, and blood work every freaking month that you're on it. NOT fun.

  6. #6
    God/dess Vyanka's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Cash-Stack-istan Island
    Posts
    14,704
    Thanks
    6,564
    Thanked 11,625 Times in 3,697 Posts
    My Mood
    Angelic

    Default Re: Accutane

    Oooohhh and OOOOOOOOhhh, does it make you dry down there too. Ugh. I still get a little wet, but not as I use to. That also goes back to normal, thank God. LOL. Sometimes I can't even give proper head bc my lips get very dry and my mouth.

    Also, I read somewhere that if you do start getting suicidal thoughts you can get prescription for it.

    P.S. Go to www.acne.org It's such a great site. They have an Accutane forum on there.
    Last edited by Vyanka; 02-22-2007 at 06:44 PM.

  7. #7
    God/dess jaizaine's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2006
    Location
    melbourne australia
    Posts
    10,144
    Thanks
    328
    Thanked 219 Times in 133 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    See your GP first and get a referal to a dermatologist maybe there is something with less dangerous side effects.

  8. #8
    Veteran Member xBlackBettyx's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    Posts
    476
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    Quote Originally Posted by sxybrat07 View Post
    My bf committed suicide while on it. I am obviously, very anti accutane. His fam has a lawsuit against them currently, as one of the side effects is "suicidal thoughts or tendencies".

    If you do take it, be very very careful.
    I read about that...Was the depression pre-existing? It's crazy how medicines that are supposed to help do stuff like that. That's very scary.
    Aequitas Veritas
    Poster Formerly Known as MulattoKittyn


  9. #9
    Banned LatinaRose's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Toronto 4 now...
    Posts
    4,876
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    I thought about going on it and went to the dermo. Did not have awful skin, just enough to make me cringe sometimes. I was put on a far less aggressive oral medication and two topical creams and now my skin is as close to perfect as it has ever been. I think if you go to the dermo you can get prescribed something a lot safer that will still clear up your skin.

  10. #10
    God/dess Zabrina's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    2,892
    Thanks
    17
    Thanked 42 Times in 30 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    ^Yeah. Accutane is the last resort after you have already tried all the lighter stuff and not seen results.

  11. #11
    StrayStripper
    Guest

    Default Re: Accutane

    I <3 Accutane.

    I did not feel suicidal on this drug. If anything, I felt joy as my acne cleared up.

    is a link for acne.org's message board for Accutane. Your questions might be answered more thoroughly there.

  12. #12
    God/dess sxybrat07's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2006
    Location
    in yer bum
    Posts
    3,827
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    Quote Originally Posted by xBlackBttyx View Post
    I read about that...Was the depression pre-existing? It's crazy how medicines that are supposed to help do stuff like that. That's very scary.
    Nope, it wasn't. It appeared shortly after taking accutane, but they didn't think the side effect was harmful enough to quit taking it.
    I believe you Dottie and you have my support

  13. #13
    Veteran Member xBlackBettyx's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    Posts
    476
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    The things that are creeping me out is the whole dry eye and hair thinning.
    Depression would concern me as well.
    Aequitas Veritas
    Poster Formerly Known as MulattoKittyn


  14. #14
    Featured Member mina loy's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2006
    Location
    san francisco
    Posts
    970
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    i went on it when i was 16. my skin got very dry and i had headaches. i was already suffering from depression but i didn't have any suicidal thoughts. my skin cleared up for 6 months and after that, the acne came back

    maybe it's time for a second round?

  15. #15
    Veteran Member Minette's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Western Massachusetts
    Posts
    491
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    I've never used accutane personally, but I have heard oodles of scary stories about it. On the other hand, I have a tendency to break out on my back as well as my face some, and over many years tried tons of creams, both rx and over the counter and various antibiotics. The best solution I've found is pantothenic acid or B5. It clears up my skin and minimizes my pores! It did take a while for it to start working (in fact, at first it seemed to make things worse), and if I go off it, I break out, but it's still been far and away the best thing I've found. I get mine online from Swansons. Here's a link to the website where I found info on it originally: http://gmuntz.tripod.com/

  16. #16
    Senior Member shwankie's Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    125
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    I was on Accutane about 7 years ago, and loved it. Never had suicidal thoughts, and my skin still looks *amazing*.

    One of the keys is getting a responsible dermatologist. Accutane is the last resort, always (I had cystic acne that was getting worse after 3 years of other treatments). It is NOT for teen acne unless the acne is leaving disfiguring scars, etc. Responsible derms won't even give it to you without a statement from your gyn/doc that you've been on hormonal bc for 2 months (if you can't take hormonal, then many will suggest other things like IUDs or will not give you the Accutane), and a signature on a document saying you'll use a second form of birth control. You'll need a pregnancy test, and also an initial base-line blood draw for things like triglycerides, cholesterol, etc. They also ask you to keep a mood journal (and they'll review it at your monthly appointments), and you'll need blood tests monthly.

    I took one round of Accutane over 8 months (I couldn't tolerate a larger dose, so it took me longer than some other people). I have several friends who also took it either before me, or around the same time. We all still have wonderful results (no acne since then, ever!), and experienced no depression, etc. I did have pretty nasty joint pain the first few weeks, but some OTC pain killers resolved it and then I was fine. Yes, my lips and skin were very dry, and my night vision was impaired. All those things resolved themselves shortly after my course was done. The derm also gave me a large bag every monthly visit containing great skin products to help my stay hydrated and protected from the sun.

    If a derm does not ask you for the things above, walk out. They are not responsible enough to be moniteoing you on this very serious drug. If Accutane was the first thing they recommended to you, walk out. Again, they are not responsible enough to be giving it to you.

    Depression is a known possible side effect of Accuane, and it is definitely not recommended for people with a history of depression or other mental illnesses. Last I knew, there was no study that had recorded a higher instance of suicide in people without a previous history of depression than there was with the same conditions in the general population, but one may have come out in the last few years. Do your research, and be informed. Your doctor, friends, and family will be important in monitoring your physical and emotional progress.

    Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

  17. #17
    Featured Member aviendha's Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    978
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 13 Times in 8 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    I took Accutane for 4 months about 5 years ago. I think I had to cut it short by a month because I was laid off and therefore lost my health insurance, but it still worked.

    I had very mild side effects. No depression (in fact, I felt GREAT because my acne was gone), no hair shedding. VERY dry lips, to the point that Chapstick wouldn't help at all. A little nasal bleeding, similar to what I get in very dry weather. Skin thinning, you cut yourself quite easily and that can be startling. I cut myself on a DINNER knife--the really dull kind that's barely serrated. Dry eyes, so I had to stop wearing contacts for a while.

    Once I went off, the side effects gradually went away, but then my skin FREAKED out and I had terrible acne (though not cystic). I think that this could very well be because I was still overloading my skin with products meant for acne-prone skin, and now my skin was dry and didn't need all that stuff. I finally found the acne.org regimen and my skin went from 0 to perfect in 3 days. Now I moisturize, use a little zit cream and eye cream, and leave it at that.

    Now, 5 years later, I get a pimple or two a few times a month, but nothing that a little benzoyl peroxide can't handle. I've had maybe one or two cysts in all that time (and I think they were just blackheads that I picked and made worse, to be honest) and the acne on my back and chest has gone almost completely away, never to return.

    I would do it again in a heartbeat!

  18. #18
    Veteran Member sexystephani's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Fresno Ca
    Posts
    469
    Thanks
    9
    Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    Ive been on it 2 times and it has been wonderful. It is a very serious drug but it worked for me. You can pm me or emal me if you have any questions.

  19. #19
    Featured Member
    Joined
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    1,662
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 13 Times in 9 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    My best friend (male) just stopped his final treatment and his skin looks so much better. I advised him not to take it, but his acne was so bad he decided to anyway and it really did help.

  20. #20
    Veteran Member Sultry Siren's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    457
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    I was put on accutane back when it first hit the market and not all the side effects were known about the drug.

    I had the "classic pizza face" and my family doctor tried all manners of scrubs, creams, astrigents, you get the idea. Nothing worked and some of the products actually made things worse by irritating the already inflamed skin.

    So he decided to try me on the then "experimental" acne drug.

    My only side effects were very very dry lips and my eyes dried out as well so I needed to carry eye drops with me. Other than that no side effects that I remember.

    A man who used to live in an apartment building that I did took it and he peeled like a molting snake when he was on it.

    Those are the only side effects that I know of outside of what you ladies have posted here.
    Be very careful if you make a woman cry, because God counts her tears. The woman came out of a man's rib. Not from his feet to be walked on. Not from his head to be superior, but from the side to be equal. Under the arm to be protected, and next to the heart to be loved."
    Hebrew Talmud


  21. #21
    Senior Member shwankie's Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    125
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    You can also help counter some of the drying by taking vitamin E (this was in my little goody bag from the derm every month, as well) and drinking a LOT of water. I was also encouraged to stay away from diuretics, such as pop and coffee, to help with hydration.

  22. #22
    Newbie chicak8's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    10
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Accutane

    I took Accutane. My only regret was not doing it sooner. It works. It didn't make me depressed at all. I was depressed before I took it because my acne was so bad.

Similar Threads

  1. accutane
    By snow white in forum Body Business
    Replies: 24
    Last Post: 06-19-2008, 08:35 PM
  2. accutane after surgery
    By krystalpink in forum Body Business
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-16-2008, 04:58 AM
  3. Going on Accutane!
    By tRoUbLeMaKeR in forum Body Business
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 03-29-2008, 10:20 PM
  4. Non Accutane Cures?
    By nicole84 in forum Body Business
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 01-18-2008, 08:31 PM
  5. Accutane
    By Adina in forum Body Business
    Replies: 28
    Last Post: 12-24-2004, 03:16 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •