Accutane - Does anyone here use it.

Hey guys,
I was just wondering.. Do any of you use accutane, or do you have anything you'd like to share about accutane or acne treatments.

I've suffered with this problem for a long time now.. I've been taking antibiotics for about a month now. And I dont see a Major improvement.. I feel that after having this problem for so long.. I might as well try accutane.

I've tried just about every freaking over the counter product there is, knowing that most of them are just scams to the average consumer.. I even tried Proactive with no results after 2 orders.

I really hate this problem, I spoke to my doctor and he said he would like to prescibe me accutane.. I asked about the possible risks and what are the benifits.

The benifits seem great, at the same time, the risks seem large.. He didn't specifically say the risks were bad.. I read on the internet about mental disorders, such as sucidal thoughts, depression.. and the other minor side effects you find with drugs like advil etc.

What's your guys take on this.. I would really appreciate your feedback...

.dc

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Every drug is going to carry with it some percentage of risk. I'm taking two such drugs concurrently which can result in bone marrow suppression, liver disorders, lymphoma, blood disease, pancreatic disorders, and male reproductive issues. Even though the risk of these sides effects amounts to little more than a fraction of a percentage, doctors are required to disclose them to patients.

Really, you need to ask yourself if the benefits of the drug outweigh the potential risks.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I've heard that Accutane has amazing amazing results but come with crazy side effects. Like depression, thoughts of suicide, shit like that. There was a kid in Florida who crashed a training plane he was working on because he was on Accutane. It's serious and potent stuff, so if you're thinking about it go to your parents and dermatologist so they can regulate you very carefully. And stay away from sharp objects.

The way I heard that Accutane works is that it kills a layer of your skin that is the cause of acne so you don't produce oils anymore. So if you're to cut your face after doing Accutane, it doesn't clot as well or something.

If you really have such bad acne that you need it, then ask your mom and doctor. But really after your teen years, acne does go away believe or not.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

How old is this guy. When people complain about acne, it's never as bad as they make it out to be.

Think about changing your diet and drinking at least 3 bottles of water each day.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Be prepared to get extremely flakey skin when taking Accutane. I was on it for about 4 months under constant supervision from the doctor, making appointments every two weeks, as well as go for a bloodtest every month. Yeah, so it does suck. At least my acne's not really apparent anymore.

Originally Posted by Megalith

drinking at least 3 bottles of water each day.

Truth.

I started to drink probably a good pretty much 1 and 1/2 litres a day of water throughout and stopped with the pop and stuff.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I'm a pretty healthy guy.
I'm 19... I eat proper, I dont even eat McDonalds.. If I do, it's on a rare occation.. I drink plenty of water cuz I like how it's refreshing.. I do have stress, but I know others with much more stress than me who dont have acne..

I did make a decision.. I wont go on accutane... I guess I just have to deal with it best I can... There are just to many risks associated with accutane.. and I really dont want to lean into something like that..

Thanks for the support guys, means a lot.

.dc

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

All right, first things first: Food has NOTHING to do with acne. Ask any dermatologist and they'll agree.

I used accutane for about a year, and it's true: The shit does kill acne and you don't get it any more, but there are risks, as with any medication. You have to get blood tests every month or so to ensure there is no liver damage, and there is a risk of depression.

To be honest, I didn't have any problems. It depends on the person, as always. I made the decision to use it so I would not have the scarring that can occur after major cases of acne. If you aren't getting enough acne to have a risk of scarring, I wouldn't recommend using accutane, but otherwise it's definately something to consider.

Don't forget, there's a risk every time you take medication, even cold or pain meds, so don't think accutane is the only pill to worry about.

FELIPE NO

Okay. I was on Accutane for two rounds (two years, separated by a year). I'm pretty damn familiar with the stuff, as are other people in my family that also took it multiple times; I had one of the most stubborn cases my dermatologist had seen.

Originally Posted by kat

I've heard that Accutane has amazing amazing results but come with crazy side effects. Like depression, thoughts of suicide, shit like that. There was a kid in Florida who crashed a training plane he was working on because he was on Accutane.

That is shit. The percentage of people that have had "suicidal" thoughts are close to nil. The only reason this 'side effect' is a major deal is because the son of some state Govenor committed suicide while he happened to be on Accutane. The connection has never been firmly established, and I know that I never had any suicidal thoughts (or any other mental disturbances), nor have any of my friends or family that were on it. Individual physiology factors into it, but I think it's really a thin line connecting the two things.

There are irritating side effects -- and dangerous ones as well. It can raise your blood-fat levels, so you have to get those checked monthly; in women it causes severe birth defects (I mean, really bad, nasty effects) for up to 6 months after you stop taking it.
When I was on it, I got the normal extremely dry skin and lips (eyes weren't quite as dry), but I also lost some of my hair (temporarily -- it came back after I stopped taking it). Another thing is it can potentially damage joints, and I do have some joint fatigue nowdays that may or may not be a result of taking Accutane.

Quote:

The way I heard that Accutane works is that it kills a layer of your skin that is the cause of acne so you don't produce oils anymore. So if you're to cut your face after doing Accutane, it doesn't clot as well or something.

Accutane is basically OD'ing on Vitamin A. The way it works isn't exactly known/understood, but it does shut off oil production in the lower layers of your skin. And the clotting thing I never heard of, nor did I experience it.

Quote:

But really after your teen years, acne does go away believe or not.

Like hell. There's something called "Adult acne" that crops up late in life -- often around age 24-30 -- and it's just as frustrating as the teen crap. I certainly am not a stranger to it: it's hit me now, and I'm probably going to have to go back to the dermatologist. Again. >_<

Originally Posted by JasonTerminator

Food has NOTHING to do with acne. Ask any dermatologist and they'll agree.

They will say that -- but they will also say that if you notice an association, then avoid the food that you think causes it. My dad is in his mid-50s -- well past "acne age" -- and he only gets zits when he eats large amounts of chocolate. It's the only time. So it has something to do with it.

Sorry this is really long, but it's kind of a big deal to me. I recommend Accutane only as the absolute last resort for very acute cases, since it carries so many side-effects. Also, it's outrageously expensive, so unless you or your parents have very good insurance, you're looking at hundreds of dollars a month on acne meds.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Quote:

All right, first things first: Food has NOTHING to do with acne. Ask any dermatologist and they'll agree.

That's complete bullshit. For me, at least, everyone has a different experience / opinion on it. I had it pretty bad a few years ago, but cutting out junk food is what cleared me up, it didn't happen instantly but it worked. Any product I tried before that did nothing, they are only temporary as well, as is accutane. When the accutane wears off, and the cause is still there, it comes back. Don't be a wuss, try and find the inner cause of it, acne is not normal, if it's not food related find something else abnormal / unnatural that you're doing and cut it out, use trial and error or whatever. Don't worry too much about it though while you have it, nobody else really cares.

I did a test last christmas, I had as much junk food as I could for a week and a week later I started getting lots of spots and my face felt more oily, went back to eating normally and they went away again, I love being able to control it now, if I have fast food for a few days, I just only eat fruit and veggies etc. afterwards and no problem. Water is very good too!

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Unless your absolute doggy pizza faced, you really shouldn't start popping pills.

You can dry yourself out by changing your diet, too. Drink shittons of water, and try to stay in a clean and dry environment. Clean your face more often. Also, I noticed, get MORE SLEEP.

I'm mostly past acne, but the shit I do get now, is usually because of lack of sleep. I notice that whenever I get a good night's rest, it generally creeps away.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Thanks for all the responses guys.... It means a great deal to me.. I've still stuck with my decision not to use Accutane just yet.. I am gonna wait just a little longer and see if this 'age' thing is true... I am 19, so by 20-22 it should be gone or almost nothing..

Also I am still on some anti-biotics.. and I am gonna wait until I finish a few more treatments to see if there is a big improvement.

I tried a dermatologist.. To me, all they did was jip me out of 500 dollars for the topical treatment and 200 bucks per month on other treatments that didn't really do jackshit..

My acne isn't totally sevre... But because I'm tanned skin, any blemishes I get turn into dark spots regardless how big, small, where it happens... I dont even pop zits or any shit like that, I let it run it's course, and the aftermath is a scar that takes weeks to months to heal up.. it's totally rediculous.

I drink plenty of water, 1 because I like water, and 2 because my anti biotics tell me to drink plenty of it.

thanks guys again for all the responses, I really appreicate the feedback.

.dc

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Grubdog

That's complete bullshit. For me, at least, everyone has a different experience / opinion on it.

http://www.acne.org/myths.html
http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/acne/acne.htm#acne_c
http://www.acne.com/myths_claims/myths_claims.php
http://www.medicinenet.com/acne/page2.htm

I'm not seeing many contradictory viewpoints here.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I used that stuff back in 2001, got rid of my acne, until I stopped using it. Really I found acne cream works alomst as well with much less of a risk. For me, I'll just have to wait it out, I don't have health insurance.
Strangely enough it also got rid of my dandruff as well.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by JasonTerminator

All right, first things first: Food has NOTHING to do with acne. Ask any dermatologist and they'll agree.

Oh of course they will. Why would a dermatologist want to recommend something that would lose them a customer? Hell, those dermatologists are so interested in finding ways to keep you coming back that they will suggest that every mole on your body is going to potentially become skin cancer (which, even though is true, doesn't warrant a return visit and a $300 'consultation' bill)

As for food having nothing to do with acne, explain to me why accutane is made out of Vitamin A?
Also please tell me why so many health food experts seem to agree that Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin.

"You are what you eat," as they say.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Just eat something that's spicy.

You can literally feel pimples start growing on your skin.

FELIPE NO

I also find that you should only clean your face when it's dirty or when it's oily. Otherwise you'll wash your face too often, this could backfire. I usually just wipe the oil off with a wet rag or tissue before I go to bed to prevent breakouts on my forehead (where >85% of my acne activity occurs).

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I've been told that some people even wash their face before they go to bed.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I've got a totally stubborn case of bacne (i.e. acne on my back). I'm seriously considering going to see a dermatologists for some perscription stuff, but I really don't want to take this accutane stuff. What kind of other treatments do dermatologists perscribe?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Mucknuggle

I've got a totally stubborn case of bacne (i.e. acne on my back). I'm seriously considering going to see a dermatologists for some perscription stuff, but I really don't want to take this accutane stuff. What kind of other treatments do dermatologists perscribe?

From what I've heard from a cousin of mine, it's common for a dermatologist to provide some sort of cream something-or-other for acne, especially when it's on one's back. (A friend of mine used a special soap on his back for awhile, too.)

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With acne that's not visible when fully clothed (and doesn't cause pain), I just leave it alone. Accutane got rid of most of acne at all parts of my body, but would also leave a film of dead skin on my face (it looked like I dipped my face in powder).

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Unfortunately, friction caused by clothing&etc. can irritate an acne problem. Not much you can do about that in terms of your back and stuff, but trying not to sleep on your face will help. I notice if I sleep on my back, without having my face touch my pillow, I have less breakouts.

That, and I change my pillowcase much faster than my sheets. Just to make sure that it's clean and isn't getting too much in my pores that I wouldn't want.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Unfourtunately for me, the pimples I do get on my back are big and irritate very easily. But since at work I rarely sit down, it's not much of problem there. I also have the annoying tendancy to get boils on parts of my body where I don't get acne.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Well as an update, my doctor prescribed me accutane. But I am not gonna touch it yet... I am gonna wait one more month or sol... stick to my anti biotics and topical creams.... and I am gonna see if there is a difference.. If there isn't... Well then I'll re-evalutate the benifits/risks again.

The main problem I have is even aftering taking accutane, acne comes back and you have all the other problems that come with it..

So I guess it just isn't worth it yet.

.dc

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by DCII764II00

Well as an update, my doctor prescribed me accutane. But I am not gonna touch it yet... I am gonna wait one more month or sol... stick to my anti biotics and topical creams.... and I am gonna see if there is a difference.. If there isn't... Well then I'll re-evalutate the benifits/risks again.

The main problem I have is even aftering taking accutane, acne comes back and you have all the other problems that come with it..

So I guess it just isn't worth it yet.

.dc

Just one thing, if you get depressed at all during the course of taking the medicine, stop immediately. Don't even consult your doctor on that one, we don't want another teen suicide caused by acne medicine.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Im not going to be using it..
I mean I really looked at this.. This is a medication.. Medications are designed and are meant to help people.. Not make them fearful of the treatment itself.. There's just way to many risks for me to think about the benifits.

Infact, after doing a ton of resarch on this drug, it scares me to think what will happen if I take it.. And why would you want to do something you're not comfortable with? It's could be compared to ttaking illegal substances then, doing it just because it has benifits. though there are benifits, the benifits might not even last long.. and on top of that.. a list of harmful effects can occur with this drug.. from phsycological, to physical damage.. so to treat one illness, you exchange it for the possibility of a game of russian roulette, with future effects that can last a lifetime..

When I thought about it that way... I rather not go through it. I am glad though.. Because it allowed me to notice how my I appreciate my health and how blessed I am..

After deciding not to take this drug, I felt better.. like a bunch of weights were lifted off my chest...I guess that's when it hit me.. I really don't give a fuck about accutane or my acne... If it's there, it's there.. it's me.. and though I don't mind using anti-boitics, creams, and other treatments... I would never expose myself to a drug that can potentailly harm myself, physcologically, physically, and emotionally....

what the hell was I thinking..the whole point I am trying to make here...

.dc

Jam it back in, in the dark.