Accutane?

[ScatterPlot]

I am thinking about getting on it and I was wondering if anyone here has had any experience with it. Like with the depression/whatever side effects. I got this big ole book of things to know before taking and it's kinda scary. I think I will take it, since my doctor said the depression wasn't related to the taking of Accutane, and also a nurse there that had taken it said it was great. It's just vit. A (what I've been told, pretty sure it's correct) so I'm not too worried. However, I just wanted to ask the AO Army's opinion on it before I start. Lemme know if any of you know anyone who has taken it, how it went, etc. Thanks!
Bert

[mcveighr]

There was a big thread on this a while back, with alot of peoples experiences. Try searching for acutane.

[impostal22]

that would be this thread...

http://www.automags.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=103482

read it thoroughly..

[Dubstar112]

I never got accutane but thats cause Its going to be a last resort. Im on another "claimed maracle" now. Poreactive or somthing like that. It comes with some vitamins and facial creames/scrubs etc..... Ill let you know if I get any results.

[MayAMonkeyBeYourPinata]

Originally posted by Dubstar112
I never got accutane but thats cause Its going to be a last resort. Im on another "claimed maracle" now. Poreactive or somthing like that. It comes with some vitamins and facial creames/scrubs etc..... Ill let you know if I get any results.

That stuff did absoulutely nothing besides dry up my face.

Accutane is a wonderful, drug, the side effects are there but happen vary rarely

[cphilip]

It works dam good. My Kid was on it. You just got to have your blood drawn once a month to check your liver functions and sort of pay attention. But in 6 months its over and most people do fine on it. Did wonders for him. Completely cured it and has not come back. Its for serious Acne. But its a good cure for it. It normaly is for serious cases where scaring is occuring and nothing simple is touching it. Don't be afraid of it. Just follow all the directions. No competent Doctor is going to allow it to be used without monitoring and with good client information. Thats what your getting now.

[impostal22]

i've been toying with the idea of using it as well....scares me though, especially the depression side effect. although if it does what it's supposed to, it'll take away all depression lol.

[cphilip]

The Depression has not ever been truely linked. The cause of depression is far more complex than that. Seems a few people with Depression AND on Acutane commited Suicide. However were they Depression prone? Were they depressed because of the Medicine. Fact is that a person with bad Acne might also be depressed. But it has nothing really to do with the root cause of it. Thats never been established. And take a good look at the percentages. One might find Tylenol or even Black Shoe strings could be linked to depression... Its all a matter of perspective and trying to take the metrics out of all perspective.

It is however teratogenic and hepatotoxic. I would worry more about monitoring those things. Younge women should be really carefull about pregnancy and you should have your liver funtions monitored very closely. Beyond that keep it in perspective and tell someone of you moods are changing. It will all end in about 6 months and all will be fine for 99.9 % of people out there. I think your chances of getting struck by lightning is a bit better.

[Dubstar112]

I have some scarring, the only thing thats keeping me away from accutane is the $$$,$$$.$$

[impostal22]

Originally posted by Dubstar112
I have some scarring, the only thing thats keeping me away from accutane is the $$$,$$$.$$

uh...is it really in the hundreds of thousands? lol...

[Ov3rmind]

I'm on it right now. So far it's worked better than anything else I've tried, but hasn't cured it completely yet (have 2 months to go). Only side effects for me have been dry skin and a bit of stiffness in the leg muscles (not enough to really cause any trouble).

[Gitaroo Man]

worked great for me...i got no side affects except it dried up my face so i would have to put on lotion after getting wet. Now i still have to do that two years later.

[boggerman]

I used it about 8 yrs ago, it helped me get over my fear of needles(monthly blood draws) and it cleared me up alot, but not completely, and not permanently. I am now 32 and still fight acne on a pretty regular basis, but nothing like i used to(if you think zits are depressing, try zits AND a receeding hairline ). Any other older acne fighters here? Mine was so bad in those days that I would not wear a white shirt out in public for fear of breaking a zit on my back and having it bleed through the shirt. All in all, I feel it was worth it in my case, and you should check to see if your health insurance will foot the bill, they did for me.

I remember being cautioned about dry skin and sun exposure(burn easy) but that's it. I don't remember any depression problems or warnings.

[Dubstar112]

Originally posted by impostal22



uh...is it really in the hundreds of thousands? lol...

No, and I havent gotten an official price report either, however I have heard it is very expensive. Somtimes health insurance covers. In my case of not having any... thats my worries.

[impostal22]

doesn't making your face overly dry cause it to secrete more oils, and therefore perpetuate the acne problem? at least...that's what happened to me with other forms of acne treatment. not to mention when my face got really dry, it became REALLY red and sandpapery.