Experience w/Accutane

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Posted by gemmifer

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Posted by ant n tilde

yikes no waxing!

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I dont wax

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i am so vain. i am okay with all of these horrible side effects but that is what stood out to me.

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Posted by Belongs2DanBuckley

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Posted by snwb08

wow, that is crazy!! I'm glad you were able to find a different fix for it. I can't imagine dealing with those side effects.

just curious - was it denise's facial person? I still have that link bookmarked.

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yea it is She recommended her to me and I know a couple other girls on here have used her. Lydia from Kimara Ahnhert Studio. A-MA-ZING! Seriously, it took a little while but she really fixed me


Rosella (MrsBartontoBe) joked and said- could u imagine all this time what u needed was just a few good facials

I know proactiv dosen't work for everyone but i found it a good compromise. I love bare minerals too...i don't feel like it clogs my pores and its just enough coverage (Im not a big m/u person anyway)

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proactiv didn't work really for DH but he just has oily skin; it worked really well for my sister.

i love bare minerals also when i wear makeup. i don't even feel it on my skin which is huge for me!

no facials or proactive or bare essentials worked for me besides I have painful cysts that come behind my ears that I cannot lean on that side during sleep

sorry if.. TMI

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Posted by ant n tilde

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Posted by gemmifer

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Posted by ant n tilde

yikes no waxing!

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I dont wax

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i am so vain. i am okay with all of these horrible side effects but that is what stood out to me.

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Tilde you crack me the helll up.

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Posted by gemmifer

no facials or proactive or bare essentials worked for me besides I have painful cysts that come behind my ears that I cannot lean on that side during sleep

sorry if.. TMI

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That really stinks, i'm so sorry. Have you dealt with this your whole life or is it more an adult issue?

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Posted by missliss

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Posted by gemmifer

no facials or proactive or bare essentials worked for me besides I have painful cysts that come behind my ears that I cannot lean on that side during sleep

sorry if.. TMI

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That really stinks, i'm so sorry. Have you dealt with this your whole life or is it more an adult issue?

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no only in the last year or so. I dono why The Dr says is normal... it happens

I took it in high school, about 13 years ago, when the dosages were different (higher!) than they are now. I had been going to dermatologists from seventh through 12th grades, and they put me on everything: Retin-A, antibiotics, everything, and nothing worked.

Accutane worked. The side effects were annoying, but manageable. I had extremely dry lips, which Carmex helped (the stuff with the yellow lid). I used body wash instead of soap, and used moisturizer on my hands like 4 times a day. Inconvenient, but wayyyyy better than having a face full of unmanageable pimples. You have to go for blood tests once a month to test you for pregnancy and for other stuff. As for psychological effects - I can't really say, because I took it from May of my senior year of HS through October of my freshman year of college, so some pretty major stuff was happening at the same time! I do remember that at the time I was rather nervous and didn't eat, and lost like 15 pounds, but that could have been from the stress of those major life changes, and I think it was.

So, bottom line: Accutane helped me when nothing else did, and the side effects were 'annoying' rather than 'debilitating.' My sister took it too, with the same results. Neither of us had any of those awful effects some of the other people mentioned.

Good luck!!!

Ok so everyone who has posted so far seems to have had pretty bad experiences, which I don't doubt--it can do some crazy stuff, I remember reading that same book too....and taking the pill out of the little packet every day, having to pop through a baby with a x through it really got to me....also having to take PG test every time I went to the dermo. But honestly, I was on accutane for 5 months when I was 22 (3 years ago). It was for acne on my back--I tried prescription topical stuff, I tried minocyclin (I think it was called, an antibiotic) nothing helped. I went on the accutane, and it really helped. I honestly hardly had any side effects....my skin was a little dry, yes, as for the sun, i wore 45 every time I was outside and it was fine (I'm pale anyway so I'm used to always wearing sunscreen, I just upped it and applied more often). I know some people have really severe side effects, but I really didn't have any. I don't want to downplay any side effects anyone else might have experienced, just wanted to let you know that you CAN go through it without having major side effects, it really is a case by case basis.

HTH! FM if you want!

ty ladies. I soo knew this would be very one extreme to the other I just wanted to hear about them all to prepare so to speak.

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Posted by Belongs2DanBuckley

I had cystic acne pretty much my entire adolesent life- HORRIBLE (like over 30 injections a week bad), went on accutane, cleared it up with some pretty major side effects- dry mouth and vaj, hard to wear contacts because my eyes were so dry, depression, COULD NOT DRINK A DROP or I would get violently ill! BAD!

but it cleared up my skin save for a few little zits here and there....


FAST FORWARD 5 years- IT CAME BACK!!! My dermo tells me to go on it again, that I need another go of it. I tell her I don't want to and that I'm nervous because I want to have a family and my wedding was coming up (this was around last Oct.). My skin was a MESS! Cystic acne again EVERYWHERE (back, face, neck, behind ears, chest- all over!)

So I tell the dermo my concerns and I tell her also that I'm getting married and that I've heard it can disfigure you (shift bones in your face, etc.)- she tell me that I'm already disfigured so what's the difference. She goes on to tell me that I'll probably just be on an antibiotic the rest of my life. FUUCKING *****!!! Its still maked me mad just thinking about it!

So at my wits end, I considered it, then I decided to go an 'alternative' route. I got a good facialist in NYC. I ordered proactiv as just basic skin care and I ordered bare minerals.

I SWEAR TO GOD my skin has never been better!!! By the time my wedding came around, my skin did a complete 180! I still have scars. I still get zits every now and again but they're NOT cysts. This woman is a miracle.

I honest to God would not even recommend this method if I didn't do it myself. I was a hopeless case and it completely turned me around.

I would avoid Accutane at all costs! You have to go on a federal register while you're on it and for up to a year after. I think its actually federally madated that you practice some sort of birth control.

The dr. told me that few things are certain in the medical community but they know for a FACT that if you conceive a child while you have this drug in your system that if it is born it will have SEVERE brith defects.

IMHO, I would REALLY advise against it. You can FM me if you want...There's more details...its just too much to type. I'll give you the name and # of the facialist too! I got her through a recommendation from this site and I've recommended her out and everyone who has been to her raves.

Good luck with whatever u decide...if you have questions I'm here

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This is my DH, ALL of my wedding pics had to be air brushed b/c he couldnt stand the way his face looked. His face is scarred, blotchy and red-he could NOT stay on the accutane b/c he became severely depressed. He has deep scars on his face and some of the lumps he gets have to be lanced b/c they are SO big they are painful. Im glad you found something that worked for you...i wish I could find somehting for him

Going back 13+ years.... I experienced

Dry nose, but no nosebleeds....still bothersome

Waxing my eyebrows once, shortly after I was off it - horrible

My mood was affected, but not bad.

I saw results, and I am happy that I chose to do it.

I wish you lots of luck, and fantastic results

OK- usually a lurker, but after reading about everybody's negative experiences- I felt the need to provide a positive.

I went on Accutane in 2002 after having tried EVERY OTC and Rx out there to treat cystic acne. NOTHING worked. I was on the 'Tane for 6 months.

I had MINIMAL side effects- the worst being dry lips and eyes. I couldn't wear lipstick and just used Chapstick all the time. I never had problems with sunburn- although, being pale as well as a flight attendant at the time, I always used sunblock regardless. Also, I had my lip waxed and wound up with a chemical burn mustache. You might want to start threading while on it.

I never had issues with depression (BTW- those studies were inconclusive for adults, those who claimed to suffer from suicidal thoughts were teens). I was also told that I should wait 6 months if I planned to TTC.

Accutane is not for everyone- but it was a true miracle for me. Even now, 6 years later I never get cysts. Pregnancy has brought back some acne, as well as the occasional clogged pore. However, I find that my zits are much smaller and generally clear up VERY quickly.

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Posted by LIBrideinBWI

OK- usually a lurker, but after reading about everybody's negative experiences- I felt the need to provide a positive.

I went on Accutane in 2002 after having tried EVERY OTC and Rx out there to treat cystic acne. NOTHING worked. I was on the 'Tane for 6 months.

I had MINIMAL side effects- the worst being dry lips and eyes. I couldn't wear lipstick and just used Chapstick all the time. I never had problems with sunburn- although, being pale as well as a flight attendant at the time, I always used sunblock regardless. Also, I had my lip waxed and wound up with a chemical burn mustache. You might want to start threading while on it.

I never had issues with depression (BTW- those studies were inconclusive for adults, those who claimed to suffer from suicidal thoughts were teens). I was also t


Whold that I should wait 6 months if I planned to TTC.

Accutane is not for everyone- but it was a true miracle for me. Even now, 6 years later I never get cysts. Pregnancy has brought back some acne, as well as the occasional clogged pore. However, I find that my zits are much smaller and generally clear up VERY quickly.

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Yeah The thing is girls I am going through with my decision NO MATTER WHAT. I am in the process of it. It takes a minute to register etc..

Very involved process. However My Dr told me he would like to see me on it for only 4 months and reevaluate it again ..
This Dr. Is very good he help clear up a scar on my face that no other dermo could - So I have faith in him I am praying I don't have to go to get a second Op.
Peg is scaring me
(I am not hairy so I don't have to worry about any issues in regard to waxing and threading) I guess that is a plus



What is the worst ??? If I don't like it I can discontinue it right.:confused

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Posted by gemmifer

no facials or proactive or bare essentials worked for me besides I have painful cysts that come behind my ears that I cannot lean on that side during sleep

sorry if.. TMI

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I totally understand! I was the same way. THIS WOMAN in particular was the solution...the rest of the shiit would have NEVER worked without her. and I didn't come away looking mangled when i was done either.

Seriously though, if you think that's uncomfortable, you better invest in a GOOD lube....otherwise you and ur DH are going to start a fire in the sack

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Posted by gemmifer




What is the worst ??? If I don't like it I can discontinue it right.:confused

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I don't think its that simple....i think you can only discontinue if there's true medical reasons for it. Like liver problems or whatever, not just because you're not happy with some of the side effects

Its russian roulette....you might have NOTHING (i really hope you don't) but it might be bad...and if it is, there's really nothing that can be done

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Posted by Belongs2DanBuckley

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Posted by gemmifer




What is the worst ??? If I don't like it I can discontinue it right.:confused

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I don't think its that simple....i think you can only discontinue if there's true medical reasons for it. Like liver problems or whatever, not just because you're not happy with some of the side effects

Its russian roulette....you might have NOTHING (i really hope you don't) but it might be bad...and if it is, there's really nothing that can be done

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wait let's discuss.. I WILL discontinue if I don't like the side effect Nobody follows me around with a gun and tells me I have to take meds

The first month I understand it to be an adjustment period - I am prepared for that
If things get very uncomfortable to me I think that is enuf of a reason to discontinue.

As far as the dryness I got it covered - Found a great product by V/S called Magic..I Highly recommend

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Posted by gemmifer

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Posted by Belongs2DanBuckley

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Posted by gemmifer




What is the worst ??? If I don't like it I can discontinue it right.:confused

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I don't think its that simple....i think you can only discontinue if there's true medical reasons for it. Like liver problems or whatever, not just because you're not happy with some of the side effects

Its russian roulette....you might have NOTHING (i really hope you don't) but it might be bad...and if it is, there's really nothing that can be done

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wait let's discuss.. I WILL discontinue if I don't like the side effect Nobody follows me around with a gun and tells me I have to take meds

The first month I understand it to be an adjustment period - I am prepared for that
If things get very uncomfortable to me I think that is enuf of a reason to discontinue.

As far as the dryness I got it covered - Found a great product by V/S called Magic..I Highly recommend

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NICE! Alright good luck...I think that was also the problem with me because my Dr wouldn't take me off until she felt I was finished. She told me if there's no medical reason then I would be doing more harm then good by going off too early.

I eventually stopped taking it because my insurance ran out and i paid out of pocket for a couple of months before they told me that it seemed like it was ok to go off. I was kinda happy to be done with it, but the thought of going on it again scared the shiit out of me.

I sincerely hope everythings ok for you. Good luck!

I was on Accutane for years when i was a teenager (I was on such a low dosage that i was able to be on it for years), and that stuff truly is the miracle drug! Some side effects I had were extremely chapped lips, dry mouth (luckily my twatt stayed nice and wet ), and eventually blood in my shiittt . the blood is pretty much the reason I went off it, had to have a colonoscopy at 19 but everything turned out fine! And the beautiful thing is that stuff works years after you stop it!!!