Any Accutane users here?

I started taking it on Sunday. So far, no side effects, and I am feeling confident about it.

Just wondering if there was anyone else out there!

I used Accutane from October 2000 to about April 2001. My skin was very dry and my mouth was always dry as well, especially the corners. It is now a few years later and I still have a few breakouts that I use a topical cream for but nothing like it was.

My only words of advice are...
- DON'T get waxed! I thought it would be ok until it ripped off my skin along with my eyebrows...oh the pain
- I felt at times like I was going insane. I know it sounds ridiculous and I can't explain it very well but after a while I definitely didn't feel like me. I also started grad school at the time that I started taking Accutane so I don't know if this was a result of either or both but have someone watch you! (Especially since it has been blamed for suicides.)

Other than that, good luck!

I took it probably 5 years ago. I agree - you will get a lot of dryness, keep good face lotion handy! And lip balm. My lips were always dry (and I took it during winter, like you, also).

Oh, and just watch any waxing on your face. It won't be pretty. At least not when I tried it (duh!).

But it worked like a charm on clearing my skin, its been much easier to handle ever since.

Good luck!

I have some questions- when did the joint pain thing kick in? Did anyone have problems getting OFF Accutane? Like withdrawls?
*If anyone is uncomfortable posting, please FM me.

Guys, thank you for your advice and support!

I will definitely stay away from any kind of face/skin treatments.

I don't really remember having much joint pain and if I did I definitely don't remember when it started.

And I also didn't have any trouble coming off of it. My doctor slowly increased my dosage in the beginning and then slowly decreased it as I was ending treatment. I am sure that helped any effects I would have had.

No problem at all answering any questions that I can...as long as I remember!

Good luck!

I was on Accutane from April 2003 until Sept. 2003. The side effects started about one to two weeks into it. My only really memorable effect was INCREDIBLY dry lips. One time I actually had to leave a lecture I was attending to go to my car (across campus) because I'd forgotten my chapstick. It was almost painful.
By the way, your lips WILL be very sensitive, so don't use any balm with menthol, and use one with a sunscreen. I used Chapstick LIPMoisture (I think).

I definitely got the joint pain, especially in my ankles, about 2 months in. It wasn't debilitating, just something I noticed.I didn't suffer from dry skin though-but I did use really gentle moisturizers like Cetaphil (with sunscreen).

I also don't recall having any kind of withdrawals - and I was on a continuous high dosage throughout (80 mg, 40mg 2xaday). I just stopped taking it after 6 months.

EVERYONE seems to have different side effects, with different intensities.

Good luck with it - It has worked wonders for me. Please FM me if you have any other questions.....
Amy