How is your experience with Accutane going? I'm considering starting it since I need to control my acne, have sensitive skin, and am not in a relationship now...

I heard it may give cholesterol...but does that have a certain age range?

Let me know your thoughts!
Thanks in advance.

[spazbaby]

How is your experience with Accutane going? I'm considering starting it since I need to control my acne, have sensitive skin, and am not in a relationship now...

I heard it may give cholesterol...but does that have a certain age range?

Let me know your thoughts!
Thanks in advance.

Doesn't Accutane have some kind of bad effect on your reproductive system? I think they suggest that females not take it.

The answer: It may cause birth defects. That's it really... Which is why I mention not being in a relationship now was a good thing.

[Liz]

i heard that accutane is like the last option. and they make you go on birth control so you won't get preggers. there have been people that get really depressed and commit suicide. and i guess you get really dry. but i haven't read too much on it. definitley research it and talk to your doctor.

I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyc. for a year so b.c. isn't an issue for me (I have trouble with sickness during periods) and yeah, my doctor told me that Accutane is the last thing to try. It's the only real "cure" out there.

[nydoll23]

I heard about it making some people depressed,i wouldnt go near it.

[tylda1969]

I was on Accutane, for about 6 months. Very strict with the whole pregnancy issue. You have to take a preg test before you start taking and you have to be taking 2 diff. kinds of birth control. I had to go in and get blood tests all the time to make sure everything was alright. Depression, yes I believe that it is a side effect, but I was already there because of my acne. Each time in for a test, I would also see the doctor and he would ask me a series of question to make sure emotionally I was ok. I was fine the time I was on it. I was on acc. during the winter months, which is good because you have to stay out of the sun while your on it. I would have to say the worst thing I experienced was EXTREMELY dry lips! That was awful! After I was done I had to wait, I think, 3 months before I could go and have micro derm done. You can scar very easily during the time you are on it, pickers be ware. It can also be very expensive, lucky for me insurance picked up some of it. You also have to go in once a month to personally pick up the prescription from the dr. They won't give it to anyone else but you and only one at a time. Warning labels all over it. I believe I had to sign for it too, before they would release the script for me. Tons of paperwork and literature to read and fill out and counciltations before you will be put on it. I am glad I did it finally, I just wish that I did it way before 34! I would have made my life allot better. Hope this helps a little. If my kids ever needed the help of accutane, I wouldn't hessitate to do it at an early stage!

[NYAngel98]

I'm not too keen on any kinds of pills... you never know how they will react. I use Differin gel, which is also a perscription, but topical - and it works great.

Follow up: I just visited my derm. yesterday- she wants to keep me on Doxycycline because I am getting less breakouts, and I told her I couldn't use Retin-a, because my face turned purple and a top layer of my skin burned and peeled. So she gave me Differin gel and says it is very mild compared to what her partner gave me (she was surprised he did, Retin-a is very strong.) So I am going to use Differin at night, as often as my face lets me, haha. She also gave me Finecea - which is used to fade pink marks that I'm afraid will lead to scars. I'm going to use this is the morning after washing my face.

As far as washing goes: I just bought Lancome's- Pure Focus Skin Products, just the cleanser and toner for now, every part of the line is $20 each. I really like them! My skin feels so deep clean and soft after washing! If the Finecea is doing good after a couple weeks I think I'll go buy the exfoliator in this Lancome line as well.

I'll update in a few days on how my skin's doing.

Nicole

[PinkRibbons]

How is your experience with Accutane going? I'm considering starting it since I need to control my acne, have sensitive skin, and am not in a relationship now...

I heard it may give cholesterol...but does that have a certain age range?

Let me know your thoughts!
Thanks in advance.

Ask your doctor about BenzaClin. I have found it it helped me ALOT.

Did you try anything else before Benzaclin? I wonder how strong it is...

[PinkRibbons]

Did you try anything else before Benzaclin? I wonder how strong it is...

I tried ProActiv, but it didn't do anything for me. My brother distributes BenzaClin to dermatologists, so he knows all about it, but it works VERY well in my opinion. My skin started visibly clearing up in a week, with no new breakouts, and what I thought was awesome was, during my "time of the month" lol I usually break out really bad, and since I started taking it, I dont!

here's a before and after pic of my skin. The first one was taken in April w/ makeup on inside

The second was taken outside in the SUNLIGHT where it would highlight ever imperfection LoL in June. So this is in 2 months.

[FeistyFemme]

I'm on Finacea as well, but I've been on it to clear up my acne vs. to fade acne scars. It works great!! I'm also on an oral med (Bactrim), but that's to stop me from getting HUGE bumps (though not cysts). I scar so easily, so I can't afford any more like that. If you're looking to fade acne scars, look into an AHA product. I love PC 8% AHA which you can get at paulaschoice.com. I just apply some to my scars on a Q-Tip, and I've really been noticing a difference. I also exfoliate like 1-2x per week, and that helps as well. Anywho, hope the Differin and Finacea will work for you!!

I used Proactiv too, about 8 months ago I was using it and my face was really clearing up but then my hormones decided to go crazy in the last 3 months, two doctors just told me you can't really control it- my body just picked this time. I've never broken out on my cheeks before this phase, which is weird and that's where my pink spots are bad. It's funny- my nose is always clear though- lol! I stopped using Proactiv (or anything Benz. Peroxide) because with all the experimenting with topical treatments I really don't want to irritate my skin or have a bad reaction.

[MARIAN]

PLEASE ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT ADDING AN EXFOLIANT WITH THIS MEDICATION. MOST TIMES IT IS NOT ADVISED.

Follow up: I just visited my derm. yesterday- she wants to keep me on Doxycycline because I am getting less breakouts, and I told her I couldn't use Retin-a, because my face turned purple and a top layer of my skin burned and peeled. So she gave me Differin gel and says it is very mild compared to what her partner gave me (she was surprised he did, Retin-a is very strong.) So I am going to use Differin at night, as often as my face lets me, haha. She also gave me Finecea - which is used to fade pink marks that I'm afraid will lead to scars. I'm going to use this is the morning after washing my face.

As far as washing goes: I just bought Lancome's- Pure Focus Skin Products, just the cleanser and toner for now, every part of the line is $20 each. I really like them! My skin feels so deep clean and soft after washing! If the Finecea is doing good after a couple weeks I think I'll go buy the exfoliator in this Lancome line as well.

I'll update in a few days on how my skin's doing.

Nicole

[chellebelle99]

I take ampicillin now and ive noticed a difference but i still break out and since i am so fair i pretty much can't live without makeup, the scars acne leaves behind totally wreck up my complexion its just horrid and annoying I have tried pretty much everything its sooooo frustrating, but i doubt I would ever go on accutane.

[ravine]

Accutane has too many side effects . Infact, those who sell the drug also have to list out their side effects. Check out the side effects here . Why dont you try natural remedies..

You can make this scrub at home and apply.

Take 2 tsp of fullers earth, 1 tsp camphor,rice powder, orange peel powder and rose water to make a thick paste. Apply this to your face and let it dry.Then, in rotating movements scrub it off with a little water. This paste should be applied for 3 times a week for at least a month for the best results.
You should keep your skin clean and oilfree. Try using a good facewash, something herbal .You should eat less oily food and keep skin also oilfree

[southerngal]

I have been on full doses of Accutane three different times (in my mid twenties and early thirties). Your cholesterol is monitored very closely by your dermatologist and yes, initially you may see an upward spike but if you're young and healthy, this should not present a problem for you. The major complaint I had was the occasional nosebleed and very dry, chapped lips, and oh yes, the price. Accutane is EXPENSIVE, or at least it was, and some insurance companies do not cover it. For the dry lips my Dr. suggested Carmex lip balm. If your acne is the cystic type, chronic and does not respond to any other form of treatment, I would recommend it.

How is your experience with Accutane going? I'm considering starting it since I need to control my acne, have sensitive skin, and am not in a relationship now...

I heard it may give cholesterol...but does that have a certain age range?

Let me know your thoughts!
Thanks in advance.

[pretty_pink13]

Hi,
Sorry this is such a novel I have been on accutane for a long period of time. I currently stopped using it since the beginning of february. I used it for about one year and a half and it was a very dangerous thing to do. Even with very close monitoring, you still only should take it for no longer than six months. There are a lot of side effects such as liver damage, birth defects, muscular skelatal problems, vision problems such as night blindness and brain damage, also suicide. I still have the pamphlet and the drug facts and warnings on a label of an unused packet of accutane and believe me, that is a novel. In order to qualify or have approval by your derm, you have to have really bad cystic and chronic acne, but before that, your derm will recommend tons of things to try as accutane is the last last last resort. In my case, it was my last resort, I have tried topicals, and antibiotics, I seriously had tried every form of medication taken for acne and unfortunatley, I had to turn to accutane. I had acne on my face, chest and back. You have to take blood work every month, to monitor your triglycerides and your cholesteral. Since I was kind of accutane resistant, they put me on it for several months and monitored me. I now have very clear skin on my back and chest, but I did not get my face to clear up at all. Some of the side effects I had was very very dry skin, nose bleeding, dry eyes and now I have night blindness- I think that is permanent. I think you should ask your derm, which you already did and I think you should research more, there are a lot of helpful forums out there with a lot of accutane survivors (I like to call myself that) and others who are currently on it. Other than those side effects, I am a healthy person but this drug can effect a lot of people differently, my close friend, had toe fungus and back problems, and muscalar problems as well. My other friend, now has an immune system disorder and she has really bad kidney and liver problems. I am okay and I know a lot of people are, you just have to be careful thats all. I hope this was helpful, I know I wanted to know everything about accutane when I was considering that option.

[southerngal]

My goodness. I have never heard of anyone being allowed the maximum dosage of Accutane for a year or longer. My doctor had me on full dosage at separate intervals for no longer than four to six months. The only Rx he ever allowed me to use for longer than a year was a low dosage antibiotic that seemed to hold the acne at bay at caused no side effects. The Accutane is a last resort and is used to decrease oil production for the long-term. If you can control the acne any other way initially, I would suggest trying that. More moderate treatments did not work for me though. My acne was clearly genetic as my father had nearly identical symptoms which began at the same age mine did. I did not respond to hormone therapy, topical or antibiotic therapy in the early phases of the cystic acne onset. It was just too severe. There is a web site outside of this one dedicated solely to "acne victims" and treatments, procedures etc. I recommend that you access that site. There is a wealth of information available from people all over the world that have treated and conquered cystic acne. One of the more psychologically beneficial aspects of my treatment was switching to a dermatologist who focused not only on treating the underlying causes, but also the visible, superficial symptoms. He was very aggressive with treating acne and offered a number of solutions such as cortisone injections into the actual cysts (and yes, this treatment will spark a lot of controversy I am sure) if you can stand the pain and have no allergic reactions and other ideas about cleansing solutions etc. Find a doctor who understands the cosmetic aspect of the disease too, not just the underlying medical issues. Acne can be debilitating psychologically. I was so self-conscious about the cysts and eruptions that I began to use entirely too much makeup to camouflage the acne and this only made it look even more severe. For stubborn cysts, I would not hesitate to recommend cortisone injections. They are painful, that I cannot deny, but within 8 hours, the cyst is basically non-existent. Some doctors will not do this. My derm. used a diluted cortisone solution, I don't know the exact ratio/blend, but I know that it worked, and the pain was well worth it. I've since had two surgical dermabrasions for scar minimization and as of several years ago, have no acne whatsoever. There is help, you just have to be aggressive, find a good derm. and be diligent in the treatment you opt for.