Accutane And Infertility (Page 7)

I took accutane almost 14 years ago as a teenager. I am now a 32 year old woman who has just been diagnosed with infertility that they believe is linked to autoimmune issues. I truly believe that accutane is the cause of this; from the research that I have done it seems that accutane has been linked to other thyroid-related diseases, but that they have not yet been able to prove a link between accutane and infertility. There are, however, actually more people like me out there than I originally thought. Being diagnosed with ovarian dysfunction has been a horrific, horrific blow. And while there was plenty of information about accutane and birth defects, no one ever mentioned a possibility of future infertility. I was a teenager! This is a tragedy and I believe something should be done about it. If you too have been affected diagnosed with infertility and have taken accutane, please email me. There are plenty of suits against accutance. If there are enough of us, we can come together to do the medical research and get the help we now need.

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REPORT

It looks like there is no class action regarding accutane and infertility. It looks like the thing to do is to contact law firms that are prosecuting for Crohn's disease and ask if they would consider adding infertility to the existing lawsuit, or start a separate class action for infertility sufferers. WE NEED NUMBERS! The more of us that speak out, the better. I'm going to search and I hope that many of you will as well. Please, if anyone finds a law firm, post it on here.

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You sound like a carbon copy of me. I am currently awaiting the news of our first attempt at a pregnancy via donor egg, since my eggs are not useful, have been diagnosed with endometriosis, had four failed inseminations and four failed IVF's. One cycle of IVF was with my sister's eggs, who is 24, but also took Accutane as a teenager. Although I am trying to be hopeful that this round works for us, I am still sick that I cannot have a baby from my own eggs and the reason may be Accutane.

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I'm sorry to hear of your devastating news, Michelle. I finally was able to become pregnant last year through IVF via egg donation. I do not have a sister or anyone I felt comfortable asking, so we decided to go with an anonymous donor. I now how 2 healthy and happy 6 month old babies! The funny thing is, that they look more like me than they do my husband. Good luck with everything. Although, I have a happy outcome, I am still furious about my diagnosis(diminished ovarian reserve) and all the stress, depression and money we had to go through to get our little miracle babies here.

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Thanks, Kristen. This round is with anonymous donor egg too. My sister's eggs didn't work for us and RE thinks she may have similar issues as me. She also took Accutane as a teen. I completely sympathize with your frustrations due to egg reserve issues. Best of luck to you.

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I took accutane in my early 20's and at 34 was finally diagnosed with premature ovarian failure after 5 years of treatments...including 13 iui medicated cycles and 4 ivf attempts. I also had surgery for endometriosis. I just adopted a healthy beautiful baby and couldn't be happier. I think accutane dried up my ovaries.

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Another negative result...even with donor egg, it's not working. Sick that Accutane may have ruined my life as a mother. :(

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Michelle, did you have any embryos to freeze for later use? Don't give up! There are women going through all different stages of the process. Some, on their 2nd or 3rd attempt. It was really helpful to me to be able to communicate with others going through the same thing.

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Hi Kristin,

I have one frozen embryo. Not too hopeful though. Thank you for the support group information.

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I took accutane for 4 months when I was 16. I am now 29 and have been diagnosec with PCOS. I was able to conceive after multiple rounds of IUI.

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I took Accutane my junior year of college. Like the majority of people, I was told to get on birth control and that was the extent of the warning. I started trying to conceive at 30 and 8 IUIs and 4 IVFs later, my infertility is still unexplained aside from "diminished ovarian reserve". After all this time, it's only recently dawned on me that there could be a link to Accutane since it was relatively new in the late '90s (I think) to treat acne. It was probably the strongest drug I've ever taken.

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I took 2 rounds of acutane when I was 15 and 16. At the time I had terrible side effects, everything in my body dried out! Now I'm 32 and have been dealing with endometriosis, ovarian cysts, IBS, migranes, and chronic fatigue. I KNOW acutane is the culprit. These problems do NOT run in my family and I had never had any issues like that until after I took my second round of acutane. The symptoms have been getting progressively worse over the years, but I couldn't get a doctor to listen to me fully. They ended up taking my gallbladder out and my symptoms only got worse. As far as the infertility issues go, I had to have surgery for the ovarian cysts and the dr told me that I would never have kids. He said my tubes were blocked with massive amounts of endometrial tissue. He did try to unblock one of them by running a needle full of fluid through it but the fluid backed up into another place. However, the good Lord saw fit to let me get pregers 3 months later!! I now have a healthy 2 year old little girl. When I had my gallbladder out a few months ago I had my gyno go in andf take a look (since I was going to be opened up anyway) and he said my tube had curled in on itself. He cut it, scraped it out and sewed it up. He said it probably won't work but he was wrong before. I would deffinetly be in on any kind of lawsuit available. I don't want to get rich, but I do think they should pay for all my past and future dr bills!!

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Your original post was a year ago, have you been successful yet getting pregnant? I'm in the same boat with the same exact age/issues. The stress and depression is frustrating...

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I took roaccutane for afew months back in 1995 for my acne. I was told not to get pregnant whilst on it but assured that it wouldnt effect my ability to conceive afterwards. I married in 1998 and became pregnant 3 months later but miscarried. I tried for 2 further years to become pregnant and had all the tests. I was told I had ovarian failure and a low egg reserve . I was unable to have IVF and was put on a list for donor eggs. Meanwhile I went through the adoption process and in 2003 adopted a beautiful 14 month old little girl. I then fell pregnant again only to lose it at 12 weeks. Scans showed one of my ovaries had shrunk and they couldnt explain it. I always wondered if this drug caused it and feel devastated after reading this forum. All I ever wanted was my own family and I would never have taken this drug if I had know the consequences. I also suffer with unexplained back and shoulder pains which has left me very depressed. I would be interested to here from anyone with similar experiences.

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Jules. Check out accutane long term side effects on this site a thread by scott. My son has joint/ bone/ muscle pain plus lots of other side effects which started while on the Poision 6-8 weeks. Now 15 months after stopping taking it. The problems are still there inc, chest pain, neck, knee, hips, shoulders, forearms, ankles. Sore eyes. Stomach pains plus other symptoms. My boy has just turned 18 and had to give up college 13 months ago due to the pain, lack of concentration. Insomnia etc,. This Poision has ruined my sons life

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Thanks for replying. Im really sorry about your son. I never had any symptoms with my back until about six years ago when I had a bad shoulder and back and was given a steroid injection. I was off work for a year and had to give my job up in banking but had put it down to a repetitive strain after 20 years in the job. It settled down for 3 years but I am now having terrible neck problems which is affecting my mobility. Your son is so young and should be enjoying life. There must be a connection. Am going to mention it to my GP in the next couple of weeks.

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OMG! I was on accutane about 9-10 years ago for about 6 months. I am now 29 years old and have been diagnosis with poor egg reserve. I am totally devastated and in shock. I was only aware of birth defects while taking accutane. My RE told me that i have 1-3% chance of getting pregnant with my own eggs and IVF is only an option with donor eggs. Is there any type of law suit out there? I am soo upset about this whole situation. I always wanted a family and now that might not be a possible.

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Tara, you sound exactly like me as well as many others on this forum. I was diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve at 27 years old. I took accutane when I was 17. I spoke with the doctor's at the fertility clinic I went to in order to have my little miracle babies via egg donation. There isn't a lawsuit right now regarding infertility, because most of us that took it when it was a fairly new drug and just now in our child bearing years. The doctor did say that they are seeing an increase number of women in their 20's with this diagnosis which USED to be rare. I wish these infertility clinics had surveys taken by their patients which may help find answers. Yes I have my diagnosis, but I want to know what caused this. I am confident it was Accutane.

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I am an acupuncturist and have a patient with 0% normal sperm for having ICSI in his first IVF cycle, even after 3 months of acupuncture, supplements and herbal med which usually yields positive improvement. that's noticed in his file that he took Roaccutane for acne for 6 mths in 2010, so I googled it and found all these answers. As I work in fertility I would like to see some data on this subject also.

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It is really so sad that after all these years they came out with lawsuits for Colitis and other colon issues, but nothing for infertility. I have not discussed this with my doctor yet, I would love to know his input. Every time I go in for an ultrasound my right ovary produces 1-2 follicles, but my left is like dead!

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That is scary that it has this effect on males as well. I have not found any medical studies on accutane and infertility.

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