Accutane Forums

I took Accutane as a teen, over a decade ago. I've never been the type to automatically attribute changes in my health or body to any specific cause before, but the health issues that have finally became lifestyle altering have piled up and everything points to the long term use of Accutane as being the culprit. My stomach feels like its trying to commit suicide daily, I've finally completely lost my love for food, it no longer appeals to me and is now a chore to eat. My once active lifestyle, is now just a collection of memories. It took 10 years after using this poison to get to this point, and if it gets worse in the future, I dont know how I will cope. I have no hope and feel worthless that I can no longer do my part in life. Depression has set in permanently.I believe this ...

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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 a...

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I took roaccutane in 1996 and again in 1997. Each time was for around 6 months. I had a 6 minute tonic clonic seizure in August 2011 and another one in January 2012. I'm wondering whether this is related, although it is a big gap. Has anyone else developed seizures 15 years or so after finishing roaccutane? ## YES....I Hate to Even Admit it..But..I have had several Seizures....Some lasting 15 minutes...It is Like being trapped inside a body that will not work..or even perform the simplest tasks....I could see...and realize..I was drueling...but my right arm was contorted..and my left arm was basically rigid....I believe it is About time..We all find a way to form a network...of people...that can compare notes.....More aptly...than on here..Please contact Me. ## I can't say wheth...

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I have a son that took accutane 60 mg a day for six months in a row three years ago. Now after many trips to doctors over strange medical problems, it seems accuatne is the culprit medication that has caused servere joint and muscle pain, severe dry lips, redness in face, eye infections of own immune system attacking itself, systems of osteoarthritis in both shoulders, both wrist and right hand, blood in stool, possible hair loss, abnormal liver function test results in AST and ALT. My son went from being a high school football and track athlete while taking this medication three years ago to someone that is in constant pain just washing a car. After I have researched this drug extensively, I can't believe that the FDA allows this drug originally made for cancer patients to be marke...

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My son started taking accutane 30 days ago. He has already lost his appetite completely and get sick to his stomach when he eats. His mood is one of a grey cloud. His knees ache and he has cracks in his lips. He had some open wounds from a crash in a bicycle race 4 weeks ago and they still have not heeled. I have had an older girl on the medication with no problems but will be stopping the use of this drug immediately. ## The FDA does warn about these issues being possible side effects of Accutane, along with itching, dry eyes, and vision problems. Ref: Accutane Information You are correct in thinking that it likely isn't the right medication for him to take, and his doctor should be informed of the symptoms he's experiencing. I'm glad your daughter is doing well on it, thou...

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Our son started taking Accutane the end of Dec, 2011. He was on it for 6 weeks. He ended up in Feb. in ER with a foot long blood clot in his groin down his leg. He had other symptoms prior to this as well. He had your normal side effects which we expected, like dry cracked lips, flushed face, more acne in first month, head itched. Then he had back pain, joint pain, (basketball player in his High school so was very active) Then he would at times feel faint when standing. He started getting really sick when his blood clot started hurting him. We didn't know what it was and went to the doc 2x for pain. This is listed as a rare serious side effect. Please be careful while taking accutane. We won't be touching it again at our house. ## I am very sorry about what happened to your son,...

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I was on Accutane for 27 days. I had to stop because of muscle weakness and erectile dysfunction. It has been a month now since I stopped taking it but seems like the erectile dysfunction and muscle weakness are not going away. I would like to ask is there anyone who has experienced the same symptoms and recovered later? ## Accutane has been known to lower testosterone levels in some people that take it, and it been suggested that this should be added to the expected side effects list. Ref: Isotretinoin Risk of Coital Side Effects That said, after a month, three would usually be some improvement. What has your doctor advised? Are you on any other medications?

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I went to the dermatologist for my acne and they prescribed me accutane. I took it for 3 days. But then on my third day I found out that it could stunt my growth. This really freaked me out since my dad and uncles got their growth spurts at 17, so I told my mom and she said I can stop taking it. I had my last week of PE 12 after stopping. I’m aware that three days is fraction of the full course (6 months), but is that enough of the chemical & time to have a negative on my growth plates? ## Yes, it has been known to cause premature epiphyseal fusion, (fusion of the growth plates), and precocious, or early, puberty has been known to occur in some people that have taken Accutane. In this case, puberty refers to your final growth phase for height. Ref: Medline Plus Accutane Here...

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Hi there! I am on my second week of low-dose isotretinoin. My skin flushed mostly around my nose and I can feel my pulse in the areas. Is this normal and does anyone have any idea why this happens? Thanks ## Yes, it has been known to cause these types of sensations as side effects, according to FDA reports, along with skin scaling, peeling, easy bruising, and sweating. Ref: Medline Plus Isotretinoin It's kind of hard to say why any particular side effect happens, it just has to do with the affect that a medication has on the body when working to do its job. Are you on any other medications? Have the side effects improved, at all?

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I want to get a very small tattoo on the back of my neck. I'm supposed to be starting my Accutane on Friday. I know you're not supposed to get tattoos whilst taking Accutane because it can affect the healing process but if I get the tattoo and start my Accutane a week later when the tattoo has healed, do you think this would be a problem? ## It would be best to double check with your doctor, as it may require a longer time period, or might not be advisable, at all. Accutane has been known to cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, elevated levels of fats in the blood, and birth defects if a woman becomes pregnant while taking it. Are you on any other medications?

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I am a 60 year old male who has had acne for 40 years. Eventually, after many years, my doctor sent me to a dermatologist. She prescribed 60mg a day and, after 6 weeks, I feel like a zombie! Aches, pains - I feel my age. Anyone else out there who takes this at my age? ## I would stop Accutane! You do understand that Accutane is a Chemo drug....If you delt with Acne for 40yrs then I would suggest you find others ways that are safer. There are teens and young people like me who now have joints and bones of that of a 60yr old due to this poison. What have you tried in the last 40yrs for your acne? ## I am a 52 year old women who has been on accutane for 1 month. I had severe acne and severe oily skin since I was 13 years old. I am thrilled so far with the results with accutane. I am having...

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I took accutane in the early 90's when I was in my 20's. I took all but the last "phase" of the prescription. I had no problems with it at the time. The only warning from my dermatologist was don't get pregnant. In 2009 I developed a blood disorder and autoimmune disorder. I have pain in my joints and fatigue. My husband is convinced that it is from accutane. I have had many stays in the hospital because of this. Has anyone else developed these or similar symptoms? ## Hi, yes, I have been diagnosed with multifocal motor neuropathy recently, which is believed to be autoimmune and currently has no cure. I dont know how to stop the damage. My diagnosis means the disease is progressive, and will cause severe disability. ## Sorry to hear about both your experiences coming...

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I Took Accutane ore than 20 years ago...for moderate Acne. I Experienced the so called Usual Side effects...Dry Lips chapped lips and joint pain..along with severely irritated Stomach...(Sudden allergy to Diary)and other Problems I was ASSURED would subside...as soon as i stopped taking the ACCUTANE... Well....Lets just say....The effects do gradually subside....and the Acne is better. Something else I discovered is.....Slowly....The Joint pain returns...only much more severely...the Stomach problems get worse...and eventually your stomach might even begin to bleed...and feel as though it was burned by acid.. Then..Maybe you will need an x ray...for some small accident..you May have suffered...At the Young age of 24....possibly on accout of a Dizzy Spell....(Associated?...)Maybe..You fa...

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I took accutane in 2004 at 63 years of age. I immediatetly started having problems with triglycerides, eyes, diziness, balance problems, dementia, depression, slurred speech, elevated blood sugar, etch. Is there anyone out there that took this drug at this age? ## Age means nothing. I am sure there are people who have taken at your age, but people younger say 16 have ended up with diseases that usually 50-60 yrs get from Accutane. Many people have suffered what you state from Accutane. There are all documented side effects. Hopefully back in 2004 you stopped the med and things got better. Did you take it for Acne or Cancer? ## Are you still taking it? While the FDA does warn that these can be side effects, that doesn't necessarily mean that it has cause brain damage. Other side effe...

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I am a male and wanted to share my Accutane story with others who are thinking of starting the treatment but are worried about the horror stories you read everywhere. I started my accutane treatment when I was about 24 (Maybe 23) and sought treatment to relieve the severe "bacne" more specifically cystic acne I had been dealing with since I was 16 y/o and not only did it make me very self conscious but they also caused me a great deal of pain as I would get these huge zits that that often times would not even form any type of white head and they were extremely painful. After years and years of every acne treatment under the sun (pills, creams, soaps, diet changes), I finally said enough is enough and went to my dermatologist to learn more about accutane. As I am sure many people...

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Hello, I am a 19 year old male and was prescribed accutane when I was 14 years old. I was a normal teenager that was taken advantage of the selfish, pharmacy, money over everything market. I was prescribed 40 mg for five months. I am currently a 19 year old male and suffer from severe depression, anxiety, and social anxiety. I have been on zoloft with almost no help. I never have energy and rarely feel motivation, energy, or sexual arrousal. I feel as though I am a 50 year old man who lost his testosterone. It stunted my growth as I did not grow a single inch after taking it and I am only 5'6" on a good day. I experience muscle weakness and back pain daily. I agree with Sara and we should all band together and fight for a lawsuit. Please email me at xxxxx@xxx {edited for privacy...

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It has almost been a year since I finished my 5 month accutane treatment, and I could not be happier with the results. I took 80mg a day for 5 months. I find this to be more than the usual amount given (my friend only took 30mg for 6 months), but I believe this aggressive and short treatment was the reason for such success (that same friend relapsed only a few months later... I think because of her low dosage). During accutane, I experienced extreme dryness (I even got eczema on my hands and arms), I had really bad back pain the last month or so of treatment, my hair thinned a little in the front (it has all grown back now), and my personality was a little more secluded too (this is probably because I was ashamed of my worsening acne and not due to the actual drug). My lips were really ...

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I am wondering if there are any women who have completed their suggested doses of Accutane and had children later. Have there been birth defects that seem as though they could have been triggered by previous Accutane use? I know there are significant risks of birth defects while actively on the drug, but what about the long-term after-use impacts on reproduction? I wish I could ask some physicians to participate in a long-term, observational study for this but I'd have no idea how to go about it. It doesn't seem like anything is out there on this topic. ## Well, April….what I have to say on the subject is…. Having used sites like this for many years and having read/answered many, many posts there are a lot of people that have taken it and experienced health issues th...

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Hi. I finished my 6 month Accutane treatment a month ago and have been feeling very weird since then. I have a lack of energy, loss of appetite, and get full after only 2-4 bites of a meal. My first period since I finished accutane was awful. I'm usually very light and don't have any major cramps but this month, it was horrendous. Could these symptoms be my body trying to get used to being off of the medicine? I haven't read anywhere about side effects after your treatment but, I haven't been doing anything different in my lifestyle. Thanks so much! ## Hello, Lindsey! How are you? I'm sorry about how you're feeling. After finishing your course of treatment with it, it would actually be withdrawal effects and yes, it is completely possible to experience them, beca...

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I'm a 49 year old male who took accutane in the late 80's not too long after it's FDA approval. I took two heavy courses of accutane and it did stop the cystic part but I still had acne problems. I also noticed my body has acted different since I took accutane. I get the IBS out of the blue, then it goes away as quick as it starts. My skin goes through periods of the acne trying to return then stopping for a few months. Now I have suffered my 3rd clonic tonic siezure in 11 months, no family history of seizures, never had a seizure before, and I'm taking Keppra to keep seizures from happening. I knew taking massive doses of a synthetic vitamin could cause problems, but seizures, IBS, arthritis and this damn ringing in my ears, is too much......I'm on the older side of...

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