Acne Support Group

Having a bad skin day? Year? Life? Join the club. The most common form of acne is known as "acne vulgaris", meaning "common acne." Excessive secretion of oils from the sebaceous glands accompanies the plugging of the pores with naturally occurring dead skin cells (corneocytes) blocking hair follicles. Here you'll find how others are coping with their acne issues, plus new...

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Accutane

deleted_user
deleted_user
After exhausting all other avenues I'm turning to Accutane. This morning I took the initial pregnancy test to kick off the 30 day waiting period. In 30 days I have to go back for blood work and another negative pregnancy test before the Accutane will be prescribed. I'm 38 years old, my face is a literal grease pit, and I'm getting depressed about constant bumps and pus pockets on my face.

I'm a little scared about this treatment since I've heard horror stories about how it wrecks your liver, can cause psychosis, etc.

If anyone has used Accutane, I would like to know about your experience. And if you have any helpful tips in getting through the treatment as gracefully as possible I would appreciate it!
deleted_user
deleted_user
You read my mind....I am with you on this one. I hope you get some good replies to this.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I haven't used it. But, my brother who is 27 years old uses it. My dermatologist wanted to put me on it but I said no because I don't want to have to take pregnancy tests and do bloodwork all the time (I'm 16 years old) so I use proactive which is working okay. Anyway, the only complaint my brother had is that at first it makes your face red and dries it out. But, his skin looks really really good now and also I've been told that after you use accutane and your skin gets cleared up then you don't have to wrry about acne again!! Good luck --don't be scared :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi,I used accutane a while back when I was a teenager and it helped me alot,your face does get very red at first,but you finally see the results,I didn't have any side affects,it worked fine for me.
goodluck
deleted_user
deleted_user
With close monitoring you will be fine. It does cause dry skin for sure..worse in the beginning...remember its an oral form of retin a essentially so it will dry your skin out and cause some redness and peeling but works well if you hang in there
Dr O.
deleted_user
deleted_user
i'd love to go on accutane. but one of the side effects of it is that it can cause depression. i have a long history of depression and i'm on wellbutrin so i dont think it will mix well together. it sucks. i say try it. got nothing to lose.
deleted_user
deleted_user
hi i was on accutane when i was in my late twenties i had to use because nothing else would work oh was it so worth it. i had cystic ance really really bad, so bad that i had a cyst on lmy left cheek and jawline lenght of a pen shaped like a V and it was so big i couldnt smile and so much pain.
as soon as i started using accutane i went through some of the side effects dryness dryness. face lips scalp..i used a lot of chapstick and i drank a lot of water...but to me it was so worth it.. good luck to you my friend.. let me know what you decide..
deleted_user
deleted_user
I hope this helps you. I was on Accutane for 5 months a year ago and I did not take it the full six months so my dermatologist told me it only has a 75% response if you come off it early. My face got worse before it got better. I was extremley dry but I used good moisturizer and always had carmax on my..believe me you will need it...but the outcome was incrediable. I didn't have to wear makeup and my skin looked healthy. Its definitely worth it!! Good Luck!!! :o)
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was on Accutane twice in my teens. It worked well in clearing up the acne...but the acne DID come back.

I'm in my 30's now, and still have acne. I'm on Differin and Benza-Clin right now, just started it, and seeing good results.

Yeah, the dryness is a biggie, but use a good moisturizer...and bear through it, and you'll have clear skin for some time.

It's VERY harmful to fetuses...that's why the intense pregnancy tests.
Flicka
Flicka
Hey I'm in New Zealand and I just got on it.

I am only using condoms, had a 10 min appointment with a dermatologist and she put me straight on! She didn't even ask me about birth control, diet, current cleansing routine! I was gutted that she took so little interest when it could have been a diet problem or something. And it cost $130!!!
Flicka
Flicka
Bio oil conquers dryness brilliantly!!!! (white lid, peach coloured oil)
deleted_user
deleted_user
i havent tried this yet but from what ive heard about the side effects can be an issue but is worth it, i am usually in chronic pai discussions and come here every day or so, but if this helps you a little pretty much all of us in that group take very high doses of meds, so needless to say they all effect your liver. anyway theres an otv vitamen called MILK THISEL it helps improve liver function or helps prevent liver issues. I take it and its great!! not to mention at walmart for like 90 pills is only like 6 bucks. so cheap too:) i would reccomend getting that asap and take it every day then you wont have issues with your liver hopefully! Good Luck
deleted_user
deleted_user
Thanks for that tip with t he milk thistle. I think I'll try that! The temporary wicked side effects don't bother me as much as the possibility of damaging my liver permanently, so anything I can do to help it along is fantastic!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I will be going on accutane in march im kinda worried to but i can't deal with my face and anything is worth it at this point
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was just wondering if you have started taking the accutane yet and what your experience has been. Thanks
deleted_user
deleted_user
no i havent yet i start march 12 in 21/2 weeks
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