
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...
~Minocycline is an antibiotic.
The risks with Accutane and pregnacy are severe defects while ON the medication. That's why it is so regulated by the government now, and the paper trails and such the dr's have to go thru to prescribed are set in place for this reason. There are no effects on child birth after it is out of your system. I didn't have my children until I was 24, I did not have any problems nor do I have any problems now. But I took Accutane in my teen years, I was 15.
They do say it causes depression...that it has been liked to suicide in teenage boys primarily. I however never experienced anything but JOY b/c it made the cystic acne go away!! Never had one thought of depression or suicide while on the meds or after. Hope that helped answer your questions.
Thank you for your consideration...
-Atty
Accutane can cause severe birth defects so don't get pregnant while on it and for at least a month after finishing.
There are cases of people who took accutane and got depressed and/or had suicidal thoughts but I am happier and more hopeful! You must tell your doctor if you or a family member have "mental problems, asthma, liver disease, diabetes, heart disease, bone loss or weak bones, anorexia, food or medicine allergies."
In general I occasionally get bad headaches but have had no problem with them. If you have a negative effect, you can always stop taking it. Sorry about your pain Atty!
I also suggest gradually working up to you full dose.
leafs- The dryness is definitely manageable with good moisturizers, just apply as needed. I notice the dry dead skin mostly in the shower. I wash with gentle soap then moisturize right away. This way skin never feels too dry. My lips are worse. Sometimes they feel sore so I continuously apply a natural salve made of beeswax and essential oils.
It is very expensive. Hopefully you have good insurance. There are monthly doctors visits, the medicine is outrageous, and you need monthly blood tests but in my opinion it is worth it!
At age 30 in desperation I went to yet another new dermatologist and she immediately told me that she wanted to put me on Accutane. She said "Accutane is the biggest gun we have in our battle with Acne." So I was all for it. The only side effects I had was very chapped lips and once in awhile I'd feel a bit achey (which the doc said to just drink more water, cause this pill dries you out so much - it helped the aches to drink more water).
The side effects were NOTHING compared to the physical and emotional pains that having acne gives. It's been a year since I finished my doses of Accutane, and I am COMPLETELY ACNE FREE!!!!! I don't mean my skin has improved and I still get breakouts... No... it's entirely GONE!! I would highly recommend this to anyone suffering with severe acne. It's a pain in the backside dealing with the iPromise crap, but in the end... if you've suffered anything like I did for all those years... it's SO WORTH IT! Really.
Good luck.