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 and depression

abielle
abielle
Hi,

I am going to beg my doctor to put me on Accutane tomorrow. I also suffer from Bi-polar, and am worried that due to that fact she won't allow me to try it.

How many of you out there who have taken Accutane have experienced the side effect of depression?
Was it mild? Extreme?

Any other common side effects that you would mention?

Thanks for your input.
Flicka
Flicka
Hi
I suffered no depression on this drug. My moods changed from insecure to profound happiness that my skin was clearing up and I could smile up at the world without being paranoid and self conscious. Get a good moisturizer and lip balm. Its all TOTALLY worth it!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was more upset before I began taking it but did have some low moments. It can be dangerous, some patiets have even ended their lives so be careful. I struggled withthe decision to start this treatment but am glad I went through with it. Remember that there's a light at the end of the tunnel!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was more upset before I began taking it but did have some low moments. It can be dangerous, some patiets have even ended their lives so be careful. I struggled withthe decision to start this treatment but am glad I went through with it. Remember that there's a light at the end of the tunnel!
abielle
abielle
Thanks, I feel as if nothing could make me more depressed than I am now with the acne, so I could deal with any side effects for a little while, till it goes away.
How long do people typically have to take Accutane?
deleted_user
deleted_user
i think the norm is 3/4 months. i am doing 4 months - i guess it also depends upon your dosage. i started at 40mg a day for a month, then went up to 60mg, but i have heard some people go up to 80mg...

i have heard that accutane is really the only thing that works if you have tried antibiotics and all of the natural and conventional remedies...

good luck.. im in week 6, progress is gradual. x
abielle
abielle
I have tried all antibiotics except Minocin, all natural remedies, all topicals, diets, etc etc etc. I have a month till my next doc appt. She just prescribed Bactrim, and I told her I would try that for a month to 6 wks to see if it got close to doing anything...but I have a feeling that is going to be a big NO. So, I anticipate being able to try Accutane. It sounds like it could (eventually) be the miracle I am looking for. My skin has made me (at times) suicidal. I have got to get this fixed. I don't leave the house anymore. So ashamed.
sumitlal
sumitlal
i started accutane when i was just into recovery from chronic alcoholism. no depression no mood swings nothing on accutane... and after the acne went my anxiety went too with it. its a wonder drug. one year later and no acne!