Accutane Long Term Side Effects (Page 23)

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 After I have researched this drug extensively, I can't believe that the FDA allows this drug originally made for cancer patients to be marketed for teenagers with acne. All one has to do is look online what vitamin A overdose does to someone and then you have the results of what this medication has done to my son. This drug needs to be taken off them market ASAP and the drug companies that make it need to compensate all teenagers that they have possible ruined their future. Shame on them! What is going on here?

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Dear Juanita,

I am so sorry to hear about your son's apparent growth problem. If you read through the post here, you will find other people with the same situation. They may be able to give you more information. My son never grew an inch since 9th grade when he finished his 6 month treatment of Accutane. Thankfully he had his growth spurt before than. He is still 2-3 inches shorter than once projected.

Check with a few Accutane Law Firms found on Google. From a parents point of view, please take one day at a time and remember everything you hear about this drug will not effect everyone the same.

God Bless,
Scott

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I read that dairy is bad because of casein, the protein found in milk, is similar to the gluten. Some people think it's the lactose (of which many gluten intolerant people are intolerant of as well) but it's actually the casein. I figured it out when lactose free milk still bothered me. Hope that helps.

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I am about a year off of accutane now after taking it for 6 months. I have already had some interesting visits to several doctors. All of them putting me on antibiotics and telling me one thing or the other. I have had blood work done and a cytoscopy (not fun). Nothing was found and I still experience late night abdominal pain. The strangest thing for me though, is that I now get nauseous after small amounts of alcoholic drinks! I used to drink quite a bit before going on treatment and now even after one beer I am nauseous and flushed. I do not think I have an allergy, otherwise it wouldve happened before. But the scariest thing for me was a set of 3 days I felt absolutely miserable. Extreme nausea to the point where I was dry heaving throughout most of the day. Fever, cold sweats, insomnia, you name it. I don't believe I was sick because I have never felt this awful without vomiting so call it what you will but if you want my advice, it is best to fight acne in other ways. I felt much healthier before the treatment.

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Are you implying that drinking milk while on accutane is a bad idea? or just milk in general? I'm not sure I follow you completely.

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I think in general is what she means(?), but what about RAW MILK it's help people with illness. Maybe it's the way our government KILLS the nutrition in our foods and adds bad stuff to it in the process!?!

You can use GHEE butter it's gluten free. Found at most stores.

And if anyone is thinking why talk about this with the Accutane topic, is because the glutens seem to affect us in many ways and one is giving us stomach aches that many of us that took Accutane experience. So maybe the medicine has affected the gut and this has made us sensitive to the glutens more then most?

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no don't listen to these ignorant people. i personally was on accutane.

before hand i had a perfect diet ( you don't i assure you ) , my liver function was way above normal.

during the course i did not drink alcohol or consume anything that may have put extra stress on the liver.

now 2 years after accutane my liver is STRONGER by 50%.

point is your liver will grow back. now what i want to tell you and you may not like this is. IF you have underlying problems accutane WILL make them surface. This is not accutanes fault the problem was their to begin with.

the problem is not the drug it is the person taking it not doing enough research and preparing their body for it.

stay ignorant! love you all.

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Wow, so you were 18 and a legal adult, huh? How about people who ACTUALLY had severe side effects like myself, who were minors and trusted both their parents and dermatologists to make a competent decision for them to take this poison? I took it in the late '80s when there were no warnings, nor paperwork to sign. Grow up, dude, and have some compassion!

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Oh, and my prior post was directed at ex accutaneuser.

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@amy, When in my post did it display that I was downgrading anyone? I took Accutane before I even had any internet. I couldn't even afford a computer. I was simply implying if you do have the resources, then do some research towards it (I wish I had that ability at the time). My only research was my dermatologist telling me all the pros and cons about the product to my face while also warning me about the potential short-term and long-term effects.

I find it pretty "immature" that you just jump into this forum without any intention but to ridicule someone else's personal experience and story.

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I was on accutane 12 years ago, 3 courses. It decreased my acne. I was an athlete and managed the symptoms such as dry skin, stiff and painful joints, and GI issues pretty well. They've persisted all this time, though to a lesser degree. I am still extremely active put I am finding that I'm in a lot more pain than my other 20-something peers. Also as I begin my professional career, IBS is hindering me in the workplace. I regret taking this drug, as well as the numerous antibiotics I took before. Good Luck to those dealing with problematic symptoms as well as those seeking acne treatment.

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Here is a great site for information on Accutane:
accutaneaction.com

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I am 18 years old and have struggled with acne ever since the 5th grade. I began accutane in the 8th grade for 6 months at 40mg. It cleared up signficantly, for about 1 year, then in 10th grade I was told to go back on it because my face began to break out even on prescription acne medications. I took that course for 10months at 60mg. Again, my face cleared up for around 1 year, because now I'm in the 12th grade & the doctors want me to take another round of accutane. I'm worried most about what's at risk permanently for my body, in particular if I will have any problems with having healthy children in the distant future before I go again onto another round. I'm really not sure what's the right thing to do, my doctor assures me my future children would be born healthy once the accutane is out of the system (1 month.) But I'm wondering if anyone has any stories and knowledge to share.

--Thanks for all the posts I read each and found them very informative to read other poeple's stories.

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AVOID ANOTHER ROUND WITH ALL YOUR LIFE! Go to Tanda.com and buy a LED light to kill the bacteria. NOW with this internet we are open up to so much information. IF YOU DO GO THROUGH ANOTHER ROUND GET THIS DOCTOR TO GIVE THOSE WORDS IN WRITING AND HOLD HIM TO IT...I bet he will singing a new tune if you ask for it or get it legally recorded. Good luck...I am on disability for taking Accutane way back then. For a doctor to tell you the medicine is gone in a month isn't a good doctor it takes three months to regrow new cells. I am not buying into the lies!

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My son last year was put on Isotretinoin 30mg a day. After 5 weeks he started with shoulder pains. Then other parts of his body were being affected with pain. I told him to stop the medication and now after 5 months he has had blood tests, all are normal. He is in constant pain, constipated & lethargic. I don't know what to do or whom i should speak to. He is under a rheumatoligist and is waiting to see a cardiologist as he also has chest pains. My son walked to school there & back the mile and half every day. He was at college training to be a powerlifter. And now he rarely goes out of the house. He was never one for taking tablets and was reluctant to take these . But the Dermatologist said he's given them to many an ahtlete and have been fine with them. Had i known what i know now i would Never have let him take them.

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i have just started to take roaccutane,,, and have got a bit of dry skin, and my lips are going a bit dry .,. only took it for 4 days,, i think i'll stop ,,,
do you think i've done myself harm,?,, now i'm a bit scared.
i figure it's not worth having an aching aching body , oh god,

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Obviously people have different tolerence levels. My son is just 17. I do know people whom have had this drug and are at the moment ok. In my sons case this is not so. My friend has just made her daughter stop taking Isotretinoin due to the fact as to what is happening to my son. I would talk anyone out of taking this drug

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moominbear,
I would not think a few days on this medication will harm you. Its taking it long term plus taking to much per day is what seems to be harmful. Research these drugs some more if you have any doubt. n Talk to your parents about your concerns and don't be afraid of asking more questions to your doctor or even getting a second oppinion. I wish I had all this information before my son took Accutane.

Best Wishes,

Scott

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I have taken Accutane 3 times since I was 19 and I am 44 years old now. There ARE long term effects. Depression being one of those effects. I've been on anti -depression medication before, during and after I took Accutane. In 2005, I had horrible GI issues which needed surgery. I've also had incredible discomfort in my upper back, neck and hands and have sought care from a chiropractor for several years. I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and the MRI reflected that I had 4 herniated discs from my C3 to my C7. After years of incredible pain and numbness in my hands, shoulders and neck, I decided to have surgery this on 02/2011. This year I had surgery (Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion) in which my neurologist had to remove 3 out of the 4 herniated disks (FDA only approves no more than 3 discs removal). During the surgery, my neurologist was surprised to find calcification throughout my upper spine and fusion of 2 herniated discs. This is also known to be associated with Accutane (bone issues). The most disturbing part is that my doctor told me I would have to go through this surgery again in 5-10 years because he could already identify some other failing discs. He cannot explain why my bones/discs are the way they are. I never was involved in a bad accident; I neither played sports but not hard contact sports nor was I ever a gymnast (he asked if I was). The saddest thing is that he said I had "old people bones". I am otherwise an active 44 year old female who works out, takes vitamins, and am conscious of what I eat. It is horrifying to hear that I have old people bones at the age of 44. What will my life be when I am 60, 70, or 80? Oh, and ladies, one more thing, I was also diagnosed with alopecia (hair loss) a few years ago-yes, another side effect associated with Accutane. Throughout my life and when normal hormonal changes occurred, it seems it was time for another treatment of Accutane to treat the cystic acne. The last time I took the new form of isotertin Clavaris was from Jan 2010 until June 2010. I did not know about the side effects then. I have great looking skin, no doubt. You could not tell that I ever had cystic acne but had I known of these side effects, I would have never taken it. I truly believe that my GI problems, my herniated discs and bone issues, my depression and hair loss are a direct side effect of taking Accutane 3 times in my life. At this time I am looking for legal representation. If you can assist me, please contact me or respond to this blog.

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Hi everyone. I would urge you to reconsider going on this drug if you are a particularly sporty person. I am now aged 24 but took Isotretinoin about 4 years ago in 2006/2007. I seem to remember that I was on a particularly short course; curtailed as I had an asthma attack whilst on the drug. I believe that I took it for about 2 months. I will need to check the my medical records to find out which dose I was on.

Ever since taking the drug I have suffered continuous hair loss, to the point where I will doubtless be bald by the time I'm 30. I also noticed that my joints creaked and cracked a lot more than before.

However, the most serious lasting effect has been overwhelming joint pain for the past year and a half. I used to love going to the gym, however now I rarely leave my house as I have lost so much function and am in so much pain. I have watched my function lessen and my pain increase over the past couple of years. I can no longer enjoy anything remotely sporting. I believe that it has destroyed my life and my prospects; I am currently out of a job.

My joint pain is still under investigation, and has been for almost the past two years. I have been told by pain specialists not to get my hopes up of regaining any function. I currently take Pregabalin, which has rendered me zombie-like and unable to recall or remember a lot of things. At least it calms the pain down a bit- I would not be able to live without it.

I understand that it is difficult/laborious to directly link the drug to the everlasting joint problems that many of us in this thread seem to be suffering from. I am from the UK and am interested in suing Roche for what I can see as a life of pain and misery. If anyone is like minded in the UK and has had a similar experience, or has somehow improved their health (mine is on a continuous and rapid downward spiral) please email me.

Thanks and God bless

Read

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I am also in UK. my son is having problems after taking this drug. I would like to know where abouts you are and what kind of doctors you have seen. There is a lot of knowledge on the net but the docs we have seen don't know enough about the side effects. You haven't put your email address.

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