Accutane Long Term Side Effects (Page 25)

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 After I have researched this drug extensively, I can't believe that the FDA allows this drug originally made for cancer patients to be marketed for teenagers with acne.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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REPORT

Your friend took Accutane for over 10 years? Accutane is taken for a maximun of 6 months for 1 regiment.
Please explain how she was on Accutane for 10 years?

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Titi.. if you are refering to Blaze. It actually reads she took it 10 years ago for approx 18 month. Not she took it for 10 years... Though 18 month is a long time if there were was no break in between doses.

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I am very glad to hear your friend has had no problems! Maybe she did not take it as long as some of us did? I would have not taken the medication if I would of known it was a chemotherapy drug. I believe it is our right to be informed about medications and side effects. I understand as we get older our bodies age and we start to have problems with our health its just part of aging process. Many of us have health problems of people that are much older. Chronic pain effects every part of your life. I really hope your friend continues to have no health problems. I do not intend for this response to be offensive! I have been reading peoples statements about accutane for over a year. It was a difficult for me to share my story ,but after my son was offered accutane I felt it was important to share my health problems after takiing the medication for approx. 18 months. My son has informed consent due to him seeing what accutane did to my health and refused to take accutane. I wish someone could of shared this information with me many years ago. My profession it is a major part of who I am and defines the love and compassion I have for people. Being told you need to change your profession or do less than very difficult ! I understand that not every person has the same side effects or adverse reactions to medications.

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I have taken the drug accutane, as prescribed by a dermatologist, in 1997. I was warned about certain side effects, such as depression etc. And made to sign a waiver stating th at I wouldn't sue my dr. It worked well for my acne, but the cost was and still is, haunting me to this day. I'm now 33 yrs old and have been diagnosed with major depression and a panic disorder. I also have stomach problems, thinning hair and joint pain. Many tests were taken and the cause for my symptoms is still unidentified. ( even though I mentioned that I've taken accutane in the past ) usually I get the response " it could be lots of things ", but I know accutane is the source of my troubles. I only took one cycle, but years later, the side effects are still getting worse. The problems didn't start till I was off the drug for a year or two and started off very mild. The side effects incresed with severity over the years. I was once very out-goinig, had a job, a car, a gf, and my own apartment. Now I have none of these things. Please do not take this drug!!! It's poison!!

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Hi everyone... checkout the link to the Roaccutane Action Group... There is a fair bit of Information on their site. They have a list of Lawyers in USA, Ireland , Scotland etc.. Good Luck
http://www.accutaneaction.com

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I took Accutane for 2 years and I also am on a regular dose of Nexium, water gives me heartburn. Those problems started after taking Accutane including chest pains so bad I thought it was a heart attack - was told it was just heart burn

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I also took Accutane back when I was in college. I remember at the time becoming so depressed and not realizing what was happening to me or what caused it.

I beg you..anyone having stomach problems, try a gluten free diet. I suffered for years and years and Prevacid did not help. I stopped eating gluten two years ago and my stomach problems are 99% gone. I have recently started drinking lactose free milk and I can also tell a big difference there.

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I am so thankful that my derm was so against prescribing it. i had watched youtube videos and saw the results and i wanted it so bad. also so thankful that my parents who are doctors absolutely forbade me from even thinking about it. And I'm so terribly heartbroken for anyone who has taken it and experienced side effects...

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Hello to all,
I recently mentioned, my son (now 20) and I were on our way to find answers about another health issues he has had since he took Amnesteem ( Accutane generic). He has complained of shin splint pain since taking this drug and many test to this point were negative. His is now been diagnosed with Chronic (Exertional) Compartment Syndrome.
The three hour test to measure pressure in his leg was not needed cause at rest before exercising; his compartment leg measurement was not at 15(normal) before exercise but at 45 (extremely high).
He is scheduled to see a surgeon this week to have his right leg operated on ASAP
I have no idea if this is caused my him once playing High School football, track and baseball as mentioned could cause this condition as suggested by the medical profession or yet another Accutane side effect. All I know is this is a complaint he has had that has worsened since his 5th month taking Accutane. He is not able to lift his foot straight up off the ground for 10 minutes or so after running on a treadmill, kicking a soccer ball in the backyard a few times etc.
Is there any one here that has dealt with Chronic ( Exertional ) Compartment Syndrome due with or without connecting it to a drug side effect, Please let me know ASAP.
Thank You in advance,
Scott (a concerned father that started these posts on Accutane and possible side effects 2 years ago)

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Hi Scott...
Wow this is devastating news. Its heart wrenching what this drug is doing to people. I am so sad for your son. I have read this is a side effect of the drug somewhere. Scott has your son been tested for Neurotoxicology. I have read that when toxins damage the brain the nerves are damaged and all these complications arise. My sons rheum 3 days ago told him he needs to excercise but i think they just trying to fob us off.. My son gets pain in his bones, muscles & joints i just pray he gets better.
My heart felt wishes go out to you and your family xx
My heart goes out to you

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All these stories are heartbreaking and a wake up call to say the least. I went on Accutane for a 6 month cycle when I was fourteen, 40 mg. I never noticed side effects besides dry skin, hair and lips. My acne cleared up and my acne has never been as bad. Then when I was 17 I went on it again. This time only for 3 months and a low dose of 10 mg. The same side effects, nothing serious. I was considering it again as my face is beginning to break out in cystic acne once again (the accutane for me wears off every 3 years). But after reading this, I am definitely going to reconsider. I have had no long term effects that I am AWARE of. But how would you know if your medical conditions are caused by accutane unless a doctor tells you? Why risk your health just for cosmetic appeal?

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Mitch UK,
Thanks fo the kind words. I have looked up Neurotoxicology, and my son has most f these issues. I will definately speak with his surgeon tomorrow when he is seen for Chronic ( exertional ) Compartment Syndrome.
Thanks for showing concern, it means so much,
Scott

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Scott... No problem. This is a specialist field and the usual Neurologist won't usually have the experience

I meant to say Neurotoxicity. A lot of the problems seem to start with this as it looks to me. Initially they cannot find anything wrong when we know clearly there is. Then the problems that this causes probably progresses into something more.

Take a look at neurotox.com - Raymond Springer.

Hope this helps

Mitch UK

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Miranda, some of us took accutane *imagine it* before the internet was really happening. I took it in '93-'94. and it was an answer to all your skin's problems back then. there was no discussion about side effects when I took it, unless you were a pregnant woman.

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YEAP SAME HERE! They only asked if I was pregnant or was going to get pregnant and the only side effect was dry lips! They were caught in a flat out lie so why isn't anyone that has been on it given big bucks because it's evil at it's best. I have serious life threatening health problems because of this stuff!

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I had mild/moderate persistant acne from the time I was 12-26. I used every product and took antibiotics for over 12 years. I was so stressed from my acne that I finally took a low dose (10mg) of Accutane for 5 months. I had no side effects, except for dry lips (but not too bad) and felt great. It started working in only two months and my skin only got better not worse. People would actually ask me what I was using on my skin because it looked amazing. Well 27 years later my skin is still clear and I have not had one single side effect. I wish I took Accutane sooner, so I didn't have to be on antibotics for so many years.

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I agree. I took it in college as well and discovered I was lactose intolerant two years later. Over 20 years later, I tried the gluten free diet and it has helped so much. I am also dairy free, not from the lactose, but from the casein protein. It was difficult to get out of bed prior to the diet and I was having constant headaches, diagnosed with Fibromyalgia as well. Big difference. Worth a try. It is much easier to eat out and find food now than even two years ago.

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AND WHAT HEALTH PROBLEMS ARE YOU HAVING NOW MISS SMARTY PANTS????????

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I started on Accutane when I was 15 and was on it for about six months. I've been off it for over a year now and have nothing but problems ever since. My vision went downhill, it keeps getting worse. I've been getting constant back pain as well as stomach problems and heart burn. My doctor can't seem to figure it out. I really do regret not thinking it through when I decided to go on it. The nice skin wasn't worth this. I regret not thinking it through and wish I saw this forum prior to taking the drug.

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I too took Accutane two different times in my late teens and early twenties. I am 44 now and 4 years ago had a medianoscopy performed because my allergist ordered a CT scan due to do a persistant cough I would get every fall and they discovered a spot on my lung. Afer the medianoscopy they diagnoised me with at one point having been exposed to Hystoplasmosis, which to this day I have a hard time believing they weren't just taking a guess at something. Around a year prior to that I developed, (which seemed to have happened overnight) horrible joint pain that would leave me barely able to climb up the stairs at night. I would wake up somewhat fine in the morning, but as the day progressed I was in absolute pain and could barely move from the waist down. This pain lasted for approximately 6 weeks. I was given a steroid (I think) and my doctor diagnosed me with a "post viral" infection he believes I developed after a cold that could have settled in my joints. He first ordered tests for arthiritis and leukemia. Both came back negative. I have always considered myself a pretty healthy person and rarely go to the doctor for anything. Unfortunately, a handful of years later, the joint pain has now recently returned to my hips. I do suffer from depression and mood swings a lot, too. There have been times since my early twenties that I have suffered from IBS, too. I have not had it recently, but from my early twenties until early 40's I have had numerous bouts of it. I have always wondered if the 2 Accutane treatments I took 20+ years ago have come back to haunt me as an adult. It scares me a little to read what others are going through as I can relate to so much of these things.

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