Accutane Long Term Side Effects (Page 27)

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 After I have researched this drug extensively, I can't believe that the FDA allows this drug originally made for cancer patients to be marketed for teenagers with acne.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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Hi Brian, it sounds like he needs to a neurotoxicologist. Check out Neurotoxicity, as the brain is responsible for all our motor, speech etc. What country are you in? You should also look at diet and natural ways of healing through diet.(superfoods etc,.) i know it may sound strange but my son has bouts of this kind of thing too.He recently said he felt he was having an outer body experience as well as all the other side effects he suffers. I have started juicing fruit and veg.
Check out "run from the cure" on the net.It makes sense

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Try googling Douglas Bremner M.D., Roaccutane action group, Roaccutane Ragfourm, Max proboards on accutane. You should find some studies on Accutane and the Brain. I am sooo sorry to hear about your brother.

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I have been on two rounds of Accutane in the past four years and never had any problems. During my first round, I was freshman in high school and going through a lot of stressful situations. I began Accutane and my mood was off the hook. I was crying all the time and contemplating suicide. When I was asked if I wanted to go back on Accutane after my cystic acne flared up again, I hesitated. I thought the Accutane was the CAUSE of my depression, but I realized that I was suffering from it beforehand. It only began to get worse after I started the drug. Everyone wants to assume that Accutane is causing all of their problems several years later, but they don't want to take into consideration the fact that they may have had a pre-existing condition that they were unaware of or maybe the combination of all of the other drugs that people were on including Accutane may have caused their problems. EVERY drug has side effects. But if you read all of the comments that people posted about all of their horrible problems that they say are linked to the drug several years later, then you would never take any form of medication again. You have to do what is right for you and trust that your doctor and the FDA aren't lying. If they can release information about how Tylenol causes liver problems, then I'm sure they would have released information about Acctuane's side effects. If you have problems 10 years after taking Accutane and you're blaming it on the drug, that's like saying "I got punched in the arm, and ten years later I got cancer." It's ludicrous to link those two together without medical evidence.

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I know for a fact that the FDA does work with drug companies sometimes, but unless enough people are having the same problems, then there's really nothing that is going to change. Obviously, everyone is experiencing different problems and blaming them all on Accutane. I'm not for or against Accutane, but I think most of you people are paranoid yuppies that are ready to blame the drug first because it's a severe drug. Basic things like water supply and additves in food can cause just as many problems as medications. So unless you have researched or taken college classes such as I have in human development and medicine, then you can't just blame a drug. There are so many factors in the environment that can harm you. Particles in the air can cause cancer, but we're all so quick to judge the first thing that pops in our mind.

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Has anyone else suffered Jaw Bone Loss. If it's from the Accutane, so be it, just want to know if anyone else has had it and what yo expect for my son.

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Ashley, you are obviously a well-spoken, educated young woman. But are you aware of the chemical make-up of Accutane, and the fact that it slows/halts cellular division, not just in the sebacious glands but all over the body? Few drugs in the world work on a cellular level besides chemotherapy drugs. For teens, especially, to take this while their brains are still developing is a very, very sad thing. I took it only one time when I was 16, and I know that it was the source of my miseries shortly after I took it; it ruined my vision and caused me permanent psychiatric problems/depression. My brother and sister took it with no problems. I do agree with you that often there are pre-existing conditions, as I also believe that I was already depressed. However, Accutane exacerbated my depression tenfold; it was not worth it! It is a Jekyl/Hyde medicine; a miracle for some, a nightmare for others.

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Lisa, are you referring to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) from degradation of the jaw joint? I have developed this on my left side, but would attribute it more to teeth grinding than Accutane, but who knows. Your son, being young as he is, should not have this yet, so it's possible.

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JB/ Ashley.... Accutane actually kills your dividing cells as it is a chemotherapy drug. Originally used for Brain tumors and Pancreatic Cancer. It is still used alongside other drugs against Cancer. It is Ludicris that it is used for Acne.. just a money maker for the drug companies

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Dear Ashley,

I’m happy for you that Accutane has not caused any long term problems for you.

Your comment " You have to do what is right for you and trust that your doctor and the FDA aren't lying. If they can release information about how Tylenol causes liver problems, then I'm sure they would have released information about Acctuane's side effects. If you have problems 10 years after taking Accutane and you're blaming it on the drug, that's like saying "I got punched in the arm, and ten years later I got cancer." It's ludicrous to link those two together without medical evidence.

I hope you can find the time to research this site in more depth before coming to a quick conclusion. And please find the time to also research the FDA some more to see one of the biggest problems is the top dogs from the pharmaceutical companies take turns working back and forth from the FDA to either or both a pharmaceutical company corporate career ( even chemist) or worse yet a lobbyist. This fortunately is not such a well kept secret anymore , but continues to happen daily with many old and new drugs on the market.

Until you or someone else watches your love one suffer at such a early age of their life, even for me having the makers of Amnesteem admit to my son’s colon problems and spend over 5 years of your life researching facts, not just say so, you may never know what some people and their family’s have been through. You are so right to say that blaming all your problems on a drug are not fair, and it would be safe to say that not all drugs may be the cause of everything going wrong in someone’s life. But it is fair to say, do the research first before judging others. Pharma companies actually hire people to bad mouth many sites and it is also proven that they have hacked into some sites to remove negativity about their drugs.

Since this thread has started over two years ago, most negative comments have been left by employee’s of a Pharma company or someone that is ignorant to what this site is about. Do the research. I choose to ignore most of comments like yours, not beacuse you upset some people here, but mostly because negitive remarks on here don't justify my time and most others people time to comment.

This treads purpose is to educate from others experiences and ultimately to find ways by diet, change of life styles or medical facts that can help the people out that suffer from longt erm side effects from these drugs.

You and others can start by looking at the facts of what this drug and its generic versions due to the telomeres of chromosomes from the use of a chemo/acne medication over a 5-6 month of time at high doses. Then you can come back and leave you educated remarks. Maybe you can be of some help .

Best wishes to you,

Scott

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No, it is actual Jaw Bone Loss which may lead to Jaw Bone Death. We are devasted by this as you can imagine what he is going to be going through.

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Well said Scott.. If all the different sites of all the different side effects to this drug i wonder how many threads there would actually be..
By the way Ashley, a friend of mine's son at 15 was kicked whilst playing football. Weeks later the bruise had not gone. as my sister has had cancer she advised him to see a doctor.. Within months he had been told it was cancer and is no longer here due to the fact..
So day's, weeks , months or years later.. Actually these horrible things Do happen to young people as well as older ones.
When cells malfunction for what ever reason ie; being injured, or given drugs that attack the body . This is the reason we become ill. Chemo is irreversible. it is used as a last resort .. A Doctor actually said to me recently " we are only scratching the surface with Generic drugs".. Have i looked at alternative therapy ?.
What the hell does that tell anyone when a doctor can say that to you.
Thanks for the post Scott.. I know it doesn't take our children's pain away but at least we know we are not alone with no one to understand what we are going through as parents.

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Mitch - thanks for the clarification. It makes more sense that it would kill the cells; that would be how the sebacious glands ultimately end up "destroyed". It really depresses me, at times, to think what it did to my brain back then :(

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I wasn't sharing what I know about this to make anyone angry. I'm sharing my story because this thread is about making people aware. If these threads continue to only talk about the negatives, then every person who reads them will feel compelled to abandon the thought of using Accutane. Yes, Accutane kills cells whether it is used for acne or cancer. When it comes down to a life decision, you have to make one that is best for you. I knew the risks when starting Accutane. I read the threads and information on the internet. But because I was days away from killing myself because of the depression from being ridiculed by peers and my own family for my acne, I chose to do it. If I hadn't I wouldn't know where I would be today. I haven't had any side effects with growth or anything. I'm not saying that people can't have side effects. I just want to share my experience. I have always had straight As. Graduated from high school a year early. I'm currently studying in college with a 4.0 from my first year in a concentration of pre-med. I don't think it's changed me one bit except for the fact that this drug saved me. Whether I have to be on a colostomy bag in ten years or not, I at least will have known that I would be alive. We all have to die of something, but I may have postponed mine for a bit longer. I realize that people may feel vulnerable or threatened by all of this, but that's not my intention. And in response to Scott: The football could or couldn't have been the cause of the cancer. I'm not that educated in matters of oncology, but you can't rule out that the bruise just made it obvious he had cancer. Like when you get bruises when you have lukemia and you become very fragile. You can't be certain of anything in this world. Every person's body works differently. It's all left up to genetics and the things in our environment. I'm posting yet again to give options to people and let them know that they can't be afraid to make the right decision for them. They can read the information and interpret it in their own way.

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Hey Ashley, I understand where you are coming from. In our case our son was having a horrible time with his acne as well, especially by his peers, which was so hard to watch. When he was given Accutane though, it had just come out and the only warning we were given was on kidney function because it was too new to know about anything else. That was 16 years ago. Never were we told it was used as a cancer drug or that it could cause other side effects. We still have the literature from his prescriptions and there were no warnings. It's hard for everyone.

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here in UK they do not tell you it is a cancer drug. My son was given this Nov 2010. I did look on the net but searched side "effects of". Which only came up with what is on the sheet in the box. Neither does that tell you there are any long term side effects. They get away with here by telling you " NO one can Prove it is the drug". This was said by my sons dermatologist recently.. What a cop out. This drug has been around nearly 30 yrs & still they do not do any long term study. It STINKS !

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I took this POISON almost 20 years ago...
I had all of the side effects...
I NOW have Crohns Disease...ALL of the Bone and Joint Problems...including shortened Vertebrae.
My Depression....is so incredible...I cannot even say ..
I Am hoping...NOW that my Time has run out...as far as a Statute of limitations.That I can ...Find enough People to make a Difference with a VOICE...One that the Drug companies cannot stop or dissuade...
I know the Post i am replying to is years old...PLEASe contact me...Thanks

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Hello Scott...
YES..I have that same Problem in ALL of my Body...I took the Accutane for three years..
Highest dose...Longest prescrition time..
My body is experiencing all of the listed effects..
Before taking this I Literally could lift A Volkswagen beetle front end off of the ground ( I did so for a 50.00 bet many times in my 20s....
Soon after taking the drug...I began to experience Bleeding Ulcers and Finally was diagnosed with Crohns ...
My Joints all have spurs and I lost my hair (Only one in my entire family tree to EVER lose Hair)
I Have bone pain that is comparible to broken bone healing Pain..(YEs..I have broken Most bones)
I can Barely drink water..without getting intestinal problems or Diarrhea one day...constipation for the following week...I am losing control of my faculties...
I was an Honor student..and had a great future..
I Have bouts of depression that would Stop an Elephant...
2 to 3 seizures a year....depending on stress levels ..
Heart pain that doubles me over or knocks me off of my feet..
Vertigo I cannot stop...and lightheaded dizziness..

I recently fell from a 10 foot fishing platform...against an iron railing...(From dizziness)
The Doctor in the emergency room...came to me with my x rays..and was extremely surprised that my spine resembles one of an 80 plus year old with arthritis and osteoporosis
What she also called vetebral shortening (Bone loss and compromise of Disks)
I can hardly walk a flight of stairs...one day...and still drag my sorry ass up a 50 foot tree to cut it down 3 days later...after I regain my abilities to a limited extent...
YES...I have had a hard working life...
The doctor who prescribed this drug ...was a good friend of mine...I used to do construction for Him...and take down trees for him...some 20 plus years ago..when he prescribed the acc. for cystic lumps on my face that became infected...along the jawbone
I was in Incredible Shape...200 lbs of Muscle...without ever having lifted weights...
I was raised on a farm...and we owned many horses i had to work with...
As well as the rest of farm life...
In high school i was a Wrestler...and was a First pick for Sports...
I could deadlift over 900 lbs ...
(YEs..sounds impossible to some)
As the Bob Seiger song goes.."I was Something to see"...
Well...Soon after taking the poison..I began to basically fall apart...
My Life is Now Depression and turmoil...
Although.I have hidden it fairly well...
I still do most of My Work i have always done...only it takes a lot longer..and the PAIN alone is enough to cause me to stop..
I have always worked for my self...so retirement is not going to be an option..
YES...Writing Run on ideas is also a problem...
I Hope you find some answers and HELP...
Maybe If enough people harmed can Find a concerted VOICE...

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Robert Hunt. Wow i really feel for you, your story brings tears to my eyes. Your problems are far far too many. To be honest the people who are affected are World wide and this is what i think makes it more difficult for our voices to be heard. Most people do not even report the side effects or more so don't know they can or who to report them to. In he UK it is the MHRA for anyone who needs to know. My 17 yr old son is suffering from this Poision too. Though Doctors won't admit its the drug. 152 side effects to this drug and still they give it to young people who's bones are still growing. Unfortunately we are just a name and number in this world. My son was training to be a powerlifter he was not heavy or overweight but now his waist is so thin. He's lost over a stone of muscle & now they're looking to see if he has muscle disease. Has been diagnosed with Hypermobility. He feels it is mental as well as physical as he has had what he describes as outer body experience. Strange sensations in his hands and feet and under his ribs. Bone and muscle pain as well as Chest Pains and breathing pains. I'm so scared for him not knowing what is going to happen. Especially when i hear what others have, and are still going through. Accutane is one of the worst 5 for side effects and still they do Nothing ! They should be made to pay for the misery that people are suffering,and be accountable. What chance do we have when Roche and other drug companies pay hospitals to hand out their drugs and pay staffs wages.. There's definately a conflict of interest ..
A very Distraught and Angry Mum

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VEry Sorry...
YEs...IT is about the worst...
Thank you for your kind words...
I honestly tamed it down a lot...I could possibly write 100 pages on what the results of using the accutane has changed and done to my body...
Being honest...even though I am fairly good with writing...it is different when it is about ones self somehow...
My Parents are in their late 80s..and my Mom Worries too much...So i hide all i can from them...Which..in turn..means I have done little or nothing to let it all show...
I did contact one of the online law firms...regarding the class action suits...
They acted normal upfront..and asked me for any and all prooof i had early in....and when ...after about a year had passed...and i could not provide them with receipts or even doctors bils..(My treatment was over 20 years ago..as i said)
The law firm led me on for near 1 and a half years...only to finally send me a legal notice..by certified mail...that they could NOT help me...AND..that i had 3 yrs from the day I REALIZED my problems could be from the taking of the Accutane...ALso..from the time i had contacted them...so...i then had 1.5 years left to find a way to get the suit filed...
So..in essence..they literally were working for the Drug company...and had the online awareness program running to filter out the best cases that would get the Awards...ALL a little hard to describe here..and as I wrote...my mental faculties are becoming more and more diminished..
In high school i was tested as a Senior....for Intelligence..and faired right around the Genius Level..(NOT Bragging...more complaining..of my loss)
NOW..I have days where I cannot honestly interact with others....and the seizure days are ones i would rather be sedated for...
If you care to..please email me at xxxxxxxx@aol...[1]
I would Like to at least try to help your Son to recognize the eventual...possible problems...
Part of the effects..are the fact that things seem to just DAWN on the vicitm..over time...ie:...Bleeding Guts..you figured were from something else?...Sorry to sound so harsh..and descriptive...but it is Much worse than what i care to write...
Blessings...Robert

[1] Editor's note - In order to protect privacy, we do not allow individuals to post their personal contact information on our discussion threads (except in some very rare cases).

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Yes Accutane can cause jaw bone loss! I assume since it can bone else where then it wouldn't matter where the loss is!

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