Accutane Long Term Side Effects (Page 32)

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 After I have researched this drug extensively, I can't believe that the FDA allows this drug originally made for cancer patients to be marketed for teenagers with acne.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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Worried Mom- Please don't let her take accutane. I took it twice in my 20's. Thankfully, I have now 4 beautiful healthy chidren, and 1 on the way. I pray everyday that my offspring were/are not affected by my use of this drug 10 years ago. But knowing what I know now about this dangerous drug, I would absolutely not allow it in my body or my children's in the future. Tell her to take a cod liver oil supplement, Norwegian Cod Liver oil is the best. Acne sufferers need this supplement!! Also, have her drinks lots of pure filtered water. Have her monitor her diet, as to what causes her breakouts, such as eliminating dairy or wheat to see any results. Also, topically have her try Dan's acne regimen from acne.org. It has worked wonders for me. I use the AHA daily and it totally made a huge difference in my skin. I also spot treat blemishes with Dan's benzoyl peroxide gel 2.5%. That works well too! Even though, the verdict is still out whethe BPO is safe, I think it's a lot better than accutane. Good luck!!!

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YES...Exactly what the Doctor Told me some time back....when I had X rays..and a c Scan...for some Broken ribs....
My Spine is severely shortened...and the Doctor found extensive Arthritis...and Spurs...
WHen I asked...What age does my Spine Appear to be...The Doctor Replied...." I Honestly Thought We had your Scans confused with the 90 yr old....We scanned first"..."How the heck do you do the Work you do?"...he also asked..

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daughter took it 9 yrs ago, worked wonderfully on her skin had the dry skin and lip side affects while on it for 4 months. Cleared up her skin, no long term side affects yet. Eats well, very active, everything else ok

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@ Marang. Hello sir. My younger brother is also experiencing what your child is going through. Like your child, He also took accutane 7 years ago. He has the similar cold hands and discoloration. He is now taking the medicine Abilify. I believe it is a schizophrenia medicine that the doctors gave him. He is also taking seroquel at night and also epival for his convulsion/seizure. He was on olanzapine for 2 months before he was put on Abilify last week. He is now able to properly brush his teeth and has been drinking water already compared to how he was a few months ago when he couldn't do any of these things on his own. But now that he can fix his hygene, he isnt speaking and has a blank stare most of the time. We also do not know what to do. My family is devastated. If any of you can please advise what we can do to help my brother. Suggestions is most welcome. People have been telling me to try to find a lawfirm but I am not sure this will do anything. I am afraid of the costs ... well aside from the fact that the medication pills he is on now are very expensive. much help and ideas would be appreciated. My prayers all go to everyone that is affected. THanks

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bro needs help..very sorry to heat about your brother. My son has experienced body shaking and hans have gone lighter in colour. My son will not ake any medication because of what has happened to him after using Isotretinoin (accutane). Just wondered if he has seen a Neurologist who specialises in Neurotoxicology ? My son suffers horrendous Migraine type pains but he also said he gets wierd sensations. I did contact a Raymond Singer in USA he apparently studies Neurotoxicology. As i do not have the funds to take my boy to the USA i didnt use him but he may be able to tell you if the problem is with the brain..
Please get your brother to eat well but be aware certain foods may make him worse. No processed food.
My heartfelt wishes to your brother and family.. x

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Bro needs help.

Im sorry to hear your brother is going through so may health issues. Seroquel alone is a very powerful drug with many posible side effects.Sometimes anti depression drugs have opposite side effects. How much seroquel does your brother take per day? Have you thought of seeing another doctor for a second Opinion.

Keep in touch,
Scott

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Mitch: This Dr. you are talking about Raymond Singer, is he in the US???? I have been to so many DR's From Physical to Psychiatric for my son, it's OVERWHELMING to say the least. Some Dr.s say my son is a MYSTERY, (Imagine being told you are a Mystery??) others say it's Thyroid, Nope oh it's a Tumor, Nope oh it's Adrenal Glands, Nope, ETC.... Psychiatric, then it's NOPE again..... They seem to pass this back and forth it's physical no it's Psychological, I am At my WIT'S END!!!! As I read all of these posts I can SENSE the FRUSTRATION and DESPAIR in all these posts. My HEART to goes to ALL of You,, No-One Understands what it is like to WATCH someone Suffering after ACCUTANE. It's HEARTBREAKING and I just PRAY that we all get answers... Watching a LOVED one SUFFER is Unbearable to say the least. I hope that this Dr. is in the US, I will TRY anything to SAVE my SON from His HELL.... Thank You in advance Mitch... GOD BLESS EVERYONE on this site, Please don't give up HOPE....

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After a few days of the abilify, we thought things were getting better, now he isnt talking, eating or drinking water. We were just informed by the doctor to take out the seroquel. we really dont know what to do. He is like a zombie. Please help if anyone can suggest anything.

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Nancy..Yes he is in the USA. check out neurotox [dot] com. that is his website. obviously i cannot specifically write the web address as it should be. I do hope you can find some answers. No one seems to have any answers until our loved ones end up with something specific as a result from this poision...
Best of Luck and God Bless x

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Recognizing Neurotoxicity1
The symptoms of brain injury from exposure to hazards like lead paint and toxic chemicals vary widely. But there are ways you and your experts can pinpoint the damage and its cause.
Raymond Singer and Dana Darby Johnson
Neurotoxicity—poisoning of the brain and nervous system—is a well-documented effect of exposure to many widely used chemicals, yet doctors (and lawyers) often fail to recognize it. Chemically injured clients often report a confusing array of symptoms, with no medical diagnosis. The symptoms may seem vague and unconnected, leading you to wonder, “Could these symptoms really be caused by a chemical exposure?†Once you recognize the signs and understand them in context—as a constellation of symptoms resulting from a toxic injury—you will have greater confidence in bringing your client’s case to justice.
A person who has suffered a serious chemical injury is likely to have sustained considerable damage to his or her brain and nervous system. This is important for a lawyer to know, because doctors often recognize only the person’s physical illness, not realizing that serious brain and nervous system damage may have also occurred.
Neurotoxicity can be documented, but perhaps not in the way you might think. A person’s ability to think, perceive, control emotions, plan, and manage his or her life can diminish drastically without anything being visible to a radiologist or neurologist on an MRI or a CT scan.1
The most reliable and widely accepted way to assess actual brain function is through neuropsychological evaluation. (This is true for head-injury patients and those suffering from dementia, as well as those affected by exposure to toxic chemicals.)
Researchers have noted that imaging techniques are often of little value in evaluating neurotoxicity.2 In our and others’ experience, imaging techniques can occasionally pick up abnormalities caused by neurotoxicity and may be helpful for forensic purposes, but they are not cost-beneficial for routine screening.3
Neuropsychological testing tends to be more sensitive to brain injury than CT and routine MRI scans, which provide only a static and relatively gross view of neural structure. In one study of six head-injury cases, CT and/or MRI scans yielded little or no evidence of neuropathology as detected by neuropsychological testing. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans, however, corroborated the impaired function.4 PET and SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) scans offer a more dynamic look at brain structure, but both of these tests still need interpretation as to the cause of the abnormality (which could be benign).
Common symptoms
What do chronic pain, anxiety, neurological problems, confusion, psychiatric symptoms, and cognitive declines have in common? They can all result from neurotoxic chemical exposure.
Symptoms of neurotoxicity include memory and concentration problems; confusion; multiple sclerosis or MS-type symptoms; impaired control of the limbs, bladder, or bowels; headaches or migraines; sleep disorders, including sleep apnea; eye problems that are neurological in origin; balance and hearing problems; muscle weakness; anxiety or panic attacks; depression; and other psychiatric or neurological symptoms.5
Other symptoms that could be caused by chemical injury include multi-organ system malfunction; lower or upper respiratory problems, such as chronic sinus problems; multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS); liver or kidney problems; and fibromyalgia or other pain disorders.
Along with nervous system dysfunction, the temporal association of any of these conditions with toxic chemical exposure tends to support the theory that the overall cause of the client’s injuries is a toxic insult to the body.

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Hi Scott..

Yes, we have different experiences. I actually took it very late in life-at age 33. I was tired of the cysts that would occur in 'strange' places (back, neck, etc). I was otherwise very attractive.. these sporadic and random cysts also left dark scars on my very dark skin. I had just "had it" after 15 + years of dealing! I will admit that I am vain.. but I had lost weight and really blossomed late in life.. and this was my last affliction. Anyway, perhaps taking it later was really a good thing- maybe when you're still growing is when it causes more problems? it seems to be a teenage problem- although most people taking Accutane are probably teens. I don't recall any adverse side effects except the dry lips, bleeding gums for awhile. Anyway... also the dosage should be considered. I believe I was on a fairly low dose- maybe 10mg twice/daily vs. 20 or higher. These things might all be considered. I wish my parents had put me on it when I was younger honestly- as I suffered throughout my teens and 20s, which really affected my self image for life.

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To Bro needs help,

I wish I could answer you in one sentence or paragraph on the exact way to help your brother. I took my son, who also took Amnesteem ( Accutane ) which STILL have continuing health issues to a Holistic Healer which also was a chiropractor. his wife, a nutritionist also placed my son a special diet which part of it treated candida ( yeast infection ). Eliminating certain food from his diet help him with better concentration and was not as tired as he normally was before the diet. You have my heart-felt prayers. Also, if you feel your PCP doctor isn't helping as much as you fell he should or could be, you may want to get a second opinion from a specialist. If its the mixture of meds he is taking making him worse etc., there is always hope one way or another.
Best wishes,
Scott

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Also, after reading your post again, the amt your son was taking is ridiculous. If you took dosages like this of ANY drug, you would experience side effects. This is like taking 8000mg of Tylenol daily, and then when your liver shuts down blaming the manufacturer of Tylenol and wanting it taken off market. The proper dosage which is available all over the net is 1mg/kg of body weight divided into two daily doses with meals. So, for an 'average' adult of 150 lbs this would be 70mg (you divide lbs by 2.2 to get kilos). 70mg divided into 2 doses would be 35 mg twice daily (30mg is the approp. dose). Your son was taking 3 60mg doses? so he would have to weigh 180 kg which is 400 lbs!! the MD who prescribed this should have his/her medical license taken away and be prosecuted for malpractice, not the drug company. I think these forums attract the people who have had horrible experiences (all of these forums are this way). You don't have the thousands of people with good experiences writing in- because they are not looking up something to blame their various afflictions on. Sorry, but this dose is just unreal. you might consider that this is truly, an overdose of Vitamin A. Any drug taken at these high doses would cause some adverse reaction or be fatal.

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I did 3 rounds of accutane in my teens, 80mg to 100mg. By my early twenties I had stomach surgery due to severe stomach pain and I still struggle with stomach problems now. I have joint pain in my hips, wrists, and shoulders. I have severe low back pain. I get migraines. I have dry eyes and dry lips that NEVER resolved after stopping the medicine. While I was on the medicine I had the worst mood swings and depression. Worst drug ever. Bottom line. Wouldn't recommend. Wouldn't give to my worst enemy. I still live with it every day, 12 years after my last round....

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Bad news wendy, that's the way the meds are dosed...depends on type of acne and severity, not weight. Let me know when you get your MD or bettet yet, when you pass the bar and let's go get the bastards! What'd you say?

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we had a second opinion done and the new doctor is a neurologist. He took out the abilify which i thought was really the wrong drug to give him. It is for people with schizophrenia. The first doctor diagnosed him with that coz he was going thru some hallucinations and weird stuff in the beginning. I have a feeling it was because he took some zinc pills that were in our kitchen but noone is sure about that which caused him to have a seizure. But after the 2 weeks of throwing up etc, that was when we all thought he had schizophrenia. But doctors think he was already a bit too old to get this since kids that become schizo usually get it early and my bro is already 24 to get it and we have no history of it. fast forward, when my brother already got into the hospital, he admits to taking accutane 7 years ago. so here we are now not knowing what to give him. He is now advised to take out the abilify and seroquel and the epival. He is to take only the olanzapine and also this medicine called divalproet and lexapro. I hope these new meds work. Since when he was on the abilify, he stopped eating and talking for a week. very scary for that to happen. Good thing doctor agreed to change meds and see a neurologist. Anyone with similar experiences?? please let us compare notes. Thanks

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Mitch:
Thank you for giving me the info I needed for this Doc. I will look the website up. I am PRAYING that I can find some answers. TRUST Me, if I do find any ANSWERS to what is happening with my son & others on this site, I will be sure to PASS ALL on.. I am Mad and Exhausted with this FIGHT for my son but I WILL NOT QUIT until I get the Answers. I am on a MISSION it's been over 2 yrs. now and I will CONTINUE to FIGHT no matter what.. GOD BLESS US ALL, WE sure need it... Again, Thanks Mitch

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@wendy. Why do you need to wait till you are in your early 20s to believe that the effects of Isotretinoin is harmful. I am so thankfull that i never took this drug. Both my younger brother and older brother took it. My older bro has been in and out of the hospital the past 15 years maybe of his life not knowing what was wrong with him. frustrated at why he couldnt sleep or why he had back problems or why he was always mad at things. While my younger brother now, took the dose of 60mgs for 6months on one cycle and we arent even sure how much the 2nd cycle. He took the accutane 7 years ago when he was 17. He just spent his 24th birthday in the mental institute for who knows what is wrong with him. He was in there for a few weeks. He has got so much anti convulsion pills or anti schizo pills or anti depressants or watever it is that they give people to treat people with convulsions or manic disorders. We do not have this schizophrenia in the family. I have asked my grandmother on both sides. Doctors claim that is could be predisposed which i think is bullcrap coz we all know that accutane has caused this. If a teen were to develop schizophrenia, it would have happened early on in his life. He is a bit too old to get it at 24 yrs old ya? Even the professionals have thought he was too old to get this. fast forward, My brother admits to taking this accutane and now we are left with a problem. A 24 yr old adult who cannot take care of himself. He is lifeless. He wont eat or talk or do anything. IS THE QUEST FOR BEAUTIFUL SKIN SO IMPORTANT NOW THAT YOU MUST RESORT TO DESIGNER DRUGS TO MAKE YOURSELF LOOK GOOD? ARE YOU AN ASPIRING MODEL? BUT GOOD WILL LOOKS DO IF YOU WOULD BE SICK FOR THE NEXT 60 YRS OF YOUR LIFE? YOU ARE ONLY 14. You are too young to take this chemotherapy drugs to begin with. you don't have cancer. why take it? risk beautiful skin for forever not going out coz your skin will be sensitive? there is so much to do with life than stay indoors coz of accutane. Please understand the advise people are telling you. May you be able to recover from what damage you may have done to your body since you are still growing. Peace be with you.

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To: Bro Needs help @ your message to Wendy....
First off I APPLAUD You for this Post. You are giving the HARD TRUTH here to Wendy and I Pray she listens to You & takes your advice. I am sure it must be HELL for You to watch your Brother SUFFERING. I also know it must be HARD for you to write about your Brother. I have been reading your posts and I see quite a Bit of Similarity with what is going on with my son. I would like to talk with you somehow privately and not on the Board. Just not sure how I could go about that. Would I be able to leave my email address on the Board??? Please know that I am so VERY Saddened at what is happening to your Brother, it's HEARTBREAKING to say the least. I also feel for You as the sister, I have 2 Daughters who have to Watch my son (Their Brother) going through Hell after taking this HELL drug Accutane (POISON) It has DESTROYED so much.... PRAYERS with your Brother & Family...I really Hope Wendy will read your POST and take your advice... GOD Bless.

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@Nancy. Hello. Do you have facebook? maybe that is good medium to communicate? But I am kind of trying to be low key about this. Maybe people can read our messages? Maybe only send each other messages and no posting on the wall? email Im uncertain how to type here without getting deleted. God's Mercy be upon us all.

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