Accutane Long Term Side Effects (Page 58) (Top voted first)

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 After I have researched this drug extensively, I can't believe that the FDA allows this drug originally made for cancer patients to be marketed for teenagers with acne.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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Kelso,
I am very sorry to hear of your health situation. Hopefully with medicare, you may get some health insurance that can help you in the future. There are other story's on here of your medical condition. Please stay strong and know that others care about you.

From the heart,
Scott

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I know it may sound horrible, but have a colonoscopy as soon as you can! I cannot stress this enough! The sooner they can find your problems, the better chance you have of getting them under control. I fully agree and believe accutane was created by the devil! My life is ruined and I am so depressed I do not know what to do. Also, start a lawsuit now!!!!!

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Bro needs help,
I am a 25 year old female, who took it, but I gave birth to an autistic son. And with no energy and being severly depressed all of the time, I have a really hard time keeping up with him. I am wondering if my use of accutane did this to him?

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@kelso, that is very unfortunate, but always remember that you need to keep strong. Where are you located? If you are located in the USA, I am sure there are people or places that are capable of helping you take care of your child. I am not saying that you give her up, please dont get me wrong. But I am saying maybe you need to find advice from places that can help you deal with taking care of your child. You may not realize it now but since you yourself feel tired and don't know what to do maybe you can read or inquire about how to better help your child. It is not just yourself you need to take care of but also maybe your childs future. Your child would need to learn to take care of themselves also God forbid something happens to you. Sorry for sounding like a pessimist but I just know that we need to be strong and think of worse case scenario and learn to deal with whatever is in front of us. STAY POSITIVE. Im sure there is light at the end of the rainbow.

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@ kelso. sorry oops i meant light at the end of the tunnel.

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I think I've commented here before.
22 years old, male.
Took the drug when I was 15.

I do YouTube videos, mostly surrounding my side effects from this drug.
Youtube.com/FireYourDoctor is where to go if you're interested.

I want to encourage people to pick up a video camera/webcam and do a video response to my video 'Why Accutane needs to be banned'.

We're screwed it seems.
Maybe our only purpose is to protect other people from a similar fate.

Please make a video and help me spread the word.

For those in the UK, a documentary will air in November this year on BBC3.

I'm in it, and it focuses mainly on Accutane, as well as acne.

I hope to God (who I find it hard to believe in now) that the documentary gets as much attention as possible.

I can't put up with this for much longer.
This is just not right.

I wish I could make those responsible feel even half of the terror I've felt. I would punish them all, nice and slowly if given half a chance.

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SAME PROBLEM FACED BY ME .I LIST 10 KGS ALL FATS BUT IT HASNT STOPPED EVEN I STOPPED ACCUTANE 3 MONTHS BACK.I M STILL LOOSING WEIGHT ,HYPERTHYRODISM & FREQENT BOWEL MOVEMENTS.PLS SHARE THE REMEDY DONE. I M IN DESPERATE NEED OF HELP.PLS HELP

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Avinash,
Just read your post. You came to the right place for others to share their experiences with post Accutane side effects. Can you tell us a little more about your symptoms? We understand some side effects of this medication can be hard on one's nerves. Please know you can post anything you want and someone will try to help you with what has worked for them. Please relax, from my own experience, the more information I find out and talk to others, the more I understand that I am not alone. If you are overwhelmed with emotional or physical pain, always remember you can go to the ER at your local hospital or make an appointment with your doctor and let them know your symptoms. Have you read about the Candida diet? It helps some. Please leave a post back with more info on your condition and what any Doctors may be telling you. Thanks
Hope your feeling better today,
Scott

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I took accutane going into high school before the findings about the stomach problems were published. While on it, I developed Raynaud's Syndrome and was diagnosed with Mixed connective tissue disease. While one member in my family has Raynaud's and another has Fibromyalgia, they are extended family so I wonder if accutane is linked to the development of my condition. I went from being a swimmer competing in junior olympics to a tired overweight coed. During my sophomore year of high school I developed severe stomach problems. I basically went to school everyday feeling extremely nauseas and I would get really bad gas that caused it to feel like my intestines were inside twisting around. I had to leave school on several occasions. I also had gi issues. It came and went so there were times when I was okay and times when I wasn't. I couldn't eat anything sugary for the longest time or I would be bedridden with severe nausea and stomach pain. I tested negative for celiac and have had two endoscopies, a swallow test (they took x-rays while I swallowed food), and a test involving swallowing a radioactive hard boiled egg and laying under a machine for an hour and a half while the machine recorded me digesting it. I went through a period of remission and now it is back in full force. Some days I have a bowel movement up to three or four times and if I don't go right away I get severe stomach pain and feel nauseas. I took two sips of beer the other night and my stomach started hurting severely and I almost passed out. Some days it feels like my entire system is backed up and I can't eat because it will trigger my gag reflex. I'm supposed to be enjoying college but I can't and its affecting my grades. I keep having to repeat classes because I spend most of my time focusing on not having to run to the bathroom or yak up my last meal. There's a chance I may not even be able to go to vet school if I can't get my grades up. I'm seeing a gi doctor soon and once I get a definitive diagnosis I plan to sue for pain and suffering and wasted tuition money.

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I forgot to add that I later on asked my dermatologist if accutane could have caused my autoimmune disease and stomach problems and she essentially told me that was bs and proceeded to try and get me to take it two more times. The next time it was time for me to supposedly go on it, I was given a packet that mentioned the stomach problems...something that was not mentioned in the original packet I received the first time I took it! I refused and switched dermatologists.

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Fed up Coed,
Sorry to hear of your health problems. If you have time, please read some post on here. Your symptoms sound so familiar with so many others. There are some good ideas for dieting that claims to help out with stomach issues. I wish I could help more......stay strong!
Wishing you the best

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Thanks Scott! I've been looking through past posts and am going to try some of the tips people have given. I did notice a ton of other people here have the same symptoms and its so wrong that we weren't properly warned about the stomach problems til after we had taken the drug.

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i took accutang and suffered from many of the same side effects as everyone else and still am.. unless you are dyeing no one cares..Good luck!!!

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I took acutane the summer between 8th and 9th grade. It made my skin very dry, especially my face. I kept chapstick and eye drops always on hand. It completely cleared my acne. I was able to play baseball through college without joint side effects from acne or any type of problems with my musculoskeletal system (other than injuries from baseball). I'm 26 now and my hips, knees, and neck ache from time to time. These problems as well as others posted may be from accutane or they may be just side effects from being older than I was in high school. I'm happy I took the drug.

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Hi scott, yes after taking accutane I developed auto immune problems.my bowel nn digestive system has changed.right from day one on accutane I observed frequent bowel movements still I conti as my acne was severe.but after 6 months on drug I lost 10 kg, now still having abnormal frequent biwel movements, diagnosed with thyroid problem problem in joints I m not able to play cricket.I m going to one of the best doctors in india.but still they r not fully agreed that it is due to accutane.its three months after I stopped the drug but no change in body.it is very bad n life thretning drug.should be banned.I believe more side effects observed in US n canada but in india it don't.hence pls share the remediea asap.I need help as I m loosing nutrients,cpnfidence n life.pls help by replying directly. india do not have good laws like FDA. We have to do it by own money

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I am 1 month post accutane and every time i eat most foods I would have severe pain in the stomach. Iv also had an increase in vellus hair all over my body and very bad depression.

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Dear Elise,
Thanks for your reply. Sorry to hear about your stomach pains. Seems this drug can create many bowel problems. If you haven't please follow up with your Primary Care Physician if possible. Maybe he can run some test and help your mood some. Hope your feeling better !
Scott

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I am 32 years old and I have taken accutane twice in my life. Unfortunately, i also still suffer a few side effects from it. It is now 2 yrs from my last course and 18 yrs from my first course. I respect and empathize with all who suffer ill side effects of this drug. But I do want to say that accutane has been known to be a HORRIFIC drug and cause VERY NASTY side effects. This drug has been out for over 20 years and all of its nastiness has been advertised repeatedly over and over again. Whoever consents to this drug is WILLINGLY putting themselves at risk. Why are you complaining about it now? You know the risk...you know the potential side effects...now that you have some or all of them...you want to sue??!! That's wrong. You shouldn't have consented to it in the first place!!! I too am paying the price but I knew what I was dealing with. I chose the risk in order to rid myself of acne...I am owning my decision....Own yours!!!!

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I am sixteen years old and I am currently taking Accutane for the second time. I was fourteen when i took it for the first time and the result were amazing, but due to the severity of my acne I am trying it for the second time after my acne returned. This drug is the best thing that ever happened to me. Yes I have experienced dry skin and lips and occasional stomach aches but other then that this drug is the best thing that ever happened to me. However, my acne was extremely severe and I had been suffering from acne since the fourth grade. I knew about the side effects when I took this medicine and I am prepared to deal with what may come in the long run. Though I would recommend to anyone who's acne is not severe and could be dealt with in other ways to not take this drug. For me Accutane was my only option. I spent six years of my childhood trying every cream, pill, and cleanser out there and none of them helped at all. If it wasn't for this drug my life would be so different. I am so thankful for this medicine. Anyone out there who has a similar situation as I did and Accutane is your only option, do it! I'm only thankful that I was able to get on it before they get sued. For me I already decided that no matter what side effects I have later, it's worth it. This is a personal decision that you have to make for yourself. Evaluate your own situation and decide if its worth it for you.

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Accutane was a lifesaver. I had awful acne in college that responded to nothing else. I experienced dry, cracked lips and perhaps mild persistent fragility of no facial skin. I am in my thirties now and more than 12 years after a course of Accutane, I am glad this treatment was available and that I suffer no significant adverse effects. Every treatment and medication has potential benefits and risks. One should make a point to understand these prior to engaging in any regimen. Accutane requires vigilance in medical and personal monitoring. Routine lab studies monitoring lipids and liver enzymes must be checked. Becoming pregnant while taking Accutane may produce horrible birth defects in a fetus. Before one takes any over the counter, prescribed, or "natural" medicine, one needs to learn from a reliable source what the risks and potential benefits may be. Then, whatever the results, one can say they were as informed as possible, made a choice given the possible known risks of treatment , and will accept the good and bad consequences. Bad risks do not equal bad medicine. Potential risks and benefits must always be weighed for a particular individual in a particular situation.

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