Accutane Long Term Side Effects (Page 74)

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 After I have researched this drug extensively, I can't believe that the FDA allows this drug originally made for cancer patients to be marketed for teenagers with acne.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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Daniel,
My sons acne was severe when he was 14. but only on his face. Playing High School football wearing helmet made it worse, he did only have school pictures for 2 years in school due to acne.

You asked, How much has it affected his life? He once said to me while watching old movies prior to taking Amnesteem where he was happy. He replied to me, Dad, I'm glad you took movies and pictures of me when I was happy so I can remember them times. That pretty much sums it up.

Scott

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It's been wonderful for me. I wish all of you sue happy gold diggers would just stop! You knew there would be risk of side effect, as with all drugs.

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I want to know if anyone has found any relief of symptoms or even a doctor who cares to find what is really going on here. Not one of my 5 doctors will say anything more than "well accutane is a harsh drug" when I mention it with my onset of symptoms.

A year and a half ago i aged 50 years in the month and a half i took accutane. My joints and muscles constantly ache and pop. My digestive system is hopeless and I can no longer eat dairy or gluten of any kind without worsening my symptoms and doubling over in pain for 24 hrs. My night vision is now terrible and blurred. I can't drink or stay out late to socialize without getting terribly nauseous. My "vacation" a few months back was ruined by being sick for 3 days after flying and losing sleep.

I am 30... and i am beyond frustrated at this point. Something is seriously wrong and now all my doctors want to do is suggest prozac? I went from 195 healthy and in the gym, to 145 slow and careful.

Be warned, you cannot sue todays generic brands either they are protected by law because the original is the only one that can be responsible... ironic that it was pulled from the market. Again, if anyone has found any relief from any medications or a good doctor (anywhere in the country) who is following up on the accutane side effects specifically please let me know.

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Clancybenjamin. My thoughts are with you. You have same symptoms as my 19 yr old son who is suffering terrible with stomache pains more so at the moment. He stopped the wheat, gluten but still has milk but i amgonna change himback to goats milk. His eyes are sore wen open & go red so he wears a blind fold most if the time . The problems are endless inc migraine & tinnitus on a daily basis. Hes trying B vitamin & D vit right now. He doesnt eat corn, or cheese but there are lots of food high in vit A inc spices which he feels ill after eating curry etc ..

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Toni, you're ridiculous. I, along with the majority of others here, are seeking improvement in our symptoms and support, not money. You can't put a price on your health (at least I can't). That's as much time as I have for you.

Anyway, Clancy - I hear you 100%. I am only 24 and dealing with pretty much all of the same things you are. My vision keeps deteriorating and the eye specialist I am seeing seems pretty stumped. He, along with other docs, have dismissed my Accutane theories pretty quickly, no matter how many times I bring it up.

If you're interested in chatting I would be happy to. I'm willing to share any knowledge and info I have in terms of treating the symptoms.

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Toni- My LATE husband was on the original accutane when he was 15 years old. Within 4 months he developed symptoms of Crohn's disease. Turns out, it's been medically proven Accutane causes IBS, IBD, Crohn's and a few liver diseases. He was shortly after diagnosed with Crohn's and Primary Scolrosing Colongitis (rare liver disease). After 14 years of suffering with the side effects of both diseases, taking medication after medication and being listed on the liver transplant list he finally developed stage 3C Colon Cancer. He had a surgery to remove his colon, rectum and entire large intestine with a permanent bag of his own s*** attached to his stomach. The day after his surgery we found out I was pregnant with our second baby. 9months of chemo later we found out the cancer was back, EVERYWHERE! 5days later I was induced to make sure he would meet our second little boy. The day after we came home from the hospital I had to hire hospice to help me make my 28 year old husband comfortable while he was dying. He took his last breath 11 days after the birth of our second son. Toni, do you know what it's like to have to look at your 5 year old and tell him his dad, his best friend, is dead and never coming back? Do you know what it's like to be 26 years old and having to pick out your husbands casket 11 days after you just had a baby? Better yet, do you know how it feels to have to pick your husband up off the floor because he is too weak to support his own weight while having stitches holding your crotch together bc you LITERALLY just delivered a baby? Then after I buried the love of my life I find out the manufactures of accutane KNEW it caused Crohn's disease. Crohn's is what cause my 28 year old husbands cancer which in turn killed him. It was found in their computer systems that they knew! So yes, I'm suing the balls off the company bc now I have 2 little boys without a father and I became a widow at 26 years old!

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I am sorry for your problems that you have encountered with Accutane, but personally I am very thankful for this powerful drug. This medication did wonders for me! I had the worse kind of acne that all the doctors I went to have ever seen... (I went to many Dr's btw). I did all sorts of medications and over the counter and every home remedy you could possibly think of. I started to hate my life and God for that matter too! I attempted to commit suicide, but I was unsuccessful. I was finally prescribed Accutane and honestly, I felt better by seeing the amazing improvements on my body! Yes, I did have some side effects, but really... The side effects that I encountered were way better than not being alive. I would rather have these side effects than be in the ground. I am so happy with Accutane, and with the people who have had problems... I'm sorry that has happened to you, but just like any drug... There are risks and side effects... You gotta just weigh what's more important to you I guess... I would not recommend Accutane to someone with normal acne. Accutane should be a last resort; mine was a last resort. Like I said, I had the worst kind of acne a person can have and Accutane has really helped me for the better. Like it or not, I'm happy with my decision of taking Accutane! :)

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I took it out of desperation my sophmore year. My acne was out of control, I was an athlete, then slowly progressed into fatigue, and anxiety. I then had stomach problems and I had to quit taking it due to liver problems. When I was nineteen I got a b-cell lymphotic tumor cut out of my neck, i had a ton of side effects and all that jazz, etc...moral of the story dermatoligists pitch this drug like the side effects happen in less than one of the population. They don't tell you the significant rate or level of confidence based on their sample size. There subgroups were diagnosed at twenty to thirty N , which would not pass any statistical analysis. I am 22 NOW, and I can't explain what this s*** has done to me..

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when i was 16, i took acutane. now i am 27 and the last 5 years i have had chronic pain in my joints. i have seen 4 specialists, 6 different doctors, and had over 200 appointments. the doctors dont have an explaination for the pain. i ve had two mris. where nothing has showed up. one of my blood test show positive for reumatoide arthritis. i do think my pain comes from the acutane drug.

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Okay im 14 and having cystic acne on my back, shoulders, and chest. While I have moderate acne all over my face. Ive been taking accutane for about a week now and have the dry eyes, dry lips, dry skin, and am also lacking energy. But recently yesterday when i lay down or sit i get pain in my lower back. Now will this go away? Or should I stop this immediately? I didnt let my mom know just yet about it in hopes its just a minor little thing..

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Zac.. if you are being affected with symptoms within a week then i would highly recommend you stop taking the drug you were given. My son like many others took this drug & even though in my sons case started with pain at 6 wks into his treatment. By wk8 i made him stop taking it.. it is now 3 years since stopping taking Isotretinoin but my son has joint pain, migraine & tinnitus constantly. Amongst other problems since taking this drug. Do tell your Mum & show her this site. The drug companies get away with selling this because most people dont get symptoms while they are taking it. There are lots of side effects to this drug as it is a chemotherapy drug. I do hope that if you stop now that your pain stops soon. Please Do Not take the chance of ruining your health at the expense of this terrible drug. Let us know how you get on & good luck..

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Hey Zac,

I know how difficult it is dealing with acne troubles. Tons of kids go through it at varying degrees. To deal with the cystic acne is tough, I did myself. Accutane cleared me well for the most part, but it came with a cost.

I've posted quite a few times on this thread recently. Feel free to go back and check what I have shared. This is really powerful stuff. I wasn't able to understand at the age of 19, so I don't expect you to realize how damaging this drug can be at 14. My honest advice, get off it. I've read accounts of younger teens having stunted growth linked to Accutane among other problems similar to what a lot of us experience after getting off of it.

I am 24 and feel like I'm walking dead (no pun intended) more than half of my waking hours. The soreness in my back and joints still exists 4 years after stopping the drug. If you're active or an athlete imagine the consequences it could have. Hell, even someone who isn't sporty or all that active will be hindered. You're a kid and I think it's something important to talk about with your parents. Make sure they are aware that it is a very potent drug, much more so than your doctor will even tell you. I can say in retrospect that it may not have been the best decision for me in the long run.

Try researching demodex and treatments or seeking a naturopath and alternative ways of treating persistent acne. I hope whatever you decide does not bring you any suffering, only happiness and improved well-being. Best wishes man.

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I read alot of stuff everyone on this forumn has been saying and I'm definately going to stop taking it. Does anyone know any good natural acne remedies? :D

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Zac, look at Acne.org and their holistic/diet section on acne. There are many alternatives then Accutane. They may even have a thread on body acne and suggestions. Good choice to stop... Derm will probably tell you joint pain is common and will go away, that is far from true and you are still growing in which it could stunt your growth.

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Zac,
Please don't continue taking this drug. You are only 14 and your body is still maturing. If you are having pain in your back after only one week on this drug just think how bad it will get by the end of the 6 month treatment! Most people outgrow acne as they mature, usually by the time they are out of their teens. In some cases it lingers longer. Such was my case. I took Accutane when I was 24 for 3 months. I was supposed to take it for a 6 months treatment but, the side effects became too much for me. I just turned 54 last week. The quality of my life has been destroyed for the last 30 years. I have had bone and joint problems for most of that timeframe, specifically with my neck. More recently I have had issues with the joints in my shoulders and knees. Since I took Accutane I have trouble focusing and concentrating. My mind feels like I'm in a cloud alot of the time. I've had lots of digestive problems also since taking Accutane. My life was destroyed by this poison know as Accutane. Please don't let it do the same to you. Look for other ways to deal with your acne. Try natural treatments and watch what you eat. Avoid the junk foods i.e. sodas, sugars, greasy fried foods. If I could go back 30 years I would gladly take my acne problem back if I could reverse the effects what Accutane did to my body. Oh, BTW, I still have problems with acne sometimes. Accutane did not cure my acne problem. A pill is not always the answer to our health problems.
Ernest

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I'm 24 took Accutane at 18, then again at 19. was cut off after 3 months due to high triglycerides cholesterol alt ast liver enzymes.

its been almost 6 years off the drug and I now have possible thyroid issue, insomnia I cant sleep for more than two hours, my eyes are dry mucus sandy puffy an dark, my skins flaking and shedding and pink, dermatitis or something all over it, losing weight, was 129 5 foot 10 when I took the drug.

I am now 121 and its 6 years later!!! I eat all the time, blood pressure super high, cold hands feet, back pain lower spine, (vit d, fish oil and diet and water seems to help that )

and I still get acne, not to mention dry nose, mouth, hair. basically sjorgens syndrome symptoms. also got two swollen lymph nodes in neck. I did have severe constipation, fiber helped that thank god..

not worth it at all. I spent 5 years in my room afraid to come out dude to the symptoms. anxiety depression

THIS DRUG RUINED ME AN MY FAMILY... CAUSED ME TO ATTEMPT SUICIDE AT 21

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Your side affects just have not happened yet.Trust me they will.My daughter took Accutane sophomore year of high school.She loved the results.I let her take it for 4 months and thats when I realized what she was actually taking ,a chemotherapy drug!! The doctor NEVER ONCE MENTIONED THIS!!! When I read what the side affects people were getting I took her off immediately.She was not happy with me at all but I did not care.Her health came first.It was not until freshman year in college that her symptoms started.Her stomach and GI tract is so out of wack it is not even funny.She has issues with vomiting,diarrhea,belching,acid reflux,and IBS.She has had every diagnostic done including nuclear exams on her stomach, gall bladder, lower GI, upper GI, Ultra sounds, you name it and they cannot find out what is wrong with her. These are all side affects from ACCUTANE. Three years AFTER she took the medication.She still now gets cystic acne and agrees it is not worth going through the pain she is going through now and that she will the rest of her life.At the age of 22 she cant leave the house without a bottle of Malox in her purse.She takes more over the counter medication to keep comfortable than I have in my lifetime.It is not worth it .If you have taken it trust me your side affects are soon to come.

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Dear all,
Its sad to hear this all about the side effects of accutane. I also took accutane for 3months for my acne treatment and i got serious hair whitening even 1 year after i dropped it..

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hello. Please stop taking this drug. my younger brother took accutane and suffered seizures and eventually got schizophrenia. Please for the love of life do not evertake this drug. it is meant for chemotheraphy. not to cure acne. chemotheraphy destroys your cells forever and eventually kills you. why would you even give this to teens? doctors are definitely in it for the money. because you will keep going back to them because of your problems and they make more money. i hope nothing serious happens to you people. start eating healthy. vitamin A overdose is serious. there are 4 vitamins that the body absorbs and does not leave the body. those are vitamins A, D, E, and K. hope this information gets to all kids out there. Please let everyone know how bad this drug is. misinformation kills.

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Hi. How are your two children now? I refused to eat the drug 4 years ago while a relative ate. Precisely cos I was afraid of joint pains that I read here in the Web. Only recently I learned that my relative now has rheumatoid arthritis and had to stop going to the gym. Could it be because of this drug?

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