Accutane Long Term Side Effects (Page 81) (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 After I have researched this drug extensively, I can't believe that the FDA allows this drug originally made for cancer patients to be marketed for teenagers with acne.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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Lina .. look on the bright side you were only on it 2 weeks.. You have a better chance than most of not getting any problems. Hopefully you were not on it long enough..
My son started being ill after 6 weeks.. Nearly 3 yrs now and he still is not fit to do anything as he suffers permanent Migraine as well joint pains & eye problems. The longer he keeps his eyes open the worse they hurt and the more intense the Migraine and head pains become..

Best of luck to you

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my heart goes to you and everyone .

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Anyone in Houston Ill help yah for free my brothers and sisters

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I took accutane as a teenager. I am now 24. In the last three months I have had my liver, my gabladder, an endoscopy, panceras tested, and taken to the hospital by ambulance once, and all tests came back normal. No one can figure out why I threw up all my food after eating and occasionally I throw up blood. I usually have mild back pain which the chiropractor relieves that pain, my non dominant shoulder and both wrists cause pain as well.

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You can research all you want on the internet, when a doctor says side effects do NOT happen and tells you not to worry, it tends to somewhat override the stuff you read from people whom you think are simply crazy writing stuff on the internet to vent.

Then you're crazy as well and go to the toilet 6 times a day with bloody stools.

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I have unexplained unmanagible stomach problems myself. I'm nineteen and started taking the drug when I was 14. This drug has in some aspects ruined my life. I recommend getting this drug off the market befor we hurt anymore youths.

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So for the last month almost I have been dealing with what I believe to be inflammatory bowel disease. It's odd that this pops up right around the time I start talking about my symptoms on the forum. I'm worried it's not merely coincidence and related to something else. I'm currently on day 4 of a 7 day rapid body cleanse of the liver and colon so I hope afterwards things return more to normal. Scott, would you be so kind to relay some of the gastrointestinal issues your son dealt with in the early stages? What were the first symptoms and what has he done to help treat and combat the problems? Thanks.

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Talk about a bogus response, Bertha 57. Not only did you assume that Scott was irresponsible enough to disregard information provided with the drug but also put him down for sharing legitimate and honest concerns. If you did any basic research of your own you would come to realize that the many of the prescriptions handed out by your every day dermatologist are around this dosage and the same duration.

This thread was not created to bash those who followed a doctors's recommendation and took a potent and harmful drug without enough information. Have you bothered to even read and realize that some who have taken this drug for merely a few weeks have dealt with ongoing problems? No one here is saying accutane is the definitive, 100% cause, but it's not exactly hard to put two and two together.

All I can say is good luck taking a second course. Hopefully you don't end up suffering with problems many others here believe to be attributed to the drug. But, whatever. None of this chat matters since we are just sending out messages out to cyber space, right?

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You missed my point, everyone is different. And our bodies deal with medications differently. It sounded like the Mother and young man weren't given any paper work on the side effects. My doctor told me and made me very aware of the side effects. The patient can't blame all the wrongs of the medication on their doctor. I apologize if I offended anyone. I personally have not experienced the horrible side effects. I have dry lips and nose but my lips are far from splitting open and bleeding. I use ointment on my lips during the day and in my nose occasionally. I'm on my 4th month at 40 mg. twice a day so it doesn't have the effect on me as it may have had on you or another person. This is true about any medication anyone takes. So don't take offense to me voicing my facts.

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Hi there u guys.. I was wondering how much u pay for the stuff you are using as it seems it is not available in UK .. Does anyone know if i would be able to find some outside of the UK?

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No, I didn't. I think you missed the point of the entire topic. The primary discussion deals with the fact that this 'medication' being on the market is highly questionable. In the initial post there was no blaming of a doctor that prescribed it, not even a mention. The point is that Scott (and others) are curious as to how this drug is still approved by the FDA.

Hundreds of medications are available, many with side effects of course, but seems like only few that are as heavy duty and as widely prescribed as isotretinoin (admittedly conjecture).

You appear to be fully aware of potential side effects and even taking a second course. Why so quick to point the finger at others? We should ultimately be held accountable yes, for making the final decision. The stigma about side effects always makes patients feel they are minimal or extremely rare. It's an afterthought. So it's unfortunate we have built so much trust in out pharmaceutical industry. Who cares if we feel like s*** as long as the government makes a fortune. And yes there are synthetic drugs that really do help us and save us so I am not discounting everything.

I believe for every good doctor there is one that is, well, not so good. Prescription drugs are rampant. It's just common sense to me now that healing the body as naturally as possible is the best way to ensure proper health for the future. As much as people are different, it's clear to me this thread wouldn't be nearly as long if we didn't share many similarities as well. Once again, I am glad you feel your side effects are not affecting your life much, but sad to hear you have decided to poison your body again for half a year. Best wishes.

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Sorry.. I was asking about Protandim. You cannot find this in the UK..
And actually my son asked if he got hoint pain while on Isotretinoin how ling would it last ? His Dermatologist said he could gaurantee once he stopped the meds the joint pain would stop ! Which was far from the truth ! My son was training to be a Top Athlete in his field and now has no life thanks to the Derm not being truthful and these horrible Chemo Drugs. So Yes i do blame the Derm as well as myself for what has happened to my boy . He was 16 going on 17 now he will be 20 early 2014... He has suffered for nearly 3 years along with myself and my other children . This has had an effect on the whole family unit. We cannot do anything as a family ie; watch a movie at the cinema or go bowling etc ....

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If you can't get it there in the UK you could also find it on amazon

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Hi Anthony,
I agree with your statement ( #1451 on post ) 100 %. I could not have said it better. I don't let the people bother me that come on here just to try and insult others. Luckily for them, they , at times, look like an ass for their remarks. Fortunately for them, sounding like an ass is much better than having to deal with any long term side effects. I was told the same as you from the dermatologist office, any side effect that your son may get will go away right after the treatment is done. This was the quote when asked about long term side effects...... ( from Physicians Assistant ). "With any medications, there are possible side effects...I have treated over 1000 patients and read hundreds of books on side effects from Accutane and I only ever heard of one case of a possible side effect. This was due to patient already having depressed episodes in his life and not telling the doctor prior to taking Accutane. This was the reason the medication was stopped during his treatment when he claimed he was depressed from Accutane". We signed the I PLEDGE contract after that statement. I will regret that decisions for the rest of my life.
Best wishes,
Scott

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This is the worst nightmare drug ever the accutane , experienced two back operation. cataract, low libido and other complications. wow be warned

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I took accutane like 5 years ago. I hade mild to moderate acne. But my self confidence took it to desperate and drastic decisions. So despite reading all of the information, weeks of reading up on the side effects and watching "accutane is posin" videos online. I went through with my treatment. Not pressured by a doctor, souley under my own will. Instantly everyone around me noticed I had changed. I was not as aware of the change in my thought process or actions as everyone else was. There were scary parts during my course. Of course the major increase in breakout at first was horrifying. But I had issues with my back as well. Severe pain sometimes. My back was already messed up and I'd had a surgery when I was 21 prior. I barreled through anyways, blood work came back good so.....whatever. In the end my acne was a memory, but my skin was more prone to scarring when the occasional pimple does emerge. Easily flushed face, joint soreness, strange heart sensations, and the erratic emotions and mood swings. I spent a few years as a wreck. Looking now more like I wanted, but the enjoyment of it taken away by the side effects, too many to list in their entirety. In retrospect I am ashamed I took it. Because the real problem was never the acne, it was my self image. It's the real killer in all of us and your children. Feeling like I could never enjoy life to its fullest without needing to look a certain, what a joke. Blame modern society, blame accutane, blame Hollywood and the music industry, yes. But the number one person to blame is yourself. YOU did this, YOU wanted this, as did I. And now this is the life you live.

BUT!!!! Accutane gave me something I am very greatful for. I learned through years of brooding and crying and feeling let down and sold short.........f*** it! What does it matter. What does it matter what anyone else thinks about anything. The truth is it DOES NOT! I have a beautiful son, a beautiful fiancé, a home, I work hard, and I do it all through the disadvantage of my situation. There is nothing better for your self esteem than being proud of yourself. Truly and deeply proud. Never give up, never back down, stand your ground. Be convicted and strong. The black voice inside your head that says your ugly, says you can't and you never will, it's in us all. And it leads us away from ourselves. Then We do what we do, in our case, accutane.

Over coming this is something I can be most proud of. You can still live a good life. Don't you DARE sit around and feel sore. I have all the same crap everyone else does. But last year I completed 2 courses of "insanity" the exercise program. Best shape of my life. Look damn good too. Make the best with the decisions you have made. Life is good and beautiful. Forget what MTV, Hollywood, and popular culture says about what you should say do and look like. They are the cancer destroying this country and it's people for more than 50 years. Get up, get out and live it!

Years of experience taught me this (remember my side effects are bad)

Facial dryness- Burt's bees "daily moisturizing cream" it's the ONLY one that delivers on what they say. Does not cause redness and is NOT SHINY or greasy!

Scalp dryness- motions"oil moistureizer hair lotion" leaves hair soft and scalp moist and feeling good. It's a mess when it's on but wear a hat that day or just use at night.

Mood swings- ask the doctor for a SMALL dose of diazepam. Takes the edge off and brings you back to reality. Away from the scattered world in your subconscious.

Sunburn- wear sunblock duh! Cetaphil makes a wonderful facial lotion that you can use on a day in the sun. Just forgo the regular moisturizer that day. But return to it after and even that night. It seems to be not so great long term as far as other reactions.

Joints-EXERCISE!!!! Not exercising is any health condition is the worst decision you can make. You WILL feel better when you are done. Do it everyday! Drag your but out of bed and just suck it up!

And over all just live healthy! Go the extra mile to ensure you are getting the best diet and supplements you can for your body. Hemp hearts, pea protine, V8, naked drinks, raw fresh everything. Let your body do what it was intended to do by giving it what it REALLY needs to do it. And stay positive an happy.

Live and love life and be the best you. The worst side effect of all is that voice in your head. Give it the finger and have the courage to be happy.

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Hi, I had exactly the same urticaria, at the third month and still after 2 month since I stopped taking it. could you please let me known if and how you solved it?

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If you're having any colon problems due to having taken Accutane[Isotretinoin] then try to eat some unprocessed honey every day. Among others, the actor James Marshall sued Roche over Accutane-related disease that resulted in the removal of his colon. Best of luck and good health to you!

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Daniel,
I can understand after hearing your story why Accutane helped you more than hindered you. I only wish that doctors would help educate patients on dangerous medications and let them know," I understand where you are coming from, this is a chemo drug I am giving you for your acne". . Then decide knowing the truth up front, which no one( patients) knew back in the 80's. The overuse of these drugs prescribed to teenagers as a miracle drug with no other alternative and not letting the patients know the risk are much higher than they let on, with no honesty about them slipping you a Chemo drug for brain cancer is what is not fair with the system. Yes, I do believe you and it must be hard to talk about. I appreciate your comments and wish you the best. For anyone with debilitating acne etc or cancer., the choice to take Accutane as a last alternative may be all that is out there. I can only hope that Holistic Doctors and others will give some hope to try different non prescription dangers meds for help that most were unaware of in the past.

What makes it tough for me is knowing I made a decision as a parent for one of my sons to take a very dangerous drug for his acne and not being told the truth about the side effects short and long term 10 years ago. The internet has made it possible today to research things we would of never dreamed about years ago. A doctor that just believes ONLY what he reads in the medical journals and pharmaceutical company's padding his wallet while they spend millions of dollars in Washington D.C. paying lobbyist to hands full of cash to turn their heads the other way. The FDA has not become more transparent due to billion dollar pharmaceutical company's writing the books that doctors study from.

Thanks again for the post and I hope you stay with us to give others that may be in your shoes some comfort in their decision making.

From the Heart,
Scott

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Scott and Anthony,

I am glad you took both time to reply to my post. I wish you both the very best and Scott I hope your son gets better. Scott you are right about the greed part. I just did some research and I discovered that many who have posted on here are right. They are a lot of prescriptions going out for moderate or even mild acne. I guess Roche couldn't make much money by restricting it to only severe or extreme cases of acne since those types are uncommon. I may not have known a lot about the drug in 1982/1983 but my doctor did tell me that it was a new drug that used to be used on cancer patient and that it was very strong. In my case my acne was so painful and disfiguring that I am still much better off today than I would have been if I hadn't taken it. Acne conglobata is notorious for lasting for over a decade and for leaving the victim severely scarred for life.

Scott,

How severe was your son's acne? Mild, moderate, severe, or extreme like mine's was? I am just curious because it seems that a lot of people are getting it for less severe forms of acne. How much did it affect his life?

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