Accutane Side Effects

Do they still prescribe it? I thought they stopped years ago

I’m just curious: Suppose someone posted that they did or didn’t have aches and pains. How would that influence your next action?

Accutane is also known to cause birth defects.

Okay, got it.

Torah613- I’m just curious: Suppose someone posted that they did or didn’t have aches and pains. How would that influence your next action?

I’m just curious: Suppose the OP said how it would influence her next action. How would that influence your reaction?

I took Acutaine for the full 6 months and the worst side effect I had was chapped lips. This is definently not normal, see a doctor.

Shopping, severe acne

It is absolutely forbidden with anyone with even the slightest forms of epilepsy, I believe.

I know someone with epilepsy who was given this medication by a dermatologist who did not ask whether she had epilepsy, and she suffered a seizure resulting in a severe fall; she had 5 surgeries and will have a minor permanent disability as a result.

I was just at my dermatologist who suggested I go on Accutane. I’m still debating whether I should go for it or not. Over the past 20-25 years I’ve tried several other remedies to no avail. I’ve never had acne; just pimples. Now I have cystic acne, I’m 40 and seriously considering it. What do you think? Should I do it?

Thank you for explaining, 1st timer. That was helpful.

I work with teens and am very familiar with Accutane. Let’s clarify some of the issues mentioned in this thread.

1. Accutane only causes birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Girls on accutane have to use 2 forms of birth control for this reason. (It is possible JF2 knows this but that should be clear.)

2. Joint pain is uncommon among people who take Accutane. No one I know who has taken it has had this issue from it. However, doesn’t google show it does?

A bit of sifting through google responses shows that apparently joint pain occurs among people who take it at higher doses, but rarely occurs among people who take it at lower doses.

Also, joint pain from accutane should disappear when it leaves your system. If it’s still bothering you than you may wish to see a joint pain doctor, rather than a dermatologist.

3. How can your dermatologist know it is coming from Accutane? Unless they always put their patients on such high doses that they have joint pain? Which anyway shouldn’t cause a delayed reaction.

In conclusion, I really doubt that Accutane is responsible for this issue, but even if it is, a dermatologist can’t do much for joint issues. Refua Shleima b’meheira!

Accutane is a drug used to treat acne. Obviously this gal is still not taking Accutane ,if she is complaining about side effects that persist after the last dose was completed 2 years ago.1st timer u got lucky . I have heard about worst episodes regarding Accutane long term damage. FYI Lyme disease tests are just that a test that can often be inaccurate with false positives and negatives. So either result means little. But I doubt u have lyme . Don’t go down that path out of desperation . If u had lyme u would be gradually getting worse not better. the bottom line is that doctors know next to nothing about adverse reactions and side effects of the stuff they prescribe .They mostly downplay all side effects and say everything is safe with the most common side effects .once in a while one doctor may actually be prudent and mention something . But mostly they don’t mention the so called rare stuff . 1 in 100 is rare is medical terms .doctors know even less about treating adverse reactions too. there are prob yahoo forums regarding people trying to recover from Accutane damage. I personally have turned down Accutane numerous times . My derm was shocked when I told him I would live with my pimples for the rest of my life rather than risk my life taking drug. he persisted that Accutane side effects were rare . I told him he could gamble with his own life not mine . he wasn’t god .nobody regardless of med knowledge can truly predict drug adverse events. not all drugs are created equal . some can cause long term damage delayed reactions after the drug is stopped ie Accutane, floroquinolones- cipro levaquin anti inflammatory ,vioxx ,statins, boniva etc. askapatient.com is a good resource for pill reviews.in terms of treatment for your condition now I suggest prayer , looking online for remedies in forums with people with ur Accutane induced condition . though prob no magic remedy exists . physical therapy is prob a great idea. the obv Epsom salt baths and maybe look into common supplements that are safe for muscle pain like magnesium etc .don’t go near the exotic supplements . try to continue as normal life as possible exercise as tolerated swim walk etc. feel better.

if funding permits try acupuncture and massage. stretch ,do self massage ,foam roller, theracane ,available on amazon .for the record doctors are not evil they just have little education regarding the drugs they prescribe and prescribe for the benefit of the masses 98 to 99% while the 1% adverse stats suffer in silence. perhaps a trigger sets off a pain relapse maybe lack of sleep ,a certain food , chemical exposure ie chlorine swimming pool .good luck .take care urself, feel better.