I am considering trying Accutane...this is my last resort. My acne is not servere, but it is way beyond mild. Has anyone had any sucess with it? Did it cause any complications with other PCOS issues? Any info will be helpful.
Hi there...
I have been on accutane on 4 separate occasions, and it totally cleared up my skin for years after each time I took it. I had some normal side effects like chapped lips, but not much else. However, the last time I took it, I started having pains in my chest. Not my heart, or anything internal; more like the breast bone. I am the only person who seems to have had this symptom though. Accutane is a wonder-drug (the only thing that REALLY clears up stubborn acne in my opinion) but should always be taken with careful consideration since it affects everyone differently. Good luck!
I took Accutane in high school and it really worked miracles on my skin. I had tried everything and my face still looked like pizza. The worst side effect is definitely the chapped lips! My brother and sister also had great success with it. Each of us have also been on antidepressants but I don't know if they are linked as anxiety/depression run in my family. Good luck!
I took accutane about 8 years ago and it totally worked and cleared up my skin. I felt so much better about myself and could wear the spaghetti strap tank tops. I would go on it again if I weren't TTC right now. I had chapped lips, but nothing too much that a little lip chap could handle. But accutane certainly didn't keep my acne away forever. I don't think there is a 'forever' cure.
I was very cautious of it though because my derm. did warn me of the side effects. But as long as you follow the instructions, you may not have any side effects at all.
Thanks for the info. I'm going to the dr. tomorrow for a consult. So hopefully this will be the end of the acne. I just wated to make sure it wasn't too good to be true.
I have had sever acne in the past and my doctor refused to put me on accutane-apparently the side effects can be really harsh. It can make you depressed or even suicidal. My doctor said they try to not prescribe it as much as possible-my advice talk to your dermatologist.
I did a course of accutane well over 20 years ago for my severe cystic acne after trying everything that was available for many years. I was depressed before I started it, I didn't get more depressed taking it. I actually felt much better emotionally because of the great things it did with my acne. I guess everybody reacts differently, for me it worked great!
My doctor is making me try Menocycline a month longer...then I get to go to the derm. My acne is not severe, so I hope he lets me use it. I have had bad skin for over 12 years and I'm ready to end it. I know so many guys who get it prescribed so easy and I'm going to hell to get it. I'm so tired of waiting
It was about 8 years ago I took Accutane and it cleared up my cystic acne. Nothing else worked for me! I don't think Accutane is for everyone as there are potentially dangerous side effects.
I had no problems beside a severly dry nose. I had nosebleeds nearly every day for almost a year... My skin and lips were also dry but that didn't bother me as much.
Even though the cystic acne is gone I still tend to get some regular acne. I used to be on Diane for several years which kept it to a minimum.
If I ever get cystic acne again I will definitly get back on Accutane!
I was on the accutane 7-8 years ago for a total of about a year & a half & while it cleared up my acne (which was really bad, w/the cystic ones all over my jawline), it took about 2 mos for my body to get used to it first so it made my skin worse for those first 2 mos. I've never been on anti-depresents, nor have I ever really needed them (I'm almost always smiling, laughing & just plain kind of perky) but I would cry myself to sleep most nights & not even know what I was crying about. It actually made me kind of depressed @ night but never suicidal (although there was a kid in the news who committed suicide while he was on it) & while it did get rid of acne completely I've turned down going on it again just because of all of the stress going on in my life I know that the depression would be even worse for me & I don't want to take a chance on feeling like that again. My gf's husband said he had the same side effects when he was on it too (severe depression). I've been on bactrim for controlling my hormone levels w/the acne & spironalactone as well (which seems to work really well), but my skin is starting to clear up now that I'm taking met the way it should be & I've been using the clean & clear advantage acne control kit which really seems to help w/keeping my skin clear (but if you just want the cleanser don't buy the one that says advantage acne control, its not the same one as in the kit, buy the continuous control cleanser, I think they mislabeled them.) also, if you need makeup, the physicians formula mineral loose powder is great & costs less than the namebrand ones, its light & doesn't irritate my skin or when i do breakout. any clear lipgloss also works great to hide the chapped lips, but colors always emphasized the flaking on mine, so i stuck to the clear. hope this helps you guys!! good luck.
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Dx 1998
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"Many matters the gods bring to surprising ends. The things we thought would happen do not happen; The unexpected God makes possible; And such is the conclusion of this story." --Euripides, Medea
"Take your joy when life is joyful, and in sorrow do not mind overmuch, but know what ups and downs belong to human kind." --Archilocus, Be Still My Soul
I've been dealing with severe acne for years and have tried everything short of Accutane. I've definitely considered it, but it has always been a last resort. Now, knowing my PCOS is the main cause, I am trying to get that under control first. Going on the BCP has helped a little, so I would no longer really call it "severe," but at the same time, it's way too broken out for me to feel comfortable in public without makeup. I've been on BC for about a year now and I also just recently started Metformin, so I am hoping that helps it even more. From the way things are going, I can definitely see myself taking Accutane.
I'm definitely scared to take it, though, because I am bipolar which puts me at an even higher risk for severe depression caused by the Accutane. Also, after talking to several people I know IRL, the ones that didn't have a hard time while taking it had the best success, and the ones that had the most severe side effects are now struggling with their acne all over again. That really worries me. I've still heard so many success stories, so I really can't make up my mind.
considering accutane 
