After trying so many different products for so many years I am so tired of this constant acne and am considering trying accutane. Has anyone out there used this and does it work long term?
I have found products that work well, (bcp, aldactone, antibiotics) but I want to have a long term solution instead of staying on these products year after year.
Getting desperate and really need some advise here. I would definately put the ttc issue on hold if this would clear up my problems.
Dear Florette,
Accutane really helped clear up with my cystic acne, about 20 years ago, when it was fairly new. That was after trying every antibiotic that was RXd back then.
For me it worked great! I didn't have any probs. But there are alot of warnings that you should investigate before making your decision that they didn't have back then. And yes, you must not get preg while on it.
Hopoe that helps!
Thanks for your response. So after you took the accutane you did not get any more acne at all or just the cystic acne? And has it lasted the 20 years or did you need to take it repeatedly?
I was on accutane for about a year and a half in middle school. The real question before you try it is how severe your acne is. From there a dermatologist can determine what dosage you need. I was on a very high dosage because my acne was extremely bad.
A few cautions. Accutane is very expensive! Even with a good prescription plan mine ran around $200 for a two or three month supply. Also there are some wacky side effects that come with it. As if you didn't have enough menstrual problems from PCOS accutane can affect your cycle. When I was on it I did not have a cycle for a year. Blood sugar levels or triglycerides can become very high. They usually draw blood every month to monitor this. I had to go off sugar for several months.
But on the up side, Accutane does produce long term effects in acne management. Very minor break outs may occur after you stop the medications, but it is SO much easier to take care of with Over the counter stuff.
It's a good medication. Be sure to talk to a doc or a dermatologist. Good Luck!
After my course of accutane I would still get an occassional pimple, but they were rare and far between, also they didn't become cystic like they did before. It does seem like I might be getting a little more acne as time goes by.
When I was taking it they didn't do all the bloodwork they do now.
The only side affects I noticed was dry skin and eyes, but they didn't seem to be a problem.
HTH
Inga
I have several times posted my recomendations off Acuutane on this baord. It did work wonders for me, yes there are warning signs and side affetcs, I had them too. But even so it was worth it for me, can only wish you the same luck ((((((hugs)))))))
Please let me know if you have any ?
I struggled with cystic acne from age 8-17, and finally the week I turned 18, I started Accutane (this was back in the 80's, when it first came out, and they would not allow minors to take the drug).
I went on the shortest course of the lowest dose, and it got completely rid of the cystic acne.
I still had pimples, and they varied depending on my menstrual cycle, whether or not I was given Provera to trigger a period, etc...
It was not until I went on Aldactone in '98 that I became acne-free.
Now, I have only a few stray zits right before my period. I have not had cystic acne or heavy common pimples since the course of Accutane.
One long term side effect I did not expect, I am more sun-sensitive now. I sunburn more easily and my eyes are more sensitive to bright sunlight. I wear more sunscreen and keep a pair of good sunglasses at hand.
Overall, I had good results from it. But follow the doctor's warnings very carefully, and I don't want kids, but if you do, you need to be sure you wait long enough to get all the drug out of your system before getting pregnant.
Tracy
__________________ "Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo"....... H.G. Wells
Does accutane work? 
Yes, but... 
