New to SoulCysters.. Accutane or Not?

mii · 05-31-2006, 06:38 PM

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with PCOS in July 2000 at the time my symptoms were acne, facial hair, overweight. My endocrinologist in NY put me on Ortho Tri Cyclen, Glucophage and Aldactone. Within a couple of months my acne was completely clear and within a year, my scars (red marks) had faded away. My doctor told me that if I lost weight (I weighed 230 lbs) that I could probably come off the medication all together.

In Jan 2003, I decided to start dieting, exercising, etc. and lost 80 lbs by Jan 2005. My doctor took me off of Aldactone and just left me on the minimum dose of Glucophage (1000 mg) and Ortho Tri Cyclen. In June of 2005, I moved overseas (London) and ran out of my meds. I didn't bother looking for a doctor right away because I thought 'now that I've lost all this weight, I probably don't need to take meds any more'. Well, was I wrong!! Within 3 months, all of my acne came back with a vengence and I started gaining weight! I went to the doctor here and this is list of treatments I have had so far:

(1)Glucophage, Aldactone and Yasmin BCP(they don't have ortho tri cyclen here) -> ACNE GOT WORSE
(2) Glucophase, Aldactone and Cilest BCP -> ACNE STILL ACTIVE
(3) Glucophage, Ciprotane Acetate(sp?), Cilest BCP, Tetracyclin-> BREAKOUTS STOPPED BUT I GAINED WEIGHT (8lbs)
(4)Glucophage, Aldactone, Cilest BCP, Tetracyclin ->SKIN CLEAR, NO ADDITIONAL WEIGHT GAIN

So here I am on treatment number 4 and although my acne has cleared (not the red marks though), I know that if I stop my meds they will all come back. My doctor is pushing me to get Accutane because he says it is the only 'cure'. However from reading these posts, it doesn't sound like a guaranteed cure! I am in my mid 30's and plan to have children soon so am scared of the long term effects Accutane could have. However, I also know that in order to get pregnant I will need to stop all the meds that are currently helping me with my breakouts..

WHAT SHOULD I DO?? Take Accutane, run the risk of getting new breakouts (as I heard initially happens when taking accutane) when I have already acheived clear skin, not know the final outcome or the long term effects OR keep taking my meds forever and accept that while pregnant or trying to get pregnant I will be full of acne again??

Any advice appreciated!

chaplin · 06-01-2006, 02:55 AM

That's a tough one. If you ask people like me I have no faith in Accutane. I took three different rounds of the stuff and it did absolutely nothing. However, I guess in hindsight I see that the acne was a symptom of the PCOS and therefore I needed to get my adrenal glands and pancreas in order, which I did with gluc and spiro. And then the acne went away! But when I've gone off the meds, it's come back. And that's because PCOS doesn't go away. We just manage it and its symptoms.

I'm surprised the spiro isn't working. Are you on a high enough dosage?

A few things about accutane: Accutane shrinks all the oil glands in your body. So therefore your skin from head to toe will become dry but especially in the facial area. In fact, I developed scabs in my nostrils because they were so dry. My face also cracked and peeled. It wasn't a pretty sight!

Accutane works for some--didn't for me. I think it depends on how bad the acne is, what type it is, etc. If you do try the accutane, I suggest you find a cream called Secaris which is great for keeping your nose moist and pain-free. Good luck!

mii · 06-01-2006, 10:41 AM

Thanks for the reply.

The Spiro, Glucophage, Tetracycline and Cilest BCP are working at the moment. My skin has been clear for 2 months. My doctor is just telling me that I should use Accutane or else I will need to be on these meds forever since the moment I stop them the acne comes back. His theory is that Accutane will cure my acne and I won't need to use these pills anymore. However, I am not convinced...

If I could be 100% sure that Accutane would get rid of my acne permanently, I would do it in a heartbeat. However, there is no guarantee so I think I am just going to stick with the meds that are working for me at the moment.

I just need to be mentally prepared for getting off the meds when I want to have a baby, since I know my face will be full of acne again..........ugh!!

chaplin · 06-01-2006, 08:11 PM

I totally know what you mean about the pregnancy thing. I soo want to get pregnant but I know that when that great day hopefully comes, I'll be faced with the acne again. Yuck! I want to be glowing during my pregnancy--not have a pimply face!

I think sticking with your current medication is a great idea. I don't know how old you are but there's always a chance the acne will eventually subside--maybe not before menapause, but who knows....Best of luck! Keep us all posted on things!