Anyone have experience with Accutane?

[grinningghost]

Good, bad, works, doesn't?

 

[6_Time_Momma]

I took it about 2 years or so ago. It gave me incredible results. I didn't have too bad of side effects other than dry, dry lips. I only have 1-2 pimples every 2 months or so now.

 

[ByTheSea]

My DH is taking it currently and except for dry mouth, it seems to be helping with limited side effects.

But you should get pages and pages of warnings, and I know women taking it have to sign legal papers ensuring there is no way they could become pregant because it can cause some serious birth defects.... so you want to be extra careful.

My DH tried it many years ago when it first came out and didn't help much, not sure if it changed, the dosage, or if he just needed the second course of treatments... but he's been pleased. You do have to go in for frequent bloodwork and be closely monitored while taking it.

 

[grinningghost]

I've read up on it quite a bit, and I really think I'd like to try it, despite the warnings. I'm not having anymore kids, so I'm not worried about birth defects, etc. I've been struggling with acne since I was 10 (yes 10) and I'm now 38. I'm still waiting to grow out of it. And I'm pretty darned tired of waiting.

 

[lmack6654]

My oldest DD was on Accutane for about 6 weeks, but had to stop taking it because her liver was not tolerating it well. It's a shame because it was starting to work very well. Just make sure you read all the warnings and go in for the blood tests.

 

[DawnCt]

My oldest son had severe acne and now he has beautiful skin. If you elect to take it , it is important to not miss any doses. Missing doses could require another course of treatment and at the time my son took it, the patient was only allowed two courses per life time. He had similar symptoms with dry lips and skin but the results were worth it. After six months or so, he did have a minor recurrance of acne, (probably due to a total of 4 skipped doses). It responded to Retin-A however, and now he is fine.

 

[jx3smom]

My 2 oldest DS's both used it with terrific results. my oldest had severe acne and you'd never it know it now. I'd highly recommend it.

 

[Chattyaholic]

My DD had severe acne in high school and our doctor recommended she see a dermatologist, who recommended accutane. I believe she was a junior in high school at the time. She was on it for about 5 months I think and it really worked well for her. She was "pimple free" for her senior portraits so she was very, very happy!! She did have to sign a paper saying she would have an abortion if she got pregnant while taking it, but thankfully we didn't have to cross that bridge!! It was rather expensive too, and we didn't have insurance to pay for it at that time. But to see her skin clear up so nicely, it was definitely worth it. She gets an occasional pimple now (she turned 25 yesterday) but nothing like before. When she was on it she used chap stick like it was going out of style, as her lips were very, very dry. And she had to be careful to use sunscreen if she was in the sun for any length of time.

 

[grinningghost]

I'm so happy to hear that most of these stories are good ones. I only wish they had Accutane when I was a teenager, it sounds like a Godsend for getting through those terribly self-conscious high school years.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Vince had in it in HS, worked miracle. However, as said, super warnings about females getting pregnant while using it and for some time after. BIG WARNINGS.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

My DD took it for 6 months when she was 16. Very good results but it is expensive. Our insurance didn't cover it and it was $500 per month. You have to get monthly bloodwork done too. All in all, it was worth it. Her only side effects were the dry, peeling lips.

 

[poohlover]

My oldest DD was on it for 6 months, no severe problems, she found that "aquaphor"...I think it's a skin creme was wonderful for her dry lips. She found it at the local CVS.

She had some problems with dry eyes...but the lips seemed to bother her the most.

She is so very happy now. Her back was actually worse than her face...no she is MUCH more comfortable in strapy dress & low backs.

 

[Serena]

My dd was on it about 2 years ago. Her side effects made her pretty miserable, but she was willing to deal with it to get rid of her acne. Now, it's like she hadn't had any. She could probably go for a second treatment, but at $700 a month, I just can't do it right now. We are trying the ProActive and it's doing well for her.

 

[wld]

DD took it 3 years ago after struggling for 6 years in which nothing else really worked. Her skin is still beautiful. It is like she never had acne. Her only side effect was dry lips as well. I got some lip balm at an oncology conference made for radiation treatments and that worked really well. She had to have a urine pregnancy test monthly and we had to sign the paper as well about an abortion. Normally birth control is a must our MD told her but since she wasn't sexually active we didn't have to go that route. Side effects to a fetus conceived during the drugs use are horrific so these steps are required by the drug manufacturer. Our insurance covered the cost which would have been $400 a month. I think she was on it 4 months. Still cheaper for the insurance company since she hasn't needed a dermatologist since and before she went every 4 month.

 

[luvdzny]

Wow, I was just going to post this same question. DS is 19 and has been fighting acne for 6 years. We have been to 3 different doctors and tried just about everything available. Yesterday the doctor he is currently seeing finally refered him to a doctor that is licensed to prescribe Accutane. I have seen a lot of bad publicity about it and wasn't sure if we should take the risk. There have been days when he is so self conscious about his acne that he only leaves his room when he has to go to work. Reading these replies has reassured me that Accutane is definately worth a try. The only problem we have is that the only dermatologist that can presribe it, that is even kind of close to where we live is booked until late January.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by luvdzny
.....The only problem we have is that the only dermatologist that can presribe it, that is even kind of close to where we live is booked until late January.

Try to work your way in. Ask them to squeeze you in. If it was his/her family, s/he'd get you in.

 

[grinningghost]

I had the same problem. The first dermatologist my primary referred me to was not booking new patients until the end of April! The next one I tried had an opening in early December, so I just jumped on it. I guess there are alot more people dealing with skin problems than I ever knew.