29 replies to this topic

[Lillies]

I have been off meds for 6 weeks now.

1. I felt incredibly heavy in my second week off the drugs. I felt like I had just walked out of the pool. I was very suprise to discover that I had gained 7% of my body weight in bone density and muscle in space of 3 weeks. I know this to be bone density and muscle for three reasons:
   
   • all my body measurements (waist, bust etc) remain unchanged;
   • people are asking me whether I am working out coz I have developed muscles on my arms and chest but I am not working out;
   • also my weight generally never changes... I lost 2-3 kg over the course of Roaccutane. I always suspected that loss was due to bone density.
2. This definitely supports the theory that this medication interferes with muscles and bones.
3. I will have a full blood work and bone density test in the next couple of months so I will report back.
4. The acne is making a come back as I expected.
5. I have had no noticeable change in mood etc.
6. The skin dryness has worn off.
7. The body hair growth has slowed down (arms, legs)... you gradually become fury while taking this drug.
8. My hair feels fuller.
9. Generally feeling much healthier but a bit stressed over my skin.

Also, for those of you who want to know, I went off medication off my own accord and not due to medical recommendation. I love Roaccutane as it did a lot for me but it just doesn't feel right anymore.

Happy to answer any questions.

[Adult on Accutane]

I have been off meds for 6 weeks now.

1. I felt incredibly heavy in my second week off the drugs. I felt like I had just walked out of the pool. I was very suprise to discover that I had gained 7% of my body weight in bone density and muscle in space of 3 weeks. I know this to be bone density and muscle for three reasons:
   
   • all my body measurements (waist, bust etc) remain unchanged;
   • people are asking me whether I am working out coz I have developed muscles on my arms and chest but I am not working out;
   • also my weight generally never changes... I lost 2-3 kg over the course of Roaccutane. I always suspected that loss was due to bone density.
2. This definitely supports the theory that this medication interferes with muscles and bones.
3. I will have a full blood work out and bone density test in the next couple of months so I will report back.
4. The acne is making a come back as I expected.
5. I have had no noticeable change in mood etc.
6. The skin dryness has worn off.
7. The body hair growth has slowed down (arms, legs)... you gradually become fury while taking this drug.
8. My hair feels fuller.
9. Generally feeling much healthier but a bit stressed over my skin.

Also, for those of you who want to know, I went off medication off my own accord and not due to medical recommendation. I love Roaccutane as it did a lot for me but it just doesn't feel right anymore.

Happy to answer any questions.

Just curious...how long were you on it and as for your acne now, is it as bad as it was before?

[Lillies]

I was on it for 8 years.

The acne is the same. No better or worse, though it has been 8 years since I have had acne so my memory may be a bit vague.

[WalkTheWire]

OMG! 8 years?! That's insane!

[bob07]

I was on it for 8 years.

The acne is the same. No better or worse, though it has been 8 years since I have had acne so my memory may be a bit vague.

what was your dosage?

[Lillies]

10mg every 3rd day.

[bob07]

10mg every 3rd day.

so you took it non stop for 8 years, but youve been off for 6 weeks and the acne is already coming back?

[Last_Resort]

8 years?? Was this on the advice of your doctor or self medicating?? that sounds dangerous.

[Lillies]

Yes, I am one of those rare cases where the effects wear off immidiately after I stop, which is why I was on it this entire time.

8 years?? Was this on the advice of your doctor or self medicating?? that sounds dangerous.

I was under medical supervision the entire period.

[andersoj]

Hi Lillies, I'm currently taking around the same dose as you and if I remeber correctly it was you who inspired me to take this route, it has been great for my skin, but unfortunately I can't say that I'm satisfied with it. I experience a similarly abrupt recurrence of acne at this dose the acne, being hit with a cyst after only one weeks break. When I did a normal , mega dose course a few years ago, my acne was in remission for a year. Its good to hear that most of your side effects have dissipated, but the muscle and skeletal aberration is definitely alarming and probably the side effect I'm most worried about as long with brain changes. I can't wait till I'm confident enough in another treatment to stop, hopefully something will turn up soon, but Ive been waiting a long time.

I hope your skin holds up alright,

[Lillies]

Hi Lillies, I'm currently taking around the same dose as you and if I remeber correctly it was you who inspired me to take this route, it has been great for my skin, but unfortunately I can't say that I'm satisfied with it. I experience a similarly abrupt recurrence of acne at this dose the acne, being hit with a cyst after only one weeks break. When I did a normal , mega dose course a few years ago, my acne was in remission for a year. Its good to hear that most of your side effects have dissipated, but the muscle and skeletal aberration is definitely alarming and probably the side effect I'm most worried about as long with brain changes. I can't wait till I'm confident enough in another treatment to stop, hopefully something will turn up soon, but Ive been waiting a long time.

I hope your skin holds up alright,

Thanks for your well wishes and sorry things are not working as well as you were hoping.

I guess the good news for me is that side-effects are reversing along with my skin.

I am currently experimenting with the Oil Cleansing Method. I will let you know how that works for me. Got to try everything once!!

[Choof_Chomper]

sounds like tanes been mutating you into a freak

[Lillies]

sounds like tanes been mutating you into a freak

Oh I think I was a little mutant way before Roaccutane showed up!!

[andersoj]

sounds like tanes been mutating you into a freak

Oh I think I was a little mutant way before Roaccutane showed up!!

haha!

[Lillies]

Hi Lillies, I'm currently taking around the same dose as you and if I remeber correctly it was you who inspired me to take this route, it has been great for my skin, but unfortunately I can't say that I'm satisfied with it. I experience a similarly abrupt recurrence of acne at this dose the acne, being hit with a cyst after only one weeks break. When I did a normal , mega dose course a few years ago, my acne was in remission for a year. Its good to hear that most of your side effects have dissipated, but the muscle and skeletal aberration is definitely alarming and probably the side effect I'm most worried about as long with brain changes. I can't wait till I'm confident enough in another treatment to stop, hopefully something will turn up soon, but Ive been waiting a long time.

I hope your skin holds up alright,

I forgot to ask you. When you decided to go on the low dose treatment, did you start with the normal dose and gradually reduced to the low dose or did you start with the low dose after being off the drugs for a while?

[Sheefa]

8 years. I'm surprised you are not dead yet.

[andersoj]

Hi Lillies, I'm currently taking around the same dose as you and if I remeber correctly it was you who inspired me to take this route, it has been great for my skin, but unfortunately I can't say that I'm satisfied with it. I experience a similarly abrupt recurrence of acne at this dose the acne, being hit with a cyst after only one weeks break. When I did a normal , mega dose course a few years ago, my acne was in remission for a year. Its good to hear that most of your side effects have dissipated, but the muscle and skeletal aberration is definitely alarming and probably the side effect I'm most worried about as long with brain changes. I can't wait till I'm confident enough in another treatment to stop, hopefully something will turn up soon, but Ive been waiting a long time.

I hope your skin holds up alright,

I forgot to ask you. When you decided to go on the low dose treatment, did you start with the normal dose and gradually reduced to the low dose or did you start with the low dose after being off the drugs for a while?

I started the low dose after being off for a couple months.

[Lillies]

8 years. I'm surprised you are not dead yet.

Well, if you knew me, you would be more suprised that no one has killed me yet!!

[Lillies]

Hi Lillies, I'm currently taking around the same dose as you and if I remeber correctly it was you who inspired me to take this route, it has been great for my skin, but unfortunately I can't say that I'm satisfied with it. I experience a similarly abrupt recurrence of acne at this dose the acne, being hit with a cyst after only one weeks break. When I did a normal , mega dose course a few years ago, my acne was in remission for a year. Its good to hear that most of your side effects have dissipated, but the muscle and skeletal aberration is definitely alarming and probably the side effect I'm most worried about as long with brain changes. I can't wait till I'm confident enough in another treatment to stop, hopefully something will turn up soon, but Ive been waiting a long time.

I hope your skin holds up alright,

I forgot to ask you. When you decided to go on the low dose treatment, did you start with the normal dose and gradually reduced to the low dose or did you start with the low dose after being off the drugs for a while?

I started the low dose after being off for a couple months.

Ok that may be your problem. I personally find that there is a significant difference between the two methods. I recommend you go on a higher dose. Once the skin is cleared up, you gradually decrease.

The reason being is that at low dose, unless your skin is already cleared, you will have a battle in your hand (acne vs accutane). Low dose is optimum for maintanence and not treatment. I hope this makes sense.

[Sheefa]

I was actually wrong about what I said then.

Your cumulative dose over the 8 year period based on you taking 10mg every 3 days only works out at 9,730mg. That's not too bad, depending on your weight.

Mine was in excess of 11,000mg over an 18 month year period.

I agree it might be OK for maintenance but I would be scared to take it for that long.