26 replies to this topic

[Sheefa]

All,

You have probably seen a fair few of my posts moaning about my year long+ chronic joint pain - all over my body. I've been on all sorts of OTC and prescription joint meds but I've found only a few that do any real good.

Whilst on Accutane, around 16-18% of you will experience some form of joint pain, whether it be aching knees or a painful lower back. This may or may not be aggravated by exercise. Typically, the pain relieves as you progress with the course, you may experience another bout of pain if your dosage increases, but for me and the majority of others the pain disipitates over a month or so.

Anyway, I thought I would create this guide as a reference for those experiencing accutane joint pain and hopefully one or more of these treatments will provide lasting relief from the side effect. In effect, we could all benefit from the below supplements for joint and overall health.

There are many natural remedies out there, but if the pain is moderate/severe then do consider seeing your doctor for a prescription NSAID or alternative as these can be very effective. I found a natural supplement combined with Pregabalin to be the most combination yet.

Many of you will find relief with the less potent suggestions.

PROVEN Natural Remedies (OTC)

• Hyaluronic acid, Glucosamine, Chondroitin combination supplement. RECOMMENDED: Biocell Collagen II
  http://allnutri.com/pid4131/hyaluronic+aci...ollagen+ii.aspx
  THIS HAS WORKED WELL FOR ME
  Accutane can switch off the production of hyaluronic acid, which is a water retention molecule present in all connective tissue throughout the body, in particular the joints and articular cartilage. Hyaluronic acid supplements have been proven to lesen or eradicate joint pain in cases of osteoarthritis, back pain caused by swollen vertebral discs, refill skin tissues, relieve floaters in the eye and improve the thickness and luster of hair. A combination supplement like Biocell will ensure that you are substituting any potentially lost joint nutrients.
  I also think this supplement is brilliant!
  http://www.bioceuticals.co.uk/acatalog/info_S6.html
  
  
• Omega 3 and other Fish Oil supplements. RECOMMENDED: Xtend Life Combined supplement
  http://dan.xtend-life.com/product/Omega_3_....aspx?id=760262
  Guide to choosing the best fish oil supplement as there are loads out there:
  http://www.omega-3.us/fish-oil/fish-oil-supplements/
  Fish oil is considered very effective for inflammatory conditions as these fatty acids [EPA & DHA] work by changing the mix of chemicals produced within the joint to a less inflammatory state. One of the best omega-3 supplements for joints is fish oil extract, which is rich in the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Both fight joint-damaging enzymes called collagenases and reduce inflammation, factors believed to play a role in arthritis as well as other aches and pains. In a Meta-Analysis study in 2007 the researchers concluded that "The results suggest that omega-3 [fatty acids] are an attractive adjunctive treatment for joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and dysmenorrhea."

• Flax Seed Oil. RECOMMENDED: Stone Mills Organic FS Oil
  http://www.flaxseedoil.net/
  THIS HAS WORKED WELL FOR ME
  Either in liquid form or powder is a well-known supplement that can offer natural joint pain relief.

• SAM-e supplement. RECOMMENDED: Sametrex
  http://www.reverseageing.com/acatalog/SAMe1.html
  SAMe (S-adenosyl-methionine), often pronounced "Sammy," is a co-enzyme used by the body to make anything from natural mood elevators like dopamine in the brain to building blocks for joint repair like glucosamine. As a result, SAMe has been prescribed both for depression and arthritis alike. Although less vigorously investigated than glucosamine as a joint remedy, SAMe has both anti-inflammatory and joint-rebuilding effects, and shows promise as a second-rung supplement for aches and pains. SAMe appears to protect joints as well as help rebuild them. Studies suggest that the supplement reduces joint wear-and-tear and arthritis, and SAMe has been recommended for people with fibromyalgia, a disorder characterized by muscle pain, stiffness, fatigue and other symptoms.

Other less well known and studied Natural Remedies (OTC)

• A herbal remedy for joint pain relief that has been used for joint pain relief is Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum). Devil’s Claw has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties and is often used by sports people with great success to help them avoid tendon and articular pain.

• Ginger, curcumin and boswelia are all useful herbs for joint pain relief. Zingiber Officinale (ginger) may have anti-inflammatory properties; it works by inhibiting COX and lipoxygenase and decreases the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins. Creams made with cayenne pepper can bring rapid joint pain relief when applied.

• Curcuma Longa (turmeric) is a spice that is widely used as a culinary herb. Turmeric contains the active ingredient curcumin, which exerts its anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting COX-2, prostaglandins and leukotrienes, thereby improving symptoms of joint pains. Though there is no typical dosage and there is insufficient evidence to support its efficacy in alleviating joint pains, turmeric can be safely consumed when added to food as a spice.

• Rasna. Pluchea lanceolata (Rasna), a medicinal plant that has long been used, as described in the Ayurveda, to alleviate joint pains and arthritis. The recommended dosage is 30ml of a decoction prepared from this plant, consumed thrice daily to reduce inflammation of the joints.

BEST Prescription Medicines

Prescription NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

• Diclofenac (the medicine in Voltaren®, Cataflam®, and Arthrotec®).
• Naproxen (the medicine in Naprosyn® and Anaprox®).

Prescription Narcotics (mainly for chronic severe pain)

• Codeine (narcotic ingredient in Tylenol®).
• Co-Dydramol
• MST Morphine Sulphate tablets.
  
  Other Effective Prescription Drugs
  
• Anti-Depressants. At a low dose they can be very effective at relieving joint pain as they calm the nerves and regulate the nervous system.
• Pregabalin (Gabapentin) - EXCELLENT treatment for widespread joint pain and has a more potent effect than anti-depressants but with less side effects.

OTC Medicines

• Paracetamol
• Ibruprofen
• Codeine based medicines

Other treatments

• Hydrotherapy/Sauna/Steam Room/Jacuzzi' - all effective at regulating the nervous system and calming neuro pain. Excellent for those suffering from arthritis or arthritic type symptoms. These have helped me a great deal.
• TENs machine. Interrupts the pain signals which provides temporary relief from pain.
• LED therapy - Lamaar recommended this and it does help to a certain extent.
• Exercise and low resistance training. Increases level of natural endorphins and minimises pain.

A lot of these are trial and error but hopefully this provides a few ideas and avenues for treatment for those suffering joint pain whether isolated or widespread.

Any questions on my treatment or for further advice, please feel free to drop me a PM.

Thanks and best of luck.

Greg

[krugoh]

very detailed

I'm ending my course, and I used glucosamine, chondritin, MSM combination along with fish oils.

I lift and do cardio almost every day at the gym, and these remedies prevent aching.

[Max-]

Hey Sheefa, do a research on GBS (Guillain-Barré syndrome). This is an autoimmune disease affecting the peripheral nervous system. It is frequently severe and usually exhibits as an ascending paralysis noted by weakness in the legs that spreads to the upper limbs and the face along with complete loss of deep tendon reflexes.

[Sheefa]

BUMP. Just to help others out there who may be experiencing joint pain. Some of these may work.

[Narcissist]

This is very useful, very detailed. Thanks a lot for this Sheefa
This should be pinned for future members.

[vmx85]

Thanks so much. I'm in my 3rd month of Sotret and I've noticed that my join aces are becoming worse. I'm just wondering is it ok to take flaxseed oil and Biocell Collagen II together?

[duchamp]

.

[Sheefa]

You are all welcome. I hope this does help some of you and I pray any symptoms you have disappear after your course guys.

I'm trying out a couple of things at the moment under the supervision of an excellent derm, a strong NSAID and GLA. Here's hoping.

[s_s]

if i just take omega 3 will it help coz i have bad joint pains and my back is killin me and im about to finish my 4th month on accutane 20mg dose?

[Sheefa]

No way of telling s_s. You should really go for a combined supplement like the Biocell that contains Glucosomine, Chondrotin and HA. That's the best combo for your joints.

[Siava]

You are all welcome. I hope this does help some of you and I pray any symptoms you have disappear after your course guys.

I'm trying out a couple of things at the moment under the supervision of an excellent derm, a strong NSAID and GLA. Here's hoping.

How's that going so far, Sheefa? Have you noticed any kind of improvement or relief at all or is it too early to tell?

[s_s]

yeah im gonna go to my doctor tomorrow and ask for that biocell hope it will work coz i cant even work out any more and im on a low dose of accutane

[Sheefa]

You are all welcome. I hope this does help some of you and I pray any symptoms you have disappear after your course guys.

I'm trying out a couple of things at the moment under the supervision of an excellent derm, a strong NSAID and GLA. Here's hoping.

How's that going so far, Sheefa? Have you noticed any kind of improvement or relief at all or is it too early to tell?

Thanks for asking Siava.

No improvement so far but only been on it for 10 or so days. Hoping it does something. Need to get on an anti-depressant soon too, so seeing my doc about a good one.

The Derm I saw was a little baffled by my symptoms as they don't fully stack up with two other patients he is treating with joint problems which is a little bit of a worry. Then again, we know tane effects everyone differently. Thank you.

[djvampyre]

Hi Sheefa,

I had joint pains while on 40mg accutane once per day for one month and 10 days. I'm a 28 year old male that weighs 175lb (79.4 kg) I discontinued due to the side effects. The aching went away then came back a few months later with a vengence despite perfect knee health in the past. No injuries... no strains etc. The only factor that kept popping into my mind was the joint pain I felt on Accutane.

I noticed you said the drug shuts doing our own hyaluronic acid synthesis. Do you know how it does that or have a study or article where I could read into that process more? I'm particularly interested in seeing if my own natural production will restart once the drug is "all the way out" in 6 months.

Given our extreme daily need for HA shouldn't all my joints be taking a dive? Why do you think it's just my knee?

Also what is your opinion on my total dosage. You think I still have a chance of beating the permenant damage since I wasn't on it very long?

I know you arn't a doctor but I value your opinions on this regardless on this matter so any guess you have is great. Be brutally honest with me I can take it.

[Sheefa]

Hi Sheefa,

I had joint pains while on 40mg accutane once per day for one month and 10 days. I'm a 28 year old male that weighs 175lb (79.4 kg) I discontinued due to the side effects. The aching went away then came back a few months later with a vengence despite perfect knee health in the past. No injuries... no strains etc. The only factor that kept popping into my mind was the joint pain I felt on Accutane.

I noticed you said the drug shuts doing our own hyaluronic acid synthesis. Do you know how it does that or have a study or article where I could read into that process more? I'm particularly interested in seeing if my own natural production will restart once the drug is "all the way out" in 6 months.

Given our extreme daily need for HA shouldn't all my joints be taking a dive? Why do you think it's just my knee?

Also what is your opinion on my total dosage. You think I still have a chance of beating the permenant damage since I wasn't on it very long?

I know you arn't a doctor but I value your opinions on this regardless on this matter so any guess you have is great. Be brutally honest with me I can take it.

Hi mate

Firstly, sorry to hear about your pain. There's no denying it was accutane if you hadn't any prior injuries or recent knocks. It's just one of those things that just appears out of the blue. It's good to see you have stopped though too!

The great news is you have only done a month and already have experienced the seriousness of the side effects. I did 9 months all in all at 40mg so I'm screwed. I thinbk you have a brilliant chance of recovery - I mean that.

I do believe it shuts down our own hyaluronic acid synthesis. I have a report from Bill Sardi that I can email to you, PM me your email address mate. I have tried many HA supplements amongst the usual herbal remedies to no avail so far though (sorry to disappoint). I hope our HA production reverts back to normal - it's bloody horrible feeling like a crippled 80 year old at only 26.

For me it started in my ankles, so sorry mate but it could of started in your knee. It took about 9 months for mine to suddenly spread to all my joints overnight. Just do NOT touch accutane again. I'm fairly sure you will be fine here after a few more months. Keep exercising as you can't do any harm, exercise is good for arthritis sufferers regardless of type and you can't do any more damage. Have you had any blood tests or an MRI/ Ultrasound might also be useful to see if there is any calcification.

Being honest, I think you will be fine and the good thing is you have learn't your lesson without taking a heavy dose, in fact your's was very mild - just goes to show how it can severely affect us all regardless of dosage.

Best of luck and keep me posted. I'm hoping my pain burns out one day....................some day.

Greg

[lamarr1986]

I just want to say, please anyone with accutane side effects do not take any omega 3 oils or anything with fat soluble vitamin A in. I know in sheefas post he suggests omega 3 in the form of flaxseed or fish oil. but from experience a number of people post accutane have issues with taking these and it can make things worse... I don't know the mechanism behind it but i have spoken to dozens of accutane 'victims' who have noticed the same.

I know of some people taking these and after a year of taking them realising they were the cause for their joints being that much WORSE.

If any of you are taking them, try dropping them for a few months and see what happens. I can garuntee you won't get any worse and if anything your side effects should diminish.

Edit: i can understand this may be hard to believe due to all the evidence supporting the use of omegas, but you just have to take my word on it. Accutane has extremly unusual side effects in some cases and you can't just take standard treatments.

[djvampyre]

Thank you for your posts. Ill make sure I dont take fish oil and stick with my Flexamin CHondr/HA supplements.

Sheefa my email address is djvampyre@yahoo.com if you could email me that report I would love to read all I can about Accutane's effect on joints.

It was very encouraging to hear that my dose was pretty mild and I have a good chance of recovering from whatever this is that I am going through. Funny enough... I recently I have been fully cleared of acne by following the BP regimen here on this site after discontinuing accutane use and accutane just got pulled off the market! Rightfully so IMO... I am kicking myself for not trying this regimen earlier. My blood tests while on accutane are totally normal and I havent had any since discontinuing. I do plan on getting an MRI done within the next couple months after I work out my insurance issues.

But yes I hope we can both recover from this. Best of luck!

[oli girl]

Well It is good that you only had about a month of accutane. I acutally have knee damage and the pain didn't show till two weeks before my course was to end.

Yes, do not take omega 3's I have done some research on this due to the fact that I have severe osteopenia from accutane and lost height. It talks about Vit D, Vit A and Omega 3's connection.

I have to take Vit D even though I know it competes with Vit A, but very careful and not even sure if I will be able to continue it, I even flush from the Vit D now ironically. (pretty much screwed in my case)

I believe the reason for No OMEGA 3 is the fact that Omega-3 fats and other moulecules bind to Vitamin A receptors. Same as Vitamin D is also the most important partnership with Vit A and Omega's.
Retinoids, Vit A, Vit D, Thyroid hormones is in a group called the steroid family. This family is known for developing partnerships w/other hormones (such as growth hormones) They all bind to nuclear receptors, meaning they have acess to the nucleus, where they influence gene expression.

When you have either Vit A or Vit D it almost always does so in partnership with Vit A receptor, which binds vitamin A or the omega-3 fatty acid DHA. In the nucleus of the cell, it sits as judge and jury, deciding which genes are turned on and which are turned off. Vit D and its partners Vit A and DHA (omega 3) are conducting the orchestra.
(book written by James E. Dowd, M.D. from Mi Arthritis Institute)

So in a normal person who hasn't been damaged by accutane, receptors haven't been damaged or genes haven't been altered it would be okay, but for thoose like me it is not.

I would say if your knee doesn't get better get an xray and a mri and have Vit D levels checked all levels of Vit D.
I think you will be okay though, just stay away from fat soluble A also for a while.

Good Luck

[lamarr1986]

Well It is good that you only had about a month of accutane. I acutally have knee damage and the pain didn't show till two weeks before my course was to end.

Yes, do not take omega 3's I have done some research on this due to the fact that I have severe osteopenia from accutane and lost height. It talks about Vit D, Vit A and Omega 3's connection.

I have to take Vit D even though I know it competes with Vit A, but very careful and not even sure if I will be able to continue it, I even flush from the Vit D now ironically. (pretty much screwed in my case)

I believe the reason for No OMEGA 3 is the fact that Omega-3 fats and other moulecules bind to Vitamin A receptors. Same as Vitamin D is also the most important partnership with Vit A and Omega's.
Retinoids, Vit A, Vit D, Thyroid hormones is in a group called the steroid family. This family is known for developing partnerships w/other hormones (such as growth hormones) They all bind to nuclear receptors, meaning they have acess to the nucleus, where they influence gene expression.

When you have either Vit A or Vit D it almost always does so in partnership with Vit A receptor, which binds vitamin A or the omega-3 fatty acid DHA. In the nucleus of the cell, it sits as judge and jury, deciding which genes are turned on and which are turned off. Vit D and its partners Vit A and DHA (omega 3) are conducting the orchestra.
(book written by James E. Dowd, M.D. from Mi Arthritis Institute)

So in a normal person who hasn't been damaged by accutane, receptors haven't been damaged or genes haven't been altered it would be okay, but for thoose like me it is not.

I would say if your knee doesn't get better get an xray and a mri and have Vit D levels checked all levels of Vit D.
I think you will be okay though, just stay away from fat soluble A also for a while.

Good Luck

Yeah i remember reading about the links between those three. Still not sure exactly how it makes our side effects worse though...

I actually use a sunbed for brief periods every week because i want to prevent any bone density problems. That and the fact the vitamin D produced by UV exposure is very beneficial for us in other ways.

People say im stupid for using one, but preventing more auto immune disorders from appearing is well worth it for me.

Sunbeds actually help all of my accutane side effects, they use UVA treatment for many auto immune problems, including lupus believe it or not. Obviously i cover my face and put sunblock on a few moles.

I recommend sunbeds to most people with tane side effects (obviously not while your on the drug or just straight after finishing your course either...

[djvampyre]

So vitamind D or getting a good suntan every so often will halp counteract whatever accutane is doing to my joints right now?