4 replies to this topic

[Peacho]

I took accutane for one week until I had to stop. I started getting awful headaches, and my spine started hurting me to the point where I could barely walk. I was up the whole night on the last day because of all the pain in my back, shoulders, and other joints.
Now I've been off of accutane for two days, but it still pains me to walk and I can't bend down to pick up something without feeling like my back is going to crumble.
What can I do to get the accutane out of my system? Will my body ever return back to normal? Help

[alexisc]

I do think these side effects will only be temporary, it might just take a little bit for your body to re-adjust. Sorry to hear it did that to you!

I've been on Accutane a number of times unfortunately and while my back hurts when I am on it, I don't get any back pain once I go off of it. I would avoid anything with Vitamin A (which you are supposed to do while on it as well) because that can aggravate side effects. I would say drink lot's of water, rest and take care of yourself.

Hope you feel better soon!

[asburypark101]

I agree with alexisc, I believe that these side effects will only be temporary. Accutane is absorbed in the fat cells of your body, so it takes awhile for it to get out of your system which is why you are still experiencing side effects even if you are no longer taking the medication. When you went off the accutane, did you discuss it with your doctor? It is always good to discuss any side effects with your doctor and since your pain sounds particulary distressing it wouldnt hurt to talk to the doc about them, if you havent already. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

[Peacho]

Thanks guys. I really hope they're temporary, since I'm not able to exercise, which is a big part of my lifestyle.
Exactly how much vitamin A should I be avoiding? Is drinking a glass of milk bad?
I have these detox supplement things I was thinking about taking, but there's 30% daily value of vitamin A in them, so I'm not sure whether they'd hurt or help.

And I did talk to my mom about the side effects, since she's a family practice doctor. She told me they'd eventually go away...but I can't help but still be worried!
I've read so many horror stories about people who develop severe back/joint pain from accutane and it never goes away.
Also, some people who are on accutane develop joint pain side effects, but those side effects go away after a few weeks, even while they are still taking accutane. How does that happen?

[nomit]

Milk is fine, as are most other foods high in vitamin A content (for instance, carrots). The detox supplements you mentioned, however, should be avoided (if possible), as supplementing additional vitamin A (usually a much larger concentration than found in organic sources) will only aggravate the side effects you're experiencing.

As your mom mentioned, odds are you'll be fine after completing your course. The unlucky (for lack of better words) few who are subjected to permanent arthritis and myalgia are members of an incredibly minute minority. Don't worry yourself too much about this incredibly unlikely consequence.

As for symptoms resolving partly into a course, this likely has as much to do with a developing tolerance (as is the case with many other medications, such as anti-depressants and beta-blockers). Don't hold me to that, though - from what I understand, Accutane is fat-soluble, and so its effects (to the best of my understanding) should only get worse; I really don't know why they'd resolve.

If you're in pain that disrupts your everyday living, you should discuss lowering your dosage or the use a NSAID (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug; for instance, ibuprofen) in the event of flare-ups.

Good luck!