Yeah bud i think you should, i think up to three months with a once/twice daily application should be OK. They use topical steroids for the same period when treateing normal AA. Make sure you hit all areas affected buddy not just the areas that are worst. You need to break the vicious cycle of anti bodies being told to attack our hair follicles and to do this you need to stop it from being done on the whole area...

lamarr, are you sure that your perceived decrease in hair loss isn't just a psychological thing? Have you done any counts? I know that a lot of times we want to believe something is working and so we perceive it to be working even if it isn't. The hair loss specialist I went to in November told me a good strategy is to count every hair that falls from my head for a 24 hour period once per week and that way you can get long-term measurements of whether your hair loss is actually decreasing or not. Since you and blazed seem to have had success with the topical steroids I might try that route but I just want to be sure they're actually producing results for you guys and that it isn't just wishful thinking.

If anyone is interested in trying the once-weekly hair loss count thing, then the way you measure hair loss in the shower is to wash your hair and then rinse your hands off in the bathroom sink with the drain plugged (that way you can count a lot of the hairs). This certainly doesnt capture every hair thats fallen out during a shower but would still reflect long-term changes.

As for me... its been about a month since I started rogaine along with the other components of my regimin (propecia, biotin, zinc, nioxin system 2 shampoo and homeopathic treatment). I lose less hair on my pillow and in the shower but... its because I lose a ton of hair when rubbing in the rogaine each morning and night lol. I got my hair cut a week ago and while it makes things look better overall cosmetically i'm perceiving a worsening thin/bald spot on the top of my head and the temples are really thin.

The homeopathic stuff i'm taking from Dr. Shah doesn't seem to be having much effect though I've only been on that for a month as well. No regrowth noticed whatsoever, but then again its only been three months since I stopped taking accutane (and 5 months since hair loss began).

I'll report back again in another month or so...

Yup 110% sure, I use a long lufa type back scrubbing device to make a circle round the drain plug. this catches all the hairs lost in the shower and i have been using the same method for a few weeks as i knew i would be starting the topical steroid.... i have just had a shower and from my baseline of about 150 hairs lost per shower (washing the hair every two days for the last few weeks) it has gone down to about 75-80 as of just now, it had reduced to around 100-110 on my last shower...

I have also had a few nights where i loose very few hairs e.g. 4-5 and one night where i lost none. Beofore i started this treatement and at my peak i would loose around 25 on my pillow....

So yes i know for sure it is helping....

thats exciting to hear then! keep us updated on it over the next few weeks please! also just to be sure- make sure you're counting any hairs that might be falling out when you rub the stuff in (I comb my hair after putting in rogaine and this usually gives me an idea).

Don't worry. it isn't possible for me to miss any of the hairs i loose once i step into the shower, they can't get past the device i am using...

I will ofcourse keep everyone updated. I like to help people as much as possible!!

Hey all -

No, I didn't see the posts about tongue/throat ulcers here. I've skimmed posts on several pages - please direct me to what page/posts to read. I did research Accutane side effects awhile back and noticed it can cause mouth sores. I started getting mouth sores here/there since month two of starting Tane. First, they were under my tongue, a few small ones at a time. That was in month two. Then it kinda stopped. Then in months 5-present, I'd get one on the side of my tongue (hurts to eat or talk) and occassional sore throats... Glyoxide rinse helps to numb it - but its uncomfy for sure. My dose is low at 20-30 day, I alternate 20mg one day and 30mg next, and I skip a day if I need to (not often). I'm suppose to do one more month, but I'm really thinking about stopping next week. I've had clear skin for several months now. The sore throat/sores/hair issue is getting tough. However, the caveat is I've not reached my cummulative dose of 5,700. I'm at 4,800. My Derm. said I could stop if I wanted but part of me did want to finish.... Anyone, quit withour reaching their cummulative and stay clear?

The Kerastase supplements are 60 tablets in a pack. You take 2 pills together a day. Yes, pricey, try to get it on Ebay or internet sites if you are interested. It's helped my shedding - less than a few months ago.

Thanks for your support too! It means a lot. This is what this board is about.

Yvette

I honestly believe ALOT of side effects from tane are immune related. Mouth ulcers are known to be an end product of a missfunctioning immune system... This thread doesn't go into great detail but that is basically what is said on them.

There also seems to be a trend in that some people suffer from these and other immune problems like roseacea, diffuse AA, raynaud's phenomena. If you look at the list of side effects accutane has been known to cause, alot of them are related to the immune system. it is known to induce lupus, ulcerative colitis and many others, even the joint pain i believe can be an immune problem... Dryness (of the eyes, lips and skin) i believe is down to a different cause though.

I pressume you are only small Yvette, 20-30 mg can still be alot for someone of your size. You should try reducing your dose even more. I mean why risk permanent damage, you can always try tane again in the future if it doesn't cure you this time round...

The good news is that you have only been on a low dose and that i am pretty confident most of your side effects will dissapate, as they don't sound to severe...

Hi Lamarr,

Yes, I'm a small gal at 105lbs. I started at 10mg at the very end of April or month one, then 20mg month 2-6, then alternating 30mg one day and 20mg the next since then. I'm at 8 full months right now. Accutane has worked on my skin, and though I'm not at my cummulative, I don't want to take much longer because of the sides... The side effects aren't bad, but like you said, it could be causing harm I don't know about. I will strongly consider one week more and maybe even skipping a day inbetween.

Ironically, you mention Rosacea and Reynaud's - I have them both also. I have mild-moderate Rosacea (pink cheeks and nose) and do have Reynaud's phenomenon. I must have some circulation thing going on. Being petite probably doesn't help - I tend to get cold lots in Winter! Accutane has helped reduce my mild acne and softened my skin all over. I do like the results, but the past few months have been harder in comparison.

If you don't mind - I do have a few questions for you. I did read some more posts here, and saw you have (or had) mouth ulcers. Have they resolved? I did get a few canker sores pre-Tane (occasionally) but nothing like these wierd mouth sores. How long were you on Tane and what was your dose? Did you reach your cummulative? Has your acne stayed at bay? Do you use topicals or special skincare? You seem very well educated on Accutane; very helpful posts.

Many thanks again!

Yvette

Anyone, quit withour reaching their cummulative and stay clear?

I was on tane for only 2 months and stopped because of hair loss, but my skin is still clear.

If you don't mind - I do have a few questions for you. I did read some more posts here, and saw you have (or had) mouth ulcers. Have they resolved? I did get a few canker sores pre-Tane (occasionally) but nothing like these wierd mouth sores. How long were you on Tane and what was your dose? Did you reach your cummulative? Has your acne stayed at bay? Do you use topicals or special skincare? You seem very well educated on Accutane; very helpful posts.

 

Many thanks again!

Yvette

I started to get mouth ulcers the instant i ended accutane, within a few days i began getting some really nasty ones, like 4-5 at a time (some as big as a 5p (english currency) or a nickle for you americans!!). They have ever so slowly improved and within the last month have improved a great deal (i am 9 months post tane) Most of my side effects began around the same time as stopping the drug (i stopped due to blurred vision). The hairloss suddenly began overnight about 4-5 weeks after stopping tane.

The strange thing is, some people actually describe things very similarly to me, in that as the drug is supposedly leaving your body, these strange side effects pop up. It is almost as if your body has become used to having the drug in your system and begins to function improperly without it...

I was on the drug for about 4.5 months but my dose was high as i work out and am pretty tall.... i weight 95 kg and at my peak (for two weeks) i hit 90mg per day!! most of my course was on 60-80mg though... Believe it or not i was actually still under my cumulative dose by about 1500mg if i recall correctly. My acne has stayed at bay pretty well but i still get the odd bothersome one pop up here and there... It cleared my back acne completely though!!

Cr Chu actually has me using clindamycin solution for my folliculitus and i use a product called terproline.

I think with you having been on the drug for 8 months and having been clear so long you have a very high chance of a good lengthy remission at the least.... There are studys that say a 6 month course of low dose accutane is as effective as shorter ones reaching a higher cumulative dosage, so i believe with you having been on for such a long time you have a great chace!!

Hey there -

Wow, mouth sores like the size of nickels! Those must of been painful. Geez. The one I have healing now, is the size of a tiny bead. It's on the side of my tongue, which a few days ago it was harder to talk and swallow. No fun!

I've gotten most of the sides but in mild forms. I can't imagine being at higher dose, my face would be much redder and my knees and back would have probably detached from my body! So you started losing hair after Tane. Did you take supplements during Tane or now? I've read hair thinning is common, and hair loss is more common in males. Either way, it's a drag. My hair is already thin though I have (had) a lot. I haven't lost a lot, but it does look thinner. The Kerstase vitamins have helped, I'm not loosing the 30+ in the shower when I wash. That's cool. I hope when I stop Accutane it doesn't get worse.

That's wonderful your skin is looking good post Tane. I've read the low-dose studies, so I'm happy if I reap the results for a good amount of time. I really don't want to do the treatment again. I"m 39 and in good health, and though the treatment hasn't been too hard, my body may not be up for it again. My back and knees especially. The dryness - everywhere! Ha.

You are a great resource! I read some more of your posts and see that your Dad's a dentist. I'm sure he's informative on some of this for you. Also, you've obviously have read up on this topic.

Thanks again. Talk to ya soon.

Cheers.

Yvette

If you don't mind - I do have a few questions for you. I did read some more posts here, and saw you have (or had) mouth ulcers. Have they resolved? I did get a few canker sores pre-Tane (occasionally) but nothing like these wierd mouth sores. How long were you on Tane and what was your dose? Did you reach your cummulative? Has your acne stayed at bay? Do you use topicals or special skincare? You seem very well educated on Accutane; very helpful posts.

 

Many thanks again!

Yvette

 

I started to get mouth ulcers the instant i ended accutane, within a few days i began getting some really nasty ones, like 4-5 at a time (some as big as a 5p (english currency) or a nickle for you americans!!). They have ever so slowly improved and within the last month have improved a great deal (i am 9 months post tane) Most of my side effects began around the same time as stopping the drug (i stopped due to blurred vision). The hairloss suddenly began overnight about 4-5 weeks after stopping tane.

 

The strange thing is, some people actually describe things very similarly to me, in that as the drug is supposedly leaving your body, these strange side effects pop up. It is almost as if your body has become used to having the drug in your system and begins to function improperly without it...

 

I was on the drug for about 4.5 months but my dose was high as i work out and am pretty tall.... i weight 95 kg and at my peak (for two weeks) i hit 90mg per day!! most of my course was on 60-80mg though... Believe it or not i was actually still under my cumulative dose by about 1500mg if i recall correctly. My acne has stayed at bay pretty well but i still get the odd bothersome one pop up here and there... It cleared my back acne completely though!!

 

 

Cr Chu actually has me using clindamycin solution for my folliculitus and i use a product called terproline.

 

I think with you having been on the drug for 8 months and having been clear so long you have a very high chance of a good lengthy remission at the least.... There are studys that say a 6 month course of low dose accutane is as effective as shorter ones reaching a higher cumulative dosage, so i believe with you having been on for such a long time you have a great chace!!

 

Great news! How long have you been of Tane? Also, what topicals and skincare do you use for maintenance.

Thanks for sharing.

Yvette

Anyone, quit withour reaching their cummulative and stay clear?

 

I was on tane for only 2 months and stopped because of hair loss, but my skin is still clear.

 

Yvette,

Good to hear you have had results from the Keratase vitamins. I have actually been taking them for about 6 weeks now with no results...yet. I'm still going to keep my fingers crossed. I think you might have different results from me since you started doing the vitamin course during your Tane treatment. I waited until after I was off.

Hey Gracie,

Yes, they seem to have helped a lot. I do take other vitamins too, biotin, vitamin C, calcium and zinc, vitamin E (not with Tane of course). After about 4-5 weeks I saw less hairs coming out when washing. I did read though that the "shedding" goes in phases so it's possible I will see some more as I finish Tane soon. I do hope it's not too much.

How long have you been off Tane? Are you shedding lots? On the flip side, how's your skin, is it still clear?

Thanks for your feedback.

Yvette

Any of you guys wonder what happened to 'ithappens' haven't seen him ina while...

Yvette,

I actually took a round of Accutane back in 2003 for 6 months and I literally did not break out...ever...after that course. I started breaking out again in January (mainly on my back), so my derm recommended another round of Tane. I was only on it for 6 weeks this time. I felt absolutely horrible and my hair started shedding pretty much right away. I freaked out and got off of it immediately. Unfortuantely, my hair hasn't stopped shedding - it's been 7 months. I just can't believe that I wasn't even on the drug for that long and it's still affecting my hair. On the flip side, I haven't broken out since stopping the med. I have to say though, since my skin wasn't horrible this time around, I would have never taken Tane had I knew about the nightmare I'm currently now experiencing. You should be fine with such a low dose and since you've been on it for awhile with no side effects.

i was wondering the samething, what ever happened to ithappens, but i can assume that if he hasn't posted back is because he hasn't really made much improvment. Does any one feel the lil spiky hair growing back in, if you take one hand and rub just your finger tips, on all over your hair, do you feel lil spiky hairs. I do.

Yes, i do mikey, as often as every few weeks i get that feeling, i mainly feel it on the top of my head, although i get the same regrowth throughout my whole scalp i feel them like you say mainly on the top...

I describe it almost as if i have two haircuts, one being a longish style and another as being a number 2 buzz cut lol...

I was on the drug for 2.5 months. I stopped right after I started to notice that I was shedding but am now worried about the hair loss that I have endured. It has been about 2 months since I have stopped taking Accutane. If I was only on the drug for 2.5 months will this hopefully work in my favor? Do I have a chance for full recovery?

You have a great chance of recovery striped. I only know of one case from all of my reading where a person stopped at around two months and continued to have shedding for a long period. We already have one person in this thread who was in a similar position as yourself, i think he recovered after aprox 5-6 months post tane. When i say recovered i mean stopped shedding, he is slowly experiencing more regrowth though. and his hair will eventually recover fully. So long as you don't believe you were suffering from any Male pattern baldness, you will be fine...

My damn hair doesnt stop shedding.

4 months after accutane and nothing.

This is getting serious man.

Your at the stage where you think, shit if this carries on i will be bald ina few months. Even if you are shedding a crazy amount like i was, your hair can hold out better than you think it can, hang in there man...

i was wondering the samething, what ever happened to ithappens, but i can assume that if he hasn't posted back is because he hasn't really made much improvment. Does any one feel the lil spiky hair growing back in, if you take one hand and rub just your finger tips, on all over your hair, do you feel lil spiky hairs. I do.

Hi Mikey,

I talk to Ithappens every once in a while on AOL IM. Last time I talked to him, there was no improvement, but that was about a month ago.

And I feel the spikey hair. You mean on the surface of the rest of your hair or on your scalp?

Yes, i do mikey, as often as every few weeks i get that feeling, i mainly feel it on the top of my head, although i get the same regrowth throughout my whole scalp i feel them like you say mainly on the top...

 

I describe it almost as if i have two haircuts, one being a longish style and another as being a number 2 buzz cut lol...

Exactly! Like 2 hair cuts!

Your at the stage where you think, shit if this carries on i will be bald ina few months. Even if you are shedding a crazy amount like i was, your hair can hold out better than you think it can, hang in there man...

Agreed. The first 3 to 5 months are the worst, psychologically. Hang in there. Get to month 6 or 7. You at least start to feel better, for some reason.

i completely agree with the two hair cuts comments. my hair looks like shit one day than the next it looks thick as ever.

Hey Andy could you do me a favour and let ithappens know about the diffuse AA as a possible cause, i feel he is likely to be one of the cases suffering from diffuse AA, i wouldn't like to think of him suffering when there are treatement options!!

Funny thing happened over the last few days, i became ill for the first time in ages. I'm normally ill every few months almost lol. I'm hopeing being sick can help distract my immune system whilst im using this topical steroid....

(Sounds stupid i know but it actually makes alot of sense) One of the treatement options for AA is using a irritant to distract the immune system from the hair follicles and concentrate on the wound.

I'm stil shedding a significant amount of hair less than i was a few weeks ago, which is great. I think once the itching is fully under control the shedding will slow even more.

Hey Andy could you do me a favour and let ithappens know about the diffuse AA as a possible cause, i feel he is likely to be one of the cases suffering from diffuse AA, i wouldn't like to think of him suffering when there are treatement options!!

 

Funny thing happened over the last few days, i became ill for the first time in ages. I'm normally ill every few months almost lol. I'm hopeing being sick can help distract my immune system whilst im using this topical steroid....

(Sounds stupid i know but it actually makes alot of sense) One of the treatement options for AA is using a irritant to distract the immune system from the hair follicles and concentrate on the wound.

 

I'm stil shedding a significant amount of hair less than i was a few weeks ago, which is great. I think once the itching is fully under control the shedding will slow even more.

I totally told Ithappens about the AA theory, but he's, frankly and with all due respect to him, hung up on "adrenal failure".

By the way, the way the wound stuff works is that cells release cytokines to make everything in the wounded area grow. When this all began, I actually considered making little nicks on my scalp to encourage the hair to grow. But that'd be weird, now wouldn't it?

Happy New Year, guys!