Acne.org Products
Ok I have been skimming through this but stopped reading after a few pages because I assume that there has not been an ultimate conclusion to reversing the terrible side effects of acne.
Here's my story:
I was on accutane back in high school, 4ish+ years ago. I had acne relatively bad. After I was done, I didn't experience anything long term except some fatigue here and there.
Last year I had a few pimples. Nothing bad. Derm prescribed accutane. I thought "hey I was on it once with no problems, what's another time, right?" Wrong, so wrong.
While I was on accutane I was sick at least once a month. I thought that was weird but my ignorance prevailed. (Actually after the first pill, it made me ill within hours!!) Towards the end of the course my stomach started feeling odd. My bowel movements were barely pieced together. I discontinued with a few weeks left of the medicine because I didn't want to take it anymore. Then that's when the effects hit me. Stomach pains, hunger pains, nausea, body aches, insane fatigue, etc. I spent many hours and days by the toilet because of my extreme nausea. I missed work, class, and lost my social life. My hair was also beginning to recede and fall out like crazy. Dark circles under my eyes are very very noticeable now.
I slowly began to learn how incompetent the mainstream medical field really is.
My main doctor didn't know what was wrong with me. Nor did he seem to really care. He only wanted to prescribe more medicine...really??
The stomach and hunger pains got so bad that I finally got an appointment with a gastroenterologist. My stools were very very bad at that time and the pains/hunger pains where crazy. I scheduled a endoscopy and a colonoscopy to check in case I developed Crohns. Luckily I didn't. (I hope I never have to get another colonoscopy.) They said they only found results of GERD, with an inflamed esophagus. I thought that was odd since I never get heartburn, but ok. When asking the gastro if this was a result of accutane, he casually smirks and says "probably not." Well, I don't give a shit what he says, because I know 100% accutane caused this.
The medicines they gave me caused worse problems. I seem to have become more sensitive to medications. I began to develop twitches, head/brain "bolts", insomnia, weight loss, muscle spams, extreme brain fog, among others. Everyone who knew me would ask "are you ok? you look terrible and very pale! have you lost weight?"
I finally began to go to a health food store. Going solely on natural supplements, I was able to get off the doctors medications. After many more trips there and many uncomfortable tests, including tests from a neurologist, I have also been diagnosed with a catch all (similar to IBS) titled "non-ulcer dyspepsia." Meaning that I get ulcer pains but do not have an ulcer and my stomach does a bad job at digesting food. treatment or cure? HA! It's 2011 and doctors still don't know why the body acts the way it does. The only thing they know how to do is prescribe medications.
My main physician pretty much told me to stop seeing him because he couldn't help me. He did a few tests and since they were "normal" he assumed everything was in my head. He admit to me that "us doctors don't think outside the box." At least he was honest.
After much missed work, mediocre grades in school, and money (which I barely have since I am a full time student) wasted down the drain, I began to buy books on gastro disorders and read anything I possibly could. With the help of the lady at the health food store, I made an appointment for a nutritional blood test - something called pseudoscience by mainstream science. Well, low and behold, she found many things going on inside me. I have developed fungal infections, inability to process sugars, iron, and proteins, high uric acid (which explains my joint pains), parasites, and acanthocytes (which mean a possible liver or colon toxicity). Oh yeah, and she said that I am probably intolerant to gluten. I am on a 3 month diet of mainly raw foods, aloe vera, green powder, and lots and LOTS of probiotics - both supplements and foods. I am taking about 3 times the recommend dosage of probiotics. It's been a few days on it, my stomach isn't the best, but I am feeling better. I really hope anyone choosing to go on accutane take a second consideration because this drug is playing russian roulette. I will be receiving pursuing a lawsuit, as I have already talked to a lawfirm, however I am putting it off for fear of something worse still down the road. These drug companies are getting away with murder and they don't care about what happens to you after you give them your money. The mainstream medical community has been very rude and unhelpful and I am seeing the evil side of all of this. It disgusts me. I would have killed myself a while ago if it weren't for the fact that I would never embarrass my family and friends like that. I have had many wasted visits to doctors and have absolutely no money.
I am still ~20 pounds underweight (I had no fat on me, only lean muscle). I cannot gain any weight whatsoever. I hope these next few months work out for me. I honestly have lost the ability to digest food. It's like my stomach forgot how to work.
I've noticed that the people in alternative medicine are much kinder, and when I mentioned accutane, one lady made a scared face and said "that's a bad bad drug. we need to get you back to normal." No doctor had ever said that to me or given me confidence in getting better.
Similar to another poster here, I am a musician. Now my joints on my right hand hurt and sometimes it's difficult to play guitar (if I even have the urge to play to begin with). I broke up with my girlfriend because it's too difficult to concentrate on our relationship when I can barely keep a hold of my own health. I am not the same person as I once was. And just to think that a little over a year ago, I was in PERFECT health...
And although what I wrote was long, it's only the tip off the iceberg. I have had many other side effects and issues that I haven't mentioned including the obvious ones like anxiety and depression. If you are considering taking this drug, please PM me, I think you'll change your mind. Why this drug is still available on the market is beyond my understanding.
-Paul
Umm wow I wasn't expecting this, at all. I don't know what to think now. It's totally my choice but I'm unsure what to use as topicals. I have about zero natural stuff and the non-antibiotics don't exactly work. I see a derm the day before Thanksgiving for a blood test and check up (my derm isn't there that day). I've only been taking the drug since Friday so I don't think any side effects will occur from less than three days. If I stop now. Seriously right now I want to scream very loudly and maybe I should even show my parents your post. Really I don't how to approach a new acne treatment. I want you guys to know I do understand where you are coming from and get you point. I'm not trying to be stubborn, I just, I just... Don't know where to go from here, I started my course of Accutane but I don't want side effects. And I don't know if I will get any serious ones but there is anyways a chance. I will read up the odds of side effects and I know I'm over using the word "but" but still I'm very frustrate right now and confused a little. According to the site I just read the odds are:
Joint and muscle pains (15%), Temporary hair thinning (10%), Rash (7%), Intestinal symptoms (5%), Urinary symptoms (5%), Headache (5%), Increased sensitivity to sun (5%), Decreased night vision (<1%), Depression, thoughts of suicide (<1%)
http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/accutane.html
Thanks again!
I think I suggested to you Light Therapy. Combination of this and healthy living should help your acne. There are alternatives to Accutane. FYI hair thinning/loss is far from temporary. Good Luck
I just wanted to remind everyone who has not yet posted thier story in the negative pinned thread to do so, though this thread is hot, the pinned thread doesn't go anywhere.
Hope all is well, just got back from the eye specialist today dry eyes worse 
http://www.acne.org/...es/page__st__80
Also There is a young man who has started a petition on Change.org not sure how many are familar with change.org, but sign it, and no it is not the same person who did the the report on telemores. http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-roche-pharmaceuticals-give-us-the-truth-about-accutane
Just coming back to report on my hair loss.
After half a year of stopping accutane, i am STILL losing hair.
The receding hairline is slow but definitely noticeable.
However, from all this fucked up shit that accutane did to me, about 2 months ago i suddenly had a breakthrough thought of enjoying my life more.
I learned that with or without acne, with or without hairloss, we should live the moment and not miss chances that are given to us. Yeah, many of us have hair falling out, but what are you gonna think about 10 years from now when you may be possibly bald by then? Although self admittedly i think i look horrid now compared to who i was before accutane, but i noticed people are more attracted to me now because my attitude changed positively.
What i'm trying to say is, no i will not give up finding a way to reverse my hair loss, but at the same time, i can live my life positively while finding a fix as well. We spend too much time thinking of the past, what could of be, or the future, what could be, but we often neglect the present moment that's given to us. I'll stop from here, your life is in your own hands.
PS: i'm taking Chinese herbal medication right now
Sanadai is right, but I have said the same thing before and it's easier said than done.
It's definitely something we have to work towards though - being happy.
I've been off work since the end of July, and I thought not working would allow me to be happy, but I can honestly say I feel worse.
Sure, I was suicidal and depressed when working, but I was keeping (somewhat) busy and seeing people.
I have such bad anxiety that you'd be surprised to know I acted on stage last night.
It went pretty well, but before going I was so cold and afraid. I get anxiety just walking past a neighbour. I try to avoid people.
Last night, after the show, we went to the pub.
Obviously, I just had some water, but I felt like such a freak. My eyes look red and don't feel right.. like I can't focus on people (no, I don't need glasses).
Everyone else was just having a great time... drinking, chatting. I just wanted to hide in my room, like normal.
This isn't just since I've been off work... I've been anxious for a few years (at least). If I make eye-contact with a stranger, I'm always first to look away.
I had a job interview today though.
I didn't actually get too nervous, though I was 15 minutes late because I don't know my way around my city too well.
I'm 99% sure I'll be offered the job.
The lady (who was nice) pretty much spelled out it won't be a fun job.
It's debt collecting for the council. It's all about Rent, and most of the people don't want to pay you.
The place itself is a bit of a shit-hole, and out of the way a bit.
I was introduced to the people who worked there. They seemed nice, but are all older than me and looked bored.
I could sense they didn't like their jobs.
BUT, the money is fucking high (for me).
£9.25 an hour.
I know not many of you are from the UK, but that's not a bad amount.. The average (for my age) is probably £6-£7.
So, it has it's pros (I can also wear what I want, and it's flexy hours) and it's cons.
I will take the job if, or when, they offer it to me tomorrow and will start Monday.
It's only a temporary job until March 2012, but I need some money.
I'm thinking about doing a health course come September next year, but I don't really know the route to take for this.
I feel I'd be doing something I know about though.
Office work/debt collection does not appeal to me whatsoever.
I'd purely be working because of the money.
I'm a bit worried. I've been waking up late each day and was always tired in my old job.
I'm afraid I won't be very good at working, but we'll see.
I'm going to read a book I bought a couple of years ago. It's called 'Stress Busters: How to stop stress from killing you'.
Sounds pretty grim, but I shouldn't pretend I'm anything but stressed right now.
I've been using my rebounder each day, and it's pretty fun. Seems to help to reduce some stress/anxiety and get's me 'hot and sweaty', like that other dude (connor?) suggested.
I've spent another £152 on supplements today.
A 4 month supply of both 'Liver Balance' and 'Kidney Rescue'.
I mentioned these before, but today thought 'Fuck it... what am I waiting for?'
Apparently, (I won't get my hopes up) you can expect to notice results within a month.
I'm still waiting on the 500mg Niacin capsules. Thought they'd be here by now.
I still think there could be something to them.
I believe Sergio will now be on day 7 of water fasting.
He felt good about it when he last emailed me, so hopefully it'll work out.
He's doing 30 days I think. If this doesn't make any difference, there goes a large amount of hope I still have.
Fasting has been said to relieve many chronic health problems and I've read of one accutaner relieving there side effects nearly completely (75%) by doing 3 of these over a period of time.
So, I guess there are still some things going on.
I will let you know my adrenal fatigue results on Friday, as this is when I see my nutritionist.
I got the next call of duty game, so perhaps I'll play that over the next couple of days.
I enjoy shooting people and pretending they are Hoffman La-Roche 
It's quite scary to think I'll be out in 'the real world' next week, if I do get this job.
I just need the pressure of no money to be taken off.. Plus, I was getting bored of sitting at home and reading stuff about this poison-drug.
Oli Girl... How can you be so upbeat all the time? How are your dry eyes worse?
My biggest concern is that things will get even worse. I feel like age will play it's toll unless we find a cure soon.
I do still believe the drug is in our bodies. That's a horrible thought. I just want it out of me..
C'mon Niacin Detox!
Sanadai is right, but I have said the same thing before and it's easier said than done.
It's definitely something we have to work towards though - being happy.
I've been off work since the end of July, and I thought not working would allow me to be happy, but I can honestly say I feel worse.
Sure, I was suicidal and depressed when working, but I was keeping (somewhat) busy and seeing people.
I have such bad anxiety that you'd be surprised to know I acted on stage last night.
It went pretty well, but before going I was so cold and afraid. I get anxiety just walking past a neighbour. I try to avoid people.
Last night, after the show, we went to the pub.
Obviously, I just had some water, but I felt like such a freak. My eyes look red and don't feel right.. like I can't focus on people (no, I don't need glasses).
Everyone else was just having a great time... drinking, chatting. I just wanted to hide in my room, like normal.
This isn't just since I've been off work... I've been anxious for a few years (at least). If I make eye-contact with a stranger, I'm always first to look away.
I had a job interview today though.
I didn't actually get too nervous, though I was 15 minutes late because I don't know my way around my city too well.
I'm 99% sure I'll be offered the job.
The lady (who was nice) pretty much spelled out it won't be a fun job.
It's debt collecting for the council. It's all about Rent, and most of the people don't want to pay you.
The place itself is a bit of a shit-hole, and out of the way a bit.
I was introduced to the people who worked there. They seemed nice, but are all older than me and looked bored.
I could sense they didn't like their jobs.
BUT, the money is fucking high (for me).
£9.25 an hour.
I know not many of you are from the UK, but that's not a bad amount.. The average (for my age) is probably £6-£7.
So, it has it's pros (I can also wear what I want, and it's flexy hours) and it's cons.
I will take the job if, or when, they offer it to me tomorrow and will start Monday.
It's only a temporary job until March 2012, but I need some money.
I'm thinking about doing a health course come September next year, but I don't really know the route to take for this.
I feel I'd be doing something I know about though.
Office work/debt collection does not appeal to me whatsoever.
I'd purely be working because of the money.
I'm a bit worried. I've been waking up late each day and was always tired in my old job.
I'm afraid I won't be very good at working, but we'll see.
I'm going to read a book I bought a couple of years ago. It's called 'Stress Busters: How to stop stress from killing you'.
Sounds pretty grim, but I shouldn't pretend I'm anything but stressed right now.
I've been using my rebounder each day, and it's pretty fun. Seems to help to reduce some stress/anxiety and get's me 'hot and sweaty', like that other dude (connor?) suggested.
I've spent another £152 on supplements today.
A 4 month supply of both 'Liver Balance' and 'Kidney Rescue'.
I mentioned these before, but today thought 'Fuck it... what am I waiting for?'
Apparently, (I won't get my hopes up) you can expect to notice results within a month.
I'm still waiting on the 500mg Niacin capsules. Thought they'd be here by now.
I still think there could be something to them.
I believe Sergio will now be on day 7 of water fasting.
He felt good about it when he last emailed me, so hopefully it'll work out.
He's doing 30 days I think. If this doesn't make any difference, there goes a large amount of hope I still have.
Fasting has been said to relieve many chronic health problems and I've read of one accutaner relieving there side effects nearly completely (75%) by doing 3 of these over a period of time.
So, I guess there are still some things going on.
I will let you know my adrenal fatigue results on Friday, as this is when I see my nutritionist.
I got the next call of duty game, so perhaps I'll play that over the next couple of days.
I enjoy shooting people and pretending they are Hoffman La-Roche
It's quite scary to think I'll be out in 'the real world' next week, if I do get this job.
I just need the pressure of no money to be taken off.. Plus, I was getting bored of sitting at home and reading stuff about this poison-drug.
Oli Girl... How can you be so upbeat all the time? How are your dry eyes worse?
My biggest concern is that things will get even worse. I feel like age will play it's toll unless we find a cure soon.
I do still believe the drug is in our bodies. That's a horrible thought. I just want it out of me..
C'mon Niacin Detox!
How can I be soo up beat, Well considering I was almost dead 3yrs ago and couldn't walk or leave the house for a yr. I am grateful I am here today! I can't go back and not take Accutane, I wish I could, but what is done is done. Somethings have gotten better for me. I have a life to live even if it does get cut short. I love travel and I have done alot of it theese last 2yrs.
I know that with my issues I will never be so called cured, I don't know anyone who has been cured back to before they took Accutane, but I am a lot better then before and I am realistic. I do alot of things everyday to be where I am.
I get mad though, I have a thread on the RagFourm that I vent on it helps.
As for the eyes, Well I have come to the conclusion that after 3yrs natural things aren't going to cut it for some of my issues ( I have had sucess w/other issues). and I got a bit of reality this week. I've always suspected that I had Accutane induced Sjrogens (just 1 of accutane many gifts) and I did try Restatisis last yr for about a 3 months and my eyes felt better, but I wasn't keen on it, so back to the natural drawing board.
Well, I have severe dry eyes to the point of inflamation, eye lid inflamation and the eye specialist (not a eye exam doc) could see many dry spots on my eyes. Earlier this yr my Corneas were cloudy from the dryness,
It has come to the point where my vision is getting severely blurry, eyes hurt, eyelids stick to eye etc..... I am resorting to Restatisis drops and a steriod lube for my eyelids at night, I have tried flushes, every supplement out there and thoose things that have worked for Accutane suffers w/ eye problems, diet and it did Nada for the eyes.......For me and my eyes I have to turn to rx drops.....
Also did you try the St. John's Wart? If so how long? remember patience.......Oh and hope you get the job Indigo!
Indigo - I have anxiety issues with socialising/interacting. Issues I didn't have before the drug .. i've always been a bit more shy then outgoing, but this drug has taken things to a completely new level.. i never used to avoid people 
I hadn't mentioned this, but in the last 6 weeks or so I've had what can only be a new side effect. I don't really want to say what it is, but to me it seems brought on by the Eniva Vibe I took. I had such small amounts of this, like 1/2 tsp probably on averge over 9 days I think, so in a way it's hard to believe, but i did get headaches etc whilst taking it, so I'm 100% positive it's the Eniva Vibe and probably the pre-formed Vitamin A in it that's done it. I just hope it goes...... to be honest the last few weeks I've been low in energy and am now thinking this could be an Eniva Vibe link too....
I did this a few weeks ago, and again yesturday or the day before - I opened upa bit to my dad about more specifically about what this drug has/is doing to me, and what can be done. Not loads of detail but just a bit.... um.... I wish I ddn't. I told him some of my issues and basically told him nothing can be done to change it... I now I feel incredibly guilty for loading my shit onto my dad. How's my dad meant to cope with me saying things like that? I'm not going to say anything to my parents again because I don't see the point... it won't solve anything and makes me feel worse. I'm finding a problem shared is a problem halved does not work in my situation! Luckily, or unluckily, depending on how you look at it, I don't think my parents believe me completely, and that it's more in my head then anything, so what I've told them mght not have had the bad impact i imagined... Maybe they do believe me but don't want to show it because what's the point of veryone admitting there is no hope? I don't know anymore. God I hate this drug.... that's all I know.
Just to add, for the last few people who have said you need to remain positive. I don't know how this is going to come out.... but I'm 25, I want to be able to do normal things, I want a girlfriend etc.... Now, because of this drug, this is never going to happen. Firstly, because this drug has screwed me up phyiscally, mentally, and because, like "jgsdghjkhjkl" said (good post btw) when you struggle to look after yourself, how can you handle the responsability of having a girlfriend and the pressures that come with that? Isn't one of everyones ambition in life to have there own kids? If a miracle was to happen, I don't know about anyone else, but I'd be too afraid on passing my bad health (because of the drug) onto my kid. DNA, gene changes, if Accutane really is still in the body... i wouldn't cope. I don't know why I'm saying all this, it's all hypotheticall anyway... but it's because hope keeps getting mentioned.... i just for the life of me can't see any... I'm missing out on all the goods things in life because of this drug
from [Removed] (From Clerical to Chemical)
QuoteSome retinoid cancer drugs are known to function at the
level at which new cells are produced in the body. Remember
that Roaccutane is basically a very close relative of a chemical
which is used against leukaemia. With retinoid chemo drugs,
the unwanted effects can be permanent and unpredictable.
That may be why the majority of doctors and nurses [between
66% and 75% according to various books and articles on cancer
treatment] would be unwilling to accept chemotherapy if
they had cancer themselves.
The effects of retinoids can also become increasingly worse,
as the patient grows older (and long after treatment has ceased)
and, because the body's ability to repair cell damage has been
weakened, the ageing process accelerated. However, Roche, a
World leader in cancer research, still maintains that Roaccutane's
method of action is unknown. Is 13-cis-retinoic acid
really all that different from similar retinoids?
...
Roaccutane has been much more harmful than Thalidomide
(which incidentally was kept out of the USA by the FDA)
but the heartache Roaccutane has caused hundreds of thousands
of people is not the main moral issue. The story is truly
shocking because the manufacturer was aware, from the outset,
of the drug's nature and origins. It also shows that medics often
have little regard for the welfare of their patients and can act as
unofficial sales reps for drug companies.
The licensing and use (for the treatment of mild or moderate
acne) of Roaccutane constitute a crime against humanity, as
horrible as any of the offences with which the infamous Doctors'
Trial at Nuremberg dealt (and much worse than that, of
which Richard Dawkins accused the Pope). However, it's unlikely
that British and Irish Roaccutane victims will ever bring
anyone to justice. The law is generally made for the benefit of
those with money and influence. Doctors are near the top of
that list (and medicine operates as an extension of the allpowerful
pharmaceutical industry).
That was the bad news. Now, here's the really bad news.
Roaccutane and generic forms of isotretinoin are still available
from a doctor near you.
![=]](https://static.acne.org/ipb_uploads/emoticons/default_sideways.gif)
On 11/10/2011 at 9:16 PM, John Doez said:from [Removed] (From Clerical to Chemical)
QuoteSome retinoid cancer drugs are known to function at the
level at which new cells are produced in the body. Remember
that Roaccutane is basically a very close relative of a chemical
which is used against leukaemia. With retinoid chemo drugs,
the unwanted effects can be permanent and unpredictable.
That may be why the majority of doctors and nurses [between
66% and 75% according to various books and articles on cancer
treatment] would be unwilling to accept chemotherapy if
they had cancer themselves.
The effects of retinoids can also become increasingly worse,
as the patient grows older (and long after treatment has ceased)
and, because the body's ability to repair cell damage has been
weakened, the ageing process accelerated. However, Roche, a
World leader in cancer research, still maintains that Roaccutane's
method of action is unknown. Is 13-cis-retinoic acid
really all that different from similar retinoids?
...
Roaccutane has been much more harmful than Thalidomide
(which incidentally was kept out of the USA by the FDA)
but the heartache Roaccutane has caused hundreds of thousands
of people is not the main moral issue. The story is truly
shocking because the manufacturer was aware, from the outset,
of the drug's nature and origins. It also shows that medics often
have little regard for the welfare of their patients and can act as
unofficial sales reps for drug companies.
The licensing and use (for the treatment of mild or moderate
acne) of Roaccutane constitute a crime against humanity, as
horrible as any of the offences with which the infamous Doctors'
Trial at Nuremberg dealt (and much worse than that, of
which Richard Dawkins accused the Pope). However, it's unlikely
that British and Irish Roaccutane victims will ever bring
anyone to justice. The law is generally made for the benefit of
those with money and influence. Doctors are near the top of
that list (and medicine operates as an extension of the allpowerful
pharmaceutical industry).
That was the bad news. Now, here's the really bad news.
Roaccutane and generic forms of isotretinoin are still available
from a doctor near you.
That is frightening.
I feel like a cancer patient. my hairline is receding and thinning like crazy. MPB does NOT run in the family. My 67 year old father and 80 year old grandpa will have more hair than me by the time this is done.
So after 18 pages, has anyone concluded that ANYTHING has worked at all?
I read a guy raving about oxygen colon cleanses. Did that work for anyone?
There's got to be some answer, our bodies are made to heal themselves. I cannot live life much longer with terrible GI problems, extreme hair loss, joint problems, insomnia, and depression...
On 11/10/2011 at 6:12 PM, jmsil said:Indigo - I have anxiety issues with socialising/interacting. Issues I didn't have before the drug .. i've always been a bit more shy then outgoing, but this drug has taken things to a completely new level.. i never used to avoid people
I hadn't mentioned this, but in the last 6 weeks or so I've had what can only be a new side effect. I don't really want to say what it is, but to me it seems brought on by the Eniva Vibe I took. I had such small amounts of this, like 1/2 tsp probably on averge over 9 days I think, so in a way it's hard to believe, but i did get headaches etc whilst taking it, so I'm 100% positive it's the Eniva Vibe and probably the pre-formed Vitamin A in it that's done it. I just hope it goes...... to be honest the last few weeks I've been low in energy and am now thinking this could be an Eniva Vibe link too....
I did this a few weeks ago, and again yesturday or the day before - I opened upa bit to my dad about more specifically about what this drug has/is doing to me, and what can be done. Not loads of detail but just a bit.... um.... I wish I ddn't. I told him some of my issues and basically told him nothing can be done to change it... I now I feel incredibly guilty for loading my shit onto my dad. How's my dad meant to cope with me saying things like that? I'm not going to say anything to my parents again because I don't see the point... it won't solve anything and makes me feel worse. I'm finding a problem shared is a problem halved does not work in my situation! Luckily, or unluckily, depending on how you look at it, I don't think my parents believe me completely, and that it's more in my head then anything, so what I've told them mght not have had the bad impact i imagined... Maybe they do believe me but don't want to show it because what's the point of veryone admitting there is no hope? I don't know anymore. God I hate this drug.... that's all I know.
Just to add, for the last few people who have said you need to remain positive. I don't know how this is going to come out.... but I'm 25, I want to be able to do normal things, I want a girlfriend etc.... Now, because of this drug, this is never going to happen. Firstly, because this drug has screwed me up phyiscally, mentally, and because, like "jgsdghjkhjkl" said (good post btw) when you struggle to look after yourself, how can you handle the responsability of having a girlfriend and the pressures that come with that? Isn't one of everyones ambition in life to have there own kids? If a miracle was to happen, I don't know about anyone else, but I'd be too afraid on passing my bad health (because of the drug) onto my kid. DNA, gene changes, if Accutane really is still in the body... i wouldn't cope. I don't know why I'm saying all this, it's all hypotheticall anyway... but it's because hope keeps getting mentioned.... i just for the life of me can't see any... I'm missing out on all the goods things in life because of this drug
James...
Don't feel guilty for opening up to your parents. I'm surprised you've only just told them, but I know that people are different.
For example, I don't care if the world knows my problems, so I write a book about them.
My parents aren't together, and I don't see my Dad very often, but I came clean about everything on Holiday last year, when we went to Morocco.
I didn't feel good on that Holiday and couldn't hide my issues.
That was the first time I really noticed my penis wasn't right, and I couldn't go to the toilet (because of constipation).
Why these problems suddenly came on, I do not know... It's very strange.
I can understand if you wouldn't want to share your new problem with everyone reading this, but you can tell me.
It might even be something I have. Message me if you like.
I was going to leave this forum for a while, and plan to check once a day (max), but every time I see your posts I hear a cry for help.
I want to help you, and I don't want to see this drug getting the best of you.
I'm not much better, so I won't lie.
Yesterday I 'lost it' again... My Mum was probing with questions and I said I couldn't cope and wanted to die.
She lost her patience with me, because I have said this kind of thing quite a lot (at least in recent weeks).
We ended up having an argument, and I said some terrible things which I didn't mean.
I just couldn't help myself.
I started screaming like a mental patient and she said she was going to call the police to take me away.
I then said all of this was her fault.
Her fault for signing the contract at the hospital.
Of course I didn't mean this and I don't think it. Nobody on the receiving end of this drug deserves to hold the blame.
I ended up slamming the front door and went for a walk.
Probably the first walk I've had in months without any music.
I was thinking very negatively and started to cry.
I texted my girlfriend that I'd been kicked out (Because my Mum had told me not to come back).
I expect I sounded very weak on the phone, and was saying things like 'I can't cope' and 'I don't want to be alive anymore... I'm a burden to everyone'.
I live in the Country, and me and my girlfriend have gone for walks nearby my house before.
I spoke to her for a bit on the phone and she was doing her best to make me see straight, but I kept making excuses.
'It's impossible'... 'There's no way out of this, except suicide'.
I ended up sitting on a bench ... One where we'd sat before... And she said she'd come to get me.
I didn't want to go home. At that point, I wanted to run away (or worse).
While I was waiting for my girlfriend to appear, I texted my Mum 'Sorry... I've become a monster'.
Hannah (my gf) joined me after about 5-10 minutes, and gave me a hug.
I was still in tears and finding it hard to speak clearly.
She must of said something that made me see straight again.
She's great, and walked me home.
My phone went off and my Mum had replied, 'Please come home x'
I joked with Hannah that there would be some people in white coats waiting for me at the house.
I got in and hugged my Mum and told her I didn't mean what I said.
She still has her doubts about the whole thing... Like it's in my head.
She asks 'What can I do?' and I reply 'Nothing'.
We talked for a bit more about the problems, going back and forth.
I realised I couldn't keep doing this.
It felt like I'd hit an all time low.
Lately, I haven't done much except focus on this.
I never used to cry about it, but have done a few times in recent weeks.
So ...
I am going to do something about it.
What exactly that will be, I'm not entirely sure, but I realise now that I need to change.
Things is, we can't fix this.
Not by ourselves.
We are doing our best and need to remember that.
We have good diets and have tried the supplements.
I took Niacin today and got the flush after an hour or so... Itchy.
Whether this will prove helpful, I dunno.. But if it doesn't, what's the point in feeling disappointed?
One less thing to try in the future.
We may feel like we're getting nowhere.
How can you say if that's true?
You may feel like you've exhausted options, but we haven't tried everything yet.
But, again, thinking just about this isn't helpful.
If we were going to die tomorrow, the biggest shame of our lives would be that we wasted the present moment.
We may feel like we don't have control over our lives, but that's not true.
We have many choices in each moment.
Right now, you could feel like shit because of what happened.
Or, you could be grateful for what you still have.
You still have all your senses.
Self-help books sell to millions of people.
What does that tell you? It says that not many people are completely happy with their lives.
Many people get depression at some point during their lives.
We do have depression now, but we can get out of it.
Andrew (previous poster) is right.
Therapy is not necessarily the fix, but our minds play a massive part in all of this.
When we say 'I can never have a normal life now, and it's because of that drug', it does two things.
1) It takes our power away and makes us a victim
2) It reinforces a thought. We will find evidence to support that belief.
Shit happens, whether we like it or not.
We could be worse off though, right? We really could.
Stop expecting things to change.
I don't mean Stop trying to get your health back. I mean stop putting your life on hold for this.
I'm talking to myself as much as to anybody else.
Another thing -
We think that by coping with the stress, rather than shouting about it, we will be better off.
This isn't necessarily true.
Stress can cause problems either way.
Shouting is a release, though not a good one.
When you are stressed, your body creates cortisol.
Your body will have cortisol attacking it, if you don't fight or run.
Because stress is there to protect your life.
If you perceive something as stressful (like driving in busy traffic or doing a speech infront of people etc), your body needs to do something physically.
This is why exercise is so important.
I'm going to take up badminton (and perhaps other sports) with my girlfriend.
It's better than boring jogging.
I'll continue to use the rebounder too.
The reason we may not be healing could be because of stress.
It's not going to be easy to get rid of stress, but if we carry on like we are, nothing will change.
I will carry on trying the new supplements for my liver.
Hang on to the fact that a few people have recovered from these side effects.
I have heard of one or two people recovering by liver flushes, one by fasting and one by changing their lifestyle.
Why would those people lie online and say they got through this?
Don't worry about 10 years time. This moment is everything. Use it wisely.
I could say more, but my friend is coming round in a few mins.
I didn't get the job btw, but I don't mind. I did my best and the interviewer said it was a split-decision.
Hakuna Mutata.
Something better may come along.
See you.
*Moderator edit - NO ADVERTISING - Read the board rules!*
On 11/11/2011 at 12:13 AM, jgsdghjkhjkl said:On 11/10/2011 at 9:16 PM, John Doez said:from [removed] (From Clerical to Chemical)
QuoteSome retinoid cancer drugs are known to function at the
level at which new cells are produced in the body. Remember
that Roaccutane is basically a very close relative of a chemical
which is used against leukaemia. With retinoid chemo drugs,
the unwanted effects can be permanent and unpredictable.
That may be why the majority of doctors and nurses [between
66% and 75% according to various books and articles on cancer
treatment] would be unwilling to accept chemotherapy if
they had cancer themselves.
The effects of retinoids can also become increasingly worse,
as the patient grows older (and long after treatment has ceased)
and, because the body's ability to repair cell damage has been
weakened, the ageing process accelerated. However, Roche, a
World leader in cancer research, still maintains that Roaccutane's
method of action is unknown. Is 13-cis-retinoic acid
really all that different from similar retinoids?
...
Roaccutane has been much more harmful than Thalidomide
(which incidentally was kept out of the USA by the FDA)
but the heartache Roaccutane has caused hundreds of thousands
of people is not the main moral issue. The story is truly
shocking because the manufacturer was aware, from the outset,
of the drug's nature and origins. It also shows that medics often
have little regard for the welfare of their patients and can act as
unofficial sales reps for drug companies.
The licensing and use (for the treatment of mild or moderate
acne) of Roaccutane constitute a crime against humanity, as
horrible as any of the offences with which the infamous ˜Doctors'
Trial™ at Nuremberg dealt (and much worse than that, of
which Richard Dawkins accused the Pope). However, it's unlikely
that British and Irish Roaccutane victims will ever bring
anyone to justice. The law is generally made for the benefit of
those with money and influence. Doctors are near the top of
that list (and medicine operates as an extension of the allpowerful
pharmaceutical industry).
That was the bad news. Now, here's the really bad news.
Roaccutane and generic forms of isotretinoin are still available
from a doctor near you.
That is frightening.
I feel like a cancer patient. my hairline is receding and thinning like crazy. MPB does NOT run in the family. My 67 year old father and 80 year old grandpa will have more hair than me by the time this is done.
So after 18 pages, has anyone concluded that ANYTHING has worked at all?
I read a guy raving about oxygen colon cleanses. Did that work for anyone?
There's got to be some answer, our bodies are made to heal themselves. I cannot live life much longer with terrible GI problems, extreme hair loss, joint problems, insomnia, and depression...
I take oxygen colon cleanse to help my constipation.
I have taken it before too... It didn't work for me, but I think he was telling the truth.
This topic is worth reading throughout.
There are some negative comments, but some good theories too.
Don't lose hope... We haven't tried everything yet. A friend of mine is trying fasting.
Our bodies may have been damaged, but miracles do and can happen.
A positive, happy mindset along with a good diet will be a great starting point.
Perhaps you can shave your hair? Personally, I've found short sides and back hides the problem best.
I've found one of the biggest problems for me lately has simply been reading too much about this problem. Like you Indigo I have good days and bad days. Pondering the worst possible outcomes always leads me toward a bad day. Many times I will read promising treatment options, then ruin my good mood afterward by reading about others thoughts of hopelessness (not trying to put anybody down, the feelings are certainly understandable!) before I've even had a chance to try the treatment.The fact is, no matter how bad things get, I wont let depression, anxiety, and accutane win. If I'm gonna die young, or as a physically wrecked old man, I will do it with pride. Like you said...what's done to our bodies is done; whether it's repairable or not, the worst thing we can possibly to is not make the best ofthe time/health we can. Let's face it...things could be A LOT worse. It's tough to convince yourself of that when you feel so crappy, but the fact is, when there are children in the hospital with leukimia before theyve even had a chance to experience life, suddenly my digestive and libido issues dont seem so horrible. One of my biggest challenges thus far has been convincing myself that although I'm not OK, I am OK.
Insertnamehere, excellent post! Your last part is what really strikes me as the most important, positive message for people here: "I am OK."
What you tell yourself and what you tell your body has a profound (!) effect on your health and how you physically feel much of the time.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814607005420
anyone try taurine as a vitamin a detox method?
Thanks andrew. Sometimes it seems like that's all we can do, but it's no reason to give up trying! I know there is a way to fix us somewhere out there. And I dunno why, but I get the feeling that it will be something simple and right under our noses...rather than some isolated miracle chemical, perhaps it will be a simple lifestyle change we just havent discovered yet (like maybe figuring out the correct diet 100%).
For some encouragement, heres a quote I found on an accutane board at [Removed]. The thread was started by a guy named NCC who claims to have made the discovery of the accutane/telomere theory. This is a recent reply by one of the commenters...who knows who to believe on the internet anymore, but hey, it still gives me hope:
"I am a M.D. and what NCC says is absolutely untrue.
Look up "Acute leukemia caused by RAR fusion proteins" in google after you read the below to independently qualify what I am saying. NCC, you are doing a huge disservice to the online community by giving them fears that do not even exist with your narrow theory. You've managed to piece together an explanation based upon your basic level of biochemical understanding and thrown out the rest of the IMPORTANT details likely because they will not make sense to someone outside of academic medicine. What you have explained requires college biochemistry/physiology. The real mechanism of action takes an understanding on the receptor level to fully understand. There are too many fine details you have glossed over and excluded. To put it as an analogy- You've solved the murder by blood typing and finding that the murderer's blood at the crime scene was also "AB positive" BUT you caught the wrong culprit because you neglected to do DNA testing because your realm of knowledge had no idea this level of technology/forensics existed and could be done.
Anyway...
In short, cancer/tumors can be caused by all sorts of DNA damage. It may be a single base pair mutation or a complete deletion or a transferring of entire chromosome pieces on to other chromosomes where they do not belong. With each of these drastically different causes of cancers/tumors, there are just as drastic/novel ways to treat them- the most primitive of them being radiation and chemo (basically trying to kill the cancer before it kills you).
However, there are more specialized drugs as well (like methotrexate) that do very very specific things like prevent DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells (cancer) amongst many other drugs. Some cancers even resolve on their own if they have no telomerase activity to lengthen their telomeres, thereby replicating to their own demise.
With Retinoic Acid and vitamin A derivatives, the mechanism of action is NOT TELOMERE SHORTENING VIA ADVANCED SPEED OF DIVISION. In fact, it has nothing to do with telomeres at all. In a very specific subset of acute leukemia where a Retinoic acid receptor is accidentally fused to a wrong PML protein, the transcription of DNA actually halts which causes undifferentiated cells to proliferate which causes leukemia.
Let me explain further as simply as I can:
1. A DNA normally coding for RAR RXR protein accidentally gets cleaved due to DNA damage and becomes a DNA coding for RAR PML protein from a wrong attachment. This novel protein is a transcription factor that binds to other DNA to turn on certain genes.
2. This new RAR PML actively represses DNA transcription (instead of turning it on like normal) which causes abnormal silencing of this gene.
3. This blockage of normal differentiation causes undifferentiated cells to proliferate in its place. These undifferentiated cells still have their uncontrollable telomerase activity intact since they are essentially stem cells. One of the reasons cancer is so hard to kill is because it can replenish it's own otherwise self limiting telomere count by adding more with its telomerase "enzyme".
4. These undifferentiated cells easily turn into leukemia with time due to their uncontrollable growth.
NOW, the great thing about this rare type of leukemia is that giving retinoic acid to these patients allows these defective RAR PML complexes to continue transcribing normally just as though nothing ever happened. Leukemias of this sort will resolve on their own with a period of Retinoic acid treatment. The RAR in the presence of overwhelming retinoic acid begins transcribing despite the repressive effects of the PML attached to it.
I understand that accutane must have had some terrible side effects, which I do not doubt, but please do not worry about telomere shortening. This is beyond the scope of the drug.
It is true that we are not 100% sure how it decreases acne, but it's not through telomeres."
On 11/11/2011 at 6:00 AM, Insertname said:Thanks andrew. Sometimes it seems like that's all we can do, but it's no reason to give up trying! I know there is a way to fix us somewhere out there. And I dunno why, but I get the feeling that it will be something simple and right under our noses...rather than some isolated miracle chemical, perhaps it will be a simple lifestyle change we just havent discovered yet (like maybe figuring out the correct diet 100%).
For some encouragement, heres a quote I found on an accutane board at [Removed]. The thread was started by a guy named NCC who claims to have made the discovery of the accutane/telomere theory. This is a recent reply by one of the commenters...who knows who to believe on the internet anymore, but hey, it still gives me hope:
"I am a M.D. and what NCC says is absolutely untrue.
Look up "Acute leukemia caused by RAR fusion proteins" in google after you read the below to independently qualify what I am saying. NCC, you are doing a huge disservice to the online community by giving them fears that do not even exist with your narrow theory. You've managed to piece together an explanation based upon your basic level of biochemical understanding and thrown out the rest of the IMPORTANT details likely because they will not make sense to someone outside of academic medicine. What you have explained requires college biochemistry/physiology. The real mechanism of action takes an understanding on the receptor level to fully understand. There are too many fine details you have glossed over and excluded. To put it as an analogy- You've solved the murder by blood typing and finding that the murderer's blood at the crime scene was also "AB positive" BUT you caught the wrong culprit because you neglected to do DNA testing because your realm of knowledge had no idea this level of technology/forensics existed and could be done.
Anyway...
In short, cancer/tumors can be caused by all sorts of DNA damage. It may be a single base pair mutation or a complete deletion or a transferring of entire chromosome pieces on to other chromosomes where they do not belong. With each of these drastically different causes of cancers/tumors, there are just as drastic/novel ways to treat them- the most primitive of them being radiation and chemo (basically trying to kill the cancer before it kills you).
However, there are more specialized drugs as well (like methotrexate) that do very very specific things like prevent DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells (cancer) amongst many other drugs. Some cancers even resolve on their own if they have no telomerase activity to lengthen their telomeres, thereby replicating to their own demise.
With Retinoic Acid and vitamin A derivatives, the mechanism of action is NOT TELOMERE SHORTENING VIA ADVANCED SPEED OF DIVISION. In fact, it has nothing to do with telomeres at all. In a very specific subset of acute leukemia where a Retinoic acid receptor is accidentally fused to a wrong PML protein, the transcription of DNA actually halts which causes undifferentiated cells to proliferate which causes leukemia.
Let me explain further as simply as I can:
1. A DNA normally coding for RAR RXR protein accidentally gets cleaved due to DNA damage and becomes a DNA coding for RAR PML protein from a wrong attachment. This novel protein is a transcription factor that binds to other DNA to turn on certain genes.
2. This new RAR PML actively represses DNA transcription (instead of turning it on like normal) which causes abnormal silencing of this gene.
3. This blockage of normal differentiation causes undifferentiated cells to proliferate in its place. These undifferentiated cells still have their uncontrollable telomerase activity intact since they are essentially stem cells. One of the reasons cancer is so hard to kill is because it can replenish it's own otherwise self limiting telomere count by adding more with its telomerase "enzyme".
4. These undifferentiated cells easily turn into leukemia with time due to their uncontrollable growth.
NOW, the great thing about this rare type of leukemia is that giving retinoic acid to these patients allows these defective RAR PML complexes to continue transcribing normally just as though nothing ever happened. Leukemias of this sort will resolve on their own with a period of Retinoic acid treatment. The RAR in the presence of overwhelming retinoic acid begins transcribing despite the repressive effects of the PML attached to it.
I understand that accutane must have had some terrible side effects, which I do not doubt, but please do not worry about telomere shortening. This is beyond the scope of the drug.
It is true that we are not 100% sure how it decreases acne, but it's not through telomeres."
Are you the Physican that used the username of Ncc Is A Idiot on Topix under his thread?
Not that I know if what NCC says is 100% true, I do know he has his report published in a Pharm Book last year.
It's been said in the scientific literature that Accutane has epigenetic effects and it is being studied which is plausible.
If any of you haven't read the hx behind Accutane and Roche, here is some of the hx in this link. Evie Conrad a member on here posted it on the Action group scroll down to pgs 8-9
[Edited link out]
Also, I edited my post as I see that insertname copied and posted what a physican posted on topix about Ncc report. If you guys read some of the links on the Change.org for Accutane it has info on telemeres and retnoids. Like I said not sure if Ncc report is acurate or not????
Indigo - I have anxiety issues with socialising/interacting. Issues I didn't have before the drug .. i've always been a bit more shy then outgoing, but this drug has taken things to a completely new level.. i never used to avoid people
I hadn't mentioned this, but in the last 6 weeks or so I've had what can only be a new side effect. I don't really want to say what it is, but to me it seems brought on by the Eniva Vibe I took. I had such small amounts of this, like 1/2 tsp probably on averge over 9 days I think, so in a way it's hard to believe, but i did get headaches etc whilst taking it, so I'm 100% positive it's the Eniva Vibe and probably the pre-formed Vitamin A in it that's done it. I just hope it goes...... to be honest the last few weeks I've been low in energy and am now thinking this could be an Eniva Vibe link too....
I did this a few weeks ago, and again yesturday or the day before - I opened upa bit to my dad about more specifically about what this drug has/is doing to me, and what can be done. Not loads of detail but just a bit.... um.... I wish I ddn't. I told him some of my issues and basically told him nothing can be done to change it... I now I feel incredibly guilty for loading my shit onto my dad. How's my dad meant to cope with me saying things like that? I'm not going to say anything to my parents again because I don't see the point... it won't solve anything and makes me feel worse. I'm finding a problem shared is a problem halved does not work in my situation! Luckily, or unluckily, depending on how you look at it, I don't think my parents believe me completely, and that it's more in my head then anything, so what I've told them mght not have had the bad impact i imagined... Maybe they do believe me but don't want to show it because what's the point of veryone admitting there is no hope? I don't know anymore. God I hate this drug.... that's all I know.
Just to add, for the last few people who have said you need to remain positive. I don't know how this is going to come out.... but I'm 25, I want to be able to do normal things, I want a girlfriend etc.... Now, because of this drug, this is never going to happen. Firstly, because this drug has screwed me up phyiscally, mentally, and because, like "jgsdghjkhjkl" said (good post btw) when you struggle to look after yourself, how can you handle the responsability of having a girlfriend and the pressures that come with that? Isn't one of everyones ambition in life to have there own kids? If a miracle was to happen, I don't know about anyone else, but I'd be too afraid on passing my bad health (because of the drug) onto my kid. DNA, gene changes, if Accutane really is still in the body... i wouldn't cope. I don't know why I'm saying all this, it's all hypotheticall anyway... but it's because hope keeps getting mentioned.... i just for the life of me can't see any... I'm missing out on all the goods things in life because of this drug
I've stopped taking it myself now, the Eniva vibe that is. It pushes the accutane back into the circulation. I've said this all along the accutane is still in the fat cells of peoples bodies (people with accutane side effects). The liver bile flow is / was affected by the drug and the body stored the accutane in the fat cells because it couldnt be removed. Chilli, garlic and ginger have a similar effect...it pushes the accutane back into the circulation, by increasing blood flow.
Cleaning the liver is the only way to get rid of the side effects. it's a sign that the accutane is still in your body, i stopped taking that Eniva Vibe a long time ago...but it proved to me what i already knew........ that accutane is still in my body. I wouldn't recommend it in hindsight....the only thing i would recommend is raw food and liver flushing.
preformed Vitamin A containing foods as well as circulation boosting foods can push accutane back into the bloodstream, so can juice fasting. THIS IS DANGEROUS and should not be done unless the liver and bile flow are 100% working again.
Obviously doctors are wrong. Doctors are idiots IMO. I have lost faith in the mainstream medical community. I am losing weight and suffering from stomach problems and the gastroenterologists are just shaking their heads in confusion. The whole "accutane leaves your body" is bullshit and I think many of us have shown that this is true. The question is, what is the best body/liver flush? Milk thistle, colon cleanses, what?
Just as jmsil mentioned, I no longer wish to have children (I just turned 23). And not just for the reason that I would never be able to take care a child since I can barely take care of my own health. The main reason is that I'm way too afraid to pass something terrible on to my own children.
For those suffering from depression and depression only, I understand that it's difficult, but if you compare yourself to the people who got cronhs/colitis or other GI problems, hopefully you will feel better about your condition. You can feel free to use me as a reason to feel better. I am literally a walking side effect. Like I mentioned in my previous post, I am unable to absorb and fully digest foods now. I lose weigh, and barely have any weight to lose as it is. I have pretty much every accutane side effect there is. I don't understand how my luck is so horrible.
I know everyone is trying/wanting to remain positive here and I appreciate it. But it's difficult for me to stay positive. This past year has been very painful for me and I've gotten very little answers out of it. Doctors are incompetent and are only taught to prescribe medication.
It's very very difficult to remain positive when you wake up and your stomach hurts so much that you just want to lay back and die. I pray that someday someone will bump into a solution that works, at least for most of accutane sufferers.
in the end, it's up to us to figure out a solution. doctors have "better" things to do. and the drug companies just want our money.
-Paul
I got a bit emotional just reading some of your post Indigo.
All this becuase of an acne pill....
Words just fail me now... the level of frustration, hopelessness, anger I feel. Paul - What can i say.... i feel for you to.. not that you or anyone here is looking for sympathy... just want the fix. Money is the root of all evil could not be more true.
Paul - You mentioned taurine? I don't know what it is.. a med or a natural thing, but it sounds like a gamble to me and something i would try unless others say it works.
Indgo - I'm keeping things to myself for now. I don't know.. maybe it's a pride thing.. and admitting that things are wrong with you is like a weakness....
oli girl - thanks for the link, pgs 10-11 are the ones. This sums it up:
inhumane - lacking and reflecting lack of pity or compassion; "humans are innately inhumane; this explains much of the misery and suffering in the world";
I've been waiting for someone to bring this up. I've been doing a lot of research on Taurine and it looks promising. I have had a bottle for some time now and I have been delaying trying it for some reason. I'd be mainly hoping for it to help my hair, but it kinda fits in to Chico's theory as well.
If you don't know, Taurine is an amino acid. It is not an essential amino acid, as the body can create it from two other amino acids. It is found abundantly in the body.
Funnily enough someone just posted this in the hair loss thread today:
Well, over three months after shedding began... I combed my hair for the past two nights with NO HAIRS on the comb!! This is amazing!
Just be patient, guys... it'll stop. I promise.
I think the omega-3 and taurine did the trick. Worth a try, right?
Another about hair loss and Accutane:
...
However, one interesting effect that I can't imagine could be caused by the accutane is that my hair loss seems to have virtually stopped in its tracks. I've been having pretty serious hair shedding for the past 2 years, for an unknown reason...I've had several hormonal tests, biopsy, etc...no cause found. Keep in mind this started way before the accutane and by the time I started, my hair was probably 20% thinner than it was 2 years ago, which trust me, is a LOT. I started taurine and accutane at pretty much the same time...so 2 weeks into taking both of these drugs, I noticed that A. my hair was very dry and brittle, but B. less was falling out. Since accutane tends to CAUSE hair loss, not stop it, I would say this is probably due to the taurine. In the past two weeks, I have lost very little hair...after I took a shower and let my hair air-dry yesterday, I brushed it and maybe 5-6 hairs were on the brush after brushing all my hair...this is surprising because normally it would be like 50-75. a lot of people take taurine to protect against accutane hair loss and so far I would highly reccommend it. the condition of my hair doesn't look very good...it's dry, a lot of breaking from the accutane..but the fact that it really doesn't seem to be falling out abnormally is a pleasant change. I'm on a pretty low dose of accutane now... only 40mg for 58kg, so this dose will probably be increased to 60mg soon. I'm concerned that the increase may trigger the hair loss again, but I'm going to continue with the taurine. Seriously, although the effect on my skin has been minimal so far (again, have only been taking it 6 weeks) the fact that the hairloss is suddenly diminishing after 2 years WHILE taking a drug that CAUSES hairloss is pretty impressive.
Continuing with the hair benefits, a scientific study:
Taurine is a naturally occurring beta-amino acid produced by methionine and cysteine metabolism. It is involved in a variety of physiological functions, including immunomodulatory and antifibrotic. Taking advantage of the ability of human hair follicle grown in vitro to recapitulate most of the characteristic features of normal hair follicle in vivo, we studied (i) taurine uptake by isolated human hair follicles; (ii) its effects on hair growth and survival rate; and (iii) its protective potential against transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, an inhibitor of in vitro hair growth and a master switch of fibrotic program. We showed that taurine was taken up by the connective tissue sheath, proximal outer root sheath and hair bulb, promoted hair survival in vitro and prevented TGF-beta1-induced deleterious effects on hair follicle.
It was actually part of a product produced by L'Oreal that claimed to help hair loss.
Like I said, it would also help out Chico's theory of decreased bile flow. Taurine is a major part of bile acid formation. Here is a extremely good webpage describing how Taurine helps the liver and bile. I do recommend you read the entire page though if you interested, it seems to help alot of areas, including the eyes, heart etc:
http://www.mgwater.com/taurine.shtml#blood
Here is a story the BBC ran a few years ago about how Taurine can reverse fatty liver associated with alcohol use:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4563760.stm
For you guys suffering with anxiety, you guessed it, it can help you out too:
http://www.thewayup.com/newsletters/011500.htm
You can also read the reviews at iherb, a lot of them mention it has a calming effect, helps bile and helps them sleep:
http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Taurine-Powder-8-oz-227-g/7425?at=0
I might start taking it soon. You never know, it might stop my hair shedding by Christmas, and wouldn't that be just the greatest gift ever.
It seems ironic to me, that despite two courses of Accutane, where hair loss is an effect, I have the most hair left on my head out of all my friends. They're either receding, losing hair or actually lost it. I'd like to put it down to my 'almost' stress free life, but I am going grey, which is why I cut my hair short.
As for other side effects, I don't know. I've always been single, and will always be single. I can't put my finger on the reason why, it's something to do with not wanting to get close to anyone. My friends have quit trying to set me up with girl friends cause they know nothing will come of it 
Do I blame Accutane?, partly, it altered me in some way, but will I devote my life to worrying about it? No. I lead a healthy a life as is humanly possible, I smile and laugh a lot, I enjoy being single.
If you try to take on a giant like the producer of Accutane, you are heading for a lifetime of cyclical depression, it's a battle you'll never win.
First of all you guys, I have been taking Taurine for a while.
I don't remember why I bought it... Perhaps I read something about hair-loss or the liver, but I haven't really noticed anything from it.
I probably haven't taken it very long or very consistently, but it's 1000mg 1 x a day.
I have about half the pack left, so have probably only taken 50 over the last few months.
I'll continue to use it daily, but I'm not sure it'll do anything i'm afraid.
I got my adrenals results today.
I won't go into too much detail at the moment, as this is just a quickie, but here is the jist of it:
You do 4 saliva samples throughout the day to see how your adrenals are at different point.
My cortisol was lower than it should be at all four times, especially around lunch time.
My DHEA, oddly, was high. I believe DHEA is your sex hormones level so it doesn't make much sense, but I've been recommended a few things.
Most important, of course, is to reduce stress as stress is the known cause for adrenal burnout.
My diet is pretty good, but I need to eat breakfast more regualarly, and adding a good quality salt is recommended (to other meals).
I have been advised to take licorice as a supplement to stop cortisol dropping.
I've taken licorice in the past.
Also, I was offered bovine (cow) glands as a supplement.
Lovely cow testicles might get my sex drive going.
I'm not sure this would be the solution, but at some point I may have to give it a go.
Stef.
Indigo: Oddly enough I tested high DHEA (it was still in range but on the higher end, quite the opposite of what I expected) as well about a month ago. I was tested on a particular day that I was extremely stressed and panic-attacky, still have no idea why that was but it was just for a day or two. I wonder if that has some correlation? I found an interesting page with some unique information about the adrenals/altered cortisol production and proper supplementation:
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As for dealing with sexual side effects, I read on the propeciahelp forum (for victims of propecia side effects, which in many ways are similar to accutane, not surprising in that propecia also acts as a 5-AR inhibitor) that a few guys have had great success using a product called sustain alpha (formerly dermacrine sustain) by primordial performance. Ive read a ton of reviews online and id say 9/10 people give it two thumbs up in terms of boosting sex drive and raising lowered testosterone. It's used by some people in the steroid world as a post-cycle recovery supplement (for the ol shrunken balls and low testosterone from coming off a cycle of steroids). The ingredients are natural, and I have been thinking about giving it a shot. This may be simply covering up the symptoms temporarily, but if it helps me get my sex drive back, and is natural and wont destroy me, I'm all for it.
If any of you have ever gotten your standard metabolic panel blood test, did any of you have an elevated level of alkaline phosphatase? My test came in at 108 U/L on a scale of 31-98. My alk phos was slightly elevated, whereas my ALT and AST levels were great. According to my doctor, since my other liver tests were normal, this might indicate some abnormality in either the bone or muscle. Of course he wasnt the least concerned..."Oh we get teenagers coming in here all the time with levels of 150 or higher because their bones are growing, it's nothing I would worry about." Well, I'm 25 and done growing so what gives? Apparently low vit D levels can affect this, which I am slightly deficient in (who isnt?), but I wonder if this isnt due in part to accutane as well
Quiet in here...hope everybody's doing ok.
I've been spending every waking moment of free time studying diet and nutrition. The more I read, the more I agree with Chico. I am beginning to lean more toward the idea that Accutane has the same effect on the intestines as an antibiotic, only to a much more severe degree. I believe Accutane set off a chain of side effects by destroying out natural gut flora, or population of good and bad bacteria. Hippocrates said, "All disease begins in the gut," and the more I read the more simple it gets...it's so true. A healthy ratio of bacteria in the gut allows us to digest food and absorb nutrients from it. If our intestines cant digest food properly, we simply aren't going to get the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids our bodies need to repair themselves. I for one have had digestive issues ever since Accutane. Constipation, hemorrhoids, and some scary bleeding while on the course of it (not since however). I also had several rounds of antibiotics as a child for things like ear infections, pre-accutane acne treatments, etc. As we all know, cases of IBD have been linked to Accutane use, with at least enough evidence to win lawsuits.
I'm going to scrap my plan for the detox/cleanse pills from renewlife and save them for later. As chico mentioned, our bodies aren't ready for it until we can eliminate waste properly. My plan right now is going to focus on getting my digestion and colon back on track first. I've booked an appointment on saturday with a naturopath...his website seems very encouraging, he is very much about proper diet, avoiding sensitivities, taking care of toxins, and using state of the art tests (some call the tests and naturopaths bogus, but I call most MDs bogus...MDs are what helped get me to my poor health) to determine what the body needs as far as nutrients go. I'm also going to check about the possibility of systemic candida (internal yeast infection) which I believe is a strong factor in the problems we are all having. I believe he does phone appointments too so if it goes great I'll let ya guys know and maybe he can help us all out.
Here's the clinics website, tell me what you guys think: