also get adequate A and K2 to prevent soft tissue calcification from the D. how does accutane alter serum calcium? really interested in reading a study

Aren't we sensitive to vitamin A now though? Some people here are trying to limit it?

Or is that just through supplements and not whole food?

 

 

also get adequate A and K2 to prevent soft tissue calcification from the D. how does accutane alter serum calcium? really interested in reading a study

Aren't we sensitive to vitamin A now though? Some people here are trying to limit it?

Or is that just through supplements and not whole food?

always try to use real food. some use supps though. some have even gotten results from using vit A precursor supps. ymmv. chiron for instance:

EDIT: however, beta carotene doesn't convert to vit A well at all

extra vid on A, D, & K2 relation:

*some* symptoms of vit A deficiency:

(I can attest to having experienced a lot of these)

If any of you have crohn's disease SUE the %^&* out of Roche get a good lawyer and bring these ^&*() er's down if it's a generic you took do the same thing . It won't bring back your health but at least it will cover your medical bills.

First of all, yetanotheraccutanevictim, thank you for the relevant links and in depth reply! If you are near by Ill buy you an iced coffee (whole milk for extra retinoids).

I wonder if there are any studies in former patients of Accutane concerning Vit A metablism, as opposed to just during treatment. A lot of us have been off the medication for years so that would be relevant.

I had serum retinoid levels tested by my integrative GP last year and they were found to be normal, however I don't know if that tells the whole story. I stopped my cycle end of 07.

I too thought the problem might be some deficiency (before I had my levels tested) and took a supplement with Vit A and got very bad side effects such as headache, bad insomnia and low mood. It took me 3-4 weeks to recover just from that short trial. I did notice more libido and hair growth though. But I have been scared to take it ever since.

Perhaps beta carotene supplements may put me out of this spell.

I don't really have any of the symptoms of hypovitaminosis A though.

If any of you have crohn's disease SUE the %^&* out of Roche get a good lawyer and bring these ^&*() er's down if it's a generic you took do the same thing . It won't bring back your health but at least it will cover your medical bills.

btw, ppl with inflammatory bowel disease:

also tane and celiac link:

First of all, yetanotheraccutanevictim, thank you for the relevant links and in depth reply! If you are near by Ill buy you an iced coffee (whole milk for extra retinoids).

I wonder if there are any studies in former patients of Accutane concerning Vit A metablism, as opposed to just during treatment. A lot of us have been off the medication for years so that would be relevant.

I had serum retinoid levels tested by my integrative GP last year and they were found to be normal, however I don't know if that tells the whole story. I stopped my cycle end of 07.

I too thought the problem might be some deficiency (before I had my levels tested) and took a supplement with Vit A and got very bad side effects such as headache, bad insomnia and low mood. It took me 3-4 weeks to recover just from that short trial. I did notice more libido and hair growth though. But I have been scared to take it ever since.

Perhaps beta carotene supplements may put me out of this spell.

I don't really have any of the symptoms of hypovitaminosis A though.

i had serum lvls tested as well and it was normal. however, my intracellular vit A was indeed deficient. i'm also curious about post-isotretinoin vit A metabolism. we're probably toxic with the unusable, synthetic 13cra which tricks our bodies in some way. perhaps ingestion or real vit A, releases some of the fake form into circulation. not sure..

btw i'm still unwell even when on a diet high in vit A (but i went almost 2 yrs on the SAdiet & picked up a lot of damage post tane before discovering being deficient and changing. wish i knew earlier)

please do experiment with vit A or carotenoids again and post your experiences. interesting that you had side effects from the supp. wonder if that was a sort of healing crisis.

Intracellular vit A can be tested as well?

Wow I wish I read this before I made one of the biggest mistakes of my life, but I think Accutane was a blessing in disguise(still not sure) and woke me up to the constant poisoning we do to ourselves everyday. Before Accutane I lived very unhealthy, I ate fast foods constantly, no fruits and vegetables, and slept very little.

I took Accutane when I was 20 for 5 months, it may have been 6 not sure because I missed some days, but I think it was a 5 month plan, forgot the dosage, but now I turn 22 in March. While I was taking Accutane I smoked weed and drank a lot, which made it much more difficult to read the symptoms right away, but then it hit me hard. Chronic fatigue, depression, muscle and joint aches, thinning hair, and a bunch of other symptoms mentioned in this thread. I'm not sure if I can pin point it to Accutane, or the life I was living that all lead up to this, but Accutane was definitely a very unnecessary contribution to this. I admit my acne wasn't even bad, but my self image and self confidence were very low that I thought it was the acne and oily skin. I hardly had any pimples that were unmanageable, but the oily skin that needed constant blotting and babysitting, was the reason I turned to accutane. I read only what I wanted to read, and that how Accutane could reduce the oily skin, but the oily skin was actually a blessing in disguise it seems from reading this thread. I'm honestly not sure if Accutane diminished the oil on my skin because when I was taking it I just never worried or preoccupied myself with my skin, but the oil is back now(from reading this thread, it seems that's a good thing?, I don't know) I was told many times that diet was not a cause of acne and oily skin, but it for sure is. I don't know why in the dermatology profession they really tell you that, I think it's because they want you to turn to all the products and medications, which drives you crazy not being able to find anything that works. Diet and lifestyle has to be the main cause, it's like one of the symptoms that you're body is trying to notify you that it's being bombarded. Usually when I see someone in my college with terrible terrible case of acne, worst than what I had, they are usually eating tons of junk i.e. processed foods, chips, and candies from the vending machine, and I think it's our body trying to warn us. I have been spectating this thread for quite some time, and always wanted to make some time to write her, so now I'm finally doing it. There seems to be a lot of attitudes, opinions, and mind sets that we can't get better, but I believe there is. There must be some hope and other people who have taken this medication and are doing fine and excelling. I know 2 people who are older than me who have taken this medication and seem to be doing Ok, but again I don't know what exactly there life is like, but when I see them they seem Ok and healthy, and I would never have expected them to have taken this poison. Im not gonna lie some of the stuff I've read in this thread really worries and scares me, but I still believe there is hope, and that through diet, exercise, and a change of attitude we can get better. We must stop lingering on what the past has done, and start focusing on things we can control like the present and the future. I admit some days I read this thread and it makes me think of what my life would have been like if I didn't take Accutane, but I still don't even know what that would be like, so it doesn't even bother to waste my energy, so I try my best to stay away from that mind set.

Right now I'm trying to change all my routines, I found out that all the cosmetic products like moisturizers, deodorants, shampoos, and tooth pastes all have toxic chemicals that we absorb. In a way I kind of knew this from reading the ingredients on some of the products, and being like wtf is this and where does it go, but I would just disregard it and assume it doesn't effect my health, but it very well could and does. After taking accutane I believe our body's ability to detox foreign and toxic ingredients has been extremely hindered . So going organic and non toxic products is our best bet as we aid our body on a path of healing. Lately I've been reading about a lot of the products I have used, and am making switches to other safer products by researching them.

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

Here you can look up ingredients in your products, and specific products, so healthier switches can be made. I've found this site to be very useful, there is even a phone app. I know this may not be a main problem, but if you guys are anything like me, you probably use a decent amount of products like moisturizer, shampoo, face wash, and exfoliants. And I really believe this can be helpful to us.

Now for changes I've added to my diet and things I'm currently doing

-I've been drinking 1 GT's Kombucha a day( either 2 hours after eating or 30 minutes before eating because I have read that it is best on an emptier stomach as the probiotic gets to where it needs to be). I've been doing this for over a little over a month and it's been working out well I think, and I plan to do it all year and hope to be feeling a lot better.

-I've been eating 3 organic eggs mixed with 2 slices of cold cuts(buffalo chicken) for breakfast every morning, but here I read that eggs aren't good? I'm not sure, and I haven't felt sick from eating them, but I used to eat cereal for breakfast, but now I try to stay away from dairy and grains. On the side I eat broccoli because I've been trying to reach 500 calories for breakfast. Not sure how many calories I eat, but I figured why not add vegetables right when I wake up. What's the verdict on eggs? For me it doesn't seem to make me feel bad.

I also have 1-2 cups of green tea plain, no milk or sugar added.

I have always had a hard time gaining weight as I have a ectomorphic build forever, but I find this especially common in us the people who have taken accutane. Why is it so hard to put on weight?

Also do any of you guys have abs, or skinny but some belly fat? I've read that toxins are stored in the belly fat, and I believe if we lose that maybe we'll see our symptoms reduce because I have read that bodybuilders and people who work out a lot that have taken accutane are not as effected by it and experience much less symptoms.

-I have been making a smoothie everyday. Coconut water is the base, and I add tons of strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, bananas, spinach, ginger, and turmeric. I also add a table spoon of manuka honey, flax seed, and coconut oil. Recently I just purchased a flax, coconut, and chia seed mix, and a hemp seed mix. Once the smoothie is finished I add 4 table spoons of Noni to it and stir it in. Have you guys heard of Noni? it's supposed to have great healing qualities. Not all the produce I use is organic, but I've been using a product called Veggie Wash to clean them and then I rinse them thoroughly. It's a great product and not very expensive , a must have.

- Lemon water. I squeeze 5 lemons into a pitcher, and pour a filtered brita water pitcher in and mix. Lemon water is great, and a natural detoxer.

- I read about Livotox here, and I ordered a bottle, and finished it. Right now I've been doing Health Plus' Total Body Cleanse System. I'm on step 3 which is the Super Kidney Cleanse, and I've completed the 10 day super colon cleanse, and the Super Liver Cleanse.

- For snacks during the day I eat almonds(but I'm reading you have to soak your nuts before eating? so confused), apples, and grapes.

- I only drink water, lemon water, tea, and Kombucha. Occasionally beer, but I've been trying to stay away as It hinders ability to heal. Also I'm almost a month sober from weed, and it feels great. Experiencing a lot of mental clarity, mood improvements, and energy, but it also could be related to these changes I've made, not sure. I drink so much water, and have to pee a lot and frequently, which I see is common for a lot of people here, but I must say it's been improving, and I've been supplementing saw palmetto which I think has helped.

- I have stopped drinking water from plastic water bottles which was almost my main source of water. Occasionally i have bottled water, moderation is important when it comes to things like BPA, a little can't hurt right? Once I learned about BPA and other stuff. I moved to a a Brita Pitcher, Brita filtered sport's bottle, and a glass bottle, but I've learned there can even be contaminants from Brita's plastic, but I honestly don't know what to believe. Always reading one thing, then reading another contradicting what I just read.

- Also my family got a Infrared Sauna recently, and I thought that would be a miracle worker in healing as you sweat profusely in there, and I really enjoy it because it's one of the times where I feel warm and good. But now I'm skeptical of the EMF's that are used to run it, supposedly and allegedly it's ultra low in EMFs and that it is completely safe, and that it's supposed to aid in detoxing and not be harmful. I recently bought a EMF reader, but i need to understand it more and test out the sauna. I've read a lot of great things, but of course they're going to say great things about it, they're trying to sell a product, but then I've also read some contradicting info regarding it's safety and EMF's. Also I asked my Bionutrition professor about it, and he said he's not a fan because there is no telling if you have sensitivities to it. It's really psyched me out recently, but I really want to believe it'll help because I was loving it and was really optimistic about it and it's healing powers.

-Rebounder. I bought a rebounder, and have been trying to bounce on it for 15-30 minutes a day. I was doing it 30 minutes a day in routine, but school has resumed and I've been more busy and tired from that.

- Now for the thinning hair, I was using Rogaine for a year combined with Jojoba oil and Emu oil, but I've learned how toxic some of the ingredients are in Rogaine, so I've gotten off of that. Stay away from these drugs guys. It's crazy how you gotta take a drug to treat the symptoms from the drug you're primarily taking. I remember contemplating propecia before but thank god I never pursued it. There must be some people who have taken accutane and then propecia, god bless them and I really hope they're ok. Now i've learned that it's just not worth it. Accutane has taught me that. All natural is the way. Now I just use a few drops of jojoba, emu, and castor oil, mix them together, and massage into scalp

I've been contemplating if going vegan is necessary, but I know how hard that would be. I am going to see how I progress, and I know that will be an option if it comes down to it.

Thing's I'm supplementing

-2x a day Echinacea, supports natural resistance because accutane did a number to our immune system and we have to rebuild it. It's possible

-2x a day Sundown Naturals vitamin D3 1000 IU (now I've read here that we have to supplement magnesium also with this? but this stuff is driving me crazy, have to take a supplement to take another?, I need clarification on this)

-2x a day GNC's Saw Palmetto forumla

-3 times a day Standard Process Okra Pepsin E3

- 1 teaspoon Baxyl's 100 % vegan hyaluronic acid(supports healthy joints, I read here that Accutane depletes us of our hyaluronic acid)

Now I'm thinking I need to take a multi vitamin, but I don't know which to take because there is so many. I was taking GNC's Mega Men, but I've become skeptical of it because there is just so many vitamins in it, does that matter? I really don't know. Also do we avoid or need vitamin A? I'm so confused when it comes to that. Don't we need it for a balanced and healthy body function. Why does it seem like everyone here is avoiding it, I know Accutane was a mega dose of vitamin A, and is toxic, but that was in the past. Don't we need it now?

Also would supplementing Vitamin C help and aid in rebuilding our immune systems?

I have seen and felt a lot of improvements, but I'm still not where I would like to be as some days it's worst than others, and I would like to be able to put on some size and go to the gym with friends. Right now I just work out from home, and it really isn't even that much, as I am pretty weak, 5'10' 137 pounds, but hey gotta start some where.

Look forward to feedback from you guys, and I really like this community of support there is here. There isn't many places to turn, but I'm glad there is some foundation here. I hope we can continue to learn from each other and I'm so happy I'm registered now to bounce ideas back and fourth with you guys.

Has anyone had full testing of pituitary hormones checked? I know thyroid hormones have been tested. Any real in depth journeys with the endocrinologist? Full panel stuff?

I have the fortune of some financial backing to help get more detailed testing so I can say I hit it hard at least once in this war. My question is for those who have spent thousands in testing, where do I start. I have limited money so I need a gameplan.

Symptoms again:

Dry irritated face and skin constantly

Fatigue and little ability to handle stress (chronic fatigue like our adrenal)

Inability to pass solid stools for awhile now and intolerance to chicken, eggs and free other foods

Hair loss

Red face

Allergies

Anxiety and depression (workin on this currently)

brain fog and tinnitus

Leak after peeing

Smaller list goes on. ..

All the same bullshit everyone has. Hate even listing them other than the fact I need to prioritize testing.

Biggest issues are fatigue and brain fog and ability handle stress as these have gotten progressively worse over the last year and are impacting my life the most.

Although I've had a lot of these for 12 years now, I haven't been tested for specifics so I don't have knowledge about how doctors work with testing. Do I just tell them all of my symptoms and let them guide the way. I'd like to have specific tests I could recommend if I have the knowledge. Don't want to be lumped in as just depression(here's your pill now leave)

I hope you guys can help me out with some knowledge and recommendations. Thanks and hope the battle lines are tight and strong. Good day!

Has anyone had full testing of pituitary hormones checked? I know thyroid hormones have been tested. Any real in depth journeys with the endocrinologist? Full panel stuff?

my thyroid - normal. blood cortisol - elevated (not much significance other than me not having late stage adrenal fatigue. testosterone - extremely low (i'm 20, male, still have strong libido, never lost it, but i eat a very high fat diet - test was after 24 hrs of fasting, was later in the day - will check again)

also my CRP has been below .3 for over a year and i suffer greatly

Intracellular vit A can be tested as well?

i used spectracell labs micronutrient testing

I have the fortune of some financial backing to help get more detailed testing so I can say I hit it hard at least once in this war. My question is for those who have spent thousands in testing, where do I start. I have limited money so I need a gameplan.

i've spent thousands on testing. nothing really found what's wrong but it eliminated a lot of possibilities. am going to be doing igenix lyme & coinfections test soon $600

****you need to be going to a functional medicine doctor. conventional doesn't cut it. some sites don't require a dr. they will even read and interpret results. labtestsplus.com is good. requestatest.com is also decent.

some tests that've been most helpful to me:

**great plains organic acids test (urine) - ordered from labtestsplus.com (has been THE MOST helpful to me)

-spectracell labs micronutrient testing (was helpful)

-maybe get a hair analysis (minerals & metals) from doctor's data (labtestsplus.com - hair elements)

(provoked urine is better in my opinion)

-biohealth401H (one of the best comprehensive stool tests - my fav) (other good one is genova - they also have great organic acids testing)

(genova: Genova 2200 GI Effects Comprehensive Profile)

-3 hour lactulose breath test to confirm no SIBO

-Cyrex Labs Antibody Array 3 (Wheat/Gluten Proteome Reactivity & Autoimmunity) - good to see if you have intestinal permeability

(i had high levels of antibodies against gluten peptides - wheat should be out of your diet regardless of testing)

tests i plan on getting:

-provoked urine heavy metal analysis (chelating agent given then urine collected for 6 hrs) chelators: 300mg DMPS (only checks mercury) AND 500mg DMSA (checks mercury, lead, and cadmium) our detox ability is messed up bc accutane

-BioHealth #205 Functional Adrenal Stress Profile Saliva Test

*best analysis of adrenal function

-A LabCorp Comprehensive Blood Test Panel - heard this was fantastic

just go down the list of possible issues:

hope this post is helpful

EDIT: btw, i'm learning a new keyboard layout (COLEMAK) so it's incredibly difficult to type right now haha or else i'd type more

Ahh I see... so only one company provides it?

Ahh I see... so only one company provides it?

i have no clue. surely there are other labs. but i would just assume you're in need of it due to the mounting evidence that accutane causes a vit A deficiency

 

Ahh I see... so only one company provides it?

i have no clue. surely there are other labs. but i would just assume you're in need of it due to the mounting evidence that accutane causes a vit A deficiency

Have you ever tried to supplement VitA? I tried this once and I felt like being back on Accutane. I stopped after only a couple of days.The theory sounds interesting but how do we know, that it is not the opposite, a VitA hypervitaminosis?

I really think that us with ed/loss of libido really have some sort of nerve damage to it.

 

Ahh I see... so only one company provides it?

i have no clue. surely there are other labs. but i would just assume you're in need of it due to the mounting evidence that accutane causes a vit A deficiency

Have you ever tried to supplement VitA? I tried this once and I felt like being back on Accutane. I stopped after only a couple of days.The theory sounds interesting but how do we know, that it is not the opposite, a VitA hypervitaminosis?

just look at the studies. we probably are toxic with the 13cra

I really think that us with ed/loss of libido really have some sort of nerve damage to it.

i definitely have systemic nerve dmg but no loss in libido

Can someone verify my current progression...

I took colostrum, fresh about 1 litre per day.

I bought it a local farmer, colostrum contains alot of Albumin.

A translation:

"Albumin is quantitatively the major protein molecule in the blood plasma. Because it is in the healthy situation can not come out of the blood capillaries, it plays an important role in the maintenance of the correct osmotic pressure in the blood vessels.

Structure of human serum albumin (HSA) in a complex with six palmitinezuurmoleculen

If the albumin concentration in the blood is higher than outside of the blood vessels , a thread is being pulled water to the blood vessels ( by osmosis ) . Albumin therefore has a water suction effect . In this way, the correct pressure is obtained ( more water means more blood , and more blood into the same space means a higher pressure). This will both prevent too much water from the bloodstream into the tissues and the other is that too much water flows into the bloodstream. The amount of water in the bloodstream thus remains substantially constant, and thus the total blood volume.

In addition, albumin is responsible for the transport of substances in the blood. Both endogenous substances and foreign substances such as drugs. Albumin transports 1/3 of testosterone into the bloodstream of men. [1] 10 % of cortisol in the body is also bound to albumin. Most of adrenaline in the plasma with a low affinity is bound to albumin. Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) bind with very low affinity to albumin. 20 % of the available T4 ( thyroxine) and 35% of the available T3 ( 3,5,3' -tri- iodothyronine ) is bound to albumin.

Albumin is administered in the treatment and prevention of various forms of shock . This is a situation where adequacy of circulating blood volume ( in absolute or relative form) , by blood loss or blood vessel dilation , in order to provide adequate tissue flow. This can happen with severe bleeding by eg surgery, in severe burns or sepsis. In sick people, especially in hepatic impairment , the albumin decreased. Is there hypo albumin.

Bovine Albumin ( Bovine Serum Albumin ) is used as a blocking substance and stabilizer in the chemistry."

So we are not talking about buying colostrum supplements, we are talking about 1 liter per day.

500g in the morning and evening.

It is produced by mother cows when they have calfs, the way to prepare it is to keep it on a medium heat for 15-20 minutes until it thickens. Then you can eat it. It gives you great erections and alot of energy.

I also take it with Glutamine.

Can someone try this, maybe its placebo so anyone other trying this would be great. It costs about 2 dollar per liter and its also used by top tier athletes.

P.s. It also helped me get solid stools

Like I said before look at the picture of a human of the side effects on this web site ... under prescription drugs , that is what we are dealing with pretty much every part of our body has been poisoned or inflamed .

 

Ahh I see... so only one company provides it?

i have no clue. surely there are other labs. but i would just assume you're in need of it due to the mounting evidence that accutane causes a vit A deficiency

Have you ever tried to supplement VitA? I tried this once and I felt like being back on Accutane. I stopped after only a couple of days.The theory sounds interesting but how do we know, that it is not the opposite, a VitA hypervitaminosis?

just look at the studies. we probably are toxic with the 13cra

&nbs

p;

Quite some interesting studies out there. Just out of interest, are you taking VitA supps? If yes, what are your experiences?

Quite some interesting studies out there. Just out of interest, are you taking VitA supps? If yes, what are your experiences?

only beta carotene supp 25,000IU every couple of days

i eat 1-2 tsp cod liver oil per day, 1/4 lb of beef liver each week, pastured egg yolks daily, and 1 tbsp red palm oil each week.

haven't noticed any negative effects (no real improvements either though). am going to continue. been doing it for 3-4 months perhaps

sidenote: i'm incredibly depressed because i can't make any progress AT ALL

experiencing extreme pain throughout my body. can't deal with it for much longer..

*and i was experiencing all my side effects long before introducing high amounts of vit A. i would encourage others to ingest vit A to see how they do. monitor side effects and post here

is it possible to sue if we took the generic? i took claravis. no amount of money can make up for the damage done but i just need some to help me recover. i've already spent my life's savings

Anyone ever try saw palmetto 320mg with 85-95% fatty acids for a decent amount of time?

is it possible to sue if we took the generic? i took claravis. no amount of money can make up for the damage done but i just need some to help me recover. i've already spent my life's savings

It depends where you live. Here in Germany it is almost impossible. I did some research and found not one case for Germany in which Roche had to pay for side effects of accutane.

 

is it possible to sue if we took the generic? i took claravis. no amount of money can make up for the damage done but i just need some to help me recover. i've already spent my life's savings

It depends where you live. Here in Germany it is almost impossible. I did some research and found not one case for Germany in which Roche had to pay for side effects of accutane.

:/ thanks for the info. i'm in central america

For those of you with joint pain and severe dryness try bone broth soup it helps.

For those of you with joint pain and severe dryness try bone broth soup it helps.

I'm hearing good things about it. Ima have to try it. What bones you use? Beef?