Nothing? : |

I am not in an Asian country but would be happy to share my experience for what it may be worth to you. =)

I am in the US and the perception regarding dosing certainly seems to be different. I have had two different dermatologists while on my Accutane course and both have referred to my dosage as "low" but it's not; I too am a relatively small Caucasian female (5'3", 110 lbs) and my 40mg dose is totally appropriate for my weight, it is not a "low dose" as they call it. Both have suggested increasing the dose and I have declined.

As far as side effects are concerned, I am in my fifth month (of six total) and so far have had no GI/stomach side effects. My hair has been effected significantly--it's very dry and appears somewhat damaged. I have switched to a sulfate-free, moisturizing shampoo, use jojoba oil in my hair, use an intensive moisturizer and take biotin and that seems to help. Knock on wood I haven't experienced any scary side effects thus far, just fatigue. I had some body aches early on but that seems to have passed.

Good luck to you!

I am not in an Asian country but would be happy to share my experience for what it may be worth to you.

I am in the US and the perception regarding dosing certainly seems to be different. I have had two different dermatologists while on my Accutane course and both have referred to my dosage as "low" but it's not; I too am a relatively small Caucasian female (5'3", 110 lbs) and my 40mg dose is totally appropriate for my weight, it is not a "low dose" as they call it. Both have suggested increasing the dose and I have declined.

As far as side effects are concerned, I am in my fifth month (of six total) and so far have had no GI/stomach side effects. My hair has been effected significantly--it's very dry and appears somewhat damaged. I have switched to a sulfate-free, moisturizing shampoo, use jojoba oil in my hair, use an intensive moisturizer and take biotin and that seems to help. Knock on wood I haven't experienced any scary side effects thus far, just fatigue. I had some body aches early on but that seems to have passed.

Good luck to you!

Hi and thank you so much. I am considering 10 mg low dose for a long period of time, but not sure of it's effectiveness. I have read studies low dose can be just as effective. I had moderate acne that scars badly with red marks and never quits...not allowing my skin to heal properly. How bad was your fatigue and did it ever go away?

The fatigue has not gone away but it has gotten better (or I've gotten used to it!). I just feel like I'm dragging all the time, I could sleep 9-10 hours a night and still feel like I could use a nap during the day. It's the sort of fatigue I've felt before when I'm coming down with something but it's all the time. It is manageable though. I am able to work 50+ hour work weeks but I don't have a lot of energy left for anything else right now. I've been trying to get plenty of water, eat better and catch up on rest on the weekends. I should mention that I had some issues with fatigue pre-Accutane, I have a B-12 deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia so I may be experiencing more fatigue than the typical person. I am also older than the typical Accutane user (I am 30) and my dermatologist told me I might notice more tiredness and body aches as a result. I have also had some unavoidable life changes during my course--moved out of state, started a new job, end of a relationship so those things haven't helped either.

I have read on here about people having good clearing of their skin with low-dose Accutane but I don't know about low-term results, if it is as effective for maintaining results. I would think since Accutane is all about achieving a cumulative dose that it would be valid but I am certainly not a doctor. ) I think it would certainly be worth a shot. I would've been more comfortable with a lower dose but my original dermatologist insisted on a higher dose. It seems that there is a lot of variability among practitioners as far as how they prescribe.

The fatigue has not gone away but it has gotten better (or I've gotten used to it!). I just feel like I'm dragging all the time, I could sleep 9-10 hours a night and still feel like I could use a nap during the day. It's the sort of fatigue I've felt before when I'm coming down with something but it's all the time. It is manageable though. I am able to work 50+ hour work weeks but I don't have a lot of energy left for anything else right now. I've been trying to get plenty of water, eat better and catch up on rest on the weekends. I should mention that I had some issues with fatigue pre-Accutane, I have a B-12 deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia so I may be experiencing more fatigue than the typical person. I am also older than the typical Accutane user (I am 30) and my dermatologist told me I might notice more tiredness and body aches as a result. I have also had some unavoidable life changes during my course--moved out of state, started a new job, end of a relationship so those things haven't helped either.

I have read on here about people having good clearing of their skin with low-dose Accutane but I don't know about low-term results, if it is as effective for maintaining results. I would think since Accutane is all about achieving a cumulative dose that it would be valid but I am certainly not a doctor. ) I think it would certainly be worth a shot. I would've been more comfortable with a lower dose but my original dermatologist insisted on a higher dose. It seems that there is a lot of variability among practitioners as far as how they prescribe.

Your input is valuable to me. You're 30? I wasn't aware 30 was the new 80. I'm only 5 years younger than you this month. I never knew 30 was..well...old. My parents didn't have me until 40. I have had doctors tell me that at 23 my blood pressure went up because that's just what happens when you age. What. lol. Doctors are stupid sometimes. I think I'll do the cumulative dose of the low dose Accutane and give it a go. Acne is why I sleep all day, won't eat ( I haven't eaten for 4 days due to depression this week and terrified of breakouts) and it's ruled my life for 7-8 years ish? I'm female so the expectations to look nice are also harsher. But I don't want to have acne until my 40's like some people end up having...would rather at this point as dumb as it sounds have clear skin for the remainder of the 20's and 30's than 'live longer.' With the disease I have I hardly care anymore anyway. : P

Granted, this drug does make me feel a bit closer to 80. =) Do you have a dermatologist already? You might have to consult with a couple before you find one who's on the same page as you. In my case, my current dermatologist is much more flexible with dosing and has told me I can decrease my dose if I feel the side effects are too much or even take a little break whereas my original doctor was a bit more rigid. I hope you get going with it soon and have awesome results! The experience seems to be so different for everyone. If you ever have questions or want to talk to someone, feel fee to send me a message. =)

Granted, this drug does make me feel a bit closer to 80. Do you have a dermatologist already? You might have to consult with a couple before you find one who's on the same page as you. In my case, my current dermatologist is much more flexible with dosing and has told me I can decrease my dose if I feel the side effects are too much or even take a little break whereas my original doctor was a bit more rigid. I hope you get going with it soon and have awesome results! The experience seems to be so different for everyone. If you ever have questions or want to talk to someone, feel fee to send me a message.

Hey thanks. : ) I have a derm back home. Still debating whether to take it. But maybe I won't end up doing so afterall...it depends. I'm being swept up to a specialist doc now who specialists in neuroendocrine tumors...those are tumors that secrete bad hormones. It may be my cause. I don't know. I'll report back with what I know or make a thread about it when I fully find out. What I find out might be the key to some people's acne.

Yeah, I actually read your post about endocrine/adrenal disorders and a possible link to acne. I would be interested in anything you find out. This could be a possible explanation for why I've complained of fatigue since puberty; the B12 deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia have been identified and treated but I still feel the same. And, oh yeah, the acne....

Yeah, I actually read your post about endocrine/adrenal disorders and a possible link to acne. I would be interested in anything you find out. This could be a possible explanation for why I've complained of fatigue since puberty; the B12 deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia have been identified and treated but I still feel the same. And, oh yeah, the acne....

I've found out quite a bit about the endocrine system and have been studying for almost 8 years now. Things about acne are really starting to make sense to me now. I'd be happy to share all I find out in my later appointment. Keep in touch. If you have fatigue, it could be related to an endocrine disorder as most are genetic as I mentioned. Fatigue was a HUGE thing for me now but good news...when my parathyroid disease was finally diagnosed using labs I'd gathered, I had the surgery to remove the bad parathyroid glands and almost a year later, I have NO fatigue. It's wonderful. That's why I'm still scared to muck up more things with Accutane. B12 is also commonly deficient in parathyroid disease so it's interesting you mention that. I have yet to study why, though. But it's clear that parathyroid disease doesn't cause the acne, but more along the lines of the adrenal glands having an issue in some way, or the pituitary depending on what is the exact cause.

But we don't know if that's the exact cause or if another hormonal tumor is floating around in myself personally. Here's an interesting read (sorta) if you're bored: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothalamic%E2%80%93pituitary%E2%80%93adrenal_axis This explains a little about how our hypothalamus and pituitary interact with the adrenal glands. When stuff with one of those goes wrong, problems with our adrenal hormones goes wrong. It could be something wrong with the adrenal, pituitary or hypothalamus and any number of things from adrenal tumors to pituitary tumors, or adrenal enlargement just to name a few.

As for you, if you're going to get diagnosed, I would highly recommend only going to specialists and getting blood tests to cover all endocrine organs, while explaining any symptoms. Endocrinologists are not much help UNLESS they are the head endocrinologist at a teaching hospital, depending on where you are. Some GP's or internal med guys ( if smart) can be supportive though. I went through normal endos like flies. It may be a lot of work, but it may actually be safer than taking Accutane if you have an underlying disorder of this nature.