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Hello!
First off, I am NOT a new member. I have not logged in for some time on my main username david1017 and I have forgotten the password/ email associated with the account. (if any admin can help me out with that, that would be great! )
Now I have been an acne sufferer for a while (from age 17 to currently 25). My dermatologist describes my acne as "micro-cystic acne." My acne is definitely not mild or moderate (many, many red marks/ light scarring, 7+ actives on each cheek, 5+ actives on each jaw line). I am of Asian descent, so when the zits go away, the marks remain... for years (my marks have remained since I began).
(you do not need to read my story if you don't want to)
I tried a whole bunch of things (epiduo, clindamycin, doxy, mino, ethromycin, benzamycin, retin a micro, khlaron lotion, and tazorac which I am currently on). Now my new dermatologist is a very humble guy, at least compared to my old doc. He actually stayed with me for 20+ minutes, observing my face and really explaining my condition. He also recorded everything I had done with my other doc and asked me specific questions about my experience. Now, he started me off with clay masks (he told me to buy aztec clay + acv at my local Sprouts market). He wanted the most economical solution for me, which I respected. This did not work so now I am on tazorac. He did tell me that I can go on accutane if I wanted to. I did a ton of research since I was 18 on accutane, and know the side effects, etc.
I am actually about to call my derm tomorrow and have him call my insurance to see if I can get accutane pre approved (since it's 800$ for a month's supply of claravis in southern california).
My question is this... if you could get accutane, why don't people simply get accutane?! I understand it's completely different for women, because of birth defects... but in a more general sense... I understand that dry skin, lips, bloody noses are side effects... but as acne sufferers, probably anyone on this board would rather have worse side effects than acne. And yes, there are other side effects: possible depression, hair loss, liver problems, etc. But again, the chances of having these side effects are generally very small. With accutane, you won't need to worry about the "possible" break out... not have to worry about carefully applying topical creams every night... worrying about if a certain food causes break outs... For me, it seemed like an obvious choice, if you can take it, why not? Yet, I see so many threads that state that accutane is an ultimate last resort type of drug, and that people with only the most severe cases should take accutane.
I'm sorry this post was long. Thank you.
I was offered accutane this week from my dermatologist and I turned the option down.
Personally my reason for turning it down are the risks involved. Ive been suffering with a chronic illness/condition for 10 months now and I cant tell you how difficult it is to have a long term illness of which there is no treatment.
When I look at accutane and the risks of bowel/joint problems and how debilitating they can be I could not personally choose to take the risk and potentially give myself these problems. My chronic illness has made me realise how truly difficult it is being ill long term and I therefore could not take a medication such as accutane and risk the possibilities.
Just my personal reasons.
I was on accutane (roaccutane where i live), for about a year. Honestly i wish i never went near it. It single handedly has negatively affected my life more than anything else i've experience.
I know i'm probably in the few when i say this, but if I could go back in time and change one single thing in my life, it would without a doubt be not walking into that derm's office who prescribed me that drug.
It's a very intense drug, and has long term effects.
I've been on accutane now for 4 months, and aside from the normal side-effects that everyone gets (dry eyes, lips and skin) , I have not had any serious issues. My skin has cleared up very nicely (I had cystic acne), and aside from 2 of the tiniest of tiny zits (I wouldn't have even noticed them 4 months ago) I have not broken out in almost a month. I am definitely happy with my decision to go on accutane, and I doubt I will ever regret it.
That being said, the decision to go on accutane should never be taken likely. Most people do not enjoy being on it (myself included) , and the common side effects that everyone experiences are no picnic (imagine waking up with lips so dry and cracked that it doesn't even feel like skin anymore, or eyes so dehydrated it hurts to blink). Not to mention the possible initial flare up (not everyone experiences this, but it can be quite awful and is a disincentive for many people), and the ridiculous hoops you must jump through for Ipledge. I encourage you to do as much research as possible, focusing on peer-reviewed studies rather than anecdotal statements / stories. Everyone has a reason NOT to go on accutane, up until you decide to try it.
I've been on accutane now for 4 months, and aside from the normal side-effects that everyone gets (dry eyes, lips and skin) , I have not had any serious issues. My skin has cleared up very nicely (I had cystic acne), and aside from 2 of the tiniest of tiny zits (I wouldn't have even noticed them 4 months ago) I have not broken out in almost a month. I am definitely happy with my decision to go on accutane, and I doubt I will ever regret it.
That being said, the decision to go on accutane should never be taken likely. Most people do not enjoy being on it (myself included) , and the common side effects that everyone experiences are no picnic (imagine waking up with lips so dry and cracked that it doesn't even feel like skin anymore, or eyes so dehydrated it hurts to blink). Not to mention the possible initial flare up (not everyone experiences this, but it can be quite awful and is a disincentive for many people), and the ridiculous hoops you must jump through for Ipledge. I encourage you to do as much research as possible, focusing on peer-reviewed studies rather than anecdotal statements / stories. Everyone has a reason NOT to go on accutane, up until you decide to try it.
Thank you for your response. I received my iPledge packet today and my dermatologist said for males, it's a non-issue and I can get started pretty much right away. He does however, recommend that I finish a month more of tazorac before going on accutane.
I've been off of accutane (isotrerinoin) for about a month or two now. Now, you ask why someone would not choose accutane. Well, the answer is the side effects for most people. The risk of developing problems later in life may not be worth getting rid of acne forever for some people. For example, my doctor (physicians assistant, my doctor only cares about her Botox patients...) overstimulated my face with accutane. I had to go on prednisone for 2-3 weeks and I now suffer from severe acid reflux. I'm sick every day and I now have to take medication for it. In hindsight, I can honestly say that I would make the choice to be on accutane again, but, as I stated previously, some people don't like the idea of scarring their face, developing problems in the future, etc.