Lamarr, Halfpipe,

 

I started Meapcine afew weeks back and it definitely helps flushing and redness, it started helping from around the 3rd or 4th day. I am also taking Remeron, low dose Propranolol and low dose Clonidine.

 

My skin is starting to show some real signs of yellowing. I don't like it. Not sure what to do at this point. Any hints or ideas on how I can combat or lessen this yellowing? Any supplements? Dosing suggestions? I am taking 100mg per day at the moment.

 

I would be very greatful to hear if either of you know of any ways to help lessen the yellowing effect. Do you think I should just go yellow for a month or two and then reduce the dose? Do either of you know if the flushing remains less or stopped even after stopping Mepacrine? I don't mind going yellow for a couple months if I know it will solve the flushing even when I stop.

 

It's never easy...there is always something..it can be very frusterating to say the least.

 

Thanks

 

I know that your questions weren't directed towards me, but I figure that I can give you some information while you wait for them to respond. You could try to lower your dose to 50mg per day to see if that decreases the yellowing. I also know that Lamarr was taking milk thistle which potentially could be decreasing the yellowing effect so that is something else to consider. If you find that these things don't decrease the yellowing to an acceptable level then you could also try switching to another anti malarial such as plaquenil. If you do a lot of research on it you will find that the risk of eye toxicity is very minor when used properly and with regular check-ups it can be caught early enough to prevent permanent damage.

 

From what I understand about the anti malarials and our condition I don't believe that it cures the flushing if you stopped taking it completely. It is presumably, at the least, a long term solution.

 

Hope that helps...

 

 

Cheers JT, thanks for the info and suggestions. The stuff is pretty amazing, it really seems to shut things down, if you are considering I would opt to try it - that is 3 for 3 for it helping Accutane induced flushing.

 

Lamarr, Halfpipe, would still like to hear you thoughts...

 

No problem man. I got Dr. Chu's information (from Lamarr) for my doctor and she was planning on contacting him about the use of antis. I have an appointment on November 4th so hopefully I can get an anti then. Honestly though i'm more worried about my muscle/joint issues than the flushing, but even if it just worked for my flushing I would be psyched as my flushing is still bad.

When I brought up anti malarials last time I definitely shocked her haha. She wasn't that excited about mepacrine as she said that it is used only for malaria in the States and wasn't supposed to be used for off-brand uses, but she may give me one of the other antis hopefully.

Yo lamarr, what's up with the hair loss, is there anyway for me to stop it?

Seattle- Have you been taking the Vit D? If so how long? Have you noticed any improvement in the joint clicking? I think that is one thing Vit D has helped with the clicking of the bones and joints.

Yo lamarr, what's up with the hair loss, is there anyway for me to stop it?

Sorry bro i mean't to reply i get loads of messages on here!!

Well i use three things for my hairloss.... Topical steroids to suppress the inflammation/immune system. Essential oils ( i make my own mix of emu oil, jojoba oil, lavender and grapeseed) and a self built laser system (check out this website http://www.overmachogrande.com/) .

I only use a very small amount of the steroids now as i want to keep things to a minimum.

I am indeed on only 200mg per week of mepacrin atm, BUT some of my side effects have creeped back at this dose. Dry knuckles/lips and my rayhnodes being the main things. My flushing still seems supressed....

Will see how bad these side effects come back and may up the dose of mepa slightly again.

Cheers

Xan tan gives a very natural appearance.... I started using it around the same time as starting the mepa as i wanted to prevent anyone from noticing the yellowing if i was to suffer from it... Remember the old articles saying a suntan covers up the yellowing? well that was my reasoning...

Seattle- Have you been taking the Vit D? If so how long? Have you noticed any improvement in the joint clicking? I think that is one thing Vit D has helped with the clicking of the bones and joints.

This is why i recommend sunbeds to post tane victims... we gotta keep those vitamin D levels up and in alot of us we can't absorb it properly from supplements now. Synthesis from UVB rays is one of the best ways of raising vitamin D3 levels.... i have been away from home for a while and i'm just about to go hit the sunbed now. Don't let the doctors scare you away from these, using it once a week (one week on the front of your body, next week on the back). Means that your skin isn't going to recieve much damage atall, plus i cover my hands/neck and face.

hey i hope your still around here to help...

So i dont know if i am flushing or if it just the usual redness from the accutane that seems to be a more common thing.

How could you tell the difference?--------- Areas on face? How long?

My face right now has a red/pink tint to it. When I shower/ wash face(touch it) it will get redder for a little bit and then go back to a lighter pink.

I had tried to test it.. starting in mirror to see if that alone changes it (NO), hot spice food (NO).

Just seems to be when Im in hot areas (shower) and washing face does it get bad then goes back to the otherwise a tolerable pink/red color.

Xan tan gives a very natural appearance.... I started using it around the same time as starting the mepa as i wanted to prevent anyone from noticing the yellowing if i was to suffer from it... Remember the old articles saying a suntan covers up the yellowing? well that was my reasoning...

Lamarr,

Cool man, thanks a lot. I am not familiar with the old articles, any chance you have links to them for me to read?

Also, sorry for the questions, but how often do you apply the tanner, everyday or do you do you go 3 times per week etc. to maintain a light tan to cover the yellow and not go super dark etc.

Were you using the tanner when you posted that pic in the scar thread, because your complexion looked great there?

I will try the Xen tan product and also thinking of trying this one, a lot of good reviews. It is derived from natural essential oils but I would like to hear you opinon on the ingredients and if anything looks like a red flag given my sensitive rosacea skin.

Aroma Sun Self Tanning Milk SPF 8 4.2 fl oz.

Octinoxate (ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate): 7.5%, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3): 5%, Avobenzone (butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane): 2% Water, glycerin, dihydroxyacetone, hydrogenated polydecene, sorbitan stearate, propylene glycol myristate, cyclopentasiloxane, polymethyl methacrylamide, cetyl alcohol, fragrance, pelargonium graveolens oil, anthemis nobilis flower oil, rosa damascena flower oil, jasminum officinale (jasmine) extract, cucumis melo (melon) fruit extract, eclipta prostrata extract, luffa cylindrica seed oil, C13-14 isoparaffin, erythrulose, oleoyl tyrosine, benzyl salicylate, laureth-7, tocopheryl acetate, oleic acid, linalool, tetrasodium EDTA, hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, geraniol, citronelol, hydroxycitronellal, citral, eugenol, alpha-isomethyl ionone, D-limonene, coumarin, benzyl alcohol, evernia prunastri (oakmoss) extract, phenoxyethanol ((0.36%), methylparaben (0.08%), ethylparaben (0.02%), butylparaben (0.05%), isobutylparaben (0.01%), propylparaben (0.01%).

Cheers mate!

guys what do you think about this

http://rosaceacare.com/products/zinco.html

Thinking of getting it

but it would not be tinted in the way of brown tanned tinted would it? its like a white tinted to shield the redness right

thats what i was looking for plus the spf is great

and the zinc oxide which is 14.5 is one of the highest you can get on the market

and zinc oxide is great for seb derm..flakes and so on

Im most likely going on doxy this week though to get rid of my seb derm/mild acne/roughness

my flushing has greatly reduced but i just gotta get rid of my skin problems too

then i hopefully can maintain good skin by being on 5 months of doxy = red/yellow light therapy= gentle skin cleanser = ddf sulfur mask once a week

Halfpipe, how much has your flushing improved since you've been on the mepa?

guys what do you think about this

 

 

http://rosaceacare.com/products/zinco.html

 

Thinking of getting it

 

but it would not be tinted in the way of brown tanned tinted would it? its like a white tinted to shield the redness right

 

thats what i was looking for plus the spf is great

 

and the zinc oxide which is 14.5 is one of the highest you can get on the market

 

and zinc oxide is great for seb derm..flakes and so on

 

Im most likely going on doxy this week though to get rid of my seb derm/mild acne/roughness

 

my flushing has greatly reduced but i just gotta get rid of my skin problems too

 

then i hopefully can maintain good skin by being on 5 months of doxy = red/yellow light therapy= gentle skin cleanser = ddf sulfur mask once a week

It's tinted and a flesh colour - so a gamble in my opinion. It may blend well with your skin, it may not, depends on your skin type/colour. It's not a tanner but more somewhat of a concealer but for men as well. You could try it, it says good for concealing redness.

Are you trying to cover redness or yellowness? If you flushing has stopped then the redness will fade in time so looks like you are looking for something to cover it up in the mean time.

How is your yellowing and what is your current mepacrine dose?

I am on 100mg per day about a month with some yellowing so am going to try a tanner to help mask it and also going to pick up some B-vitamins (read a study where it lessened the toxicity effects of mepacrine when taken with at the same time) and also going to pick up some Yellow Dock Root or Milk Thistle to help support the liver and purify the blood, detox the skin. Hopefully with all these things it will work out with lesenning the yellow.

Seattle- Have you been taking the Vit D? If so how long? Have you noticed any improvement in the joint clicking? I think that is one thing Vit D has helped with the clicking of the bones and joints.

Yes. I took the 50,000 IU mega dose of D2 for eight weeks and for 3-4 weeks now have been taking 2,000 IU D3 daily so about three months in total. I have been waiting to get my blood test results back for about two weeks now. Prior to starting my level was 19 so we'll see what it was two weeks ago in a couple of days (hopefully). To answer your question though I haven't noticed any change in anything. Still clicking as much as usual and in the same areas. But then again maybe my level is still low so I won't know for sure what's up until I get my latest test results. I'll let you know what my level is whenever I find out. If my levels are still low it definitely has to do with me not synthesizing vitamin d properly because I have been pretty methodical about making sure that I get enough calcium/magnesium so no excuses there.

Did you PM me about that O'Donnell fellow? I haven't received any PMs so I wanted to double check to see if you had sent it yet. If you haven't don't rush, but I just want to make sure that I haven't missed it.

Seattle ive been having good results with sulfacetamide 10% sulfur 5% lotion

U must use klaron or sulfacet-r im guessing but in canada they have none so i get mine compounded and ive only been using it for 2 nights and it has helped already without giving redness or anything

Seattle ive been having good results with sulfacetamide 10% sulfur 5% lotion

 

U must use klaron or sulfacet-r im guessing but in canada they have none so i get mine compounded and ive only been using it for 2 nights and it has helped already without giving redness or anything

Hey man. I'm glad to hear that it has been working. I use the generic klaron (sodium sulfacetamide 10% lotion). I would be surprised if it gave you redness as it is sometimes used for rosacea and is said to have an anti inflammatory effect. I have been using it for over two years now and it really helps me stay clear in my problem areas without having a negative effect on my flushing or dryness. I really couldn't be any happier with it.

Hey guys! Some of you might remember that i wrote her some months ago. I am now 2weeks post tane, and cant wait until the side effects fades away. My lips are already better, but the redness and flushing are of course still a bit annoying. Unlike you, I have no "long" flushes, it is only due to embarrassment, which is a bit worse in hotter environments, and its lasts for a few seconds. The flushes are not as intense as they used to be, and hopefully that is a good sign. I am aware of that the only thing which heals this is time, but my question too you are; Is there anything i can do to speed up the process, or lessen the chance of it becoming permanent?

Peace out.

Wow very well discussed thread, i'll just add my own experiences with accutane so that i can get your opinions on it. I took 4 months of accutane 40-40-80-80 i'm 19 years old, 165lbs Male. I stopped after 4 months because i was getting depressed and couldn't concentrate (these side effects went away almost immediately after stopping my course).

As for flushing, i recall the flushing starting during the 2nd month of treatment, and i'd just flush randomly during the day at school for unknown reasons. My face would feel really hot and i could feel all the blood rushing to my head, then after perhaps a maximum for 20 seconds, it'll subside. I am now 4 months post-tane. Last month i recall flushing while talking to a friend once, but other than that i haven't really experienced the random flushing that i had on accutane. I DO find that my skin is sensitive to hot temperatures, so if i'm in a hot room it does sort of feel like i'm blushing, but definetely not the type of intense flushing sensation that i felt on even 2 months post-tane. I recall about 1 month post-tane i wore a pretty thick shirt to work, where it was really warm, and i felt like i was flushed for the entire time until i was able to unbutton my shirt and let some air in.

Reading through this topic i realize that i have a very mild case of this annoying side effect and i'm grateful for that, but in my case, i noticed that the flushing occurences decreased each month i was off accutane. For those that have scaly and red skin, try piling on the moisturizer at night to help your skin heal (as moist conditions is the best for skin healing itself). If you're not going out, then try to reapply moisturizer as much as you can, it definetely helped me while on accutane.

Hey guys just have a quick update. It looks like I'm headed towards starting Plaquenil here in the next month or so. At worst it should help with my flushing (which is still quite bad) and at best it will help my muscle/joint issues, but either way I'm pretty excited about it. I'll let you all know what dose I get and more information when I actually get it...

I did have a question though. I'm curious to know what type of facial cleanser you guys use (if you use a cleanser at all)?

Good luck JT,

I have just been using a salacytic acid shampoo lol. I actually buy it when i go over to america (walgreens own brand salacytic shampoo think its like 4oz). I just foam some up on a wash cloth.

I think i may have to raise the dose of my mepacrin again, been having a bit of flushing. Only on about 200mg a week atm will probabloy go up to 400mg per week.

Seattle- That is good to hear...If you do get Plaquenil let me know....and how it is working (esspecially if it helps your joints, my flushing comes and goes) Might need to get the name of your Rhuem for help... Ortho didn't go well though x-rays showed severe arthritis and mri showed Knee damage..(was told there's no help for accutane toxicty)

As for good news the Vit D is obviously processing some, I went from 18 to now 35...Still need to get it up some and I was just advised of a certain type of calcium to take...Will have another bone scan next year to see if any of the Osteopenia reversed...

Hope everyone has a happy holiday

Thanks for the replay Lamarr. Haha that's pretty funny about the shampoo from Walgreens. I'm sorry to hear that your current dose isn't keeping you entirely symptom free, but hopefully everything keeps working out at the higher dose.

Good luck JT,

 

I have just been using a salacytic acid shampoo lol. I actually buy it when i go over to america (walgreens own brand salacytic shampoo think its like 4oz). I just foam some up on a wash cloth.

 

I think i may have to raise the dose of my mepacrin again, been having a bit of flushing. Only on about 200mg a week atm will probabloy go up to 400mg per week.

The vitamin d result is good news! I'm glad that it has went up so much. Within the next year you should be well within the 50-70 range. The rheum appointment is Wednesday so I'll let you know what the plan is that night or sometime soon after. Sorry to hear that the ortho appointment didn't go well. I hope you have a happy holiday as well!

Seattle- That is good to hear...If you do get Plaquenil let me know....and how it is working (esspecially if it helps your joints, my flushing comes and goes) Might need to get the name of your Rhuem for help... Ortho didn't go well though x-rays showed severe arthritis and mri showed Knee damage..(was told there's no help for accutane toxicty)

 

As for good news the Vit D is obviously processing some, I went from 18 to now 35...Still need to get it up some and I was just advised of a certain type of calcium to take...Will have another bone scan next year to see if any of the Osteopenia reversed...

 

Hope everyone has a happy holiday

Lamarr- Do you think you will always have to be on the Anti's??? Do you think it might ever get better?

I think I read to a while back in one of your posts that you took L-Cartine for your muscle and mild joint aches. what brand did you take and how much...If I am correct that supplement can cause issues???? I mean my joint and muscle pain is a lot worse but It's worth a shot for now.

Seattle-Thanks let me know too once you get it how it is working after awhile.

I think it will slowly get better, but how much i don't dare say.

from the hundreds of people i have spoken to, it seems the first 5 years post tane are the worst some people seem to get better after this time period.

The thing we all need to do is try and prevent the damage the systemic inflammation is causing, only way to do that is with anti inflammatories and immunomodulators. If you do this you should prevent permanenet damage and allow yourself a much better chance at some form of recovery.

The trouble with the joint pain, depression, sjorgens etc etc is that if the inflammation is left to run wild for long enough it can cause permanent damage, we want to try and avoid this.

Thanks Lammarr....I am going to my 1st Rheum here in Illinois, I've already had been to 3 in Michigan. I guess at least this time I have a xray showing arthritis and I have internist now who understands and believes my issues. So maybe I will try them..

Seattle-were you able to get the Anti's???? If soo how is it working and which one did they give you???

Good luck with that, hopefulyl you will find some help.... Remember there are things like tnf-a inhibitors which could potentially be of great help with your situation and have a low incidence of side effects!

It's just a matter of doing your research and pushing for the drug you feel you need and which is obviously safe enough...

Hey everyone... I have had a lot of redness (well pinkness, actually) since going on accutane 10 years ago. I flush really bad and my whole face gets really red way too often.

I am going to try the v-beam laser in a couple weeks. I was wondering if anyone here has heard of it.

Also, in short... without reading all the 35 pages on the thread what can I take away from all the advice given here? I see there is some good stuff here, just not sure what to do.

Thank you much.

Thanks Lammarr....I am going to my 1st Rheum here in Illinois, I've already had been to 3 in Michigan. I guess at least this time I have a xray showing arthritis and I have internist now who understands and believes my issues. So maybe I will try them..

 

Seattle-were you able to get the Anti's???? If soo how is it working and which one did they give you???

Hey Oli Girl,

Sorry for not posting sooner. My rheumatologist appointment didn't really go all that well so I figured that I would wait to post until after I saw my regular doctor today. I thought that I could get the plaquenil today, but my doctor wants second opinions from a physical therapist and physiatrist before she will do anything so I'm quite frustrated. This is really setting me back. I need to call them on Monday to try to get in as soon as possible because I'm quite fed up right now. I'm starting to get the feeling that my doctor is going to decide against giving me plaquenil which would be unfortunate. I would have to start this whole process over with another doctor. I don't view that as very appealing...

In other news though I found out that my vitamin d level was like 45 a couple of months ago so by now I should be in the 50-70 range. Not that it really makes any difference since increasing the levels didn't really help anything.