Lamarr,

Weightlifting increases my pain tenfold. Muscle use leaves me with pain (not soreness) that can last for days after the use. Its unfortunate too because that is something I really enjoy doing, but I have given it up for the time being. Its interesting that you say you have knee and elbow pain. What is your elbow pain like? My right elbow started to hurt from lifting and still can bug me now, but its less of a sharp pain and more of a feeling that something is wrong with it. I also have knee pain in my right knee. It got so bad that it led to pain in my left knee due to compensation when I run. That was around three weeks ago and I haven't ran since because my right knee still hurts. I don't really know what to make of it, but I just feel so brittle now. I have always been active and played 3 sports all four years of high school. I never had a serious injury and I definitely blame all of my join/muscle problems on accutane.

I agree that the accutane must store in our skin, but I reckon that there should be some way to flush it out. Also, since we know exactly what is in accutane shouldn't there be something that counteracts it? Is "coll 118/ san rosa" the cream that is in the experimental phase right now? My derm. told me about some rosacea cream in development when I first went to her in February about the flushing so i'm curious if that is what you are referring to.

I was on accutane for six months about a year ago and after getting off I was put on minocycline which I took from then on until about six weeks ago. Last November I started to get facial redness/flushing on the sides of my face and nowhere else. The main trigger that causes my redness/flushing is heat and my face seems to be extremely sensitive to any heat and I can even flush in temperatures of 65F. At first I thought it was just due to dry skin, but my skin hasn't been dry for months and I still suffer from this problem. My dermatologist had no idea what was wrong with me and she had me stop taking minocycline to see if that helped. I noticed a marked improvement once I stopped taking the minocycline, but I still have facial redness/flushing six weeks later. The minocycline was definitely making things worse, but the biggest change I have seen since stopping it is in the intensity of flushing I get. When I was on the minocycline my face felt like it was on fire and now, even though I still flush, it isn't to the same intensity as before. When my face starts to feel hot my cheeks feel sticky even though my skin still feels smooth to the touch so I guess it is like an internal problem. I am not sure what that means, but I think that maybe my skin doesn't produce enough oil after accutane or something? I used to have pretty oily skin and now I don't have oily skin at all. The only product I am using right now is klaron, but I don't think that it has any connection with flushing and it has been really effective in keeping me acne free. I was hoping to get some advice if anyone had any?

Hey man, I am too lazy to read the 8 pages of replies but I wanted to say a few things. If I were you I wouldn't put any creams on my face. Wash your face with cool water in the morning and at night, whenever you work out or feel dirty, but try not to over due it. The only thing you should put on your face is sunscreen. Try to find one that doesn't aggravate your skin. Also, when I had flushing I noticed that keeping a cold bottle of water helped calm it down faster.

I am really confused as to why you are on Klaron and Minocycline.... I think your derms are retarded as hell for subscribing more acne medicine after you finish your accutane course. If I had to guess I would say that the accutane is keeping you acne free( since that is what it does), and the Minocycline and Klaron are just aggravating your skin more.

Accutane is really great for getting rid of your acne, and making sure you never have it bad again(shouldn't get more than 1-2 pimples every month or 2 and they should be gone the day after you get them). But, accutane is a powerful drug that weakens your skin a ton. You gotta give your skin time to heal, and try not to aggravate it any.

Just keep hanging in there man, I was just like you. Always worrying that my post tane flush wouldn't go away, and it eventually did.

okayz, it's stories like yours that give me hope. You and chase have been lucky enough to have this resolve.

I feel that it consumes me 24/7. I, like others am caught in a terrible cycle of worrying about the flushing which makes you flush more and the more you flush, the more you worry and so it goes on and on, round and round.

I was doing well on some medications but had to stop some of them due to side effects so now I am in a mess again and noticing some redness that no longer really goes away.

okayz, how long did it take for your flushing to go away?

I am 6 months post accutane and not much better from when I stopped to be honest - perhaps slightly. I know that stress makes it a lot worse but I cannot stop worrying or stressing about it.

The Sansrosa gives me a lot of hope in terms of diminishing flushing and redness as it is said to have instant gratification without potential of a rebound effect. Could be as simple as putting a cream on each day in the morning and your good to go BUT I am concerned about the recent delays and request from further trials in Phase II.

These additional studies are to confirm that the diseased rosacea skin does not allow more of the active ingredient to absorbed into the blood, compared to healthy volunteers. The Phase 1 trials showed that healthy volunteers did not have measurable quantities in their blood plasma. It is vital because one of the ingredients can be lethal if absorbed systemically. All we can do it hope for the best that it goes well and does not get trashed due to rosecea skin allowing more of the ingredients into the body.

http://rosacea-support.org/sansrosa-phase-...nd-of-2008.html

By the way lamarr, you seem to be in the know about this, what is oxymetazoline? said to be Sansrosa's sister? Is this another product they are developing or is this the Sansrosa product? I am a little confused...

http://rosacea-support.org/oxymetazoline-m...or-2-years.html

EDIT: Nevermind, I read on and realized it is another product like Sanrosa that battles redness and flushing topically. This is good news for rosacea sufferers as it means there may well be a choice between 2 topicals that can help address the redness and flushing of rosacea. ALthough the sister is still in early clinical trials.

For those interested: http://rosacea-support.org/sansrosas-siste...dness-race.html

Hey soul,

Yeah it is just another vaso contrictor similar to san rosa. They both originate from eye drops if i remember rightly...

I actually have some eye whitening drops with something similar to both of them in, the trouble is they do not penetrate the skin very well. I have been testing it on my arm with something called a home dermaroller which is used to aid the absorbtion of topicals by creating micro channels in the skin.

I test it on my upper arm as i have also developed redness there aswell. I can say this much... It completely eliminates any redness. Obviously i can't and won't test it on my face as that would be stupid...

I might post a pic for you guys to see how it will work, it makes my skin where ive applied it ghostly white for about 6 hours. Sanrosa will last longer as it will be in a time release liposome carrier i believe.

Well, as I have said before, my flushing has not stopped for good. I have just stopped letting it take over my life. I flush, I feel hot, I develop broken blood vessels, I developed rosacea. As many of you have as well. Its the truth. Live with it. The sooner you can accept the fact that you have rosacea, the sooner the healing begins. You are all living as victims ATM. There is no cure. The only treatment so far is a healthy diet, gentle skin regimen, and possible laser treatments for the redness/vessels. other than that, stop beating on yourself mentally. You are only letting time slip out of your hands over a uncontrollable issue of life. I have been there. I spent many waking nights stressing and flipping out. Life is too short...

Well, as I have said before, my flushing has not stopped for good. I have just stopped letting it take over my life. I flush, I feel hot, I develop broken blood vessels, I developed rosacea. As many of you have as well. Its the truth. Live with it. The sooner you can accept the fact that you have rosacea, the sooner the healing begins. You are all living as victims ATM. There is no cure. The only treatment so far is a healthy diet, gentle skin regimen, and possible laser treatments for the redness/vessels. other than that, stop beating on yourself mentally. You are only letting time slip out of your hands over a uncontrollable issue of life. I have been there. I spent many waking nights stressing and flipping out. Life is too short...

Hey Chase, you may want to look into rosecea forums because there are numerous options, topicals and medications that help with redness, flushing etc. There are lots of options besides having to live with it, or having to accept it as is. I had great success with some medications but had to stop some due to side effects. I know Lamarr has also had success with some medications and others have had resolution with time (Hoofy and Okayz). If your flushing is surfacing again then there are options you may be interested in. I would not go near any lasers though if you have Accutane induced flushing (just my opinion). I think the skin and body can take months if not years to heal from Accutane. I think most of us have accepted our flushing/rosecea issues and are looking for ways to help deal with/alleviate the symptoms. All the best.

okayz, it's stories like yours that give me hope. You and chase have been lucky enough to have this resolve.

 

I feel that it consumes me 24/7. I, like others am caught in a terrible cycle of worrying about the flushing which makes you flush more and the more you flush, the more you worry and so it goes on and on, round and round.

 

I was doing well on some medications but had to stop some of them due to side effects so now I am in a mess again and noticing some redness that no longer really goes away.

 

okayz, how long did it take for your flushing to go away?

 

I am 6 months post accutane and not much better from when I stopped to be honest - perhaps slightly. I know that stress makes it a lot worse but I cannot stop worrying or stressing about it.

 

The Sansrosa gives me a lot of hope in terms of diminishing flushing and redness as it is said to have instant gratification without potential of a rebound effect. Could be as simple as putting a cream on each day in the morning and your good to go BUT I am concerned about the recent delays and request from further trials in Phase II.

 

These additional studies are to confirm that the diseased rosacea skin does not allow more of the active ingredient to absorbed into the blood, compared to healthy volunteers. The Phase 1 trials showed that healthy volunteers did not have measurable quantities in their blood plasma. It is vital because one of the ingredients can be lethal if absorbed systemically. All we can do it hope for the best that it goes well and does not get trashed due to rosecea skin allowing more of the ingredients into the body.

 

http://rosacea-support.org/sansrosa-phase-...nd-of-2008.html

It took around 12 months for my flushing to stop, about 20-24 months for my perm redness to go away. At about 16 months post-tane I had 2 light vbeams( didn't get bruised). That might of helped some.

But yeah, I was the same way. I always thought "shit, I shouldn't of taken accutane, the acne was better than this post-tane flush/redness." You just have to stick it out man. The redness isn't as bad as you think it is. It's just an illusion, one that will go away within a year and a half I imagine.

Hiya guys, just read all 8 pages, usually i wont read because my s.p.d doesnt let me, anyways to tell you guys about my shit, i dont have very bad skin the odd break out that im thankful for but im always thinking when i wake up in the morning my skin is going to be awful, used to take days off work when i have a break out puts you down real low, am sure you all feel that!!, for the last 2 years ive bin suffering from facial flushing, it seems to control my life right now, i get so depressed because of it and defantly contemplated sucide, i think in my case and Souls maybe a few more is that social phobia of it and thinking about it is the main course anyways because ive never had any acne meds and having the same things a you guys.

I think chase does have a good point and i do think like him, but then when that heat comes to the side of my cheeks my depression comes back i take my bullshit out on the people i love, i dont think there is a cure, i think mediactions will help, but the mind is far stronger than all them, basically i want to strip all my negative thoughts of the flushing situation and replace with positive, because i look back to when im 16 -17 and my cheeks are fine, and the reason is i wasnt as body concious as i am now, i didnt care, im just so fed up of being down and fed up of making my girl friend down, im having a baby next week, and i know its gonna be the greatest day of my life, i hope my baby takes my social awareness off me and all i will think about is her and gf...

i hope we all get better, i do feel your pain guys thanks Junior

Congrats on the baby dude thats amazing. I often think to myself maybe a baby is what i need for some motivation.

Just to let you all know, i am going to be asking chu about an anti milarial drug. My flushing is actually ridiculus now. I have to have a fan on me all day and night.

If the anti milarial drug agrees with me my flushing may be gone completely within a few months.

Although these aren't wonderfull drugs, if you look them up the side effect profile isn't too bad atall. NOTHING like accutane, and i can take it in combination with my remeron.

Will let you all know ofcourse.

Time for the big guns.

Don't get me wrong i do get relief from the cocktail of drugs i take, but when i say relief i mean being able to sit without fans on me for a little while. But it just seems like nothing can make me get even close to a normal life. The inflammation is just crazy.

Hey Lamarr,

Sorry to hear that your flushing has gotten worse. I was wondering though how your elbow/knee were doing? I also wanted to ask you if you had any ideas of things to take in order to decrease what I perceive to be the joint pain. I haven't ran or lifted in over three weeks and neither my elbow or knee feels that much better, both are far from 100%. I seem to crack a lot more in general now and that worries me. I got my knee checked out yesterday (MRI, X-rays) and doctor said I should be fine so i'm kind of frustrated with these ailments and it seems to me that there should be something to take that will decrease these problems. Are you going to ask Dr. Chu about it? I wish you the best of luck on that Anti Milarial drug...

Hay Lamarr, sorry to hear that man...wondering if you can share the name/info of the anti malarial drug? PM me if you like. Keep me posted on how it goes. Cheers.

Hey guys thanks for the kind words!!

The joint pain has actually eased off again which i am amazed by... It is still there in my left elbow and my joints still crack like mad, but my right knee has eased off alot.

From what i have learned the best things for helping the joint pain are Hyluronic acid(spelling), gamma linoileic acid and flaxseed. I would be carefull with the flaxseed because some people find this makes other side effects worse. Gamma linoileic seems to be more agreeable but again can rarely have the same effect.

Try hyluronic acid first to see if that helps...

The anti milarial is mepacrine, chu keeps you on the mirtazapine/clonidine combo (or whatever other combo you are on) and adds it in 2-3 times per week.

I have always felt that inflammation is at the heart of my problems, as although i did flush and blush before accutane, it was nothing like this and i would instantly go back to being pale.

The anti millarial seems to have a beneficial effect on the blood vessels aswell, often leading to a reduction in redness.

Chu has told me we will speak at my next appointment on the 4th. If the side effects aren't too bad (they are nothing like other anti milarials) then i will go ahead.

The anti milarial funnily enough treates lupus, which i have been tested for 3 times due to all my sides fitting perfectly with lupus. Hopefully i can get improvement in all of my side effects...

Another reason i am quite concerned with how my rosacea is doing is that i have had swelling on my nose for the last few months and i am sure you all know what that can and often does lead to in rosacea....

Chase man.... You are very lucky you haven't developed other side effects and that your rosacea is mild enough for you to continue with your daily life. Do you really think britains top dermatologist would be putting me on all these drugs if my rosacea wasnt SEVERE? Come on guy.

Hiya guys cheers for the congrats Lamar, im a daddy now to a little girl 6 pound 8 oz called EsmA Nyah, shes gorgeous hehe, so chuffed, she hasnt bin to wel though, docs have sed she mite have to stay in for 2 weeks, ive bin at the hospital 12hours a day, am fucked already, eyes blood shocked, just want have my girls home, breaks my heart to leave them, pray to god they both be okay!!, any ways i nipped to see my doc this afternoon, he is putting me on some beta blockers, i aint putting all my faith in um, but just gonna see how it goes, cant get much worse, makes me hate myself, is defantly the shitest feeling ive felt other than my girls not bein well, im sure with time things will look up, Lemar i feel ya man straight up, this is some bullshit i'll keep u updated on baby and my progress

take care J

Hiya guys cheers for the congrats Lamar, im a daddy now to a little girl 6 pound 8 oz called EsmA Nyah, shes gorgeous hehe, so chuffed, she hasnt bin to wel though, docs have sed she mite have to stay in for 2 weeks, ive bin at the hospital 12hours a day, am fucked already, eyes blood shocked, just want have my girls home, breaks my heart to leave them, pray to god they both be okay!!, any ways i nipped to see my doc this afternoon, he is putting me on some beta blockers, i aint putting all my faith in um, but just gonna see how it goes, cant get much worse, makes me hate myself, is defantly the shitest feeling ive felt other than my girls not bein well, im sure with time things will look up, Lemar i feel ya man straight up, this is some bullshit i'll keep u updated on baby and my progress

 

take care J

Hey J,

Congratz on the little girl, i love the name btw!! I hope you get to have them both home soon dude.

The beta blockers will help things, both the flushing and it should help keep you calm aswell, i have noticed they have a calming effect on me!!

Good luck with both your girls and the beta blockers. Keep us updated,

Best wishes dude

Just saw Dr Chu this evening....

He has put me on 100mg twice per day of the mepacrine. Which is actually the dose used in lupus. He said i could well have lupus, even though the numerous tests i have had come back negative it is still a strong possibility.

I am looking foward to starting this, he has also erged me to stay on mirtazapine, clonidine and beta blockers in combination.

yeah my rosacea is that bad now. I have SEVERE RESOCEA written down on my list of prescriptions. That is coming from a derm that has seen everything.

I will let you all know how i get on with the mepacrine, i honestly believe it could potentially be a very good drug for us post taners.

Soul you should try and get on this drug instead of the other one you mentioned... they work in a similar way but the mepacrine is a stronger anti inflammatory!!

Just saw Dr Chu this evening....

 

He has put me on 100mg twice per day of the mepacrine. Which is actually the dose used in lupus. He said i could well have lupus, even though the numerous tests i have had come back negative it is still a strong possibility.

 

I am looking foward to starting this, he has also erged me to stay on mirtazapine, clonidine and beta blockers in combination.

 

yeah my rosacea is that bad now. I have SEVERE RESOCEA written down on my list of prescriptions. That is coming from a derm that has seen everything.

 

I will let you all know how i get on with the mepacrine, i honestly believe it could potentially be a very good drug for us post taners.

 

Soul you should try and get on this drug instead of the other one you mentioned... they work in a similar way but the mepacrine is a stronger anti inflammatory!!

Hey man, just sent you a PM...

how is mepacrine working for you so far?

i just have a question for you lamarr (& i haven't read this entire thread yet so, sorry if i missed this part)- did you notice facial flushing/rosacea DURING your accutane course or did it not start showing up until after you were finished? if so, how long after?

were you on accutane AND minocycline? or accutane THEN minocycline or what?

thanks!

how is mepacrine working for you so far?

i just have a question for you lamarr (& i haven't read this entire thread yet so, sorry if i missed this part)- did you notice facial flushing/rosacea DURING your accutane course or did it not start showing up until after you were finished? if so, how long after?

were you on accutane AND minocycline? or accutane THEN minocycline or what?

thanks!

Looking at your sig, for what it's worth, if you are currently on Accutane and noticing any flushing, I would honestly cut your dose and if things do not improve immediately, then stop.

For the majority of us, the flushing started while on Tane, I think the OP is the only one to have it start after finishing and he noticed it when he started taking minocycline after Accutane.

I know I am not a doctor but I had some mild flushing start around month 5 and then it suddenly became really bad around month 7, just sort of out of no where. My derm said flushing was common as did the pamphlet, so I thought it would go away when I stopped but it didn't and hasn't. I am only 6 months post Accutane which is nothing, most people who have persistent sides do so for 1-2 years. Derms say it takes 12 months for the skin to regain its moisture, somtimes more, which is why they say no tats or lasers for at least 12 months. I never went above 40mg but was on it for nearly 8 months, which I geuss is the same as 4 months @ 80mg.

Just proceed with caution. For some the flushing goes away a week or two after they stop for others it persists for months, even years.

how is mepacrine working for you so far?

i just have a question for you lamarr (& i haven't read this entire thread yet so, sorry if i missed this part)- did you notice facial flushing/rosacea DURING your accutane course or did it not start showing up until after you were finished? if so, how long after?

were you on accutane AND minocycline? or accutane THEN minocycline or what?

thanks!

The mepacrine *touch wood* seems to be working very well...

About the flushing, well it was a very long time ago that i took accutane now, about two years now. I had very rare episodes of flushing while i was on my course of accutane and when i say rare i mean i only remember someone commenting on it once at uni, it was when i went from freezing conditions into a very warm room and my friend commented on it.

The REAL flushing kicked in a month or so after i finished, i went to las vegas and the heat played havok on my flushing.

As soul said, if you are getting facial flushing you really should lower your dose asap. Derms believe it or not underestimate the frequency of this tane induced rosacea, it has been the worst side effect for me by far because it is so crippling when you have a severe form.

I hope my prayers have been answered by mepacrine, it looks like it has the potential to allieviate all of my side effects...

thanks guys..

how is mepacrine working for you so far?

i just have a question for you lamarr (& i haven't read this entire thread yet so, sorry if i missed this part)- did you notice facial flushing/rosacea DURING your accutane course or did it not start showing up until after you were finished? if so, how long after?

were you on accutane AND minocycline? or accutane THEN minocycline or what?

thanks!

As Soul said my flushing started after I finished accutane. I can't say for sure how long after I stopped before it started, but it wasn't more than 2 months before I started noticing the flushing. Minocycline made it worse. I don't want to scare you because I do have friends that have had really positive experiences with accutane, but I wasn't that fortunate. On top of the flushing my skin is still really dry over a year later (not really a big deal other than my throat which is hella annoying) and I have developed quite bad back pain. I would advise you to just be careful and really be conscious of how you feel and any changes that may start to occur. Accutane can be both a miracle and a curse so be very careful.

Lamarr,

Sorry I haven't gotten back earlier to thank you for the advice. I'm holding off on using anything right now as I have become quite gun shy of taking pills. I'm sure you can understand why haha. I'm glad to hear that you may be finding some relief with mepacrine. Keep me updated on your progress. As for me I just started college again this week so I have been having issues dealing with sitting in the classes. However, I have noticed that it isn't as bad as it was during spring quarter so hopefully i'm slowly getting better. I am around 15 months post tane and I am really hopeful that the next three months will be big as many people seem to get relief within this time frame.

Soul,

How have you been man?

The mepacrine *touch wood* is improving my rosacea daily. I always knew inflammation within the cappilaries was our problem.

I have also always beleive i have a form of lupus, Tony finally agreed that was a strong possilibyt and that if the mepacrine works it was even more likelya diagnosis.

There we go, sometimes you do know better than doctors when it comes to your own body.

Now i can reffer to chase and tell him that i can now move on with my life, now that i am relieved of so many of my side effects, im back at uni starting monday.

I will always answer any pms guys so you can always ask me questions. Good luck and don't give up if one thing doesn't work.

I've been lucky guys, no flushing here but absolutely agonising joint pain all over with no relief from usual supplements and therapies.

Interested in above suggested treatment for joint pain, especially if it has extinguised yours Lamarr. There is still hope then...........I hope!

I've been lucky guys, no flushing here but absolutely agonising joint pain all over with no relief from usual supplements and therapies.

 

Interested in above suggested treatment for joint pain, especially if it has extinguised yours Lamarr. There is still hope then...........I hope!

Hey Sheefa where is your pain the worst?