I have read horror stories about the side effects of Accutane or even hearing that individuals' acne become worse after treatment. I don't know if you've tried a holistic approach, like eating healthy, exercising, reducing stress, etc. but that might be something to try first. The drug is especially taxing on your liver and is thought to even damage some individuals' for life. You're required to take blood tests while on it too which is pretty serious. Having to take blood tests on any drug means that's some serious ****. Keep in mind, it was also first developed to be used in chemotherapy. Many have sued the company that produced it too for various reasons.

HOWEVER, it is almost guaranteed to improve your acne significantly while you're on it. For many, their acne is cured for life or they never have it as bad as they did. Besides being a health nut, I've been considering it. I know it's vain, but I really do value my appearance over my health for a short period of time. I have struggled with acne for far too long. It's gotten to the point where my quality of life is affected so negatively and I have no self-esteem. It's not as if everyone is harmed forever after taking it. Like I said, it's basically thought of as a miracle pill. Many are cured FOR LIFE. Yet, many face terrible consequences FOR LIFE.

To summarize, it's probably best to never go near the stuff. It's just a matter of how bad you want a clear face. And to be honest, I even can empathize with those who have taken it despite the potential consequences and am considering it myself. Just do your research and decide for yourself. Good luck!

I have read horror stories about the side effects of Accutane or even hearing that individuals' acne become worse after treatment. I don't know if you've tried a holistic approach, like eating healthy, exercising, reducing stress, etc. but that might be something to try first. The drug is especially taxing on your liver and is thought to even damage some individuals' for life. You're required to take blood tests while on it too which is pretty serious. Having to take blood tests on any drug means that's some serious ****. Keep in mind, it was also first developed to be used in chemotherapy. Many have sued the company that produced it too for various reasons.

 

HOWEVER, it is almost guaranteed to improve your acne significantly while you're on it. For many, their acne is cured for life or they never have it as bad as they did. Besides being a health nut, I've been considering it. I know it's vain, but I really do value my appearance over my health for a short period of time. I have struggled with acne for far too long. It's gotten to the point where my quality of life is affected so negatively and I have no self-esteem. It's not as if everyone is harmed forever after taking it. Like I said, it's basically thought of as a miracle pill. Many are cured FOR LIFE. Yet, many face terrible consequences FOR LIFE.

 

To summarize, it's probably best to never go near the stuff. It's just a matter of how bad you want a clear face. And to be honest, I even can empathize with those who have taken it despite the potential consequences and am considering it myself. Just do your research and decide for yourself. Good luck!"

 

 

I do a lot of exercise and cycling as well. I do not eat sugary foods and avoid it in my coffee and tea. I eat plenty of fresh veggies and drink lots of water too. So as much as food and exercise is concerned I am doing fine. Its just that my acne responds to a treatment for a day or two and comes back with full interest. My father is an M.D and he is the only reason why I haven't started Accutane, he simply doesn't allow this and says that it will clear 'with age'.

I was also scared of Accutane, especially because my acne was really mild, but I was very depressed and I've been diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder, that's why finally I've decided to go on Accutane. My derm suggested a very low dose - 25 mg per week, then 15 mg per week after a few months. I don't have ANY side effects. She has patients who are taking a small dose for a few years and nothing happens to them. Their blood tests are taken frequently and if something even slightly happened they would go off the pill immediately. If you are on a regular dose course, you are more likely to experience side effects like dryness or joint pains but they go away soon after you stop taking medication. It's a really unpleasant treatment but it works and after six or eighth months of annoying side effects you get clear skin for a long time, usually for life.

Of course, there are horror stories about Accutane. But stuff like this happens maybe in 2% of treatments. The reason you here about them so often is that people like to talk about bad stuff more than they do about the good things. So if somebody's skin clears up after Accutane, he (or she) will probably leave this forum and keep his story to himself. I'm not saying it's not possible to ruin your health with this pill. But, hey, what happens to your health is mostly a matter of chance. You can never take any pills or medications, eat healthily, excercise a lot and still die of cancer at the age of twenty. Or you can have a car accident tomorrow. Or an incurable disease. My hippie parents taught me not to do pointless dangerous things but also not to unnecessarily worry about health and safety because we will all die someday (haha this post is getting quite dark). We don't know when and why but it's a fact that we will and we can't do anything about it. So I think it's better to live your life as a happy person than as a sad, self-concious but incredibly healthy person. I tried to learn to live with acne but I wasn't strong enough to make myself happy back then. Accutane kind of saved me.

I'm not saying that you should go take it immediately. It's important to have a good, responsible dermatologist who will be moderating your treatment and checking on your health. It's also important to be 100% aware of all the possible side effects and hazards. Accutane is a last resort treatment. I think that the order should be like this: all of the possible acne treatments -> trying to accept acne and live with it -> if it fails, Accutane. (Even though in my case it was more like: some of the acne treatments -> hell no, i'm so sick of acne, let's go for Accutane. haha)

Take care and good luck!

"I was also scared of Accutane, especially because my acne was really mild, but I was very depressed and I've been diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder, that's why finally I've decided to go on Accutane. My derm suggested a very low dose - 25 mg per week, then 15 mg per week after a few months. I don't have ANY side effects. She has patients who are taking a small dose for a few years and nothing happens to them. Their blood tests are taken frequently and if something even slightly happened they would go off the pill immediately. If you are on a regular dose course, you are more likely to experience side effects like dryness or joint pains but they go away soon after you stop taking medication. It's a really unpleasant treatment but it works and after six or eighth months of annoying side effects you get clear skin for a long time, usually for life.

 

Of course, there are horror stories about Accutane. But stuff like this happens maybe in 2% of treatments. The reason you here about them so often is that people like to talk about bad stuff more than they do about the good things. So if somebody's skin clears up after Accutane, he (or she) will probably leave this forum and keep his story to himself. I'm not saying it's not possible to ruin your health with this pill. But, hey, what happens to your health is mostly a matter of chance. You can never take any pills or medications, eat healthily, excercise a lot and still die of cancer at the age of twenty. Or you can have a car accident tomorrow. Or an incurable disease. My hippie parents taught me not to do pointless dangerous things but also not to unnecessarily worry about health and safety because we will all die someday (haha this post is getting quite dark). We don't know when and why but it's a fact that we will and we can't do anything about it. So I think it's better to live your life as a happy person than as a sad, self-concious but incredibly healthy person. I tried to learn to live with acne but I wasn't strong enough to make myself happy back then. Accutane kind of saved me.

 

I'm not saying that you should go take it immediately. It's important to have a good, responsible dermatologist who will be moderating your treatment and checking on your health. It's also important to be 100% aware of all the possible side effects and hazards. Accutane is a last resort treatment. I think that the order should be like this: all of the possible acne treatments -> trying to accept acne and live with it -> if it fails, Accutane. (Even though in my case it was more like: some of the acne treatments -> hell no, i'm so sick of acne, let's go for Accutane. haha)

 

Take care and good luck!"

 

Thank you so much! I am OK with acne but the one thing that is unbearable = the prying eyes. Especially when you're talking to someone and they are focusing on what you have on your face than what you are saying. It sucks but yeah gotta live with it I guess.