Is Accutane (isotretinoin) worth the risk if you have other health problems besides acne?

[Anonymous]

My dermatologist wants to put me on Accutane, but after reading about all of the side effects and compulsory contraceptive pill I freaked out. I already have an illness, (symptoms include debilitating fatigue, headaches, depression, mood swings, lowered immune system and inability to tolerate a lot of foods). Obviously my acne is a blight on my life, but it seems that I can't take anything for it without compromising the rest of my health. At least nothing that actually works! Has anyone else with a long-term illness taken Accutane and managed it ok?

[peace-love-couture]

LOL people always have the worst sh*t to say about Accutane without ever having taken it

I took Accutane for 6 months in 2010 and the end was the worst part for me. I suffered from terrible indigestion and irregularity, mind you I also have IBS but my IBS never flares up and if it does, I get bloating or stomach aches/cramps

If you are completely honest with your doctor about any medical problems you're taking and ANY health issues you have, you should be fine.

Again, I don't have health issues but I have a friend who took Accutane and to me, the most common thing is for patients to bullsh*t any symptoms they're having and how it's impacting their bodies.

If you're open and honest, I'll say go for it. But this really isn't the place to make that type of decision, because you're going to get a bunch of he said/she said.

You can either live with the acne or try it. A lot of people are allergic to it and if it's affecting you, you'll know instantly and can stop even before your next visit for refill rolls around

And while guys will say guys don't care about acne, if you have to be prescribed Accutane, it's the type of acne they will and do care about. I mean, I didn't have bad acne--random cysts--but overall cysts are incredibly damaging to the skin and the scarring is worse than the acne itself. I also had incredibly oily skin, but I do know that at some points my skin was disgusting.

Needless to say, no one even remembers I had acne >.< lol

[Anonymous]

My sister did, she suffers from biopolar disorder. I'm not sure if it was negatively interacting with her other drugs or something but it completely destroyed her immune system, she was in bed for months during/after she stopped. The sickest I have ever seen, had she kept going I honestly believe she might have died. So is it worth it? NO. Change your diet, in the end that made all the difference for her.

[kkeepitreal]

I went through two rounds of Accutane, in 2000 and 2005. They claim that Accutane will permanently resolve your acne issues but that wasn't the case for me. The acne went away for a year the first time and for six months the second time after the medication. I still have mild acne today even in my 40's but I believe Accutane helped with the severity of the acne breakouts long term. Just be prepared for your facial skin and lips to peal and crack while on Accutane. Some lip balm will help during this time. But afterward, your skin will be beautiful, hopefully forever. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

[Asker]

Thanks for sharing!

[MyNameIsJonas]

I took accutane for about 3 weeks when I was around 19/20 and I didn't find that it worked... My acne is all but gone now but it came with I think living healthy, diet, and age. I would be some what worried about using accutane because of what I've heard about it. You should try safer methods and use accutane as a last resort.

[Distant]

You'll find that most guys don't care about acne. So, in that case, it isn't worth any health risks, in my opinion.

[Asker]

That's interesting - I was going to ask a separate question about guys' opinions on acne. Might still ask it! But no, I want it cleared for myself. No one should have to put up with bleeding nodules on their face, single or otherwise.

[funkadelic5]

"Eat healthier and get more exercise" said no doctor EVER.

That's the solution to most health problems, unfortunately.

I'd stay away from the pills. Good food, some sweat, and regular showers with acne scrub should get rid of it.

The side effects are having more energy, getting fitter, looking more attractive, and increased self confidence.

So if that bothers you, then take the medication instead.

[Moloch]

Lol, I don't think you've ever had acne. I didn't downvote you btw.

[peace-love-couture]

Yeah, if someone has acne to the point of being recommended accutane, it's cystic or painful nodules

None of what you mentioned will help it

[funkadelic5]

Downvote lol? Really? For recommending you don't drug yourself with sh*t that has horrible side effects? It's not a cure. Acne results partially from oils and dead skin cells, and partially from hormones. The hormones will not change until you get older. But you can minimize their impact. And that's by proper diet, exercise, and health. F***downvotes on the best advice you're going to get.

[Asker]

I agree that drugs are not ideal, and in an ideal world I wouldn't resort to them. I'm not sure what sort of impression I gave but my diet is very healthy (I'm intolerant to most of the ingredients in processed foods so wouldn't be able to eat them even if I wanted to), and I work out in the gym and swim every day. I shower daily, have a twice daily facial routine, use acne scrub and have tried every cream on the market, prescription or otherwise.

[peace-love-couture]

Cystic or nodule acne will NOT change through diet. Cysts and nodules are typically hereditary. Antibiotics won't help either because it often has nothing to do with bacteria or hormones.

Until you've had cystic acne, you're not in a position to say that a healthy diet is all it'll take

[funkadelic5]

It has nothing to do with bacteria or hormones? Are you kidding? Of course it has to do with those things. Regardless of if something can be deemed "hereditary" or not, it doesn't mean that you just magically get acne. There is an underlying biological cause, and if you have this condition in part because the genes responsible for its, it doesn't change that in the least. Your food makes up what you are. Diet and physical and mental health DIRECTLY affect your condition, "genetic" or not.

[Anonymous]

it will only suppress symptoms, heal from the inside, with healthy foods, and exercise, etc.

[Anonymous]

No its not. Especially for females, since it is known to cause infertility. Retin A works just as well, and you have few to no side effects.

[Anonymous]

Did you share your concerns with your doctor?

[Asker]

Yes - he ummed and ahhed a bit. I've not had the best experience with being able to trust doctors so I just thought I'd throw this out there and see what other people have experienced.

[Moloch]

Side effects vary for every person.