Roaccutane

[SheStoodInTheStorm]

Has anyone been on Roaccutane?
Seems like people either rave about it or are very critical of it.

I've had acne for fifteen+ years and I have had enough.

[Goldorsilver]

Yes I have, quite recently. I've had acne for 10 years and tried everything bar Roaccutane (different skincare routines, various lotions and potions, diet changes etc). I was extremely sceptical about it at first, as I didn't think anything would help but now I am here typing with completely clear skin! It cleared up so quickly.

I was on it for around 6/7 months at the start of this year on a very low dose as I was getting horrendous side effects with the dose I should have been on. No side effects whatsoever on the lower dose and still had the same result. Here's my before and after below (apologies for how awful my before photos are!). Happy to answer any questions if you have any!

[SheStoodInTheStorm]

Wow, that is incredible! Your skin is beautiful.

Do you mind me asking what side effects you suffered from?

[Onedaftmonkey]

That's amazing. So glad it worked for you

[Goldorsilver]

Thank you! I still can't quite believe it myself. It's amazing being able to just nip round to the shop without thinking about having to put loads of makeup on to cover my acne up. I don't think I'll ever get used to it.

Basically they calculate your dosage on your weight. Because I'm a bit of a chubber (13st) I was put on 70mg a day, which I believe is quite a lot. I got horrendous nausea and joint pain, although the dry skin was manageable and not as bad as expected. I know everyone is different though, My Derm hadn't had anyone with nausea as a side effect before. I dropped down to 30mg and didn't even get any dry skin at all. There are a few studies in to this if you google. I printed the info off and showed it to my Derm who then agreed to try the lower dose.

[Moonrocks6]

My DH had it and it caused awful depression. It seems to be quite common. There was a BBC programme called 'dying for clear skin' not long ago.

I'm not saying don't use it. Just be very aware of what it can do. We weren't aware of the side effects when it was prescribed and did t realise until after what had caused him to be so unwell.

He also suffered from peeling lips and really sore skin.

[Goldorsilver]

Moon I have a friend who also had the same side effects as your DP so can't take it now. Weirdly, I expected this side effect as I have a history of MH problems but I didn't suffer with depression at all whilst I was taking it.

I would definitely do lots of research before taking it. For me, it was definitely worth it.

[SheStoodInTheStorm]

Moon I know of that link and particularly in America where it's been linked to suicide.
I'm sorry about your DP, did he get better once off it?

I've read a lot around it previously but was worried about pregnancy etc. Now that's not an option and I read some thing earlier that's made me start thinking about it again.

GPs prescribe all sorts and Roaccutane has been mentioned but in a very last resort way.

[Goldorsilver]

You usually have to try everything the GP can prescribe you before they will refer to a Derm for Roaccutane. It's a bit of a long slog but with the time and effort in the end. I wish I'd done it years ago, but always felt stupid seeing a GP for acne as I never felt it was seen as a serious enough problem to warrant it, if that makes sense.

[Nermerner]

According to dds derm, only boys seem to suffer with depression. She said she'd prescribed it for years and only ever had one case with depression as a side effect.

Dd took it for 5 months last year and it was amazing. Sadly her spots are slowly coming back although apparently antibiotics (which didn't work before) will now work. Or I'm thinking the pill might be a good idea now she's 17.

[SheStoodInTheStorm]

Gold I've had everything and now I'm back to topicals I've had before. I won't take oral antibiotics again.

Problem is I've had a few different doctors surgeries and they don't seem to be able to find out what I've already had so are relying on me to remember

Some days I think I can manage and just get on, other days I don't want to leave the house.

That's really interesting that it's linked to males.

[Moonrocks6]

I'm the difference in his mh after he stopped taking it was amazing but we didn't realise the link at the time. It was only after I happened to see the BBC programme.

Good luck with sorting the acne. DH still struggles and I know how much it can impact on daily life.

[bedsocksandbroomsticks]

This was wonderful for me. The best thing was that it not only cleared up my skin completely but was the only thing I've known to keep the acn away. I had ridiculously dry lips and very sun sensitive skin but armed with killer lip balm and a very high spf it was the most skin changing treatment. Wishing you all the best if you go ahead.

[Goldorsilver]

My friend who suffered depression is female. I've also read a huge amount of testimonials online from users of Roaccutane and sadly many linked to depression have been female too, so I'm a bit skeptical about that.

That's annoying about not being able to access what you've tried before. I'd keep pushing for a referral if you can, and tell them how hard you are finding it. I know how awful it is and how much it effects you day to day, so I really hope you can get it sorted once and for all.

[namechangerequiredforthis]

Amazing for me and no side affects!

[ChrissieLatham]

I had it when I was 20 and went from having a completely spotty face to people now not believing I could ever have suffered from acne. Only side effects I had was dry skin so I used neutrogena moisturiser and lip balm.

When they started to come back I found adapalene (differin gel) helped. I think duac and epiduo are 2 new ones that have been brought out since which are supposed to be good.

[stonecircle]

Mine was much much worse than yours Gold.

I took Roaccutane 3 times in my late 20s and early 30s Although it kept coming back it was never as bad as it was before my first time on Roaccutane.

Side effects for me were -
My skin got worse for a few days and then suddenly everything started clearing up
My skin was very dry - but oh the joy of being able to slap on loads of moisturiser instead of thick layers of concealer
The corners of my mouth cracked
The inside of my nose was very dry
I had night sweats

The potential for depression is clearly very real. There was a case in the paper last year about a teenager who killed himself at boarding school and Roaccutane was felt to be responsible. On the other hand, my acne was so severe I was already very depressed - and feeling suicidal. It had a terrible impact on my life and stopped me doing all manner of things. If I hadn't been given Roaccutane I wouldn't have had the confidence to turn my life round, go out with DH and have my lovely family.

[ChickenVindaloo]

I had the usual side effects but they were manageable. Dry lips, sore joints.
It was a complete cure for me, total life-changer.

[HelloCanYouHearMe]

I took roaccutane at 18 after having acne on my face, chest and back from the age of 11.

The initial dose was too high for me and i went from having oily skin to very dry, scabby, cracked and bleeding skin. My dose was halved and this stopped - i did continue to have dry eyes and lips and had to put vaseline up my nose as this dried out too! My skin however went from being angry and sore to looking like porcelain.

I used baby oil as a moituriser and always had a lip balm to hand.

As for the MH aspects - i would say that i didnt have depression, but something wasnt right iyswim? It was nothing that couldnt be coped with, with the right support from family & friends.

I used to look in the mirror and felt hideous.... i was covered in red, puss filled lumps that were sore. It effected how i dressed, my social life, my self esteem. My MH was effected more by not taking roaccutane... i was a different person once i started taking the tablets and had the correct doseage.

[Nermerner]

Dds derm said that in her experience, girls and women were affected positively - their self esteem and mh improved. This was definitely the case for dd. She took 50mg a day and had a few side effects, didn't get very dry skin and constantly used vasekine on lips so they weren't particularly dry. Her skin was very thin though and even a tiny scratch looked more severe than normal iyswim. She would take it again if she had to.

[ShadowHarts]

I have acne since age 11 (am 27 now), I was put on a very low dose aged 15 as I was terrified of needles and refused the monthly blood tests you needed (I don't know if this is the case now) to make sure everything is okay, as I was told it can damage the liver. My skin was dry but manageable, it did begin to clear up however it did give me terrible depression, it completely changed my personality and I haven't really shifted the depression even now. I am female.

I use Duac 5% now and it's brilliant but I do find I have to use it regularly. I had run out and not really used it for about 2 months and it gradually started to come back, got a new tube on Tuesday and my skin is almost back to clear.

[WiIdfire]

Worked miracles here. Also gave me lovely hair while I was on it!

[LegoCaltrops]

I had a course at about 25 & another at 29. My skin wasn't as bad as some I've seen, but I get spots on chest, shoulders & back as well as face. It worked pretty well - I do get a few spots still, but nothing like I used to.

Side effects - on the first course, very dry skin (obvs), my hair went from needing to be washed every morning, to only once per week. I got particularly dry skin at the corners of my mouth, to the extent that it literally cracked - towards the end of the course I had to eat from a teaspoon or only eat flat things (crackers etc) as I daren't open my mouth much. Bloody nose lining (shockingly so, in fact), some days it was very sore & felt quite raw.
On the second course - side effects as before, but the dry mouth skin was worse, I got callouses on my hands where the dry skin had cracked & thickened. Mild abdominal pain. Really painful stiff (creaky feeling) joints, some days I struggled to walk.

I dare not ask for a third course - my skin is not great but not awful either - but mainly I fear the side effects & the potential liver damage.

[ComputerDog]

OP have you considered the pill? It's years ago now but I took dianette and it completely transformed my skin.

[Liiinoo]

If you have any sort of history of depression or family tendency towards it I would steer clear of roaccutane.

A neighbours DD was prescribed it when she was 15. They were warned of the possible side effects but although the dad suffers from depression the DD was so desparate to have her acne under control they decided she should try it anyway. It was disastrous. She became suicidal and 15 years on she is so depressed/agoraphobic/anxious she has never held down a job, been on a date or done any of the other myriad things young women want to do.

My own DD was prescribed it by her GP when she was in recovery from anorexia even though he knew she was on antidepressants. Luckily she checked with her ED specialist before taking them. He was horrified and rang her doctor on the spot. Her GP then referred her to a dermatologist who prescribed topical treatments that did the trick.

[LegoCaltrops]

ComputerDog - I took Dianette for a few weeks, nearly 15 years ago. It's severely affected my life by sparking off Hemiplegic migraines which have never gone away. I wouldn't recommend it.