roaccutane and sex drive and/or Trimethoprim

[liberatedbetty]

Hi,

After mixed experiences with an NHS derm I'm considering going private and asking to go on a low dosage of roaccutane.
Horrid side effects are well documented, but I was wondering if anyone found it affected their sex drive. Horribly superficial, perhaps, but I'm in a new relationship and that side of things is...important!
Also, I had success with Trimethoprim, but my derm only let me use it for 8 weeks. Gorgeous skin, but weeks later the spots are back. Has anyone else had success with it longer term?
Sorry for all the questions and huge thanks in anticipation of any responses!

LB x

I used roaccutane when I was in my early twenties. I can't say it affected my sex life. Thankfully I didn't get any side effects and for 15 yrs my skin was spot free.

Fr some reason I'm starting to get spots again but if they got bad I would take roaccutane again.

Is low sex drive one of the adverse side effects? I only ask as my DD took it and I wasn't aware of that! (she wasn't in a relationship at the time.)

Never heard of taking the other drug for acne- is this something new they are trying?

Trimethoprim for acne? It's normally for cystitis! Never heard of it used for acne before.

DH2 was on Roaccutane, then Roaccutane and trimethoprim and steroids for almost a year in total. Now has beautiful skin.
I had two 16 wk courses of Roaccutane , no drop in sex drive.

I took roaccutane about 10 years ago in my mid-twenties. No side effects whatsoever - apart from amazingly clear skin that has stayed clear ever since.

My DD is going back to the dermo as 4 years on after Roaccutane her acne is back again and worse. She was told it was hormonal and is on the Pill which doesn't help a lot ( she has tried loads of types) so I'm keen to hear of any new treatments.
She ( and I) are not keen for her to take antibiotics long term because they seem to have triggered IBS last time which she still suffers from.

I haven't heard of lowering libido on either.

I haven't taken roaccutane, but have had trimethoprim. The derm and gp were quite willing toet me take it for as long as I wamted, providing 6 monthly blood count was okay.

missbopeep has your DD tried Dianette. It worked for me. Perfect, non oily, non spotty skin.

Yes she has Yoni- thanks. It made her very depressed and tearful.

Oh, that's a shame.

I also took low dose Roaccutane. Have been plagued with spots/acne all my adult life. Can't say I noticed poor libido. All I know is it was bloody FANTASTIC. The relief of no spots is wonderful. I'm just sorry I didn't take it a long time ago.

missbo my dermatologist did warn me not to be surprised if my acne returned at some point and that I may need a further course in a few years.

Thanks lurking.
Her GP is trying her with some antibs for a month but then she has appt ( private) with a dermo to see what they can suggest.

missbo I would def keep your derm appt. Even if your DD improves in the meantime. antibiotics, pill, lotions and potions are all temporary. Very rarely permanent fixes. Roaccutane is the only thing that 'cures'. I hope your derm sorts your DD out.

Lurking, sometimes you need a combination of things, Roaccutane does not cure all types of Acne, it did mine, DS1s but not DS2s.

True. But it works for about 90%. Most often with long lasting effects.

I agree it's a wonder cure , just not a wonder cure all. It also depends on the severity I suppose.

I see a brilliant NHS Dermatologist and take a v low dose of roaccutane. I'm single so libido not an issue, though I would say that my confidence from having clear skin is great :)

Thank you all for your responses. As always mumsnetters have come up trumps!
Will see private derm and hope a low dose might be prescribed.
Thanks again-any further points and comments warmly welcomed!
LB

Hi there OP
Did you want us to move this thread to health?
Thanks

Thanks Lurking- yes she'll keep the appt whatever, as it's private so short waiting time etc, and see what the options are.

That would be great. Thanks!

I took it in my early 20s. Can't recall dosage (25 yars ago now). Did work well (had persistent cystic-type spots all over my back). I don't recall libido problems (being on the pill was horrendous for that though!) but I did get awful dry cracked lips, ugly reddening of my face, achy joints, especially ankles, neck and back. Also extreme tiredness. Was worth it in the end though.

I took it on my mid twenties, it totally cleared my acne for years. I now get the odd zit but nothing like before.

I was single when I took it, but you do need to be really careful not to get pregnant whilst on it. I remember the doctors insisting on regular pregnancy tests, and that if I did have sex I had to use two types of contraception. I think it causes very severe problems with the foetus.

Also, the other side effects are severe. I couldn't go into the sun without burning, my skin got considerably worse before better (including triggering my eczema), and it did affect my mood. For me, it was worth it because I was getting depressed from the acne, but I'm not sure I would have another course.