Acne and Skin Disorders Forum - Is Acutane the Only Cure For Severe Acne?


Is Acutane the Only Cure For Severe Acne?	Join us now!

Medical Questions-> Health Forums -> Acne and Skin Disorders -> Is Acutane the Only Cure For Severe Acne?

Medical Questions

Author

Message

FriendsUnited

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 07 Nov 2003
Posts: 2
Location: California

Is Acutane the Only Cure For Severe Acne? Posted: 11-08-03 00:14am


Hi, it's been about a year now that my 17 year old daughter has been suffering from acne. It breaks my heart and I feel powerless. She sees a dermatologist who had her on anti biotics. When that didn't work she put her on both a.B. And birth control pills. It's been over a month and it just gets worse! She started on her chin, then her forhead was real bad, then her cheeks, now it all over her face. She gets those cyst type eruntions. Poor baby! I'm hoping to hear from those who have had success with any type of treatment: topical, surgical, medicinal. There's just so much our there, who knows what works and what doesn't. I feel after 6 months of unsuccessful doctor treatments that I have no where else to turn. Thank you. Tricia perkey

mike101

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy

Joined: 14 Oct 2003
Posts: 131
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: 11-08-03 02:30am


Tricia i would recommend reading the material at the below website before putting your daughter on accutane sometimes sold as roaccutane. if you do proceed you should insist her dermatologist sees her weekly for for the first 4 to 6 weeks to monitor her progress. Most of the over the counter products are much as much. The dermatologist can prescribe a wider range of topical treatments but it may take sometime to find one that is effective. Keeping the skin clean with a mild anti-bacterial soap seems to help some suffers. If she participates in a lot of sporting activities, it will most likely make the condition worse. Unfortunately there is no one single answer and some people suffer from acne well into their adult life. As i'm sure you know acne can have a significant impact on the self esteem of teenagers so supporting her emotionally is as important as seeking a effective medical treatment. Mike

FriendsUnited

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 07 Nov 2003
Posts: 2
Location: California

Posted: 11-09-03 12:58pm


Hi mike, your advice is well taken. You know..... My daughter has been saying all along that she will not take acutane.... But the postings in the message board were pointing in that direction so I had to inquire. She see's her doctor tomorrow and today we were introduced to an all natural, sea salt based herbal face wash that I hope will help keep her face nourished and free from bacteria. Thank you for taking the time to give your sound advice. Bless you. Tricia

Jenny Nance

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 21 Nov 2003
Posts: 2

Accutane Posted: 11-21-03 22:26pm


Tricia, my son too, has severe acne and we have had him going to a dermotologist for the last year and a half. We tried numerous topical and oral medications before trying accutane. I was very skeptical about him taking it after reading all of the warnings, but we were at our whits end. My son was very down about his skin being the way it was, so I had to way in the psychological benefits of trying this drug as well. He was on the drug for 7 months. It is required (by our doctor anyway) to have monthly visits, and monthly blood work done to see how the drug is affecting things such as the liver and cholesterol. All of his lab work came back fine during the seven months, and we did see a dramatic change on his face and neck (still needs improvement on his back). However, the doctor and I recently discussed, and ultimately decided to take him off the medication because I notice a dramatic change in his attitude towards school and pretty much everything in general. The doctor told us that alot of times the lab work can come back ok, but these type of changes are also something else to watch for. We are taking him off of it at this time, but have the option (in 6 months) to put him back on the drug. The doctor said that it may not be necessary for him to be on it as long as the first time. Hopefully this information is helpful to you.

zolamoon

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Posts: 1
Location: St Paul, MN

Posted: 11-26-03 10:25am


I'm 23 and two years ago I finally went on acutane. It's the wonder drug for acne. It had tons of side affects, but well worth it. My lips were severely chapped, the corners of my lips were always cracked open (that was painful), bloody noses, dry eyes, dry skin. Now I no longer have acne, though I do have the scars that it left behind. I will be starting microdermabrasion and laser treatment to clear that up. I wish you and your daughter the best of luck. Paula ann

saturn24

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy

Joined: 25 Nov 2003
Posts: 205
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa

Posted: 11-30-03 05:04am


Depending on how bad her acne is some of the topical treatments do work. Maybe not as well as a pill, but with less side effects. I heard that proactiv (as seen on t.V!) really does work. I was on retin-a topical gel and it didn't clear my acne completely, but it did help a lot. (the clear gel, not the cream) the cream made me break out worse. But, try what she has now and good luck to you and her.

drvenugopal

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy

Joined: 01 Oct 2003
Posts: 192
Location: India

Alternate to Acutane Posted: 12-02-03 02:56am


Dear mrs. Tricia perkey, acutane is not the only cure for severe acne. Homeopathy has very good medicines to see that the present acne which your daughter is being troubled from will surely get cured. Are the eruptions still with pus? Is there any itching like sensation? After scratching is there any bleeding from that particular acne? How is her appetite? How is her thirst? No problem with urination I hope? Are her menses regular? Does she sleep well? Does she have any stress in her school? With more symptoms your homoeopath can help your daughter get rid of those acne. Dr. Venugopal gouri consultant homoeopath helpline: 040-56 27 26 25(mobile) e-mail: drve nugopal@hotmail.Com Last edited by drvenugopal on 12-02-03 13:24pm; edited 1 time in total

mike101

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy

Joined: 14 Oct 2003
Posts: 131
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: 12-02-03 05:18am


*** Last edited by mike101 on 12-18-03 21:39pm; edited 1 time in total

laurel

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 06 Dec 2003
Posts: 1
Location: washington

Racism Or Discussion On Acne? Posted: 12-06-03 23:27pm


Woah, I sit down to read postings on acne and I get a big dose of one man's racism. Do your homework buddy. If you wish to criticise the substance of this person's post or ask further questions I say go for it, but it sounds like you have an underlying motive. Your posting affects not only the person you've directed it at, but all who read it.

LaceyL

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 05 Jun 2007
Posts: 1

Posted: 06-05-07 11:37am


Hey. I'm almost 19 and i've been on acutane for a month now. I had acne all over my face as well. My dermotologist started me off on some kind of antibiotic and retin-A cream.. they seemed to help a little bit but after a month i was started on the acutane. I get blood drawn each month to test my liver functions, cholesteral, and test for pregnancy. The Dr. makes sure that you're not pregnant and nothing shows up positive in your lab work then they ask me a series of questions about all the other possible side effects, and if everything checks out okay then they fill my prescription for the next month. It's only been 1 month and i'm already noticing tremondous results!! Although my lips are really chapped especially the corners, but my skin isn't too dry. I have been eating less, and twice i cried for no reason, but it wasn't a "i'm so depressed" cry. So if you want the desired results you have to take the bad with the good. Just remember not to get pregnant, and let your doctor know if any side effects occur.

tinkinpink84

Moderator

Joined: 11 Sep 2006
Posts: 5060
Location: , Germany

Thanks: 2

Thanked:6

Posted: 06-08-07 05:12am


accutane would make me nervous, my brothers friend had sever acne and was put on that med, they blame the accutane for him crashing the plane into the bank, so his mom was in court with the accutane company etc i think they ended up agreeing on a settlement, id try all natural approaches first, alot of meds take 6 wks to actually see any results and tend to make the acne worse before it makes it better , most of the ones drs give anyway. I got prescription creams from the dr before but i dont recall the names of them. but i couldnt stand it to get worse before it got better so i stopped it on myown. proactive is sold in most stores now, cetaphil is a good face wash too as it shouldnt cause more breakouts, and keeping her face dry and oil free well not dry but moisturized with amoisturizer containing sasylic (sp) acid. and rather then washing your face when u shower she should wash it morning noon and night. sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt and u just gotta wait it out till horomones even out. Id also suggest once it gets under control i using mederma to help with all the scarring and uneven skin. i used to try those face peels too they help to remove dirt etc.

Cate26

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 30 Aug 2007
Posts: 1
Location: ,

Posted: 08-30-07 19:50pm


I've been on acutane for about two weeks now and so far the only thing I've noticed is the dry skin which really doesn't bother me, and chapped lips. Other than that the side effects are minimum. I use eyedrops just in case although my eyes don't seem overly dry. Now, my dermatologist recommended this and I am hoping it works. For about 2 years now I've had acne, but over the past 6-7 months it has gotten much, much worse. I now have what you would classify as cystic or severe nodular acne. It's painful, embarressing and a big self-esteem/confidence downer. I've tried just about everything else there is to try and nothing has worked. So, now I'm on Acutane. I understand what your daughter might be going through, I'm 15 now and it's hard to live up to the standards of this world when all you can think about is your acne. I hope these new treatments work for your daughter! Best of luck! ~Cate

nayners

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 31 Jul 2007
Posts: 3
Location: NY

Acutane Posted: 09-11-07 12:55pm


Well I have to say that I was one of the people that was given acutane for a year. I really do not recommend it to anyone it has some very serious side effects that are very uncomfortable as well as life threatening (such as thoughts of suicide) I didn't have any thoughts of suicide but I did have very sore joints, I had elevated cholesterol levels and ridiculously dry everything (mouth, skin, eyes, nose, etc.) and after all those side effects I still have acne (I fell into that 20% it doesn't work for) and they tell me that even though I still have high cholesterol levels it has nothing to do with the time I was on acutane but I don't believe it.

\Annie

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 15 Oct 2007
Posts: 1

Accutane Side Effects Posted: 10-15-07 03:24am


Our son started using Accutane in his freshman year and developed ulcerative colitis within one to one and a half years later. He had no control over his bowel. Lived on steroids for a many months, but this caused aggressive behavior. Failed his junior year due to lack of control of bowel as well as depression. Eventually, he had to have his complete colon and rectum removed. The surgeon had built another rectum using his small intestine and within several months (using an ileostomy bag), he reconnected his small intestine to the new rectum. The surgeon stated that the colon was completely ulcerated and had pre-cancer cells. Needless to say, this took our son's teenage years away and he continues to deal with emotional and physical disabilities. Please read the latest reports regarding Accutane before allowing any one you know to use this prescription. I am now reading of lawsuits against the drug company for so many major side effects. Yes, the Accutane cleared the acne, but what a terrible cost!!

anscilvich

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 09 Dec 2007
Posts: 1

Accutane In My Perspective Posted: 12-09-07 11:05am


hi i'm 17 years old guy (almost 18]. im in my junior year of high school and since childhood, i had cysitic pimples on my face. my grandparent said it was normal because her germanic father had the same larger pustuals on his on face too. well ever since my freshmen year of weight traing for sports, i now put on over 30lbs of muscle over the last 3 years. but as well, my acne grew from more than just a zit here and there, but larger cystic swellings, causing server scaring on my upper cheek bones. my face is constantly sore looking and nothing "calming" works. what i'm getting at is, next week im gonning on accutane after fightin with my parents health insurance for 4 months and waiting 6 months for my appointment with the derm. appointment. i have done lots of research on accutane. asked classmates who have tried it, and have seen A MAJOR difference! also i need something to calm my redness and scars as well. i need to look my best, for i am also in my last year of cosmetology training to get my liesnce and also for college! can anyone help me out please! my family has already tried so much but they had clear faces and min. acne within their life. i've tried everything (as in pills, cleasners, creams, and more stronger pills) from my doctor, and the drug stores! HELP! HELP HELP!!!!! F. S. Anscilvich

strawberi

Supporter

Joined: 10 Dec 2007
Posts: 42
Location: Manila, Philippines

Re: Accutane In My Perspective
Posted: 12-13-07 23:40pm

anscilvich wrote:

hi i'm 17 years old guy (almost 18]. im in my junior year of high school and since childhood, i had cysitic pimples on my face. my grandparent said it was normal because her germanic father had the same larger pustuals on his on face too. well ever since my freshmen year of weight traing for sports, i now put on over 30lbs of muscle over the last 3 years. but as well, my acne grew from more than just a zit here and there, but larger cystic swellings, causing server scaring on my upper cheek bones. my face is constantly sore looking and nothing "calming" works. what i'm getting at is, next week im gonning on accutane after fightin with my parents health insurance for 4 months and waiting 6 months for my appointment with the derm. appointment. i have done lots of research on accutane. asked classmates who have tried it, and have seen A MAJOR difference! also i need something to calm my redness and scars as well. i need to look my best, for i am also in my last year of cosmetology training to get my liesnce and also for college! can anyone help me out please! my family has already tried so much but they had clear faces and min. acne within their life. i've tried everything (as in pills, cleasners, creams, and more stronger pills) from my doctor, and the drug stores! HELP! HELP HELP!!!!!

F. S. Anscilvich

accutane is hard on the liver. yes it works. If you're really decided to go on accutane, then I suggest that you change your diet to help your liver a bit. What your liver does is metabolize or get rid of toxins in your body and it also has some role in cholesterol regulation in your body. stay away from beef and pork. eat a high fiber low fat diet. No alcohol at all while you're on accutane. I hope you don't smoke too.

I want to also suggest an alternative. My friend also has severe cystic acne. She's tried everything up to injecting steroids. Nothing worked. She didn't want to try accutane because she knows of the side effects. Studies show it contributes to birth defects in pregnant women. Anyway, now she's on natural medicine using forever living products. It takes longer though than synthetic drugs but the results are worth it. i haven't seen her recently but I saw her a week after she started treatment. There were already some changes evident like her pimples are drying up a bit. If accutance doesnt work for you then you might want to consider this. you can send me a private msg.

amov

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 07 Jan 2007
Posts: 17
Location: ct

Posted: 12-27-07 13:57pm


I used to have very severe acne. It was all over my forehead and cheeks and chin and temples. I strongly recommend you talk to your dermatologist about this combination: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser: GENTLY apply to wet face and rinse 3-4 times a day. Doxycycline Hyclate (antibiotic) 1ce a day pill. Tazorac (tazoratene .05%) for 3+ months. Apply a pea-size amount (NO MORE THAN THAT) once a day to entire face. Once the acne flattens out completely, ask your dermatologist about Duac Topical Gel. It worked amazing to get rid of flat marks. When using these products, MAKE SURE you do the following: 1) wash face with Cetaphil. 2) GENTLY PAT DOWN face with towel until most of the water is gone. 3) Apply a high-quality moisterizer that wont clog pores, i recommend the cetaphil moisterizer. 4) After a few minutes, apply tazorac OR duac as directed (DO NOT USE MORE THAN DIRECTED, YOUR FACE WILL LOOK LIKE A CHERRY!) For the first month, your acne will get worse, as this is the process. What happens is all of the acne gets brought up to the surface of your skin. After the breakout phase, then begins the clearing phase. For the next month, your skin will improve, and about 1/3 of your acne will disappear. The 3rd month is the miracle month, this is where most of your acne disappears leaving you with a few scars. The 4th month usually gets rid of most scars. After about 4-5 months of treatment, once ALL of the acne is gone and all thats left is a few scars, I recommend getting microdermabrasion to get rid of the scars. Hope I could be of some help! -amov

MzWhite

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 17 Apr 2008
Posts: 1

Sometimes, what you don't want is the best solution. Posted: 04-17-08 23:46pm


I am 16 years old and have had really bad acne for all of my teenage years. I started with getting specific face washes and stuff to keep it under control, it wasn't a huge problem because I was a teenager so it's normal. And of course it would get even worse during the one week out of the month. After a while it was hard to control so i started seeing a dermotoligist who started me first on creams and gels, cream for nights and gels for the mornings, and after a while I was doing both that and an antibiotic. I never wanted to go on acutane because I knew I would have to take birth control as well and it's really annoying to take pills and have to remember and so on. But i did it and today was actually my last day of taking my acutane pill. I was suggested to go another month but my face is all cleared up anyways, except for one pimple in the last month, and I decided I was done. It wasnt so bad and it was totally worth it. The basic procedure is this: (it is much more annoying for girls than guys) Each month you have to get your blood tests done at the lab so they can check on you lliver and what not to make sure that no sideeffects in that direction are occuring. Then you have your appointment where you get to have the please of peeing in a cup each visit. Legally you have to have two forms of birth control because there are serious birthdefects from acutane. I, for example, had abstinence and the pill. Then you answer a series of questions from the company called ipledge, goes along with the whole pregnancy stuff, its serious buisness let me tell you. And you get your next refill and you go home. It's annoying yes, but helpful. No matter what you do jsut remember that it will get worse at some point before it gets totally better. For me it statrted working in ht efirst month, I was so excited haha. Butg then it went back to being bad again and slowly gets better. Your face gets really dry and there are some side effects but thats the same with anything.

Sirian

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 20 Apr 2008
Posts: 5

Acne Posted: 04-21-08 07:01am


I'm near 30 and still get a decent amount of acne.. when I eat poorly. You will have people say the usual "don't eat chocolate" or "no more sugar", which is good advice in itself. But avoid oils.. and don't touch anything with pastry in it, or anything deep fried. Cutting fat of your meat will also help. I can time an outbreak to near 7 days after I've eating a pie or sausage roll... if you take the time to record eating habits, you must find a relation to foods a good week after they've been eaten. Otherwise you can use a salt scrub. Anything doctors or specialists prescribe is a chance bet that can make things worse (sometimes for long times). Some of the treatments I've used have caused a range of other problems that are worse than acne. Just use good sea or rock salt in some warm to hot water and wash the face with it. A good couple of teaspoons of it. It'll do you more good, and will be a lot cheaper than anything doctors will want you to try. I've made a few posts lately about eating foods for health.. and too often I've said lemons!! they will detoxify the body and apples will help with removal of anything bad. If you're going to have lemons, get sweet ones.. and add honey to it if you want to make a drink - avoid normal sugar, and more so artificial sweeteners.

MorganWardztsy

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 02 May 2008
Posts: 1

Hi Posted: 05-02-08 00:05am


I was on retin-a topical gel and it didn't clear my acne completely, but it did help a lot purnima