Enough Is Enough! Should I Try Accutane?

I tried accutane when I was a teenager and it works really well, but the side effects are not worth it, in my opinion. My dermatologist put me on yasmin birth control, and that REALLY helped my acne. It cleared up in fact. After being on it for a year, I got off and haven't had ANY issues with skin since then.

Accutane is an absolute LAST resort.

I used accutane and it worked- it did clear up some severe acne I had, and I haven't had acne as badly since then. But beware of the side effects- accutane has been linked to depression. I had never had a problem with depression before, except for the 3 months I was on accutane. And my depression symptoms were not emotional (I was actually happy at that time), they were other symptoms, like inability to concentrate, make decisions, etc.- I got horrible grades for the first time in college! But after I got off accutane, I was fine.

Also, since my severe acne was cleared up, I've been using Clinique Acne Solutions skin care system (because I still get acne, just mildly) and it works GREAT!

Several of my family members have been on accutane. It worked quite well while they were on it, but some of them have had the acne come back. One of my sisters has been on it 3 times and still has trouble with her acne at age 37. her acne is better than it was however, so you might want to try it.

I wish my doctor had put me on it when I was a teenager, because as soon as I went off the medication he prescribed, my acne came back. Now I am 28 and am having my children and don't even want to think about it, but my acne is as bad as ever. I think it would probably have made some difference if I had taken it previously though. From what I understand, it does have very good results.

I saw a guy on the news the other day, I think Good Things Utah. He was talking about a book that he just put out about how to get rid of acne in 7 days (I think, maybe 10). I didn't pay a lot of attention, but it sounded very interesting. He has researched it for a long time. I hope you can find it! Good Luck!

holy cow!!!!!!!!! First off, I feel your pain- now that I am a mom, I've had more zits in the 3 years combined than ALL of growing up!!!!!! Probably easily 20 times more! SO frustrating. I've never had it bad enough to need to try anything, but I can certainly sympathize better now! I do know that my sister was on accutane as a teenager and had success with it. Good Luck with whatever you do!

S.:
I noticed on your very extensive list, that you did not mention Mary Kay. I mention this because I have switched over many ex-proactive and accutane users to our Miracle Set over the past 7 years and they are tried and true customers for life now! It is a lot less expensive and better for you than accutane. Just a thought. I know you don't want to "try" anymore, but if you are willing to give a week to this product (It's 100% guaranteed to work or your money back!!) let me know: www.marykay.com/pjlancaster
~P.

You might want to try going off of wheat for a while to see if you are allergic. Have you been tested for gluten intolerance? It's a simple blood test. Good luck.

I had bad acne from the age of 12 on. In college it became more severe (nodular) and so I finally went on accutane after trying so many other things. It was kind of like 6 months from hell, but given the choice I would go through those 6 months again. I only needed it once, but have known people who did multiple cycles. My face looks great and it's worth all the problems! I break out a few here or there right now because I'm pregnant, otherwise my skin only needs a little benzoyl peroxide daily (or even just a few times a week) to maintain virtually no pimples. Mine wasn't hormone related so I don't know much about that though. But if you're at your ropes end, and not planning on being pregnant for awhile, I would go on it! Talk seriously with your doc about all the side effects (I had depression and anxiety along with wierd physical symptoms-like my neck skin peeling [and other areas of my body that should NEVER dry up and peel] ) but I think the risks are worth the chance. Remember you'll have to be on Birth control, and have your cholesterol and liver monitored monthly and you may have to go on a low cholesterol diet if your cholesterol shoots up.
Good luck!

I have tried everything you have, and I know your pain. First of all, give up on the aestheticians and cosmetic companies. Anything you can buy over the counter isn't going to work for what you're dealing with, I don't care what the Proactiv ads say, they're still just 10% Benzoyl Peroxide (the highest percentage you can buy OTC). The only person that can help you is a good dermatologist.

The ONLY two things that have worked for me are accutane and ortho-tricycline birth control pills.

I suppose the accutane worked better, but as soon as I went off it, the acne came back. I ended up going on it three different times. Finally I switched to birth-control for a more long-term method.

The thing with accutane is you absolutely do NOT want to use it if there is ANY chance of you getting pregnant. I was single when I was on accutane and the doctor made me sign a contract that I wouldn't be sexually active while I was on it. There is a huge birth-defects rate for babies conceived while the mother was on accutane.

I know how desperate you feel, and you may have trouble finding a doctor that will give it to you. But it can be a miracle worker. My skin has never been as beautiful as it was when I was on accutane. Good luck.

I couldn't agree more!! enough already. I would run, not walk to a board certified dermatologist and do exactly what he/she says.
I think it saved my son's life, not to mention his good looks!!

E.