depression and accutane

[clemson357]

Well I've been on Accutane for exactly a week now, and I am already seeing results. My face is noticeably starting to clear up...

that is what I like to hear. I had my bloodwork done last week and should be getting my prescription sometime this week.

in response to some of what was said above, my dermatologist says that only 10% of people get worse before they get better. hopefully I won't be one of those. I guess I will go out and get some chapstick.

 

[njc]

that is what I like to hear. I had my bloodwork done last week and should be getting my prescription sometime this week.

in response to some of what was said above, my dermatologist says that only 10% of people get worse before they get better. hopefully I won't be one of those. I guess I will go out and get some chapstick.

Honestly man, based on the research I did before I took it, I think your Derm is wrong. I do however hope that u avoid the workthrough period and that i am wrong.

 

[SJ69]

My derm said the work through period is bull shit, some people get worse bc when they start taking accutance they have to stop taking other acne meds. How can a drug that immediately cuts sebum (oil) production make acne worse?

 

[njc]

My derm said the work through period is bull shit, some people get worse bc when they start taking accutance they have to stop taking other acne meds. How can a drug that immediately cuts sebum (oil) production make acne worse?

becuase it pushes underlying acne to the surface so it can be worked out of your subcaceous glands.

http://pages.ivillage.com/amymtn/aoa/id5.html

Youll find that just about everyone on that site who posted an accutane diary experienced the workthrough period. In my case man, I got acne like id never even knew existed. Im talkin lumps 2-3 inches in diameter and about half an inch big in numbers of 20-40 all over my body and in places where Ive never even gotten them before. I got progressively worse for probably the first 6 weeks before improvong. Tell your Derm to do some research, he really should be better informed being that hes a doctor and all.

 

[SJ69]

"becuase it pushes underlying acne to the surface so it can be worked out of your subcaceous glands."
Not trying to be a dik, but what does that mean? How does it "push"?
I cleared up right away, I realize everyone is different, but don't you think my derm has a point? Could it be true that the actual reason of the "work through" period is the fact the patient is no longer taking his antibiotics and retin A and benz. peroxide etc, therefore the time lag it takes for the accutane to really kick in leaves the patient virtually un medicated during that time? I can see logic in his line of reasoning. Also, since I know a little myself and did my own research, we talked alot about this drug, and I know for certain, that he did do his research. He also said he treated over a thousan patients with accutane and has taken detailed notes. I am not saying the other school of thought is wrong, I'm just saying his take on the issue is a valid theory also.

 

[SJ69]

Clemson, DON"T waste your money on chapstick, Why try to kill an elephant with a bb gun? See my posts above concerning dry lips.

 

[clemson357]

Clemson, DON"T waste your money on chapstick, Why try to kill an elephant with a bb gun? See my posts above concerning dry lips.

I took my first two pills just now. I also bought aquafor, or whatever it is. Does that only go on your lips? or on your skin as well? Also, does the inside of your nose really get dry? do you put aquafor in there?

 

[clemson357]

...In my case man, I got acne like id never even knew existed. Im talkin lumps 2-3 inches in diameter and about half an inch big in numbers of 20-40 all over my body and in places where Ive never even gotten them before. I got progressively worse for probably the first 6 weeks before improving....

wow. that is really fucked up. I feel for you man. It is better now for you, so I guess that is good.

I am not going to read anymore about it, I am already kind of scared. That packet of information freaks me out, where they show what a baby would look like if born while the mother had taken accutane....NO FUCKING EARS, are you kidding me??? Luckily I am not a girl.

I will post back here and let you guys know how it works.

 

[SJ69]

Clemson, don't worry about it!! What's your dose and body weight? Just get the blood work done, you'll be fine.
You can use the Aquaphor on any skin surface that becomes too dry. For me, it was lips and ears and the edges of my nostrils, I wouldn't put it INSIDE my nose, you just gotta deal with some minor bleeding from your nose.

 

[Mudge]

* I had no work through period, but I did have a FAST rebound when coming off it the first time (too premature).

* Chapwho? No way, Blistex worked fine for me but Chapstick is crap. It wont moisturize it just about is good for coating your lips with wax, that serves little purpose. You will be using it every 15-60 minutes when your lips get bad, trust me. Even my eyes dried out making my contacts a pain. Thankfully that period didn't last forever during the treatment.

 

[snoops]

Ive taken accutane and loved it. I never was never depressed and it completely cleared my acne.

 

[clemson357]

day 3.

I don't want to jump the gun, but I feel like it is working. My nose and eyes feel slightly dry, I feel no new acne coming in, just old ones healing slowly.

The biggest thing is, I do not feel depressed at all. Day 3 is definitely to quick to say anything conclusively, but I have been more happy and up-beat lately than I can remember in the recent past. Maybe it is because I am excited about finally taking some hardcore stuff, and finally getting past this stage of my life.

 

[njc]

"becuase it pushes underlying acne to the surface so it can be worked out of your subcaceous glands."
Not trying to be a dik, but what does that mean? How does it "push"?
I cleared up right away, I realize everyone is different, but don't you think my derm has a point? Could it be true that the actual reason of the "work through" period is the fact the patient is no longer taking his antibiotics and retin A and benz. peroxide etc, therefore the time lag it takes for the accutane to really kick in leaves the patient virtually un medicated during that time? I can see logic in his line of reasoning. Also, since I know a little myself and did my own research, we talked alot about this drug, and I know for certain, that he did do his research. He also said he treated over a thousan patients with accutane and has taken detailed notes. I am not saying the other school of thought is wrong, I'm just saying his take on the issue is a valid theory also.

Yeah sure. I think I might do some more research on it. It just seems to be true with most people ive conversed with who have taken it and was defenitely true w myself.

 

[clemson357]

day 7. It is definitely working. At this rate I should be 100% clear in two more weeks; when I say 100%, I mean you won't even be able to tell I ever had acne. Luckily, my face doesn't really scar.

I have absolutely no depression. NONE. I will update again after another week.

 

[njc]

It wont make u depressed man. Thats a retarded myth.

 

[clemson357]

day 13. The nose bleeds are starting to suck. I got one in class and another one in the gym. It is definitely working. the skin around my mouth and chin is really dry.

all in all it is definitely worth the side effects so far.

 

[njc]

Good deal. Accutane will work like a mother. I have no doubts youll be very pleased.

 

[J-ROC]

I've been on accutane for a week today, and I am quite pleased with how quickly the acne is healing.... zits that would normally take a week to dry up and heal, were virtually gone in two days.
The heavy break outs post accutane only lasted three days..
My face now is almost completely clear...first time in 7 years and I'm 29. WOW!

The only side effects so far is a really dry face and the first two mornings I woke up with nasty head aches, My lips and ears are just starting to get fairly dry and I'm drinking about 15 glasses of water a day... very thirsty

 

[Mudge]

It wont make u depressed man. Thats a retarded myth.

No, it is not a myth. I came across someone who lost a relative to suicide from it. Is it quite rare? Yes. I had zero depression issues from accutane.

Most of the side effects cleared up as my body seemed to adjust.

 

[LW83]

No, it is not a myth. I came across someone who lost a relative to suicide from it. Is it quite rare? Yes. I had zero depression issues from accutane.

Most of the side effects cleared up as my body seemed to adjust.

I dont' think it's that rare. My mother, my sisters and I have all used accutane. We all had some pretty bad side effects. But don't get me wrong, the stuff works.

I was very depressed. Not just depressed though; bitter and angry.

 

[DamnHardGainer]

My opinion is that accutane and depression link is a myth. In Europe, Canada, and Australia, accutane is sold under names like isotane, etc., without prescription. Why? Because according to European studies no link has been shown proving accutane causes depression. The EU has its own committee such as our FDA to come to such conclusions.

I also have my own experience to fall back on. I've been on three 5-month cycles of accutane several years ago. The first two were under doctor supervision with monthly blood tests. The first cycle was a pretty hefty dose of 40mg twice a day. All liver tests came back normal and unchanged by the way....the Europeans don't do blood tests for accutane since its over the counter anyway. I've been using isotane, the canadian equivelent myself over the last 5 years...without supervision. I never had bad acne even in my teens to early 20s, I just didn't like blemishes. I have no acne today but I take accutane for cosmetic purposes. I like how it dries out my skin and reduces skin oil...it also narrows your pores so your skin looks better when moisturized properly. I take 10mg whenever my facial skin feels like it is developing excess oil, so that's about 10mg every 3~5 days...a tiny amount to be sure but it keeps my skin perfect.

Notice that the so-called depression link in the US is found in individuals who are already pre-disposed to being depressed and/or are on other medications or using drugs at the time. Other popular cases are with teenagers who are already raging with hormones and prone to being depressed and moody in the first place -- add in acne, the bane of teens, and you have one depressed guy or girl. Now consider that Europe does not find any reputable links between depression and accutane use which is why it is over the counter there...now is there some genetic resistance that the Europeans have that Americans don't? That accutane affects them differently? That would be rediculous.

If anything, I'd argue accutane alleviates depression! And it does it by returning people's lives to them...banishing acne and making them socially "acceptable" again, improving their self-esteem and willingness to go about their normal lives without fear.

 

[LW83]

My opinion is that accutane and depression link is a myth. In Europe, Canada, and Australia, accutane is sold under names like isotane, etc., without prescription. Why? Because according to European studies no link has been shown proving accutane causes depression. The EU has its own committee such as our FDA to come to such conclusions.

How can it be a myth, I am telling you right now of three cases out of three where depression occurred.

 

[J-ROC]

I am in Canada and I have been precribed Accutane. The name isotane was never brought up. and I do have to get monthly blood work done!

- Ive been taking it for a week and a day now, looking pretty good.
How long does it usually take to notice the depression thing, if it is going to happen?

 

[njc]

No, it is not a myth. I came across someone who lost a relative to suicide from it. Is it quite rare? Yes. I had zero depression issues from accutane.

Most of the side effects cleared up as my body seemed to adjust.

Its not the suicide that i question. It the causing of it by "it"- Accutane.

 

[DGuy]

I've been on accutane 4 times. Yeah that's pretty brutal. It does work very well though. Unfortunately for me it kept coming back, but I'm 17 now and it hasn't come back. I'm pretty sure I'm through with it now. I never had any problems with depression really. The only thing that sucked was the complete dryness. It's worth it though.

 

[DGuy]

I am in Canada and I have been precribed Accutane. The name isotane was never brought up. and I do have to get monthly blood work done!

- Ive been taking it for a week and a day now, looking pretty good.
How long does it usually take to notice the depression thing, if it is going to happen?

Just don't think about it so much and it won't happen. For me, the first few weeks on it made my face even worse. But apparently that's supposed to happen. After about a month it started going away for me.

 

[DamnHardGainer]

I am in Canada and I have been precribed Accutane. The name isotane was never brought up. and I do have to get monthly blood work done!

- Ive been taking it for a week and a day now, looking pretty good.
How long does it usually take to notice the depression thing, if it is going to happen?

Consider that you can be prescribed on aspirin if your doctor wanted to...but accutane can be bought as isotane in Canada without prescription unless they changed the law. I ordered mine from there for 4 years and recently switched to an Aussie company that was cheaper.

Btw, most people have flare ups after a few weeks for a little while as the acne unseen under the skin reaches the surface. So I wouldn't get too excited yet. After you get past that though, it's clear sailing from there.

 

[DamnHardGainer]

How can it be a myth, I am telling you right now of three cases out of three where depression occurred.

Forgive me if I prefer scientific studies over hearsay.

 

[clemson357]

How can it be a myth, I am telling you right now of three cases out of three where depression occurred.

I know three cases where someone picked their nose, and died later that day. that must mean picking your nose causes death.

 

[Mudge]

I am in Canada and I have been precribed Accutane. The name isotane was never brought up. and I do have to get monthly blood work done!

Accutane is merely a branded name. Isotrentinoin is the substance name, so some products sound similar, like Isotrex (topical), etc