Should I start taking accutaine?? I have to decide today....

[annonymousgirl]

Should I start taking accutaine?? I have to decide today.. and I don't know if I'm ready... OK.... well..... Tomorrow I have a dermatologist appointment and my mom was talking to the dermatologist on the phone and the derm. sent her this book about accutaine and it looks like a really good treatment that will clear up my acne and raise my self esteem (i'm a teen obviously) and i've tried lots of medicine but my acne is just as bad as ever... It's all over my face and it's been like that for almost 4 years. Anyways, my mom isn't sure about this treatment, but says that she thinks I could at least try it.. I'mkind of scared though, cause I've seen a lot of posts on here about how accutaine ruined their lives and stuff. And when you use accutaine the book said you had to take two types of birth control.. and that freaked me out. I'm only 15 and taking birth control seems wierd.. oh well..Another thing is that there are some really bad side effects that were listed on the thing.. But should I just try it and if the side effects get bad then stop?? You guys, tell me what I should do.. oh heres the list of medicines i've already tried....

triaz
retin a micro
minnocyclene
benzoil peroxide (or something like that)
clean and clear
biore
clearasil
phisoderm
differen gel
benza clin
plexion (face wash and topical ointment)
tretinoin
oxy clean

And theres more but I cannot remember.... please help.. in this post if you can tell me what you think like if I should TRY accutaine or not... also you can reccomend some treatments.. oh ya, another questions, I heard that PROACTIVE SOLUTION was a good treatment?!?!?!? Should I try that before accutaine??? Thanks for your help! God Bless! (no offense if you don't believe in God)

[j54]

I really feel for you - it is a hard decision to make. I think what you said about trying it and then stopping if it gives you bad side effects is a good idea. Maybe a lot of people do have some problems with it, but for the majority it does work, it just takes time and is not necessarily a permanent solution. You may get worse before you get better, so keep that in mind - I had "relatively" clear skin with just some persistent spots so my derm put me on a low dose - and at the moment (3rd week in) my skin is looking worse than before! But I'm holding on because you have to look long term. Good luck with your decision, let us know how you go.

[GoAWAY!]

Not sure if this will help, but here's my story:

Had problems quite similar to your situation throughout my teen years (in that nothing seemed to work). I finally got very frustrated and bit the bullet in college and took accutane for the full treatment period. For the first 6 weeks (maybe more or less, I can't quite remember), I got MUCH worse. Man, it was by far my worst acne period. However, after that initial hump, I started clearing and by about 3 months into it, I was looking good. My "clearness" was such a great change (no worrying about which topicals to use, etc) and I stayed clear for about two years. After college, acne slowly started creeping back again, and now it's an issue once more. So, about 2 years clear, 2 years of buildup, now I'm back to acne.

Am I glad I did it? YES. Because those clear years were fantasic.

Would I do it again? I don't know. I don't want to push my luck bc it's such a strong drug, and I REALLY don't want to go though that initial phase again. Right now I'm exploring Chinese herbs-- some people have had good success with that treatment. If that doesn't work, I may have to go back to accutane. Some people don't get worse in that initial phase, however. If someone could guarantee me that, I would def. do it again.

Hope this helps-- good luck!

[joshsd54321]

I am currently on my 3rd month of accutane it I feel so great about my sin allready. M face wasn't really severe...more like mild to moderate but it was stubborn and nothing could clear it up...differin,retin-a-micro,benzaclin,minocycline, and clindets, nothing worked. Finally I brought up accutane with the lady and she gave me the packet and I decided to review it for the 6 weeks untill my next visit. I decided to give it a go as I was the one who mentioned it. I went on 40 mgs the first two months and now I am on 60. This is a rather low dose but it is clearing me up beautiful. Most people get an intial breakout but I didn't. Maybe a small one but nothing major. All I can say is I am a little more than half way done and I love the results.I hope my skin stays this way. Since my skin wasn't that bad to begin with I don't know if you will have the same results I am haveing. Accutane more than likely will help you alot. It is so nice to no longer have to be paranoid about my skin. You get some side effects aside form dry skin but you are monitored every month and you tell the docter exactly how it's going and you blood is checked monthly. I don't see it as the deadly drug it is portreyed to be but even if it is you are closely looked at so in this way it is safe. If I were you I would go for it. How ever I don't want to tell you to do something that could potentially hurt you. Talk it all out with your docter, and if you do decide to go on it tell him/her every thing as you go through ith it. I am pretty confident you will be happy with it. Also, If the birth control thing is an issue for you I believe you can sign a form to be 100% abstinent from sex so you don't have to use two forms of birth control. I am a male so I am not entirely sure. If the acne is really bothering you I think you should go for it. If it works and I believe it will...it will make you so much happier. Good luck and i hope every thing works out for you.

[Siccamaro]

j54 is right, the decision to take accutane is a difficult one. it's a harsh drug and while i was on it, i endured dry skin and lips and some depression. the effects are different for everyone. however, i am so glad that i took accutane. it changed my life and gave me my confidence back. i had terrible acne on my chin, jawline and around my mouth. at first, my acne got worse, but at around 2 months of accutane, my face was clearing up alot! at 4 months, it was completely clear. i've been off of accutane for 4 years and i still hardly ever get a pimple. i don't regret taking accutane at all and i would do it again if my acne came back.
i'm not going to tell you to take it or not, that's up to you, but it looks like you've tried many, many medications without results. for me, accutane was the only thing that worked.
good luck and god bless!
heidi