Bout to start Accutane?!
Question: My doctors trying to put me on it...after dodging that bullet for so long Im giving in to it- despite the negative reviews and ridiculous side-effects. He's been telling me that it can get rid of my scars as well. Any truth to that at all??? Anyone ever use it???
Answers: My doctors trying to put me on it...after dodging that bullet for so long Im giving in to it- despite the negative reviews and ridiculous side-effects. He's been telling me that it can get rid of my scars as well. Any truth to that at all??? Anyone ever use it???
While there are a number of 'possible' side effects there is a very good chance that you will actually react to very few of them... Accutane is very similar to potent forms of Vitamin A - It's an antioxidant which means that it will increase cell turnover and regeneration thus lessening the appearance of your scars to some extent. It also has the property of drying out oil glands and causing them to produce less oil, that is where the benefit in decreased acne occurs.
I'm only one person - by I had incredible results using accutane and the only side effect that I had was the occasional nose bleed....If you doctor suggests that you would be a good candidate then it's certainly worth trying or get a second opinion from another physician if you would feel more comfortable.
I took Accutane years ago, and it was a miracle drug for me; I actually had to take it more than once. I was someone who had cystic acne that affected not only my face but also my chest and back. It isn't "fun" to be on -- it has definite side effects (common ones are headache, very dry skin, itching, peeling skin initially ... some thinning of the hair can occur but nearly always reverses once the medicine is discontinued) -- and thus it is typically only prescribed for patients whose acne is truly *severe* and has not responded to other medications. I did not experience any side effects beyond those typically experienced: very dry skin, chapped lips, headache, peeling skin, and itching. This is all that most patients experience, and these side effects are manageable with moisturizers, headache medication (I recommend ibuprofen), and perhaps some prescription cream or or antihistamine for the itching.
Accutane will not get rid of your existing scars -- but it will prevent future scars. If your acne is severe enough to cause scarring, Accutane is definitely a treatment for you to consider. Once you finish your Accutane therapy have been off for at least six months, you can consider some microdermabrasion, chemical peels, or laser treatments to treat your scars. These can make a significant difference in the appearance of your scars.
Some patients who did not need the medication are given it to them anyway because they requested it, when they actually only had mild-to-moderate acne. These are the patients who frequently express regret over haven taken medication and who have the most complaints about their experiences with it.
So, your satisfaction will likely depend on how bad your acne really is: if you have severe, cystic, nodular acne that leads to scarring and is or has *significantly* affected your quality of life, then Accutane is probably a good choice for you. Check out this decision-assistance from WebMD regarding Accutane therapy for some additional guidance.