6 replies to this topic

[Nugget]

Hi There,

I would be most grateful for any advice you guys may have - been lurking on this forum for quite a while and it has been an invaluable source of information.

Since taking the acne drug 'Roaccutane' 4.5 years ago, I have suffered severe debilitating side effects. This drug seriously fucked my health and I would advise anyone considering taking it to stay away from it.The most prominent of these persisitent side effectrs are chronically low libido (complete ED/lack of morning erections) and, for the last two years, severe brain fog. The brain fog is so bad I have been on long term sick leave (6 months) as I could no longer work through it. By brain fog, I mean slow thoughts, real problems with my speech, social anxiety, being a general retard. Very similar to 'chemo brain' - which is not surprising considering accutane was originally developed as a chemotherapy drug.

I recently tried Piracetam for 10 days 3 months ago - (4000mg 'attack dose' for 3 days, followed by 2400mg per day thereafter). This is probably the best supplement I have tried (I haven't tried many) - it did help my speech problems and overall gave a 50% boost in cognitive functioning - but, it absolutely nailed the (tiny) libido I have left. So I decided to stop taking it.

Would be most grateful to hear any recommendations you guys have for nootropic stacks aimed at brain fog that do not have an impact on libido (if anything, my libido needs to be improved). My career is on the line with this - if I dont get back to work soon I'll lose my job so I may have to consider taking piracetam again regardless. Do all the 'racetams have a simiar impact on libido? Any other supplements worth giving a shot? I've bought some phosphatidylserine, might give that a go next.

Cheers for any help you can give guys. Over time hopefully I can contribute more to this forum as I get a better understanding of nootropics etc

[hooter]

As far as I know the brain fog is unfortunately a result of serotonin receptors being decimated... Roaccutane is heavily neurotoxic.

My recommendations would be either hydergine (definitely available in the UK, qhi.co.uk for example. Start with a low dose and you can slowly build your way up to 9mg) OR super curcumin extract from LEF OR tianeptine (from some online store like nobledrugstore.com, however that one is a bit expensive).

There are some rumors going around that LONG TERM, HIGH DOSE use of hydergine can cause fibrosis, but it has been explained to me by several doctors and the package insert that this is only the case if you have had heart or lung surgery. (Damn, means I can't take it!!) However even a month of this will certainly be permanently helpful! It's the most powerful neuroantioxidant known to man IIRC, and one of the best nootropics especially when combined with caffeine. Do not take it if you have CRITICALLY low blood pressure.

Curcumin will regenerate serotonin receptors, which is exactly what you want.

Tianeptine promotes NGF and restores neuroplasticity, I'm not sure whether if affects serotonin specifically though. It's an UTTERLY amazing mood-elevator / anti-depressant and causes the most significant memory and language improvement I have ever experienced. (Better than piracetam)

You can combine either curcumin or hydergine with piracetam, but do not combine tianeptine and piracetam or you will get severe headaches.

In terms of general nootropic capacity:
1) Hydergine
2) Tianeptine
3) Curcumin

In terms of serotonin restoration:
1) Curcumin
2) Hydergine
3) Tianeptine

In terms of language ability and memory:
1) Tianeptine
2) Hydergine
3) Curcumin

In terms of anxiety:
1) TIANEPTINE CLEAR WINNER
2) Curcumin
3) Hydergine alleviates anxiety for some but not for all, might make it worse in some cases....

Cheers

Edited by hooter, 11 July 2012 - 03:48 PM.

[Baten]

Roaccutane definitely isn't a joke, and if you can avoid it, you shouldn't take it that's for sure. Some people would do anything to get rid of their acne, though.
I personally didn't have too much of extreme acne, but the spots on my forehead just didn't go away for anything in the world.
I took low doses (by the end the double of those lowdoses) of roaccutane for 4 months and all was gone. I do not suffer any serotonin problems, nor brain damage.
Conclusion: definitely don't take it if there are alternatives, but for those that need it, a short, mild treatment with roaccutane could help.
Nugget, just to compare, how long at how much did you take the drug?

[Nugget]

Hooter - many thanks for the recommendations, I will look into getting some hydergine I think in the first instance. looks like a good all rounder and from my limited research so far it seems to have a positive effect on libido if anything.

Baten - I took 70mg per day, for 7 weeks. I can't stress the horrific impact this drug has had on my life. It has had a huge impact on my sex life and my career. I can't emphasise the stress it has placed on me and my family over the last 4.5 years. Taking roaccutane was the biggest mistake of my life. I seemed to be on a high does, but I have spoken to many guys over the years that were on a much lower dose and had similar problems.

Any other brain fog busting recommendations guys? Cheers

[MangekyōPeter]

I feel ure pain Nugget I also went through a cycle BUT THANK GOD I didn't listen to by doctor and only took it to 20mg/day :( she also wanted me to do 40mg/day and then 60mg/day from there..

I've also noted an (relatively) slight increase in brain fog, as well as a super fragile skin.. i'm now like a walking skeleton.. i think even wind could bruise me if it were strong enough...

And thanks again to Hooter for 'da recommendations.. I'm also looking into getting both the curcumin and Hydergine... and yeah Piracetam also helped a lot ..

[Joe Black]

i took 80mg a day for 7 1/2 months. i weigh about 97lbs, the only nice part was not haviing to awsh your hair cuz it didnt get oily ;p

i had really severe cystic acne, so i had a reaosn to be taking this, and it as very effetive but i have to agree with you on the brain fog thing, its def made my add noticably worse, before i didnt need medication, now im heavily medicated and trying to fix the problem itself with cerebrolysin and also some overall generally good stuff for increasing catacholamines. :D

[Switch124]

I just wanted to bump this page.

I am in a very similar situation, I took accutane roughly 4 years ago. It devastated me, but I am still hopeful. If anyone has any advice on nootropics that might help me recover from my brain fog symptoms I would be very appreciative. Thanks