18 replies to this topic

[Aque]

I had taken Roaccutane 20mgs 3 years back for once every week. I didn't have proper acne just very oily face. My face would get really oily after 2-3 hours I washed it. The only reason I took this drug was to eradicate the oil off my face and I believed it would cure my mild acne as well. Side effects started after a few days I took the first pill, but I ignored it and continued it. I might have eaten 8+ pills total in a span of 2 months. I'm 21 now and I suffer from multiple symptoms.

Hunger - whenever i eat, whatever i eat i just seem to feel hungry again after 15-20 mins and after passing a stool i get these hunger pains, as if I'm starving for 2-3 days.

Thirst/Urination - its like a never ending cycle, i urinate, i get thirsty, i drink, again i urinate.. and it goes on.. I'm never fully satisfied, my thirst is never quenched and my urge to urinate is never stopped. I often get white foamy urine.

Fatigue - generally im tired the whole day, but after eating a meal i am so sleepy that i get all dizzy, let it be breakfast or a small meal, i'm bound to feel tired and sleepy after it.

Muscle loss -i feel like i'm gradually losing muscle mass all over my body and instead gaining fat, i can see my waist gain a 2-3 inches of fat layer over this period of 3 years.

Dandruff - No matter what anti-dandruff shampoo i use, theres just no way this dandruff is going away. I can literally spot flakes of dandruff in my hair.

Back Pain- I can't stand for long or walk too much. My back starts to pain along with my legs. All in all i have become so fragile and weak.

Acne- I had gotten the worst acne after one year of roaccutane, and nothing would help it, i tried everything, the only thing that worked for me, and i'm continuing it is milk of magnesia, i have to put it daily in the morning on my face before going out.

Eye strain & Photosensitivity

Memory loss - i was one of the smartest kid in highschool and now i struggle hard to concentrate and i find it hard to remember even the basic things.

Also i get a lot mood of swings, I'm easily scared now, easily i get upset, i easily get bored of things and unfortunately people too and I'm so easily irritated.

I got tested for basic diseases like Diabetes and Celiac Disease, got checked my thyroid levels and all reports were normal.

I know i might never be able to fully recover but at least i want to manage my symptoms, i have visited a lot of doctors and they all seem confused and nobody exactly knows what's wrong with me.

I hope you guys can help me out diagnose my problem or suggest any specific lab tests- any sort of help would be greatly appreciated!

[Alizee]

I cannot help you with this, but I took accutane when I was 16. I stop immediately when I notice my hair was thinning, and I ask my family if they notice it, and they said yes. After that I search online for the cure, and I found Retin-A.

It took like 3-5 years for the effects of accutane to go away, and even then I don't know if it's gone. I was at my heaviest at this time too (220 lbs), and now I'm down to (160'ish?).. This may or may not play a role, but it's something to consider.

Horrible horrible pill.

[1kgcoffee]

I too took accutane and experienced similar problems for a number of years - all completely gone now. I am healthier than ever. Not saying that accutane was the cause of either of our problems, but if it was then there's hope for you.

Foamy urine:
http://en.wikipedia....iki/Proteinuria
Sounds like your body is storing blood sugar after the meal as fat, and burning fat and muscle instead. Diabetes? I dunno

Do you do any weight training or exercise? Vigorous physical activity might help sensitize you to insulin.

[Aque]

Out of all problems, I'm mostly worried about my mental health. I read somewhere on this forum that, Hydergine might be able to help recover from accutane damage. I have exams coming up in a month, following by a major interview. My career depends on them.

I've started taking taking 250mg Bacopa in the morning and before sleeping. But I believe its making me very sleepy, its kind of hard getting out of the bed in the morning, plus I haven't noticed any significant improvement in memory. Though its only been a week, hopes are still high.

I was considering stacking it up with some hydergine, and also adding turmeric (curcumin) powder to my meals.

Is it safe stacking them up together? What doses you guys recommend?

[DR01D]

Your symptoms are classic Diabetes symptoms.

However you tested negative for Diabetes so I don't know.

[1kgcoffee]

Those tests are not always accurate. Borderline score could get a pass.

[Luminosity]

I too regret taking Accutane. Sorry to hear you are dealing with all of that. Chinese medicine is the most powerful thing I know of to regain your health. Here is a link to a thread I wrote about it.

I too regret taking Accutane. Sorry to hear you are dealing with all of that. Chinese medicine is the most powerful thing I know of to regain your health. Here is a link to a thread I wrote about it.

http://www.longecity...inese-medicine/

[Lufega]

I succumbed to accutane as well. Took it when I was 19 and I've never been the same since. I'm in my 30's now. I've been on this forum for years and tried everything under the sun. Magnesium helped a lot but aside from that, it's been one dead end after another.

I have ALL the same symptoms you list. Funny. I've now resorted to restoring my hormones. Accutane permanently lowered my testosterone levels. Even at 26 years old, I was at 258 so I'm working on restoring balance to that area.

[MrHappy]

I had taken Roaccutane 20mgs 3 years back for once every week. I didn't have proper acne just very oily face. My face would get really oily after 2-3 hours I washed it. The only reason I took this drug was to eradicate the oil off my face and I believed it would cure my mild acne as well. Side effects started after a few days I took the first pill, but I ignored it and continued it. I might have eaten 8+ pills total in a span of 2 months. I'm 21 now and I suffer from multiple symptoms.

Hunger - whenever i eat, whatever i eat i just seem to feel hungry again after 15-20 mins and after passing a stool i get these hunger pains, as if I'm starving for 2-3 days.

Thirst/Urination - its like a never ending cycle, i urinate, i get thirsty, i drink, again i urinate.. and it goes on.. I'm never fully satisfied, my thirst is never quenched and my urge to urinate is never stopped. I often get white foamy urine.

Fatigue - generally im tired the whole day, but after eating a meal i am so sleepy that i get all dizzy, let it be breakfast or a small meal, i'm bound to feel tired and sleepy after it.

Muscle loss -i feel like i'm gradually losing muscle mass all over my body and instead gaining fat, i can see my waist gain a 2-3 inches of fat layer over this period of 3 years.

Dandruff - No matter what anti-dandruff shampoo i use, theres just no way this dandruff is going away. I can literally spot flakes of dandruff in my hair.

Back Pain- I can't stand for long or walk too much. My back starts to pain along with my legs. All in all i have become so fragile and weak.

Acne- I had gotten the worst acne after one year of roaccutane, and nothing would help it, i tried everything, the only thing that worked for me, and i'm continuing it is milk of magnesia, i have to put it daily in the morning on my face before going out.

Eye strain & Photosensitivity

Memory loss - i was one of the smartest kid in highschool and now i struggle hard to concentrate and i find it hard to remember even the basic things.

Also i get a lot mood of swings, I'm easily scared now, easily i get upset, i easily get bored of things and unfortunately people too and I'm so easily irritated.

I got tested for basic diseases like Diabetes and Celiac Disease, got checked my thyroid levels and all reports were normal.

I know i might never be able to fully recover but at least i want to manage my symptoms, i have visited a lot of doctors and they all seem confused and nobody exactly knows what's wrong with me.

I hope you guys can help me out diagnose my problem or suggest any specific lab tests- any sort of help would be greatly appreciated!

Could a ketogenic diet be a possible solution for some of this? (The scalp issue is more likely to be bacterial.)

Constant hunger pangs - check.
Fat gains - check.
Bad concentration/memory - check.

Hmmm.

A lot of the other issues sound somewhat like bacterial issues or environmental. How often are you changing pillow cases, etc? Have you tried benz peroxide based treatments?

[Aque]

Any specific lab tests to detect bacterial infections?

I have no idea about benz peroxide based treatments. What options are there?

[Aque]

I succumbed to accutane as well. Took it when I was 19 and I've never been the same since. I'm in my 30's now. I've been on this forum for years and tried everything under the sun. Magnesium helped a lot but aside from that, it's been one dead end after another.

I have ALL the same symptoms you list. Funny. I've now resorted to restoring my hormones. Accutane permanently lowered my testosterone levels. Even at 26 years old, I was at 258 so I'm working on restoring balance to that area.

What doses of magnesium you take?

Besides testosterone, what other hormones are out of balance? And Is restoring their balance of any help?

Have you tried any nootropics? Felt positive effect from any of them?

What about glutamine? I read somewhere that high doses of it could boost energy in post-accutane sufferers?

[MrHappy]

Any specific lab tests to detect bacterial infections?

I have no idea about benz peroxide based treatments. What options are there?

A swab and microscopic analysis would help.

Benzyl peroxide is the active ingredient in any of the topical acne medications/cleansers that actually work. eg. Proactiv, J&J Clean&Clear (purple tube version, from memory.)

[nupi]

diabetes or low T or major depression...

[Aque]

I have had several tests for diabetes.

Will probably get tested for testosterone soon.

Depression, isn't it related to being sad? I get mood swings, but overall i'm pretty normal.

[Aque]

Any specific lab tests to detect bacterial infections?

I have no idea about benz peroxide based treatments. What options are there?

A swab and microscopic analysis would help.

Benzyl peroxide is the active ingredient in any of the topical acne medications/cleansers that actually work. eg. Proactiv, J&J Clean&Clear (purple tube version, from memory.)

I'm assuming you're suggesting treatments for acne and dandruff. I'm more worried about the internal problems, such as increased hunger/urination, fatigue and memory loss.

[daouda]

Have you tried unani (Ilaj-Bil-Tadbeer) or ayurvedic (panchakarma) treatments? They might help if everything else have failed...

[Vyrez]

Do you exercise? My shoulder got displaced 6 months ago and I haven't exercised much since and I have noticed massive difference in my memory, mood and energy levels. I feel like mentally handicapped when I don't exercise. It also helps your acne by detoxing your body when you sweat. Don't use any harsh chemicals in your face, acne is an area where science sucks so don't listen to what doctors say. My dermatologist said that diet doesn't affect acne for example, that's total bs. And for dandruff, best thing to do is to reduce stress levels and take omega 3. I recommend reading acne.org forums, I have found them very helpful. I can't post any links yet because Im a new member but go there and especially read diet and holistic subforum there.

[daouda]

My dermatologist said that diet doesn't affect acne for example,

Good lord, another good example of the incredible undeserved arrogance of "science-based" western medicine and how they can shamelessly affirm BS statements against the most basic common sense and empirical observations... Obviously if no big-pharma-funded clinical study has "proven" that some form of therapy is effective, it must be bullshit or quackery, right? And their "science" say that only patented pharma drugs like accutane or antibiotics are effective, and of course, they'be been "proven" to be SAFE...
EDIT : reading myself I realize how paranoid this sound while it still is pretty much an absolute truth!

Edited by daouda, 23 April 2013 - 01:50 PM.

[Aque]

Have you tried unani (Ilaj-Bil-Tadbeer) or ayurvedic (panchakarma) treatments? They might help if everything else have failed...

Do you recommend any specific products?