Posted on 05/02/2003 9:04:41 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative
Edited on 04/13/2004 2:09:43 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
Although Accutane causes birth defects, many acne sufferers love the way the miracle complexion pill makes them look, and so do their doctors. That's why it has become the most widely prescribed birth-defect-causing medicine in the United States.
Many women might be reluctant to reveal their vanities, but Brenda McCoy boldly admits that she's always been concerned about her looks. "I take really good care of myself," says the svelte Orange County mother of four and part-time nurse who's finishing work toward her bachelor's degree at California State University. Despite her hectic schedule, the 40-year-old maintains her figure by running, biking, and power walking.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
I took Accutane. My insurance paid for it because I had disfiguring cystic acne. (I feel sorry for my not yet here kids.)
I was warned extensively of the problems that would occur should I get pregnant on the regimine. My doctor actually had me sign a document that said if I got pregnant, that I would have an abortion. (I was 19 then, different values, I've grown up now.)
No woman who takes accutane is unaware of the risks.
If I were you, I'd get on accutane as soon as possible. The side effects while severe, aren't as bad as the problems you're having with acne. I wanted to go on accutane when it first came out, but my dermatologist thought I would outgrow my acne anyway. I didn't persuade my dermatologist to presribe it to me till 15 months later. The first effect I saw was that it actually increased my break outs some, but it caused the pattern to change. It dried out my nose, and I was rather miserable during cold dry winter weather. It makes the skin turn red and looks somewhat like a sun burn. A course of therapy is only five months, and the results are so dramatic that the side effects are bearable.
I am 21 years old and didn’t have a single zit on my face until I was 19. Since then they have progressed and gotten worse. I have been on minocycline and doxicycline. Neither of them worked very well and made me sick. I stopped taking them and used Proactiv. It worked for a little while then it was like my skin became immune. I go to modeling and acting schools but am currently not taking classes because of my face. Neither of my parents have a history of acne. It seems like stress adds to the problem. How expensive is accutane? Is it covered by health insurance? I have talked to people that say that after they took accutane they never had, or haven’t yet had a problem since. I just stumbled upon these posts and thought maybe my qurstions could be answered. Thanks.
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