Posted by MB on January 14, 2002, at 20:07:27
In reply to Re: In the news: Fla suicide pilot was on accutane » MB, posted by noa on January 14, 2002, at 16:39:45
> THank you for that. I agree. It is not fair to say that people who take or took accutane are shallow. I do wonder, however, what the odds are of getting the severe depression and/or other bad side effects, and whether people are apprised of these risks, and whether other medication options are offered.
>
> Same could be asked about our psych meds, too, I guess.
There are other treatment options and Accutane is reserved as the last and final because of the severe side effects (nose bleeds, fatigue, increased triglyceride levels, peeling palms). I tried benzoyl peroxide, tetracycline, topical clindamycin, Retin-A (kind of like a topical Accutane), some weird topical dicarboxylic acid, cortisone injections into cysts and probably more before trying Accutane. The most helpful of the topicals was the Retin-A. It causes the skin to "shed" at a faster rate, and for new skin to be formed. I consider it a wonder drug: because of it, I have no visible scaring. It wasn't enough, however, and it wasn't until after years of failed attempt to clear the problem up that I took the Accutane. At that time the only serious side effects they new of (supposedly) were those of birth defects in babies born to mothers taking Accutane and increased triglycerides in the people taking Accutane. Also, I had to get a liver panel done every few weeks. I knew it was serious medication, but I was never warned about depression. In fact, when I started to get fatigued, the doctor wasn't even sure it was the Accutane.MB
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