Anonymous
Post 01/17/2024 07:39     Subject: Accutane - Wwyd?
Anonymous wrote:Honestly, my son is on it and I hate the side effects (for him, and how I remembered them for me). But it works and it’s a fairly short duration compared to a lifetime of scarring or pimples.



What are the side effects he’s experiencing?
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2024 07:19     Subject: Accutane - Wwyd?
My DD finished accurate a few months ago and While she did get some headaches and joint soreness- her self esteem and mood has much improved. Her skin is beautiful now and I am so happy we listened to the doctor
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2024 00:58     Subject: Accutane - Wwyd?
Anonymous wrote:

What is he scared of?


The first thing the derm talked about what depression, and how rare it is but she has to warn us, and she spoke about that for a good 10 minutes. So of course we leave, and he is googling it and got completely spooked and worried about being depressed, losing interest in sports, not to mention the peeling, flaking, dry lips, muscle pains...It's a critical semester for him and he has a lot on his plate already between sports and school. I understand Accutane would be THE best course of action to entirely get rid of acne, but I also regret not asking more about alternatives on the spot because of the anxiety this is causing now even thinking about whether to do it or not. Maybe some derms are also quicker to prescribe than others because again (and I am not minimizing as someone says...) his acne is not severe, I'd say maybe a 4 out of 10 and very localized. Is it worth the potential side effects is what I wonder. I don't think it's weird for me to ponder this before jumping into something serious like this.


Those are completely valid concerns. He has a good head on his shoulders. He is accurately assessing risks VS his need for the medication. He's the one who has to live with his face.
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2024 00:50     Subject: Accutane - Wwyd?
Suicide, depression? Growth plates closing early
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2024 21:16     Subject: Accutane - Wwyd?
Anonymous wrote:

What is he scared of?


The first thing the derm talked about what depression, and how rare it is but she has to warn us, and she spoke about that for a good 10 minutes. So of course we leave, and he is googling it and got completely spooked and worried about being depressed, losing interest in sports, not to mention the peeling, flaking, dry lips, muscle pains...It's a critical semester for him and he has a lot on his plate already between sports and school. I understand Accutane would be THE best course of action to entirely get rid of acne, but I also regret not asking more about alternatives on the spot because of the anxiety this is causing now even thinking about whether to do it or not. Maybe some derms are also quicker to prescribe than others because again (and I am not minimizing as someone says...) his acne is not severe, I'd say maybe a 4 out of 10 and very localized. Is it worth the potential side effects is what I wonder. I don't think it's weird for me to ponder this before jumping into something serious like this.

She is jumping to accutane because of the scarring. That plus he already tried some other things.
I’ve had four kids take it. None of them had side effects besides dry lips. Start at a low dose and monitor is what I’d tell him. You can always stop before the course is completed.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2024 21:06     Subject: Accutane - Wwyd?
Anonymous wrote:I was also very nervous about my daughter taking it. I felt a lot better after learning that you can take it at a lower dose at the beginning to assess side effects.


How long did she take it for? Did she have side effects?
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2024 21:05     Subject: Accutane - Wwyd?

What is he scared of?


The first thing the derm talked about what depression, and how rare it is but she has to warn us, and she spoke about that for a good 10 minutes. So of course we leave, and he is googling it and got completely spooked and worried about being depressed, losing interest in sports, not to mention the peeling, flaking, dry lips, muscle pains...It's a critical semester for him and he has a lot on his plate already between sports and school. I understand Accutane would be THE best course of action to entirely get rid of acne, but I also regret not asking more about alternatives on the spot because of the anxiety this is causing now even thinking about whether to do it or not. Maybe some derms are also quicker to prescribe than others because again (and I am not minimizing as someone says...) his acne is not severe, I'd say maybe a 4 out of 10 and very localized. Is it worth the potential side effects is what I wonder. I don't think it's weird for me to ponder this before jumping into something serious like this.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2024 21:02     Subject: Accutane - Wwyd?
I was also very nervous about my daughter taking it. I felt a lot better after learning that you can take it at a lower dose at the beginning to assess side effects.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2024 20:56     Subject: Accutane - Wwyd?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why did you go to a dermatologist if you’re going to disregard what she tells you?


I came out thinking we'd do it. Then I researched it more and I am scared of side effects. I would not hesitate if his acne were truly awful and he were asking to do it, but he is on the fence as well. I also don't think he will be great about sunscreen.

His acne is already truly awful if he has scars. Why are you minimizing the permanent damage being caused because his acne isn’t being treated?


Would you really force a teen to do this though? He is not asking for it, the opposite. He is scared.

What is he scared of?
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2024 20:56     Subject: Accutane - Wwyd?
Anonymous wrote:I was on it as a kid and will never do that to my own child.

My skin is clearer than before, so it works, but I was miserable and lying to my mom about it because I knew how important to her it was that something finally work.

What side effect was terrible for you?
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2024 20:47     Subject: Accutane - Wwyd?
I was on it as a kid and will never do that to my own child.

My skin is clearer than before, so it works, but I was miserable and lying to my mom about it because I knew how important to her it was that something finally work.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2024 20:45     Subject: Accutane - Wwyd?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why did you go to a dermatologist if you’re going to disregard what she tells you?


I came out thinking we'd do it. Then I researched it more and I am scared of side effects. I would not hesitate if his acne were truly awful and he were asking to do it, but he is on the fence as well. I also don't think he will be great about sunscreen.

His acne is already truly awful if he has scars. Why are you minimizing the permanent damage being caused because his acne isn’t being treated?


Would you really force a teen to do this though? He is not asking for it, the opposite. He is scared.

I would 100% strongly encourage my child to minimize the effects of long term damage to their face. That they will likely never repair. Acne serious enough for accutane permanently disfigures skin.

I would be clear this is a necessary medication to treat a medical condition. He doesn’t just have pimples that can be treated by Clearisil and a facial. As others have said, the way Accutane is handled now is different from when you were a teen. The same results can be had with a lower dose/possible longer course which limits side effects.

I would not minimize what is happening to his face as you are. You’re leading the way for your child.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2024 20:40     Subject: Accutane - Wwyd?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why did you go to a dermatologist if you’re going to disregard what she tells you?


I came out thinking we'd do it. Then I researched it more and I am scared of side effects. I would not hesitate if his acne were truly awful and he were asking to do it, but he is on the fence as well. I also don't think he will be great about sunscreen.

His acne is already truly awful if he has scars. Why are you minimizing the permanent damage being caused because his acne isn’t being treated?


Would you really force a teen to do this though? He is not asking for it, the opposite. He is scared.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2024 20:37     Subject: Accutane - Wwyd?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why did you go to a dermatologist if you’re going to disregard what she tells you?


I came out thinking we'd do it. Then I researched it more and I am scared of side effects. I would not hesitate if his acne were truly awful and he were asking to do it, but he is on the fence as well. I also don't think he will be great about sunscreen.

His acne is already truly awful if he has scars. Why are you minimizing the permanent damage being caused because his acne isn’t being treated?
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2024 20:32     Subject: Accutane - Wwyd?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why did you go to a dermatologist if you’re going to disregard what she tells you?


I came out thinking we'd do it. Then I researched it more and I am scared of side effects. I would not hesitate if his acne were truly awful and he were asking to do it, but he is on the fence as well. I also don't think he will be great about sunscreen.

Well then he shouldn’t use retin an either if he won’t do sunscreen!
I would strongly urge you to do it. I know a couple of people with scarring on their cheeks and it really sucks.
Yes there are serious side effects but you can monitor and go off if necessary. In a couple cases I would be hesitant (mental health problems or IBS/Crohns) but for a healthy child I think it’s worth it.