Anonymous
09/24/2015 10:21
Subject: Cystic Acne-Teen Boy
My husband took Accutane when we were first together in college. It was a wonder drug for him. He'd suffered from cystic acne all through late middle and high school.
The only side effect he recalls was the lip dryness and some facial dryness at certain points of the treatment. He also disliked going for the required blood tests (he doesn't recall how frequent they were). Also, his acne briefly got worse before it got TONS better. He never experienced the side effects the others are mentioning. He did say that after it really started to work, he felt a surge of self-confidence because for the first time in ages, he thought that people noticed things about him other than his acne.
Amazingly, given the extent and duration of his acne, he has no scarring. Two of his brothers also took Accutane for cystic acne. One has fairly extensive scarring and regrets that he waited as long as he did to take Accutane.
I know there can be fairly serious side effects, but given my husband's positive experience and the damaging psychological effects of cystic acne, if one of my children develops cystic acne (and they are clearly at risk), we will be at the derm for an Accutane evaluation very quickly. So far we have only experienced the typical superficial teenage acne, for which ProActiv has worked well enough.
Wishing your son lots of luck. Would love to hear a report later.
The only side effect he recalls was the lip dryness and some facial dryness at certain points of the treatment. He also disliked going for the required blood tests (he doesn't recall how frequent they were). Also, his acne briefly got worse before it got TONS better. He never experienced the side effects the others are mentioning. He did say that after it really started to work, he felt a surge of self-confidence because for the first time in ages, he thought that people noticed things about him other than his acne.
Amazingly, given the extent and duration of his acne, he has no scarring. Two of his brothers also took Accutane for cystic acne. One has fairly extensive scarring and regrets that he waited as long as he did to take Accutane.
I know there can be fairly serious side effects, but given my husband's positive experience and the damaging psychological effects of cystic acne, if one of my children develops cystic acne (and they are clearly at risk), we will be at the derm for an Accutane evaluation very quickly. So far we have only experienced the typical superficial teenage acne, for which ProActiv has worked well enough.
Wishing your son lots of luck. Would love to hear a report later.
Anonymous
09/24/2015 10:15
Subject: Cystic Acne-Teen Boy
I've been taking zinc for my acne and it's done wonders for my face. I like to read the acne.org forums and found out about through their website. I had really bad cystic acne all over my face and now it's all gone. I've tried every prescription topical and antibiotic for acne except for accutane and none of them were ever a long term solution
http://www.acne.org/zinc-reviews-200/
http://www.acne.org/zinc-reviews-200/
Anonymous
09/24/2015 09:57
Subject: Re:Cystic Acne-Teen Boy
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can anyone comment on their experience with possible side-effects of Accutane, particularly related to mood, lack of energy or depression?
I've taken Accutane, twice. Absolutely no mood/depression/lack of energy issues. The side effects I did have were joint pain in my ankles if I had been sitting or standing in one spot. The pain wasn't really a big deal, it was more of a initial discomfort before I got going. Then I was fine. Overall my skin and membranes were more dried out. It was much better for me the second time because I knew what to expect. For example my skin wasn't as dry the second time because I was slathering on Cetaphil lotion prior I started my course of treatment. I feel like I got ahead of the curve. I also amped up my water intake to help as well. The first time I took it my vision was a bit blurry but not the second time. My saving grace both times was a friend recommended bag balm for my lips. 1000x better than Carmex, Chapstick, etc. it just feels so moisturizing going on and you don't have to reapply it a million times.
I have 5 friends that have also dome Accutane and we've all talked about our experiences. The primary thing we had in common is that we all felt our mood and outlook improved because our skin so dramatically improved. For the first time ever we didn't hid our faces or slather on makeup. We weren't afraid of having our pictures taken. We became more confident. We were truly blessed to have access to Accutane.
Everyone is different though and you will quickly know if your kids mood becomes impacted.
Thanks for your detailed response -- very helpful. One question -- where do you get bag balm?
Anonymous
09/22/2015 21:44
Subject: Re:Cystic Acne-Teen Boy
Anonymous wrote:Can anyone comment on their experience with possible side-effects of Accutane, particularly related to mood, lack of energy or depression?
I've taken Accutane, twice. Absolutely no mood/depression/lack of energy issues. The side effects I did have were joint pain in my ankles if I had been sitting or standing in one spot. The pain wasn't really a big deal, it was more of a initial discomfort before I got going. Then I was fine. Overall my skin and membranes were more dried out. It was much better for me the second time because I knew what to expect. For example my skin wasn't as dry the second time because I was slathering on Cetaphil lotion prior I started my course of treatment. I feel like I got ahead of the curve. I also amped up my water intake to help as well. The first time I took it my vision was a bit blurry but not the second time. My saving grace both times was a friend recommended bag balm for my lips. 1000x better than Carmex, Chapstick, etc. it just feels so moisturizing going on and you don't have to reapply it a million times.
I have 5 friends that have also dome Accutane and we've all talked about our experiences. The primary thing we had in common is that we all felt our mood and outlook improved because our skin so dramatically improved. For the first time ever we didn't hid our faces or slather on makeup. We weren't afraid of having our pictures taken. We became more confident. We were truly blessed to have access to Accutane.
Everyone is different though and you will quickly know if your kids mood becomes impacted.
Anonymous
09/22/2015 21:30
Subject: Cystic Acne-Teen Boy
I wouldn't mess with aspirin in any form with a teen. Get clear guidance from a doctor on that.
Anonymous
09/22/2015 21:22
Subject: Cystic Acne-Teen Boy
Anonymous wrote:Accutane worked for my sister and I. Some dermatologists do medical facials. Mine does - The Dermatology Center in Bethesda. It's covered under insurance and has helped me.
What are medical facials? Do they help with scarring?
Anonymous
09/22/2015 21:21
Subject: Cystic Acne-Teen Boy
Anonymous wrote:My son also took accutane and was completely cured. It did make him tired and he was very dry/had horrible chapped lips (for which only Dr. Dan's Cortibalm worked -- available on Amazon).
When you say Accutane made your son feel tired, can you elaborate on that a little?
Anonymous
09/22/2015 21:18
Subject: Re:Cystic Acne-Teen Boy
Can anyone comment on their experience with possible side-effects of Accutane, particularly related to mood, lack of energy or depression?
Anonymous
09/22/2015 16:01
Subject: Cystic Acne-Teen Boy
Accutane before he is stuck with scarring. Cystic acne can leave horrible pitting.
Anonymous
09/22/2015 10:10
Subject: Re:Cystic Acne-Teen Boy
I second the tree tea oil & hydrocolloid band aids to drain all the nasty out. Promise a miracle.
http://www.luckyshops.com/article/hydrocolloid-bandages-acne
http://www.luckyshops.com/article/hydrocolloid-bandages-acne
Anonymous
09/22/2015 10:03
Subject: Cystic Acne-Teen Boy
Thanks for all the feedback!