Anonymous wrote:Did people's kids keep growing while on accutane? That is my number one concern for my DS, who desperately needs it but is only 13.

I'm not sure why they wouldn't? My is 14 and has grown 2.5 inches this year while on accutane? Was this a previous concern? It was never mentioned by his dermatologist.

My son (14) is on month 5 of Accutane. It's been AMAZING for his pretty severe case of acne. We tried a whole list of other things before moving to Accutane. Since it has taken him longer than the normal 4 month protocol his doctor told us would be needed, I feel like we made the right choice. I don't think he could have cleared up his skin on his own and kept it clear.
He does have side effects: dry chapped lips, slightly shorter patience and frustration tolerance, sun sensitive skin, etc. His acne got worse the first month and then continues to get better each month now.

My DD takes it since 10 months. The first few months were hell because the skin got much worse (giant pimples in the face). After about four months the skin got better and now, since a few months she hasn't any pimples at all. Sideffect: dry skin and lips. No other side effects.

Did people's kids keep growing while on accutane? That is my number one concern for my DS, who desperately needs it but is only 13.

Anonymous wrote:I was depressed BEFORE going on accurate because it sucks to be a teen girl with cystic acne and pimples with a white head. Just gross to look at. It was awful. I didn’t want to talk to anyone in person or look up in class. I was so self-conscious. By the fourth month of accurate I was a different person. No longer needed therapy. Developed friendships, started speaking in class, willing to join clubs, etc.

Same. My face would literally ooze and bleed. It was awful. People asked if I'd been in a fire. Twice. I took Accutane around 1995, and no muscle aches, dry lips that Chapstick cured, no other issues.

Lots of stomach issues. Had to go off. GI thought he had Crohn's but luckily we mentioned Accutane. It doesn't cause IBDs, but can MIMIC them. Once off Accutane, return to normal digestion. Going off dairy helped a lot together with topical.

I was depressed BEFORE going on accurate because it sucks to be a teen girl with cystic acne and pimples with a white head. Just gross to look at. It was awful. I didn’t want to talk to anyone in person or look up in class. I was so self-conscious. By the fourth month of accurate I was a different person. No longer needed therapy. Developed friendships, started speaking in class, willing to join clubs, etc.

Thanks to the person posting about the AVI Clear, there are 3 practitioners in the DC area, and made an appointment for a consultation.

Anonymous wrote:My daughter was on it for about nine months at age 16. It was miraculous and helped her self-esteem SO much. It's been a year since she went off of it and her skin is still great.

She is an athlete and had no muscle or joint pain at all. Also no emotional/mental health side effects, which were my big fear. The only side effect that bothered her was dry lips. Our dermatologist recommended this chapstick, which really helped if she used it frequently: https://www.drdanslipbalm.com/cortibalm/

My son also uses this lip blam and it's the only one that helps his super dry lips. That's been the worst side effect for him along with some nosebleeds. I took it years ago and my skin and lips were so dry. I took it in the fall/winter which didn't help the dry skin. If you take it in the spring/summer, you have to worry about the sun and getting sunburnt. My son is almost done his 7 month course of Accutane and his skin has cleared up so much. It's super smooth now too. It's so soft like baby's skin.

PP here-- also, my daughter is very petite and used a really low dose the whole time (I can't remember the number, but it was the lowest the doctor ever prescribes) and it worked just fine.

My daughter was on it for about nine months at age 16. It was miraculous and helped her self-esteem SO much. It's been a year since she went off of it and her skin is still great.

She is an athlete and had no muscle or joint pain at all. Also no emotional/mental health side effects, which were my big fear. The only side effect that bothered her was dry lips. Our dermatologist recommended this chapstick, which really helped if she used it frequently: https://www.drdanslipbalm.com/cortibalm/

I took accutane myself many years ago. Dry skin, dry lips. The effects wore off after several years and I found myself back on topical acne medication....still worth it. No depression-- I have anxiety but it's hereditary (I didn't notice it worsening with Accutane). No muscle aches or other side effects.
The only side effect that I question - I think it affected my night vision.

Anonymous wrote:There’s a great Accutane sub-Reddit I’d recommend. Lots of posts from people currently on the drug. It truly works miracles for so many people.

I read it too. Great place to ask questions.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Accutane/

Anonymous wrote:DS is on month 4 and can barely play soccer because of the muscle aches. Had a very bad spring season. Also had dry everything but no mood swings. He's 14. On the bright side, his skin is starting to look really good. 20 mg dose.

That was my son as well. Muscle aches after training. He said he felt stiff too. We told the coach. He also had purple toes from wearing the cleats.

On the bright side, after 9 months, we are done! his back and chest is completely clear. His face has a bit of scaring but hopefully disappears on its own.

He's a happy boy! No more hiding behind his hoodies!.

There’s a great Accutane sub-Reddit I’d recommend. Lots of posts from people currently on the drug. It truly works miracles for so many people.