Accutane and Joint Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Mrs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2015

For Acne "I live in the UK, so we get drugs, etc., free. This drug is only available via a specialist at a hospital and is carefully monitored. I'm 40 years old and had painful large spots since I was 12. I have tried everything, so now I've hit 40 and had a family, decided to try it. I lasted 15 days of 20 g a day. I thought at my age I would have less to worry about than a teenager. I could cope with the dry skin and cracked lips, but the headaches and joint pain were horrific. I stopped taking it 5 days ago, but still am in constant pain and have a headache. I have been told these side effects could last up to 30 days. I have never suffered side effects from any drugs I have taken until I took this. If you are planning to take this, please consider carefully."

• til...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 8, 2016

For Acne "I was on Accutane for a little over 6 months. I started at 30 mgs/day, but became suicidal and had severe joint pain, so my doc dropped me to 20 mgs/day. I was able to handle the dryness and sun sensitivity. Ultimately, I stopped taking it early because it dried out my lungs, and (although I can't prove it) I believe my new diagnosis of asthma is due to the Accutane. I suffered from horrible chest pain for over a month before figuring out it was the Accutane. Once I stopped, the chest pain went away, but the asthma has not gone away. It did completely clear up my skin, but I don't know if it was worth it. I've been off for 3 months now, and I have a little acne again, but it's not anywhere near as bad as it was before."

• Hun...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 15, 2021

For Acne "HORRIBLE. Left me permanently crippled with joint and back pain, irreversible damage. I now spend every day of my life suffering and in pain because of this pill that was pushed on me. It cleared up my acne fast, but all my acne returned worse a month after I stopped. Please never get on this. I am warning you. They never warned me. I've been dealing with the permanent side effects after being off of Accutane for 4 years now and the pain only gets worse. Worst mistake of my life. Save yourself, please."

• Acn...
• March 9, 2016

For Acne "I started Accutane late December 2015. I was on it for 7 weeks, 5 days when I had to temporarily stop because my liver enzymes were elevated. At this point, I was taking 60 mg per day. In regards to my acne, my skin was clearing beautifully! I'm very happy with the results. However, I experienced side effects such as dry skin, dry lips, joint pain, headaches, and trouble sleeping sometimes. Within two weeks after stopping Accutane, I did some blood work. My results showed that my liver enzymes were back to normal, so my doctor advised me to start Accutane again. I'm currently taking 60 mg again every day, and I have roughly about 11 weeks more to go on Accutane. I do get 1-2 pimples and a few blackheads, but nothing cystic."

• Anonymous
• January 13, 2021

For Acne "This is my third time on Accutane, unfortunately, it hasn’t kept my skin clear forever-only for 1-2 years. However, my family has severe acne, and my brothers and sister (my brothers had worse skin than I have) all have been on one round of Accutane and have kept their skin clear for 3+ years after. This time around, I am starting on a higher dose, so I am optimistic it will work. Symptoms I got were chapped lips, dry hands, eczema patches, and sore joints. My skin got worse before it got better, however, in my opinion, it’s totally worth the long 6 months. My skin was extremely dry the first week, but I got it under control with CeraVe moisturizers, Vaseline, No7 hydrating mask, and a powerful humidifier! This works on my eczema as well. The only symptoms that I can’t control are the sore joints, but it has subsided after all my treatments and has still allowed me to work out. Highly recommend for severe acne cases who have tried everything else!"

• SW7...
• March 14, 2018

For Acne "I started this drug because I suffered from acne my entire life. Tried countless medications from my doctor, with nothing being successful. It wasn’t until I was 24 years old, and after a year of studying this drug and contemplating it, I decided to take the plunge! The side effects suck. Extremely dry lips (like I’m talking can’t even talk without your lips being moisturized. Vaseline!), some chest pain, sore joints, heartburn (if Accutane isn’t taken with food), dry nostrils, dry skin, eczema, very low endurance, painful bowel movement. (Yeah. I got it bad.) BUT they are different for everyone, and it worked for me! If I had the choice to do it again knowing what I know now, I would, 100%. It honestly renews your skin. Old acne scars I had for 8 years were gone! It does get worse before it gets better but is worth it! Only reason for my 9/10 is because the side effects would have been tough to deal with without support and encouragement. So make sure you have tons of that! Good luck!"

• Gru...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 2, 2012

For Acne "Despite the high cost and the side effects - fantastic. Struggled through teens and then nothing until I hit 40! Suddenly, terrible facial and body acne again. Had to go for private treatment as the UK NHS would not cover the cost, but so worth the cost. Some discomfort, very dry lips, some nosebleeds due to dryness, joint pain in knees and back, hair thin and brittle, but no lasting effects at all and would not hesitate to do it again if required. It works. My skin is better now than it has ever been."

• Toa...
• April 23, 2021

For Acne "For background, I am a female in my mid-20s. I took 40 mg of Accutane for 8 months (on and off, since I sometimes had to stop to take antibiotics). I had no other health problems other than depression and anxiety prior to taking Accutane. Neither of these conditions worsened or improved for me while on the drug. This drug does what it says it will do. The acne on my chest and back has completely cleared and not come back. I only get hormonal breakouts before my period now. The prominent side effects that I experienced were hair loss, weight gain (not due to the medication, but having to take Accutane with a high-fat meal, feeling more tired on the drug, etc.), and body aches. I am still coping with hair loss, but my dermatologist has said it is temporary. And joint pain from the medication. If I do not drink a lot of water throughout the day, then my joints start to feel really stiff. But other than that, I did not experience any other lasting side effects."

• Anonymous
• August 11, 2010

For Acne "When I was a 15-year-old freshman in high school, I broke out with severe acne. In literally one week, my skin went from perfectly clear to large acne blotches on my cheeks, chin, and neck that were painful to touch. After trying everything in the arsenal at the time (minocycline, benzaclin, finacea, etc.), my dermatologist recommended Accutane. My only side effects were ridiculously chapped lips, dry skin on my face, and some joint pain. After a month and a half of treatment, my acne was gone completely, and my skin was clearer every day thereafter. I was so depressed with the acne, but this medicine changed my life for the better, as I have never needed to use/take another acne medication following that 4 or 5 month treatment."

• car...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 19, 2021

For Acne "Accutane is amazing. 10/10. Not just does it fix the acne, it also fixes the stretch marks on the skin. I got stretch marks years ago due to methylprednisolone and dexamethasone abuse. The stretch marks amazingly improved on Accutane. Yes, there are side effects: dry lips, delayed skin wound healing, and joint pain. I lick my lips every time I need to keep them hydrated, I take chondroitin, glucosamine, and collagen supplements for the joint pain, and everything is just fine then. Took and taking 100 mg a day (50 and 50), having 125 lb (55 kg) and 6 ft (185 cm). Please note, the delayed healing side effect is amazingly annoying. While taking Accutane, I am unable to do any blood tests. It just won't work. The vein spot will swell like a balloon. Also, a big acne spot which ended can still be visible on the skin for up to 3 months while taking Accutane. Do not panic or something. It is a normal process. I also take omeprazole 20 mg and pantoprazole 40 mg for stomach acid control. Also, calcium 500 mg."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2017

For Acne "I've had horrible cystic acne for years, started taking Accutane 3 months ago, am completely clear now. Bad points: joint pain, dry skin, and lips. Get yourself Blistex relief cream, works wonders for your lips."

• Emb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2018

For Acne "I took Isotretinoin for 27 days from December 2017 to January 2018. At the time, I was 21, and I had exhausted all other options. After a brief consultation with my GP, who assured me that the drug was safe and the listed side effects were uncommon, I was placed on 40 mg a day for 6 months (I’m a 5-9 male, 160 lbs). The side effects that I experienced at first were as follows: dry lips, dry skin, light sensitivity, and slight joint pain. In week 3, I suffered from a major nodular breakout (which is to be expected), severe brain fog, and short-term memory loss. Terrified, I quit the medication, as my memory is my most prized possession. Three months following my drug refusal, my short-term memory came back for the most part, and I was 100% clear. At month 3.5, I encountered an SE: a virtually non-existing libido and general numbness in the phallic region. In September 2018, my libido slowly came back, and I started breaking out again with mild to moderate acne on my face and scalp."

• luv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2019

For Acne "I have cystic acne…was shocked to learn my doctor recommended Accutane. From monthly nosebleeds to severe dry lips, severe dry skin, scalp, and major joint pain in my feet, upper back, forearm, and knees…all of which caused me to have a torn meniscus in my knee! So not worth it! I am now struggling to stand/walk and even lying down is just painful. I personally wouldn’t have gone through this hassle since it made things worse for me. I do have acne scars now more while I was on it… but the redness/flair ups have calmed down during my hormonal monthlies. I don’t see much of a difference. Getting the drug filled was a pain since pharmacies don't know how to fill this drug properly… they don’t check the iPledge first before filling the drug, so it screws up the status. I am a bit worried about the long-term side effects and not even sure if the acne really cured me."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2018

For Acne "Horrible dry lips, hair loss, and joint pain still after 6 years off of the drug. Don’t take this poison."