Hands up who want acne? Pimples? Spots? (I'll be damn if I can see any)
Many solutions for acne problem and the most strong medicine and is said to have 85% chance for the problem to be treated even after you stop taking it- Roaccutane. It is also known as oral isotretinoin.Let me tell you the basic things about Roaccutane first before telling you my experience
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What is Roaccutane and what it is used for?
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It is one of a gropu of medicines known as retinoids, which are used to treat many skin problems. They are derived from vitamin A and retinoids can be found in very low levels in man. It is used to treat acne, especially in patients whose acne has not responded to other treatments.
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Any side effects?
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Of course, yes (tell me which medicine doesnt has any!) The possible side effects that you could experience is :
- dryness
- eye irritation
- muscle aches and pains
- hair changes
- mood changesFrom my own research, I havent come-across any statement that said Roaccutane has long-term side effect and that is what my doctor told me.
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WARNING
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- You should not
use Roaccutane if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant (because it could damage unborn baby)
- If you have liver or kidney desease
- If you are breast-feeding
- If you are currently taking certain antibiotics called tetracyclines
- If you are allergic to this medicine---> I could end up telling you all the information from the brochures my doctor gave me. Most of the information about this medicine could be obtained from the internet.
You could ask your GP for further information too but this medicine could only be prescribe by skin specialist, not GP. -------------
MY EXPERIENCE
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I took many kind of medication for my acne problem but none of them respond very well. My GP suggest Roaccutane, which he said said 'Could give you spotless skin even after you stop taking it'.
Since Roaccutane can only be prescribed by skin specialist, I have 2 choices :- whether to be in the waiting list for NHS skin specialist (which will be for at least for 2 months) or I could just go to a private skin specialist. Ok, here is where the PRICE will come in the picture-----
PRICE
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The treatment will take about 4-6 months, depend on how your skin respond to the medication. If you go to NHS, it will cost you around 50-80pound for the whole treatment but if you go for private, it will cost you 110pound and above just for the consultant charge and the medicine itself is VERY VERY expensive. Let say the total cost for 6 months treatment will be around 800-1000pounds. (yeah, tell me about it)
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THE TREATMENT
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You will need to do a blood test, to make sure that you can take Roaccutane. Your doctor will do some health or family history medical history. If the blood test result is OK and your doctor is satisfied with your health condition, then you will have to take Roaccutane for 6 weeks first, then do another blood test to see if your blood has any problem with Roaccutane. If the result is OK, then only you can continue with the treatment.I am on Roaccutane for about 2 weeks now, and my face feels like it gonna burst anytime because of the increasing amount of 'extra accessories' on my face. My doctor said that this is normal for some patient to experience this for the first week of the treatment. My face is beginning to 'calm down' since yesterday, and I really hope to see some promising result after this (I really think I will)
I am experiencing the dryness side effect (most of Roaccutane patient will experience this). I have to put lots of moisturizer and vaseline for the lips. On the 3rd day of my medication, I experience terrible headaches + depression, but after swallowed 2 pills of nurofen, I never have it again until now. ----------
CONCLUSION
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Roaccutane is really helpful for people who has serious acne problem. It is also can be used if you think that your acne problem could result scarring in the future.
If you want to take this medicine, make sure you understand the possible side-effects, precautions and any alternative beside Roaccutane. My personal advice - take the medicine after you have tried something else first. Maybe you dont really need Roaccutane. Good luck!Check out www.roaccutane.com.au/ for more information on Roaccutane and contact the below details:
The Acne Support Group, PO Box 230, Hayes, Middlesex UB4 0UT. Tel : (0181) 561 6868****LATEST UPDATE******
It has been 2 months since I start taking Roaccutane. I have some of the side effects :-depression, dry lips and ezcema and my doctor suggested to take lower dosage to reduce the level of side effects.
My skin has start to clear up and I only have some spots on my face now. My friends start giving some nice compliments about my skin and I am able to apply some make up nowadays. I dont have oily skin anymore (that's one of the best part!) and I feel more confidence. Though I have some of the side effects, I still recommend Roaccutane to people who has acne problem. p/s = I will update this article to tell you how it will go with the lower dosage.
26.04.2003 10:08
I was on this a few years ago so it is very interesting to read your opinion (I suggested this category in the first place as I felt it is a drug that many should know about). I found that using Blisteze (just the original one, blue and red packaging - think it costs about £2.20) on my lips really helped, then add a layer of vaseline on top at night. Don't give up with them though, I am virtually spot free, 4 years later. Oh and how come it is costing £50+ on the NHS? I got mine for the price of 2 prescriptions. If you want please feel free to e-mail me.
17.04.2003 20:54
I do hope that the lower dosage works for you. Coping with the depression can't be easy. Have you tried Vaseline for the dry lips? Best wishes - and I really hope it works out. Sue.
14.04.2003 17:47
Thats really good, im pleased for you! x