Finish 2+ years on Roaccutane; how long until I'm back to normal?

LegacyUser

Hello. Just last week I took the last of my Roaccutane tablets (as instructed by my dermatologist), after having been on the medication non-stop for almost 2 and a half years.

During the course of my treatment, I had at different times (but most have been recurring for the entire course) the following side-effects:

-Dry, fragile, sensitive, itchy skin
-Extremely dry lips, eyes, and throat
-Cheilitis
-Fatigue
-Muscle and joint pain
-Mood changes/swings -- especially anger/frustation!
-Blurred vision (very often), diminished night vision

They've affected me to varying degrees, and overall it's had a very negative effect on my life, prohibiting me from doing certain things and generally living my life as I'd like to.

As I said, I've just finished my course of Roaccutane. My acne hasn't gone completely, but I have very little that is active. I'm concerned that I'll flare up (although my derm thinks I won't), but I suppose it remains to be seen if that'll happen.

But what I'm also curious about (and this is the purpose of this thread) is how long it will take for the medicine to leave my body completely, and for all of the side-effects listed above, to cease. I was willing to put up with them in order to beat the acne, but now that I'm finished with the medication, the effects should be stopping.

Maybe somebody who's been through a course of Roaccutane could tell me how long they were on it for, and then how long it took for your lips, etc., to stop being dry Or if somebody with medical knowledge could take a guess at how long it usually takes for long-term medication to leave the body completely.

Thank you.

Nevyn

This is not a medical forum ask your dr or your dematologist.

LegacyUser

Hello. Just last week I took the last of my Roaccutane tablets (as instructed by my dermatologist), after having been on the medication non-stop for almost 2 and a half years.

During the course of my treatment, I had at different times (but most have been recurring for the entire course) the following side-effects:

-Dry, fragile, sensitive, itchy skin
-Extremely dry lips, eyes, and throat
-Cheilitis
-Fatigue
-Muscle and joint pain
-Mood changes/swings -- especially anger/frustation!
-Blurred vision (very often), diminished night vision

They've affected me to varying degrees, and overall it's had a very negative effect on my life, prohibiting me from doing certain things and generally living my life as I'd like to.

As I said, I've just finished my course of Roaccutane. My acne hasn't gone completely, but I have very little that is active. I'm concerned that I'll flare up (although my derm thinks I won't), but I suppose it remains to be seen if that'll happen.

But what I'm also curious about (and this is the purpose of this thread) is how long it will take for the medicine to leave my body completely, and for all of the side-effects listed above, to cease. I was willing to put up with them in order to beat the acne, but now that I'm finished with the medication, the effects should be stopping.

Maybe somebody who's been through a course of Roaccutane could tell me how long they were on it for, and then how long it took for your lips, etc., to stop being dry Or if somebody with medical knowledge could take a guess at how long it usually takes for long-term medication to leave the body completely.

I am looking for others' experiences, NOT ADVICE. I don't need advice. I have a dermatologist for that. It is unnecessary to contact him about this topic only for him to tell me that it varies with patients. For that reason I am looking to hear others' experiences. I was clear about this in the previous thread that was closed. I have read the charters.

Thank you.

DiscoHugh

hmm I did a few courses over about 2 years. the only side effect I had was the dry lips...it seemed to go in a matter of weeks if I remember correctly.

your skin will never be as clear as it was when u were taking ro acutane. So just prepare yourself for that.

hollywoodhoppy

I was on it for about a year, had all the listed symptoms but they gradually start wearing off over the space of a month. i gave my body time to recover, no drinking beer etc, drink loads of water and took some multi-vitamin supplements. your body eventually comes around and 4 years later my skin has never been clearer, i had lots of scarring which is almost 95% gone at this stage and i am a much happier person. things are definately looking up for you, just gotta be patient

thats my two pence worth anyways

bbbbb

No real guidelines I'm afraid.
I've been on 3 separate courses of roaccutane. (3 to 6 months at a time, didn't realise they did longer). Each one was different in terms of my reaction while on & comming off the medication, the side effects, length of time. BTW, the skin can continue to improve once you come off. If it's not working out, talk to your doctor.