Roaccutane + Moods

LegacyUser

I have been on Roaccutane now for 2 months, and at first I was fine, and it wasn't messing with my head at all.

Now I'm on double dose and I'm paranoid and insecure all the time... can I blame this on the Roaccutane? Is it a side effect? Can anyone relate?

Also, I get very bad back, legs, hips ankle pain... and lately I feel like I have pain inside me, like inside my body around my middle back area. Is this normal?

I understand the last one may be classed a medical issue, but it costs 55euro to go see my doctor, and when I'm earning what I'm earning, thats a lot of money! So I'm not looking for medical advice, just people to relate or tell me that it's not normal and my doctor is needed!

craichoe

Thats a medical issue, if your having side affects go see your GP !

pookie82

A friend of mine was on that drug and recorded similar pains and feelings of anxiety/depression. But as with all strong side-effects, you should check it out with your GP to make sure the dose is safe.

enfant terrible

I was on that a year ago and had no real side effects besides dry lips and nose.
But I think I was on 40mg a day max and it worked amazingly.

StormWarrior

You can get roaccutane in a gel form that does not have mental side effects and works brilliantly. Ask your GP if it would be worth you changing to that instead it's called Isotrexin.

LegacyUser

Thanks for the replies...

I am aware the side effects I'm experiencing are part of the drug, one of those things I will have to get used to

I was wondering if people have been on Roaccutane before, and how they dealt with the side effects - in particular the anxiety/depression I'm experiencing.

I'm on 70mg dose.

Also the Isotrextin gel I have already given it a go, and it's not as affective as the actual pill form, which can only be prescribed by a Dermo. Isotextin can be prescribed by any doctor.

Thanks for your replies guys.

SprostonGreen

When I went up to 80mg I used to get depressed about 5 hours after taking it.

My solution was to take it at a time when I knew I'd sleep through the blues.

Try this.

enfant terrible

Why such the high dose?
Tell you GP the side effects your having and lower the dosage.
I felt no depression at my dosage.
How long have you been on it I found when I started on accutane it made my skin worse but after a couple of months it looked great.

I've been off it now for about a year.

LegacyUser

I've been on it over 2 months now, dose relates to body weight.

I take it at night time, well, around 6pm, perhaps I should put off till just before going to bed, because it does seem to be in the evening that I have my anxious, paranoid, depressive mood swings.

As I'm a girl, I also have to be on the pill, which can also affect my moods! I'm trying meditation and other such skills to try and over come these moods.

I appreciate your replies, definitely interested in hearing anyone elses experience.

Dave!

I was on Roaccutane for over 2 years... got just about every side-effect in the book. Was a major pain and interfered in my life tremenduously. The worst was probably the fatigue and the dry lips. I was in 6th year when on it, and I would fall asleep in school and when studying, and have to have a nap every day (still do that, mind you, lol)... and the lips were just horrendous; really painful and looked terrible.

But it was the only thing that worked -- eventually. It's really strong stuff, but really effective. My derm said I was one of his longest-'serving' patients, so I wouldn't expect to be on 2 years yourself. I baffled medical science They discussed me at a joint-meeting thing with about 30 derms from around Dublin! I sat in a room topless, and they all came in in groups of 3 or 4, prodded and poked, and asked questions, then went off together and came up with the solution that I should either (a) continue on the same dose, or (b) lower the dose........ That was their ground-breaking recommendation

I was fairly depressed on it too, but I just dealt with it... nothing else you can do really, besides cutting down on the dose. My derm suggested it to me, but I decided that I could put up with the side-effects if it was more likely to get rid of the acne.

Any other questions, ask away...

Rb

Go and talk to your dermatologist about it.

It's a powerful drug, and everyone experiences different side effects from it. For all you know, it could be your liver going crazy thanks to the drug and you won't find out by talking to an internet forum about it.

LegacyUser

Hi DaveMcG, really appreciate your response, i very much sympathise with you... that must have been a very tough time for you... delighted it worked for you.

Skin is clearing... I think... my doctor just lowered my dosage, as I'm hoping that this will help the side effects...

Also, I have been having blood tests, and all is showing clear and that it's not damaging me internally or anything.

I've changed the time I take the pills, and now take them before I go to bed... and I think it's really making a difference to my moods, but we'll see.

Also, it's so hard for people just to accept that I'm not drinking, especially at this time of year I've had to explain to so many people that I can't drink... then they want to know why, etc etc. So annoying!

I would never enquire as to why someone doesnt drink, it's their own business!

Just a little rant!