Roaccutane side effects

LegacyUser

Hi guys

I've just completed three months of a five month course of roaccutane, and have to say that I'm experiencing worse side effects now than ever. The joint pains are so bad that getting up off the couch is an ordeal...and my ankles hurt like hell. My dosage increased from 30 to 60 after the first month, but it's really only the past few weeks that the side effects are worsening. I'm really tired ALL the time, am dragging myself around the place, and am having crazy dreams. But probably worst of all is the depression, anxiety, paranoia, crying episodes...it's getting to feel like this is what I've always been like. While I know it's the pills, it's like a constant battle to remind yourself that it's not really you thinking these thoughts.....But, my skin has improved beyond belief, I really couldn't be happier with it. Like so many of you, I had tried everything and this was a last resort. Only two months to go and really can't wait to get my life back on track again. I'm a little concerned about the lasting effects of the drug....does the depression just stop once you come off the medication?

Jill

Zaph

OP, I've moved your post to a new thread rather than leaving it where it was as we prefer not to drag up very old threads wherever possible.

Bottle_of_Smoke

I was on em for a few months with no depression or pains, just very flaky lips and face skin. I'd contact your dermatologist.

sunnyside

I feel bad for you, that's a huge price to pay for having better skin. I've never taken it myself but I keep hearing stories like yours about it. Do contact the doctor or dermatologist who prescribed it. I'd be very surprised if the side effects continued after you stop taking it. At least your skin is better for what you are suffering.

Dave!

Yes, the side-effects should all clear up once you finish the medication (may take 2 or 3 weeks to be all out of your system though).

It's always up to you whether you want to continue or not. As you say, your skin is clearing immensely -- can you hack another 2 months to complete the course? Or if you're happy with it as it is, maybe you could stop the medication now and hope that it doesn't get worse again? That's always a possibility, but that remains the case even if you complete the course.

If you're concerned then you can talk to your dermatologist whenever (even give them a ring) and ask their advice. They'll probably err on the side of caution and tell you to stop the medication and see how you get on.

I was on the stuff for over 2 years, mainly on the highest dose (1mg per kg), and had the same side-effects, and they were a b*tch. Dry lips, dry brittle skin, mood swings, blurry vision, fatigue, sore joints and muscles, etc. I wasn't personally any more depressed than I was before going on the stuff, but I was certainly down.

It's hard to take and it really made life a challenge... I was doing my Leaving Cert at the time, so had to try and study through the tiredness (didn't work!), often had trouble seeing things so blurry was my vision cos of my dry, red eyes (i didn't realise this was a side-effect, and even got my eyes tested before i found out!), etc.

Yeah it sucks, but it did the job for me and thankfully I've not relapsed since finishing about 3 years ago!