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Is Roaccutane worth it?

  • 28-10-2011 2:14am
    #1
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭


    Here's my scéal - 19 years old and in first year of college. I've had acne for a few years now. Between maybe age 14-16 it was pretty bad, but then eased up a bit over the next year or two. It never completely went and always bothered me. Over the past 18 months or so however it has flared up again pretty bad. I've tried all the topical treatments, toothpaste, sudocream and everything else you read about online. I was prescribed Zineryt and for a while that did bring my acne down a bit, but basically it just stopped working. Anyway I went to a different doctor last month and he told me that it's all hormonal and he would be recommending me for Roaccutane. In the meantime he gave me an antibiotic and differin gel. In fairness the differin has worked to some degree - My face is still bad but it has dried me out a bit. Thing is that I was basically told differin would only work to this degree anyway, that it wouldn't clear my acne, rather just contain it a bit.
    Fast forward to this week and I got my appointment with the dermatologist. He, like doc #2, told me that I have severe acne (although personally I wouldn't say it's "severe", definitely not good by any means though) and that Roaccutane is pretty much the way to go. He said he could also give me a stronger antibiotic, but really he said that wouldn't do the job.
    Now, I definitely want to clear my acne, I really really do, but come on, the side effects are horrific. I've never been depressed but I do operate on highs and lows. I've taken personality tests and I score high on neuroticism. If I were on the outside looking in I wouldn't be recommending myself for a drug with the capacity to ruin me emotionally.
    Also I'm a very active person, I'm not too enthused by the thought of muscle & joint aches, back pains etc.
    Finally, I'm in college! Drinking pretty much comes with the territory! It's not that I'm an alcoholic or anything but I want to enjoy myself. Alcohol does not go well with roaccutane. I'm not sure I want to give up my first year of college so easily.

    Basically it all comes down to risk/reward. What do you guys think? What experiences have you had with Roaccutane? Is it worth it?!!


Comments

  • #2
    Taltos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,830 ✭✭✭✭Taltos


    OP
    we cannot give medical advice on this forum.

    Please go talk to your GP again and discuss the side-effects and your diet / drinking / exercise as well as your moods or depression if that is what the doctor diagnoses. As always don't be afraid to seek a 3rd or 4th opinion or return to your original GP with the current medical advice from doc#2.

    Taltos


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