Accutane symptoms and conditions

I have had Mirena for 18 months now. I love it. I have had no side effects that you all are describing. I have 4 friends that switched and all love it and only one had to have a follow up to have the strings shortened.

As far as the weight gain, ladies, let’s be honest. We are not 18 anymore and as we get older it is only going to become more difficult to keep weight off. Blaming it on a B/C....lets think about that last chocolate bar we ate because we were busy carting the kids off to a sports practice HMMM....
With any drug comes side effects, headaches, nausea, and some other terribly worse, but lets again be honest, all of these were pointed out in the literature available.

I just thought I would take the time to write my support as this does work and work well for some women, just not all, same as any other form of B/C.

I just turned 18 years old and was prescribed Doxycycline Hyclate 100mg, BenzaClin (Benzoyl peroxide), and Differin 0.3%. I've been on benzaclin and differin for about 3 years now. About 2 months ago I was prescribed doxycycline for my acne. I specifically told my dermatologist that I wanted a higher dosage of acne medication since the minocycline 5mg wasn't strong enough for me; I had taken it 2 years prior to my visit. But when I would take doxycycline I'd feel a litte bit of nausea coming my way so I decided to drink some water with it. Shortly after I'd get something to eat. I'd feel better soon after. I've been on this medication for almost a month now and I'm not feeling any adverse side effects. My acne has somewhat cleared up but then i breakout again, around the same area. I'm hoping my acne will clear by the time I go for my check up in feb but if it doesn't, i want to be prescribed accutane instead. Also, stop the medication if you're having horrible side effects, obviously there's something wrong. It could also be an allergic reaction, I'm just fine but then again, I'm not allergic to anything and I also avoid a lot of sun exposure.

My 17 yr old son was prescribed Prednisone along with Accutane for Acne. His two older brothers had undergone accutane treatment when they were each 17 ish, with no major side effects - no mental disorders at all. They did not have Prednisone along with the accutane. I questioned why my youngest son should go on the prednisone but was assured by my trusted dr. of 35 years that his very low dose of 20mg a day would be no problem. We continued the dosage for 3 months and then tapered off for 3 weeks. That's when my son's trouble began. He felt a change immediately - things didn't seem 'real', he has a hard time describing the feelings. At two weeks after discontinuing the prednisone his symptoms really began to be very frightening. He is athletic and was vomiting for extended periods - probably due to the stress of what was going on in his head. We then saw 2 GPs, his Dermatologist and I contacted a Psychiatrist, His father and I didn't want him to progress to antidepressants and he does seem to be improving - nothing like some of the other stories contained here. I just wish we had NEVER gone on this - even at 20mg - for something like acne. NOT life threatening - I should have listened to my gut and just stuck with the Accutane.

Harry Potter I think when you have severe depression sex drive is one of the last things on your mind, and anyway lamictal severely reduced mine....and as far as feeling youthful I don't know where you got that.

I'm convinced lamictal has given me acne and I seem to be a hell of a lot hairier too which is rather upsetting considering I'm a 24 year old girl. I genuinely do not believe I can cope without it and barely am (with it) however it does make a huge difference.
I have read that lamictal can have bad effects on the kidneys and liver and have considered taking accutane for the acne but know this is also bad for your kidneys and liver too. I am also concerned about other possible side effects of accutane (depression being the main on). Does anyone know if it is safe to take the two together? It seems to be a tricky one. Thanks, C.

hi i have posted before you i have been through all you said what to do then there are some positive points r there this tab lamictal generally suits the people who does not react to other med as vaporate ,carbamazine,lithium it works differently from other tabes i think people say that while you take a medication there are side effects and there r problem so with every every thing you put into your stomach why you eat food it is because it is necessary to keep you alive wee r leaving in science age people in the past the people who use to have symptoms like bipolar disorder and schrizophenia use to either suicide or where burned to death thinking they r wiked thingk even positive side of this and friend look at each problem separately don't mix them and try to find answer increase your reading learn more about this disease read self help books and eat the tabes you need to eatwe r not wrong people just taking this tablets to feel well but normal people to live normally live life and enjoy it fully ............i have acne problem thinking of using accutane i hope it will work

How can I describe my thanks to this site and everybody telling their stories? Thank you oh soooo much!!!

My not so short story: Im on my second Mirena, in total now for just over 8 years. The first Mirena was all joy, periods stopped, no side effects whatsoever. Then I got the second Mirena after I removed the first after over 5 years (my gyn recommended keeping it in for longer but I didn't want to take the risk).

And for the past 2 years my ACNE problems started, first only one or two cystic acne once a month or a couple of small ones here and there. Nothing major. But for the past year, my skin / face makes me feel like a freak. So I went to the derm, got put on Accutane, more meds with a yard long list of side affects. Had to go of Accutane cos my right eye's sight deteriorated so bad I couldn't drive home at night. Went to my house doctor, he wanted to take me of the Mirena asap and refered me to a new gyn, cos mine moved away and I was stuck. But the new gyn did not want to take it out, but rather put me on a retinoid cream, cos it wasn't the acne that caused the acne.... yea right. So 5 months I gave this retinoid cream... I feel like a freak with my face, both cheeks inflamed red bumps under the skin, large cystic acne everywhere... sigh.

But during this 5 months I found a web site acne.org and here I made friends and read stories and hoping and praying, even believing things are getting better, but they weren't. If I look at pics I took of myself 5 months ago and now... sadly things are worse. My self confidence is gone, and I don't even want to have sex with my husband with the light on!!! And then last week somebody posted on the acne site some posts regarding zinc supplements, and I read and researched more on zinc and acne and found that your skin needs zinc to be healthy and having no zinc could be because of to much copper or copper toxicity. So then I researched copper toxicity and found some web sites with references to birth control.... and a bright light went on... and I found this site...

I am glad to say I saw my normal trusted house doc again last night, and made an appointment to have the thing, Mirena, removed first thing Monday morning. I have stopped using any meds like the retinoid cream for my face and cant wait for Monday. I just hope my face returns to normal quickly.... time lines anyone? I had no trouble with acne ever until now.... and Im 35!!! Udult acne my @#$ :)

My right eye now needs laser surgery to remove a layer or something, Im seeing an eye specialist soon, and this was caused by the accutane drying up my eyes so much! :(

I will report back to let other ladies know how it went and how I am progressing... thinking of taking a daily photo of my skin for reference purposes.

Pray for me please, I really need it....

C.

I know that the Mirena is causing my acne. I have always had clear skin, and it's just like everyone describes, its not just regular acne, its cystic deeply scarring acne. I never used to have to worry about acne, I cannot believe how bad it has gotten. I read all about Accutane being able to help, and I have been taking just Vitamin A (that you can buy at walmart), these seems to have helped the cystic acne a little, it's not as bad as it was, I just have to take about 20 Vitamin A pills a day, but its worth it. A Dr. just prescribed me some Clindamycin Phosphate, and I will be sure to let you ladies know if it helps me get rid of the rest of the acne. If it doesn't I will go ahead and get off the Mirena, it is just a shame because it's a contraceptive that I don't have to think about taking every day, and I paid 700 dollars out of pocket. but having my face scarred for life and having acne ruin my life isn't worth it either. I guess I should mention that my hormones have been kind of crazy, and I've been more irritable than ever. I have gained weight, but I think it may be to my eating habits more than anything...we will see.

have to agree with Mrsbarrett's post right below mine...I have been a lurker on this board for the past couple of months and thank God for it or who knows how crazy i'd be right now!! Here is a list of my side effects and pertinent information:
DOI: October 2008
Side effects were gradual and most evident around the Christmas Holidays:
Dizziness
Weird eye/vision disturbance where i'd lose focus for a moment and then be okay.
Constant spotting of "old blood" nothing much but did require pantiliners 24/7
Anxiety
Hypertension (more than ever, like when I was pregnant, 150-170s/100)
Panic Attacks
Face Dryness
ZERO SEX DRIVE
No "natural" lubrication, but who cares when you have no drive, are spotting all the time, and it hurts to have sex
Vaginal Odor
Mood Swings
Depression
FATIGUE to the point of wanting to stay in bed despite having to care for my 7.5 year old.
Chest pains (kept thinking maybe I had heart trouble, had cardiac workup that came up PERFECT and bloodwork was perfect, Thyroid test was perfect)
Nausea (morning sickness type, would get slightly better in evening but not so much)
IBS symptoms (diarrhea)

DOR: January 23, 2009
2 days later heavy bleeding for a couple of days.....had somewhat of a "crash" the first week where I was still not better. By the 2nd week post removal I was still nauseated in the morning but improved in the late afternoon and got energy boost in late afternoon.By the 3rd week I was totally back to normal!!!!! (well what's normal for crazy me! hahahahha)

My husband came with me to the doc, and she had no problem with removal. I went back for a follow up this past Friday and she saw how normal I am and that I have lost several pounds as well. She realizes I am extremely sensitive to hormone changes but says i'm the only one that she has seen like that. (how many have problems that don't think it is the Mirena...that's what I want to know???)

Anyway, that's my story and i'm sticking to it!!! If anyone would like to chat or share please let me know. I will also add that I have a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies (just not practicing since becoming a SAHM) and so I looked up tons of information to figure out what was wrong with me, I really am thankful to have found this site....medical mumbo jumbo is NOTHING when you have your body telling you something and all you fine ladies......Thanks again!
~G

I am on my third month of Yaz, and I honestly don't know what to make of it. I has cleared up my acne for the most part, however, I still get new breakouts (which is obviously frustrating). It has helped with my cramps and backaches when I'm on my period, although I don't start until my 3rd placebo and I finally finish my period around halfway through my next week. Something that does trouble me though is that I have been feeling emotionally drained, constantly cranky, and just plain sad. A couple of days ago, I was in a really good mood, woke up the next morning, and felt like crying the entire day. Ever since, I've been in this low-down mood that I would do anything to snap out of. I hate it! I want to be back to my easy-going self...but I don't want to risk getting off of the pill and having my acne come back (which was the reason I started Yaz). I've tried everything else for my acne, and Yaz has worked the best. If I have to go off of it though, I'm afraid of the last resort: Accutane (not because of the birth defect risk, since I am not sexually active at this time, but because I have heard that it can give you chronic joint pain...something I honestly don't want). Anyways, I guess for now I'll just continue Yaz and see if I start feeling any happier...I can't be in a bad mood forever (right?).

I am so glad that I found this site. I was beginning to feel like I was losing my mind. I have been on Yasmin for only 2 months but have been experiencing many of the side effects mentioned- fatigue, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, anxiety, dizziness, and flu-like symptoms. I had these same symptoms when I was on Yaz last year. I wound up going to the hospital for shortness of breath and chest pain. The doctor thought it may be blood clots, but after testing he diagnosed me with bronchitis and asthma (I am 26- never had either in my life). There is definitely something wrong with these pills. I do have anxiety and currently take Xanax. But I have not had panic attacks like this since I was on the pill last year. Sometimes I need to think about breathing to catch my breath and lately it had been hard for me to sleep because my heart is racing. My periods have been lighter and my migraines less severe, but it is not worth it to continue on Yasmin.

My experience with Yasmin was very similar to the one posted by "vpompon19" on October 26th 2007.

I took Yasmin for only a month. The day after I started, I had those symptoms:

- Nausea that last day and night
- Complete loss of appetite.
- Extreme fatigue
- Sleeping over 8 hours and still feeling tired
- Brain fog - inability to concentrate on anything
- Irritability
- Hypersensibility - I would cry for nothing...
- Feeling extremely nervous and nauseous when I had only half a green tea!
- Heartburn (I suffer from acid reflux but it was almost gone until I started Yasmin)
- Depression

When i stopped, I had the most painful period I've had for at least 8 years.
Plus I immediately started an urinary tract infection (which I never had before).

Two weeks later I experienced unbearable back pain. The doctor told me I had a herniated disk but I didn't force or had any trauma so I was sceptical. It turned out to be mononucleosis!

So thank you not Yasmin for having wasting at least 2 months of my life (so far), not mentioning the fear I had a more serious disease... No more birth control pill for me ever. I took another brand (Marvelon) for 7 years, then I stopped one year and my Irritable Bowel Syndrome disappeared. But my acne came back (even though I took Accutane when I was 15 - which I'm sure is the cause of my uncontrollable acid reflux).

I found out there are natural, safer and cheaper contraceptive methods. Don't wait until your doctor or the education system tell you about them because you'll be dead already.

M.

My hair is falling out too!! Since January I have had 2 kenalog shots for allergies and 2 shots for poison ivy. My side effects are hair loss, depression, headaches, bruise easily, swollen joints, weight gain, and a dent on my rear. These effects did not start until I had 2 shots, now it is so severe. I was so scared when my hair started falling out but knew that I didn't have Lupus or Diabetes which could cause the same side effects...I have been tested for both and do not have either.

Please let us know if there are anymore out there who have hair loss because of the Kenalog Shot.

My daughter was put on accutane for about 4 months and WOW.....what a difference!! She only experienced the dryness all over from head to toe, but aquaphor relieved that. Her skin was clear by the 2nd month! She took 2 - 20mg pills a day for the first month, then down to one 1 pill a day. Her skin glows and is sooo clear!! She doesn't even get one pimple anymore! Along with the accutane, she used retin-A to reduce the blemishes...now have lightened up quite a bit!! She felt that bare-minerals make up was the best for blemish coverage. She stopped taking the accutane for almost a month now and we are just crossing our fingers that she stays clear!!

I have a pretty severe form of cystic acne which I had a 9-month treatment for when i was 16. It went away completely after a course of accutane up until about 5 months ago when i started smoking cigarettes for the first time. within a few days, i had full blown acne again around my mouth. i'm 23 and its been literally six years of perfect skin i didn't even have to think about. i didn't realize it was the smoking until a month and a half ago. so i stopped, and the acne cut down drastically but not completely, so i went to the dermatologist for medication.

i was given doxycycline, 100mg twice a day. ive been taking it for a month and my skin is back to perfect however I feel like i'm forever feverish, i get extremely nauseated if i don't even enough to eat when i take it, and i get insane hot flashes within 30 mins of taking it. i'm basically sweating nonstop all day long everyday. i want to stop taking it but i don't want the acne to return. i cut down to one pill a day and already see some acne returning. i'm so glad i found this site -- none of the side effects ive seen listed include hot flashes or constant sweating. i also have pretty intense lower back pains

I just came across an article on the online "Huffington Post" by Dr. Doug Bremner, who researched the connection between accutane and depression, called "If Prescription Meds Don't Kill You They Might Drive You Crazy" He explains the link between Singulair, Leukotrienes in the brain and depression. There are numerous articles by him as well that are definitely worth reading.

Jenna M.
Parents United for Pharmaceutical Safety and Accountability

I am not a 100% sure the experience I had was due to Singulair but it appears to be. Singulair was prescribed to me for "walking pnemonia". After a couple of days on the medications I was taking, I started experiencing pain in my knees and muscles in my lower legs. My left leg was worse than my right. After 3 days, I could barely walk and the pain was severe. I forgot to take my medicine one day and the next day my knees were much better and had less pain. I just thought I was getting better but the next day when I started the medicine again, the pain came back. I remembered when my son was on Accutane he had similar knee and leg pain because of the dryness caused by Accutane. So I kept taking the antibiotic I was on and stopped the Singulair. The next day I felt much better. On the second day I hardly had any pain at all. I was curious if anyone else had this type of side effect. Most of the postings I have seen have dealt more with depression in teenagers. I am 55.

I have been on Lamictal for just under 1 year and only today realized that my increased acne is probably a side effect. The area around my jaw line is especially bad and it won't clear up. I've also gotten a few little pimples on my chest - I thought it was from going to the gym. My derm has tried oral meds and I'm about to try Accutane, but I really don't want to go to that extreme - Accutane scares me! I also noticed similar effects to the ones that others were talking about, too...forgetting words...forgetfulness...spelling...I want to go off the Lamictal. This just isn't worth it.

I am almost finished with my 3rd pack of this pill. The first two months I didn't get a period. No cramping, but a little bloating and felt like I was going to get it. I got scared, thought I was pregnant, and took a PG test. Negative, of course. Second month, same thing. This time I called the gyno, who said it was normal as your body adjusted to it.

Now I am at the third month, and got my period in the middle of the pack, about a week and a half ago. It was very light and lasted only two or three days, tops.

I got it again a week later, and this time it is exceptionally heavy, with full-blown cramps, bloating, fatigue, back pain, etc.

This sucks. On a good note, my breasts are definitely swelling, haha. I know that it can take a long time to get used to this, and I don't want to give up. I am definitely going to keep up with it until I'm at least 5 months in and see what happens.

I don't notice any mood side effects. I'm a little sensitive and easily frustrated, but I am also on Accutane, which has mood altering side effects.

Good luck to all taking LoEstrin!

I am a living Accutane side effect! Damn you!

Doxycycline has been helping with me skin BUT it is entirely not worth what it is doing to my mental health. I went to a therapist yesterday because I have been depressed and he told me that I have a Dysthymia, a mild form of depression. I have been taking Doxycycline 50 mg for 9 months. I thought my depression had to do with me being unsatisfied with my life but now I realize that I have been feeling sad and hopeless due to this drug. I have had incidences of crying for small annoyances, like missing a bus. I have stopped taking it for a day now and I can't wait until this stuff gets out of my system. I have had yeast infections as well, that were so mild that it took me this long to realize it. I only got nauseous when I took it on an empty stomach. Be aware that some people have committed suicide because they were depressed, due to the acne medication, Accutane. I’m not a doctor, but it seems that we need to evaluate the possible detrimental effects acne medications could have on us. I will now look into improving my eating habits and hopefully that will help.

My Mirena Removal....
So i posted here a few weeks ago after I found this site. I had EVERY side effect listed and was so freaked out that i immediately made an appointment for removal.
For those of you reading and wondering what the removal is like..
Well, NOTHING like the insertion. I was so so nervous and it was over before we actually started. The DR was surprised that i was back in his office to have this removed. He then proceeded to do an ultrasound to be sure it was placed properly before removal. And yes, all was OK on the position of it. I explained to him my reasons and he looked at me like he had never heard this before. I honestly can not imagine with all the women he sees that NONE of them have complained. But...as I was getting dressed afterwards, I took a good look in his office. There was Mirena literature ALL over the place. In fact, that was the ONLY thing he was advertising. Not to mention...they made me pay up front with the insertion back in Nivember...billed my insurance and I still have yet to receive my reimbursement. Oh yeah, and that...they charge more than the actual Mirena costs, then they bill your insurance for the price they know they will pay and the DR then makes about $150 profit. Nice.
Ok, back to my side effects post Mirena. The removal was not painful at all. I did spot for about a week- nothing too heavy but it was clotty and def there.
A couple of days after the removal it felt like I was coming out of my skin something terrible. I figured this was my body adjusting to the lack of hormones. I also had some headaches.
It has now been 2 weeks and the spotting has disappeared. I also can see the bloating of my stomach is starting to go away. It looked like I was about 4 mos preggo while I was on it. I also have an increased sex drive. And sleep-- well let me tell you, I have not slept this good in a very long time. I am actually sleeping more than 6 hours now and the night sweats have also discontinued.
I can't believe EVERY time I come to this site and look up Mirena ALL the people that have posted their experience as being negative. Yet, the DR looks at me like I am crazy! I have been seeing him for years and I have never complained about something like this. I really am so happy that I have it out and wish I would have done my research on this prior to insertion (which was one of the most painful things ever!)
So..for those of you out there that are either contemplating having it inserted...I say NO WAY. And for those of you out there that are nervous about the removal or not sure..I SAY YES, DO IT! For our bodies to be reacting this way, it is clear to me that it should not be inside of us. Listen to your bodies...they really do speak to you and let you know when something is not right. Forget about the DR saying it is safe or he has not heard of any of these side effects...YOU be the judge.
Good luck! And I promise it gets better once you get that lil' demon out!
Mona

I have been on Doxy for about 6 months now to treat adult acne. It works brilliantly for my skin which is why I am hesitant about stopping it, if I do forget to take it for a day or two the oil and spots come back with a vengeance.
I discovered straight away to take it with food, taking it on an empty stomach caused nausea and dizziness, but I don't get this anymore.
The problem now is I find myself feeling more and more depressed, looking back Ive been flat for quite a while now. I seem to pick up every little bug going round and nothing makes me happy anymore.
I thought it was just me, but reading about it here, makes me wonder if its the Doxy??

BACTRIM ALMOST KILLED MY MOM.

BACTRIM CAUSED POTASSIUM LEVEL INCREASED SO HIGH THAT MY MOM HAD GONE INTO CARDIAC ATTACK. LUCKILY, DOCTOR AT ER RECOGNIZED HER CAUSE OF PROBLEM WAS FROM SIDE EFFECT OF BACTRIM AND HE TREATED HER ACCORDINGLY BUT SHE WAS IN COMA FOR 11 HOURS BEFORE SHE CAME BACK AROUND.

WHEN MY MOM HEART WENT INTO CARDIAC ARREST, IT HAD HAPPENED WHILE SHE WAS RIGHT IN EMERGENCY ROOM. I BROUGHT HER IN ER BECAUSE HER VOICE WAS BROKEN UP WHEN SHE TRIED TO TALK THEN 45 MINUTES AFTER WE ARRIVED AT ER, HER HEART GAVE OUT ON HER. SHE WOULD NOT BE ALIVE IF SHE WAS NOT IN HOSPITAL WHEN THAT HAPPENED.

BACTRIM ALSO DESTROYED HER BLOOD CELL, HER BLOOD NORMAL LEVEL WAS 10 BUT IT WENT DOWN TO 6.2 IN 11 HOURS ORDEAL. SHE HAD TO RECEIVE TWO PINTS OF BLOOD TO BRING HER BLOOD LEVEL BACK TO OUT OF DANGER LEVEL. I AM USING A LAY TERM BUT I KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO MY MOM.

MY MOM IS STILL NOT OUT OF HER DANGER YET BECAUSE HER BLOOD PRESSURE IS NOW SOARING FROM HER NORMAL LEVEL AROUND 110/65 TO A CURRENT OF AROUND FROM BETWEEN 140/80 TO 180/100. SHE JUST BEING DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL ONLY 2 DAYS AGO.

BACTRIM WAS PRESCRIBED TO MY MOM BY A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANCE IN EMERGENCY ROOM WHEN MY MOM CAME IN FOR CELLULITES ON HER FOOT AND SHE WAS ALMOST DIED FROM ITS SIDE EFFECTS OF BACTRIM AFTER SHE TOOK IT FOR 7 DAYS.

I SYMPATHIZE WITH THE LADY WHO LOST HER HUSBAND BY SIDE EFFECTS OF BACTRIM.

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE BACTRIM UNTIL YOU READ ALL ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS AND ASK YOUR DOCTOR FOR OTHER ALTERNATIVE DRUG.

I had the Mirena IUD inserted in September 2007... BIG MISTAKE! I paid $550.00 for the stupid IUD & another 225.00 for doctor fees!!
Okay here's my story.. I have three children, 26 yrs old, married, 120/122 pounds.. can stay in shape/get in shape easily, happy, VERY short 3-4 day periods.. BEFORE Mirena..
Now.. its been 7 weeks.. And even though I keep to the same diet, I have gained 8 pounds! I have been on a period & constantly spotting for 15 DAYS~ oh yeah.. AND bad, bad, bad, BLOATING!! Yesterday I had Severe Cramps- my doctor is out of town so the nurse actually called in muscle relaxers to help with the pain.. I was in TEARS yesterday. I NEVER EVER had menstrual cramps before.... to make things worse..I am so moody & I hate my quick temper. I have never had acne, but now I get a few spots.. not so bad, but I shouldn't have any. I feel like I don't have control over my body.

My appointment is for this Thursday.. I am getting this thing removed, so I can return to normal!

Before getting this awful thing ( which hurts when inserted & bad cramps afterward) I was using NuvaRing for two months.. I did not have any of these bad side effects with NuvaRing... I am going to try that again.

IN SHORT.. I PAID over $800.00 for severe cramping, 15 day long periods, constant spotting, brown discharge, EXTREME BLOATING, huge weight gain, and acne!! WHAT?!? I want a refund!!