Before Treatment 12/25/1998 Age 17

10 Months After Treatment 10/26/1999 Almost 18

Why I Chose This Drug

I had used over-the-counter topical acne products for several years, and been reassured by my parents that I would "outgrow my acne" until I came to the wise conclusion that my face was far worse than an average teenagers' should be.  My first trip to the Dermatologist was in January of 1999, and she recommended Accutane.  I researched Accutane on the Internet and saw the dramatic results people were getting from its use, and the emotional and muscular problems some people had experienced.   Accutane is very expensive, the treatment can cost more than $3,000, and sometimes insurance doesn't cover it...  ours did not.  Accutane is a high dose of a form of Vitamin A that is taken in a pill form twice a day.

First Few Months of Use

Accutane affects a small percentage of people emotionally, slightly increasing ones chances of suicide while on the drug. Two weeks into use I noticed a difference in my personality, and the problem worsened the longer I was taking it. After two months my skin dramatically improved, bordering on perfect quality, but I was shattered internally. I had become insanely self-conscious, concerned about being liked by everyone I encountered, I had no energy and headaches averaging every other day. My lowest point was when I started thinking that our dog stopped liking me. :) I was actually concerned about whether or not our DOG liked me, and it was a big deal when I came to the conclusion in my own mind, that she did not. I was incapable of functioning socially. I had just been putting up with the side effects because I feared if I stopped the treatment, my face would return to its original state.

After Treatment

The dermatologist stopped my treatment as soon as she found out I was being affected emotionally. Accutane is a 4-month treatment and is designed to damage the oil glands in your body, stopping oil production, and thus ending acne. Because I only took it for half of the time, I was prescribed a topical antibiotic and oral antibiotics. It took a full month before the emotional problems stopped and I regained normal social functionality.  I now can expect three to four blemishes on my face at one time, which is much better than the hundreds before treatment.  I do not regret taking Accutane; even though the path was a little rocky, it gave me my life back and I'm extremely pleased.

2 Years After Treatment 9/19/2001 Age 19

7 Years After Treatment 11/8/2005 Age 24