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My dermatologist wants to prescribe me Roaccutane

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Posted 1/6/2016 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
She knows I have UC. I told her I am worried about taking it. She said that it's only "small amounts of Roaccutane". First ofc she sent me to a specialized clinic (I didn't go yet), because she first wants the opinion of the doctors at the clinic.

I have A LOT of acne because of Prednisone I took in the summer of last year. I am taking Prednisone again, but at least it's winter, so there is less sweating.

I didn't ask my GI because I forgot (darn it!). I am seeing him again in 2 months! That's a lot of time.
Posted 1/6/2016 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
I would never take Accutane or any of its generic forms. The connection between accutane and Crohn's disease is strong, not to mention depression and suicide. In my opinion, it was very irresponsible of your dermatologist to suggest it after you told him/her about your IBD.

Over the years, dermatologist have prescribed me medications that I am just now realizing were potentially harmful. I don't even know the name of the acne medication I was given as a high schooler but it may have caused my IBD...who knows. Not to mention all the anti fungal topical meds and pills over the years. Never once did they mention any side effects. If I only knew then what I know now...

I have very little respect for "Pimple popper MD's" as Jerry Seinfeld once called them. Though I know its not fair to lump them all together.
Posted 1/6/2016 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
the opinions are divided, the claims that roaccutane may cause uc have not been proved. I myself have never been taking it but discussions about roaccutane always pop up on the Polish uc forum. If i were you, i'd wait patiently until you finish prednisone and maybe then everything disappears on its own and you won't need it at all. You should consider roaccutane only when you're sure that prednisone is no onger causing problems, otherwise it would be such a loss taking strong medicines and not knowing if they actually work :)
Posted 1/6/2016 9:25 PM (GMT 0)

ewafromwarsaw said...
the opinions are divided, the claims that roaccutane may cause uc have not been proved. I myself have never been taking it but discussions about roaccutane always pop up on the Polish uc forum. If i were you, i'd wait patiently until you finish prednisone and maybe then everything disappears on its own and you won't need it at all. You should consider roaccutane only when you're sure that prednisone is no onger causing problems, otherwise it would be such a loss taking strong medicines and not knowing if they actually work :)

I wasn't clear enough. I was on Prednisone for three months, stopped mid September I think. My back (complete, from my ass to my neck), chest, neck, and face all covered with acne, horrible! They all say that it passes when you stop taking Prednisone, but this really didn't have time to pass. Now, mid December, had to go back to Prednisone. Currently 25mg, 6 more weeks to go. Also, I was very acne prone before UC and Prednisone.

Now, back then it was summer so the heat and sweat made things worse. So maybe this time it wont be as bad or wont be at all I hope.

I am not sure what to do. I am thinking of just going back, refusing Roaccutane, and ask her to continue treating me using creams... benzoyl peroxide and whatnot.

You are right, taking Roaccutane now, doesn't make sense.

:)
Posted 1/7/2016 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
People on the Polish uc forum say that all these creams and ointments are crap and only make things worse. They are buying some ayurvedic stuff online, the only thing they say that works. Today it's too late but tomorrow i'll check up some old threads and i'll write you what they were recommending. Laku noć :)
Posted 1/7/2016 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
Are you female? Can you try spironolactone? How about antibiotics? My skin really cleared up when I took bactrim but I know they give doxy for acne. Though antibiotics aren't great for people with UC either... :( Topicals NEVER help me. if you're female, birth control pills were always my #1 shot at clear skin. Antibiotics #2, but once I got UC, antibiotics scared me so I would go for the hormonal control. Estrogen scares me too, spirnolactone is good. You can use that with a mini-pill - that would have no estrogen / IUD is no estrogen too. I also use sulfur stuff when my skin feels oily www.amazon.com/Summers-Laboratories-Rezamid-Treatment-Lotion/dp/B0000Y3D4Q and I do lactic acid peels / salacylic acid peels too. Ziana is one the dermo pushed on me a few years back, then I saw the packaging specifically says not to use if you have IBD. Clindamycin is really bad for IBDers. I tried the Ziana without luck. Differin is another you could try, it's topical, didn't work for me but it's worth a shot.

I tried aczone too. I've been seeing commercials for that one, they make it out like it's some kind of magic bullet. Didn't work at all for me either. I still have a whole tube here. Useless.
Posted 1/7/2016 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
say good riddance to any doc that prescribes that craputane sh!t and never ever put that junk in your body - there are much better ways to deal with your skin problems -

just out of curiosity, what is your diet like ?
Posted 1/7/2016 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
It's a tough decision. I know first hand how physically uncomfortable that type of acne can be, let alone the appearance, and mental aspects. It's hard to go through and a double whammy with IBD. Not fair at all.

On one hand it would probably work, so this might be very important to you.

Just thinking it through out loud on here - The issue that pops up is that Accutaine is possibly linked to an increase in the 'chance' of developing IBD or maybe even a direct cause but I'm not sure if this has been proven.

BUT - you already have IBD.

So the real question perhaps is will it make your UC any worse? Or that is perhaps the real risk... Why don't you simply email your GI. Call his/her office and explain the issue to the receptionist and ask her how to send an email. I think you'll have success in hearing back this way. Better yet, include your dermatologists contact info in your email in case they want to call and speak direct.

Whatever you do, I hope you find some relief from the problem.
Posted 1/7/2016 5:06 PM (GMT 0)

ewafromwarsaw said...
People on the Polish uc forum say that all these creams and ointments are crap and only make things worse. They are buying some ayurvedic stuff online, the only thing they say that works. Today it's too late but tomorrow i'll check up some old threads and i'll write you what they were recommending. Laku noć :)

I heard about this "ayurvedic" stuff you mention. Something to do with India... The creams do help, especially the Benzoyl Peroxide and Clyndamicin topical, but slowly... and it doesn't stop new acne from appearing.

I am from Serbia, but I am Slovak... so you can say good night in Polish, I will understand. :)

Canada Mark said...
It's a tough decision. I know first hand how physically uncomfortable that type of acne can be, let alone the appearance, and mental aspects. It's hard to go through and a double whammy with IBD. Not fair at all.

On one hand it would probably work, so this might be very important to you.

Just thinking it through out loud on here - The issue that pops up is that Accutaine is possibly linked to an increase in the 'chance' of developing IBD or maybe even a direct cause but I'm not sure if this has been proven.

BUT - you already have IBD.

So the real question perhaps is will it make your UC any worse? Or that is perhaps the real risk... Why don't you simply email your GI. Call his/her office and explain the issue to the receptionist and ask her how to send an email. I think you'll have success in hearing back this way. Better yet, include your dermatologists contact info in your email in case they want to call and speak direct.

Whatever you do, I hope you find some relief from the problem.

Emailing is not possible. I would have to go to the city and seek him out at the hospital. Too much hassle.

juststud said...
say good riddance to any doc that prescribes that craputane sh!t and never ever put that junk in your body - there are much better ways to deal with your skin problems -

just out of curiosity, what is your diet like ?

I am in a flare, so all cooked and roasted. Chicken, potatoes, rice, vegetables, kefir, fruit(bananas, kiwi fruit, sometimes pomelo/pineapple/mandarins). Avoiding gluten, corn, red meats and sugar.

notsosicklygirl said...
Are you female? Can you try spironolactone? How about antibiotics? My skin really cleared up when I took bactrim but I know they give doxy for acne. Though antibiotics aren't great for people with UC either... :( Topicals NEVER help me. if you're female, birth control pills were always my #1 shot at clear skin. Antibiotics #2, but once I got UC, antibiotics scared me so I would go for the hormonal control. Estrogen scares me too, spirnolactone is good. You can use that with a mini-pill - that would have no estrogen / IUD is no estrogen too. I also use sulfur stuff when my skin feels oily www.amazon.com/Summers-Laboratories-Rezamid-Treatment-Lotion/dp/B0000Y3D4Q and I do lactic acid peels / salacylic acid peels too. Ziana is one the dermo pushed on me a few years back, then I saw the packaging specifically says not to use if you have IBD. Clindamycin is really bad for IBDers. I tried the Ziana without luck. Differin is another you could try, it's topical, didn't work for me but it's worth a shot.

I tried aczone too. I've been seeing commercials for that one, they make it out like it's some kind of magic bullet. Didn't work at all for me either. I still have a whole tube here. Useless.

No, I am a guy. I didn't write it in my sig... thought my nick made that clear.

I was on antibiotics prescribed by my dermatologist and then my GI. They did help somewhat. I was on Flagyl for 3 weeks, 400mg, 3 times a day... though not usually prescribed for acne.
Posted 1/7/2016 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Emil, i've looked through the old posts and the people mention two things which originally are not for "ordinary" acne but they helped them immensely. The first is "777 oil" which is a wonder stuff for psoriasis. Some people were applying it on their face and also had a great improvement. It's mostly coconut oil but it doesn't leave a grease effect. The second is "prosacea" which cured one woman of an extreme case of rosacea. Again others were using it for acne with amazing results (after 3 weeks). Of course, this is a second hand information because i've never had skin problems so it's not my own experience, however these two meds have excellent reviews. People buy it online from different Indian stores and they say that now they can't imagine their lives without it. So good luck and btw i love Slovakian bryndzove halusky. We are the Slavic minority on HW :)
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