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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by adamie on July 3, 2001, at 21:10:27
I am 18. For 5 weeks I took the drug Accutane for acne and I developed one of the so called rare side effects. Severe depression to the point where I felt like I could hardly stand to live any longer.after 4 and a half weeks on the accutane I noticed my mood begin to slide. Things started to interest me less and I was becoming less caring towards my fiance. At first I thought there was something wrong with me then I realized it was deffinetly the accutane. So I stopped taking it at week 5 expecting to recover the next few days. I had school the next day and since I wasn't taking the accutane anymore I figured I could take my energy drinks which of course have vitamin A. With accutane one is supossed to avoid all suppliments which contain vitamin A but silly me thought it was alright at this time. It made the depression worse. Accutane itself is a man made vitamin A. so the energy drink would increase the depression side effect. The next 2 days were complete hell. I got taken to a walk in clinic and got a prescription for Paxil. Later that day I suddenly began to feel a bit better. So I figured it will deffinetly go away by itself now. Wrong I was. It did steadily improve over the next 2 weeks. but then it was stagnant. and then it suddenly got worse. Every hour became extremely difficult. This lasted to the next day and so I finally decided to take the Paxil. Around this time I also got a suppliment called sam-e used to treat all types of depression. It is fast acting and has really helped for the short amount of time I've taken it. But now I'm waiting for more to arrive in the mail since it is not avialable in Canada.
so I'm relying on the paxil to start working until my sam-e arrives. I've been taking it for 8 days so far with very very few side effects. The only side effect's I've had is a noticable pulse in my neck and also in my eyes. the pulse in my eyes I only experienced the first day I took the paxil. And also I now remember my tongue has had a different taste for a few days. But overall I've really had no bothersome side effects at all. Just because I've had hardly any side effects doesn't mean it's not going to work right? The paxil can deffinetly work regardless?
But what I am most interested about is other people's experiences with accutane. Or perhaps some of you know someone who's had to deal with a similar experience to mine. Do I have a realistic chance of making a full recovery? I've been off the accutane for 1 month. The depression has been extremely severe. But it can still completely go away? Please reply. Thanks for reading
Posted by AMenz on July 3, 2001, at 22:58:14
In reply to Accutane causing severe depression, posted by adamie on July 3, 2001, at 21:10:27
Yes, people do and can recover from depression. It is important that you keep this in mind. I had a serious depression at 16 lasting longer than yours from which I made a full recovery.
Remember that drugs such as Paxil take several weeks to take effect. Report to your doctor if you do not see an improvement after several weeks on the medication. The usual procedure is to switch then to another antidepresant in the same family (Zoloft, Celexa, or Prozac).
Your normal personality and emotions will come back. Do you have either a weekly therapist or a support group that can give you support during the period of recovery? That could help.
If not, I visit this site daily and will be glad to "chat" with you.
It's a tough process but you will be alright.
A.
>
> I am 18. For 5 weeks I took the drug Accutane for acne and I developed one of the so called rare side effects. Severe depression to the point where I felt like I could hardly stand to live any longer.
>
> after 4 and a half weeks on the accutane I noticed my mood begin to slide. Things started to interest me less and I was becoming less caring towards my fiance. At first I thought there was something wrong with me then I realized it was deffinetly the accutane. So I stopped taking it at week 5 expecting to recover the next few days. I had school the next day and since I wasn't taking the accutane anymore I figured I could take my energy drinks which of course have vitamin A. With accutane one is supossed to avoid all suppliments which contain vitamin A but silly me thought it was alright at this time. It made the depression worse. Accutane itself is a man made vitamin A. so the energy drink would increase the depression side effect. The next 2 days were complete hell. I got taken to a walk in clinic and got a prescription for Paxil. Later that day I suddenly began to feel a bit better. So I figured it will deffinetly go away by itself now. Wrong I was. It did steadily improve over the next 2 weeks. but then it was stagnant. and then it suddenly got worse. Every hour became extremely difficult. This lasted to the next day and so I finally decided to take the Paxil. Around this time I also got a suppliment called sam-e used to treat all types of depression. It is fast acting and has really helped for the short amount of time I've taken it. But now I'm waiting for more to arrive in the mail since it is not avialable in Canada.
>
> so I'm relying on the paxil to start working until my sam-e arrives. I've been taking it for 8 days so far with very very few side effects. The only side effect's I've had is a noticable pulse in my neck and also in my eyes. the pulse in my eyes I only experienced the first day I took the paxil. And also I now remember my tongue has had a different taste for a few days. But overall I've really had no bothersome side effects at all. Just because I've had hardly any side effects doesn't mean it's not going to work right? The paxil can deffinetly work regardless?
>
> But what I am most interested about is other people's experiences with accutane. Or perhaps some of you know someone who's had to deal with a similar experience to mine. Do I have a realistic chance of making a full recovery? I've been off the accutane for 1 month. The depression has been extremely severe. But it can still completely go away? Please reply. Thanks for reading
Posted by rmshed on July 4, 2001, at 0:25:16
In reply to Accutane causing severe depression, posted by adamie on July 3, 2001, at 21:10:27
>
> I am 18. For 5 weeks I took the drug Accutane for acne and I developed one of the so called rare side effects. Severe depression to the point where I felt like I could hardly stand to live any longer.
>
> after 4 and a half weeks on the accutane I noticed my mood begin to slide. Things started to interest me less and I was becoming less caring towards my fiance. At first I thought there was something wrong with me then I realized it was deffinetly the accutane. So I stopped taking it at week 5 expecting to recover the next few days. I had school the next day and since I wasn't taking the accutane anymore I figured I could take my energy drinks which of course have vitamin A. With accutane one is supossed to avoid all suppliments which contain vitamin A but silly me thought it was alright at this time. It made the depression worse. Accutane itself is a man made vitamin A. so the energy drink would increase the depression side effect. The next 2 days were complete hell. I got taken to a walk in clinic and got a prescription for Paxil. Later that day I suddenly began to feel a bit better. So I figured it will deffinetly go away by itself now. Wrong I was. It did steadily improve over the next 2 weeks. but then it was stagnant. and then it suddenly got worse. Every hour became extremely difficult. This lasted to the next day and so I finally decided to take the Paxil. Around this time I also got a suppliment called sam-e used to treat all types of depression. It is fast acting and has really helped for the short amount of time I've taken it. But now I'm waiting for more to arrive in the mail since it is not avialable in Canada.
>
> so I'm relying on the paxil to start working until my sam-e arrives. I've been taking it for 8 days so far with very very few side effects. The only side effect's I've had is a noticable pulse in my neck and also in my eyes. the pulse in my eyes I only experienced the first day I took the paxil. And also I now remember my tongue has had a different taste for a few days. But overall I've really had no bothersome side effects at all. Just because I've had hardly any side effects doesn't mean it's not going to work right? The paxil can deffinetly work regardless?
>
> But what I am most interested about is other people's experiences with accutane. Or perhaps some of you know someone who's had to deal with a similar experience to mine. Do I have a realistic chance of making a full recovery? I've been off the accutane for 1 month. The depression has been extremely severe. But it can still completely go away? Please reply. Thanks for readingI took accutane on two different occasions. I did not notice any more depression than I normally have. I do know that I achieved tremendous results from accutane. I was on it for about 3 months in 1986. My skin was so clear. Then in 1988 my acne seemed to be return, so I took a second course of accutane. I had achieved remission from acne. I had some severe side effects from accuatane, my blood levels were all elevated. My triglycerides (sp) was elevated to stroke level. I went out of town one weekend and ate out at restaurants for every meal, I guess the diet and the accutane together raised the triglycerides, I had to stop the accutane and seek a registered dietitican. I wanted to complete the second round of accutane, my doctor said I could, but I would have to get my triglycerides back in normal range and keep it that way until I was finished with the second treatment. I was successful. I followed the accutane with Retin A cream and the results were great. Now, I know that there is a class action law suit pending in the United States regarding depression and accutane, you might want to search accutane. I would put up with the depression for awhile and try to get through the course of accutane. I don't think that the depression is a permanent side effect from accutane. I would check with your doctor and pharmicist as well. Good luck and I hope you can make it through the accutane therapy.
Becky
Posted by Andy123 on July 4, 2001, at 1:05:47
In reply to Accutane causing severe depression, posted by adamie on July 3, 2001, at 21:10:27
> With accutane one is supossed to avoid all suppliments which contain vitamin A but silly me thought >it was alright at this time.
Yeah, don't do that.
>Paxil. Around this time I also got a suppliment called sam-e used to treat all types of depression.
I'd be careful with the sam-e. I actually tried the same exact thing not too long after stopping acutane, and I felt very hot and felt like crap.
> But what I am most interested about is other people's experiences with accutane. Or perhaps some >of you know someone who's had to deal with a similar experience to mine. Do I have a realistic >chance of making a full recovery? I've been off the accutane for 1 month. The depression has been >extremely severe. But it can still completely go away? Please reply. Thanks for reading
I had depression before ever taking accutane, but it did make it worse. Accutane seemed to add this particular quality to my psychiatric illness that wasn't there previously. Here is what I recommend: carefully avoid all vitamin A (do this for a long long time,) drink plenty of water, consider an EPA supplement like fish oil (don't buy cheap fish oil as it is often contaminated with heavy metals,) and get plenty of exercise. If your depression has a particular "malaise" component (seemed that's what accutane gave me as a side effect) then I'd really recommend limiting your caloric intake. If you can do that and still exercise, then you will probably improve.
As to whether or not the effects of accutane will remit, I can't address this. My lifestyle changed alot around that time; I quit racing bicycles and had to be sendentary more because of academic demands. That was clearly adding to my illness but i've made it through okay. Good luck. You have plenty of empathy here.
Posted by adamie on July 4, 2001, at 14:40:31
In reply to Re: Accutane causing severe depression, posted by AMenz on July 3, 2001, at 22:58:14
> Yes, people do and can recover from depression. It is important that you keep this in mind. I had a serious depression at 16 lasting longer than yours from which I made a full recovery.
>
> Remember that drugs such as Paxil take several weeks to take effect. Report to your doctor if you do not see an improvement after several weeks on the medication. The usual procedure is to switch then to another antidepresant in the same family (Zoloft, Celexa, or Prozac).
>
> Your normal personality and emotions will come back. Do you have either a weekly therapist or a support group that can give you support during the period of recovery? That could help.I'm now supossed to visit the crisis team at the local hospital every week. so i will tell them how i am doing. I'm actually supossed to go tomorrow.
I hope I get all my loving feelings back. My fiance has always meant everything to me. I'm being hopeful. I'll just have to be patient for probably a while.
>
> If not, I visit this site daily and will be glad to "chat" with you.
>
> It's a tough process but you will be alright.
>
> A.
Posted by Craig on July 5, 2001, at 3:11:29
In reply to Accutane causing severe depression, posted by adamie on July 3, 2001, at 21:10:27
I think you may be interested in these links.
Congressman links acne drug to son's suicide
http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm465_20001005.htmStupak says drug for acne may be factor in suicide
Congressman sees link between Accutane and the death of his son, 17
http://www.freep.com/news/mich/stupak6_20001006.htmOnly one key clue in teen's suicide
http://www.freep.com/voices/columnists/erdz1_20010401.htm
If you have experience with Accutane, good or bad, U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, is interested in hearing from you. By mail, 2348 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20515; or by e-mail, stupak@mail.house.gov.==================================================
> I am 18. For 5 weeks I took the drug Accutane for acne and I developed one of the so called rare side effects. Severe depression to the point where I felt like I could hardly stand to live any longer.
Posted by Bill L on July 5, 2001, at 12:55:49
In reply to Accutane causing severe depression, posted by adamie on July 3, 2001, at 21:10:27
I would definitely think that your depression should go away. Did you ever have bad depression before taking Accutane? If not, then it should go away. What brand of SAM-e did you take? And what dosage?
>
> I am 18. For 5 weeks I took the drug Accutane for acne and I developed one of the so called rare side effects. Severe depression to the point where I felt like I could hardly stand to live any longer.
>
> after 4 and a half weeks on the accutane I noticed my mood begin to slide. Things started to interest me less and I was becoming less caring towards my fiance. At first I thought there was something wrong with me then I realized it was deffinetly the accutane. So I stopped taking it at week 5 expecting to recover the next few days. I had school the next day and since I wasn't taking the accutane anymore I figured I could take my energy drinks which of course have vitamin A. With accutane one is supossed to avoid all suppliments which contain vitamin A but silly me thought it was alright at this time. It made the depression worse. Accutane itself is a man made vitamin A. so the energy drink would increase the depression side effect. The next 2 days were complete hell. I got taken to a walk in clinic and got a prescription for Paxil. Later that day I suddenly began to feel a bit better. So I figured it will deffinetly go away by itself now. Wrong I was. It did steadily improve over the next 2 weeks. but then it was stagnant. and then it suddenly got worse. Every hour became extremely difficult. This lasted to the next day and so I finally decided to take the Paxil. Around this time I also got a suppliment called sam-e used to treat all types of depression. It is fast acting and has really helped for the short amount of time I've taken it. But now I'm waiting for more to arrive in the mail since it is not avialable in Canada.
>
> so I'm relying on the paxil to start working until my sam-e arrives. I've been taking it for 8 days so far with very very few side effects. The only side effect's I've had is a noticable pulse in my neck and also in my eyes. the pulse in my eyes I only experienced the first day I took the paxil. And also I now remember my tongue has had a different taste for a few days. But overall I've really had no bothersome side effects at all. Just because I've had hardly any side effects doesn't mean it's not going to work right? The paxil can deffinetly work regardless?
>
> But what I am most interested about is other people's experiences with accutane. Or perhaps some of you know someone who's had to deal with a similar experience to mine. Do I have a realistic chance of making a full recovery? I've been off the accutane for 1 month. The depression has been extremely severe. But it can still completely go away? Please reply. Thanks for reading
Posted by adamie on July 5, 2001, at 15:36:07
In reply to Re: Accutane causing severe depression, posted by Bill L on July 5, 2001, at 12:55:49
> I would definitely think that your depression should go away. Did you ever have bad depression before taking Accutane? If not, then it should go away. What brand of SAM-e did you take? And what dosage?
I never had a depression before accutane. In fact everything was completely perfect. I was extremely happy.
The brand of sam-e I took is 'Nature Made'. People with sam-e experience say it's one of the few brands that are actually effective. Various brands are not prepared properly and therefor dont work the way they should. My dad got me only a small pack from the states. 20 200mg tablets. For severe depression it is recommended to take 1200mg to 1600mg a day. of course starting low at 400mg and moving up over a few days. I had no problems taking 600mg the first day and 1200mg the second but some people report side effects. It's a natural substance and therefor isn't dangerous even in high doses. The second day I began to feel better and I just wish I hadn't run out of the sam-e. it really made a difference over the short time I took it. I'll be getting more soon though. With sam-e you're also supossed to take 800 folic acid and 1000 vitamin b12 and 50 b6 or else the sam-e wont be effective and you will have higher chances of side effects. also the sam-e is supossed to be taken on an empty stomache. I'm not sure exactly how sam-e works but I think it has something to do with enhancing the functioning of all neorotransmitters. it also cleans the body from toxins and protects the liver. sam-e has various uses. you may want to try reading some websites.
it's allowed to be taken along with anti depressants and is said to even enhance their effects. too good to be true? well you certainly dont have anything to lose by trying. good luck. sam-e is supossed to have significant effects in 1 day or up to 5 weeks but most people feel significant benifits in just 4 days. so it's really worth trying.
Posted by adamie on July 5, 2001, at 15:38:56
In reply to Re: Accutane causing severe depression » adamie, posted by Craig on July 5, 2001, at 3:11:29
Thanks for the links. I already read many horror stories involving accutane but I'll read these as well. And maybe I'll e-mail that person if I feel up to it.
> I think you may be interested in these links.
>
> Congressman links acne drug to son's suicide
> http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm465_20001005.htm
>
> Stupak says drug for acne may be factor in suicide
> Congressman sees link between Accutane and the death of his son, 17
> http://www.freep.com/news/mich/stupak6_20001006.htm
>
> Only one key clue in teen's suicide
> http://www.freep.com/voices/columnists/erdz1_20010401.htm
> If you have experience with Accutane, good or bad, U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, is interested in hearing from you. By mail, 2348 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20515; or by e-mail, stupak@mail.house.gov.
>
> ==================================================
> > I am 18. For 5 weeks I took the drug Accutane for acne and I developed one of the so called rare side effects. Severe depression to the point where I felt like I could hardly stand to live any longer.
Posted by MB on July 7, 2001, at 13:29:49
In reply to Accutane causing severe depression, posted by adamie on July 3, 2001, at 21:10:27
>
> I am 18. For 5 weeks I took the drug Accutane for acne and I developed one of the so called rare side effects. Severe depression to the point where I felt like I could hardly stand to live any longer.
>
> after 4 and a half weeks on the accutane I noticed my mood begin to slide. Things started to interest me less and I was becoming less caring towards my fiance. At first I thought there was something wrong with me then I realized it was deffinetly the accutane. So I stopped taking it at week 5 expecting to recover the next few days. I had school the next day and since I wasn't taking the accutane anymore I figured I could take my energy drinks which of course have vitamin A. With accutane one is supossed to avoid all suppliments which contain vitamin A but silly me thought it was alright at this time. It made the depression worse. Accutane itself is a man made vitamin A. so the energy drink would increase the depression side effect. The next 2 days were complete hell. I got taken to a walk in clinic and got a prescription for Paxil. Later that day I suddenly began to feel a bit better. So I figured it will deffinetly go away by itself now. Wrong I was. It did steadily improve over the next 2 weeks. but then it was stagnant. and then it suddenly got worse. Every hour became extremely difficult. This lasted to the next day and so I finally decided to take the Paxil. Around this time I also got a suppliment called sam-e used to treat all types of depression. It is fast acting and has really helped for the short amount of time I've taken it. But now I'm waiting for more to arrive in the mail since it is not avialable in Canada.
>
> so I'm relying on the paxil to start working until my sam-e arrives. I've been taking it for 8 days so far with very very few side effects. The only side effect's I've had is a noticable pulse in my neck and also in my eyes. the pulse in my eyes I only experienced the first day I took the paxil. And also I now remember my tongue has had a different taste for a few days. But overall I've really had no bothersome side effects at all. Just because I've had hardly any side effects doesn't mean it's not going to work right? The paxil can deffinetly work regardless?
>
> But what I am most interested about is other people's experiences with accutane. Or perhaps some of you know someone who's had to deal with a similar experience to mine. Do I have a realistic chance of making a full recovery? I've been off the accutane for 1 month. The depression has been extremely severe. But it can still completely go away? Please reply. Thanks for reading____________
I had really severe acne growing up. It started in the sixth grade, and now, at 30 yrs, I still get the occasional pimple. Accutane was a miricle drug for the acne, but it cause EXTREME fatigue in me. Because of the severity of the acne, I had to do three full courses of accutane treatment, each separated by a year (each treatment put me in remission for about a year). I have never recovered from the fatigue it seemed to have caused (except with opiates or amphetamine, so unfortunately I became a drug addict too [damn!]). To this day, I wonder if the damned medicine (accutane) cause my depression. I think I was depressed before. I can't remember anymore. The fatigue definitely came later, though. I don't regret taking the medicine, though, because I think having such severe acne (over 100 painful, deep, dime-sized cysts at any given time) without any period of relief would have cause me to snap! Retin-A in between accutane treatments also kept me from scaring. It was all worth it, I guess, but there were a few serious trade offs. I empathize with your situation...good luck to you
This is the end of the thread.
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