Thanks to Rick for continuing to share his experiences in taking accutane long term at low dosage. We really appreciate you continuing to keep us up to date with how accutane is helping you treat your rosacea. It is only through these sort of detailed reports that we can all learn how best to use the available treatments.
As Rick mentions in his most recent message, he first posted some encouraging comments 5 years ago – `Rosacea: dramatic results with low dose accutane‘. Now he has posted a new message to the group – `An update – 5+ years on low-dose accutane‘.
Rick decided to experiment and stop taking accutane this year. His ongoing dose was two 20mg tablets per week. His rosacea symptoms returned after 4 months. After again returning to taking accutane, the same dramatic effect he felt 5 years ago returned.
Some extracts ;
From: rdl000@_.com
Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2006 01:14:00 -0000
Subject: [rosacea] An update – 5+ years on low-dose accutaneOn July 1 this year, I decided to stop accutane completely, just to see if there was any persistent effect. I also started taking a multi-vitamin daily, with standard Vitamin A dosage (which is orders of magnitude lower in retinol than isotretinoin).
For a couple of months, everything was going quite well, and I was about to post here that *possibly* Vitamin A, in conventional doses, could act as a surrogate for accutane in terms of its anti-inflammatory effect.
However, after 4 months of being off accutane, the redness and even some p&p (for first time) came with vengeance. So, on November 1, resumed accutane, taking 4 20 mg tabs over first 7 days. The improvement was (once again) dramatic, and with very high confidence, I believe this could not be observed in any random 1 week period. In other words, it is significant. It is quite reminiscent of what I reported 5 years ago.
…
In my view, this cannot be due to the recognized reduction in seb gland activity. There is some inexplicable anti-inflammatory effect that kicks in almost immediately. I suspect I will lose a little bit of the impact again over time, but I am now convinced that (a) it works and (b) if I stop it, I lose the impact. I may need to take it forever.
9 comments ↓
hello? i am going to the derm on Thursday and begg him for accutane. I have rosacea bad and cant take it anymore!!! I also have a very very oily face ( hoping accutane takes care of this even if he only gives me a low dose) and some huge painful pimples … needless to say I am not very attractive!!!!! If I could hide my life away in a paper bag I would.
Please hope for me that he gives me accutane.
Jody
Hi, I am a 49 year old female. I have been diagnosed with acne rosacea for about a year. I have pretty much gone into seclusion since. I look horrible. I can deal with redness, but these pimples are pretty bad. My face does not ever feel smooth anymore. My face always have these small bumps just under the surface . Then some of them become big and red. The worse part is when I rake my nails down my face these little hard kernels pop out of my pores. The only thing my doc has given me is tetrycycline and I have taken that till I think I am immune to it. And it never really worked all that well. I have tried the metrogel, which sometimes helps but not enough. I have even tried putting permethrin cream on my face and it does help alot . But no matter what I use, I notice that one day my face appears better and then the next day its on fire with pimples, greasiness, pores full of some gunk. It is so depressing! Has anyone had as much troubles as I have?
I was wondering about this accutane that you write about. Do you take 4- 20mg tabs everyday? or just for the first 7 days? After the first 7 days, how many do you take a day? Could someone please email me?
Hello,
I am a 40 year old female who has been taking low dose accutane for four years now. I can not begin to express the difference it has made in my life. I have an awful (extreme) case of rosacea and seb. derm. Before I began this treatment, I contemplated suicide. Now, it never even crosses my mind. I am extremely grateful to the doctors and the makers of accutane… it saved my life. I take 20mg every other day and can sometimes go down to 10 mg every other day.
I wish you success too! Torrey
I have tried everything for the past 16 years. Accutane has been a lifesaver. The difference is night and day. My skin is clear, even, the scars are fading, and redness is reduced. I went to the same dermatologist for 14 years – after trying everything, I asked about Accutane. He said he would not prescribe it because I was of “child bearing age” and “it’s too much paperwork”. I decided to take my health and future in to my own hands and I found a new dermatologist that listened to my ideas and also my agony. I did the full treatment (up to 120mg daily) for 5 months and a lowdose (20mg every other day) for the past 2 years. My point, if your dermatologist is not listening to you– find one that will. I wish I had done this 16 years ago. Good Luck to you!
Hi guys,
Thanks for sharing your experience with low dose accutane over the long term. Its great to hear you have had good experiences.
I am about to start low dose long term accutane for persistent acne. It seems to be the only thing that keeps me clear.
I was hoping to ask your advice? I worry a little about taking accutane long term – even a low dose. Has anyone found any side effects with their bones or joints? I know this can happen with higher doses and does not resolve once accutane is stop.
Have any of you guys had this? Your advice would be really great. It seems positive though if you guys have been taking them for several years? I think I am prepared to take the risk due to the psychological impack bad skin has on me!
I have had what most derms blow off as acne. I took a course of accutane up to 60mg per day for 5 months last year. Worked like a charm and didn’t see any more p&p’s for about a year. Then, slowly the bastards came back. I can control the redness and p&p’s until my period then it is back to square one. 3 weeks clearing, 1 week breaking out. Very strange to me. I have left over accutane from my prescription last year, but I don’t really want to take it again. I have started hormonal therapy (ortho-tri-cyclen and spiro) given to me by my gyn. PCOS has been ruled out.
I am convinced that demodex is at the heart of many rosacea and rosacea like symptoms. Accutane reduces sebum production within a week. Those little buggers live in and off of your sebum. No food=No demodex=Less inflammation. I covered my bed and pillows with allergen protectors, switched to tea tree shampoo and conditioner, and put 100% TTO on my face every night (along with a really good moisturizer). I don’t have the sneezing/trouble breathing in the morning, my hair looks and feels great. The scalp is no longer shedding, and my skin feels a lot better. No more wiggling, tingling, or itching.
I am not sure of this connection, but just tossing the idea out there. It makes sense to me and is working.
Interesting comments about the demodex mite being related to rosacea. Even this link i checked out says there is some evidence showing a possible connection. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demodex_mite
I’ll have to investigate this more…..
Hi SD,
I have collected what I think is the best available news and research on demodex mites here (currently I have 12 items).
http://rosacea-support.org/articles/demodex-mites
I remain skeptical about the link between rosacea and demodex mites. Nonetheless this page is one of the most popular on this blog – you might find it interesting ;
http://rosacea-support.org/demodex-mites-treatment
all the best,
davidp.
I would normally only read the comments, but since accutane has helped me so much i have decided to comment myself. i am on a 60 mg daily dose and i only have dry lips , dry skin , and sensitivity to sunlight. this is my 2nd time taking the drug. the first time was 3 years ago and i took the drug for 6 months and at the end of the trial my skin was perfect. the reason i am back on it again is because i started breaking out really bad due to a 1 year excursion in AFRICA………GOOD LUCK… Its a miracle drug.. because if i had to have acne like this i for the rest of my life i would become a hermit!!!
Leave a Comment