Welcome to our community. Please fill in the following template as a way of introducing yourself, and helping others to understand your background and situation.
Where are you from (country)?
US
How did you find this forum (Google search – if so, what search terms? Via link from a forum or website – if so, what page? Other?)
What is your current age, height, weight?
35 6’1 160 lbs
What specific drug did you use (finasteride, dutasteride, saw palmetto, isotretinoin/Accutane, fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, leuprorelin, etc…)?
Accutane
What dose did you take (eg. 1 mg/day, 1 mg every other day etc.)?
40mg daily
What condition was being treated with the drug?
Acne
For how long did you take the drug (weeks/months/years)?
4 months
How old were you, and WHEN (date) did you start the drug?
15 years old. 20 years ago
How old were you when you quit, and WHEN (date) did you quit?
15 years old 20 years ago
How did you quit (cold turkey or taper off)?
end of treatment
How long into your usage did you notice the onset of side effects?
after coming off drug
What side effects did you experience that have yet to resolve since discontinuation?
hair loss, erectile dysfunction, autoimmune markers, headaches, poor digestion, muscle spasms
Check the boxes that apply. You can save your post first, then interactively check/uncheck the boxes by clicking on them. If your symptoms change, please update your list.
Sexual
[*] Loss of Libido / Sex Drive
[*] Erectile Dysfunction
[ ] Complete Impotence
[ ] Loss of Morning Erections
[ ] Loss of Spontaneous Erections
[ ] Loss of Nocturnal Erections
[ ] Watery Ejaculate
[ ] Reduced Ejaculate
[ ] Inability or Difficulty to Ejaculate / Orgasm
[ ] Reduced Sperm Count / Motility
Mental
[*] Emotional Blunting / Emotionally Flat
[*] Difficulty Focusing / Concentrating
[*] Confusion
[*] Memory Loss / Forgetfulness
[*] Stumbling over Words / Losing Train of Thought
[*] Slurring of Speech
[*] Lack of Motivation / Feeling Passive / Complacency
[*] Extreme Anxiety / Panic Attacks
[ ] Severe Depression / Melancholy
[ ] Suicidal Thoughts
Physical
[ ] Penile Tissue Changes (narrowing, shrinkage, wrinkled)
[*] Penis curvature / rotation on axis
[ ] Testicular Pain
[*] Testicular Shrinkage / Loss of Fullness
[*] Genital numbness / sensitivity decrease
[ ] Weight Gain
[ ] Gynecomastia (male breasts)
[*] Muscle Wastage
[*] Muscle Weakness
[*] Joint Pain
[ ] Dry / Dark Circles under eyes
Misc
[ ] Prostate pain
[*] Persistent Fatigue / Exhaustion
[*] Stomach Pains / Digestion Problems
[*] Constipation / “Poo Pellets”
[*] Vision - Acuity Decrease / Blurriness
[*] Tinnitus (ringing or high pitched sound in ears)
[ ] Hearing loss
[*] Increased hair loss
[ ] Frequent urination
[ ] Lowered body temperature
[ ] Other (please explain)
What (if any) treatments have you undertaken to recover from your side effects since discontinuation of the drug?
I have spent much money on Drs, tests and supplements in an effort to reverse ongoing symptoms
If you have pre or post-drug blood tests, what hormonal changes have you encountered since discontinuing the drug (please post your test results in the “Blood Tests” section and link to them in your post)?
neurodegenerative disease confirmed on MRI, various autoimmune markers including antibodies for acetylcholine ganglionic neuronal antibodies that might point to autoimmune dysautonomia.
Anything not listed in the above questions you’d like to share about your experience?
Not at this time
Tell us your story, in your own words, about your usage and side effects experienced while on/off the drug.
First unexpected side effect was diffuse hair loss over the entire body, not limited to scalp, it never recovered. Next I started having trouble concentrating in school and memory problems. This also started to include facial flushing and anxiety. 20 years later I seem to have a progression of numerous symptoms that indicate overall poor health I believe induced by Accutane. I am being pretty brief here, but my username is guitarman01 on acne.org. I have over 1000 posts, because of ongoing sides and determination in figuring something out.
Thanks.