Accutane and joint pain

[Dytasolo]

I have been on 40mg/day of Accutane for six weeks. Of course, I've had the usual side effects (dryness, depression, lethargy.) My main problem now is severe joint pain. I lift weights 5x per week. I don't want to stop working out, but my right elbow and both shoulders are killing me! Has anyone had experience with this and can you recommend medicine or treatment for the joint pain? I employ high intensity training (low reps, hight weight) but can change my lifting to lighter weight, with higher weights. But I can not stop lifting. Any advice will be appreciated.

[musicnotes89]

I agree with this. I had nodular acne since I was 9 years old (14 years), and I had not responded to any topical treatments, antibiotics, diane 35, acne facials or several face wash regimens. I had spent 1000's of dollars on treatments that did not work in the end, and hated my appearance. When I started Accutane, my skin suddenly responded and within a few months my skin looks the best it has ever looked. It is at least 80-90% better. I have had the side effects of lips peeling, my jaw is stiff (although I grind my teeth and I have braces right now) and my lower back gets sharp pains some days, but I am going to troop through it and drink more water and exercise more. Accutane really was my last ditch effort and I feel it saved me from a life of self consciousness and extreme scarring.

[korseo1]

its been two months now... im off of accutane i didn't complete my accutane therapy.. i left after 3rd month..because i started having knee pains... but just recently i have severe joint pains.. i went to the doc.. he gave me all the tests from blood cp, esr, uric acid, blood fasting sugar, thyroid...
all the tests came out normal..except for the uric acid...its helll high! like way too high! so this the reason my every joint in the body is aching!
i was just wondering if accutane gives rise to uric acid in blood.. then i searched on google..it say yes it can do tht.... im extremely pissed off!!! coz im just 24 years old girl and feel like 80 years old granny!! i m now taking pain killers .. and wht and wht not...
i would just recommend if you start having any pains with accutane you should stop taking it right away!
i just hope my joint pains goooo awayy!!!

[Zrod]

HI guys, read some of these stories and felt compelled to contribute my somewhat more unique opinion of Accutane.  I’ve taken it 4 times now and am currently about to finish 5 months of 60 mg’s a day with this last month at 80mg’s daily.  The first time I took it, I was depressed about 3 months after treatment but I got on paxil and went back to normal shortly after.  A few years later, I joined the military and had to get back on it.  I did 5 months of 80mg’s a day but this time didn’t experience any depression.   A few years later, I had to get back on it again for a third time at 80 mg’s a day for 5 months but never experienced depression.  The whole time I was grateful to be on it because with severe acne, people without a doubt treat you different.  Attention from girls is non-existent and friends in general are hard to obtain especially when you’re moving as much as I did during my service.  I can’t deny that every time I get on accutane and finish a cycle that my quality of life is raised.  But I will admit that after the third session, chronic back pain became an issue and has been ever since.

I’ve been seeing doctor after doctor about my back pain with almost zero progression or real diagnosis, it just hurts.  I used to be a huge athlete playing all sports and doing Special Forces training in the military but since I’ve gotten out, I haven’t been able to complete a full 8 week workout.  If accutane is the cause of all this pain then I’m not sure what to think.  I’ve benefitted a lot from accutane in terms of confidence and opportunity but my health definitely hasn’t been the best since I’ve gotten on it.  I’ve been contemplating staying on a continuo’s cycle of accutane since I fear breakouts so much but after reading these posts, I’m not sure what to do.  I appreciate accutane for helping look good because people definitely treat you much better without accutane.  That’s just the way it is but if my health is going to continue to deteriorate as a result then I’ll probably finish this last cycle and hopefully never have to get on it again but I’ve been saying that since I was 16 and inevitably my acne comes back, even as an adult.    

[crazynutz84]

i started taking oratane last night. i have mild acne, not cystic though. derm put me on 20mg. however i am a recovering addict so on other medication (over 3 years clean and sober tho), but thank God my psych gave me the go-ahead. however there are a few questions i would appreciate answers to.
1) is it better to take it at night or in the morning?
2) can i expect joint pain within 24 hours, because my knee has almost immobilised me today? i am scared that if the effects are kicking in so soon that it might not be a good idea to continue with this.
3) and depression...is that very common, because i feel absolutely **** today and not sure if its just the day or the medication beginning to talk?
4) when can you expect the side effects to kick in?
thanks guys.

[korseo1]

i just stopped taking this drug...i  was on third month... because of severe joint pains, knee pains, lower back pain and three days back i started having shoulder pain... rite now im in pain..alll my body is aching... all thanks to people like you who are sharing their experiences... because i was told by my derm that this back pain and joint pains are "temporary" and will go away after the 6 month therapy.. i have read so many sites...in some cases  pains are permanent... this drug might work as a miracle drug for some people but on the other hand it might not work for some.... cause everyone is different and respond differently to the drug...

[Cees1022]

This is all very interesting to me. My 15 year old son was taking Accutane for only 9 days when he developed a rash, soreness and fever. Drs thought it was mono. He was sick for about 10 days with fever and rash. Dr. said it was probably viral. He ended up in hospital for a week all tests came back negative, saw infectious disease specialists etc. They still thought it was a virus that was unknown so discharged from hospital. A day later I took him back to the Dr. knowing that there was something terribly wrong...He now was limping and his neck hurt. Saw a Rheumatologists who right away said I believe your son has JRA. Needless to say We took him to a Childrens Hospital and he was diagnosed after several tests with Jeuvenile rheumatoid Arthritis. They don't know how this happens or what causes it. I truly believe that the Accutane triggered this in my son. He only took it for 9 days and it was 9 days toooo much. Before this he was healthy working out and training with his football team. Now he is on prednisone to help the inflamation. It has been 2 months and I just pray to God this will go in to remission for him. Be very cautious before taking this medicine. My sons acne is bad and I know he is getting depressed. It is tough seeing him deal with this but now we have a more serious issue added. Just thought I would share