Symptoms: Severe anxiety/panic, OCD, severe dry eye disease/meibomian gland dysfunction, chronic dry and cracking lips, painful skin dryness
I had my first year long course of accutane at 16, where the severe dry eye disease developed- but I was told this was temporary.
I then needed to take the drug again a year later, as the acne was still an issue. Hardly any other avenues were explored - only topical vitamin A, which made me worse. No diet advice etc.
Toward the end of the second course (also about a year) I woke up one day with indescribable mental anguish. I literally went from 0 to 100 overnight and was 19 years old and begging to be taken to the psych ward because the intrusive thoughts were so paralysing. The crisis team attended my home and I was given valium etc - this was honestly completely needed.
Once I then saw GPs, psychs etc, it was confirmed that this was accutane-induced OCD, due to the severity and onset of symptoms. I essentially had no life for a year, despite having the finances and amazing family and partner support around me. I reached a somewhat level of recovery, but my life has been forever changed by the OCD - and of course led to a whole other issue of SSRI use, which I have not been able to successfully taper off (compounded, slow tapers even).
Ironically, my OCD has now also morphed to acne dysmophria/BDD, and when I have any skin imperfections, my life is again dictated by the intrusive thoughts, checking, skin picking and fear of infection.
I am now nearly 32 years old and have put in countless hours and money into OCD treatment, but I don’t think it is possible to heal this way, when I believe I have a brain injury/nervous system injury from the drug.
My eyes have also suffered 80% oil gland death, and this disease is also extremely debilitating and costs a lot of time and money to address.
My lips have also been chronically dry and cracked this entire time, despite attempted treatments. I am in agony if I don’t have lip products on me at all times. This is the same for my entire skin - I must moisturize immediately after cleansing, or the tightness and pain is unbearable.
..and my skin of course continues to cause issues, albeit more comedonal acne now vs inflamed, deep cysts.
The irony is, that the most effective treatment I have tried has come from my own research, not a dermatologist. And that is a gentle combination of azaleic acid and lactic acid. No one tried me with those tropicals back in the day - and still would not suggest it now.
Disgustingly, I even went to a dermatologist for an unrelated skin issue, and he asked about my face. I quite literally had one blackhead and had explained my skin OCD and that I didn’t want to discuss it. He proceeded to push accutane on me again. This was about 9 months ago. He also did not even care to ask if I was planning a family - which turns out.. I am about to give birth!
I am in Australia, and absolutely disgusted my our health system.