I started taking Accutane in the fall of 1997 and was on it for 6 months. My parents were not comfortable putting me on it b/c of how toxic it is but nothing else had worked for my acne. We did some research and with the suggestion of our MD, I started taking the herb Milk Thistle throughout my treatment. Milk Thistle is a member of the aster or daisy family and has been used by herbalists to treat a range of liver and gallbladder diseases and to protect the liver against a variety of poisons.... Accutane.
My dermatologist was amazed after each monthly blood test that my liver enzymes, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels were the lowest she'd seen in any of her patients using Accutane. In my case they barely changed from when I hadn't been on the drug.
It's been almost 10 years and from talking w/others that are experiencing the long-term effects of having been on Accutane, I strongly believe that b/c I took the Milk Thistle my pain is not nearly as bad as it could have been. I would check with your MD to make sure it's ok for you, but it is an herb - not a drug.
I'm 28, very active and have joint and back pain - not normal. But by comparison not nearly as bad as my friend who says at 30 he's got arthritis-like pain in his knees, back and shoulder and is convinced it's from the Accutane.
My dermatologist was amazed after each monthly blood test that my liver enzymes, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels were the lowest she'd seen in any of her patients using Accutane. In my case they barely changed from when I hadn't been on the drug.
It's been almost 10 years and from talking w/others that are experiencing the long-term effects of having been on Accutane, I strongly believe that b/c I took the Milk Thistle my pain is not nearly as bad as it could have been. I would check with your MD to make sure it's ok for you, but it is an herb - not a drug.
I'm 28, very active and have joint and back pain - not normal. But by comparison not nearly as bad as my friend who says at 30 he's got arthritis-like pain in his knees, back and shoulder and is convinced it's from the Accutane.
