Important questions about side effects of accutane? Please..

Ok thanks. I have a few questions. What exactly is biotin and what will that
do for your hair? And did you personally have hair loss? I guess that is
something that I"m concerned about, the side effect of hair loss.....is it more
common or a rare side effect? What side effects did you experience? How long
does it take before it will start working and you see good results? Are the
side effects really that severe as most people think? I guess I"m kind of
worried about the hair loss, which I don't want and what about nose bleeds and
stuff like that? Are nose bleeds a side effect? Is it common or rare and do
you experience that also? And accutane doesn't affect tattoos do they? I know
that I have a lot of questions, it's just that I'm seriously considering
accutane when I see the derm next week. I think I have only mild but it's very
annoying, and have tried most antibiotics and they don't work. I've also tried
B5 but didn't think that worked as well as I wanted......and I hear with
accutane after you're finished with it, you'll have REAL clear skin for at
least a few years if it comes back, and even if it does come back, I heard that
it won't be as bad as before your course of accutane. Also question on the
blood tests......what do they do? Draw the blood on your arm by your elbow?
What if I was going on vacation for 6 weeks in about a month and won't be able
to get the monthly blood test but don't want to wait until I get back to start
taking accutane if I do? Would I be able to take the first blood test 4 weeks
after I start accutane, and then take the next one 6 to 7 weeks later? I know
I have a lot of questions, it's just that I'm seriously considering it as I
said and have many concerns. But super clear skin is just like a dream for me.
I think I only have mild, but it's consistent and I'm irritated by it. For 6
years I"ve had this, and only for 6 months during the 6 years was I mostly
clear. That was when I first took minocycline. But I guess after 6 months it
didn't work anymore. And I'm wishing for skin that clear again, but I am
concerned about side effect such as hair loss (is it common or rare, and does
it happen to you? and will your hair be fine after your finished on accutane
or will it only last a few weeks?) More info on biotin and if that will help
keep your hair. Also concerns like accutane doesn't affect tattoos? And other
effects such as nose bleeds are they common or rare, muscle aches. Is
depression a true side effect of accutane or is that just BS? Does accutane
harm your liver? Will it dry your skin severly or just mild? I mean your
lips, mouth, eyes, scalp, etc? If you could take your time and answer all of
my concerns I would be very grateful, I know I have a lot of concerns, but it's
about time I did something to end this once and for all. And isn't 21 too old
to be dealing with this? Most people my age had it only for a few years, like
from 14 to 17 or 15 to 18, etc. Will this be out grown soon? This is a
teenager thing, I'm too old to have this, so when will it go away? Thank you
very much and have a great day.

Thanks for answering my questions, I have a few more questions, could you help
me out with them?

>1.5 months in my case. It got a lot worse before it got better, but then it
>suddenly cleared up completely. Just a bunch of red marks fading away now.

For how long will it get worse before it gets better? I mean for how long will
that last? How long did it last for you? And does it start as soon as you
being accutane or after a while? Is that common or rare?

>Don't get a tatoo done while on accutane, don't get anything done which will
>involve flesh healing (piercings too). But anything you currently have will
>be fine. The reason is simply that accutane slows the healing process.

So accutane won't affect current tattoos then? Or piercings either? it won't
make the tattoos look bad or anything?

>Yes they are taken at the elbow. These don't need to be taken every 4 weeks
>on the dot, but it's important to get a blood test before starting, then
>every few months after starting to keep an eye on your triglycerides .
>Unless you're overweight by a large amount then it won't be an issue, just
>really an extra bit of reassurance. There's no worries about your liver
>beyond these tests, which I assure you are nothing to worry about normally.

That's the opposite side of your elbow where the skin is soft and your veins
are correct? They don't go higher or draw the blood from any other place
right? They won't go on say the upper arm by your shoulder area? And an
important question I have is can you drink liquor while you're on accutane?
Don't tell me I can't drink at all during the whole course of accutane please.
But am I able to drink?

Also if I go on vacation for about 6 weeks, and I am not able to have a blood
test during that time at all.......is that ok? I could have my first blood
test a month after I start accutane.......but then I"d have to wait the month
and a half to have the next test......Is that ok?

You sure that the nose bleeds aren't common? and the hair loss isn't that
common either? I guess everything I listed in this message are the most
concerns I have. Does biotin help for my hair while I'm on accutane? Because
I don't want hair loss, kind of concerns about the nose bleeds (don't want a
nose bleed at anytime if I"ll be walking down the street, at the mall, at work,
while on vacation etc), don't want accutane to affect tattoos at all, don't
want liver problems, and concerns if I can still drink alcohol while on
accutane. I'd know not to take accutane with alcohol obviously, but wondering
if I can still drink a while after taking accutane. I'd know to buy lip balm
and stuff for the dry lips and to use mosturizer on my scalp because they will
be dry. Also concerned about joint pain? is that the same as muscle aches and
is that common or rare? And does it happen often or not? I just have a lot of
concerns and worries I guess, but it's the first time I've seriously considered
accutane like I am right now. Clear skin would be a dream. Please help me out
with these questions, it means a lot to me. Thank you very much and have a
great day.