IBS from Accutane use

[Cinnamon304]

I have been diagnosed with IBS-D for two and half yrs. Have seen a GI doctor and had all the blood tests, stool smaples, CT scan, colonoscopy, and upper GI scope.  I have frequent flair ups even on a bland diet and doing yoga and on amitropoline 20mlg. a bedtime. I think after researching- I got my symtoms from several courses of Accutane medicine. Which they have pulled from the market. Any one else have the same problems from 10 yrs ago of using Accutane and what did you do to manage the IBS and stomach issues??

[tito2015]

I suffered the same fate due to Accutane.  At one point the abdominal pain was so bad I thought it was better to end my life than to suffer the excrutiating pain.  Fortunately, I researched alternative medicine to find some relief for the bowel pain and inflammation and came across Bromelain.  It's an enzyme extracted from pineapple and it has helped me tremendously.  When I have a flare up of the IBS, I would take 2 tabs of the Bromelain 2,000GDU/tab on an empty stomach three times a day for 2 or 3 days until the pain and inflammation is subsided the decrease it to 1 or 2 tabs at bedtime for prevention of flare ups.  The negative effect is that it does have a drying effect similar to certain anti-histamines like benadryl so it will make more tired and sleepy, but I rather deal with that than the pain.  Also, I I take 1 tablespoonful of flax seed oil twice a day with food to help with the dry eyes and inflammation and drink some aloe vera juice at night to help soothe my stomach when I sleep.  I  take 10mg to 20mg of melatonin at night to help me sleep.  I would also felt adding olive oil or avocado to my diet has helped with the dryness and the fatigue associated with it.  Now I'm able to cope and go about my daily routines without the pain and constant diarrhea associated with IBS.  I just hope the gene therapy will be perfected in the near future so we don't have to deal with IBS anymore.  Hope this helps

[WeezieWindPipe]

I am in the same boat...I took accutane for 11 months in 2000, and was recently diagnosed with the mixed version of IBS after a colonoscopy/endo.  Not to mention the plethora of tests I had a year ago when my gallbladder "died," and I was having the same IBS symptoms. I'm lucky I don't have Chron's disease, but irritable bowl is still bad enough. :(

Taking accutane was the worst decision I think I could have ever made. It cursed me with a terrible headache the entire 11 months I was taking it, as well as SEVERE depression, and it also left me with migraine headaches and other neurological issues. Sooooo glad to hear it was pulled from the market; I was not aware of that. I seem to remember the makers of Accutane sending out some sort of "survey" after I was finished taking it, that asked about what kinds of symptoms I had from taking the medicine. Do you remember getting one?

Just curious, did your gastro Doc. prescribe the Amitriptyline for IBS symptoms? I am taking 75mg as a sleep aid, but it hasn't helped my "digestive system," hopefully it is working for you! :)

[Cinnamon304]

Accutane is a prescripion medicine for acne. It was removed from the shelves this past january . Lots of law suits. One of the side effects is IBS and Chrimnes disease. If you havn't heard of it then you haven's been on it. Lots of ohter reason to get IBS_D. Good luck.

[marvanha]

Hello,

Can you tell me what exactly is Accutane? I have IBD.. Have had it for serval years now the doctor I had that dxed me is gone and the new doctors won't admit it is IBD.. They want to say it is IBS.. I know better as I am writing this to you now I have pain and discomfort that is so intense it feels like I am dying.. I have a hard time with all sorts of foods too.. Anyways I was just curious about that Accutane and need more info on that to figure out rather or not I have a lead on my situation..
Thanks :)
btw my ct scan w/ contrast showed I have IBD and the CT tech even said there is inflammatory bowel disease going on with me...