Anxiety

[flynn]

Do people with PAS suffering from increased anxiety?

I feel as if tane has made me more prone to anxiety. I see numerous people complain of feeling more anxious and susceptible to anxiety. Again this is a common symptoms in people with PFS.

This is a stretch but if PAS is linked to 5 alpha reductase. It would make sense that people with PAS may have greater anxiety. As the activity of 5 alpha reduced metabolites in the amygdala play a role in reducing anxiety - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16220340

Has anyone else struggled with anxiety after taking accutane?

 

[fragen]

I definitely have had periods of absolute intense anxiety, especially after coming off of my last course of tane. For months after coming of that course I had extreme anxiety that seemed to have little rhyme of reason. Just all day everyday I was an anxious mess. It has got much better since then but I still feel I am a bit more anxious than my normal self.

 

[flynn]

I definitely have had periods of absolute intense anxiety, especially after coming off of my last course of tane. For months after coming of that course I had extreme anxiety that seemed to have little rhyme of reason. Just all day everyday I was an anxious mess. It has got much better since then but I still feel I am a bit more anxious than my normal self.

Have you noticed any changes in social anxiety? or is it about the same pre and post accutane?

 

[fragen]

For a time I did have really bad social anxiety. Especially DURING my last course. I also had strong social anxiety for months post-tane but it was also during this time that I was having this intense form of anxiety anyway. To be clear, my social anxiety was probably actually worse post-tane but it wasn't much worse than the type of anxiety I was experiencing all day and nearly every day anyway. But on my last course I had a lot of social anxiety for some reason even though I seemed calm most of my other time. Now a day I don't seem to have that much anxiety in comparison to those periods and socially I may be just to tired to care anymore. Still think I'm more anxious than my usual self though.

 

[CAn8tive]

Do people with PAS suffering from increased anxiety?

I feel as if tane has made me more prone to anxiety. I see numerous people complain of feeling more anxious and susceptible to anxiety. Again this is a common symptoms in people with PFS.

This is a stretch but if PAS is linked to 5 alpha reductase. It would make sense that people with PAS may have greater anxiety. As the activity of 5 alpha reduced metabolites in the amygdala play a role in reducing anxiety - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16220340

Has anyone else struggled with anxiety after taking accutane?

Yes, I definitely have struggled with Anxiety since taking Accutane in my teens. I’ve even had a couple panic attacks over the years . Along with most other accutane side effects many ppl have mentioned here - , libido, ibs-d, ed, fatigue, low mood. Basically since I was in my late teens and until now. Did not connect it all, until recently. Thanks to online info about pfs, pssd, and now pas, helped me to connect the dots and I realized my symptoms had a cause. Specific to the topic, I would say I have generalized anxiety and some social anxiety.

Tried everything for anxiety, self help books, talk therapy, meditation (does help some but getting into routine was hard always forgot), supplements . The only thing that made a substantial difference for me has been medication and to a lesser extent some mental tools I’ve learned or picked up over years. Being grateful for what I do have in life even if I have to write it out in a list to remind myself helps mood. Not always focusing on negative, being positive. I know it’s easier said than done with an anxious mind.

Medication has made 70% of difference and being positive rest. I started on Bupropion 150mg- 225mg day and Buspirone 15mg a day over a year ago - they’ve significantly helped my social anxiety, libido and fatigue. However I still felt some anxiety and felt easily irritated/angry more so than normal on the 2 meds, so my doctor added Lexapro 10mg a day. Fortunately its been a good balance for me so far with the 3. Trust me I know 3 medications sounds like a lot. shit I had trouble just starting first med, ha took me over a year to build up courage to take it. Yes I understand the risks associated with Lexapro and it did make me more tired, prob lowered libido some than without it. But the effects mentally - I feel the most balanced in my adult life on all 3. Even thought I should have done this (meds) 15 years ago, suffered needlessly while I could have felt better. Do I think meds are my permanent cure? No because they don’t fix everything still have upset stomach and prob ed. Mental sides- They allow me to stay balanced while I work on improving and being whole one day.

I do feel accutane changed something in our brain - receptors or something to cause this cascade of side effects. In addition from reading and personal experience I do feel dopamine is involved somehow.

 

[flynn]

Yes, I definitely have struggled with Anxiety since taking Accutane in my teens. I’ve even had a couple panic attacks over the years . Along with most other accutane side effects many ppl have mentioned here - , libido, ibs-d, ed, fatigue, low mood. Basically since I was in my late teens and until now. Did not connect it all, until recently. Thanks to online info about pfs, pssd, and now pas, helped me to connect the dots and I realized my symptoms had a cause. Specific to the topic, I would say I have generalized anxiety and some social anxiety.

Tried everything for anxiety, self help books, talk therapy, meditation (does help some but getting into routine was hard always forgot), supplements . The only thing that made a substantial difference for me has been medication and to a lesser extent some mental tools I’ve learned or picked up over years. Being grateful for what I do have in life even if I have to write it out in a list to remind myself helps mood. Not always focusing on negative, being positive. I know it’s easier said than done with an anxious mind.

Medication has made 70% of difference and being positive rest. I started on Bupropion 150mg- 225mg day and Buspirone 15mg a day over a year ago - they’ve significantly helped my social anxiety, libido and fatigue. However I still felt some anxiety and felt easily irritated/angry more so than normal on the 2 meds, so my doctor added Lexapro 10mg a day. Fortunately its been a good balance for me so far with the 3. Trust me I know 3 medications sounds like a lot. shit I had trouble just starting first med, ha took me over a year to build up courage to take it. Yes I understand the risks associated with Lexapro and it did make me more tired, prob lowered libido some than without it. But the effects mentally - I feel the most balanced in my adult life on all 3. Even thought I should have done this (meds) 15 years ago, suffered needlessly while I could have felt better. Do I think meds are my permanent cure? No because they don’t fix everything still have upset stomach and prob ed. Mental sides- They allow me to stay balanced while I work on improving and being whole one day.

I do feel accutane changed something in our brain - receptors or something to cause this cascade of side effects. In addition from reading and personal experience I do feel dopamine is involved somehow.

Thats interesting to hear. Glad you're feeling better. Thats interesting that you think Bupropion and Buspirone helped with your libido as well. Have you noticed any major side effects from these drugs. If you could, please post this in the what has / hasn't worked thread as well, as it may be very useful for some people - https://www.pasforum.info/forums/post-accutane-syndrome-what-has-hasnt-worked.2/

So you never suffered from any real anxiety issues before starting Accutane?

 

[CAn8tive]

Thats interesting to hear. Glad you're feeling better. Thats interesting that you think Bupropion and Buspirone helped with your libido as well. Have you noticed any major side effects from these drugs. If you could, please post this in the what has / hasn't worked thread as well, as it may be very useful for some people - https://www.pasforum.info/forums/post-accutane-syndrome-what-has-hasnt-worked.2/

So you never suffered from any real anxiety issues before starting Accutane?

Hello, no side effects from Buspirone and Bupropion - very minor nausea in beginning and increase anxiety initially because idea of taking meds made me anxious ha. Except in begn Bupropion did make me a little irritable/angry so my doc added Lexapro and the 3 have been perfect combo for me as far my mood, happiness, and social interactions. I know 3 is a lot but hey it works for me.

I’m not 100% sure if I suffered from anxiety prior to use. I was young 17 when I took it long ago. Sorry didnt reply sooner working 👍

 

[Dubbya_B]

Keep alert for sexual side effects from Lexapro. It is known to cause PSSD. I had a drastic worsening of anorgasmia and numbness while taking sertraline (another SSRI), but luckily, the effects went away after I stopped taking it. It was difficult to deal with in addition to low libido and genital numbness after Accutane.

 

[CAn8tive]

Thanks Dubbya will do. Lexapro definitely lowered libido once I added it - increases serotonin. But bupropion (increases dopamine) helps offset it a bit. In my experience dopamine tends to increase sexuality/libido and serotonin makes you more relaxed but reduces libido. I take lowest dose of Lexapro at 10mg a day and do keep eye on that. The ability to feel more relaxed and less anxious. Full disclosure I also do smoke medical marijuana and that definitely helps w my depression/anxiety. Im in California so its legal. I have a medical card for it. I feel the most balanced mentally than I have felt most of my life. Anxiety is normal I feel, more social, and just happy.
For the longest time I was the exact opposite. Thanks for the heads up 👍