I am 24 years old and took accutane last year for 6 months. I started having lower back pain two months into the treatment. I am in the Army and had a heck of a time trying to tell my doctor that I was having the pain and he wouldn't do anything for me. Mind you this wasn't my derm. But my primary care phy. The Army docs are weird about giving profiles for work related limitaions. Anywyas to make a long story short; I have been off it for a good while now at least 7 months and I still have the back pains. When I am standing or sitting for too long my lower back throbs. I was very active and find it hard to stay as active as I used to be because of the pain. I haven't went to the doctor in fear that it might have caused disc lost and I don't really feel like getting med boarded.Any advice?

Back pain is a noted side effect of Accutane (Isotretinoin). (see DRUG-NEWS: Accutane Side Effects (Isotretinoin) aka Acutane) and/or Accutane Information from Drugs.com (see side effects) and/or Accutane (Isotretinoin) Drug Information: User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions and Dosage at RxList. As to the lingering effect, I'm unsure, but the corresponding side effects lead me to think it is residual.

"Med boarded", despite my military background is unfamiliar??

Absent further information, I suspect you are experiencing residual properties of the side effects referenced above and not related to any more serious disorder.

As expressed, I understand your concern, and feel your apprehension and reluctance to present this information to your doctor is probably unfounded. If so, temporary amelioration is all that is necessary and readily available. Just bring it up to the military doc. Drug side effects are easily correlated.

If we may be of further assistance please ask.

ADDED: I see that you previously complained of the back pain, during treatment, to a MD/GP. As you present, it should have been addressed. Nonetheless, please make another appointment (sick call, as we called it) and if necessary recite your knowledge of the symptomatic nature of your complaint. Otherwise my advice remains the same. Sorry for my oversight.

I have a two part question. First, I'm on 60mg/day of accutane in two doses. My breakfast and dinner times vary, so I was wondering if taking the medication between 8-10am and 6-8pm will cause a problem? Sometimes I only have about 8 hours between doses. Also, I eat a very high fiber diet (I'd say 50-65g a day). I read this can cause an issue with certain medications? Do you think this diet is OK with accutane?

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