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Issues Relating to the Safety of Accutane
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
David Shove-Brown
Distinguished
Members of the Committee on Energy and Commerce: I would first like to thank
you for the invitation to come here today and present my experiences and
opinions of Accutane. I
believe that listening to and learning about the experiences of acne sufferers
and their relatives is very important in comprehending what Accutane does
physically and emotionally. Prior to presenting my
history with Accutane, I must reiterate the difference between general, basic
adolescent acne and severe acne. Basic
acne manifests itself through the occasional "zit" or blackhead while severe
acne provides constant "breakouts" going beyond blackheads, to whiteheads
and progressing to red, irritated skin. It
is the later of which I suffered. I endured severe acne during
my high school years in West Hartford, Connecticut.
I found high school to be an excruciatingly difficult process.I was
beginning to establish who I was, what I was interested in and who I would be
making my journeys while trying to "fit in" with the American cultural
mainstream. How would I explore the
beauty of contemporary art and design, yet find a date to the end of school
dance? Seems frivolous, yet all
encompassing to teenage life. The
real challenge to this time in my life was my physical appearance. I suffered from severe acne.constant breakouts with
irritated skin. I was fixated upon
the ideal that my classmates were consumed by my "freakish" appearance.
I was embarrassed at times to be seen.I avoided all cameras and image
capturing experiences.I refrained from attending events during the most
heinous breakouts. I loathed the
idea of presenting in front of any type of group.20 sets of eyes fixated upon
me and my acne. It was a daily
gamble.how much worse would my face look than the day before? I visited my dermatologist
monthly, hoping at each visit that I would be cured.
We ran the gambit of medications from the most proven creams and oral
medicines to the outlandish old wives tales from fictional novels. Each of these methods failed leaving me increasingly dejected
with the way I appeared and the way that my appearance determined who I was.
I was convinced that I would spend the remainder of my days with horribly
disfigured skin scaring small children. I
very vividly remember the day that my doctor suggested Accutane.
"There's a new medication on the market for severe cases of acne like
yours," he said. We discussed my
case, the future, this new medication and its side affects. My parents and I examined my options and researched the
possibilities. After several weeks
of discussion and debate, we elected to try Accutane. I consider this moment critical in my adolescent years. I went through one treatment
of Accutane. I endured dry skin,
susceptibility to sun and the occasional nosebleed, all as I had expected. What I didn't expect was my attitude adjustment.
Within weeks I wasn't embarrassed to go to school.I wasn't afraid to
be in photos.I gained self -confidence and composure. This medicine breathed new life into my young existence. I give tremendous credit to
Accutane and its manufacturers for my change in attitude.
At this very influential time, I believe that through my improved
condition and modified appearance I was able to believe in who I was and what I
was doing. At the end of my Accutane
treatment, I was able to confidently finish high school.
I proceeded to a very successful college career studying architecture.
I grew and flourished, developing into an increasingly poised and
assertive young man. I tackled new
challenges, jumped at new chances and dreamed bigger dreams.
I never once was ashamed of who I was and what I looked like.
I found tremendous success in college, graduating number two in my class.
I believe that through my use of Accutane I was able to focus my energies
away from judging my physical appearance to developing my mental and emotional
persona. I no longer fear standing in
front of groups. As an architect, I present regularly in front of clients,
co-workers, contractors and potential clients.
I feel that they are listening to my ideas, not assessing my skin.
I also teach part-time.I work with young college students at Catholic
University. Three days a week I
speak on the beauty of the built form and the design process.
I lecture about influential people and radical ideas.
I talk about spatial relationships, building materials and the marriage
of the two. Never do I wonder if
the students are examining my skin condition. I have been married for two
wonderful years. Since we met five
years ago, we have laughed, we have dreamed and we have explored and not once
have I been afraid to leave the bathroom because I was amidst a harsh breakout. While all of these ideas may seem simple and, in the grand scheme of the universe, unimportant, I assure you, to a 17 year old growing up, one's physical appearance is life defining. Accutane does not grow self-confidence genes, it does not development assertiveness cells, it simply clears one's skin. It is through this basic task, that Accutane changes lives.
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