What Price Beauty? (Accutane hit piece alert)

The Boston Globe Magazine ^ | 4/27/2003 | By Ellen Rafshoon

[Paleo Conservative]

Although Accutane causes birth defects, many acne sufferers love the way the miracle complexion pill makes them look, and so do their doctors. That's why it has become the most widely prescribed birth-defect-causing medicine in the United States.

Many women might be reluctant to reveal their vanities, but Brenda McCoy boldly admits that she's always been concerned about her looks. "I take really good care of myself," says the svelte Orange County mother of four and part-time nurse who's finishing work toward her bachelor's degree at California State University. Despite her hectic schedule, the 40-year-old maintains her figure by running, biking, and power walking.

[Paleo Conservative]

Every few years yet another journalist runs a hit piece against accutane, because it causes birth defects in the children of women who become pregnant while taking accutane. The birth defects are severe (about as severe as those caused by thalidomide); however, they were well known at the time accutane was approved by the FDA in 1982. As far as I can remember, accutane has only been prescribed for women after extensive warnings about its potential to cause birth defects are disclosed. Also, this article fails to mention that more males have severe cystic acne than females. As usual for articles like this, it mentions the possibility of the FDA banning accutane even though there is no substitute for it.

[Hildy]

Accutane is a wonder drug for those who need it. They give extensive warnings to women about getting pregnant.

[beaversmom]

I had a friend that took accutane as an adult. Even though she had a total hysterectomy, they required her to take periodic pregnancy tests.

[Calpernia]

Waaaaay back when....I worked in the Drug Regulatory Affairs department of Hoffmann-LaRoche. We were still doing clinical trials on Accutane. Even after it was on the market. We WEREN'T allowed to use that drug on females of child bearing age.

The drug may work. But from the data I saw, is a few pimples worth it to women? I think not. That drug stays in your system.

[Paleo Conservative]

I really get angry about these accutane hit pieces. I successfully completed a five month cours of therapy on accutane nineteen years ago this month. For several years prior to going on accutane, I was under the care first of a my family physician then by a dermatologist to control a rather stubborn case of acne. I had to take antibiotics daily for several years trying to control it. My dermatologist would not put me on accutane when it first came out in September 1982, because she thought I was about to out grow my acne problem. By December 1983, she finally prescribed accutane for me, when my acne problem persisted despite her wishful thinking that I had outgrown it. After a five month course of therapy my acne was reduced by at least 97%. I will admit that the drug had lots of side effects (I had to take monthly blood tests to make sure I did not have liver, kidney, or other problems).

I get really tired of these muck raking reporters writing stories about how bad accutane is and how its use should be curtailed. I don't think they have considered the adverse physical and psycological consequences of uncontollable cystic acne. It's really easy to show pictures of disabled children who are victims of their mothers stupidity. On the other hand, it is really difficult to run a story about people who did not commit suicide because their treatment was successful.

[Paleo Conservative]

ccutane is a wonder drug for those who need it.

I absolutely agree. I have known several people besides myself who have used it. If any other therapy worked, I'm sure they would be used. Accutane is a drug of last resort.

[Hildy]

This is NOT a drug for women with a few pimples. This is a drug of last resort for people with intense, face-altering acne. It's not a joke.

[jlogajan]

Worked for me. Well, actually my acne started to re-emerge just a few years later. But I was clear for a couple years anyhow.

[Paleo Conservative]

The drug may work. But from the data I saw, is a few pimples worth it to women? I think not. That drug stays in your system.

I had a girl friend whose 20-year-old sister had never been on a date before going on accutane. I really doubt she was at any risk of having a child with birth defects. Who are you to say that no woman of child bearing age should allowed to take accutane?

[Calpernia]

Did you read my full post? I said I was part of the DRA of HLR. I know the entire history of the condition, drug and affects. Don't you dare accuse me of implying it as a joke. The data I've reviewed is NO JOKE. Watch your tone Hildy. I didn't refer to anything funny. The birth defects of the children from HLRs Puerto Rican Labs was no joke. Acne goes away!

[Calpernia]

>>>Who are you to say that no woman of child bearing age should allowed to take accutane?

Go back are read my post. THE FDA said that for our tests we monitored.

And if you are that severe emotionally about the cystic acne, it sounds more to me that you should be seeing a psychiatrist. From what I read, I see more signs of bipolar than cystic acne.

[Cold Heat]

My wife uses accutane for a severe skin problem. It helps some, but there is no cure for her ailment.

The pill container contains references to the dangers of pregnancy all over it. Each and every pill contains a warning sign on it.

In addition, people from the company stay in comunication with the user as well as the doctor with constant and serious warnings throughout the treatment period.

Their is no possible way for someone to say, I forgot or I did not know.

[Lancey Howard]

Accutane certainly works, but it doesn't seem that very much is known about all of its side effects. My son had severe acne and went on accutane. He was required to get regular blood tests to make sure his liver stayed healthy.

My son is also a baseball player, a pitcher.
Not long after he went on accutane he developed arm problems and found it painful to throw Nobody made any connection to the accutane. He tried everything under the sun and saw at least three different orthopedic doctors. He tried steroid shots and physical therapy and even tried prolotherapy - - all to no avail. It was very frustrating for him since pitching baseball is very important to him. He finally went to two different orthopedic doctors and begged for each one to approve surgery (surgery!) Fortunately, the doctors refused to give the go-ahead for surgery since the x-rays and MRIs showed no significant tears or any other problem. The pain was a mystery. No doctor that my son saw made any connection between accutane and his arm pain.

My son was on an accutane regimen (several prescriptions) for about a year-and-a-half. Guess what? Not long after he went off the accutane, his arm problems cleared up completely and he is throwing great again and getting ready for the summer wood bat league. We finally decided that the accutane not only dried up the oil in his face, it also dried up the oil in his joints. He noticed it mainly in his right arm because of the strain of trying to throw fastballs. (Although at one point he also complained about pain in his left shoulder as well but he didn't care all that much about it since he doesn't pitch with that arm.)

Anyway, I think that orthopedic guys and anybody else who deals with sports injuries should be sure to inquire about whether or not a patient is on accutane. It may be the answer to a patient's "mystery" pain. I would hate to think that an athlete would get needless surgery.

[Calpernia]

>>>>Nobody made any connection to the accutane.

No one thought of the accutane? That pain was due to blood circulation, no?

[Calpernia]

blocking of blood circulation.

[jocon307]

"Also, this article fails to mention that more males have severe cystic acne than females. As usual for articles like this, it mentions the possibility of the FDA banning accutane even though there is no substitute for it."

Well, maybe it should only be prescribed for men. Is there any evidence that use by the father is bad for the child, I'd guess not, based on the stuff in the article about the zygote (or whatever) needing to be implanted in the uterus.

If what you mean by "hit piece" is that the drug is blamed rather than the user, I agree. Guns don't kill people, people kill people. Accutane doesn't damage children, irresponsible females who want-what-they-want-when-they-want-it-and-if-they-don't-get-it-someone-or-something- other-than-themselves-is-to-blame do. Agreed.

Cripes, sometimes I hate my society, especially the women, with whom I'm forced to share a sex. (Share A sex, not share sex,lol). Can no one think of the children?

[Lancey Howard]

No one thought of the accutane? That pain was due to blood circulation, no?

No doctor gave the accutane a second thought. Like I said, we figured that the arm joints were all dried out of oil. (Of course, I am certainly no doctor and I don't even know if joints have oil to begin with. Just a theory....)

[Lancey Howard]

Heads up on posts #13 and #17.

Got any thoughts on this you want to share?

[Paleo Conservative]

The pain was a mystery. No doctor that my son saw made any connection between accutane and his arm pain.

I recall joint pain as being one of the potential symptoms I was warned about. I would not reccommend anyone have any kind of elective surgery while on accutane. Another symptom is that the rate at which tissues heal decreases greatly. I remember small incidental cuts that would normally have healed in a few days, taking weeks to heal. I also had problems with mucous membranes getting severely dried out. I got pink eye within a few hours of a piece of dust from a jack hammer at a construction site gently hitting my eye. To this day nineteen years after ending my therapy, my nasal cavity tends to be very dry, espcecially during cold dry weather.

[Calpernia]

>>>>Is there any evidence that use by the father is bad for the child

NONE! For some reason, the male body doesn't even retain it. Whereas, the woman's body will retain it even after she stops taking it for up to at least 3 months from what I remember.

[Calpernia]

You even just describe a lack of blood circulation "dried out of oil"

Sorry it took you guys so long to make the connection. Glad you did though before any perminent damage set in.

[Husker24]

I took two rounds of ACCUTANE, there are warnings all over the box about birth defects, warning woman who could become pregnant not to take it. The ACCUTANE only only worked for me during the time i took it. It also has the irritating side effect of you haveing to peel the skin on your lips off every other day or so. After doing alot of research on the internet and trying alot of crap that didnt work, I ended up trying a supplement called Pantothenic Acid. It works great, I have to take two 500mg pills twice a day but I can buy a months supply at GNC for about $25. It really works great, im not selling the stuff, im just saying I have NO acne while taking this stuff and there are no side effects you simply piss away any extra Pantothenic Acid in your body. I dont know why this "cure" isnt in the media.

[Paleo Conservative]

Well, maybe it should only be prescribed for men. Is there any evidence that use by the father is bad for the child, I'd guess not, based on the stuff in the article about the zygote (or whatever) needing to be implanted in the uterus.

Read post #9. No, I don't agree that only males should be allowed to be treated with accutane.

[grimalkin]

You're absolutely right. A friend of mine had terrible, disfiguring cystic acne and Accutane was the only thing that worked. Her dermatologist had her try several drugs (none of which had any effect) before approving an Accutane prescription. It should not be withheld from those who need it.

The cysts she had previously has left her permanently scarred and there isn't much that can be done about it. Laser surgery is simply not enough. At least there won't be further damage to her skin at this point.

[Paleo Conservative]

NONE! For some reason, the male body doesn't even retain it. Whereas, the woman's body will retain it even after she stops taking it for up to at least 3 months from what I remember.

Up to three months. That's not years. I can't see why a responsible girl should be denied effective treatment when she does not intend to get pregnant till several years later. Quite a few girls in high school or college intend to wait till they have graduated and have married before getting pregnant.

[Paleo Conservative]

And if you are that severe emotionally about the cystic acne, it sounds more to me that you should be seeing a psychiatrist.

Accutane is a lot cheaper than a psychiatrist.

[xm177e2]

The results showed that 47 percent of the Accutane-exposed children had a less than average IQ

So do 50% of people who don't take accutane. The reporter must mean something different than "less than average," she must mean much less than average.

[Paleo Conservative]

So do 50% of people who don't take accutane. The reporter must mean something different than "less than average," she must mean much less than average.

Excellent point.

I bet that 75% of parents think their children are "above average".

[xm177e2]

Acne goes away!

And acne scars? Who are you to want to take this away from these people "for the children?"

[Husker24]

And if you are that severe emotionally about the cystic acne, it sounds more to me that you should be seeing a psychiatrist. From what I read, I see more signs of bipolar than cystic acne.

A psychiatrist cant stop people from stareing at you.

[ikka]

Still worried about the harm Accutane may have already done, McCoy scoured medical journals and found that even small doses of the drug could endanger a baby's health. And because she may have conceived as many as four weeks before learning she was pregnant – weeks when she conscientiously took her Accutane – the potential was real.

Then a local specialist on birth defects arranged for McCoy to meet the adoptive mother of a retarded child with facial anomalies caused by Accutane exposure. Their discussion clinched her decision to end the pregnancy. Painful as it was, she told her husband: "We can't do this to our family."

After McCoy's abortion, the couple decided never to revisit the idea of expanding their family. And McCoy is back on Accutane. "My skin glows when I'm using it," she says. "I would die if they took it off the market."

It isn't acne that is scarring this woman's soul. She did not even know for sure that the child she killed did in fact have the mentioned defect.

[Calpernia]

That is a lack of self confidence.

[the_doc]

Bump for that.

[Calpernia]

Accutane causes physical deformities as well as mental. I suggest you get physically altered. Then stay on accutane. Once you save enough money, go to a psychiatriest and start some Paxil or whatever bipolar meds you qualify for. Accutane is not the answer to your problems. If you are afraid of people staring at you...they will whether you have scares or don't. Self confidence fixes that, not drugs.

[Madstrider]

Then, seven years after she took her first Accutane pill, McCoy was shocked to discover that her IUD had failed.

IUD! A barbaric birth-control method almost never used nowadays except in the Third World.

Of course, the answer to this problem is to instruct doctors: Never prescribe Accutane for sexually-active females of childbearing age. Period. Females seeking treatment for severe acne must be clearly informed that Accutane causes fetal abnormalities, that no birth control pill or device is 100 percent effective, and that therefore if they wish to use Accutane, they MUST abstain entirely from sexual intercourse until the course of treatment is completed.

The major problem is this: An entire industry -- indeed, also a huge social movement complete with powerful political lobbies -- has dedicated itself to eradicating the America people through contraception, abortion and sterilization. This movement has succeeded in convincing American women that artificial birth control is safe and effective. It is not and can never be. Except abstinence and surgical sterilization, every birth control method has a failure rate, whether that rate is 2 percent or 20 percent. The failure rate means that, for every 100 women using that method, X number will become pregnant in the course of a year of use. Thus, the use of contraception -- and the false belief in its effectiveness -- automatically creates clients for the abortionists.

Whenever I try to explain this, invariably some woman will say, "Nonsense. I've used the Pill for years and never gotten pregnant." To which the reply must be: "Probably because you are sterile. You could quit the Pill tomorrow and still never get pregnant." Shocking, but true. You see, the Contraceptive Myth, as we may call it, invariably leads to a rise in promiscuity. The 25-year-old woman who boasts that she's been on the Pill since her teens and never gotten pregnant has almost certainly had at least a half-dozen sexual partners, and each of those partners has probably had an equal number of partners of his own, creating an exponential scale of risk for sexually transmitted diseases. There are several different STDs -- gonorhea and HPV among them -- which can destroy a woman's ability to bear children. HPV causes cervical cancer, while th most common STD, chlamydia, can scar the fallopian tubes, lead to pelvic inflammatory disorder, and cause ectopic pregnancy.

Because these diseases often go undetected or untreated -- and can severely damage a woman's reproductive organs in just a few weeks -- a number of sexually active females become infertile before they even reach their 20s. They mistakenly think that the effectiveness of birth control explains why they don't become pregnant. But then later, at 25 or 30 or 35, they marry and decide they want children, so they quit the Pill and ... nothing happens. Six months. A year. Still no pregnancy. They get worried. They go to the doctor. The doctor examines them and says, "Well, I've got some bad news ...." But ... but ... what about those miracle fertility treatments you hear about on TV? Sorry. All the fertility drugs in the world won't do any good if your fallopian tubes are so damaged that the egg can't get from the ovary to the uterus. And there's not much point in trying to get pregnant, if HPV has damaged your cervix so bad you could never carry a baby to term anyway.

The Contraceptive Myth is one of the great misery-makers of our age, and the birth of deformed children due to Accutane is just part and parcel of that misery.

[Paleo Conservative]

Here is a link to WebMD.com's page about accutane side effects. It does list joint pain as a possible side effect.

• Stop taking isotretinoin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· changes in vision, blurred vision, or decreased vision (especially at night);
· painful or constant dryness of the eyes;
· depression including feelings of sadness, crying spells, irritability, changes in sleep patterns, unusual tiredness, trouble concentrating, loss of appetite, and / or suicidal thoughts or other mental problems;
· stomach, chest, or bowel pain;
· rectal bleeding, or severe or bloody diarrhea;
· difficulty or pain when swallowing;
· new or worsening heartburn;
· yellowing of the skin or eyes or persistently dark urine;
· severe headache or dizziness;
· seizures;
· nausea and vomiting;
· joint or muscle pain or bone problems;
· hearing problems or hearing loss;
· trouble breathing;
· fainting;
· increased thirst or urination;
· slurred speech or problems moving;
· leg swelling;
· increased levels of cholesterol or triglyceride (types of fat) in your blood (detected by blood tests).

• Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue to take isotretinoin and talk to your doctor if you experience

Continue to take isotretinoin and talk to your doctor if you experience
· inflammation, dryness, or cracking of the lips;
· dry skin, dry mouth, dry or bleeding nose, dryness of the eyes and / or difficulty wearing contact lenses;
· itching; or
· increased sensitivity of the skin to the sun.

• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

WebMD.com and other websites have excellent detailed information about the benefits and side effects of various drugs. I nowadays always check out online information about any drugs my physicians prescribe.

[Calpernia]

You are right. Who am I to take this drug away. Please cut and paste my words for that. I will say, I did say acne goes away. BUT, it was NOT I who said no to child bearing women.

[Calpernia]

Well, I'm not 100% sure what the point of your post was. I will say, I had all 3 of my children with my husband while using birth control. We used birth control cause we weren't planning yet; yet, we had 3 children all are 2 years apart.

Not even sure if that supports your arguement. I didn't follow your post.

[Mercat]

My retirement and college funds were funded from a law suite against Hoffmann LaRoche re: accutane. My client, Michael, is now 18. He is severely retarded but can walk and eat independently. His adoptive mother is a saint. He servived his birth mother's pregnancy because she threw up the medicine every morning and was from a Catholic family who didn't believe in abortion. Hoffmann LaRoche pays millions every year in damage control money to keep all this a deep dark secret. I'm glad that the word keeps getting out.

[Calpernia]

Then you understand how drug toxicity windows are made. AND why most drug testing labs are not on the US shore.

I wish other children had Michael's benefits. Hence is why I 'slapped' a poster earlier for implying that this was a joke. YOU understand some of the information I encountered in the documenting of this drug (and others).

[bonesmccoy]

http://www.rocheusa.com/products/accutane/pi.pdf

I do not use Accutane in my practice and instead choose to refer all recalcitrant acne cases to dermatologists in our area. I have little first hand experience with this particular medication because I choose not to write it often.

Quoting the package insert:
"Pediatric patients and their caregivers should be informed that approximately 29% (104/358) of pediatric patients treated with Accutane devleoped back pain. Back pain was severe in 13.5% (14/104) of the cases and occurred at a higher frequency in female than male patients.

Arthalgias were experienced in 22% (79/358) of pediatric patients.

Arthralgias were severe in 7.6% (6/79) of patients. Appropriate evaluation of the musculoskeletal system should be done in patients who present with these symptoms during or after a course of Accutane. Consideration should be given to discontinuation of Accutane if any significant abnormality is found.

[Kennard]

It isn't acne that is scarring this woman's soul. She did not even know for sure that the child she killed did in fact have the mentioned defect.

You are the first in this long thread to mention the ethics of assuming an abortion risk for personal vanity.

How can a woman risk either a birth defect or an abortion for her personal vanity?

I also find it offensive that some try to justify this risk by suggesting the alternative is psychological damage or suicide. Get over it on your own. There are lots of people born "ugly" who will never have such a cure. They lead just as normal lives as the rest of us.

I see some women concocting BS reasons to avoid censure by others, since, of course, there was never a conscience to impinge.

[Paleo Conservative]

I do not use Accutane in my practice and instead choose to refer all recalcitrant acne cases to dermatologists in our area.

I can appreciate that doctor who is not a dermatologist would want to let a specialist be responsible for prescribing accutane. What bothers me is the attitude that bureaucrats in Washington DC, or trial lawyers should want to keep it away from everyone just because there are some really stupid and irresponsible women out there who get pregnant while taking accutane. I was very much aware of accutane before it was approved. I was also aware of the potential side effects before I went on a five month cours of therapy. I can't imagine anyone would want to put up with its side effects if any other therapy worked.

[boris]

"The drug may work. But from the data I saw, is a few pimples worth it to women? I think not. That drug stays in your system."

This is nuts. My dad was a dermatologist and I saw first-hand the benefits of accutane. Riddle me this: why should men be denied access to this drug?

Same question for Thalidomide.

The bottle/box/insert for Accutane has radioactive fluorescent WARNINGS all over them about the dangers to pregnant women. Every doctor in the Universe is highly aware of the potential problem. Why then should it be banned?

As I understand it, Thalidomide was a wonderful sedative--because you virtually could not overdose on it. You'd sleep a long time, but not die as is the case with other sedatives. Again, why deny men access to Thalidomide (let alone people with leprosy)?

--Boris

[Paleo Conservative]

As I understand it, Thalidomide was a wonderful sedative--because you virtually could not overdose on it. You'd sleep a long time, but not die as is the case with other sedatives. Again, why deny men access to Thalidomide (let alone people with leprosy)?

Also thalidomide has been used to treat both AIDS and cancer. Although thalidomide was safe as a sedative, it was never tested for potential side effects during pregnancy prior to being recommended for pregnant women. Acctane was specifically tested for the potential for causing birth defects in animals prior to its ever being tested in humans. It was specifically recommended that pregnant women not take accutane nor should women who were taking or recently completed threapy get pregnant. It seems to be the mentality of bureaucrats and trial lawyers that nobody should be exposed to any risk (even voluntarily) that a pregnant woman should not be exposed to.

[martin_fierro]

Ellen Rafshoon is a freelance writer in Atlanta.

Who is apparently paid by the word. Yeesh.

[Ronin]

If patients happened to notice, there was a sticker affixed to the pill bottle warning "contraindicated for use in pregnancy."

This is close to borderline slander in my book. I have only known one woman who ever tood accutane. She told me the doctor put her through a virtual horror show of pictures, lectures and release statements before he would agree to write the prescription.

[rmlew]

There are cosmetic reasons not to take Accutane. The active chemical in Accutane is a derivative of Vitamin-A, Isotretinoin. Isotretinoin causes hairloss.
If you want to use a Vitamin-A derivative on your face, use Retin-A (tretinoin), which does not have this effect.

[schmelvin]

From the article: ...McCoy was shocked to discover that her IUD had failed. But her dismay turned to joy because she and her husband had been talking about having another child. "You should have seen the look on my husband's face," she says. "He was saying this was meant to be."...

Then a local specialist on birth defects arranged for McCoy to meet the adoptive mother of a retarded child with facial anomalies caused by Accutane exposure. Their discussion clinched her decision to end the pregnancy. Painful as it was, she told her husband: "We can't do this to our family."

After McCoy's abortion, the couple decided never to revisit the idea of expanding their family. And McCoy is back on Accutane. "My skin glows when I'm using it," she says. "I would die if they took it off the market."

I thought the same thing you did, ikka. Why would she have an abortion without first attempting to find out whether or not the child was deformed? Who knows? Maybe, she aborted the child so she wouldn't have to cease taking her Accutane for 9 months. After all, she said she'd "die" without it. Her husband obviously wanted to have more children, but they won't be doing that now nor will they ever consider having children in the future. But, that's OK, because her skin just glows.

Kennard, I was surprised (as you probably were too) that so few posts to this thread addressed what you summed up quite well as "the ethics of assuming an abortion risk for personal vanity".

I don't think this drug should be taken off the market, but I think that it probably will be since it's being used and prescribed so recklessly. It should only be given to patients with severe acne, and all non-sterile women of childbearing age who take Accutane should abstain from sexual intercourse.

[jocon307]

"all non-sterile women of childbearing age who take Accutane should abstain from sexual intercourse."

The operative word here is SHOULD, of course they should, but it's obvious from the article that they don't. Now, our author got the happy abortioner to discuss her happy abortion and glowing skin; not to mention her avoidence of "death" (life/health of the mother exception alert); but I notice the author didn't include any quotes from women whose children died before age one, or who are now institutionlized due to their mother's use of Accutane.

I only suggested accutane be prescribed for men only. But it seems to me that it's simple enough to abstain from sex while taking the drug. I mean, let's face it, abstaining from sex is a pretty simple proposition, no warning labels to read, no bottle caps to unscrew (no pun intended), no devices to use, no messy creams or gels. Or, a woman might choose sterilization if her need to take Accutane over many years was great enough. I can't condone abortion, but abstaining, in the case of a young woman who will take this drug for some limited time; or sterilization for an older woman who wants to be able to always take it, will both certainly prevent pregnancy.

There are many medical conditions and treatments that prevent people from having children. And there are indeed many "ugly" conditions for which there is no treatment. One of those, evidently, is use by one's mother of accutane during pregnancy.

I still don't see why people feel this is a hit-piece, that is to say unfair to Accutane. It does cause these severe, damaging, fatal (even) side effects, that is not in doubt. But, I'm sorry, it just isn't that hard to prevent pregnancy: DON'T HAVE SEX. Then you will have no problems with Accutane. Why is the prevailing ethos of our society that one must be able to have sex at any time, any place, any where, with anyone, and damn the consequences it causes, but, for sure, find someone else to solve any resulting problems, or pay for any pain or difficulty caused by one's sexual activity?

It wasn't my sexual activity that caused my child to be deformed,it was the evil, yet deep pocketed drug companies.

It wasn't my promiscuous homosexual life style that gave me AIDS, it was Republicans.

It wasn't my mid-life affair with the floozy that cost me my fortune and my children's affections, it was my bitch of an ex-wife.

Please, who can't see through this BS?