Spironolactone - Dosage

Hello All,

I am currently on Spiro - 100mg - 150mg daily and Mircette. Been on both Spiro since January and my skin, which broke out terribly when I went off BC, is finally clear. Frankly, clearer than ever before. My concern is, I am starting to feel very dehydrated on this medication - understandably so considering its function - but I am not willing to give it up.

Not having breakouts or clogged pores has stopped me from feeling compelled to pick at my skin, which has changed my life.

What dose is everyone on? I wonder if at my size: 115lbs, I could stay at 100mg or even 75mg and still see benefits? I have read conflicting reports - but some say 200mg is the magic number. Others, 100mg. Some clinical trials say the effectiveness increases with dose. Yet, so do the side effects.

Advice? Is anyone around my size and on the same dose?

FYI:
I also use glycolic wash daily (either 7% or 20% alternating) and get glycolic peels (first every two weeks, now one a month). I use Ziana at night.

I recommend both. Glycolic has made a major difference in texture and tone and the Ziana is not harsh and helps with fine lines (I am almost 30 and frankly have none to speak of since using this regime).

Best,
S

Spiro and Yasmin

Hello All,

After going off BC, I began to develop mild to moderate acne. It went from a few "clogged pores" to a very serious breakout (with some cysts) in about six months time. I chose to go back on BC and was also given Spiro to supplement this. I am on Yasmin and 100mg of Spiro daily. I have taken this combo for...a bit over a month. My skin has improved SIGNIFICANTLY. In conjunction with Glycolic peels and Ziana/Finacea (although I am using the topicals approx every other day due to peeling) my skin is clearer and more even toned than it was before the breakout. My issue is, Yasmin has caused me to put on approx 5-10lbs and HORRIBLE cellulite. This is the exact reason I went off it, initially. When I went off, I dropped weight within a month and within a few months had very little cellulite.

I have the idea in mind to go off BC - and just stay on the Spiro. It is the estrogen which is causing the cellulite, I believe and the anti-androgenic properties which are helping prevent acne. I do think that estrogen ALSO helps with acne, though? Of course, my concern is that off BC - my skin will breakout again.

Has anyone done this? Gone off a BC which was used in conjunction with Spiro? Does anyone know which component of the BC truly helps the acne? Is it both? Does spiro alone work?

ANY information would be helpful. Cellulite is a normal part of life for a 28 year old woman - but this is an extreme change and is clearly "unnatural" - it can be almost painful at times. :/

Thank you!

Hormonal Acne?

So, here is my "plan of action":

Diet
No Refined Sugar/Low Natural Sugar
No Baked Goods (like cookies and cake)
Low Gluten/Yeast
Low Soy (only unsweetened soy milk)
Whole Grains (no white flour)
No Fruits (temporary to reduce sugar intake)
Lots of Veggies
Lean Meat/Fish (no hormones!)
Eggs OK
No Diary (other than greek yogurt)
MAXIMUM of one cup of coffee per day (usually none)
DRINK ONLY WATER or Herbal Teas

Supplements
2 Capsules Blood Cleanser (Tumeric, etc)
3 Capsules Milk Thistle (one per meal)
Threelac Probiotic (2 Packets Daily - anytime)
Oxygen Colon Cleanse (4 capsules at night)
3 Capsules Garlic (one per meal)
Active Digestive Enzyme (before each meal)

Washing/Medication
Morning:
Wash face with Cetaphil
Wash Body with Dr. Bronners (need better body wash - suggestions?)

Apply Duac to Upper Back
Apply Finacea to Face

Apply Coconut Oil (Organic, Extra Virgin, Cold Pressed) to body not affected by acne
Oil Free Moisturize
Oil Free Makeup

Night:
Wash face with Cetaphil

Apply Duac to Back (Possibly Retin A a few times a week to reduce scarring)
Apply Ziana to Face (Retin A Micro may be added to blackheads on nose or persistent dark spots minimally)

Starting soon:
YASMIN (Mid January after period starts)
Spiro (100mg - 50mg Day/50mg Night) as soon as I get blood tests
Glycolic Peel on January 24th



Anyone who has used ANY of these medications/methods, please give me feedback. I am severely depressed due to having acne for the first time as an adult. I know many people on this board have suffered for years and I certainly am not self-pitying nor pretending my situation is worse...but I basically have to return to work on Monday (I am currently on vacation) looking like a different person. I am humiliated and scared. This has been creeping up on me for months but I thought it was "clogged pores" and it remained calm so no one really noticed. I have now broken out and there is no covering this...I have to face it. ha ha.

Thanks to everyone for having this forum - it has given me some hope and comfort.

Be well.

Candidate for Spiro? Or BCP?

Hello All,

I recently developed mild to moderate acne (most whiteheads) after going off BCP. I did not have acne as an adolescent nor previously when going on and off the pill. I was last on YAZ and I swear that pill is poison. I went off it due to a HUGE increase in cellulite. A month off YAZ and I lost ten lbs and my entire thigh and buttock area transformed. Anyhow, as nice as that is, now I have acne. I have read a lot of "miracle" results from those who have taken spiro but I also noticed many mention "cysts" in their posts. I do not have cystic acne. My acne has persisted for about 6 months. I have MAJOR sebum production but not "oily" skin. At least, it is not oily to the touch but maybe I misunderstand the term?

How long after going off BCP can you expect the resultant acne to last? More specifically, is it possible this will level out? Best BC for acne? Spiro suitable for mild to moderate acne?

Thank you all for reading!

Introducing myself...

Hello Everyone!

Here is my story:

I know this is long but bear with me...

I am here seeking some support and advice - at 28, I suddenly have "acne". I suppose I am in the moderate category - the majority of it being non-inflammatory and on my face (a few areas on upper back as well). I am completely overwhelmed by the amount of information available online and how contradictory it all seems. I am also distraught and depressed by my appearance and the irony of the situation - I am a recovering skin-picker who never had acne - all my previous skin issues were self-inflicted and due to an OC (obsessive compulsive) behavior which took years to FINALLY conquer...and then I broke out.

Here is a basic outline of my "situation". If anyone can relate or has input, please reply. Frankly, I am feeling desperate at this point.

- No acne as an adolescent

- Went on BC in late teens for pregnancy prevention. Was on and off it - switched types numerous times in my twenties. No major reaction "skin-wise".

- Developed eczema on hands and feet in college - sometimes experiencing it on elbows and even face (small blisters) - this has resolved itself in the last 6 months.

- Developed a skin-picking disorder in early twenties - not related to acne but due to an OCD/anxiety disorder - sadly did damage to my face by obsessively picking at relatively clear skin. Was able to 99% conquer this very recently. Skin had healed and improved significantly. Not perfect - but "normal".

- Went off birth control again approx six months ago due to cellulite/weight gain from Yaz

- Began noticing that all my pores felt "clogged" - I believe this was occurring while still on the Yaz but most likely was exacerbated by picking and was minor in comparison to current situation. When I went off the BC the clogs spread and became larger. If I tried to empty them, only came back fast and it seemed like more in number. Learned they were white heads. Face became FULL of them. Luckily, at first they never became inflamed. Recently, many have become "inflamed" and infected. If they are "popped" red, post-inflammatory hyperpig a definite.

So, here I am with acne. I went to the dermatologist today and she gave me Ziana and Finacea for what she is SURE is hormonal acne. She looked at me for about five minutes to determine this - right after I said "...and I recently went off BC" she had made her decision.

I have also been rather sick recently - 6 courses of antibiotics to treat a UTI/bacterial infection! (Although the acne did begin before that) and have been showing major signs of Candida (thrust, yeast infections). I thought perhaps Candida was causing the acne as I have many other symptoms of it in retrospect for many years...

I have change my diet significantly - low to no sugar, low dairy (only yogurt), cut out caffeine, eating little to no yeast, low gluten, only organic foods, no meat treated with antibiotcs, you know the drill! I also take many supplements - probiotics, garlic, acai, milk thistle etc.

I am considering two options:

Taking spironolactone or going BACK on BC. What do you think of those options?

Has anyone used Ziana as an adult for hormonal acne?

I am afraid I have entered into a cycle that will persist for many years. I am PETRIFIED of scarring. I am humiliated to go to work with this almost overnight change in appearance.

Anyone!?