6 replies to this topic

[duchamp]

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[PinkSushi]

Hi duchamp, I'm just starting my sixth week on spiro - I think I might just be starting to see some improvements (knock on wood). The time it seems to take most people to clear seems to be about 3 months - I saw a link on here to a japanese study (can't find it now sorry) that showed some very impressive clearing after 3 months.

What is the initial outbreak like? Well I'll be honest - TERRIBLE. In week 3/4 I was getting a couple of new cysts every day and some of the cysts I got from that breakout are still there. I had a couple of days when I couldn't leave the house. If you go the spiro route definantly ask for an antibiotic. I was thinking that maybe the IB would be not so bad as accutane - boy, was I wrong.

Side effects depend on the individual but I personally have not had any major negative side effects other than the IB, except for dry skin- so invest in a good lip balm and body moisturizer. And make sure you drink heaps of water.

[mizzbuddy]

1) how long before you see results?
2) how bad is the initial breakout, if any, and how long does it last?
3) does it have a lot of negative potential side effects?

It was about 2-1/2 to 3 months before I started seeing improvement, but it took about 6 monhts before I could really see consistent and great results.

While not everyone has an IB, I had a pretty bad one but it was kept under control by doryx (antibiotic) that I during the first 3-4 months.

There are definitely some side effects associated with spiro, mostly due to its diuretic properties (frequent urination, fatigue, light headedness & dizziness, etc.). If you are thinking of taking spiro, talk to your doctor and/or pharmacist and ask about starting off on a lower dose and gradually work your way up to a higher dose. And by all means drink lots of water & fluids to stay hydrated. I personally have not had any notable side effects and I've been on spiro for over a year.

[mizzbuddy]

Thanks for the replies, both of you. Are you clear now on Spiro?

Yes, I've been on spiro a little over a year and for the past 6 months or so, I have been as close to 100% clear as I've ever been since I was 15 (I'm 38).

For me this has been my favorite and most successful acne treatment and I have done everything, including 3 separate courses of Accutane.

After a few months on spiro, I noticed a pattern in my improvement. Rather than happening in a linear fashion, it was more like two steps forward, one step back until I was finally clear.

Good luck!

[aggiechick05]

I never had an initial breakout while taking spiro. Good luck on spiro.

[EternalTraveller]

I didn't have an IB on Spiro/Aldactone either, but was on an oral antibiotic at the time. It definitely improved my skin but unfortunately it never got me 100% clear - I continued to have cystic breakouts on my chin area (the only area I ever really had problems).

So I'm now on Accutane (9 days in).

All the best,
EternalTraveller

[PinkSushi]

Well, It's only the sixth week of Spiro for me, but I think I'm seeing the beginnings of improvement. I think my acne is starting to get less cystic, I haven't had a new underground zit for five days now. I have had heaps of pop-able type zits, which doesn't sound like good news initially, but considering my acne consisted of entirely cystic blind zits before I think it's a sign it's getting less severe. I do think I'm over the worst of the initial breakout now. And also even though my skin still looks a mess w/o makeup I can feel that it's changing, it's starting to feel smoother, softer, healthier.

You certainly need patience when it comes to any acne treatment.