4 replies to this topic

[wisegurl]

Okay, had planned on starting my spiro today but am freaking out about it. I am really weird about taking meds and I read that some of the side effects are mental confusion and excessive hairiness! wtf! I cannot take bcp or anything because it gives me terrible anxiety and panic attacks. Mental confusion as a side effects just freaks me out and I really dont want to turn into sasquatch either. Just wondering if anyone has had these side effects or any others I should know about. I really want my acne gone so bad, i dont know if any of you have had a panic attack before, but I definately don't want to go through that again either. What should I do. Anyone who has taken this before please respond with any info you have. I have been so bummed about my acne lately so I really want to try it but I am so afraid of medicine! Please help

[zen.garden]

I'm on day 14 of spiro and haven't had any side effects other than being thirsty/peeing a lot and sometimes feeling slightly weak. I've actually noticed that my hair is thinning down - thick hair is caused by androgens, which are the hormones blocked by spiro. I haven't noticed mental confusion of any kind!

I understand feeling anxious about putting medicine into your body, but spiro is often prescribed instead of Accutane because the risk of side effects is so much lower. I promise you, if I suddenly started growing hair all over my body, I wouldn't be taking it any more!

[Ellie7]

Hi,

I am taking Spiro and also get panic attacks. I have not noticed any strange side effects from the Spiro other than increased thirst and urination like Zen. I had my Rx for a week before I could convince myself to take it. I do this with every oral med. that has ever been precribed to me because I am freaked out about getting a panic attack. Negative side effects with Spiro are very rare, and you will be fine. Do you have an Rx for Ativan or Xanax on hand? I find that just knowing I have them(even if I don't take it) makes me more comfortable about taking any new med.

Good luck

[wisegurl]

Thanks so much for the replies. It helps so much to know that someone else knows about panic attacks. I don't have xanax(I used to) or anything because I am also afraid of taking them. I have been taking Nicomide for my acne for a couple weeks now and quit the other day because I have been feeling really anxious lately and figured it was because of that. It's basically just a vitamin so I thought I would be safe with that. Yeah right. I think no matter what I take I will convince myself that it is messing with me. Sucks. Wish I wasn't like that. Just another great part of being me to go along with the shitty skin! Lol. My hair is also already pretty thin. Don't think I can afford to loose any. I just don't know what to do anymore. Hopefully I will work up the nerve to start this spiro that I have had for weeks.

[hatesacne]

I took nicomide and you're correct. It is a vitamin zinc and niacin. I think it helped and frankly, I'd rather take nico and doxy than solodyn and spiro. The major thing w/spiro is the dietary restrictions on potassium. I can't take my multi-vitamins, eat bananas, spinach or any of the other foods I love, which make me feel healthy, and allow me to be energetic and enthusiastic.
Good luck.