7 replies to this topic

[LovelyLola]

Hi Everyone!

I am a 20 yr old female and have cystic acne that only appears on my chin area. My derm says its hormonal and put me on 50 mg. spironolactone about six months ago.. it worked decently after the initial breakout but the cysts are returning and i'm getting nervous! i dont wanna go down that road again. I've tried every topical under the sun and was wondering if anyone else with cystic acne has any advice. I read about some meds that work internally, just really don't wanna thrw any more $ down the drain.
All I know is cystic acne is painful and is way underestimated.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated

[trevor930]

Well to start you could try dans regimen. the only con with this regimen is that you have to keep shelling out cash for the products maybe every month or 2. I would also recommend fish oil and zinc. They are two great supplements that help with acne, skin tone, and overall health. You could also take a look at your diet. Cutting out dairy products may help for sure, also trying to eat low glycemic might help. i would just say check out this site and go through it thoroughly. There is a lot of useful info on the site and the message boards. hope this helps.

[pupcake]

Don't run to try Dan's regimen. If your acne is all hormonal & cysts, it won't neccesarily help to just keep slathering on products, especially harsh ones like BP. Maybe you should ask your doctor to increase your Spiro to 100 mg, as that seems to work for lots of people. Or ask him/her to add an antibiotic pill or gel in addition to the Spiro.

Right now I'm on Ziana and Doryx. I can't comment on how well they work yet since it's only been 6 days, but my derm said if it isn't helping after a little while she will put me on Spiro in addition. My acne is pretty much only on my chin and it is deep, hard cystic acne. Totally hurts.

[skinlifedestroyer]

Hi I feel your pain. I suffer from the same although Im 30. Ive had acne since I was 9 years old! Took Doxycyclene in my 20s and it went away until about a year ago, my skin is totally different. Ive never experienced anything like this before. It started out cystic on skin, forehead and some around the mouth and now they are the size of boils.

How long have you been on the Spiro? I have been taking Solodyn for a month with no results. 90 mg a day.
Have you tried accutane? I've heard that is the ticket.
Best of luck.

[LovelyLola]

Well to start you could try dans regimen. the only con with this regimen is that you have to keep shelling out cash for the products maybe every month or 2. I would also recommend fish oil and zinc. They are two great supplements that help with acne, skin tone, and overall health. You could also take a look at your diet. Cutting out dairy products may help for sure, also trying to eat low glycemic might help. i would just say check out this site and go through it thoroughly. There is a lot of useful info on the site and the message boards. hope this helps.

I'm not sure that dans regimen will help with the cystic acne that i have, bp in the past has really just dried out my skin..i don't think it gets deep enough into the problem areas. i have also been taking fish oil and zinc for a while, and will continue to do so. I'm going to watch the dairy! i've heard that is important. thanks so much for the input cant wait to browse the site

[LovelyLola]

Don't run to try Dan's regimen. If your acne is all hormonal & cysts, it won't neccesarily help to just keep slathering on products, especially harsh ones like BP. Maybe you should ask your doctor to increase your Spiro to 100 mg, as that seems to work for lots of people. Or ask him/her to add an antibiotic pill or gel in addition to the Spiro.

Right now I'm on Ziana and Doryx. I can't comment on how well they work yet since it's only been 6 days, but my derm said if it isn't helping after a little while she will put me on Spiro in addition. My acne is pretty much only on my chin and it is deep, hard cystic acne. Totally hurts.

Ya i agree with the whole Dan's regimen thing since its cystic. Ahh! wish i could increase my dosage but unfortunately i have low blood pressure already and since spiro is actually for lowering high bp my derm won't increase! such a bummer since 100mg seems to be the magic number. let me know how that combo works for ya, sounds like we are in the same situation. Good luck! and thanks for the advice

[LovelyLola]

Hi I feel your pain. I suffer from the same although Im 30. Ive had acne since I was 9 years old! Took Doxycyclene in my 20s and it went away until about a year ago, my skin is totally different. Ive never experienced anything like this before. It started out cystic on skin, forehead and some around the mouth and now they are the size of boils.

How long have you been on the Spiro? I have been taking Solodyn for a month with no results. 90 mg a day.
Have you tried accutane? I've heard that is the ticket.
Best of luck.

Wow. so unfair that you recovered from it and it returned. you poor thing acne is EVIL!! I wonder what is causing it to have become so much larger?!
I've been on spiro for around 6 months now. it has helped but definitely not cured me. I havn't gone the accutane route yet, and am a little apprehensive to go there. It seems like over all its worth it but also seems like one hell of a tough journey. I'm planning on exhausting all other options first. thanks for the help and I hope you are able to clear yours up as well! take care

[pupcake]

Hi Lovely,

I just wanted to give you a little update regarding the regimen my Dr. has me on. So far it's working well, I think. I still have marks/spots from old break outs which is ok with me for now. I haven't gotten a single cyst since I started treatment and even though I just got my period I have only gotten one new pimple. I've been using less foundation (this is huge for me) because my skin really does look a little bit better.

I'm supposed to have a follow up with my doctor today but I got a flat tire/smashed rim so I can't drive. Hopefully I can reschedule soon and find out if it's all going like it's supposed to. That sucks you cant get higher mg of the Spiro. Maybe ask your doctor about the Doryx or Ziana. It's REALLY expensive but if you have insurance it will be cheaper. My doctor also gave me these savings cards so in the end, instead of costing $600 for both, I only paid $50.