21 replies to this topic

[Mermaid88]

So, I'm 23 years old and have had acne since I was 12 in varying degrees. I tried everything - topicals bp, topical antibiotics, otc topicals, laser treatments, facials, different skincare routines, chinese pills, chinese topicals, fish oil, accupunture. I even tried being hypnotised lol. Vitamin B5 therapy also (which actually left me 75% clear but is a very expensive habit), apart from the B5 nothing worked at all.

I went on Dianette in Dec 2008 with some reluctance - I would rather not be on a BCP, I suffered with anorexia for years, and whereas I am 'recovered' and have been for some years, am still verging on being underweight and I always knew that if my periods stopped it meant I needed to watch my weight loss and keep healthy.

However, I was desperate and had exausted all other options so I decided to give in. I was 75% clear within a month and 100% clear within 3 and remained so ever since. Along with the Dianette I took Lymecycline for the first 6 months. However - the Dianette gave me horrible mood swings and turned me into a bit of a hormonal monster along with the fact always being in the back of my mind that I can't monitor my reproductive health whilst on BCP.

So in December, I decided to come off of it. At this point I'd been acne free for two years and had become completely carefree about my skin. The only time I would ever break out was on the rare occasion I went out drinking, and ended up waking up in the morning still in last nights clothes and make up, next to a half eaten kebab with a headache from hell. (Don't judge people!)

So although I was worried thought 'how bad can it be'. Well... January - no spots, February - a few spots, late February - literally over about 3 nights I was covered in acne. On my back, my chest, my face, my scalp, ears, neck everything.

So last week I caved and went to my doctor begging please for more Dianette and Lymecycline. She wasn't too keen but I literally broke down in tears in her office and she knows I've exhausted every other option apart from Accutane and Spiro (there seems little knowledge on Spiro amongst my GPs?) She agreed and here I am again. Back where I started - great!

She also suggested the possibility of just lymecycline potentially working alone though and from there suggested that if I was going to go back on both - to do 6 months and try stopping the dianette again but staying on the lymecycline and potentially using a topical antibiotic as a preventative.

I had forgotton how bad acne makes me feel, I'm walking around with my head towards the ground, everyone I know keeps asking me whats wrong and those close to me are convinced that something terrible is happening in my life that I'm lying about everytime I say I'm ok (I can't bring myself to tell them acne depresses me so horribly). I'm crying all the time because I feel so ugly and once again, refuse to leave the house without caking myself in foundation. I even keep pulling away from hugs and kisses from people, instead of seeing it as friendly affection I'm thinking 'OMG KEEP YOUR BACTERIA TO YOURSELF' haha. But sadly true!

So... anyway the plan now is to take the Dianette and the Lymecycline for 6 months whilst also using the a blue lamp I bought in breakout panic (I figure it can't hurt to use that too?) and at that point, wean off of the Dianette whilst staying on the antibiotics and the lamp.

Has anyone come off of it sucessfully and how did you do it? I still plan to come off of it asap, I just cannot take the intensity and speed of the breakouts - there must be a better way?

And any advice on moods while I'm here?

I don't know if I love this pill or hate it - it changed my life having clear skin, something which has become even more evident to me by how crappy I feel since coming off, but I can't stand being unable to cope with an upsetting situation without crying or shouting!

Thankyou for reading my tale of woe! Any advice would be much appreciated - or even just someone to tell me they've been through it too! x

[brenmc]

I had the same result when I tried to go off diane last year, an explosion of horrible acne, worse then pre-pill, and it didn't start until a couple months after I quit. I became extremely depressed and had no choice but to go back on diane. Now I want off the pill again, so I've decided to wean off rather than quit cold turkey and I'm hoping this will prevent the violent reaction myskin had before. I'll let you know if it works when I'm fully off, buy to me, it seems logical.

[fed_up_girl]

So, I'm 23 years old and have had acne since I was 12 in varying degrees. I tried everything - topicals bp, topical antibiotics, otc topicals, laser treatments, facials, different skincare routines, chinese pills, chinese topicals, fish oil, accupunture. I even tried being hypnotised lol. Vitamin B5 therapy also (which actually left me 75% clear but is a very expensive habit), apart from the B5 nothing worked at all.

I went on Dianette in Dec 2008 with some reluctance - I would rather not be on a BCP, I suffered with anorexia for years, and whereas I am 'recovered' and have been for some years, am still verging on being underweight and I always knew that if my periods stopped it meant I needed to watch my weight loss and keep healthy.

However, I was desperate and had exausted all other options so I decided to give in. I was 75% clear within a month and 100% clear within 3 and remained so ever since. Along with the Dianette I took Lymecycline for the first 6 months. However - the Dianette gave me horrible mood swings and turned me into a bit of a hormonal monster along with the fact always being in the back of my mind that I can't monitor my reproductive health whilst on BCP.

So in December, I decided to come off of it. At this point I'd been acne free for two years and had become completely carefree about my skin. The only time I would ever break out was on the rare occasion I went out drinking, and ended up waking up in the morning still in last nights clothes and make up, next to a half eaten kebab with a headache from hell. (Don't judge people!)

So although I was worried thought 'how bad can it be'. Well... January - no spots, February - a few spots, late February - literally over about 3 nights I was covered in acne. On my back, my chest, my face, my scalp, ears, neck everything.

So last week I caved and went to my doctor begging please for more Dianette and Lymecycline. She wasn't too keen but I literally broke down in tears in her office and she knows I've exhausted every other option apart from Accutane and Spiro (there seems little knowledge on Spiro amongst my GPs?) She agreed and here I am again. Back where I started - great!

She also suggested the possibility of just lymecycline potentially working alone though and from there suggested that if I was going to go back on both - to do 6 months and try stopping the dianette again but staying on the lymecycline and potentially using a topical antibiotic as a preventative.

I had forgotton how bad acne makes me feel, I'm walking around with my head towards the ground, everyone I know keeps asking me whats wrong and those close to me are convinced that something terrible is happening in my life that I'm lying about everytime I say I'm ok (I can't bring myself to tell them acne depresses me so horribly). I'm crying all the time because I feel so ugly and once again, refuse to leave the house without caking myself in foundation. I even keep pulling away from hugs and kisses from people, instead of seeing it as friendly affection I'm thinking 'OMG KEEP YOUR BACTERIA TO YOURSELF' haha. But sadly true!

So... anyway the plan now is to take the Dianette and the Lymecycline for 6 months whilst also using the a blue lamp I bought in breakout panic (I figure it can't hurt to use that too?) and at that point, wean off of the Dianette whilst staying on the antibiotics and the lamp.

Has anyone come off of it sucessfully and how did you do it? I still plan to come off of it asap, I just cannot take the intensity and speed of the breakouts - there must be a better way?

And any advice on moods while I'm here?

I don't know if I love this pill or hate it - it changed my life having clear skin, something which has become even more evident to me by how crappy I feel since coming off, but I can't stand being unable to cope with an upsetting situation without crying or shouting!

Thankyou for reading my tale of woe! Any advice would be much appreciated - or even just someone to tell me they've been through it too! x

Are you from the UK? I had a similar experience to you. I was on Dianette for around two years, and even though it took a long time to work, it eventually cleared up my skin completely. I just didn't have to worry about acne anymore. Then my doctor told me I had been on it too long and had to come off...within a few months my skin went absolutely HAYWIRE. And it was just as I was starting uni, you can imagine how I felt.

I've since been on accutane and it kept me reasonably clear for about a year but now my acne is creeping back.
I want to ask my GP about Spiro, since I'm certain my acne is hormonal. But I asked my uni doctor about Yasmin once and he just dismissed it out of hand. I've since learnt that it's one of the more expernsive drugs to supply...and expense always seems to be a factor here in the UK, especially for "cosmetic" conditions like acne.

Good luck with your treatment anyway. Dianette played havoc with my moods too!

[teapot33]

Hi.
I'm on dianette and lymecilin aswell. I also use Differen as a topical. My skin is clearing up wonders but I do worry about when i'll have to come off it. I was on it a few years ago and my acne did come back when I went off it. But atleast with this, you know it's hormonal acne and will go away by the time naturally by the time you are 23 to 25, so until then just try and keep it under control. Good luck.

[Mermaid88]

Hey all thanks for the replies!

I'm glad this isn't just something I've had to go through! Keep me posted on how your plans of weaning off the Diannette go Brenmc - it'd be interesting to know if it works! Fingers crossed for you - I'll follow your journey with it!

Fed_up_girl - yes, I am in the UK and I can definitely relate to the cost factor being an issue with GP's wanting to prescribe things - however I am quite lucky in that in my local sugery I found a GP to visit regarding my acne who specialised in dermatology. She put me on the first run of the Dianette/Lymecycline combo and told me to come off of one after 6 months (I came off of the Lymecycline) and then continue indefinitely. However I believe that long term usage of Dianette has come under question in a more recent school of thought and the GP I went to see wasn't keen to put me back on it. I insisted to her that I had really exausted all other options aside from Accutane, explained how depressed it makes me and told her how well it worked before and she agreed it was probably the best option to go back on this. Given how well it cleared my skin up before - I'm sure my acne is hormonal and thats why the Dianette was the answer for me. I would personally go to another doctor or expain that you've researched yourself if you want to try a hormonal treatment for it?

Teapot33 - you are correct with the 'at least you know its hormonal' comment - I'm getting myself through this lack of self esteem and depression by repeatedly telling myself that I know the Dianette works and will be speeded along by the Lymecycline - and its just a case of patience. (If only I had some!) I'm not sure that I can count on it being gone by my mid 30's though although I hope so!

I had a further breakout this week (which I picked the living bejesus out of) I recall this happening the first time round, I thought it wasn't working then in the space of a couple of weeks it improved dramatically and continued to over the coming months.

I think it took about 4 weeks for people to start commenting and for me to start to feel better so hopefully it'll be the same this time. Plus I have my light box and a gentler skincare regime this time around and am generally healhier. One week down!! Come on Dianette get yourself working for me again

[brenmc]

Hi girls,

I will keep you updated on my progress of weaning off the pill, I'm really hopeful that it will prevent the massive breakout associated with coming off diane. Teapot 33, unfortunately, I wouldn't fully count on acne resolving itself by your mid-twenties, at least it didn't for me, often when women have hormonal acne and require medication to treat it, it can be a result of hormonal issues throughout one's life, like pcos or an over active adrenal gland. Mermaid88, the important thing is to not panic, don't pick at your skin, get some good foundation and powder (Almay or Marcella) and know that the medicine will work for you, stress exacerbates acne flare-ups!

B

PS

I found mineral makeup caused acne for me, small pimples in problem areas, when I switched back to regular foundation that stopped.

[teapot33]

Hey,

Ok, i'm just trying to be hopeful. I saw a statistic that acne should clear up between 23 and 25 and I put my hope on that. It was from embarrasing bodies!

I'd just like to suggest clarins shine stopper powder, it's translucent so can be worn on it's own, under or over make up. It's fantastic at absorbing the extra oil etc and keeps make up at bay.

The things that have helped my acne the most other than dianette are oil free products, using apple cider vinegar and the shine stopper poweder. oooh and cutting our dairy! seriously, I gave in yesturday and had some ice cream and woke up with 3 spots this morning!

I hoe all goes well for you guys! x

[brenmc]

Hi teapot, it's definitely important to remain hopeful, I was just saying for me that stat unfortunately didn't work out, cuz I'm 27 and still need medication to control my acne.

[Mermaid88]

I have been thinking about your plans of weaning off brenmc and it does make sense, I even toyed with the idea of perhaps one month on/one month off for a while then 1/2, 1/3 etc - seen as the general consensus seems to be that the withdrawl breakout happens 2/3 months after stopping. But I'm not sure I'm keen on the havoc that could potentially play on hormones?

I am definitely very interested in your progress! God only knows how you managed to cut the pills in half though?! Think I'd have to deploy assistance for that one, I'm horribly clumsy - I'd have an finger off lol

I soooo want to find a way to get off of this without the rebound acne! You are my hope Brenmc! lol

I think you're right about the acne lasting when you're older too, I actually mentioned to my Doc that I'd hoped I'd grown out of it to which she replied 'if only thats how it worked'! Are there any hormonal tests we can have to see if there are issues? I had extensive blood tests after coming off of the Dianette (I tend towards Anemia so get regular tests and like to have a full once over while I'm there!) - all the hormones came back fine, I specifically asked about that cos I was worried after the Dianette. Although I'm not sure exactly which hormone would need checking?! I've also had an ultrasound scan when I was getting stomach pain a lot and it didn't show up PCOS.

Despite all this I am certain there must be an inbalance or something somewhere for those of us prone to hormonal acne.

I'm trying not to panic - thanks for the reassurance, I haven't picked my skin for a few days and its definitely less angry and thanking me for leaving it alone.

Interestign about the mineral make up too - I've not really tried it but isnt that touted as helping us to solve problems like acne?!

Teapot33 - Positivity is definitely a good thing so keep it! Its just unfortunate that it doesn't seem that particular thing is going to happen for us

Do you use ACV topically or orally?

[brenmc]

Hi Mermaid,

I am also quite hopeful weaning off of the pill will result in no major rebound effects. When I came off of Diane previously my acne flared up up to five times worse than pre-pill. I am pretty sure that is because after years of taking hormones my body became dependent and thus exhibited withdrawal symptoms. I copied this quote from Wikipedia on Cyprotone, the acne fighting medicine in Diane:

“Abrupt withdrawal of cyproterone acetate can be harmful. The primary concern is the manner in which cyproterone acetate affects the adrenal gland. Due to its glucocorticoid activity, high levels of cyproterone acetate may reduce ACTH, resulting in adrenal insufficiency if discontinued suddenly. In addition, although cyproterone acetate reduces androgen production in the gonads, it can increase adrenal androgen production, in some cases resulting in an overall rise in testosterone levels. Thus the sudden withdrawal of cyproterone acetate may result in undesirable androgenic effects.” **(Note, this quote is directed at men undertaking hormone therapy)
I expect the slow weaning process will eventually result in my body adjusting to its pre-pill androgen production, so I will still have acne, but hopefully, not the disfiguring kind I had last time I quit Diane.

As for cutting the pills, I started with a pill cutter, you can purchase one at any pharmacy for two bucks. However, that was a bit of a hassle, so now I just bite it in half. I would recommend lowering your daily dose (when your skin has been cleared up for a couple months), rather than one month on one month off, because that may mess with your period and possibly still shock your system.

I’d also recommend anyone to not depend on antibiotics long-term, I made that mistake too, well my doctor did, he kept putting me on antibiotics when I was younger, even though they helped a little, the results were always temporary and I became resistant to some. Plus, my acne is hormonal, so antibiotics don’t address that.

Regarding diagnosing a hormonal inbalance and pcos, I’m not sure how that all works, but if you have hormonal acne as an adult, it could be a long-term problem. Depending on how bad your acne is you could investigate natural supplements or try Spiro, which seems to have less side-effects than bc pills like Diane.

I will definitely keep you updated on my weaning off journey, keep your fingers crossed for me. There is another member who posted her story of weaning off the pill (not Diane though) on this forum. She has made good progress so far, look for her story.

Please note, everyone is different, these are just my experiences, but I think it's important to have this forum to share ideas.

[teapot33]

Do you use ACV topically or orally?

I use it topically, started with 50 acv/ 50 water but now i put it on neat. It has dramatically improved my skin texture, my skin surface is even now (apart from my few whitheads), it's the scars and red marks i've noticed the difference with. I did drink it for a bit but got a bit lazy.

[fed_up_girl]

I think I am going to request to see a different doctor and ask about getting some tests done, or at least trying Yasmin...I think it works the same way as Dianette but it's safer for longterm use?


I have even considered going to see a private specialist, but where I live it costs £160 just for a half hour consultation!

Still, I suppose you can't put a price on self confidence...

[Mermaid88]

Fed_up_girl - definitely go and see another Doctor. The thing is regarding the risks from medications is weighing up the pros and cons in my opinion.

For example, I have read up on Dianette exacerbating depression, or even bringing it on if you are prone to it. I'm not sure I'd call myself prone to it - but I have suffered mildly in the past. More depressive moods than clinical depression though. When weighing up my options I considered how depressed my acne made me vs that. Plus - theres the fact that acne can render me almost reclusive in some situations. Considering that I won't leave the house without make up on when its bad (make up which takes me a long time when its flaring up), coupled with the fact that I'm aware this isn't ideal for healing - I often will turn down invitations because of this. It also takes away my spontanity. I remember my boyfriend calling me at the beginning of our relationship saying he was round the corner and did I want picking up for a drive - I'd always say 'give me half an hour'. Which I think is sad. Anyway, I'm rambling - but the point I was trying to make somewhere in that is that all of those lifestyle restrictions that acne bring on for me on balance excerbate depression in themselves.

I will say that I have had quite enough of little thigns getting to me and being a cry baby though!

The other risks in long term usage I believe are an increased DVT risk and liver function being impaired? With the DVT thing - yes its increased, but its still small - and if you are young, active and healthy, your baseline dvt risk is a better starting point than a great deal of the population these days. I take a maintainance dose of asprin just in case though.

The liver function I haven't massively looked into but my tests came back fine.

Yasmin I have heard has similar effects, and Cilest also I believe? One of them also has a mild diuretic in to combat any water retention, so bonus with that, but I cannot fault Dianette for the results and can only recommend that.

I feel you with looking into the private derms - £160 to look at your melon?!?! But if thats the only way then its better than no help at all.

Don't let Doctors palm you off! On a completely unrelated issue - I had anorexia when I was younger. The first two Doctors I went to see weighed me and sent me away telling me to eat more. The third one was amazing and referred me to a specialist unit. I was admitted to hospital the next week. God only knows where I'd be right now if I hadn't kept going back and ever since I have holding my own with them whatever the problem may be.

Teapot - Thats interesting, I actually watched a youtube video about ACV recently (anyone watch the beauty gurus? It was Leesha's channel if that means anything to anyone) - I think I'll leave it until I'm clearer so I can moniter the Meds without adding variables, but its somethign I think I'll try. Might get some to drink though, although I imagine like you I'll get lazy with it.

Bren_mc - thanks for the quote I've read it through and it makes complete sense doesn't it, you wouldn't go cold turkey on any other drug that caused such a significant spike/drop in hormones so why would you with Dianette/Diane? I suppose perhaps its avoided because it complicates the contraceptive properties of the pill and the cycle. Any idea if you're still protected from pregnancy or if you ovulate on a lower dose?

I completely understand the acne being worse after coming off - I've never had scalp acne and I keep finding spots in my ears and all sorts!! And skin quality is so much worse too - dull, pores clogged, uneven tone and bumpy! Its a massive shock to the system too - pre Dianette I had dealt with acne for 9? years so it was the norm. But for 18 months I'd been clear and wasn't accustomed to it anymore!

I'm going to look for research articles on the hormone imbalance/adrenal problems thing and see if I can find it out, but its definitely hormonal so theres something there.

Thanks for the antibiotic tip too - its something that didn't really cross my mind before coming to this site and is definitely worth bearing in mind.

I have everything crossed for you - if it works for you then hopefully it'll work for the rest of us who have similar problems with it. Heres hoping!

My acne is beginning to very very slowly clear on this run of Dianette/Lymecycline. I've not had an angry spot appear for the last few days but I'm still getting the papules/pastules, just smaller ones. I'm still healing from my picking spree too.

I'm not sure how many of you are in the UK, but if you are the nhs are offering a free 'quit kit' for smoking which they'll post out for you. I don't smoke but it comes with a 'tangle' to busy your hands - I borrowed my friends to use as an 'anchor' (is that what they call it?!?!) to play with whenever I feel like picking my skin. Walk away from the mirror and play with my tangle is my new routine! I now have my own as he refused to hand it over after a couple of days lol. So if anyone picks and thinks it might help you can aquire a 'quit kit' here:

http://smokefree.nhs.uk/quit-tools/quit-kit/order/

Which will provide you with one of these:

https://www.tanglecreations.com/product_inf...55e2bb6f1a2a8c4

Silly idea maybe but anything for free haha

Thanks for helping take my mind off of things ladies

[brenmc]

Hey Mermaid,

I haven't had any irregularities in my cycle yet and I'm down to half a pill after 3 months. I think it would be important to use an alternative form of birth control while weaning though. Thanks so much for the support and I'm glad your medication is starting to work!
Cheers!

[Skytenshi]

After being on Diane for most of the past 10 years, I have finally made the decision to quit for good.

I tried doing so 5 years ago, but the result was disgusting cystic acne all over my back.

However, now that I am older, eating a healthier diet and more conscious of the rebound effect, I hope the result will be different this time round.

I am only day 3 off the pill. I will keep you guys posted on my progress and hopefully, I will never have to go back on BCP.

[feiticeria]

Ugh I feel your pain ladies. I haven't visited this forum for years but I came back to ask this exact question. I am also experiencing mood problems which could be caused by generic Diane 35. I get anxious and upset about the most ridiculous things and cry at the drop of a hat. I also have very little motivation and am reluctant to leave the house except to go to work. On the plus side, my skin is pretty awesome right now which is why I have neglected this forum for so long.

I was considering stopping the pill to see if I would stop being a miserable bitch, but then I came back and looked at all my posts from a few years ago when I tried this before for about 7 months. That time it resulted in a face full of acne which of course made me feel 10 times worse about myself than I did before. I also lost about 7kg which put me underweight and my normal cycle didn't return. After trying all the usual over the counter crap yet again (I had been on Accutane several years previously and was not willing to do it again if there were other options), I too went crawling back to the doc begging for more Diane. I don't remember how long it took for my skin to calm down, but it did, and now here I am again.

I have an appointment in 4 weeks time with a different doc to ask about pill options. I'm considering switching to Yasmin or Yaz, although I have heard just as many bad things about them as about Diane. Now I don't know what to do. Sorry I have zero helpful advice, I was hoping for some good news to come out of this thread

I'm very interested to hear about your weaning progress brenmc. Have you cut down more? How is your skin reacting?

[brenmc]

Hi, the weaning process is going pretty good, I have cut down more, my mom was thinking I should take a year to fully wean off, but I thought that was unrealistic so I'm cutting my pills down a quarter every two months and will hopefully be weaned off fully by July. My skin is still pretty good, I have had a couple cysts, but they came in above my eybrows after I got them waxed, so they could be unrelated to the medicine. Whenever you quit something cold turkey your body reacts, so weaning just makes sense to me, plus when I quit Diane cold turkey in 2008 my skin was about ten times worse than pre-pill, so to me that must have been a rebound or withdrawl effect. feiticeria, how long after you quit Diane did it take for you to lose the weight? Part of the reason why I'm quitting Diane is weight gain, but mostly not wanting to be dependent on artificial hormones.

[feiticeria]

That sounds promising brenmc! Maybe there is hope for us yet
I'll be checking back for more updates.

Who knows... maybe we have 'grown out of it' like everyone says. Pfft fat chance.

Sorry but I don't remember how long it took to lose the weight. It was a few years ago now. Since I only stayed off the pill for 7 or so months I'd say it would have taken less than 3 months to lose it, I reckon that's when the doc became concerned about it.

[Skytenshi]

I have stopped taking Diane for 4 months now and the results have been pretty positive. Please go to the holistic forum for my update: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/Bye-Bye-B...09#entry3137009

[Adriianna]

Hey !! You should change your birthcontrol pill and not stop it !! There are several good bcp for acne ! Many friends of mine took Dianette for like 2 or 3 years and then switch to another brand just to prevent acne