1059 replies to this topic

[jenna]

hey everyone,
i stumbled upon this site looking up info on the spiro. ive been on it for about a week and i have to say ITS GOTTEN WORSE! instead of regular pimples i have these huge cystic pimples. ive never had pimples that look like huge volcanos. there is about 5 on my chin that suddenly appeared yesterday morning. please tell me that this going to subside within the end of this week. i just got my period an hour ago and like most of you im sure you experience the cycling of your face. it breaks out the week before your period and gets oily then dries out and then you get four days if your lucky of clear skin within the month. im 27 and always suspected that the last year of breakouts had to do with my hormone levels. im so glad there is a pill for this and i am very optimistic. after reading all that you all have posted on the board- it just seems that you need to be patient. i will also be starting the birth control patch this sunday in hopes that it could help. i never payed attention to the mg. but my bottle reads 25 mg. seems like a small dose compared to what others have mentioned. can i medicate myself to take more? or should i leave to my doctors discretion? everyone deserves clear beautiful skin and i wish everyone all the luck. i had severe acne when i was 14 years old and went on accutane. it worked like a charm. this time around i would really love to go on it, but im 27 and i'm looking forward to having children in the near future. ive heard it stays in your system for about 3 years. i also have hypertrophic scars on my shoulders that ive had cortizone shots every month injected into for the past 10+ years and just last year had 8 months of laser surgery on them and had significant charge in their appearance. i always suspected cortizone shots are to blame for the hormone problem. who knows?! you try to get rid of one problem and get another one in its place. (hypertrophic scarring is raised scarring and all those treatments are to flatten them). i dont feel like leaving my house with a face like this. is anyone else as vain as me? sorry, i had to vent like this. but it seems that my message will not be falling on blind eyes (broken ears). i am pretty confident that i am a beautiful girl, but doesn't one pimple on your face break that confidence. do you think this hormone problem is hereditary-im the only one in my family. ive also been trying real hard to quite diet cokes, coffees and chocolate. anyone have suggestions on how to quite. sugar raises insulin levels that inturn effect your hormones.

[Snoopy22]

[quote=jenna,Nov 4 2004, 01:53 PM]
hey everyone,
i stumbled upon this site looking up info on the spiro. ive been on it for about a week and i have to say ITS GOTTEN WORSE! .....



Jenna,
I had mild hormonal acne and was prescribed Yasmin (I used to be on Ortho Novum) and then I got all these little bumps so my derm prescribed 25mg of spiro. Within one week I got a million cysts. Cysts like I never had before
So, my derm also prescribed me some antibiotics (always help clear me up, but as soon as I go off them, I break out again).

I've been on yasmin and 25mg of spiro now for 3 months (yasmin for 5) and the cysts have subsided. I don't know if they are gone b/c of the spiro or the antibiotics though. I just saw the derm again and she said that it takes a while for the spiro to work w/ some people. She didn't want to up my dosage, but I KNOW my body and I think I'm going to up it to 50mg + the yasmin everyday. I will let you know how this goes. Hang in there. I think w/ some people, the spiro just purges the skin at first (kind of like accutane) b/c it eventually stops the oil...

Snoopy

[LucyInTheSky]

Hey Jenna,

believe me, I know how exactly you feel. Give spiro some time to work its magic on you. I also suspect that the dosage you are on is not high enough. Min. of 100mg to see results is what I have come accross most of the time. Wait a little bit more to see how your body reacts to it and then, with the discretion of your doc., up your dosage to 75 or 100. I just uped my dose to 100 mgs today (with my doc's permission). So far, it's been about 17 days since I'm on it and 5 weeks on Diane 35 and, so far, so good. My skin is not perfect yet, but it's healing and looking better and better. I don't think that the spiro is making you break out. It's probably something before it, your period, ovulation... are you on bc too? Acne can be stored in your body for up to some weeks (2). It takes 30 days for your skin to regenerate itself so, patience. This goes for me too, patience.

[Surfergirl]

Hey Snoopy,

re your query asking if i had a blood test, nope. My derm didn't think it was necessary and she put me straight on 100mg saying that any lower than that would probably be too mild and may not have the effect i am looking for. She seems pretty confident that this will be an effective treatment for me, she's actually very excited about it. I think she's as keen as I am to make sure I have clear skin for my wedding day

You probably should up your dosage, but like I said before, maybe check with your derm first and even ask for a blood test. That way if you do go higher, you do so confident it's not going to do you any harm.

Let me know how you go.

Surfergirl

[jenna]

hey snoopy and lsd:
im not on any bc right now, but will be starting the patch this weekend. maybe the derm gave me 25 mg because i told him i would be starting the patch soon. my next visit with him is in a couple of months. im not sure if it was the spiro or the combination of getting my period today- but i felt wipped out. i slept all day. my stomach hurt, my body felt weak, my joints ached, i felt alot of pressure in my head, i felt my heart pumping alittle faster than usual. does this have anything to do with the spiro? what do you think? im glad to hear that you are getting the right results. when i was going to a laser surgeon he had this camera that took a picture of your face and then showed you on the computer sun damage, upcoming wrinkles and bacteria on the skin. my bacteria levels were really high and he told me that i should do the smoothbeam laser. that was 7 months ago. back then my skin wasnt so bad and im wondering if he saw the future of my skin. how come i have this so called bacteria on my skin. how does this happen or develop? it seems odd, but it seems my skin is most clear when i just wash it with water. alot of soaps put active ingredients to make you break out more so you will always need their products-those dirty bastards. im also using benzamycin-that stuffs harsh.

[LucyInTheSky]

Jenna

you just touched base on a lot of things. Bacteria, first of all. I came accross an article somewhere that said that people who suffer from acne are just more sensititve to the p bacteria. WE ALL HAVE IT.

You should wash your face twice a day, fom what what I've read, with a very mild soap. Something that will clean your skin of oil, bacteria and dead skin. I guess if you want to just use water, just use a lot and splash it around a lot to really get to the bottom of things, but always be gentle with your skin and use luke warm water.

How long have you been on spiro at 25 mgs again? Maybe you are having side effects from it, but your dosage is so low that I don't know, it seems unikely. Maybe you just feel sad or you're about to come down with a cold or something or your period is just around the corner. I have had NO SIDE EFFECTS from it and I'm miss SENSITIVE to everything.

I'm going to look up spiro side effects and get back to you. NO NEED to feel discouraged if it's not the spiro, because then it's a YAY!

[LucyInTheSky]

What are the possible side effects of spironolactone?
• Stop taking spironolactone and seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, fatigue, confusion, weakness, numbness, or tingling (caused by high levels of potassium in your blood); or
· decreased urination.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take spironolactone and talk to your doctor if you experience
· unusual headache or dizziness;
· nausea, diarrhea, or a decrease in appetite;
· dry mouth;
· bloating;
· muscle cramps; or
· lowering of the voice, excessive hair growth, or enlarged breasts.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome

IT CAN ENLARGE YOU BOOBS TOO! YAY! Tee hee.

AND DRINK A LOT OF WATER to try and lower the potassium levels in your system. If you take a multi vitamin, make sure it has NO POTASSIUM in it because the spiro stocks it up.

See, you're o.k.

[Arpazia]

I recently got back from an endocrinologist who mentioned that Spiro works to cure acne. Unfortunately, when I asked him for a prescription to Spiro, he said he would need to check my hormone levels in order to make sure that I actually needed to be put on Spiro. Of course, he added that these test might be inconclusive since I am on the birth control pill (ortho).

Has anyone here obtained a prescription without having their hormone levels tested? And, generally speaking, would you say that this drug helped clear you up?

I am currently on Accutane and making the switch to Yasim in a few weeks. I have severe cystic acne and it is clearing up (finally) and the majority of my acne is now whiteheads and not cysts. I hope the Yasim pushes this process along. I would also like to hear from anyone in the same boat.

Thanks!

[LucyInTheSky]

Arpazia,

I went to see my OBGYN and told him I wanted to try Spiro and explained why AND presented him with info on the drug I'd printed up off the net to show him that I knew what was involved, side effects and all and he prescribed it to me, no blood work needed. I refreshed his memory on how nothing ever works and how my acne seems to be hormonal.

My acne is starting to clear up (it was mild but 10 years of stubborness made it bad) and my skin is like 60-70 less oily already. I'm 18 days into spiro, from 50mgs to 100mgs a day. So far, BY FAR, spiro is the best thing I've ever tried. NO SIDE EFFECTS except going to pee a lot (but I drink a lot of water so no big deal)

Spiro has been around for just about 50 years. It is very safe, especially in the small doses which acne sufferers take (100-200mgs a day)

GOOD LUCK

[SweetJade1980]

LOL and the 6+ years that I've been on it, it has never done any of these to me

lowering of the voice, excessive hair growth, or enlarged breasts.

Definately more of a good thing, I believe. ;-) In fact I am only taking it now, for my hirsuitism. Over the years I've gone from 200mg, 150mg, to now 100mg. My goal is to not be on it, but I found out that I while my skin doesn't need it thanks to my diet, I do NEED it for my hirusitism, otherwise the hairs come back. =/

Another alternative to spiro would probably be the active ingredient in saw palmetto, Beta Sitosterol. It's naturally found in plants we eat, but since most people don't eat enough plant foods, particularly vegetables we probably aren't getting enough of this phytosterol anyway. This is something that I'll be trying out in a few weeks and hopefully it will let me get off of spiro completely. It's 1000x more potent than Saw Palmetto and the usual dosage would be 300mg - 3g of phytosterols with beta sitosterol making up about 48% - 52% of that amount. Of course, our bodies wouldn't absorb much of this either, maybe about 5% - 10%, so you can see why the dose is so high.

[lupe]

I just got my spiro in the mail. I am currently on Yasmin. I'm thinking I'll take 50mg a day and increase it to 100mg per day. Do you chew the pills? Should they be taken with food?And to the member who gave me the web address of Inhouse Pharmacy "how is your progress?"

[RaeRae]

Hey girlies,

Well I'm happy for all the progress everyone is making with Spiro. I'll say it again but I love not having to be concerned about the condition of my skin, there are far too many things to worry about. I do have a ? though. I recently changed from a high in estrogen bc pill (Demulen 1/50) to a lower dose of estrogen Demulen 1/30 and boy have I been moody haha

I just think its ironic that the lower dose made me moody and was wondering if anyone else had the same experience.

Take care,
Rae

[lupe]

Hey Rae Rae- how long did it take to see results? How much Spiro do you take daily? Do you chew it? I Have some but I don't wanna take it until I have answers! I refuse to go back to the derm because of shitty treatment (having to wait for over an hour in the wait room last time, then my appt lasted 1.5 minutes and I was charged $100!) PS I'm also on Yasmin, dont really use topicals- just a lil mandelic acid, & sunscreen like oil of olay or neutragena healthy skin

[LucyInTheSky]

RaeRae

Glad you're doing well, even if you've been moody. It would make sense that your body is reaction to the fluctuation of hormones. Just give it a little bit of time.
take care of yourself little lady, (tee hee!)

Lupe

You've got to take your spiro with food or milk , as it helps with absorption, around the same time every day. If you take 100 mgs, split your pill it two so you can take 50 mgs in the am and 50 mgs in the pm.

[Shortee]

Wow, so great to hear from all of you gals! I really enjoy reading other people's comments on here, makes me remember I am not alone!!

My skin sucks right now, I am just hoping it clears up by next week since my period will be ending tomorrow. I am glad my periods are finally back on track, last month I hardly had a period and I have been terrified beyond belief this whole last month that I was pregnant! Anyway, my period arrived on a Wednesday like always and is normal, just like before Spiro! Since this is my 3rd period since on Spiro, I'm hoping this means no more 'surprises' with my cycle because those are most unpleasant!!
I am more broke out than I remember being in quite a while. Darn it all!! I wonder if it is from the stress from this last month, but 'they' say stress doesn't cause acne, so who knows.

Jenna ~ You hit the nail right on the head when you said, " you break out the week before your period and get oily then dries out and then you get four days if your lucky of clear skin within the month". This is sooooo what my face cycle is like. Usually the first week after my period is the best, and then it goes to pot again and gets worse as my period gets closer.

I wonder if this is hereditary. My mom said she had very oily skin at my age, but never mentioned acne. She does from time to time get a pimple, but nothing like what I have right now. I hope I don't give this to my kids if it is hereditary, I would hate to see them go through this! My boyfriends mom still has acne, and she is close to 50. STUPID HORMONES!!!!!

I have not really experienced side effects, but after reading the list that Lucy put up, I realized I do have a few of them: excessive hair growth, or enlarged breasts. On my jawline the last few weeks I had to pluck these long coarse black hairs that I haven't seen in those areas before. I already have to spend several days a week plucking my lip and eyebrows so it's not too big of a deal to grab them, but I wonder if those are a side effect from the Spiro. And yes, I swear my boobs have gotten larger! A couple weeks ago they were insanely sore for like 10 days and now I wonder if they weren't growing. I know you're thinking, "Cool, bigger boobs!" But I'm NOT! I already am a very full C, I don't want these things to get any bigger! I'd give you my boyfriend's opinion, but you can probably guess it *eye roll* lol

Well, OK, I guess this is probably long enough! I am glad that you gals seem to be doing well with the Spiro. Hopefully the condition of my skin is just a 'fluke' or something and it won't come back next month, if it goes away at all. It is disappointing because I was doing so well and seeing results and now I feel like I am worse than before, but my head is still up, and I think that Spiro will work for me once I find the right dose.

Keep writing ladies, and take care!!

[Shy One]

You people seem like you are having such an easy time getting a prescription for Spiro. Unfortunatly I haven't been that lucky. I've been to the family doctor and a derm so far and I have NO insurance so it's pretty costly to walk out with nothing. Oh yeah and I HATE that they only spend like a minute with you, don't listen to you, and write out like 3 prescriptions for topicals that WON'T WORK. (Not to mention how hard it is to put on your back!) I'm so sick of it. I mainly suffer from body acne but I do get acne on my t tone. Especially my chin. But I can get that pretty much under control with Dan's regimen.

I had an appt. with an Endo but when I showed up the doctor wasn't even there. The lady said that the doctor I was going to see isn't even there that day. I was pretty sure I didn't get the day wrong either! I DO want to get tested but the money is just such a big issue. I want the tests because I also have mild hirsutism and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Which means high insulin.

Anyways, this Endo appt. is going to be sooo expensive. I don't even know if I will get what I need out of this. Anyone have any suggestions on what I should do?

I'm sooo frustrated I feel like screaming!

[RaeRae]

Shy One:

First of all I'm sorry you're having such a tough time with this. I did lots of research myself and came across Spiro and when I went to my doctor Gynocologist he mentioned it before I could even bring it up. So maybe the family doctor wasn't aware of its successfullness of treating acne for over 20 years (we'll give him that one haha). Second of all I already have a hormonal problem (Hypothyroid) and for years I've slathered on the topicals and always wondered how my cousin would abuse her skin and it still wouldn't be as broken out as mine. I honestly think my acne had to be treated from the inside, and 4 months later I'm clear. I never thought I could be completely clear. I think an endo should be more aware of the problems you face and what in reality can clear your skin. My little sister is a diabetic and goes to her endo every 6 months and of course she has flawless skin so go figure. I'd also just be honest and tell him what would just trying the medicine do to you? Besides not obeying the warnings you should be fine if there isn't a medical contradiction that could harm you.

To be honest my medicine is covered by insurance so I'm not exactly sure how much it costs just outright. But I'm sure where there is a will, there's a way.

Good luck and keep in touch,
Rae

[K-La]

I have some questions for you girls. Right now I'm halfway through my second package of Diane-35. I'm getting initial breakouts which sucks and I don't know if its going to work. I was just wondering how you know for sure if hormones is the main cause of your acne? Do they check your levels somehow before prescribing Spiro to determine if you need it or not? And which BC do you take (if any) with Spiro? Is it unsafe to take certain kinds or will any one work?

[RaeRae]

K-La,

First off welcome. I figured out mine was hormonal mostly because I was breaking out on my lower jaw and chin area and cheeks. And that I was using the best stuff the derm could prescribe and I was still breaking out haha. I asked my gynocologist about getting my hormones tested (I'm already hypothyroid so that's a big hormonal setback) but he said it was over $500 to get all the tests done and we should try this first and I have insurance by the way.

Right now I'm on Demulen which is a high dose estrogen birth control. Which helped me get superclear, superfast. Works for me.

Good luck,
Rae

[Snoopy18]

Hey Snoopy,

re your query asking if i had a blood test, nope. My derm didn't think it was necessary and she put me straight on 100mg saying that any lower than that would probably be too mild and may not have the effect i am looking for. She seems pretty confident that this will be an effective treatment for me, she's actually very excited about it. I think she's as keen as I am to make sure I have clear skin for my wedding day

You probably should up your dosage, but like I said before, maybe check with your derm first and even ask for a blood test. That way if you do go higher, you do so confident it's not going to do you any harm.

Let me know how you go.

Surfergirl

Hey Surfergirl,
Good to hear you didn't get a blood test. I was worried that my doc was being too easy going about the meds. Do you take your 100mg all at once? I called my doc and increased my dosage to 50mg (plus the Yasmin) a day. I would like to up it to 75 mg. (plus the Yasmin) but will do it slowly. Are you getting an initial breakout? I got HUGE cysts for awhile, but those have subsided (but left horrible scars

Let me know how you are doing!

I hope you get the results you want before your wedding too! That's so exciting!

Snoopy