1058 replies to this topic

[Shells82]

So this is officially ONE WEEK ON SPIRO.. My face had a terrible initial Breakout. like five cysts/nodules I don't the difference honestly. and I usually only have one maybe two at a time before my menstrual cycle sometimes.. But this happened within a day or two of taking spiro and after my cycle was over..so there was no connection with that. it had to have been the spiro. Luckily having read all these posts I knew this was a possibility and I began to combat it from the outside so I would have less scaring. Now a week in and my face has already cleared up nicely. I have one persistent big'un (hahah) by my chin..but it will go away eventually. For the first time yesterday I noticed that my hair and face was less greasy.. keeping my fingers crossed today will be the same. I have been extremely more thirsty than usual but I already drink a lot of water. I do have to pee more. And my hormones were out of whack the first few days. My body has always been extremely sensitive to any medication so I usually know pretty quickly if there is a change in my body. Advil even makes me tired lol!!

So far so good.. if this works I am giving my general physician an enormous hug.. cause I didn't even know this stuff existed!! I am wondering if the mg will need to be upped at some point but I am hoping I can keep it low. I don't think I will have that answer for like a month though!! yay!

[greeneyesgirl]

So this is officially ONE WEEK ON SPIRO.. My face had a terrible initial Breakout. like five cysts/nodules I don't the difference honestly. and I usually only have one maybe two at a time before my menstrual cycle sometimes.. But this happened within a day or two of taking spiro and after my cycle was over..so there was no connection with that. it had to have been the spiro. Luckily having read all these posts I knew this was a possibility and I began to combat it from the outside so I would have less scaring. Now a week in and my face has already cleared up nicely. I have one persistent big'un (hahah) by my chin..but it will go away eventually. For the first time yesterday I noticed that my hair and face was less greasy.. keeping my fingers crossed today will be the same. I have been extremely more thirsty than usual but I already drink a lot of water. I do have to pee more. And my hormones were out of whack the first few days. My body has always been extremely sensitive to any medication so I usually know pretty quickly if there is a change in my body. Advil even makes me tired lol!!

So far so good.. if this works I am giving my general physician an enormous hug.. cause I didn't even know this stuff existed!! I am wondering if the mg will need to be upped at some point but I am hoping I can keep it low. I don't think I will have that answer for like a month though!! yay!

I'm glad it's working for you! Yes, this medication is like genius!!! The side effects should go away eventually. Keep us updated!

[Shells82]

So today was not such a great day. I woke to 3-4 growths under the skin. most on my chin area again.. which in one way reaffirms that this is hormonal. But on the other hand its frustrating because I've never broken out so badly in my life. And so I am just mortified. I was literally walking home after class today praying to god to just take this away. To let this be the answer for me. I am usually very optimistic but since beginning spiro a week ago I have to say this has been one of the hardest weeks ever. Again I should be hopeful since this in a way shows it is working. But Really I just keep telling god, I can't take much more. This HAS to be the answer. And I know I don't have it half as bad as a lot of people on here. But as we all know this is a frustrating disease. And after years of ups and downs you get sick of the roller coaster and just want to wake up wash your face and walk out the door like a normal human being.

I'll be more hopeful tomorrow. But today. I just feel defeated again...= /

[Spinnerette]

Hey Shells,

It is seriously SO hard to stay positive when you’re breaking out, but hang in there… I hope my story helps you in some way…

I’ve been on Estelle (bc pill) for 7 months and Spiro for 3 months. During the first 5 months of being on Estelle my skin didn’t improve at all… Only in the last month or so has my skin started to clear up and I really believe it’s mainly because I added Spiro (100mg daily) into my regime.

My acne, like yours is hormonal. It’s very inflammatory and cystic, I have extremely oily skin and tend to breakout on my lower cheeks, chin and jawline… And I get that typical pre-menstrual flare.

The week before and during my last period I didn’t get one pimple! This was always a MAJOR breakout time for me. I’ve started to notice my skin is a lot less oily and I haven’t developed any cysts in the last 2 months.

I think the Spiro is really starting to take effect. I urge you to stick with it for at least 3-6 months. By the way what topicals are you using at the moment? Hope you’re feeling better today.

Edited by Spinnerette, 06 November 2009 - 04:35 AM.

[Shells82]

Hi Spinnerette,

Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate it! It is good to know that sticking with it paid off for you, that is soo wonderful. Congrats!! I bet that really feels wonderful! Is your acne clearing anywhere else besides your chin? Like did you get anything on your forehead etc?

My Acne is weird still hoping it is hormonal, although as I said these current breakouts make me think it is. But lately most of my cysts are near my chin/jaw but some are on my forehead and in between eye brows, these only came after the spiro which is weird.. As for Topical I stopped using those months ago as I just got frustrated and most of them were drying out my skin and leaving it discolored. I am however, exfoliating like crazy, sea salt is a great exfoliator/topical/cleanser, baking soda really is like microdermabrasion, and I also use Patricia wexler's glyco peel at night, and I use coconut oil to moiturize my skin as it helps to kill bacteria but really is very moisturizing.

Today is better than yesterday, some of the cysts have subsided and I only got one more yesterday.. I am hopeful I really am, just some days are harder than others.

But I thank you for your kind words and support, and for sharing your story with me. Let me know if there is anything I should watch for side effect wise or anything that helped you if your skin cleared everywhere etc.

Thanks,
Shells

[Spinnerette]

Hey no worries! And thanks heaps, I’m feeling a lot more optimistic with the current treatments my derm has prescribed me. Hopefully it’s of some comfort to you to know that other people have had success with Spiro… It definitely has put my mind at ease a bit…

I was getting cysts mainly on my cheeks, chin and jawline… And occasionally on the sides of my nose and in between my eyebrows. I’ve cleared up in all these areas. My forehead hasn’t really been affected… However I did used to get some small pustules there and on my upper lip…

Derms typically diagnose acne as hormonal if it affects the lower cheeks, chin, and jawline. However my acne, like yours had spread to other areas and I’ve cleared up there too.

I haven’t had hormonal testing done… I might ask my derm about it at my next appointment. Even if I don’t have PCOS or excess androgens I’m probably just sensitive to androgens…

And I can totally relate to your frustration with topicals… Over the last 3 years I’ve had very limited success. Spent A LOT of dough. But my derm suggested azelaic acid and I’ve been using that for 3 months and it’s the best thing I’ve ever used. I use the 20% cream, not the 15% gel… It doesn’t irritate my skin or dry it out, it’s pretty cosmetically elegant.

The only side effects I’ve experienced with the Spiro is just weeing all the time and dizzy spells… I think with Spiro it’s gonna be about getting to the right dosage… I’m on 100mg a day and am hoping I can move up to 150mg soon.

[Shells82]

I went over a week without getting cysts. I also started taking Niacin which really help heal the old ones and kept me even less greasy and no cysts... only my jawline still wasn't clearing up. So I upped my dosage to 50mg twice a day. Immediatly the next morning I saw a cyst forming. today another one both on my forehead. SO FREAKING wierd!! They were just so random. My forhead looked fine and smooth. uggh.. but again at least I know part of this puzzle is hormonal. still.. its just frustrating.. and I still need "ask" my dr. to be moved up to 100mg..

[inuk]

Would have loved for it to work!

I guess I should have taken accutane sooner!

It does seem to work for a lot of people though!

[Shells82]

I called my doctor, and she upped my script to 100mg once a day. Cysts are gone. Face isn't too bad. I think taking the Niacin with the Spiro for another month or so is the best way to go. Because I think it is keeping my face from going out of control. These big bumps will slightly surface and then immediately go away or not get as bad and painful as they did with the initial breakout.. Which is all tolerable right now.. I am also trying very very hard not to use any chemicals or unnatural cleansers or anything like that on my face right now... so here's to hoping 100 works!

[sunshine07]

Just started today, taking a total of 150mg a day

two 50mg in the AM
one 50mg in the PM (no later then 6pm)

[Shells82]

Wow that's a lot to start on Sunshine isn't it? Well good luck!!

ok to anyone who has used spiro before, and had great success. The cysts have stopped but my face is almost rough like more around the chin area but cheeks as well. Will Spiro help this!!??

[sunshine07]

Hey Shells, my derm is one who believes in the 100mg to 200mg dosage with this med. She said you may have more side effects if I start on 200mg and less side effects if I was on a lower dosage so she put me on 150mg and so far (day 4) no side effects at all. I've read a few (not many) starting on 150mg or even 200mg.

Edited by sunshine07, 24 November 2009 - 12:38 PM.

[Shells82]

aww i see well good luck to you!! I started on 50mg a month ago and it was just upped to 100mg. I had an initial breakout with the 50 and a smaller one with the 100 too.. So i hope you don't have that problem. Also the only other side effect I have had is peeing more often... and being more thirsty than usual not a big deal. but again good luck!!! So far I am waiting for results...but its seems real results can take anywhere from 1 to 3 months to see marked improvement. I am over a month now so we shall see.

[sunshine07]

Thanks and good luck to you too... I really hope this works 4 the both of us

I'm kind of worried though, I have more Pustules then cysts acne going on and all I read is this med helps woman with their cysts. I never read anybody say pustules, blemishes, whiteheads or blackheads just cysts so i'm thinking will this work for me. I mean I pretty sure it's hormonal i'm 24 never had acne as a teen then in my 20's I started to get some blemishes and last July my face went crazy with this pustule acne it's all over my cheeks, jawline and upper neck!

Edited by sunshine07, 25 November 2009 - 09:38 AM.

[Shells82]

Sunshine,

Go here and take a look. http://www.acne.org/spironolactone-reviews/305/page1.html

over 600 people have reviewed spiro and they give you acne type etc. You will see that many of them don't have cysts..in fact some of them had really mild acne.. and only broke out before their period. I read this to keep me going because this stuff literally takes months to work. And I am not only trying to get rid of the cysts I want to be clear! And most of my acne isn't cystic just some and it was getting more cystic as of late.. So I think if your hormones continue to get out of whack that's how bad it can become. I tried everything under the sun and nothing nothing helped..SO I am keeping my fingers crossed.. I hope it works for us too! Today is actually day 30 for me!! But I went from 50mg to 100mg a week or so ago..And I got another initial breakout from that and now a smaller one a week or so later..but none of the cysts are like they were they are more on the surface instead of DEEP..in fact I am beginning to feel like everything on my face is on the surface..just need to give it time to clear now I HOPE!! but could take another month or two!!

[sunshine07]

Thanks, I do have faith in it i'm just a little paranoid with the hole waiting game lol, it's just been a long 5 months of no social life and being down because of my face... this board has been a blessing!

Edited by sunshine07, 25 November 2009 - 12:27 PM.

[LuvMyFace]

I've had acne for over 25 years. I've been on BC, been pregnant, gone veggie, gone whole foods...and none of those things stopped my cystic acne.

So I gave spiro a shot...AND I AM SO HAPPY I DID!!!

I started about 6 weeks ago after my period was over. I initially tried it a few months ago, but couldn't handle the fatigue, so I stopped. This time around, I'm on 50 mg once a day, with tetracycline that I take twice a day. I cleared up in a matter of weeks. I know this is not typical, but this is what happened to me. I had two pimples last week when I got my period. But that's about it.

I take spiro at night to offset the fatigue. I sleep pretty well until I have to get up to go to the bathroom (but I've been waking up in the middle of the night since I had my son, so this is no biggie for me). I need a lot more water then I did before, but I don't mind. I take calcium, vit d, B-complex and fish oil with breakfast, and sometimes fish oil, iron and Vit C with dinner. They aren't necc acne fighting, just what I do to fight the fatigue that comes with spiro.

I also cut back on what I put on my face. I went from Pro-active, then Murad acne complex, to plain old Oil of Olay Complete Lathering Cleanser. I stuck with Murads Skim Perfecting Lotion daily and Proactiv's Refining Mask from time to time.

All in all, I'm happy with the results thus far. I suggest any woman with hormonal acne give spiro a shot. It may not work the same way for everyone, but I prefer it over the numerous side effect of accutane.

[Shells82]

35 days on Spiro..and like two weeks at 100mg.. I have noticed some differences in my actual skin... I mean it has been way less greasy almost dry even, could be from the products and exfoliating though (the dryness)..but today I really am noticing than my skin feels well more normal for lack of a better term.. things that would have turned into pimples or huge cysts aren't anymore and I am eating a horrible diet right now.. I do plan to eat more healthy again soon its was just vacation..Anyway.. I will keep ya posted I am not holding my breathe here.. but this time it seems different...=)

[sliving]

This is the first time I have joined this kind of message board but was doing some research on Spironolactone for Adult Acne and found this discussion.

I had terrible cystic acne all during my teenage years and it continued into adulthood. I did see different Dermatologists over the years but never really had success. The outbreaks did get less and less severe as I aged but they were still troubling to me, especially around period time. After moving to where we are living now I decided to go back to a Derm and see if anything could be done. My Derm put me on a combination of 50mg Spiro and 500mg Amoxicillin (a low dose anitbiotic) once per day many years ago, I would say 13 or so. I am 51 years old now and the combination has been working for me really well. I have been pretty much outbreak free for many years. Last month, the Spironolactone prescription ran out and I decided to go without it until I got in to see the Dr again. Within a week I had a blemish on my chin. My Derm refilled my prescription but has suggested that I double the Spiro (to 100mg per day) and stop the Amoxicillin to see of that would keep me outbreak free. I have been on just the Spiro for 1 week. So far I haven't noticed any extra side affects. The chin blemish is clearing up (it would clear a lot faster if I could keep my darn hands off it). I have not had any new ones crop up and I am hoping this will do the trick.

Anyway I was just wondering if anyone else had been prescribed the 2 different drugs together and if they had any success with it. One positive to the Amoxicillin was that I very rarely got sick, even colds seemed to not affect me and if they did they were very short lived.

Thanks for reading my story. I am just wondering if the combination might be something for some of you to investigate. I know it has worked for me very well.
Sliving

[Shells82]

Silving...Do I have this correct, you have been on Spiro since you were 13? I am curious because I think (I hope) this is working for me..and I am slightly scared that I can only take it for a few years...I am 27 years old and honestly I don't plan on having children of my own..and at the very least not in the next 5-7 years as I am in graduate school.. So if I don;t have children there would be no need for me to go off of this.. but I am afraid one day my dr. or a dr. will tell me I have to stop..

On the other note I am not helpful as I have only been on Spiro now at 100mg. I also take some vitamins and niacin. Niacin I think helps with my energy level and is also very good for the skin.
SO glad you were able to find something that has worked for soo long!!