171 replies to this topic

[bella27]

diane 35 is very good for acne. it cleared me up until i ran out overseas..but now since ive been on it again and accutane..i cant lose, it takes at least 6 months for results.

I've taken the Diane for 6 years, and recently been off the Diane for 2 months and broke out miserable with a vengence. Now I have been back on the Diane to control my acne for 3 weeks but it has not worked yet. I've always taken it with RetinA, but this time taking the Retin A (despite stronger) in combination with teh Diane hasn't worked yet. Anybody how long it would take to clear skin again if taken on a 2nd round? I would like to eventually get off the Diane, but not sure which product would help me wean off it with breaking me out. Any help would be great. Thanks.

Hi,

I understand you completely!
I was on this horrible pill for almost 9 years.
I tried to get off it once and got the worst acne ever, like never before it...
Couldn't do anything for 6 months!
So I got back on it then. It took about 2 months for the face to start clearing.

Anyway, I'm now off it again, since I have a benign breast tumor.
I believe the breast tumor is form the diane.
Anyway, not taking this stuff ever again!

What works for me: minocycline antibiotics 100 mg a day.
My acne is almost completely gone, couldn't believe it!

Also my hair is falling out since quitting the diane, it's also a common side effect of coming off it.
Taking zinc supplements for that, hope it helps, since i'm not going back on it.

good luck,
Bella

Hi all
I've been on this pill for almost 8 months now. I'm also taking Alpo-Sulfatrim as well. Anyways, I wanted to get off of this pill and go on to something else. BUT I'm SOOOOOO SCARED!! I've heard the horror stories of breaking out even worse then before. My derm and dr both say that I can stay on it and use it as birth control because it's effective but then again u read so much negative crap about it. I need advice how bad are the breakouts once I get off of this pill or should I just stay on

Thanks

Well, where I got off it and did nothing I got horrible acne, very sever, like never before!
But: now off it again and taking minocycline antibiotics my skin is almost completely clear!
Some people also had success with megadoses of B5.

Also my hair is falling out since coming off it, never had this problem before.
Also have no period, this also seems common.
That's just my situation, everyone is diffferent.

[ARpooh]

diane 35 is very good for acne. it cleared me up until i ran out overseas..but now since ive been on it again and accutane..i cant lose, it takes at least 6 months for results.

I've taken the Diane for 6 years, and recently been off the Diane for 2 months and broke out miserable with a vengence. Now I have been back on the Diane to control my acne for 3 weeks but it has not worked yet. I've always taken it with RetinA, but this time taking the Retin A (despite stronger) in combination with teh Diane hasn't worked yet. Anybody how long it would take to clear skin again if taken on a 2nd round? I would like to eventually get off the Diane, but not sure which product would help me wean off it with breaking me out. Any help would be great. Thanks.

Hi,

I understand you completely!
I was on this horrible pill for almost 9 years.
I tried to get off it once and got the worst acne ever, like never before it...
Couldn't do anything for 6 months!
So I got back on it then. It took about 2 months for the face to start clearing.

Anyway, I'm now off it again, since I have a benign breast tumor.
I believe the breast tumor is form the diane.
Anyway, not taking this stuff ever again!

What works for me: minocycline antibiotics 100 mg a day.
My acne is almost completely gone, couldn't believe it!

Also my hair is falling out since quitting the diane, it's also a common side effect of coming off it.
Taking zinc supplements for that, hope it helps, since i'm not going back on it.

good luck,
Bella

Hi all
I've been on this pill for almost 8 months now. I'm also taking Alpo-Sulfatrim as well. Anyways, I wanted to get off of this pill and go on to something else. BUT I'm SOOOOOO SCARED!! I've heard the horror stories of breaking out even worse then before. My derm and dr both say that I can stay on it and use it as birth control because it's effective but then again u read so much negative crap about it. I need advice how bad are the breakouts once I get off of this pill or should I just stay on

Thanks

Well, where I got off it and did nothing I got horrible acne, very sever, like never before!
But: now off it again and taking minocycline antibiotics my skin is almost completely clear!
Some people also had success with megadoses of B5.

Also my hair is falling out since coming off it, never had this problem before.
Also have no period, this also seems common.
That's just my situation, everyone is diffferent.

Thanks Bella. I hope your tumor subsides and all goes well.

I'm so glad that there are others out there that are going through the same side effects.
Its so aweful to be having this severe adult acne (especially due to the Diane).

How long did you have to take the minocycline for before it took effect after stopping the Diane?

I went to 2 derms and they both gave me several topicals to use. They are very reluctant in giving out the minocycline these days until one has tried all their diff topical remedies. I guess I have to go back in another 2 weeks to show them that their topicals have no effect on me (they incl Stevimycin and Dalacin).

Do you know of any docs/ derms that I can get a speedy apointment to in Toronto? If so, please message me. Thanks.

[bella27]

Thanks Bella. I hope your tumor subsides and all goes well.

I'm so glad that there are others out there that are going through the same side effects.
Its so aweful to be having this severe adult acne (especially due to the Diane).

How long did you have to take the minocycline for before it took effect after stopping the Diane?

I went to 2 derms and they both gave me several topicals to use. They are very reluctant in giving out the minocycline these days until one has tried all their diff topical remedies. I guess I have to go back in another 2 weeks to show them that their topicals have no effect on me (they incl Stevimycin and Dalacin).

Do you know of any docs/ derms that I can get a speedy apointment to in Toronto? If so, please message me. Thanks.

It took for the minocycline about 3 weeks to really start working.
But when I went off the diane I didn't wait for the severe acne to appear, I started the minocycline when it was still in its moderate form, so it may take longer if the acne is very severe.
The topicals never did anything for me, I think they are only useful for the mild form of acne.
I'm not in Canada, so can't help with the docs.

The minocycline is a temporary solution, though, you can't take it forever. I went to a herbs specialist and I plan to balance the hormones with herbs and maybe acupuncture and then get off the minocycline. Hope to resolve all this mess eventually...

[Christina ~]

to get a speedy appointment with a derm contact the following:

Toronto Acne Clinic (yonge and eglinton)
416-932-3100


http://www.torontoacneclinic.com/

[ARpooh]

to get a speedy appointment with a derm contact the following:

Toronto Acne Clinic (yonge and eglinton)
416-932-3100


http://www.torontoacneclinic.com/

Thanks for the derm contact info.
Has anyone out there tried the ClearLight Phototherapy? this appears to be avail at the clinic suggested.

I was hoping that will help with my acne now and when I plan to get off the Diane in the future once again (can't take this stuff forever since there's too many side effects when getting off of it)...

[Christina ~]

i don't go for the clearlight personally, i find their med recommendations and injections to be most helpful. They offer a crazy number of cutting edge treatments tho including microdermabrasion. I haven't been much since i moved to mississauga but i'll go back in a bit i'm sure for a check up.

best bet by the way is to go on a thursday, the doctor that works mon, thurs and wednesday or sat morning is better than the one that works fri and tues

[loopylisa1989]

was on it 4 2weeks n i bled lyk hell dwn dare still am now lol 3weeks after stopping have 2 go drs n get a new pill muday it is EVIL

[january]

My second night on Diane35, so I'll keep you posted too!

[Scary Monster]

I took Dianette for over a year, and have just had to come off it after having a migraine. Migraine was unrelated to Dianette. Had no problems whilst taking it and nothing too bad since coming off it. Acne is worse that it was while taking it but no worse than before. Just started using Differin instead as in the UK dianette cannot be prescribed to Migraine sufferers.

Point I'm making is Dianette works very well for some people.

[vitalmom]

I would caution anyone against using Diane35 unless you have done some very extensive research and are comfortable with the risks.

I did a 8 months cycle when I was 23. I found that my oil production decreased dramatically, but my blood pressure went very high and I began having episodes of tachycardia.

[MissTheo]

I had been on the pill for about 4 years but came off it last Novemeber.

Before I started on Microgynon 30 which didn't do anything for my skin, then I was on Dianette/diane 35 for a year and a half and that really cleared my skin up. I still got little spots but not the massive volcanos that I used to have before dianette.

The docs recommend taking dianette for no longer than 1.5 years as the anti male hormone in can lead to infertility. Before i came of the pill I was using one called Cilest which seemed to work quite well.

I've now been of pill for 4 months and skin was doing fine until my last period when I had the biggest eruption of spots i've had since before I ever took the pill. Two massive ones either side of my nose above my lip!!!!!!!! That's why i'm starting this regime to prevent this happening as I scar so easily from biggie spots! Anyway I truely believe that in my case my spots are hormonal but I'm not about to jump back on the pill. It really suppresses your sex drive!!!!

[ARpooh]

I had been on the pill for about 4 years but came off it last Novemeber.

Before I started on Microgynon 30 which didn't do anything for my skin, then I was on Dianette/diane 35 for a year and a half and that really cleared my skin up. I still got little spots but not the massive volcanos that I used to have before dianette.

The docs recommend taking dianette for no longer than 1.5 years as the anti male hormone in can lead to infertility. Before i came of the pill I was using one called Cilest which seemed to work quite well.

I've now been of pill for 4 months and skin was doing fine until my last period when I had the biggest eruption of spots i've had since before I ever took the pill. Two massive ones either side of my nose above my lip!!!!!!!! That's why i'm starting this regime to prevent this happening as I scar so easily from biggie spots! Anyway I truely believe that in my case my spots are hormonal but I'm not about to jump back on the pill. It really suppresses your sex drive!!!!

Hi theo,
Which doc and research shows that taking the Diane for 1.5yrs+ will cause infertility? I haven't heard of that before and it concerns me now <=(

[MissTheo]

Hi , it was my nurse at the family planning clinic i go to that told me that as i had been on Dianette for over a year she advised me to change to another pill. Something to do with the anti male androgen in the pill and taking it for too long can upset your hormones. I have not seen any research about this but i guess i take the nurses word for it. lol have a look on the internet and see if you can find any info about it.

[rydefxdawl]

I was on Diane for 4 years. I have mild to moderate acne with oily skin especially my T zone. Diane 35 was the birth control pill I was on during my Accutane journey, and prior to it for about 3 years. It DID help with my oily skin but that was about it. It did not help with my acne. I got many cysts while on it so i decided to try Accutane as a last resort. The new pill I am on makes me have major mood swings. With Diane my pms mood swings were kept at bay. After finishing my Accutane journey I had clear skin and decided to go off of Diane and switch to Alesse. BAD CHOICE my acne came back and the accutane journey was a waste.

I hope you have better luck then I did.

*Bentley*

[tare_lemon]

People... I'm on my 4th year of taking diane and i must say that my skin has been super great the past years~ some breakouts occassionally... but i've had way less oil production. i've had acne all over my forehead before I went onto the pill. I'm wanting to come off it because I came to realize that I couldn't take this pill forever... Although the doctors say that diane is safe to take as on a long term basis, I'm constantly feeling that I'm putting my health at risk...

I want to come off of it!! However............ I'm also super reluctant to come off it because I've read MANY previous diane users who have shared their stories of having MAJOR BREAKOUTS.... I really don't know what to do.... After the second year of taking this pill, I noticed my emotions went to a low level.... i rarely feel those lovey dovey emotions.... for example around guys~~ and i haven't fallen in love ever after being on this pill...! i'm blaming diane because i don't know what else to blame for this~ i didn't figure this out until a few months ago, which made me wanna come off it ever more. I feel horrible because I don't know who to go to for help... I fear the major breakout when i come off it...

Can anyone direct me to any websites or sources which give advice for people quitting the pill? What exactly are causing the major breakouts? The offset hormones I believe...?? Will balancing hormones during the quitting stage work to relieve the side effects of stopping the pill?

PLEASE I NEED HELP BECAUSE I'VE STRUGGLED WITH THIS FOREVER........................

[kdeneumo]

People... I'm on my 4th year of taking diane and i must say that my skin has been super great the past years~ some breakouts occassionally... but i've had way less oil production. i've had acne all over my forehead before I went onto the pill. I'm wanting to come off it because I came to realize that I couldn't take this pill forever... Although the doctors say that diane is safe to take as on a long term basis, I'm constantly feeling that I'm putting my health at risk...

I want to come off of it!! However............ I'm also super reluctant to come off it because I've read MANY previous diane users who have shared their stories of having MAJOR BREAKOUTS.... I really don't know what to do.... After the second year of taking this pill, I noticed my emotions went to a low level.... i rarely feel those lovey dovey emotions.... for example around guys~~ and i haven't fallen in love ever after being on this pill...! i'm blaming diane because i don't know what else to blame for this~ i didn't figure this out until a few months ago, which made me wanna come off it ever more. I feel horrible because I don't know who to go to for help... I fear the major breakout when i come off it...

Can anyone direct me to any websites or sources which give advice for people quitting the pill? What exactly are causing the major breakouts? The offset hormones I believe...?? Will balancing hormones during the quitting stage work to relieve the side effects of stopping the pill?

PLEASE I NEED HELP BECAUSE I'VE STRUGGLED WITH THIS FOREVER........................

Hi,
i also want to come off diane 35. i've been on it for a lil over a year now, and it cleared up my minor acne almost immediately. i'm also worried of what the side effects will be if i come off of it. but i was wondering if anyone ever experienced weird, non-itchy surface rashes on their arms/legs when on diane? i noticed it about 3-4 weeks after going on it, and it comes and goes but is almost always present right after i take a shower. anyways i notice them alot when i go out in the sun in the summer so it got to the point where i coudln't even go tanning last summer! i really miss going out tanning, but i don't wanna break out over the summer either. plus im really wary of all the long-term effects of diane 35. anyways, please let me know if any of you have ever experienced a non-itchy rash while on diane....

[shireen]

Hi,

I've been lurking around this forum for some days now and decided to post finally. I'm 26 now and have been on Diane for 6 months now. First two months on this pill gave me the biggest breakout of my life. For the first time ever, I got cystic acne. Now my breakouts have sstopped and I've not had a single one for the last 3.5 months. However the cysts from Diane have left me with scarring that I'll have to endure for the rest of my life. I got indented and rolling scars.
Anyways I would want to get off it in another 6 months but after reading all the posts in this forum I'm extremely apprehensive abt the consequences of doing so. Can anybody tell me if any steps can be taken to ensure that comng off it doesnt break me out.
Also, wanted to understand the mechanism of how Diane works. I understand that it cuts off oil production and thus leads to less acne. So theoretically if we keep our pores unclogged all the time, say by using some manual exfoliation then we shouldnt be having acne despite a greater oil production off the pill. Does that make any sense....Also..is it true that when we are on a Bcp like Diane, we do not ovulate? Is yes, how do we still have a period during that 7 day gap? This may sound like a chapter out of a gynaecology book...but would be extremely grateful if somebody could clarify it,

Thanks

[leilauk]

hello every one! especially shireen,

I have been on dianette for a month now, I had a break out of 3 spots but now they are clearing.

I am also taking lymecycline and have been doing so for 2 months. I am now finaly clear!

The period you get while on Diane (like with any other birth control pill) is a fake period. Its the effect of the synthetic hormones. As with any other bc pill while we are using them we do not ovulate. The pill stops ovulation and makes the lining of the womb thick so that sperms cannot get through, this is how it works as birth control.

Diane does not control oil production, it decreases androgen levels (male hormones) in the blood which causes hormonal acne in some women.

The only medication that truly reduces oil production is accutane. This is what my dermatologist told me.
This info below is from net doctor. It explains it alot better than me!

The medicine works as a contraceptive by preventing the ripening and release of eggs from the ovaries, as well as increasing the thickness of the cervical mucus, which makes it more difficult for sperm to cross from the vagina into the womb, and by changing the lining of the womb so that it is less suitable for any fertilised eggs to successfully implant in.



Androgens are male hormones, and are produced by women as well as men. They are responsible for stimulating the growth of the skin, including the sebaceous glands that produce oil (sebum), and the hair that grows from the skin. However, if your body produces too much androgen, or if your skin is particularly sensitive to the effects of androgens, the sebaceous glands may produce too much sebum. This can cause the sebaceous glands to become blocked, resulting in infection, inflammation and acne spots. The androgens may also cause excessive growth of the hair on the face and body - a condition known as hirsutism.

Cyproterone acetate (diane35.dianette) is used to prevent these actions of the androgens. It works by blocking the receptors in the body that the androgens normally work on. This means that the androgens can no longer affect the skin or the hair, and acne and hirsutism can improve. Cyproterone acetate also decreases the production of androgens by the ovaries, so that there are less of these male hormones circulating.


hope this clarifies everything for u!

x

[Christina ~]

i have been on diane 35 for close to 10 years now and i have nothing but happy things to say for it. it has done me no harm whatsoever and i just had my blood and blood pressure checked recently.

i think its different for eveyrone, you just have to have the right fit. but don't get scared off based on someone elses experiences, they are not necessarily yours. talk to your derm and pick whats best for YOU not what other people think

[curiousitymakesmeworry]

wonder if anyone had ever experienced dis b4??
period still havent came for the 2-4days after the last pill..