33 replies to this topic

[Kara5129]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to add my experience.

Spiro has worked WONDERS for me. I'm 24 and only started breaking out really badly about two years ago. I tried everything, was even on Accutane for a while but couldn't pass my third blood test so had to stop.

I finally saw a different doctor, and he said, based on what I told him, that a lot of my acne was hormonal, especially since the worst breakout I ever had was a result of STOPPING the BC pill for a few months. So he put me on Spiro to see what would happen.

Spiro took a little while to really kick in with me. 50 mg a day was not enough, and that's what I started with, then eventually went up to 75, which still wasn't enough. I've been at 100 for a while, which was wonderful, but I'd still break out a little every third week of my period. I wasn't complaining too badly, because this was a HUGE improvement from my pimple or two every morning schedule. But I still wasn't completely happy, so now I'm at 125, and in another week, I'm moving to 150.

Perfect. I haven't had one new pimple in three weeks. My face feels really smooth and clear, and everything is working out really well.

My advice would be to yes, be on BC when you take this, because it will regulate your period better.

I didn't have any of the weightloss side effects, and really no other side effects other than really nice skin.



Eloise, I don't want to go against your derm, so you should definitely talk to him/her first, but from my experience, with a dosage that low, you might as well take it together. He/she might just be prepping you for a higher dosage though. I haven't heard about too much success staying at 50 mg...100 is average, I think.

Anyway, good luck!

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to add my experience.

Spiro has worked WONDERS for me. I'm 24 and only started breaking out really badly about two years ago. I tried everything, was even on Accutane for a while but couldn't pass my third blood test so had to stop.

I finally saw a different doctor, and he said, based on what I told him, that a lot of my acne was hormonal, especially since the worst breakout I ever had was a result of STOPPING the BC pill for a few months. So he put me on Spiro to see what would happen.

Spiro took a little while to really kick in with me. 50 mg a day was not enough, and that's what I started with, then eventually went up to 75, which still wasn't enough. I've been at 100 for a while, which was wonderful, but I'd still break out a little every third week of my period. I wasn't complaining too badly, because this was a HUGE improvement from my pimple or two every morning schedule. But I still wasn't completely happy, so now I'm at 125, and in another week, I'm moving to 150.

Perfect. I haven't had one new pimple in three weeks. My face feels really smooth and clear, and everything is working out really well.

My advice would be to yes, be on BC when you take this, because it will regulate your period better.

I didn't have any of the weightloss side effects, and really no other side effects other than really nice skin.



Eloise, I don't want to go against your derm, so you should definitely talk to him/her first, but from my experience, with a dosage that low, you might as well take it together. He/she might just be prepping you for a higher dosage though. I haven't heard about too much success staying at 50 mg...100 is average, I think.

Anyway, good luck!

Hey ladies,

How long did it take for your skin to dry out? I am super oily and I can only dream of that....

Hi,

Actually, I have really oily skin, too, and spiro only helped a LITTLE bit with that. I never saw much improvement; I've been taking spiro for about 6 months now. But it should help your acne, regardless, and oily skin is easier to deal with without acne on top of it.

[Eloise]

Thanks guys!
Oh yea: Kara, thanks for your concern. I've also read that 50mg was too little, so I spoke to my nurse. She said I was able to take 100mg of spiro after two weeks of 50mg. I'm so excited...YAY!!

[Christina ~]

oooooo good tip. i started using the normaderm vichy concentrate for sudden localized breakouts and it really does work good. takes all the oil out but NO drying. feels like a moisturizer and i checked yesterday....4% SA so thats hardcore for a spot treatment but it stops sebum production in the surrounding area too so it might be good for oily noses etc. (not for the whole face its such a tiny tube and realy pricy) but after a few skeptical times of trying i really like it

-Christina

[Christina ~]

i'm breaking out a little more than usual so after reading about the experiences i am making the executive decision to raise my dose from 50 to 75 mg daily to see if this will help. i have a hell of a time if i'm off my topicals for a few days straight, its a nasty backlash to BP i've tried to escape but it keeps pulling me back i would like to keep the leash a little longer so maybe upping the spiro will help. any idea how long it will be before the results of the extra 25mg will be seen seeing as how i've been on the 50 for several months now??

[mskitty]

My derm gave me a 25 mg dose because she said that'd be enough for now, with being on Yasmin. My GP told me this low of a dose is ineffective, so when I go back in two weeks, I am going to beg for a higher dosage!

Either that, or I am going to beg my other derm for a higher dosage. Seriously, this is one avenue I have not tried and accutane isn't an option for me. I just finished my FOURTH course.

I'll keep you all posted!

[Eloise]

I'm sure you will not have any probs asking for a hike in dosage. Patients who take Spiro for blood pressure or heart conditions actually take about 400mg of it (so I've read), so don't worry. I'm taking 50mg right now, but will up it to 100mg in about 10 days. DREAM: It would be so wonderful to go to bed without a coat of Duac on my face smearing my sheets. That will be a wonderful day for me.

Guys: Can you drink alcohol on Spiro?

I don't drink much, but refused a refreshing margarita tonight b/c I didn't know if I could have one on spiro.

[Christina ~]

my list of meds is insane and i still drink on ALL of them. just have some tums for the next day and don't drink alot because....well you just can't anymore. too hard on your stomach

but i do okay with alcohol in moderation

[carla131313]

I was on Spiro for 6 months it did not clear my skin at all. But when I gave up smoking it cleared my skin right up!!! The Spiro did help with my few man hairs I have and my mostasche seems to have dissapeared a little so no more waxing!! haha.

[hellonicetomeetyou]

HI there,
I was wondering if any of you experienced users of spiro can tell me if it has affected your sex drive?
I am considering using it but have heard it can reduce one's libido.
Please also tell me your dosage and how long you have been on it.

[Jen and Tonic]

I want to go on Spiro because my chin is ALWAYS broken out (or still red all over from a recent breakout), especially in places where I tweeze some crazy dark hairs that have been increasing in number. I think the really coarse white ones that really stick in the follicle are causing the worst bumps. Sometimes I even get these huge cysts because of it. I'm on Yasmin, and as BC and for regulating my hormones (at least as far as wicked PMS goes) I love it, but it hasn't done anything for these man hairs (or the folliculitis that results from removing them) as I'd hoped it would.

Has anyone else had a similar problem and been put on spiro for it?

What did you have to go through to get on the spiro?

Is it expensive?

How does spiro work? Does it fix the hormonal imbalance over several months and then you stop taking it? Or, once you're on it, do you have to take it forever to keep the hormones balanced or risk growing a beard?

I'm 24 and desperate to NOT grow a beard! I'd also like to be able to go out and date and otherwise socialise without spending an hour everyday applying (and touching up) makeup. It's gotten so bad recently that I haven't even been out in months. If someone can answer my questions and help me figure out how to get started I would really appreciate it!

[cereal]

HI there,
I was wondering if any of you experienced users of spiro can tell me if it has affected your sex drive?
I am considering using it but have heard it can reduce one's libido.
Please also tell me your dosage and how long you have been on it.

I've been taking 100mg for nearly 10 weeks. The only sexual side effect I've noticed thus far is less powerful orgasms.... I still have them, but they're subdued. It hasn't decreased my desire for sex at all.

[Crystallynn]

That, I think it has sulfa in it. I'm allergic to that.

But I have a messed up irregular period. Any suggestions for those ladies? I get cramps and a bad temper.

My flare ups come right before my period too.

I don't know what sulfa is or if it is in Spironolactone, but on the messed irregular periods. That happened to me 3 years ago. My doc put me on the pill. I only took it for a month and I have been fine since. If you've never had one, you might want to get your hormones tested, just to see what level, normal or abnormal, they are. There are three major (and a few minor that I don't know off the top of my head) hormones that your body produces; Estrogen, Progestrone, and Testosterone. There are different symptoms for all three if lacking that you might find helpful by erching out on the net. It's a great way to check if you have a hormonal inbalance/ or hormonal acne. Spiro isn't the only anti-androngen. So you may find luck going to get tested.
Ciao!

[aschouten]

sometimes i feel a little tremor-y inside when i take my spiro. does anyone else experience this??

[Sunnygirl]

sometimes i feel a little tremor-y inside when i take my spiro. does anyone else experience this??

Yeah, I felt tremor-y as well when I took spiro. I didn't have a great expereince with spiro and had to stop taking it because I started getting constant muscle spasms all over my body that would last all day. At one point the spasms got so bad they would cramp the muscles and get really painful. It's been two weeks since I stopped taking it and the spasms have stopped, but my skin is breaking out on my chin and jawline. I didn't really see any real improvements in my skin after three months anyways.