49 replies to this topic

[Fedupofadultacne]

I have suffered with acne since I was 14 year old. I came off the depo provera injection last July to let my body 'go natural' to see if this would improve my skin. Since then I have had some fluctuations in the state of my skin. For a while it got so bad & my whole chest was covered in acne. Then my chest almost completely cleared for a little while with just acne on my face. However for the past month my acne has got progressively worse my face & jaw is covered in cyst like nodules, i have spots all over my chest & am even getting them on my forehead which is usually the one place of my face that is relatively clear.

HELP!

This is so awful I have been embarrassed to leave the house & when i do I avoid facing people for too long hoping they wont notice. Buts its really not attractive & hard not to notice when it is all over my cheeks, so many red hard lump spots & loads of whiteheads. It makes me feel like a spotty teenager who doesnt wash, but ironically i am so careful in my skincare routine & diet. It is purely hormonal.

Anyway out of desperation I have spent a fortune on various creams, so far to little success - i have decided to go the organic route so as not to irritate the skin further, but alot of the creams contain 'oils' which seem to have worsened things. I am thinking an oil free moisturiser may be the way forward (but a non-harsh one) maybe nivea?

One thing that did help me was Neutrogena clear pore treatment but they no longer make this. I bought the nearest alternative which was Neutrogena 'Rapid clear' night treatment, & whilst this dried spots out, it make my skin worse.

I have just purchased some 'red clover' (even though i am not menopausal!) as I read it can help with hormonal imbalance. Has anyone tried this?

I am dreading going back to work on Tuesday i feel like putting a paper bag over my head.

[Clare M.]

Mine is hormonal also and I've tried basically everything to no avail. So, what if you tried going back on birth control to regulate your hormones? I know with the depo shot you were on is not supposed to be for long time use but what about a BC targeted at acne - Ortho Tri Cyclen?? It might be worth a shot since it's your hormones that are out of sync.

[Fedupofadultacne]

i cannot take the pill as i have tried dianette & yasmin before & it just didnt suit me at all (weight gain / water retention / high blood pressure etc!).

i have read abit about spiro though - which may be worth a try?

i have been avoiding going back to the doctors as i don t want to get fobbed off with some topical none of which work! but i guess i could go & specifically ask for spiro?

i dont feel like doctors understand, i have often been told i had acne because i was on the injection. but i still have it really bad.

[Melie87]

Don't give up...keep trying different methods, you will find your secret weapon, I am sure of it.

I am sure you've tried the whole diet thing? Have you tried eating coconut oil and applying it topically? Using only a mild face wash, or amped up on the water? Do you exercised regularly? Sweating out the gunk helps....I also drink vinegar water to help cleanse out my system. Have you done any colon/liver cleanses?

Just take a hormone test to make sure its hormonal, I did, and I was sure my acne was hormonal because my period is unpredictable, but my hormone test came out negative, so I have been doing the no dairy/gluten thing as my choice. I am seeing results. Good Luck xo

[pinkstarlett]

I would go to the dermatologist. You can discuss Spiro and any other treatment options out there. And just remember, you don't have to take/fill perscription for any topicals if you feel they are not right for your skin.
Dermatologists are not all bad. You don't deserve to live life wanting to hide behind a paper bag.
Good luck, I really hope you find something that works for you

Edited by pinkstarlett, 29 May 2011 - 04:10 PM.

[Clare M.]

From my experience, hormonal acne is really difficult to treat with anything but medication designed to control your hormones. I've heard of a lot of people having success with spiro. I would definitely talk to a derm about that.

[sbeans]

Saw Palmetto is supposed to help naturally if your acne is hormonal. You just can't take it if your on bc pills cause it could make them less effective. If you have PCOS hormonal acne, cinnamon is supposed to help, too. And I'd say go for the spiro if you don't want to do bc pills- it helps alot of people. I'm on Yasmin right now and it's helped my cystic acne. You might want to get your hormone levels tested just to see what exactly your dealing with.

[Ivy.]

I'd ask about spiro, personally...I cant see a derm for another 3-7 months because there is only one in this city :{ But as soon as I can see her im going to ask about spirolactone.

Birth control just messes up your body more and after you get off it your acne just goes crazy. From what I understand spiro is very helpful with hormonal acne, and you don't necessarily need to take it with a BC pill.

[melissa6980]

I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this. It looks like people are still selling some neutrogena clear pores products on ebay, maybe that could tide you over for a while? Until you can get to a derm or doctor and ask about spiro?

[rockyren]

I feel your pain!! I too had come off oral BC in (early 2009, so around 2yrs ago now) and for that first year and a bit my face was horrible (acne on & under my jaw line, my cheeks and everything). It had got to the point where my boyfriend was asking me 'what happend to your face' and i was told to go see a derm Well because I'm stubborn and i didn't want to get put onto any pills or crazy creams (also because I had no family Dr to refer me to a derm) I've been trying to find my own solution. My acne has gotten better, well to the point where I only get major breakouts when my mensie comes. I was using Sothys, I really liked there products and it helped alot, but they are expensive. But if you want to try something a bit more natural, I'm going to suggest the new stuff I bought (I've only been using it for 2 days now, but I really like it so far!). Its an organic line called Only Green - Vada Clarifying. Like I said its only been two days since I started using it but I have noticed that any zits I had that were lingering and inflammed all of a sudden where not inflammed any more and they have since disappeard.
But good luck and I hope that you find something that helps you!!

[cvd]

I avoided seeing a derm for a long time and suffered needlessly with hormonal acne. I kept thinking I could find a natural method to stop my adult acne (never did). FYI - almost all acne is hormonal even if you don't have whacky hormones. It just means that you have lots of receptors that are sensitive to normal levels of hormones and you have pores that don't shed adequately (genetic issue). I love Spiro --- it's a miracle medication and very gentle on the body. It works great while using something like retin-a (tretinoin cream, etc.). Later you can wean off of it after your pores are functioning normally...but you have to keep on using something like retin-a to keep them normal. OTC creams and topicals very rarely control hormonal acne. They usually only work on very superficial acne like blackheads and little whiteheads...not the deeper big pimple cysts kind of acne.

[Bonnie78]

I went off the pill after being on it for 10 years, about 9 months ago and broke out with horrible inflamed acne all over cheeks. Then after 6mths just waiting for it to go away I couldn't bare it anymore and went back on a new pill called Valette. I'm just into my 3rd cycle and i don't have any acne - just a whole lot of scaring and red marks unfortunately. I broke out bad in the 1st month, but besides that Valette has given me no side effects. And although everyone is different, I would recommend to give it ago if you're not planning on getting pregant in the new future. It has different hormones to Diane and Yasmin and it is known to help with acne (I think the other name for it is Janette?).

I've also just started taking about a month ago Silca Compound and not sure if contributed to my skin clearing or if it was just the pill kicking in, but i'd give it a shot too (i also took it with Zinc and Fish oil tablets).

Good luck.

[b1984]

I'm 27 and have had acne since I was a teenager. I haven't been on here in a while but I just wanted to tell you what I use and maybe it will help you. I used to have cystic acne on my cheeks which I no longer have but am left with really bad scars. About 8 months ago I started getting painful cystic acne on and all around my chin area. I've never had acne in this area so I knew it was hormonal. I had recently changed my birth control from Yasmin to Yaz and that is what triggered it. My regular doctor switched me back and I told him I wanted to try spirolactone. I started at 25mg and now take 50mg once daily. This pill is a diuretic so I do have to get my blood levels check every three months. I also take a skin supplement called Herpanacine. After two months all my cystic acne was gone. I still ocassionally get a zit but no painful cysts anymore. Hope this helps you! I definitely know exactly how you feel.

[Fedupofadultacne]

wow thanks for all the responses everyone. i know my cycle is still out of sync as since coming off the injection my periods have been at weird intervals, sometimes 17 days inbetween, this time 40 days! it sounds like spiro seems to work for most people.

I am taking red clover twice a day to see if that has any effect & have just bought some angus cactus which apparently helps with hormone balance.

In terms of diet, exercise, healthy lifestyle etc I already tick all the boxes so I know there is nothing more than can be done there other than drinking more green tea! Ive tried cutting out dairy, meat, nuts, tea & coffee etc all to no avail. I am a keen exercise fanatic but sweat doesnt appear to have any impact on my acne. I have tried all sorts of face washes, topicals, creams etc.

At the moment I am using aloe vera gel at night which makes my skin feel tight but it seems to be reducing the endless new cysts that other moisturisers seem to worsen. in the day I am using an aha moisturiser from the states which is the only moisturiser that doesnt make my face look a greasy mess. It removes skin cells so improve skin appearance but doesnt really do anything for the acne. I have a dermalogica dermal clay cleanser to finish off that I wont be buying again as it does the opposite to what it says on the label , it doesnt balance oil or refine pores at all! I am using a tea tree soap just recently to see how that goes. I havent had as many new spots since using the tea tree & aloe but all the existing ones take so long to go down, especially the cyst type ones that just cant seem to surface & are red & raised & sore to touch but too deep down to squeeze.

The current attempt is revolving around detoxing the liver ..hence the supplements! Just so fed up of it all. Anyway spiro next on the list! can doctors give you hormone tests?

[melissa6980]

Yes, pretty much any doctor could have the lab do hormone tests (a lot of people go to their gp or an endocrinologist but I was surprised that my derm wanted to do tests too). I had prolactin, and fsh and tsh done by my gp after my periods stopped, the derm did testosterone/free testosterone and dhea sulfate. All my tests were normal but they still wanted to put me on birth control or spiro. I think cvd might have a point about all acne being somewhat hormonal. I didn't get a period for like a good 5 months now, then I had bloating and cramping and thought maybe soon...then I had a pap smear a few days ago and hey I started bleeding and am hoping it's my actual period, I seem to be feeling a little more crazy emotional and still bloating and cramping so maybe it is. This is what I complained about missing for 5 months?! lol.

I've tried messing with my diet too to help my acne and I did a colon cleanse. The thing is it seemed to be helping for a few months but I've also been using bp and taking fish oil and probiotics and my cycle is trying to figure itself out and was more regular back then so sometimes it is really hard to say which thing was affecting it. I'm still glad I tried to eat healthier though, I think that at least has to have some benefit for my health. I just get crazy trying to go too far, sometimes I'm not sure what to eat and have gotten to the point where I'm kind of scared of food.

Aloe is cool. Sometimes with a combination of bp and aloe my cysts seem to go down in a few weeks and aloe vera gel can make them a little less red.

If needed, maybe an antibiotic short term or cortizone shots could help calm some cysts?

Edited by melissa6980, 04 June 2011 - 09:29 PM.

[Fedupofadultacne]

Hi everyone, just thought I'd update. I went to see doctor today to ask for Spiro, & he instead gave me Co-Cyprindiol which I think is essentially the same thing. Feeling a lot more optimistic now as everything else I have tried! My only concern is you shouldnt take it for more than 2 years, i just hope that if it works that it wont lose its effectiveness!

Cannot wait to be androgen & acne free!

[Fedupofadultacne]

oh no i have just read the label & realised this is a contraceptive pill similar to dianette? oh dear i have had dianette before and it didnt suit me at all - 2 stone weight gain & bad water retention/bloating! should i go back & ask for spiro or give it a go?

[sbeans]

I would definitely go back. That's kind of messed up that you asked for Spiro and he gave you a contraceptive. That's one of the benefits of Spiro- the anti androgen effects without the hormones of a bcp. Keep us posted if you get the Spiro and if it works for you- good luck!

[Fedupofadultacne]

I would definitely go back. That's kind of messed up that you asked for Spiro and he gave you a contraceptive. That's one of the benefits of Spiro- the anti androgen effects without the hormones of a bcp. Keep us posted if you get the Spiro and if it works for you- good luck!

Yeah it seems odd he didnt tell me it was a contraceptive either! and isnt it true that when u come off the pill you can end up with worse skin than if you had never had it at all?

maybe i should go back pronto, i already took the first tablet without reading the label. i first tried dianette about 6-7 years ago but i am guessing its going to have the same effect all over again?

by the way, i did some internet research on spiro & read that this can also cause weight gain, despite being a duiretic initially, has anyone here found this?

should i definitely go back & insist on the spiro again then?

[Fedupofadultacne]

check this link about spiro http://www.medicatio...lactone/14850-4