12 replies to this topic

[evg5gd]

Hello! I am new to this website but it has really helped knowing that others are going through the same issues with acne. I am a 27 y.o Female and I have suffered from acne since I was 13. I have tried everything, antibiotics, creams, Birth control, basically everything except accutane. About 8 months ago my skin got out of control breaking out everyday and some painful cysyts along my cheeks and jawline. This is the worst my skin has been in my whole life and it is very depressing. My derm told me it is likely hormonal acne or adult onset and started me on Spiro 100mg. I have been on it for 6 weeks and my skin is looking worse. Has anyone else had an iniitial break out when they started Spiro? Also does anyone have any success stories or how long did it take to see results? Going to give it another month or so then guess I will just have to try accutane. Any feedback would be appreciated!!!

[cl1234]

Hi! I wish had actual advice for you, but I can give you my experience! I started spiro January 17th. I've been keeping a log actually. It hasn't been 3 months yet and I'm not clear yet, but I don't want to discourage you because as I'm sure you've read, spiro takes time and patience! I CAN tell you that I seemed to have an initial outbreak on spiro. My skin was definitely the worse it had been in my life. The first couple months I had the two worst outbreaks of my life. I am not clear yet, but I can tell you that my clearer days are more frequent than my breakout days, which was not the case a couple months ago! Keep us updated on your journey! I hope someone can answer the question for you better! There are so many people with success stories!

[talenaabrams]

It took me 4-5 months to see results on Spiro, and from the endless research I've done on this medication as well talking to my dermatologist, it can take anywhere from 1 month to close to a year to work for someone. If your acne is caused by hormones (specifically, too much testosterone), you will more than likely get clear. Hang in there!

[evg5gd]

Thank you so much for your feedback cl1234 and talenaabrams! It is so nice to have supprt from others! Will keep you posted on my progress! Trying to hang in there and stay patient! Good luck to you both!

[Anabob]

Im 24 yrs old, I've been on spironolactone for about 5 wks now and boy am I discouraged... I'm breaking out way worse!!! this is embarrassing and all I wanna do is curl up inside my bed covers and never leave my apt... :.( I've had acne before, I wanna say about 2-3 yrs ago I went to a dermatologist... She got me on an antibiotic menacycline for 5 months and it worked... Got me clear.. Then at the beginning of this year I had to stop taking bc pills and then I started to get acne again... These are huge pimples,
Like welts on my face, and I can't help but try and pop them because I can't stand the bumps... So face always hurts how much longer do I have to wait?? I hate myself sooo much...

[cl1234]

Im 24 yrs old, I've been on spironolactone for about 5 wks now and boy am I discouraged... I'm breaking out way worse!!! this is embarrassing and all I wanna do is curl up inside my bed covers and never leave my apt... :.( I've had acne before, I wanna say about 2-3 yrs ago I went to a dermatologist... She got me on an antibiotic menacycline for 5 months and it worked... Got me clear.. Then at the beginning of this year I had to stop taking bc pills and then I started to get acne again... These are huge pimples,
Like welts on my face, and I can't help but try and pop them because I can't stand the bumps... So face always hurts how much longer do I have to wait?? I hate myself sooo much...

Don't be discouraged! I know EXACTLY how you feel! I have felt like that way a lot the last couple months! At 5 weeks of spiro my face was a disaster! I had the two worst outbreaks of my life that month. BUT I am finally breaking out less and less. I have finally hit the 12 week mark today. I know that feeling of not wanting to leave your apartment. I have felt that on way too many occasions and after seeing how my skin looked about 1-2 months in on spiro I felt even more discouraged! But don't give up! I know people say you need to be patient, and it's true! Just know that it WILL get better!

[Anabob]

I can't be patient like that, I asked my derm to please put me on antibiotics again... It worked last time and she insisted I stay on spiro for another month... She upped my dose to 150 and I'm taking them "religiously" everyday, but after this month is up and it hasn't worked I'm gonna ask to go on the antibiotics... I see a difference in the acne I have now then the one years ago... This time it's like cysts... And my period is soooo irregular... What can iiiii...do? I feel so defeated by this... I'm so weak i know..

[hearts]

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Edited by iheartpaul, 30 September 2012 - 12:02 PM.

[cl1234]

It took me 6 months to see the results of spiro (with 100mg/day.) I was quite discouraged and wondered if it would even work. It was VERY worth the wait, though -- I had pretty severe cystic acne and now my skin is 100% clear. I'm now trying to wean down to a lower dose. Good luck!

Could I ask you a question? I have been on spiro for what will be 13 weeks tomorrow, so about three months. It's been within the last couple weeks that I have really noticed a decrease in acne. I am on 150 mg. But started on 50, then was on 100 for a few weeks too. I still get oily in my T-Zone though. It has definitely improved, but I have always heard about people who said they never got oily anymore after being on spiro. Do you still get a bit oily? Also, I am the kind of person that goes up to the mirror and stares at every little bump for long periods of time in many different lights. I noticed that up close I have little bumps on my chin which aren't noticeable unless I look REALLY closely, I believe they're clogged pores or something? So when you say you're 100% clear do you mean that everything even those little bumps are gone? Also did it just start to get better and better for you as the days went on? Sorry for all the questions! I just am afraid that since I still get a little oily that it isn't going to completely get rid of all my acne or something! Congrats on clear skin by the way!

[hearts]

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Edited by hearts, 08 December 2012 - 12:25 AM.

[KateLibby]

Im 24 yrs old, I've been on spironolactone for about 5 wks now and boy am I discouraged... I'm breaking out way worse!!! this is embarrassing and all I wanna do is curl up inside my bed covers and never leave my apt... :.( I've had acne before, I wanna say about 2-3 yrs ago I went to a dermatologist... She got me on an antibiotic menacycline for 5 months and it worked... Got me clear.. Then at the beginning of this year I had to stop taking bc pills and then I started to get acne again... These are huge pimples,
Like welts on my face, and I can't help but try and pop them because I can't stand the bumps... So face always hurts how much longer do I have to wait?? I hate myself sooo much...

Can u not take birth control pills anymore? That would help regulate your period. Stopping them through your hormones off and that is why you started breaking out. When I was around 25 or 26 I stopped taking birth control for awhile and my face went crazy. I never realized that was what was keeping my skin clear. I had the worst acne I have ever had in my life. I mean cysts and knots that stayed forever. I finally went to a new gyno and he recommended I take ortho tri cyclen. It cleared up my face completely in a few months. But you have to take ortho tri cyclen not ortho tri cyclen lo. If you can take them again I recommend ortho tri cyclen. And you can take it with spiro.

If you can't take birth control again I have read where many people say spiro worked for them but it took about 6 months. So many people said this. That it was like at 6 months it was like one day that had acne and then almost overnight they didn't. So hang in there.

I also really like clindamycin lotion. It is a prescription antiobiotic lotion. Try asking your derm about it.

Good luck.

[Jabberwocky80]

I would say it took a few weeks or up to a month for me. I was on 50 but doubled it myself. The derm said if 100 was working for me to keep at it. He called it "Accutane Light." I have still had break outs, of course, but I have discovered my acne has considerably calmed down since I got back on spiro and stopped drinking milk altogether.

[JoyFULL87]

HI there! I have been on 100mgs 1x a day of SPIRONOLACTONE for 6 months. At month 3-4 a little improvement, 1-2 worse acne! but now at month 6 I am about 90% clear!