Hi no not on a retinoid...i've actually never been to a dermatologist and thank god its starting to get better cuz I would have otherwise. Yeah I think what she did was fine on my pores, it just looked worse in my head because my acne was worse and she had to do so many more extractions than normal. as you guys can prolly relate, it got worse really fast and definitely freaked me out. I went from having like some manageable clogged pores to having sooo many.

w/extractions it was mostly the problem that the pores would just re fill, and that's when I realized for me, extractions were sort of just covering up the problem. Albeit they are a very good cover up. and that might not even necessarily be true, maybe they are an effective acne cure, I just noticed mine kept refilling and I kept thinking ohhh shit. Now my face is purging like crazy. Any small blackhead has come to the surface and all the closed comodones are coming out. I have like 10 pores at all times that have pushed a thing out. My body is changing in other ways too, starting (verrry slowly) to go back to how it used to be, also when I had no acne. So that's good. Still tho, right now I have like five small whiteheads around my right lip area. ALso interesting-as my acne purges and gets better, my ezcema improves at the exact same rate.

Honestly my skin kind of looks like I took accutane (for having mild/moderate acne). In the way that its behaving, purging like crazy. I think i'm having a healing crisis. I shld take a picture. I have been avoiding it cuz I don't really enjoy doing it and I don't have a mac anymore so I have to do it on my phone. But yeah the only products I use are african black soap and randomnly, salycilic acid (2%). I swing through periods of using black soap every day, every other day and stopping it for a little while. Right now i'm using it every day or every other day. But I notice as my body makes more fundamental, serious changes, I see how topicals matter less and less for me. They can do an excellent job controlling, but really (for me) acne comes from an inside level.

my mom saw an esthetician for years who was a total professional, her name was sally. I remember even as a kid thinking she had the best skin. Luckily my skin always was a lot like my dads, he probably has never had a pimple in his life. However, when I started to get acne, my skin started behaving like my mom's! And she's had moderate acne her whole life. some cystic and clogged pores. But she also just trusted dermatologists her whole life and never believed it could be cured. She just treated it externally only I guess is what i'm saying. I googled "best estheticians colorado springs" and am looking @ results.

I wish I was feeling like I was starting to heal. I am not sure I am on the downhill yet....its so hard to gauge. I have definitely been purging a lot lately, and actually since the microderm on Thursday, Friday evening a whole ton of clogged pores (like 8-10) around my jaw area looked real near the surface, and so I gently squeezed and they all kinda just came out. Additionally, this morning 2 clogs on my left cheek bone were looking kinda red/swollen and came out with some squeezes. None of them really left red marks so....im thinking its a lot easier to squeeze stuff out when not on retin a and maybe the microderm helped loosen stuff. I still have so many other clogs on my cheeks bones though and on the back of my jaw, and its so weird cause they're in the exact same place and pattern on each side of my face. I am thinking of rotating SA and retin a every other night so that maybe the SA helped dry stuff up that Retin a is trying to bring up. If I attempt another extraction appt next month I'll take a break from the retin a again. I really feel like the extractions can help since my issue is mostly tiny bumps that love to hang out under the skin. It just sucks getting them to come to the surface. I wonder what makes the difference between ones that come to the surface and make the skin red, swollena nd tender, and others that just kind push the little clog up and out without any irritation. Kelsey have you experienced both of this happening in your purging?

In other news, my labs came in today. All my thyroid came in totally normal, estrogen normal, but my testosterone is really low. I didn't really expect that. If anything I would have though it to be high since all my life I have been thin with very little fat (low testosterone usually causes the opposite of this and make it hard for women to loose weight, especially fat) and have had oily skin. Unfortunately I don't have hormone tests from before I was on Spiro, so I am wondering if the Spiro is dropping my testosterone so low and if it could have even had that much of an effect in 2 weeks....my doc will be talking to me about it on Monday.

Hi Everyone! Just been reading through all 9 pages of this and decided to join this website so I could join in the chat!!

I have been on 50mg of spironolactone for a week now. It was an absolute nightmare trying to get it prescribed in England, it seems here its rarely used for acne, and i had to go to the dermatologist with an arm load of research id gathered and a very persuasive pre-planned speech. She eventually agreed to let me try it but wanted me to have blood tests to check my potassium levels and hormones.

So, a bit of background, iv had acne since i was 11, im now 26. Iv done lots of antibiotics, dianette, yasmin, accutane 3 times, n litle laser treatment, duac, differin, epiduo, dalacin-t, benzoyl peroxide, paula's choice salicylic acid, dairy free diet, gluten free diet, sugar free diet, wild oregano oil. Basically, iv done everything! I had success with accutane but only whilst I was on it, a few months after id come off it my skin would break out again. I also had some success with dianette but my sister got a blood clot from the contraceptive pill and iv now been told i'm never allowed it again as i may have a genetic pre-disposition towards blood clots.

So the last few years iv been trying to cope by gently cleansing and using a combination of epiduo and duac, but things really got out of control recently. I had read a lot about spiro and had asked the doctor about it a few years back but she looked at me like i was an idiot and said it wasn't an acne drug. So anyway, this time i was determined to be taken seriously, and by some miracle i actually got prescribed it!

So right, its been a week at 50mg and so far i havn't really noticed anything. Had a few headaches but nothing major.

Just wanna thanks all you girls for all your information on here, it's been great for me to read as i'm just starting out on it! Really praying this tablet will be my holy grail!!!!! Il keep you updated!

Abby xxx

Hey Abby, welcome to my Log. Im happy you actually read through all the information!

Good luck and do keep us updated

I wish I was feeling like I was starting to heal. I am not sure I am on the downhill yet....its so hard to gauge. I have definitely been purging a lot lately, and actually since the microderm on Thursday, Friday evening a whole ton of clogged pores (like 8-10) around my jaw area looked real near the surface, and so I gently squeezed and they all kinda just came out. Additionally, this morning 2 clogs on my left cheek bone were looking kinda red/swollen and came out with some squeezes. None of them really left red marks so....im thinking its a lot easier to squeeze stuff out when not on retin a and maybe the microderm helped loosen stuff. I still have so many other clogs on my cheeks bones though and on the back of my jaw, and its so weird cause they're in the exact same place and pattern on each side of my face. I am thinking of rotating SA and retin a every other night so that maybe the SA helped dry stuff up that Retin a is trying to bring up. If I attempt another extraction appt next month I'll take a break from the retin a again. I really feel like the extractions can help since my issue is mostly tiny bumps that love to hang out under the skin. It just sucks getting them to come to the surface. I wonder what makes the difference between ones that come to the surface and make the skin red, swollena nd tender, and others that just kind push the little clog up and out without any irritation. Kelsey have you experienced both of this happening in your purging?

In other news, my labs came in today. All my thyroid came in totally normal, estrogen normal, but my testosterone is really low. I didn't really expect that. If anything I would have though it to be high since all my life I have been thin with very little fat (low testosterone usually causes the opposite of this and make it hard for women to loose weight, especially fat) and have had oily skin. Unfortunately I don't have hormone tests from before I was on Spiro, so I am wondering if the Spiro is dropping my testosterone so low and if it could have even had that much of an effect in 2 weeks....my doc will be talking to me about it on Monday.

Hi Lifeinfaith, that is strange about the testosterone. Thats great that everything else is normal though. Sometimes I don't know if I completely agree with the blood results for hormone testing seen as though throughout your menstrual cycle our hormones are up and down. Did you get your blood taken on a certain time of your period, ie before it or straight after it kind of thing?

I don't think the Spiro could be dropping so low this soon, let us know how the talk with your doctor goes.

Day 82 - 25mg -- AGAIN

Ooookay guys. Long update I know. I have something to say though.

I have decided to quit the Spiro. I am going to be doing this by progressively cutting down - 25mg for 1 weeks then 25mg every second day for the 2nd and 3rd week and then the 4th week once per week and I will hopefully stop on the 5th.

Ive just had enough. Its the weight side of things. I know that not everyone experiences weight changes, but I tell you I certainly HAVE. Its weird its like my body does not register when I am full and I crave ALOT of sugary things and junk food basically. Ive deffo gained some and Im not weighing myself because it will upset me.

My weight has been a BIG issue for me all my life really, more or less anyway. Now that my body is alot curvier - I hate it. I know it may sound daft since Im not fat or anything but I would rather be sa bit thinner and leaner and if I stay on the Spiro I know I won't be that, no matter how much I work out.

I am actually ecxited to stop it completely and see how things change, I actually think my skin looks better now after being on Skinoren for the past 4 weeks as opposed to being on the Spiro - its obviously hard to tell.

It makes sense though that whilst the testosterone decreases, estrogen is raised, therefore it will be hard to maintain muscle mass Im presuming, which would make sense tbh. I have also got ALOT more cellulite, and Im sorry but for me Im just not keen on this side-effect.

I will be clear AND smooth one day and totally love my appearance, and whether that be now or later I need to accept that it WILL come to me. Ive met a few lovely people from starting this Log, I shant name names, but you know who you are!! And I am glad I started it because there is ALOT of GOOOOD info on this Log which would never have come to the surface (haha clogged pore anyone?) if I had not started it.

So good luck everyone with YOUR Spiro journey. Remember we're all so so different, and we need to listen to our bodies and do whats right for us. If we believe something will work for US then most often it will come true for US.

xoxox

Hi lifeinfaith! Im gonna respond to you first then read the other new stuff

Oh man-I have DEFINITELY experienced clogged pores coming out both inflamed and benignly. I'm actually not always sure what is what; if a pimple is just an angry pimple or if it was a clogged pore that was on its way out or both. I think I get whiteheads (inflamed acne/breakouts), inflamed clogged pores AND non inflamed clogged pores. I get mostly the first and the last though. Most of my clogged pores unclog with no inflammation but some come up with moderate inflammation (red around the edges as it comes out)..

I think that's great you were able to unclog so many pores, and with ease too. Its all achieving the same goal, and sometimes it takes a while to realize you've made progress even when you are. I have the exact same thing with patterns. My acne is symmetrical for the most part. I actually took a few pics so I should post those. they're close ups of my forehead and cheek.

god I hope I'm on the downhill of healing, idk where i'm at really I just try to think positive. I know i'm better than where I was a few months ago, and that's what I try to tell myself. I'm still having bouts of anxiety and am learning how to accept them whilst also try to change the fact that they happen, which is confusing. Like, I know part of the reason I have bad anxiety is cuz i'm teriffied of anxiety in of itself, and I need to just accept it more as a feeling. But I also know its unhealthy to have as high levels of anxiety as I do.I think it all comes down to feelings I still need to work through and "release" in therapy.

Extra caffeine is definitely a trigger for me. I do love some caffeine, like really love coffee, but I have trouble balancing just enough vs too much. Like today I thought, just one more sip of this coffee. And then I started feeling anxious after that last sip and was like uh oh. I had gone from feeling upbeat and energetic to the dizzy, exhausted feeling of anxiety. So I walked around downtown sweating for a few hours lol and tried to chill. As I was having the fear, I was trying to understand what my fears were really about. Cuz I just sort of feel this paralyzing, bleak fear in my chest. It is even a kind of paranoia. Like if I see a dog from blocks away i'll be like omg what if it decides to come after me. Whereas if i'm not having anxiety, I wouldn't even think of that. It's also harder to interact w/ppl in these states. and that's putting it mildly.

The interesting thing about my experience with panic attacks is that my experience with them hasn't evolved how I thought it might. I figured one day they would just stop and I would have this miracle breakthrough and never have one again and it would be this big epiphany. Welp, thats not really how its going. It's more that my attacks have gotten just less and less over time, like a gradual scaling down. And rather then them stopping abruptly, it's almost like they're more vivid and i'm MORE aware of my own feelings/fears/anxiety, its just that i'm better at coping with it. And not spending all my energy running away from it at full force. I thought someday I would reach an absence of such strong feelings and anxiety and feel really empowered. And its more like its all become more intense before it even gets better. This is why life is hard. But Im trying to understand how to relate to these feelings better. I do hope eventually I won't feel so much fear, and i'm hoping EMDR will continue to help with that.

How are you doing lifeinfaith? Did you move again yet? moving is really tough for me; I even had to have my mom and her boyfriend do pretty much all the moving last time cuz I felt so shitty. Then I felt guilty for accepting so much help. but sometimes you just have to say enough with feeling bad for twelve different reasons all the time. I like the website xojane, they have some interesting, thoughtful articles and give me a more human perspective on my own guilt and feelings.

ddammit i just looked in the mirror and I have three bad whiteheads. so now i am eating cookies.

Day 82 - 25mg -- AGAIN

Ooookay guys. Long update I know. I have something to say though.

I have decided to quit the Spiro. I am going to be doing this by progressively cutting down - 25mg for 1 weeks then 25mg every second day for the 2nd and 3rd week and then the 4th week once per week and I will hopefully stop on the 5th.

Ive just had enough. Its the weight side of things. I know that not everyone experiences weight changes, but I tell you I certainly HAVE. Its weird its like my body does not register when I am full and I crave ALOT of sugary things and junk food basically. Ive deffo gained some and Im not weighing myself because it will upset me.

My weight has been a BIG issue for me all my life really, more or less anyway. Now that my body is alot curvier - I hate it. I know it may sound daft since Im not fat or anything but I would rather be sa bit thinner and leaner and if I stay on the Spiro I know I won't be that, no matter how much I work out.

I am actually ecxited to stop it completely and see how things change, I actually think my skin looks better now after being on Skinoren for the past 4 weeks as opposed to being on the Spiro - its obviously hard to tell.

It makes sense though that whilst the testosterone decreases, estrogen is raised, therefore it will be hard to maintain muscle mass Im presuming, which would make sense tbh. I have also got ALOT more cellulite, and Im sorry but for me Im just not keen on this side-effect.

I will be clear AND smooth one day and totally love my appearance, and whether that be now or later I need to accept that it WILL come to me. Ive met a few lovely people from starting this Log, I shant name names, but you know who you are!! And I am glad I started it because there is ALOT of GOOOOD info on this Log which would never have come to the surface (haha clogged pore anyone?) if I had not started it.

So good luck everyone with YOUR Spiro journey. Remember we're all so so different, and we need to listen to our bodies and do whats right for us. If we believe something will work for US then most often it will come true for US.

xoxox

Stacey, i'm sorry that this was not the solution for you but you have to do what's best for you! You listened to your body loud and clear and obviously Spiro wasn't it. I am glad that skinorean is working for you though! What other internal changes are you considering if any?

Hi! Don't come off the Spiro! I also have very, very low testosterone. Spiro should not be impacting it this quickly, if at all. My endo said that Spiro should not change your hormone levels although I know others disagree. It does not matter if you have low testosterone and don't let them tell you to come off. Here's why - the blood test only measures your serum testosterone levels - those circulating in your blood. You have testosterone that is also circulating in your skin and is being converted to the more potent DHT by enzymes occurring in your skin. It is then processed by androgen receptors that exist in your skin! None of this can be measured by a test - you would have to do a biopsy. Spiro works by blocking those receptors in your skin. I have discussed this extensively with my endo. Also, Sierra on this thread has very low testosterone and Spiro has worked for her. So don't give up! It is so frustrating not being able to know exactly what is wrong - I feel the same way.

I wish I was feeling like I was starting to heal. I am not sure I am on the downhill yet....its so hard to gauge. I have definitely been purging a lot lately, and actually since the microderm on Thursday, Friday evening a whole ton of clogged pores (like 8-10) around my jaw area looked real near the surface, and so I gently squeezed and they all kinda just came out. Additionally, this morning 2 clogs on my left cheek bone were looking kinda red/swollen and came out with some squeezes. None of them really left red marks so....im thinking its a lot easier to squeeze stuff out when not on retin a and maybe the microderm helped loosen stuff. I still have so many other clogs on my cheeks bones though and on the back of my jaw, and its so weird cause they're in the exact same place and pattern on each side of my face. I am thinking of rotating SA and retin a every other night so that maybe the SA helped dry stuff up that Retin a is trying to bring up. If I attempt another extraction appt next month I'll take a break from the retin a again. I really feel like the extractions can help since my issue is mostly tiny bumps that love to hang out under the skin. It just sucks getting them to come to the surface. I wonder what makes the difference between ones that come to the surface and make the skin red, swollena nd tender, and others that just kind push the little clog up and out without any irritation. Kelsey have you experienced both of this happening in your purging?

In other news, my labs came in today. All my thyroid came in totally normal, estrogen normal, but my testosterone is really low. I didn't really expect that. If anything I would have though it to be high since all my life I have been thin with very little fat (low testosterone usually causes the opposite of this and make it hard for women to loose weight, especially fat) and have had oily skin. Unfortunately I don't have hormone tests from before I was on Spiro, so I am wondering if the Spiro is dropping my testosterone so low and if it could have even had that much of an effect in 2 weeks....my doc will be talking to me about it on Monday.

Kelsey I will post some pics! Its so hard to know if you are really progressing when you see your face every single day. My husband tells me it is, but I usually don't believe him.

I went all out and squeezed my pores last night. I was controlled about it and my husband helped me...I steamed and prepped my face with out humidifer and then went about squeezing every clogged pore in sight.....I just couldn't stand having all that gunk right at the surface all over my cheeks anymore and my $100 estetician appt this past week was unhelpful. I will be paying for it over the next few days as swelling and red marks from squeezing go away...but I hope to God that this is one of the last major rounds of clogged pores that has come up. I squeezed a bunch of stuff out. There are still some of course, but just kind of a scattering of small ones not so densely populated is what I am hoping. We shall see over the next few days.

I did stupidly mess with a tiny mila under my left eye in the tender skin area and so now it looks like I got punched in the eye....go me. arghhhh

Pics!

Michi -

Talked to my doc about my low Testosterone today. He said its not significantly low to where we would do anything about it. (7 on a 8-48 scale) So....guess I shouldn't worry? How low is your T and do you have noticeable issues from it? All that info is great to know, thanks for sharing. That stuff is all so complicated.

 

Hi! Don't come off the Spiro! I also have very, very low testosterone. Spiro should not be impacting it this quickly, if at all. My endo said that Spiro should not change your hormone levels although I know others disagree. It does not matter if you have low testosterone and don't let them tell you to come off. Here's why - the blood test only measures your serum testosterone levels - those circulating in your blood. You have testosterone that is also circulating in your skin and is being converted to the more potent DHT by enzymes occurring in your skin. It is then processed by androgen receptors that exist in your skin! None of this can be measured by a test - you would have to do a biopsy. Spiro works by blocking those receptors in your skin. I have discussed this extensively with my endo. Also, Sierra on this thread has very low testosterone and Spiro has worked for her. So don't give up! It is so frustrating not being able to know exactly what is wrong - I feel the same way.

I wish I was feeling like I was starting to heal. I am not sure I am on the downhill yet....its so hard to gauge. I have definitely been purging a lot lately, and actually since the microderm on Thursday, Friday evening a whole ton of clogged pores (like 8-10) around my jaw area looked real near the surface, and so I gently squeezed and they all kinda just came out. Additionally, this morning 2 clogs on my left cheek bone were looking kinda red/swollen and came out with some squeezes. None of them really left red marks so....im thinking its a lot easier to squeeze stuff out when not on retin a and maybe the microderm helped loosen stuff. I still have so many other clogs on my cheeks bones though and on the back of my jaw, and its so weird cause they're in the exact same place and pattern on each side of my face. I am thinking of rotating SA and retin a every other night so that maybe the SA helped dry stuff up that Retin a is trying to bring up. If I attempt another extraction appt next month I'll take a break from the retin a again. I really feel like the extractions can help since my issue is mostly tiny bumps that love to hang out under the skin. It just sucks getting them to come to the surface. I wonder what makes the difference between ones that come to the surface and make the skin red, swollena nd tender, and others that just kind push the little clog up and out without any irritation. Kelsey have you experienced both of this happening in your purging?

In other news, my labs came in today. All my thyroid came in totally normal, estrogen normal, but my testosterone is really low. I didn't really expect that. If anything I would have though it to be high since all my life I have been thin with very little fat (low testosterone usually causes the opposite of this and make it hard for women to loose weight, especially fat) and have had oily skin. Unfortunately I don't have hormone tests from before I was on Spiro, so I am wondering if the Spiro is dropping my testosterone so low and if it could have even had that much of an effect in 2 weeks....my doc will be talking to me about it on Monday.

Lifeinfaith- My Testosterone is also a 7 in a range of 8-48. How funny. My free testosterone is at undetectable levels. I was thinking my problem might be my low estrogen as it is in post-menopausal range. In late pregnancy when estrogen is at its highest my skin was sooo clear. It's all so hard to figure out though.

UPDATE!

Hi everyone, it's been a few weeks since I've chimed in and I have big exciting news! I'm about to reach 17 weeks on Spiro, so just a little over 4 months, and let me tell you my skin is looking really, really good!!! I don't think I've had an actual cyst in about 2-3 weeks. A few smaller pimples around my period last week, but everything has either gone away or surfaced in about a 24 hour period. I definitely think the people that say in can take up to 6 months are right. I have seen the most noticeable changes between 3 1/2 half months and 4. I feel fairly positive that things will only continue to improve from here!!

Now I am mostly dealing with a few residual scars and the occasional white head, but nothing like a few months ago. I have a facial in a week and a half, and I'm hoping she'll be able to extract the last few whiteheads I have. Then I can work on healing and feeling confident for my wedding and honeymoon in September!!

Also, I started using Mario Badescu products and I'm in LOVE! If anyone is interested in the products I'm using just let me know.

I just wanted to write everyone and give hope that I really do believe Spiro is working and if you can be patient, you will see results. I had a few moments where I wanted to give up, but I'm glad I didn't. Stick it out... I truly believe it is worth it and better then constantly switching regimens and waking the so called acne beast.

XOXO ladies!!!

Theresa

Woohoo! A win for one of us is a win for all of us! I am so glad for you! I am at 15.5 weeks now. Honestly about 2-3 weeks ago I started being consistently clear. But the thing is I am still on Minocycline so I don't know if it's just the Mino working, but before that the Mino helped but didn't keep me consistently clear so I am hoping it is the Spiro taking over. I am scared to go off the Mino but kind of want to to see if I'll stay clear. I have a question about oil - I THINK I am less oily but it is hard to tell. When I blot with those blotting sheets oil still shows up on the sheet. What happens when you do this? Do you still get oil? I was thinking if Spiro was working I wouldn't be oily anymore.

UPDATE!

Hi everyone, it's been a few weeks since I've chimed in and I have big exciting news! I'm about to reach 17 weeks on Spiro, so just a little over 4 months, and let me tell you my skin is looking really, really good!!! I don't think I've had an actual cyst in about 2-3 weeks. A few smaller pimples around my period last week, but everything has either gone away or surfaced in about a 24 hour period. I definitely think the people that say in can take up to 6 months are right. I have seen the most noticeable changes between 3 1/2 half months and 4. I feel fairly positive that things will only continue to improve from here!!

Now I am mostly dealing with a few residual scars and the occasional white head, but nothing like a few months ago. I have a facial in a week and a half, and I'm hoping she'll be able to extract the last few whiteheads I have. Then I can work on healing and feeling confident for my wedding and honeymoon in September!!

Also, I started using Mario Badescu products and I'm in LOVE! If anyone is interested in the products I'm using just let me know.

I just wanted to write everyone and give hope that I really do believe Spiro is working and if you can be patient, you will see results. I had a few moments where I wanted to give up, but I'm glad I didn't. Stick it out... I truly believe it is worth it and better then constantly switching regimens and waking the so called acne beast.

XOXO ladies!!!

Theresa

Hey guys - any one on Spiro have it make their period delay or skip? I am really late, which has never happened to me before.

Yeah I haven't had a period since I've been on it - but I don't think it's the Spiro but rather the fact that my estrogen can't get high enough to make me ovulate. You could get your hormones checked again and see where you are in your cycle.

Is your doc ok with you not having a period? I didn't know if this could be bad for me or not. It's 10 days late at this point, maybe it'll start eventually. My estrogen was normal.

Yeah I haven't had a period since I've been on it - but I don't think it's the Spiro but rather the fact that my estrogen can't get high enough to make me ovulate. You could get your hormones checked again and see where you are in your cycle.

I didn't have a period before Spiro, but I had only stopped breastfeeding for a few months before I started. Haven't had one since October 2011 before I was pregnant. At this point the concern is bone density because of my low estrogen. Post-menopausal women don't have periods either, but I think because their estrogen is so low they don't have the cancer concern so I figure I don't either. 10 days late isn't too bad - but you could ask about it. Spiro supposedly messes up periods in about 20% of cases.

Skin deep-

Does your aesthetician do extractions and then the peel and what % peel have you gotten? I had kind of a bad experience with an SA peel 4 months ago when I was on differin, they told me I only needed to stop it for a couple days before but then my face got so burned from the peel...my whole face came off in strips... I think I actually needed to be off retinoids for at least a week. She also did extractions while the acid was still on my face and left red scabs everywhere she used the tool. Eck! The past 2 months I have been getting some extraction facials (and doing my own at home with steam and the help of my husband because I find I can sometimes do it better than they can). I was thinking of trying a peel again but was nervous. You have had really good results with your peel loosening clogged pores? I think I have one more "layer" of clogs that needs to come more to the surface on both my cheek bones before I am close to clear. Thanks for your advice!

 

 

Skindeepstory -

I started Spiro 2 weeks ago. I had already been purging before that so I think it was the retin a, which I have been on for months. I was so fed up with the purging I called my derm and asked if there was something else I could do and she told me to take a break from it. It has been 6 days now and no active pimples. However I have a lot of clogged pores on my cheeks and jaw line, almost all of my issue is clogged pores. Its like the retinoids were slowly bringing those up but there are multiple layers of clogs or something. I am going to an aesthetician tomorrow to see if she can get a lot of them out that I can feel really obviously on my skin. I dont know how far along the clog has to be for them to extract them. Orif I never get back on the retin a if the rest of them just wont come out. How long have you been on Spiro for and when do you feel like is started really helping and preventing new stuff/decreasing oil? I am on 100mg now and so far 0 side effects.

Lifeinfaith,

I really enjoyed reading your story. Thanks for sharing. One of the biggest things that helped me get through the most severe breakouts and lowest moments is just reading that other people were going through it too. Keep your faith high and stay connected.

As for the clogged pores, mine are pretty much all gone. I think I literally have five on my entire face now! Mine were everywhere. Completely covering my forehead, and most of my cheeks and chin. Spiro worked to basically purge, purge and purge some more. The unfortunate news is that for the first three months, literally every single one of those clogged pores turned into a full blown honking zit. That was just the process of elimination. Around month three when my skin began to settle a bit, I decided to take things into my own hands. I went to the esthetician and she manually extracted many of the clogged pores before they could become anything bigger, and then we did a salicylic peel that was absolutely amazing! A month later I had another peel and extraction session with even better results. Basically, the spiro worked to purge all the clogged pores and stop me from getting new ones. So, with the help of my fantastic esthetician, I've been getting rid of all of them, and not getting new ones.

I think I'll go in for one more peel and extraction just because I'm a perfectionist, but at this point my skin is great (aside from the scars that are fading slowly but surely).

lifeinfaith... I am in CO too!!! Where are you at? I love my esthetician, she is awesome so if you want her info I'd be happy to share. She is in Westminster, so I'm not sure if that's too far from where you live, but I love her. How long have you been on Spiro now?

Also, I started using Mario Badescu products and I'm in LOVE! If anyone is interested in the products I'm using just let me know.

I just wanted to write everyone and give hope that I really do believe Spiro is working and if you can be patient, you will see results. I had a few moments where I wanted to give up, but I'm glad I didn't. Stick it out... I truly believe it is worth it and better then constantly switching regimens and waking the so called acne beast.

XOXO ladies!!!

Theresa

Wooooo! What MB products are you using?

Ok guys, I went to my one month on Spiro dermatologist checkup today and she wants me to go back to 50 mg since I am seeing improvement (she noticed the improvement) and I havent had my period in going on 2 months. Maybe if I drop down it will come back, but hopefully 50 mg is enough to keep my face clear. I didnt really have cystic acne issues, mainly lots of closed comedones that sometimes turned into pustules, so hopefully this will be ok!!

Also, while I was in there she closely examined the areas I told her I still had comedones that I was waiting to surface. She asked me if I wanted her to zap them with this electro-heat gun thingy. She said it would leave tiny scabs but it would dissolve the comedones. Normally they charge for the procedure but she did it for free. It stung a bit everywhere she zapped.but its been a few hours later and now they all look kind of redder and prominent like they might want to come out..so not sure what's going to happen now. Anyone have any experience with this or know what the treatment is called? (I forgot the exact name she said)

Well...after coming home from life group last night all the comedones she zapped were like noticeably pushing their way up and "looser" looking so I went ahead and steamed my face and extracted a whole bunch of them - probably the most ive ever extracted on my right side. I think the heat might have caused them to try and come out.

This morning there are some swollen areas from the extractions and tiny scabs all over from the heat gun like she said. It looks worse right now but I'm hoping as the redness and swelling goes away and scabs come off it'll be smoother. I'm so tired of this...just want it to be over. I feel like I am still getting some new clogged pores but at a slower rate. It has only been 1 month on Spiro so hopefully after another month or so they'll stop completely. First day going back to 50 mg.

Also I went to a psych nurse at my therapists request this week and she told me to stop taking the Ativan (alas, it was really working for my anxiety) and take Neurontin which so far has only made me feel sluggish. Still taking Buspar but not really noticing anything.

Also, I started using Mario Badescu products and I'm in LOVE! If anyone is interested in the products I'm using just let me know.

I just wanted to write everyone and give hope that I really do believe Spiro is working and if you can be patient, you will see results. I had a few moments where I wanted to give up, but I'm glad I didn't. Stick it out... I truly believe it is worth it and better then constantly switching regimens and waking the so called acne beast.

XOXO ladies!!!

Theresa

Wooooo! What MB products are you using?

Hey! So after I did my free skin consultation this is what they recommended:

Continue to use cetaphil cleanser in the morning

Enzyme cleansing gel in the evening

Glycolic foaming cleanser 2-3/ week in place of the enzyme cleansing gel

Special cucumber lotion morning and evening after cleansing (this isn't a lotion, it's more like an astringent, but it doesn't burn!)

Cetaphil lotion

Buffering lotion for deep cysts

Drying lotion for basic pimples and whiteheads

i will say I love the fact that after your skin consultation they send you all the recommended products in sample sizes for FREE! The only thing you can't get in sample sizes is the drying lotion and buffering lotion, but I think they are worth it!

My favorite items are the glycolic foaming cleanser, special cucumber lotion and the drying lotion. i would definitely give them a call or do an online consultation just to see what they recommend and then read reviews!! You got nothing to lose..I'm telling you I think you'll LOVE it!

Hi people.

So, thought I would update my log. I haven't posted for a while on here, since I kind of just wanted to wait and take a break, plus I was finding it confusing with everyones different stories and trying to keep up with everyone, although, I am grateful for people chiming in ofcourse.

I am just going to focus on what my log is all about, and it was about my Spiro journey, but now I guess its about MY journey..So I will still keep it running.

Okay well, I have been OFF Spiro for about 3 weeks I think now or something like that. And I am so friggin' happy about it. It was probably the right decision to make, but we can see if things change from here on out - which I doubt.

I encourage those on this drug to keep going. Keep on keeping on. If its working for you that is, it just wasn't working for me, I did not like the side effects...and let me tell you I feel better with my weight, a little anyway...I think I may have lost a few lbs (I ain't weighed in yet so we will see) I also sleep better, and enjoy excercise again since I don't get BREATHLESS all the time. I am still urinating frequently though and my hair is still a little loose and falling out.

The only major thing thats kind of stayed is this pain I keep getting in my stomache, its on my lower lefts side and when I press on it its very sore, my digestive system has been warped since being on Spiro and it still is, I am unbelievable consipated and I think thats leading to this pain too...so its something I will get checked out.

Im glad Im off it though, hope everyone else is doing well.

Currently my routine right now is just eating a good diet, excersising frequently (3-4 times per week) taking NO supplements, just starting "a-new" so-to-speak. I am also using a BHA for my skin to see if it will help with the bumpy-ness.

My current state of skin is not worse or significantly better...but I feel better and thats the main thing right?

MissSact -

That's good that you are feeling much better! Taking Spiro makes me nervous cause I have always been so anti medicine but I have been on it for 6 weeks with no side effects except a late and very light period. That does concern me but my Derm says maybe it'll adjust out. How long did you take Spiro? That's strange about the stomachs issues...I've never heard that. It has decreased my oil a lot though.

It seems since summer hit everyone has disappeared, hopefully doing funner things than worrying about pimples! The past three days on memorial break have been the best days I've had in a long time. Face is much improved.

Hi people.

 

So, thought I would update my log. I haven't posted for a while on here, since I kind of just wanted to wait and take a break, plus I was finding it confusing with everyones different stories and trying to keep up with everyone, although, I am grateful for people chiming in ofcourse.

 

I am just going to focus on what my log is all about, and it was about my Spiro journey, but now I guess its about MY journey..So I will still keep it running.

 

Okay well, I have been OFF Spiro for about 3 weeks I think now or something like that. And I am so friggin' happy about it. It was probably the right decision to make, but we can see if things change from here on out - which I doubt.

 

I encourage those on this drug to keep going. Keep on keeping on. If its working for you that is, it just wasn't working for me, I did not like the side effects...and let me tell you I feel better with my weight, a little anyway...I think I may have lost a few lbs (I ain't weighed in yet so we will see) I also sleep better, and enjoy excercise again since I don't get BREATHLESS all the time. I am still urinating frequently though and my hair is still a little loose and falling out.

 

The only major thing thats kind of stayed is this pain I keep getting in my stomache, its on my lower lefts side and when I press on it its very sore, my digestive system has been warped since being on Spiro and it still is, I am unbelievable consipated and I think thats leading to this pain too...so its something I will get checked out.

 

Im glad Im off it though, hope everyone else is doing well.

 

Currently my routine right now is just eating a good diet, excersising frequently (3-4 times per week) taking NO supplements, just starting "a-new" so-to-speak. I am also using a BHA for my skin to see if it will help with the bumpy-ness.

 

My current state of skin is not worse or significantly better...but I feel better and thats the main thing right?

MissSac - I'm so happy for you that you are feeling good about your decision to stop the Spiro. It would have been a lot of time wasted on a drug that wasn't working for you.

As for my update - I am over 4 months on Spiro 100mg. The mino is still keeping me clear, but as for the Spiro I won't really know until I come off the Mino. Thing is, I am still oily so my guess is that it's not working yet. How is everyone else doing?