Hey! Spiro has to be taken continuously as when you stop, your body goes back to doing its thing and acne comes back. It also take 3-6 months to work so patience is a virtue. I think a 2nd course of accutane is viable but i would suggest trying spiro first as if your acne came back 1 time, it will most likely come back a 2nd time. I am in the same boat as you trying to see if it is worth trying as i don't have PCOS and i don't think my acne is hormonal.

There was just a post today about this somewhere. It indicated that sometimes you can lessen your dose over time after you achieve clarity, but for the most part, if androgens are your issue, you will be on this for the long term. Depending on the side effects you experience, this might not be that big of a deal. I have also been on Accutane a couple times, the last time as a result of trying to go off anti-androgens. So, in my experience, this works well, but is something you have to keep doing forever.

There was just a post today about this somewhere. It indicated that sometimes you can lessen your dose over time after you achieve clarity, but for the most part, if androgens are your issue, you will be on this for the long term. Depending on the side effects you experience, this might not be that big of a deal. I have also been on Accutane a couple times, the last time as a result of trying to go off anti-androgens. So, in my experience, this works well, but is something you have to keep doing forever.

Kim , how many times have you done accutane. Also, have you done Spiro? What was your experiences on it

Hey leelowe,

Accutane twice. Never spiro. It is not as commonly used for acne where I am from, and I have had good success with Diane. A different drug, but a similar idea, so I can see how spiro would be effective.

I think I was reading your log the other day. How are things going? I remembered you from your meetup post. I was thinking it would be super nice to meet up with someone who had these struggles too and just bitch about it, but then I think you were in New York? I'm in Canada, so that wasn't happening! So far so good after this second course, but I've accepted that I'll always struggle with acne.

Let me know if you're ever up north!

Hey leelowe,

Accutane twice. Never spiro. It is not as commonly used for acne where I am from, and I have had good success with Diane. A different drug, but a similar idea, so I can see how spiro would be effective.

I think I was reading your log the other day. How are things going? I remembered you from your meetup post. I was thinking it would be super nice to meet up with someone who had these struggles too and just bitch about it, but then I think you were in New York? I'm in Canada, so that wasn't happening! So far so good after this second course, but I've accepted that I'll always struggle with acne.

Let me know if you're ever up north!

Hey Kim - glad things are going well!. I do have family in Canada so if im ever up that way, i'll look you up. Things are not that great and I am struggling eemotionally and with the actual acne. I am about to embark on a topical regimen so we'll see

Thanks for the response.