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Day 44 (6 weeks, 2 days)
Less than a week ago my skin was probably the clearest it's been in the last 6 months or so, which was exciting, however I figured the breakouts weren't over and I was right. I had my dermatologist appointment on Tuesday and have to get my blood redrawn on Monday because they put it in the wrong tube... so I don't know how my potassium is yet. I have officially been moved up to 100mg, even though I was taking 100mg for a while already (whoops). What's really unique about my breakout cycle is that my skin is clearest BEFORE and DURING my period (which I just had and figured was the explanation for my clearer complexion). My dermatologist said this happens to some people and it is still considered adult hormonal acne, hence the spiro.
I actually found my dermatologist appointment to be a little discouraging... she didn't say anything bad, but she didn't say anything good either. I talked about wanting clear skin by summer and her response was, "Hopefully we'll get you there. Let's make an appointment for 3 months and if it's not working, we'll try some other things." Like I said, it wasn't anything BAD she said, I guess I just hoped she'd say something like, "I think things are going great and I think you can get off the doryx and topicals soon!" Patience is key, yeah, yeah, yeah. Trust me, I know. I've been patient! I know what patience is! I guess it would be easier to be patient if I KNEW this was the solution I've been looking for. I know it's still early to tell, but like you guys know, some days are harder than others.
Suffice it to say, yesterday was a BAD day for me. I had just gone from pretty clear skin to another breakout which left me discouraged. I felt like there was no point to any of this. I tried to talk to my mom about it and I just felt worse. She thinks I'm overreacting. Although, we talked a little more and she seemed to give me a little more hope, so I'm feeling better today than yesterday. As I have previously said, I never have problems with my forehead, back, and chest, although this last month I did have minor breakouts on the chest and forehead. They are gone, thank goodness. So as of now my chest, back, and forehead are clear again (I hope I didn't just jinx it). My left cheek is clearing up still, which I'm not surprised about because two weeks ago I had a pretty bad breakout on it. I'm really bad at identifying my acne, however I've heard my dermatologist reference papules and pustules a lot. I'm convinced I get cysts sometimes too though, who knows. I think the few I have on my left cheek are papules. I STILL have two papules (maybe small cysts?) by nose that aren't as noticeable anymore but WON'T go away. The right side of my chin looks kinda bad, but is mostly just healing, no actives. And the most recent development was a big pimple on my right cheek as of yesterday. I admit, I picked out of frustration, so it looks even worse now. I've been putting Vitamin E oil on the healing areas, it's very rare that I am convinced things helps the healing process, but I actually do think that the Vitamin E helps!
I also forgot to mention that I asked my derm if Aczone can make you feel greasy, because I thought I'd been feeling less oily, but the times I have Aczone on my face I feel and look a bit shiny and greasy all over. She said it can, so we switched so that I'm doing Aczone at night and Retin-A Micro during the day. I haven't used the Retin-A Micro under my makeup yet, but I will for work tomorrow. I'm anxious to see how it works out. I will post pictures sometimes this week too!
How's everyone else doing? Keep up the good work guys! Don't give up or lose hope!
I know exactly how you feel... some days are worse than others. UGH. I'm on Day 43 so we're on the same page. I'm still getting new blemishes, too. I have a 'trifecta' right now on my cheek. It literally makes the shape of a triangle. Hideous. I cancelled my dermatologist appt that I was supposed to have tomorrow because I think I just need to give it more time. Spiro is the only med I'm taking right now. I figured I'll wait until the 2 month mark. (I don't have health insurance so office visits are pricey).
People with no acne have no idea how it feels to be this self-conscious and obsessed with their skin. They just can't understand! My bf told me it's "not that bad," but I KNOW it is.
Anyway, good luck! I'm always reading spiro updates, so I'm sure I'll be writing on here again soon.
cl1234- I am SO sorry to hear you are feeling discouraged. You know we've all been there (and many of us still are). I'm still breaking out as well but, knock on wood, don't think the pimples are quite as deep as before. But we are still so early on... in a few weeks from now I'm sure we will be feeling much better. I had a dermatologist appt recently as well and was super discouraged because he was already talking on plans of how I will taper off of the spiro, and I was like ARE YOU CRAZY?! So if he wants to take me off it I will have to buy it online I guess!
I have so many commitments this weekend, some work and some social, and at times I really just want to give up. Anyway, I'm writing this to you to hopefully make you feel a bit better as you did for me but to also try to convince myself it's not that bad 
We can do it!
Hey you guys dont lose hope! Its obvious for derms to underestimate the effectiveness of spironolactone with respect to acne since its not a mainstream cure for it. But cmon we all read the reviews right sit tight! My derm increased the dose of the antibiotic for me. Now im taking 500mg twice a day! Despite that I got a new set of bumps this week on my jawline, one big (not huge) and 3 small, but not breaking out anywhere else on my face as of now. So im jus waitin, cuz i know spiro will def come through!
hopefulgirl123- I personally haven't noticed a difference in my urination. Actually I'd say I haven't noticed much of a difference since I started, but I think that's because I was always peeing before being on spiro so I was used to it! lol. Sorry I'm not much help. I CAN say that I read someone else say they thought their urination frequency subsided after a while. I've also read a few reviews/posts that said the side effects went away within a few months, which may be what they are talking about! So it sounds normal to me! Hope things are going well!
surfnyc- Thank you for your post. I read it right after I'd put on my makeup for work and was feeling like crap. You made me feel a lot better Your derm is planning on taking you off spiro? What was his reasoning behind this? Having a bunch of commitments is tough enough, but it is SO much harder with acne, because you make these commitments not knowing how your skin is gonna look! That's why I HATE making commitments! But some are inevitable :-/ But at the same time, keeping busy will help pass the time! So I hope you have a chance this weekend to enjoy yourself and not worry about acne! Thanks again and keep me updated! I love reading your updates!
Is52- Your words are so encouraging and inspiring! I'm always such a pessimist about everything. I STILL feel like I'm gonna be that one person it doesn't work for or something like that. Do you mean 50mg? lol. And it doesn't sound like your face is doing too bad! That jawline acne is such a pain! I feel for you, the right side of my jaw has a big pimple on it and a bunch of clogged pores. Combine that with the healing spots of previous acne and it does NOT look pretty. Keep it up girl! And keep up your optimism! Oh, AND keep us updated! Thank you again!
cl1234- I am SO sorry to hear you are feeling discouraged. You know we've all been there (and many of us still are). I'm still breaking out as well but, knock on wood, don't think the pimples are quite as deep as before. But we are still so early on... in a few weeks from now I'm sure we will be feeling much better. I had a dermatologist appt recently as well and was super discouraged because he was already talking on plans of how I will taper off of the spiro, and I was like ARE YOU CRAZY?! So if he wants to take me off it I will have to buy it online I guess!
I have so many commitments this weekend, some work and some social, and at times I really just want to give up. Anyway, I'm writing this to you to hopefully make you feel a bit better as you did for me but to also try to convince myself it's not that bad
We can do it!
7 Weeks (49 days)
Had my blood drawn yesterday to check my potassium and waiting to hear back. When I was in there I made an appointment for the SkinMedica Vitalize Peel... which I'm still very skeptical about. I may cancel it, we'll see. My skin isn't any worse but it isn't any better since I last posted. I feel like lately I've been getting new zits before my old ones have completely healed, which is frustrating. I mean, I'm used to not having clear skin, but at least last summer I usually had about a week every month where my face was basically clear! I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday and am considering giving birth control another shot.... even though I know how much I absolutely hated it last time. Something my dermatologist said has really stuck with me: "Acne is not a permanent thing. Some people may feel like it is, but that is just because they haven't found the regimen that works for them." Obviously we all know that Accutane basically clears acne. Even though it can be a rough process it really is the answer for some people. However, the more and more stories I read about women with hormonal acne who do it and have their acne come back reiterates my decision to never do it. I just want to do everything in my possible power to clear my acne. At this point I feel I have nothing to lose. Last time I tried birth control I didn't quite have this mind set. So we will see.... I'm planning on asking LOTS of questions to my doctor.
On a side note, I have another question about oil-reduction. I really think my face is a lot less oily, but I don't know if I'm trying to just convince myself of this or not? I had makeup on 10 hours yesterday (without any blotting) and felt pretty oily after the 10 hours, but I figure that's pretty normal, right? Are you guys not oily AT ALL anymore? Or just have had a reduction in the oil? Anyways, keep it up guys! We're nearing the two month mark!
I don't think he is planning on taking me off for a while hopefully, but all of a sudden he is saying it's not safe to be on long term, and my few active cysts, papules, whatever heal, i will be "relatively clear", which is not true at all! I have a really long way to go. Yesterday I didn't even want to look anyone in the face at work.
I am just over 6 weeks in and my skin is, well, bad! I am really hoping for the change in the beginning of month 3. Like you said cl1234, it would be SO much easier if we just knew that we were doing the right thing and the spiro was going to work for us and in a month or two we would be looking better, but it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's just this not knowing that is killing me. I'm sick of avoiding conversation, holding my head down and out of the light, and just not having that extra skip in my step in general! I think that is what I really long for the most... that happy, carefree feeling! It would be so much easier if I knew for sure the spiro was going to work. But like Is52 said, we've all read the reviews. It's just hard to keep up hope!
Also, cl1234- I think you should wait on the BC if you don't like it. I HATE how BC makes me feel and look (I gain weight and my boobs get big), I cry all the time, etc. I only think you should do it if you go like four months on the spiro and don't like it, which is doubtful. But that's just my opinion
I do notice much less oil. I used to have to blot my face like at least three times a day, and now I usually don't at all, maybe once, and my face has like a normal amount of oil on it by the end of the day but not shiny like it used to be. Right now I am a little annoyed because I have been spotting for the past few weeks, before and after my period, and I think I just got my period again which would be the second time in one month. I am willing to put up with this for awhile for clear skin though!
How is everyone else doing?
PS- in terms of the microderm- I have used it a couple times but have decided to hold off for a while because I am afraid of aggravating my face. It definitely makes skin soft and allows for clogs to come to the surface quicker, but that also means more pimples that I don't know if I can handle right now! So yeah, I think I'm going to hold off on it for a while.
Surfnyc , I can totally relate with OC issues. Was on ortho, only for a while, but my moods went super-swinging, so I simply stopped short. Couldnt handle it even for a week!
Cl1234 im on an antibiotic named duricef (cefadroxil) cant find much on the net about it, but its normal dose is 500mg.. & so im on double; will be weaning off of it next week.
I wanted to ask you guys if you had a breakout after you stopped using bcp? I didnt get enough time on it to say.. Im scared to be dependent on it.
Spiro progress is going on real slowww. My jawline still cystic but rest of the face is left with red marks. It still sucks tho but the breakouts have lessened. I read somewhere on the net that Spiro takes atleast four full cycles to adjust in our system. My periods are a mess im hardly bleeding any.
About the oil issue yeah I was verrry oily before spiro and im still oily a bit if I dont wash my face in the evening, but its nothing like it was before! Did you guys notice the skin turning flaky dry right after you wash it?
Surfnyc- everything you say about holding you head down and stuff I can completely relate to! Haha. Its amazing how much more talkative and carefree I am when my face is clear! I'm sorry about the spotting, fortunately i haven't had to deal with that! Did they say the spotting would subside?
Is52 - I didn't breakout after stopping yaz like 5 months ago, but I was only on it for a month. Not enough to see acne results. I will say that since being on it my acne may have becomes a little more... Frequent? So spiro is messing with your cycle too? My oiliness is comparable to yours! The time I noticed, if I do, is a little In evening but it has improved a lot. The flakey dryness you're talking about has happened to me, but I'm on retin-a micro and aczone which does that to me sometimes. I HAVE to moisturize after washing my face so I dont get any dry,flakey skin anywhere.
Day 53
I had a doctors appointment 2 days ago for a medication I'm on that isn't fir my face, but ended up discussing birth control with her. Although, I wasn't planning on it after reading your post surfnyc because I can completely relate with my bcp experiences! We talked a long time and i have an amazing doctor. She basically said that the only reason only certain bcp's are FDA approved to clear acne is because of costs. It is expensive to do all the research and after the first one did the research and it was proven to clear acne, other brands didn't find it necessary to spend all that money on research that was already done. I shared my concerns with my doctor, my main one being bigger boobs and weight gain. She listened and after all the talking I decided to try another bcp. I'm now on the lo loesterin fe. It has the lowest amount of estrogen of all the bcp's on the market. Plus if for some reason I am the one person that spiro doesn't end up working for and I consider accutane, I'm already on a bcp! I may end up regretting this, well see. I've only been on it two days. But I really trust my doctor, so I'm comfortable with the decision I made.
As for my face now, it's healing and looks a lot better than it did last week! I promise promise promise ton post pics this week! It's just been a hectic week with school, but one I'm on spring break! Woo hoo! Keep it up girls!
End of Day 54. Almost 2 months!
I know I just posted yesterday, but I have time tonight to post progress pictures. I have a huge, painful under the skin pimple or cyst or whatever they're called on my chin, but you can't see it unless you get reallllly close. So you won't be able to see it in the picture, but trust me, it's there and it is painful. haha. I'm actually getting scared making this post, because I don't want to jinx anything! I have some hyper pigmentation, clogged pores, and that painful zit on my chin at the moment. I DOUBT this is the end of my breakouts though... I guess I'll try to enjoy the skin improvement while I can! I just got out of the shower so this is my absolute bare face. It looks better than it really is, there really are marks on my chin and left cheek that are just hard to see in the pictures. Keep me updated guys! I've been thinking about you!
2 MONTHS
Finally 2 months! It feels like it's been way longer. Once again, I'm afraid to discuss my skin, because I don't want to jinx it! Haha. I have one tiny zit kinda near my nose and a couple clogged pores. The hyperpigmenation from my last breakout has improved a lot, but still not completely gone. The clogged pores are little bumps, but they're skin colored so I'd be okay with not wearing makeup if it weren't for the bit of hyperpigmentation I have left. Since I'm only 2 months in I have no doubt that I'm done getting breakouts. I'm sure my next one is on its way, but looking from a positive perspective, since being on spiro I have basically constantly had breakouts so this is a nice change. I have noticed a definite change in my oily in my hair and my face, but I STILL look a little oily by the end of the day. I think a lot has to do with the Aczone, because I haven't switched the Aczone and the Retin-A Micro. My dermatologist said the Aczone can cause a greasy look. I'm afraid to use the Retin-A during the day under my makeup because it's drying. I use Retin-A Micro at night and usually wake up with some flaky skin in the morning. I've been on the BC a few days now, haven't noticed any side effects at all. Like I said, it is the lowest dose pill on the market. It would be amazing if this clear skin is the spiro finally working it's magic, but even if it's not and I start to break out again I'll continue to be patient. I'm only 2 months in so I still have a ways to go! I hope all is well with you guys! I'd love to hear updates!
Forgot to mention that I have encorporated some face masks into my routine a couple days a week. I've been using the Montagne Jeunesse ones that come in a single use pack. You can get them at stores like Walgreens, Target, or Walmart for like $1.50 a piece. I sounds super cheap, but after you think about how it's a once use packet it's kind of expensive since you can get a container for a better deal usually. But I must say that I LOVE them. I've experimented with a variety of them. I've stuck to the mud masks and peel off masks though. I'd say my least favorite one was the peel off one, but it was the passion peel off one. I want to try some of the other peel offs that are more directed to clearing the pores and removing dead skin. I've tried the deep sea mud mask and it's one of my favorites. They were out of the blemish mud mask last time I went, but I got a couple yesterday when there were more and tried it this morning. I liked it so far, but I literally just tried it. I have a date tomorrow so I hope my skin at least stays clear until then!
Forgot to mention that I have encorporated some face masks into my routine a couple days a week. I've been using the Montagne Jeunesse ones that come in a single use pack. You can get them at stores like Walgreens, Target, or Walmart for like $1.50 a piece. I sounds super cheap, but after you think about how it's a once use packet it's kind of expensive since you can get a container for a better deal usually. But I must say that I LOVE them. I've experimented with a variety of them. I've stuck to the mud masks and peel off masks though. I'd say my least favorite one was the peel off one, but it was the passion peel off one. I want to try some of the other peel offs that are more directed to clearing the pores and removing dead skin. I've tried the deep sea mud mask and it's one of my favorites. They were out of the blemish mud mask last time I went, but I got a couple yesterday when there were more and tried it this morning. I liked it so far, but I literally just tried it. I have a date tomorrow so I hope my skin at least stays clear until then!
It seems like you're doing really well! I can't believe you only have one pimple and a few clogged pores! So jealous
As far as my skin is, I have noticed a reduction in the painful "undergrounders". What I do have now is a few small pimples on the surface and ALOT of flesh colored lil bumps/ overall uneven texture/ hyper pigmentation. Boo! Trying to remember to take it one day at a time but I'm soo impatient! Grr...
How did your date go? Did you feel confident?
UGH.. I got another cystic breakout. GRRRRR I am sooo mad. A cluster of like four by my mouth way under the skin. I'm thinking though it might be because I was bad and went out drinking two nights last weekend because a friend was in town and I just wanted to be normal. She is always a bad influence and encourages excessive drinking, which I try to avoid but sometimes I succumb. Well, definitely no more drinking for me for a while!
But today is my 2 month mark on spiro (yay!), so hopefully I'll start to see improvement!
Hey you guys!! its been awhile and Ive got some news..
Im sadly off of spiro since March 12th cuz my testosterone levels were escalating pretty high up and weirdly because of spiro (for which my derma said it shouldn™t be happening) also my hair started to shed like really really bad and my periods stopped..
Also my acne was in fact getting worse at my jawline, and I was sick of all the clogged pores on my forehead! All these things were symptoms of hyperandrogenism which eventually showed in the blood report and were not easing up one bit! I suggested derm for flutamide, another antiandrogen, which is often compared to spiro and in some studies its found to better than spiro. After lots of bargains we agreed on the lowest dose (125mg a day) plus I have to have liver tests every month.
Since I was on spiro not only for my acne (which was never severe), but also for my hair thinning problem. So accutane made no sense and im really really sensitive to bcp™s. And since starting flutamide, within 4 days my acne went poof! I mean all I have now is scars, scabs of dead cysts on my jaw which are going down thanks to aha™s and my cheeks are smooth! Tho I was a less oily while on spiro but right now im NOT OILY AT ALL!! I still need to know more about flutamide tho.. cuz it™s been a fuckin miracle and ive been on it for only 11 days! Im still taking zinc, selenium, chromium, vitamin A, E, B-complex and 1000mgs of fish oil every night.
Im hoping that spiro really works for you guys, but please don™t go through what ive been. Its rare for spiro to backfire! Hell knows why it happened to me..
I™ll keep updating about my newfound regimen and see if it keeps on workin (hope it does!) xx
Forgot to mention that I have encorporated some face masks into my routine a couple days a week. I've been using the Montagne Jeunesse ones that come in a single use pack. You can get them at stores like Walgreens, Target, or Walmart for like $1.50 a piece. I sounds super cheap, but after you think about how it's a once use packet it's kind of expensive since you can get a container for a better deal usually. But I must say that I LOVE them. I've experimented with a variety of them. I've stuck to the mud masks and peel off masks though. I'd say my least favorite one was the peel off one, but it was the passion peel off one. I want to try some of the other peel offs that are more directed to clearing the pores and removing dead skin. I've tried the deep sea mud mask and it's one of my favorites. They were out of the blemish mud mask last time I went, but I got a couple yesterday when there were more and tried it this morning. I liked it so far, but I literally just tried it. I have a date tomorrow so I hope my skin at least stays clear until then!
It seems like you're doing really well! I can't believe you only have one pimple and a few clogged pores! So jealous
As far as my skin is, I have noticed a reduction in the painful "undergrounders". What I do have now is a few small pimples on the surface and ALOT of flesh colored lil bumps/ overall uneven texture/ hyper pigmentation. Boo! Trying to remember to take it one day at a time but I'm soo impatient! Grr...
How did your date go? Did you feel confident?
I didn't go.... 
literally that morning I woke up to a breakout which totally took any self-confidence I had. I know how you feel... I'm getting so impatient too. I'm trying to keep busy to take my mind off of it, but it is so hard! I just went back and read some reviews again to make me feel better. How are you doing this week?
Day 69 (9 Weeks and 6 Days)
Tomorrow will be 2 1/2 months. I'm sorry for the delayed update. I have been trying to keep busy so I don't think about my face as much. Last time I was on here my face was looking great! I knew it wouldn't last though, the day after I posted I broke out. That cleared up and then I had a pretty clear week last week. The clearer skin turned me into a social butterfly! Come Saturday though I got another breakout. I wish my first instinct wasn't to pick as soon as I get a breakout! I just get so frustrated after having clearer skin! I made a couple zits look a lot worse than they probably would have. I have a couple clearing up on the left side of my jawline. I have two on my right cheek that I'm making sure I leave alone. I tend to get little bumps under my nose and above my lip when I get a breakout as well. I have two small bumps there. I also have a mark that I picked that is healing by my mouth. I wish I had better news. I am feeling very discouraged. I'm still on the Lo Loestrin Fe as well. Im about 2 1/2 WEEKS into my first pack. I hope my results so far aren't discouraging anyone! I wish I had better news... I'm just going to continue to TRY to be patient.
I know exactly how you feel cl1234- I think you and I are on the same page right now. A couple weeks ago things were really looking up for me and now I almost feel back to square one! (ok, I'm being dramatic, but come on! haven't we suffered enough?!)
As soon as I get a break out now I pick the shit out of it because I am just so impatient at this point. I wish I had better news as well, but keep hangin' in there girls!
surfnyc- I'm sorry you have been miserable like I have. In a way it is comforting though because since we're on the same page maybe this is supposed to happen?
Day 74/75
So after my last breakout I decided (on my own) to up my spiro to 150mg.... I do not intend on going any higher without dermatologist consent. I wanted to let everyone know that I DIDN'T get the chemical peel. I chickened out haha. I think it is something I want to do someday though, acne or not, I've heard great things about them. Last time I posted talking about how clear my face had gotten I basically jinxed myself. I say this with little optimism for continued success, but as of right now my face looks pretty good. Even though the last couple weeks I have had discouraging breakouts they weren't as bad as they were the first month. I also have had more frequent days of clearer skin than I had in the first month or two. I'm just awaiting the next outbreak that is sure to come, but I can say that overall things are going better than the first two months.
Day 78
Yesterday I hit the 11 week mark on spiro and tomorrow I will be done with my first pack of birth control. I had two white heads on the right of my chin that I popped this morning. The right side of my face is otherwise clear. I still have a small healing scab under my nose that I dug at a few days ago that definitely would have gone away by now had I not done that. The left side of my face isn't so pretty... When I was getting bad breakouts in the first two months on spiro the left side of my face seemed to get the worst of it. I would get a new breakout before the other had time to heal, which has left me with red marks on the left side of my face. It's clearing up pretty well, except the left side of my chin had a mini breakout pretty recently. My back chest and forehead are clear as usual. I can honestly say I'm not breaking out as bad as I was the first two months, but it is far from perfect. I really need to stop picking. I think things would heal a lot quicker if I stopped doing that. I am ESPECIALLY anxious about my skin this week because a friend of mine is getting married on Saturday. Usually I can plan my social life around how clear my skin is, but this is something I HAVE to go to. I just hope my skin looks pretty decent that day! At least enough to cover up with makeup! Hope everyone is doing well! Can't wait to hear updates!
What makeup do you use to cover up??
I made the switch to BareMinerals and have been very happy with the results! I got the starter kit and use the foundation as my concealer. I have heard that there are other makeups that work better for covering, but I must say that it gives me very good coverage and looks natural! I can't believe I ever used liquid foundation! Granted, I only wear makeup when I know I'm going to be seen by a bunch a people, so it's not an everyday thing. You use BareMinerals as well correct?
What makeup do you use to cover up??
I made the switch to BareMinerals and have been very happy with the results! I got the starter kit and use the foundation as my concealer. I have heard that there are other makeups that work better for covering, but I must say that it gives me very good coverage and looks natural! I can't believe I ever used liquid foundation! Granted, I only wear makeup when I know I'm going to be seen by a bunch a people, so it's not an everyday thing. You use BareMinerals as well correct?
Yeah I wear Bare Minerals, but it doesn't cover as well for me, sadly. I just bought Clinique Even Better Liquid Foundation to conceal better! It shouldn't be bad on my skin though... well, I hope! I use both the liquid and Bare Minerals now. I'm glad to hear it works well for you!