I'll definitely be following your log!

Hopefully I will be prescribed Spiro on Thursday and we can track our progress together! Since I'm on Beyaz (which is suuuuuper similar to Yasmin, just .01 difference in the estrogen-- Beyaz with .02mg and Yasmin with .03mg), our results *should* be pretty similar.

The only difference is that I haven't started Spiro yet and I wasn't on Androcur before this. But, I'm hoping since Beyaz has an anti-androgen in it that my body won't be shocked with the Spiro.

Sorry about your little breakout! At least it's small and not cystic Isn't peppermint tea also anti-androgenic?

I'll definitely be following your log!

Hopefully I will be prescribed Spiro on Thursday and we can track our progress together! Since I'm on Beyaz (which is suuuuuper similar to Yasmin, just .01 difference in the estrogen-- Beyaz with .02mg and Yasmin with .03mg), our results *should* be pretty similar.

The only difference is that I haven't started Spiro yet and I wasn't on Androcur before this. But, I'm hoping since Beyaz has an anti-androgen in it that my body won't be shocked with the Spiro.

Sorry about your little breakout! At least it's small and not cystic Isn't peppermint tea also anti-androgenic?

I'll keep my thumbs crossed for you getting Spiro prescribed!

As I saw from your pictures on a log you had, it seems that your acne is also similar to mine. Only that I have more scars and clogged pores ^^

Well my body wasn't shocked when I first introduced Androcur, my body seems to be ok with hormonal alterations, but you never know, be morally prepared just in case

Yes, I heard that peppermint tea has anti-androgenic properties and is recommended for hair loss (which is quite a problem for me now). And it's also tasty and good for stomach!

So it's day 25 since I'm on Spiro

I've increased my Spiro dose to 75 mg, we'll see if I get any pimples next time I have my period.

I'm dealing with pretty bad hair loss, don't really know what's causing it, could be Yasmin or lack of light (it's the darkest time of the year here in Sweden, it's 12:45 and I already need the light on, cause it's too dark), cold weather, bad eating habits. I'm using the super popular product in my home country, which has awesome reviews and had helped me several time before, it's an oil with echinacea, Australian tea-tree oil and vitamin B5: www.dzintars.lv/en/products/?product=536. The best thing for hair lost I've found.

The hair loss sounds frightening! I'm glad you know of something that will help it, though...I hope it gets better!

Good news! I was prescribed Spiro! And my dermatologist was so nice about it. I told him that Beyaz has been helping a lot and he said that I will most likely continue to get better and better because of the Beyaz and that I didn't necessarily need Spiro. I told him I reeeeeeally want to try it, though...so, he gave me 50mg a day! (2-25mg doses).

Yay!

Also, trust me...I have lots of clogged pores and many scars from my years of picking. They may not be deep, but they are quite numerous. My derm also put me on Differin for my pores, but I'm hesitant about it....

Pianina, do you mind if I log my results here, as well? Or would you like me to make a new topic? I'm starting my spiro today!

Sure Heitea, jump in! I'm happy you got Spiro prescribed. How are you planning to take the doses? 25 mg in the morning and 25mg in the night? Differin contains retinoid, right?

Yes, I am taking 25 mg in the morning with breakfast (~9am) and then 25 mg at lunchtime (~2pm).

Today is technically Day 1 for me (I'm counting yesterday, when I did everything for the first time -- Spiro, Differin-- as Day 0 ). I finished my period last week and I did have a small breakout from it, so I still have red marks lingering. I posted photos in my gallery of the current state of my skin. Tons of red marks, but no actives!

Differin is a retinoid, yeah. I'm afraid of it irritating my skin, but so far, it hasn't done that at all! I was half-expecting to wake up with a puffy, inflamed face but really, my skin is calm and smooth. I'm hoping it will help with my gigantic pores and my blackheads over time. I'm thinking my "gigantic pores" are actually scars. Honestly, scars and pores don't bother me. I'd just like an even skin tone and no pimples and cysts. haha

It's day 27 and I'm feeling that my acne prone area on my right cheek hurts a little bit. I was quite sure that a new cyst is coming, but it seems like an old mark left from a cyst I had way back in winter, is still active... Don't even know what to think.

Your scars are much less visible, Heitea My right cheek looks like a mess with these indented scars, pih left from cystic pimples:

Your scars are hardly visible, plus you're beautiful so nothing takes away from your face!

I'm sorry about your cyst that has come back to life. I hope it dies soon!

Day2: I brought my boyfriend to the mirror with me today and told him to look at me without makeup. I don't like to be barefaced around him and this is one of the very few times that he has seen me without at least a little bit of concealer. But, I felt confident enough to show him because all I have right now are red marks. No active spots. I'm feeling good about my skin. I hope it continues and that I don't have a relapse. I think the Differin is pushing out a couple of the blackheads/clogged pores that I have, but they're not turning into whiteheads, they're just kind of washing away.

Thanks Heitea Everyone sees their flaws as if they're looking through a magnifying glass. I don't like the scars and in a certain light it looks kinda creepy, but I still can't decide if I want to get Fraxel done. I could use the money for traveling, making valuables memories, so spending it on fixing some insignificant scars seems shallow. If i did it, it would happen in Lithuania (my home country), where everything's much cheaper though

How is it going for you so far?

Day 31 on Spiro

No new breakouts, the half-active cyst calmed down. My skin still looks crappy because of the cold weather and bad diet.

25 extra mg of Spiro does change a lot unfortunately! I run to the toilet much more often and have lower blood pressure, a bit of headache. I sleep much more.

Going to Brazil on Monday, so I've the 50+ spf facial cream from a local pharmacy brand. I used to be quite reckless and never wore sun screen until I found that after my last trip to Brazil I've got many fine lines under my eyes.

Hope this cream doesn't break me out.

Day 6:

I'm having a slight breakout on my forehead and two on my jawline. I have a tendency to pick at my face too much, and I think it's from that rather than my hormones. I also realized that I'm using pretty comedogenic makeup, so I'm looking to switch that up to see if it makes a difference in my blackheads.

I do have to pee a lot! haha Also, around 10pm I seem to be getting a dull headache on most days. So, tomorrow I will up the water intake even more! I do exercise quite a bit (and also SWEAT tons), so I'm probably losing more water than I think. I guess even more peeing for me! I still have yet to get a cyst, thankfully. I'm nervous that it'll happen any day now, though...

I don't understand. Most women get much fuller hair while on anti-androgen. Mine is falling out at alarming rate... I started avoiding combing my hair or taking a shower and even counting how many hair I loose during one shower - it's around 80 hair. I know, normal rate is 100-140, but having thin hair like mine, it's a bit too much shedding. Also, it keeps falling during the whole day Spiro should help with hair loss, shouldn't it?

I don't understand. Most women get much fuller hair while on anti-androgen. Mine is falling out at alarming rate... I started avoiding combing my hair or taking a shower and even counting how many hair I loose during one shower - it's around 80 hair. I know, normal rate is 100-140, but having thin hair like mine, it's a bit too much shedding. Also, it keeps falling during the whole day Spiro should help with hair loss, shouldn't it?

Actually spiro can help or cause shedding.. But it could be temporary or just a coinsidence. I had shedding a few weeks ago but it stopped on its own.

I don't understand. Most women get much fuller hair while on anti-androgen. Mine is falling out at alarming rate... I started avoiding combing my hair or taking a shower and even counting how many hair I loose during one shower - it's around 80 hair. I know, normal rate is 100-140, but having thin hair like mine, it's a bit too much shedding. Also, it keeps falling during the whole day Spiro should help with hair loss, shouldn't it?

Actually spiro can help or cause shedding.. But it could be temporary or just a coinsidence. I had shedding a few weeks ago but it stopped on its own.

For me it's already been a month, it started approximately at the same time I started taking spiro. Might be cold winter weather too

Did you ever get it again while on spiro?

I don't understand. Most women get much fuller hair while on anti-androgen. Mine is falling out at alarming rate... I started avoiding combing my hair or taking a shower and even counting how many hair I loose during one shower - it's around 80 hair. I know, normal rate is 100-140, but having thin hair like mine, it's a bit too much shedding. Also, it keeps falling during the whole day Spiro should help with hair loss, shouldn't it?

Actually spiro can help or cause shedding.. But it could be temporary or just a coinsidence. I had shedding a few weeks ago but it stopped on its own.

For me it's already been a month, it started approximately at the same time I started taking spiro. Might be cold winter weather too

Did you ever get it again while on spiro?

I don't remember noticing something the first time. If it continues you could try a lower dosage and see if there is any change. There are many other enviromental and dietary causes.

I haven't experienced any hair loss, but I'll let you know if it begins...now I'm a little afraid.

I think that 50mg may be too much for me to begin with. I'm gonna stop taking my second dose and take 25mg of Spiro in the morning and then my birth control at lunch time. I got a painful spot above my mouth and then another one on my jawline. -_- I haven't had these types of spots in SO long. boooooo, not fun.

I didn't pick the spot near my jawline, but I did pick at the spot above my mouth. It ended up scabbing, but now it's mostly just a red mark. I've been doing my best to stop myself from picking and for the most part, it's working.

In terms of Beyaz and Spiro, I think the combo is making my eyes dry, so I'm (once again) increasing my water intake. Ahh! I have to pee so much all the time. haha that's okay. Also, I just got some hyrdating eye drops and they're feeling better. Also, I seem to have lost weight since starting Spiro. This may or may not have anything to do with taking the medication. But I started out at 129-130 and now I'm 124. Not much of a loss, and I'm thinking it's probably the water weight that I've been holding onto for the past 4 months due to the Beyaz pill. In fact, my breast size is decreasing as well, thankfully...now I can run a little more comfortably.

Lowering my dosage doesn't seem to be affecting me in any way. I've only taken 25mg of Spiro for 3 days now and then my Beyaz at night (essentially, 50mg of anti-androgens). Yesterday, I thought I was getting a cyst near my ear, but I left it alone and it disappeared over night. I'm pretty sure the Differin is doing nothing so far...but that's okay.

Quick post about my skin: Today, I went to the gym with only the tiniest amount of BB cream on because well, I just didn't really need that much makeup!

I haven't had an active spot in about a week now and my red marks are the only thing left to treat. I think the combo of Beyaz and 25 mg of Spiro is clearing up my skin amazingly. The Differin and Glycolic/Lactic acid peels that I'm doing are helping with the marks left over I'm hoping and praying that by February, the marks are at least faded to the point where I'm okay with not wearing makeup.

Hi ladies! Wanted to check in with both of you to see how your progress has been going?! I am on my 19th day of Spiro at 50mg, also doing blue light therapy and starting Yasmin next Sunday after my period. Had a rough week of a breakout of 5 inflammed areas around my chin and mouth due to right before my period. Would love to jump in and log my journey as well. Hope to hear from you all how you are doing!!!

Peave and love!

Hi CarpeMomentum, is my progress update!

I'm not really active on this site anymore, but I figured I'd stop in and post this link. Good luck!

CarpeMomentum - it's going well for me too! Though I did a mistake - ran out of Spiro when I was in Brazil and had to skip 6 days, during which my organism probably "forgot" about spiro, so now I need to start all over. I can soon share before and after pictures (a year ago, before I started hormonal treatment).

Thanks for the update Pianina! I'm on day 24 of Spiro and Day 3 of Yasmin. I have healing going on from an initial breakout last week during the week before my period. I skipped my period this month and started taking the Yasmin right away. Hoping that was the worst of the initial breakouts. Going to try to change my timing of my birth control to before 3pm as Green Gables mentioned best to take before 3pm. I will keep splitting 25 mg in the morning w 25 mg in the evening. Did you notice a change in your skin texture after a few weeks? How did you combat dryness vs oliy skin?

CarpeMomentum - it's going well for me too! Though I did a mistake - ran out of Spiro when I was in Brazil and had to skip 6 days, during which my organism probably "forgot" about spiro, so now I need to start all over. I can soon share before and after pictures (a year ago, before I started hormonal treatment).

Thanks for the update Pianina! I'm on day 24 of Spiro and Day 3 of Yasmin. I have healing going on from an initial breakout last week during the week before my period. I skipped my period this month and started taking the Yasmin right away. Hoping that was the worst of the initial breakouts. Going to try to change my timing of my birth control to before 3pm as Green Gables mentioned best to take before 3pm. I will keep splitting 25 mg in the morning w 25 mg in the evening. Did you notice a change in your skin texture after a few weeks? How did you combat dryness vs oliy skin?

CarpeMomentum - it's going well for me too! Though I did a mistake - ran out of Spiro when I was in Brazil and had to skip 6 days, during which my organism probably "forgot" about spiro, so now I need to start all over. I can soon share before and after pictures (a year ago, before I started hormonal treatment).

Hey! Don't want to scare you, but be ready in case you get an initial breakout after two-three months on Yasmin. It happened to me both on Diane-35 and Yasmin. Doesn't have to be the same for you, but I think it takes a while for the hormones to get balanced.

I myself would recommend you to take 25mg of Spiro with the first meal in the morning, and another 25mg with lunch. Taking it in the evening can give some unpleasant side effects, like needing to pee in the middle of the night or night cramps in my case. Another case is with Yasmin - if you take it in the evening, you will sleep the headache and nausea away and skip feeling that during the day. I know if that was how Green Gables wrote it - been a while since I read her posts, but i myself think such schedule is the best

I have noticed a change in my texture very clearly, have documented it in picture. A year ago my texture was a wreck - large pores, flaking but oily skin, dull color. Now I only have few deep scars and some larger pores which is anyway inevitable. I'm only using a Cetaphil foam cleanser and Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer, though in Brazil I didn't have to use anything. Sweden's cold and dry air inside the apartment sucked out all the moist instantly

What about you, what are your tricks?

Happy Friday! So I was just prescribed Doxy 100mg 2x a day to help with the initial breakout that was abnormal for me. When I started things were mild and since being on Spiro 50mg and Yasmin the flare up was unusual. Hoping this calms things down for a bit. I can handle one or two, but it emotionally breaks you when your face is on an attack. Here's to progress!

 

Thanks for the update Pianina! I'm on day 24 of Spiro and Day 3 of Yasmin. I have healing going on from an initial breakout last week during the week before my period. I skipped my period this month and started taking the Yasmin right away. Hoping that was the worst of the initial breakouts. Going to try to change my timing of my birth control to before 3pm as Green Gables mentioned best to take before 3pm. I will keep splitting 25 mg in the morning w 25 mg in the evening. Did you notice a change in your skin texture after a few weeks? How did you combat dryness vs oliy skin?

CarpeMomentum - it's going well for me too! Though I did a mistake - ran out of Spiro when I was in Brazil and had to skip 6 days, during which my organism probably "forgot" about spiro, so now I need to start all over. I can soon share before and after pictures (a year ago, before I started hormonal treatment).