I was really hoping Spiro would work for me. My derm had me on 100 mg a day and after about a week and a half I ended up in the emergency room twice because I got extremely dehydrated and my electrolytes were off. I didn't know it would be that extreme of a diuretic...

I can't take it though, my body is just too sensitive. I could possibly cut the dose in half, but from what i've read anything below 100 mg won't do much for acne. So oh well, just another thing to mark off my list I suppose.

Today is my 8th day on 25 mg of spiro. I know I won't see any results on this dose. Next Tuesday I increase to 50 mg. This week I had some stomach discomfort but nothing major. Only one night when I got a little carried away with some spicy food and I got a heart burn attack in the middle of the night. Two days this week I had headaches, but today I feel pretty good, no stomach pain, no headache. So I'm hoping my body is starting to adjust to the hormone changes.

Spiro is my only hope to beat the oily skin problem, so I'm very hopeful that I won't have to stop taking it due to side effects. So far I haven't had any cysts or major breakouts. Still a few small zits on my left cheek and today I'm growing one on my nose. That hasn't happened in ages! I slathered it in benzol peroxide hoping to dry it out before it becomes noticeable.

Hi Kelly, yes I was in Androcur once, a few years ago. It's much stronger than spiro. I remember that in 3 months I was totally clear, and didn't have a pimple for years. I only took it three or four months, and then stayed only on Diane. One possible side effect is gaining weight, and also your chances of getting a blood clot are increased, so they adviso not to make long trips on a plane while you're on it. I think is wirth giving it a try, but maybe you shoul wait at least 4 months in spiro. That's the time that my doctor said. Anyway, good luck, keep us posted.

Thanks alicany

I've lowered my dose of spiro down even more to 100mg now because this week i've been breaking out awfully again!!!!! When i was on 200mg my chest broke out which is a place i never broke out like that before or hardly at all even ever!!!!!I lowered the dose down to 150mg and it cleared up.It must have been the spiro that caused that because once i lowered the dose the next day it started to clear again.Also,since i've been on spiro i've got spots on my forehead and i hadn't broke out there i ages!!!

I've nearly been on spiro for three months now.I'm going to give it another couple of weeks but then i have a derm appointment and if it's not started to work then i'll have to come off it.I didn't know if i should lower the dosage again but it helped before afew weeks ago and it must be the spiro causing the breakouts.Besides i just thought that if spiro is going to work then it should still work at 100mg.

I just hope that lowering the dose clears this breakout up!!!!!!!!

By the way;i wondered if i could ask you guys what you weigh?Sorry it's a very personal question but i just wondered if i've been taking too much spiro for my body weight I only weigh about 110lbs you see as i'm not very tall!

I'd be interested in how much you guys who are on 100mgs weigh compared to those of you who are on higher dosages.Really i'd like to know the weight of the people that spiro has worked for

Hi everybody.

I've been thinking of trying Spiro as well.

My acne is moderate - tiny bumps everywhere however.

Even though its not cystic, it still looks pretty bad considering there are a LOT of smaller bumps.

I've been on Ortho Tri-cyclen for about 5 months.

Although the Ortho helped a bit, I still have breakouts (regularly), and I have oily skin.

I swear, I have to dab my skin with a napkin (you can see the oil on the napkin - ick!).

There is an initial breakout I heard - how bad is it?

And will the hormones interfere with the birth control pill?

Hi everybody.

I've been thinking of trying Spiro as well.There is an initial breakout I heard - how bad is it?

And will the hormones interfere with the birth control pill?

 

 

 

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By the way;i wondered if i could ask you guys what you weigh?Sorry it's a very personal question but i just wondered if i've been taking too much spiro for my body weight I only weigh about 110lbs you see as i'm not very tall!

 

I'd be interested in how much you guys who are on 100mgs weigh compared to those of you who are on higher dosages.Really i'd like to know the weight of the people that spiro has worked for

 

 

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Thanks for the info Holl!

I'm seeing my dermatologist in April (April 20).

It takes THAT long to get an appointment - probably because this is a new derm (I got transferred to a new one).

I'm excited that theres something out there for the oiliness.

I was on Accutane about 3 or so years ago.

My skin cleared up for 1 1/2 years - probably because of the great oil reduction.

The oil is back.

I would like a better solution than Accutane.

It has way too many side effects.

Well i've been on spiro for just about 3 months now and my skin is awful!!!!!!! I really feel like i just can't cope with my life anymore I normally get depressed with the amount of acne that i normally get like before spiro but this is just pushing me over the edge

This last week my skin has really flared up.The sides of my face is terrible!!!!!Since i've been on spiro i've broken out on my forehead;before spiro i'd got rid of the ones there years ago and i very rarely got any there!!!!My chest broke out terribly on spiro afew weeks back and i never normally get them there.

I'm so worried now because when i was having the breakout afew weeks back,i lowered the dosage from 200mg to 150mg and my skin cleared up alot.It went more back to how it was before spiro and my chest totally cleared up again.Now i've lowered the dosage from 150mg to 100mg and it doesn't seem to be any better My chest has started breaking out in afew spots again aswell and that scares me so much!!!!!!!!!!

Even in the lull between these two massive breakouts my skin wasn't better than before spiro,if anything it was worse because i was getting spots on my forehead and they weren't there before.

I don't know what to do now!!!!!!!

I could just come of spiro all together now but then again if that's going to help then why isn't lowering the dosage helping this time?!Then i think about how i'm supposed to give it four months but nearly everyone here who it's worked for has had results much earlier than that!!!!!!It can't be an initial breakout anymore after three months!!!Maybe the first three months could be the problematic ones as they say hormonal treatments for acne are like being pregnant and alot of women breakout in their first trimester of pregnancy???????

I feel like jacking it all in now but i guess i may as well give it two more weeks.That's three and a half months on spiro so if it's going to work there should be some improvement by then surely????????

When dianette worked for me i started to have some results in the fourth month.So i will give it two more weeks.

Then i have a derm appointment and if it's still like this then to it's bad enough for accutane again

I am petrified that i might breakout on my chest again.It's tingeling!!!!!!

I wonder why i ever decided to go on spiro because my skin wasn't even that bad post-accutane and i just was striving for perfection

This situation is feeling so much worse for me because last month when i skin wasn't too bad i started a relationship with someone and now i've avoided them all week.I just do not know how he will still want me if he sees me looking like this!!!!!!!!!!

I'll try to last for two weeks but if my skin doesn't seem to be getting any better than this then i'm really not sure if i can last

I'm excited that theres something out there for the oiliness.

I was on Accutane about 3 or so years ago.

My skin cleared up for 1 1/2 years - probably because of the great oil reduction.

The oil is back.

I would like a better solution than Accutane.

It has way too many side effects.

 

 

 

 

Awww, I'm sorry Kelly.

I know how you feel - I get days like that - don't want to talk to anybody etc.

I have been with my boyfriend for two years now.

For most of the relationship, I had clear skin (because I went on Accutane before I met him).

Now... my skin is getting bad again.

Although he has been patient with me.... I feel like his patience is wearing thin.

I had a couple of weeks when my skin was terrible.

I avoided him.

Accutane was no miracle drug.

I'm hoping Spiro is the answer.

Try giving it some more time.

Thanks for the info oracle.

I sure hope Spiro keeps working for you.

Well i've been on spiro for just about 3 months now and my skin is awful!!!!!!!

My chest has started breaking out in afew spots again aswell and that scares me so much!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know what to do now!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

I'm on my second week of spiro. Today I increased from 25mg to 50 mg. I have noticed a drastic reduction in oilyness in the last two days. It's wonderful! I'm suppose to increase again in two more weeks to 75mg. I wouldn't say I'm oil free, but my skin isn't dripping with oil anymore. I actually made it through the whole day at work without washing my face!!!! This is exciting stuff. My face is crystal clear, not a bump in sight. Even the one that was growing on my nose last week never came to the surface and is gone now. Yesterday I felt one starting under my chin but today it's gone. I'm still using benziclin and glycolic acid at night as a precaution.

If I had to describe my skin type now I would say I'm slightly less than normal, still slightly oily by the end of the day. But now when I blot my nose in the bathroom at work, it's still oil free by the next time I come in to use the bathroom.

My headaches were gone from the 25 mg dose after the first week, but today after increasing to 50 mg, I got a pretty bad pounding headache by the time I got home from work. Took an asprin free excedrine and now I feel pretty good. I think it just takes time for the body to adjust to the increase.

I'm wondering since it seems as though spiro doesn't work for everyone...maybe it only helps adult acne that is aggravated by oily skin? Just a thought.

Kelly I know it's horrible dealing with acne, if nothing seems to help you after you try spiro, maybe you could try pantothenic acid (B-5). It worked for me when I was younger, but when my hormones shifted after my hysterectomy it stopped working for some reason. It can't hurt to try it. I took a multivitamin called optivite PMT. You can order it online. I used it for premenstrual syndrome and got the dual benefit of being acne free for almost 16 years.

Well, I've been on spiro for 6 weeks now, and at 100mg/day for the past two (weeks). While it has definitely decreased the oiliness, I'm still breaking out badly. In fact, yesterday I noticed two cysts developing, and there's a third one on the way. I rarely ever get cysts! This is very disheartening.

hello everyone!

just decided to post cuz it seems like some ppl are having a tough time with spiro... i've posted on this board in the past about how horrible spiro made me (i was on 100mg, then upped to 200 mg)... i was on it for six weeks.

i stopped @ week six cuz i really hit an all time low. i was on the verge of depression, didn't go to classes, didn't go outside (with OR without makeup), flew into anger rages every time i saw my face, sobbing hysteria afterwards...

ok, maybe i'm exaggerating a *little* but honestly, i felt like spiro worsened my skin... about ten times. had cystic ALL over my cheeks. forehead. JAWLINE! and my jawline and forehead were ALWAYS clean!!!!

so i quit... just cold turkey, no weaning off or anything. and i am very clear now. which i find kinda funny, because before spiro, i still had pretty bad skin (like cystics on the left side of my face), but after i quit, i have no zits. maybe the spiro "cured" some kind of hormone imbalance or something? i have no idea. but i'm working really hard on getting the scars out. it isn't easy... cuz i had SOOOOOOOOO much acne from STINKING SPIRO.

KELLY... i'm so sorry to hear your story. i totally understand how you feel. i wish i could send pictures of myself to you during my six weeks, you would probably feel better cuz i don't think it could have gotten as bad as my face did... i couldn't bear to look at the pictures anymore, so i deleted them all... brought back bad memories of a very dark period in life. so hang in there- it REALLY will soon be over!!!!

Hi everyone! Kelly, I think you should see your derm and go on accutane. My sisters took it and hardly get (even small) pimples anymore. One of them took it twice.

I'm almost on month 3. It has really worked, not perfectly, I have a few bumps, but I think no one notices (not even me if I'm not analyzing my face). I've learned that not obsessing about your skin really works. I had developed a dysmorphic disorder, I thought when people looked at me they only saw pimples and thought I was ugly. Maybe you suffer from it too. There's a very good book called The Broken Mirror that really helped me understand that my obsession wasn't normal. Really, mi acne is very mild, but it became my whole life, it took over my life. And this is not OK, not even for people with severe acne. I know many girls with acne far worse than mine and they're very confident, and also very pretty. So I think going to a derm and getting psichological treatment is a good idea. It has been working for me (I'm on prozac because of my obssessions). We have to realize that we don't have to be perfect, no one is...People don't like us or dislike us because of pimples, but because our personalities and how we treat others. It's hard for us women to fell pressured to be perfect, but imagine how much creative energy we are wasting obssessing so much about our skin!! Really, if any of you feel depressed only because of your skin, please see a therapist, and a derm, if that makes you feel better. I just want to say that not looking in the mirror 140 times a day really makes a difference.

Hi everyone! Kelly, I think you should see your derm and go on accutane. My sisters took it and hardly get (even small) pimples anymore. One of them took it twice.

I'm almost on month 3. It has really worked, not perfectly, I have a few bumps, but I think no one notices (not even me if I'm not analyzing my face). I've learned that not obsessing about your skin really works. I had developed a dysmorphic disorder, I thought when people looked at me they only saw pimples and thought I was ugly. Maybe you suffer from it too. There's a very good book called The Broken Mirror that really helped me understand that my obsession wasn't normal. Really, mi acne is very mild, but it became my whole life, it took over my life. And this is not OK, not even for people with severe acne. I know many girls with acne far worse than mine and they're very confident, and also very pretty. So I think  going to a derm and getting psichological treatment is a good idea. It has been working for me (I'm on prozac because of my obssessions). We have to realize that we don't have to be perfect, no one is...People don't like us or dislike us because of pimples, but because our personalities and how we treat others. It's hard for us women to fell pressured to be perfect, but imagine how much creative energy we are wasting obssessing so much about our skin!! Really, if any of you feel depressed only because of your skin, please see a therapist, and a derm, if that makes you feel better. I just want to say that not looking in the mirror 140 times a day really makes a difference. 

 

 

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aliciany

I cannot believe reading this post I am like u I thought i was the only one. I finally went to a pyschiatrist and he said I have acne dysmorphia I am so depressed over this I do not want to go out and all i do is look in the mirror and hope they will be gone. He put me on zoloft this is taking over my life and I have three little kids. I feel like all everyone sees is the acne and the makeup. I am so upset. I hope I can be cured because it is going to ruin my marriage. Thanks for listening

 

 

 

 

Yes - there can sometimes be a fine line between "normal" self-image concerns (which EVERYONE has from time to time - I don't care of you're a supermodel)  and becoming obsessed with your looks/issues.

 

While I've always been kinda high-maintenance about my looks, I find myself getting worse with age (I am now 32 yrs. old).  It seems I cannot pass a mirror without examining my face and looking for every little spot and imperfection.  I am not happy unless my face looks like a blank canvas.  No one else notices any spots...in fact, I get compliments all the time on how perfect my skin is.  I cannot believe it when I hear that - I am in total denial and still think everyone can see spots when apparently, there are none!  I think I am like the anorexic/bulemic woman who weighs 80 lbs. but still think they look fat when they look in the mirror.  No matter how perfect my skin gets, I always think it can be MORE perfect. 

 

After my latest derm appointment last week (to get cryotherapy on some tiny moles and sun spots that I doubt ANYONE notices besides me, unless you are like two inches from my face) my boyfriend commented that EVERYONE should have a little "character" in their face and that taking away every tiny mole and speckle

 

 

 

 

 

will make me look too unnatural.  He wants me to stop.  But I can't!!!!  ARRRGH...  And my derm...he's the coolest dude in the world so he humors me and does the cryo when/where I ask him to.  But he tells me I don't really need it and that I am trying to achieve an abnormal level of perfection.  Of course...he says this in a teasing way and with a smile...but I know he thinks I am nuts. 

 

If I am already like this at 32, I hate to think of what I will be like when I am 40...

 

I really feel for you ladies.  But one good thing - I am SO glad you have taken the step of getting some help.  Sounds like you are aware of the changes you would like to make in your behaviors and are doing something about it.  Bravo!  Not sure what I can do - I am not depressed or anything like that.  I am not afraid to go out w/no makeup on.  But yet...I am constantly looking for new things to go see the derm about and correct.  I am also becoming quite proficient with my chemical peels.  My co-workers and friends all think I am losing it, ever since I started getting medium depth peels every few weeks.  Oh well...hopefully this will pass.

 

Best of luck to you ladies!

 

SPIRO UPDATE:

 

By the way - have been on Spiro for almost two and a half months and things have been going great...NEVER oily anymore (and I do mean NEVER) and aside from one flare up about 2 weeks ago (which I am sure was related to the above mentioned cryotherapy which I have had twice now  ) I have had NO breakouts.

 

 

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Hi Girlygal. Just 3 months ago I was feeling like you. You'll get better, but it takes time. It took aprox 1 and a half months to start feeling the anti-obsessional effect of prozac going on. My psychiatrist has been modifying my dosage, now I take 60mg. Zoloft is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, so it helps with depression, obsessions, and compulsion, which we suffer from. I really recomend you the book I mentioned in my last post (The Broken Mirror). It makes you realize there are thousands of people with the same problem, and that it is possible to transcend it. You already took the first step. I understand perfectly how you feel, believe me. Nothing mattered to me anymore, I was totally and utterly self obsessed, filled with self hatred. My boyfrind helped me a lot, he was very understandable, but at first I was embarrased to even talk about my problem -I thought if I speak about my skin, he will notice how ugly it is. But there was a moment when I coundn't handle it anymore, and I just told him. And just telling him made me feel a little better. Of course, he said that everything was fine with my skin -that it was beautiful. I could not believe it, I thought he and my friends were lying to me out of shame. Anyway, you have a husband and kids. Don't let this ruin you, you'll feel better soon, just thik about that when you feel depressed. On the meantime, try not to look in the mirror. Now I just look in the morning (and a few feet away) and at night. In bathrooms I just glance from a distance, and everything is OK, I'm not turning more ugly, people don't notice anything. This problem is more inside than outside, just keep thinking that. If you want to PM me, go ahead. Best of luck!

Do you have acne? it sounds like your skin is clear I think I get that cryosurgery stuff is it a spray in a silver can I think nitrogen or something do u think it works because I am hoping that is not making my spots darker. Please tell me about it. you are lucky that you are not depressed about your skin I am now out of control I do not even want to eat.‚  Why do u get peels?

 

 

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Hi Girlygal. Just 3 months ago I was feeling like you. You'll get better, but it takes time. It took aprox 1 and a half months to start feeling the anti-obsessional effect of prozac going on. My psychiatrist has been modifying my dosage, now I take 60mg. Zoloft is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, so it helps with depression, obsessions, and compulsion, which we suffer from. I really recomend you the book I mentioned in my last post (The Broken Mirror). It makes you realize there are thousands of people with the same problem, and that it is possible to transcend it. You already took the first step. I understand perfectly how you feel, believe me. Nothing mattered to me anymore, I was totally and utterly self obsessed, filled with self hatred. My boyfrind helped me a lot, he was very understandable, but at first I was embarrased to even talk about my problem -I thought if I speak about my skin, he will notice how ugly it is. But there was a moment when I coundn't handle it anymore, and I just told him. And just telling him made me feel a little better. Of course, he said that everything was fine with my skin -that it was beautiful. I could not believe it, I thought he and my friends were lying to me out of shame. Anyway, you have a husband and kids. Don't let this ruin you, you'll feel better soon, just thik about that when you feel depressed. On the meantime, try not to look in the mirror. Now I just look in the morning (and a few feet away) and at night. In bathrooms I just glance from a distance, and everything is OK, I'm not turning more ugly, people don't notice anything. This problem is more inside than outside, just keep thinking that. If you want to PM me, go ahead. Best of luck!

 

 

 

 

girlygal - I am so sorry you are going through this. I am really pulling for you! You will come out of this at the other end. Any time you need to talk, we are here for you!

QUESTION FOR ALL SPIRO USERS:

I have a question for all ladies who have used, or are currently using Spiro: did you have any abnormal breast tenderness/enlargements? If so, after how long of use did it start and how long did it last?

I have been on Spiro since 1/7/05 (almost 3 months) and just this past week or two, I've noticed that my breasts are really tender (worse than PMS tender), are MUCH larger than usual, and have big blue veins (sorry...not to be graphic, but that's just how it is!) And NO - I do not think it's possible that I am pregnant...I just had a period and am also on Yasmin for like 6 months now (I take it at the same time every day and have NEVER missed a dose). So...I think I can rule "that" out.

Anyway, I know that "breast tenderness" is listed as a potential side effect for Spiro. But my situation goes beyond what I would consider "normal" tenderness (like when you have PMS). They are large, swollen, tender, with blue veins. Can anyone share any experiences in this area so I will quit thinking the worst...? Thanks Ladies!

I used Spironolactone about 13 years ago, and it really helped both acne and dark facial hair (even though testing showed no hormonal imbalance). But then my dermatologist advised me to stop, because he'd been to a conference and heard a presentation linking spironolactone with birth defects. Has anyone heard anything about this? Thanks for any info you can share...