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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.
Hi, I also used to take yasmin and when I started Spiro my doctor told me not to take them together as they reinforce each other (Yasmin contains a progesterone that is much like aldactone). So, I decided to take Spiro alone and have been taking it for two months now with no apparent side effects (except that my periods are shorter and less abundant). I really think that it's the combination of the two that is too much for you and not Aldactone in itself. Maybe you could switch to some other BCP. Good luck...
Hi all.. I tried Dans regimen about 2 years ago... cleared wonderfully for a couple of months. That was it. Still use bp--Solugel 4% but that doesn't seem to do much.
The derm gave me an rx for spiro back in October. I still haven't taken it. I was searching the 'net today about side effects etc, and came across this thread.
I guess for hormonal acne, some of us have a long way to go. I'll be 41 this year and have been on various bcp's for 21 years. Have had acne since I was 13.. and rosacea for 10 years
I don't get cystic acne but mainly blocked pores, which results in bumps all over my face. Having a heck of a time just finding a decent cleanser.. Cetaphil regular was way too moisturizing, Cetaphil oily cleanser made my face react and Spectro jel breaks me out. Just washing with plain old water....
Decided to hold off on the spiro, for now.
Kelly, I hope you are doing okay, I have to give you tons of credit for sticking with the spiro that long, I couldn't have and I always would have wondered "what if?".. hope things are getting better for you.
Hi, I just started spiro 2 weeks ago--50mg/day for the first week, 100mg for the second and now I'm supposed to up it to 150 starting today. After reading this forum, I'm a little worried I've been taking it incorrectly. It sounds like everyone's splitting their doses and taking it twice a day. I wasn't given any instructions to do so, but I also didn't think to ask. Anyway, I've been taking it as a single dose with food about an hour after I wake up. Have I been wasting my time by only taking it once a day? Do you have to spread the dose out to twice a day in order for it to be effective, or is that more about reducing side effects?
I should add that I'm taking it for both acne and what I consider to be excess hair on my chin (probably made worse by plucking the few initial ones I noticed several years ago).
BTW, this forum has provided the most info I've found on the drug so far--thank you : )
C
Hi everyone. Reading about everyone's experiences has been really helpful and has made me feel better about taking prescription medications for acne. I was pretty nervous about potential side effects.
Here's my story: I have oily skin so I've always been prone to occasional acne breakouts, but they've never been severe. Not even as a teenager. About two and a half months ago, I switched to a new facial cleanser (Eucerin) and it worked wonders on my skin. My face was completely clear and looked fantastic. About two weeks later, I was hit with a severe acne breakout all over my face but mainly on my cheeks, jaw line and forehead. The acne was so unexpected and unusual for me that I thought I was having an allergic reaction to something. When I went to the dermatologist, I was told that I was experiencing acne, not an allergic reaction, and was prescribed Duac (for the morning) and Tarzorac (for the evening). There was some initial pain and flaking, but overall they have worked really well for me. A number of times I've come close to being acne free, but then I'll experience a small flair up.
I was having a small flair up Monday when I went to the derm for a follow-up visit so she prescribed Spiro for me. Today is my first day on it so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. A number of you have mentioned that Spiro doesn't help if the dosage is below 100 mg; my dosage is 50 mg. I'm hoping that because my acne is mostly gone this low dosage will be enough to do the trick.
Has anyone else had a similar experience? Thanks for reading my babble!
I have suffered with hormonal acne since I was 16, that's about 20 years now. I have been on accutane, minocycline and have used Retin A, Benzamycine, Differin and have also been on about 10 different BC pills (including Yasmin) to try and control my breakouts, not to mention every over the counter product known to man.
I am currently on Spiro and find that after 1 month it works very well. The pill also helped my skin to stay clear but I now know that my 10 years of suffering with horrible MIGRANES was due to the BC pills so I no longer take them.
Any of you ladies that have MIGRANES and take the pill may want to go off them for a while and see if they improve. I was very stubborn but 4 months ago I stopped taking them and have not had a headache since, it's like total freedom. I also realize now that they had something to do with my cold sore breakouts as well due to the hormonal changes they cause.
It takes a long time to get to know your own body but eventually you will find what works best for you. I think Spiro is the perfect drug for women who find they have hormonal symptoms such as acne, migranes, cold sores and even Irritable bowels. The pill made all my symptoms WORSE and it took me about 15 years to realize it.
My only concern is that so many women are being told to take Spiro while on Yasmin when the Yasmin pamphlet (that comes inside pill pack) clearly states not to take Spiro while on Yasmin. Anyone doing this should just read the pamphlet carefully so you are fully educated and have all the facts. GOOD LUCK TO ALL
Hi everyone Well,i stopped taking spiro about two weeks ago now.I gave it 14 weeks so that's three and a half months and it didn't clear my skin up.In fact i really do believe that it made it worse.Before i spiro i hardly ever got spots on my forehead and never on my chest but spiro made me breakout in those places.It caused terrible breakouts down the sides of my face.I've stopped for two weeks now and my skin still isn't back to how it was before spiro which i'm really worried about!I hope as it gets more out of my system my skin will get better but i've still been getting some spots on my chest and forehead and it's still bad down the side of my face.The left side is really bad at the moment!!!!!!!!
I wish i'd have never gone on spiro i'm afraid but anyone who's thinking of taking it don't let me put you off because it's obviously worked for many people on here.
I just hope to God that my skin gets better.I hate that spiro has caused more places to breakout that never broke out before.I hope that stops!!!!!!!!
Has anyone developed hives (I now have them on my arms and legs, but none on face) while on this medication? I was doing fine for the first 3+ weeks--went from 50mg to 100 to 150...and then I started the goal dose of 200mg last Wed. Sometime on Thursday I did the treadmill, took a shower...and then emerged with hives galore. Three weeks and 2 days seems pretty late for an allergic reaction to show up, but maybe it has something to do with the increased dose?? Whatever the case, I called my gyn's office, and the nurse told me to take only 150mg for the next dose...and if I ended up with more hives, I had to stop taking it altogether--no tappering off. Unfortunately, I did get a fresh new crop of hives on one arm that evening, so now I've gone 2 days without taking anything, and most of the hives have disappeared. I suppose I'll call back tomorrow (Mon.) and ask if the reaction could be dose-related...and could I start back on the 50 mg's again.
I really hope this was a freak thing because even at 100mg I noticed an improvement--much less oil and much less redness (I hadn't anticipated that pleasant side effect!--my face has been "pink" ever since I took accutane when I was 18). Another thing I hadn't expected...I just got my period Wed. (the day I started the 200mg), and I had the most mild cramps (still needed advil though) in years--and the lightest period since going off the pill back in '98! So, everything was going great until the hives.
Hi, I just started spiro 2 weeks ago--50mg/day for the first week, 100mg for the second and now I'm supposed to up it to 150 starting today. After reading this forum, I'm a little worried I've been taking it incorrectly. It sounds like everyone's splitting their doses and taking it twice a day. I wasn't given any instructions to do so, but I also didn't think to ask. Anyway, I've been taking it as a single dose with food about an hour after I wake up. Have I been wasting my time by only taking it once a day? Do you have to spread the dose out to twice a day in order for it to be effective, or is that more about reducing side effects?
BTW, this forum has provided the most info I've found on the drug so far--thank you : )
C
Has anyone developed hives (I now have them on my arms and legs, but none on face) while on this medication? I was doing fine for the first 3+ weeks--went from 50mg to 100 to 150...and then I started the goal dose of 200mg last Wed. Sometime on Thursday I did the treadmill, took a shower...and then emerged with hives galore. Three weeks and 2 days seems pretty late for an allergic reaction to show up, but maybe it has something to do with the increased dose?? Whatever the case, I called my gyn's office, and the nurse told me to take only 150mg for the next dose...and if I ended up with more hives, I had to stop taking it altogether--no tappering off. Unfortunately, I did get a fresh new crop of hives on one arm that evening, so now I've gone 2 days without taking anything, and most of the hives have disappeared. I suppose I'll call back tomorrow (Mon.) and ask if the reaction could be dose-related...and could I start back on the 50 mg's again.
I really hope this was a freak thing because even at 100mg I noticed an improvement--much less oil and much less redness (I hadn't anticipated that pleasant side effect!--my face has been "pink" ever since I took accutane when I was 18). Another thing I hadn't expected...I just got my period Wed. (the day I started the 200mg), and I had the most mild cramps (still needed advil though) in years--and the lightest period since going off the pill back in '98! So, everything was going great until the hives.
Hi everyone,
I was just wondering all those spiro users what your acne was like before you started on the medication- like your acne history, i guess? I have developed a lot of small bumps on my face (cheeks) that have begun to really hurt and I am just waiting to get blood tests back before I begin the spiro. There are so many bumps now and many of them have white heads. Am wondering if any you who have had success with this drug had this kind of acne and what sorts of things I can expect. After finishing up some antibiotics, it seems that the acne is just flaring up now to an extreme I've never had before. Getting worried over here and wanted to know if any of you had these experiences and if spiro worked for you. If you have any advice about what to do until I get the spiro that would be great because I have an important day coming up and would like to look good (decent at least). Thanks!
Oh my gosh we have so many new gals on this thread, it's awesome! I am so behind on this thread! I am so glad to see all the new faces on this thread - all these wonderful ladies on here have helped me so much and it's so nice to find more people that are going through the same things - very supportive group we have here I hope you gals are all doing well and that your acne is going away!
I posted a new update in my log this morning. You know I was thinking, I am always curious what other ladies are using out there for washing/moisturizing products. I was thinking that it would be really helpful to see what everyone uses, so maybe if you want to, put your products down in your signature (instead of each individual responding), then we can all see. I am thinking I want to switch to the Aveeno line of products. I use some of their stuff now, but my friend has all their stuff, and it looks like it's pretty good stuff. More to the point, I really want to cut out the Cetaphil Bar in the evenings because it's making me too dry, but as expensive as products are, I'm hesitant to change anything. Anywho, if you want to do that, I think that would be pretty neat!
My acne is mostly restricted to my cheeks (deep, red, inflamed pimples) and forehead (clogged pores and open comedones) with the occasional pimple on my chin. I haven't really experienced jawline acne, maybe a few pimples along my jaw over the years. I've also been on an OCP (Estrostep) for nearly three years. I'm 19 years old. Is it possible that I'm experiencing hormonal acne? My acne used to be mild, but it started to flare up when I came to college and is now consistently moderate. I've been on doxycycline for one month with little results. I've also missed my period this month. I think I am developing cysts as well, which is entirely new for me.
Help...
My acne is mostly restricted to my cheeks (deep, red, inflamed pimples) and forehead (clogged pores and open comedones) with the occasional pimple on my chin. I haven't really experienced jawline acne, maybe a few pimples along my jaw over the years. I've also been on an OCP (Estrostep) for nearly three years. I'm 19 years old. Is it possible that I'm experiencing hormonal acne? My acne used to be mild, but it started to flare up when I came to college and is now consistently moderate. I've been on doxycycline for one month with little results. I've also missed my period this month. I think I am developing cysts as well, which is entirely new for me.Help...
Thanks so much for your reply. I've been freaking out and obsessing over my acne ever since it started flaring up-- I might say I have mild-moderate pimples and moderate-severe emotional effects! (Hmm, maybe I've stumbled onto a new acne classification system.)
Anyway, to answer your question, I don't think I have particularly oily skin. It is never oily after I wash it, and only looks oily after I moisturize (Eucerin Skin Renewal w/ SPF). I posted some pictures here if that helps.
When I went to my derm (who is wonderful, she's actually my mother's best friend and is like a big sister to me), we talked about the possibility that I'm experiencing hormonal acne. After going through questions about my cycle, weight fluctuation, etc., there didn't seem to be much evidence for wacky hormones... But now that doxycycline doesn't seem to be helping (after only a month, admittedly-- maybe that's not enough time), and considering that I'm experiencing much deeper and more tender pimples, I wonder if hormones might really be a potential cause.
Part of me is just so sad and hopeless that I want an easy answer, or I want to blame everything for my acne. I'm becoming super-neurotic about nearly everything: my diet, possible yeast overgrowth, taking my antibiotics exactly right, taking my pill exactly the same time every day, washing my face the right way, and the list goes on. I think (know) stress is playing a huge role in my acne, but I feel totally incapable of relaxing, thinking positive thoughts, focusing on my schoolwork and getting through this semester (only three more weeks!). The worst part is that I see how much my acne is dragging me down, but I feel like there's nothing I can do.
Wow, I just let a lot out. Maybe I should head for the emotional effects board... but this thread has a really nurturing vibe-- girls-only clubs are great!
mrrreeow!
I hope your doctor gives you Spiro
it IS worth a try!
I hope you are one of the lucky ones like me that it helps!
I actually had to switch moisturizers two weeks ago...
since my Neutrogena Healthy Skin was adding to the dryness of my face,
and my Lanc’‚´me powder was actually having a hard time spreading
across my face...as well as leaving FLAKES!!!
never has my skin been flakey!
whoooo-hoo!
I did have a few small breakouts that "I" made worse by
fussing with them (you would think I would have leaned by now!!!)
But otherwise...still keeping my face held high and
smiling!!! looking forward to summer...
now if I can just get the blotchy mask on my face to fade
that my old birth control pill made worse!!!
(damn Diane-35)...my skin would be perfect!
GOOD LUCK!!
keep us posted!
Just an update, my derm said I can start the spiro now, which I am pretty happy about... The acne has been flaring up to an extent as never before, so I'm pretty relieved to have some hope. I may even keep a log like some of you did because I found them so informative (Thanks Shortee!).
Acnehater, you also give me hope. I 'm really happy that your skin is clearing up- it sounds like your acne was similar to mine and I am also doing the spiro (100mg)\Yasmin combination. Good stuff! Was wondering if you ever had\have blackheads and what you do about them? I'm thining something topical...
I also wanted to say to Simply that your type of acne also sounds a lot like mine. Because my doctor thinks it is hormonal, he wouldn't prescribe accutane b/c he didn't think it would work for me. I also have PCOS symptoms (you should maybe check into that as well) so the derm thought spiro would be good for me. If you do end up with spiro, we should check in with each other and see how it is going... I will probably start that soon.
Hope all you ladies are doing well. I totally agree with whoever said this is a great thread- gotta love the girls only!
Lolo & mrrreeow, thank you for your replies.
Just as an update: My good friend (practically my big sister), adviser, and dermatologist is in town (where I go to college) for the weekend and we spent the day together. We talked about my skin, and she thinks, seeing as I've been on doxy for a month and don't seem to be clearing up, it's time to go for accutane. Honestly, I'm really relieved, because I truly believe that accutane will work. Still have to get the blood tests, etc. which is a little bit of a pain to do here at school, but she's going to call the health center and make sure the whole process goes smoothly.
We also had a major heart-to-heart about my life in general (I've been extremely unhappy at my college-- I'm a freshman). She had a really hard time during college herself and she talked to me about depression, really shed a lot of light on the matter. The more I described to her how I've been feeling and living, I realized that I was basically reciting a checklist of clinical depression symptoms. So it's really important that I get that figured out, especially if I'm going on accutane.
I guess I've just felt so out of control lately, especially like I can't control my emotions or my skin. After today, I think it's time to take that control and get better.
This board is a great resource and support; just wanted to thank you all for that.
I asked my derm about Spiro because I keep hearing that adult women often relapse soon after taking Accutane because their acne is hormonal. She looked me over and concluded that I don't have the characteristics of someone whose acne would benefit from Spiro: excessive hair or male pattern balding, irregular menstrual periods, etc. I told her that the pill worked for me for a long time, kept me nearly crystal clear, so I must have some hormonally influenced acne, but that I get flares which can't be controlled for months on end. Well, in the end she put me on Accutane (just started) and said if I relapse Spiro would be an option to try. Man, I hope I don't relapse because this stuff is a little expensive for a temporary fix!