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!

 

 

 

 

Hi everyone,

It is so wonderful to hear of people's success with Sprio! That's great! I am on my 3rd day of Sprio and have noticed SIGNIFICANT hair loss. it's just falling out in fully strands!!! I am devastated. I am so depressed. Why does this happen? can i combat it in anyway? my scalp tingles and is slightly red, and the very texture of my hair has thinned, as if each strand has become more brittle and thin.

This same thing happened when i took Saw Palmetto.

I have not read all 17 pages of the Spiro thread, but have scanned a lot of it and have not read of anyone experiencing hairloss.

what is a girl to do?

I have been fighting candida for the past couple of years (due to a history of constant antibiotics for acne, accutane one time, a couple rounds of birth control, etc) and so am very wary of going back on birth control (which DID clear my cystic acne). I am just at such a loss!! I will be unable to call my dermatologist until monday, and in all honesty i'm not convinced he'll be much help with the hair loss.

I can deal with a little, but not like this!! and it's so EARLY.

any suggestions would be much appreciated -- Thanks!

Alicia

Hi everyone,

It is so wonderful to hear of people's success with Sprio! That's great! I am on my 3rd day of Sprio and have noticed SIGNIFICANT hair loss. it's just falling out in fully strands!!! I am devastated. I am so depressed. Why does this happen? can i combat it in anyway? my scalp tingles and is slightly red, and the very texture of my hair has thinned, as if each strand has become more brittle and thin.

This same thing happened when i took Saw Palmetto.

I have not read all 17 pages of the Spiro thread, but have scanned a lot of it and have not read of anyone experiencing hairloss.

what is a girl to do?

 

I have been fighting candida for the past couple of years (due to a history of constant antibiotics for acne, accutane one time, a couple rounds of birth control, etc) and so am very wary of going back on birth control (which DID clear my cystic acne). I am just at such a loss!! I will be unable to call my dermatologist until monday, and in all honesty i'm not convinced he'll be much help with the hair loss.

 

I can deal with a little, but not like this!! and it's so EARLY.

any suggestions would be much appreciated -- Thanks!

Alicia

 

 

 

 

I am on Spiro for about 5 weeks now at 200 mg. I read this site all the time, but have been waiting to post because my results have not been consisitent. i read your post though and had to let you know that i had the same exact experience.

 

i started to lose hair after 1 week on spiro. i naturally freaked out and went to my endo. he said that it was not from the spiro. that whatever caused this, happened 3-4 months ago. i went off my pill around that time so i attributed it to some sort of hormonal imbalance, plus i was under a lot of stress from the acne and my job - so the combination could have led to it. the shedding has defintely slowed down but my hair is still thinner than it was. i used to have a TON of hair....that is not the case any more. the good news is that you will not go bald and that no one can probably notice but you. the shedding will slow and regrowth will probably happen (assuming this isn't hereditary) but it takes time.

 

My endo also said that all of these things combined hair loss, acne, and i have slight hair excess are signs of a hormonal imbalance and that spiro should work.

 

My advice would be to try to NOT stress, take a vitamin with iron, and don't overprocess your hair in anyway. Neutrogena T zone shampoo helped me with the redness. Also, hair loss can be a side effect of accutane so you may want to look into that (or so i heard, don't quote me!).

Hope this helps.....and that things get better soon. I know how you feel.

 

 

 

 

i wish i had talked to you 5 weeks ago! we could have gone through this together but maybe i can help you. i had the same thing too. i was a mess. i felt like i was on speed. i couldn't sleep at night and it lasted for 7 days straight - i thought i was going crazy so i asked went as far as to ask my dr for a temporary anxiety medicication. he gave me zanax which did helped but had a bad after effect and made me really tired. I stopped using it after a few times. When i asked my endo about the anxiety, he claimed it was nothing to do with spiro and that he had never heard such a thing. He said it might just be anxiety over realizing everything that is going on with my body (bc the anxiety started after the hair loss) and that i now have to wait a few months for it to get better. i definitely think that was part of it = but my acne had been bad for weeks before and i didn't have that same reactoin. I personally think that it is a combo of the spiro and just a general anxiety over what is happening to your body. It is scary to have so little control and it does impact us so much psychologically. I still get little anxiety attacks from time to time - but i have stopped looking in the mirror so much and that has helped.

My other side effect was that I lost weight - 10 pounds but ever since the Endo put me on a continued birth control cycle it has started to come back. My other side effect is that i get dizzy if i get up too quickly after lying down - but this goes away, and happens mostly in the morning. i drink tons of water to help.

Anyway, i think that the craziness will get better as you start to accept what is happening, obsess less, and feel confident that you found a treatment that works. i also just think it is a matter of good days and bad. my friends and my boyfriend included think i am crazy for being as upset as i am over my skin and hair - and i know that there are worse things in life (many of them!) but it sitll sucks.

Also, the brain fog stuff - i find that too. since starting spiro - i feel like i have no short term memory! i forget things so easily. the pharmacist said i could have an electrolyte imbalance but this could only be determined by a blood test. he said to give it another month and see if it goes away. maybe gatorade would help

SO - my endo and my derm both say none of these side effects -= the memory loss, anxiousness - are spiro related....according to clinical trials at least. i can't help but think it has some influence...i have to just trust them and try to control the other factors as much as possible - stress especially.

Sorry to ramble...

please let me know if i can help anymore - we are going through the same thing.

thank you for your response!!

i am giving it a chance and trying not to stress or obsess over how much hair i am losing.  i have been under a lot of stress over the past 6 months, i just wonder why the spiro woul dkick hairloss into effect -- get it started. 

 

i am also wondering everyone's non-physical symptoms/side effects of spiro??

so on my 5th day here i feel completley anxious and nervous, for like no circumstantial reason.  i'm jittery as hell and have trouble talking without my voice quivering a little!!  i'm like what the hell is wrong with me??  i also have this like intense brain fog where i like can't think clearly.  i really feel like i'm going crazy.  and i really don't htink it's "in my head" or some crazy placebo affect, i feel like chemically messed up in the head, i can like barely clearly articulate it here.  geez what is going on??

 

 

†

 

 

Hi guys,

I just wanted to give a quick update. I've been on spiro (100mg) for about a week now. I have noticed very little changes in anything actually. I may bit a bit more thirsty than usual, but besides that, all is the same. I don't feel the oil is reduced on my face (if anything, it is worse) and I am still breaking out pretty hard core (the antibiotics I was on are wearing off, I am guessing). I am thinking about keeping a spiro log so look for that in the personal regiments section next week. After 5 weeks on spiro, JG, how is your skin looking and do you remember how it was in the first little while after you started? I will also be starting retin-A soon, so hopefully that can help control some until the spiro starts to kicks in (I'm told weeks 6-8 or something). It would be great if we can all keep in contact and keep one another posted as we go through the spiro experience! I enjoy hearing how it is working (or not) for others.

Lolo

Hey there. I started spiro at 50 mg, then 1 wk later to 100 mg, then 1 wk later to 200 mg. each time i increased the dose i had a bad break out. i initially started breaking out when i stopped and then restarted my birth control pill. my breakouts before spiro were never as bad as after (in the first few weeks). For instance, i never broke out on the left side of my face, only the right (weird i know). But after spiro it went to my left cheek and my chin. My endo said this would have happened anyway - that i had caught it in the middle of getting worse and that spiro does not make it worse. Maybe so...or maybe (i think) it was another hormonal change bringing everything out.

So, once i started on 200 mg - i did not see conistent results. skin was good then would get bad especially teh week before my period. at this point, for the past week it seems to be calming down...i have a few active ones and many tiny red marks. i also think the Ortho Cyclen is helping with skipping the sugar pills.

BUT, I had read somewhere to take the spiro at the same time every day. I really think this is important - to take at the same time and not to stick. i have definitely seen a difference since i started doing this about 10 days ago - i take my 2 pills every morning at 8:30 am on the dot!

Please keep me posted on how you do on the Spiro. Tomorrow is my official 5 week mark (on 200 mg), so I will continue to update you as I get close to the 8 week mark.

Hi guys,

I just wanted to give a quick update. I've been on spiro (100mg) for about a week now. I have noticed very little changes in anything actually. I may bit a bit more thirsty than usual, but besides that, all is the same. I don't feel the oil is reduced on my face (if anything, it is worse) and I am still breaking out pretty hard core (the antibiotics I was on are wearing off, I am guessing). I am thinking about keeping a spiro log so look for that in the personal regiments section next week. After 5 weeks on spiro, JG, how is your skin looking and do you remember how it was in the first little while after you started? I will also be starting retin-A soon, so hopefully that can help control some until the spiro starts to kicks in (I'm told weeks 6-8 or something). It would be great if we can all keep in contact and keep one another posted as we go through the spiro experience! I enjoy hearing how it is working (or not) for others.

Lolo

 

 

 

 

hello!

JG, it was GREAT to hear that you have experienced some of the same symptoms when starting the spiro.

Yes, i AM anxious about my skin, i AM obsessive about it, but i was anxious and obsessive before i started the spiro, and i cannot contribute all these nervous jittery brainfog like i'm on speed physical feelings to purely psychological effects of having bad skin and taking a new medication. my sleep has been distrubed, i usually sleep very well, i don't feel plugged into my own brain, like i struggle to try to talk to people and i forget anything in my head, it's like i feel brain damaged. i AM sticking it out because it is still less than a week, and maybe these effects will wear off (and the quest for clear skin is that important!). but man do i feel totally f**ked in the head (sorry for language!!)

JG, do you still have these weird brain foggy symptoms?

i have also experienced bad oily and gerneral roughness of skin. it seems like every little cyst beneath the surface is showing its head -- maybe this is just everything coming out and it WILL get worse before it gets better?

i don't know how much longer i can stand this inability to use my own brain. and i'm only taking 50mg.

lolo, i am also in my first week of spiro -- please keep my posted as to your progress.. as i'm on day 5 or 6 i think going througgh this weirdness (and still experiencing some hairloss, but burning stinging scalp sensations have ceased) i will be curious as to your experiences!

am i just hypersensitive to medication?! man!

i guess spiro impacts everyone differently. my brain fog which is really just like a short term memory loss is still present BUT the major confusoin, speed like feeling is gone. i think i have just calmed down about this and also adjusted to the spiro. i would give yourself 2 weeks to get used to it..and if you still feel like you are experiencing major side effects it might be best to call your dr.

i also was very open about what was going on with me - with my friends and family when i felt that way...so i think that helped a little because they would help calm me down. i also saw a therapist - which helped a lot too! i still can't get over how much this has impacted my life. i look forward to it all going away and getting back to me.

i am also super sensitive to medicine too....i just hope that this spiro works and all the issues along the way will be worth it. we shall see.

please keep me posted!

hello!

JG, it was GREAT to hear that you have experienced some of the same symptoms when starting the spiro.

Yes, i AM anxious about my skin, i AM obsessive about it, but i was anxious and obsessive before i started the spiro, and i cannot contribute all these nervous jittery brainfog like i'm on speed physical feelings to purely psychological effects of having bad skin and taking a new medication. my sleep has been distrubed, i usually sleep very well, i don't feel plugged into my own brain, like i struggle to try to talk to people and i forget anything in my head, it's like i feel brain damaged. i AM sticking it out because it is still less than a week, and maybe these effects will wear off (and the quest for clear skin is that important!). but man do i feel totally f**ked in the head (sorry for language!!)

JG, do you still have these weird brain foggy symptoms?

 

i have also experienced bad oily and gerneral roughness of skin. it seems like every little cyst beneath the surface is showing its head -- maybe this is just everything coming out and it WILL get worse before it gets better?

 

i don't know how much longer i can stand this inability to use my own brain. and i'm only taking 50mg.

 

lolo, i am also in my first week of spiro -- please keep my posted as to your progress.. as i'm on day 5 or 6 i think going througgh this weirdness (and still experiencing some hairloss, but burning stinging scalp sensations have ceased) i will be curious as to your experiences!

 

am i just hypersensitive to medication?! man!

 

 

 

 

i guess spiro impacts everyone differently. my brain fog which is really just like a short term memory loss is still present BUT the major confusoin, speed like feeling is gone. i think i have just calmed down about this and also adjusted to the spiro. i would give yourself 2 weeks to get used to it..and if you still feel like you are experiencing major side effects it might be best to call your dr.

i also was very open about what was going on with me - with my friends and family when i felt that way...so i think that helped a little because they would help calm me down. i also saw a therapist - which helped a lot too! i still can't get over how much this has impacted my life. i look forward to it all going away and getting back to me.

i am also super sensitive to medicine too....i just hope that this spiro works and all the issues along the way will be worth it. we shall see.

please keep me posted!

 

 

 

 

Does anyone know where i can get this shipped to canada without a prescription?...i know there are risks involved and yadda yadda yadda but i have been on hormonal treatment before for years which worked(birth control), and i dont feel like going back to my doc and explaining to her why i want this...shes never recommended it and probably won't. Plus ill have to wait at least a month to see her. I am an intelligent person, I'm not gunna go craaazy and OD, I've been doing my research and know what to watch out for.

i am still experiencing this weird disconnection from my brain and i have had the most difficult time trying to talk. i cut back to 12.5mg today, and i think i will stop spiro for a couple days until these symptoms go away, and then start at like 6mg a day -- a really low dose -- and see how that affects me and maybe work up to 12.5mg once my body adjusts.

my hair has been much drier than usual, and my skin is definitely not as oily. it seems all my little cysts are coming to the surface -- not real new breakouts, but like just what's already there "pustulating" (sorry!)

an interesting thing!!: so spiro is for people with high blood pressure, but it's not supposed to affect people with normal blood pressure. well at the dentist today they took my blood pressure (for some reason. this was a first) and it was 92/80!! which is really low!! i'm usually around 120. this may be why i'm having these hard-to-describe loopy feelings!! has anyone else's blood pressure significantly droppeD?? i'm waiting to hear back from my derma to talk to him about this..!

thanks,

alicia

I have recently started taking 50mg a day of spiro for oily skin and some acne. Within the first week I noticed oil reduction and was getting very excited. It's now been about 3 weeks, and I am still too oily. I thought I had dried up more, but now that the weather is humid and warm, I seem too oily. I know 50 isn't a high dosage, but it does seem to helping a bit. I definitely am not getting pimples in the same way, and my skin feels smoother.

Do you think it's too soon to say how it will go? I'm just so anxious at this point. I'm so afraid it won't do anything! If my oil would go away, my skin would be so muh better. The oil is just so thick and icky I'm 32 and have been dealing with skin probs since I was 15.

Anyone have any ideas?

By the way, GOOD LUCk to all you gals taking this! I hope we can all have great results. I have only scanned the posts within this thread, but I think someone was concerned about hair loss. There is a hormone doc in newyork, and according to him, spiro absolutely does not cause hair loss.

I personally have not been told my acne is hormonal. My derm just said it would help with the oil. I wish I had asked how it will work if my acne is not hormonal? That\s why I am so anxious. I'm just waiting and waiting for a positive result !!!!

Hi everyone,

I just was reading about PCOS symptoms in more detail today. For the person that was saying they see hair loss: this, along with acne, is considered symptoms of PCOS- you might want to look into if you have any of the other symptoms and if so talk to your doc... HOpe this helps!

I have recently started taking 50mg a day of spiro for oily skin and some acne. Within the first week I noticed oil reduction and was getting very excited. It's now been about 3 weeks, and I am still too oily. I thought I had dried up more, but now that the weather is humid and warm, I seem too oily. I know 50 isn't a high dosage, but it does seem to helping a bit. I definitely am not getting pimples in the same way, and my skin feels smoother.

 

Do you think it's too soon to say how it will go?

 

Thanks Shortee for replying!

It gives me some hope to hear about your rollercoaster experience. I am even more oily this week Seems like it's back to its normal oily ickiness I am also expecting my period any day now, and am wondering if my hormones are going crazy. I still got my monthly zits, and my skin is more bumpy and irritated like out of nowhere. I still have a months prescription left at 50mg, and I will continue to take it. I will definitely ask to be bumped up if I don't see anymore results. I know I can order it online but I rather have the docs permission. By the way, are you taking spironolactone, or Aldactone (non generic). I wonder if taking the generic form is not as good? I dont know!

I am also getting microdermabrassion treatments and I hoping that's not the only reason my skin cleared up! However, I have only had one session so far, and that was 3 weeks ago. This anxiety waiting for something positive to happen is driving me crazy. I am very moody and my husband is getting annoyed with me at this point!! ughh

So, again, thankyou so much for replying, and I wish you continued success

Hi Kitty ~ Sorry to hear about your increased oiliness! It has been muggier and muggier here lately and I notice that I'm more oily. Depending on what type of climate you're in, it could just be the weather is making your more oily, but I don't know. Also being close to your period might be having an effect. I know my skin changes as my period comes and goes, which it is coming for me next week, too. Always a joy..

I am taking Spiro. I order mine online at drugstore.com, but they require a prescription so I feel like it is OK. The reason I started doing this was because my insurance wouldn't pay for it anymore and it's about half the price ordering it from an online pharmacy. I've been really happy with their service. I know how you feel about being anxious for results. I was so desperate for something to happen it felt like it took forever and I was totally obsessed the whole time. Luckily I was really busy in school so that distracted me somewhat from it. Just try to keep yourself busy with your normal day stuff and month 3 will be here before you know it I hope your derm will bump up your dose when you see him/her next. Take care!

Hello Ladies!!

I am so happy I found this site. I have been suffering from hormonal acne for the last nine months or so. I am twenty four years old and have never had acne before. In the last nine months, I have tried everything, but nothing has worked. In mid-April, I began using spironolactone. I began using 50mg a day and then 100mg a day. Unfortunately, that has not seemed to help. Now, I am on 200mg a day and have been taking this dosage for the last two weeks without any marked improvement. I currently have four cystic-like pimples on my jawline....I am hoping that this dosage (200mg) will work. How long has it taken others on a similar dose to notice results?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on how to clear up existing whiteheads and fade post acne marks? While the spironolactone should help prevent new whiteheads and pimples, I am having a hard time ridding my face of the existing ones. I started using Retin-A micro (.04%-lowest dose) two weeks ago with no visible results. Suggestions?

Thank you so much!!!!

uwbadger

 

 

How long has it taken others on a similar dose to notice results?

 

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on how to clear up existing whiteheads and fade post acne marks? While the spironolactone should help prevent new whiteheads and pimples, I am having a hard time ridding my face of the existing ones. I started using Retin-A micro (.04%-lowest dose) two weeks ago with no visible results. Suggestions?

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for getting back to me!

So, I began taking 200mg of spiro two weeks ago tomorrow. I have been using Retin-A Micro (.04% - feel like I should be using a higher percentage...I am not experiencing any skin irritation and my whiteheads have NOT diminishsed) for the same period of time. Thus far, my skin does not seem to be improving. Although, it also doesn't seem to be getting any worse, which is a good thing. Acne takes weeks to form, so the pimples I have now have likely been forming since I began the dose of spiro and retin-A micro. As long as I don't form any new pimples after this point I will be happy. I am so tired of struggling with acne. As I am sure you know, it is embarrassing. I am approaching twenty-five and my skin looks terrible!!! And out of nowhere, too. I have tried everything up until this point (i.e. almost all prescription topical, antibiotics, bp, proactive...etc.). Nothing has worked. I am taking the spiro in conjunction with desogen and am really hoping it works. I also use a very mild facial cleanser, a topical antibotical lotion, and the retin-A micro, which I have started using 2x's a day, as my skin does not seem to be responding (no adverse reaction but no elimination or reduction in whiteheads....blackheads are almost gone though).

Good luck to you - I will be pulling for you. I am glad that I no longer have to suffer in silence...I feel like noone understands. None of my other friends have acne.....

uwbadger

Hey ladies,

 

Wanted to add my opinion of good ole spiro. As a three month veteran I am so pleased by the results. Like Shortee said the oil reduction is so apparent and my skin stays clear. Two years ago my skin was awful and so now I'm just in awe of what this one pill can do for my skin and the effect it has on my life. Any ?s feel free to ask because I go back for my Doctor's appt. in about 2 weeks.

 

Good luck

Rae

 

 

 

 

Hi ladies-

I've been on Spiro, 200mg, for 1 month and 3 days now. At first, I noticed no improvement-in fact I got the worst, most massive breakout of cysts on both cheeks within a week (likely from starting at such a high dose).

In the past week, however, I've noticed a marked improvement- everyday when I wake up things are a bit better! I'm still getting random pustules (I have 2 right now, both on my forehead), but no cysts for a week. The old ones are still there, but diminishing.

My skin is flaking a lot, and is quite dry. The oil production has decreased, I guess, but I was never that oily to begin with.

Sooo...I'm starting to get a bit excited! I've had acne since about 14 yrs of age, and have tried everything, including accutane, to no avail. Though my skin still looks a bit yukky because of the shrinking cysts and flaking, I can feel that it's not as infected inside, so am really happy!

As to side effects, I get dizzy whenI stand up suddenly, get really jittery on coffee now (never used to), and have perma-period. But you know what? It's worth it.

Hi girls,

Well.....i have a question about Spiro...I have been taking it for about 4 months (firs on 100mg a day and now 150mg) and im very happy with it!!! My skin is drier, feels better and i hardly get any spots (one or two small ones ocasionally).It has also helped with the spots i use to get on my back, antibiotics didnt really help that, but the spiro has, though not completely.

Anyway....i kinda need to go on BC now for contraceptive reasons.... I phoned my derm to ask about taking the pill and she said i should stop taking spiro and go on either yasmin or dianette. Only thing is ....im scared of going off Spiro.......what if my acne comes back??? Does anyone have any experience with this????

Unfortunatley i didnt get a chance to talk to my derm directly as she doesnt take phone calls....so i had to leave a message with her secretary who then phoned me back to tell what she had said!!

I have a gyno appointment on friday....actually its my first one! so i am going to ask the gyno about taking Yasmin or Dianette and about spiro.

I just hope she says maybe that i can stay on sprio, maybe reducing my intake, while taking yasmin or Dianette....I really dont want my spots to come back...or my oily skin!!

Anyway if any more of you have had any experience with taking BCP instead of Spiro...etc would really appreciate your advice!! Thanks

Hi ladies,

I had a question for all you girls who have taken spiro for a while. I have been on it for about a month now and I had pretty good skin throughout (little active acne). I have broken out a bit in the last few days. I am trying to be patient about this and see what happens b/c I know this medication takes time. Did any of you also experience these break outs around this time? When should I expect them to stop? And how/when can I tell if my dose of spiro should be higher? I am thinking just starting retin-A micro might also have something to do with this, but my hair is getting a bit oilier than it was a couple of weeks ago so I am not sure if my body just isn't really taking in the spiro as efficiently as it was before. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hi girls,

I have an appt with the derm next week, and honestly, I'm scared of what she'll recommend me to take. I recently got off bcp (ortho tri c low) and as a result, I broke out really really bad, especially on my back. My face is so oily, that in a matter of an hour, I have to blot. I really am hesitant to go back on something that messes with hormone levels although all your comments are making me think otherwise. I have feeling that my doctor will tell me to take oral antibiotics, but I would like to ask her about sprolactone. Do you think it'll help bacne? Would appreciate any feedback. Thanks!