hey its so nice to finally find ppl who know about spiroaldactone.. I've been on it for about 2 and ahalf months(100mg).. and yes i have been noticing that my skin on my entire body has been gettin dry which never really happens.. How do i prevent this from happening?

 

I have made some improvement, but my derm says to give it at least 6 months to kick in.. so we'll see what happens.. nice to hear all the success everyone here has had with sprio:)

Hello guys,

I am new to the board, so hello everybody.

I am a 29 year old female (I suppose my handle gives that away).

I started breaking out about 5 months ago. I used to have porcelain skin before that, the onset was totally sudden! I got these really nasty cycst all over my jawline and chin, I couldn't even pop them, they were really painful. I also was having some menstrual irregularities (stopped menstruating for 3 months). The last time I had a bout of acne like that was back when I was 23, I got ugly cysts all over my chin (it also coincided with menstrual irregularities) but it subsided alone after 4 months and my skin cleared.

I had an ultrasound, it turns out I have some cysts (still not clear if it is polycystic ovary syndrome... need to see my gyno for interpretation of results). My GP prescribed spironolactone. I have been taking it for 8 days, 25 mg a day and eventhough I broke out a lot initially, today my skin is starting to look like it is clearing up!!!!

I haven't noticed any side effects, maybe a bit emotional and sluggish. I haven't been peeing a lot either, maybe I'm not drinking enough water?? Has anybody else noticed a correlation between acne breakouts and menstrual hiccups???

Anyhow, I am crossing my fingers that this will work and will clear my face, so far it looks like it is, I am so happy and relieved because I was going crazy!

Anyhow, it has been really helpful to read all your experiences, will keep posting regularly as the treatment progresses.

Hello Latingirl!

I'm not a regular, but welcome anyway. It's a great site.

After reading all about others experiences with Spiro, I managed to get hold of some and have taken it since May. It took about 2/3 months and now I have clear skin. I've got the doctor to prescribe it now. He made a bit of a fuss about doing so, which really wound me up as I'm 33 now, and he happened to be the same doctor I went to when I was 16 the first time and the idea of how different things would have been if he'd helped me is so depressing to me I could thump him. I think it takes a while to alter the hormonal balance but once you're on it, I only have to stop taking it for a day and I go back to spotty. I take 100g a day with Marvellon (contraceptive pill) though I hear Dianette is the better pill for this.

I've always had acne since about 16, apart from a few respites of a couple of years each, but it flared up badly at about 30 - in places of my face I hadn't got it for years like my forehead, and totally uncontrollable. For me it seems to be all due to hormones. I think it's usually a myth that it's about bad skin hygene - now I'm on the Spiro I can forget to wash my face when camping/ staying out etc for a couple days and it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference to my skin being clear.

I have no noticable side affects, not even the wanting to go to the toilet more often, in fact I think I used to drink more than I feel the need to now. I guess it does make my body skin slightly dry which I'm not used to, but the fact I can use moisuriser without knowing I'll get extra spots on the place I put it the next day is pretty new to me. Wish I'd found this years ago. I'm just a bit worried about having to come off it because I want to have kids or something, but at least now there's a possibility I'll meet someone to have kids with, because I'm not hiding in my room and too shy to talk to any men. Thanks so much for everyone on here sharing their experiences because without that I might never have trusted it might work enough to try it.

THanks a lot for your reply spotty!

Much like you, I had a crazy flair up recently and I just did not want to wait it out like I did last time.... I started taking spironolactone to avoid scarring.

I really don't know if I need to take it indefinitely because I have had very clear skin naturally in the past (and bouts of acne here and there).... sigh. I guess stress and a painful breakup can make you flare up....

I am very much hoping that I can take it for a few months, clear up my skin and then get off it but right now I am taking it one day at a time. Like I said, I have seen some good improvement and I am only on 25 mg a day! I have gotten no new zits, just a couple on my chin.

Has anybody noticed themselves getting a bit moody while on this drug? getting emotional and hormonal? Is this a side effect of the drug or is it just me feeling this way?

I've been on SPIRO for about three weeks now... i have def. been very emotional lately but i'm not sure if it is the drug or not.

Hi,

I'm starting Spiro soon (when my period starts, along w/ YAz) and am concerned about the potassium thing..

Currently, I consume TONS of things with potassium (lots of fruits and veggies mainly). I could cut down on obvious potassium sources like bananas, cantelope, etc- but am concerned about most food containing a moderate amount of potassium. I looked online at restricted potassium diets-- re those what I would need to follow? It mentioned needing to substitute white bread for whole grains, and I'm not too excited for that. Also, usually the starches I eat tend to be things like sweet potatos/yams, and summer squash... The idea of totally changing my diet (especially to one that seems less healthy) is really overwhelming to me

Could anyone explain how much they would need to modify their diet (because of the potassium concern)?

thanks so much

IMO, you don't need to make extreme changes to your diet. I would continue with your normal diet, have your K+ checked relatively soon (maybe in a month or so) and if your K+ is normal, don't worry about diet changes. You would have to consume A LOT of potassium to make it effect your blood levels enough to raise them out of the normal range. For instance, I wouldn't take any K+ supplements (including a MV with K+) or 5 bananas in one sitting. I've been taking a rather large dose of Spiro (200 mg all at once) for over a year now, have not changed my diet whatsoever, and my K+ has always been in the normal range. I still eat bananas, orange juice, etc. whenever I please. I'd recommend discussing this with your doc though to ease your worries. gl

Oh ok--Thank you very much. That was really helpful. I am looking forward to starting the Spiro, as my acne is definitely hormonal..

IMO, you don't need to make extreme changes to your diet. I would continue with your normal diet, have your K+ checked relatively soon (maybe in a month or so) and if your K+ is normal, don't worry about diet changes. You would have to consume A LOT of potassium to make it effect your blood levels enough to raise them out of the normal range. For instance, I wouldn't take any K+ supplements (including a MV with K+) or 5 bananas in one sitting. I've been taking a rather large dose of Spiro (200 mg all at once) for over a year now, have not changed my diet whatsoever, and my K+ has always been in the normal range. I still eat bananas, orange juice, etc. whenever I please. I'd recommend discussing this with your doc though to ease your worries. gl

crystal clear!

I am new as of today!

I posted a message in the introduction page about my daughter.

She just started spiro today, she is on 25mg to start. Her cystic acne started in Nov-Dec of this year.

late August she was having issues with low blood pressure, high heart rate, and

hypokalemia (potassium loss) and could not keep her potassium level up, so the Doctors started her on a potassium suppliment... well guess what? her slight acne (at the time) turned into cystic acne and it was bad, there was not one spot on her face that was not affected.

She was always in pain.

Her Derma has her on 4 meds for the acne and still it was not helping. We finnaly thought that she would just stop using any soap on her face- at all! That helped to not make it look so angry red, we have been doing this now for 2 weeks and it is starting to look better.

We are very excited to see what this med can do to help, but I do wonder if there is a real correlation with the level of potassium and acne??

I am looking forword to hearing the progress that others will have with spiro.

2shay

I am new as of today!

I posted a message in the introduction page about my daughter.

 

She just started spiro today, she is on 25mg to start. Her cystic acne started in Nov-Dec of this year.

late August she was having issues with low blood pressure, high heart rate, and

hypokalemia (potassium loss) and could not keep her potassium level up, so the Doctors started her on a potassium suppliment... well guess what? her slight acne (at the time) turned into cystic acne and it was bad, there was not one spot on her face that was not affected.

She was always in pain.

Her Derma has her on 4 meds for the acne and still it was not helping. We finnaly thought that she would just stop using any soap on her face- at all! That helped to not make it look so angry red, we have been doing this now for 2 weeks and it is starting to look better.

 

We are very excited to see what this med can do to help, but I do wonder if there is a real correlation with the level of potassium and acne??

 

I am looking forword to hearing the progress that others will have with spiro.

 

2shay

Hi!

This is the first time I've posted but I've been battling acne since I was 12. I have been on accutane three times, but have experienced post-treatment breakouts every time. I just went on Spiro yesterday and thought it would be fun(hopefully...if it clears) to keep track of my progress.

I am on 50mg/2x per day. I am also taking saw palmetto and zinc supplements. I have been applying clindamycin solution every other morning as well (though I am afraid of becoming resistant to it, as it this apparently tends to happen quickly). I am also on orthocyclen- though I am thinking of maybe changing to Yaz when i see the dr. this coming Wed.

Anyways, i tend to constantly have a few pimples to deal with and have grotesquely oily skin. I really hope the spiro helps the oil, and stops me from worrying about what will be staring at me in the mirror every morning when I wake up.

I'll let you all know how it goes.....this thread has been great-- the reason i asked my derm for spiro!

Hi!

This is the first time I've posted but I've been battling acne since I was 12. I have been on accutane three times, but have experienced post-treatment breakouts every time. I just went on Spiro yesterday and thought it would be fun(hopefully...if it clears) to keep track of my progress.

I am on 50mg/2x per day. I am also taking saw palmetto and zinc supplements. I have been applying clindamycin solution every other morning as well (though I am afraid of becoming resistant to it, as it this apparently tends to happen quickly). I am also on orthocyclen- though I am thinking of maybe changing to Yaz when i see the dr. this coming Wed.

Anyways, i tend to constantly have a few pimples to deal with and have grotesquely oily skin. I really hope the spiro helps the oil, and stops me from worrying about what will be staring at me in the mirror every morning when I wake up.

I'll let you all know how it goes.....this thread has been great-- the reason i asked my derm for spiro!

im curious if this is something you have to use indefinitely, like bc pills, in that as soon as you come off them acne returns?

im curious if this is something you have to use indefinitely, like bc pills, in that as soon as you come off them acne returns?

I am new as of today!

I posted a message in the introduction page about my daughter.

 

She just started spiro today, she is on 25mg to start. Her cystic acne started in Nov-Dec of this year.

late August she was having issues with low blood pressure, high heart rate, and

hypokalemia (potassium loss) and could not keep her potassium level up, so the Doctors started her on a potassium suppliment... well guess what? her slight acne (at the time) turned into cystic acne and it was bad, there was not one spot on her face that was not affected.

She was always in pain.

Her Derma has her on 4 meds for the acne and still it was not helping. We finnaly thought that she would just stop using any soap on her face- at all! That helped to not make it look so angry red, we have been doing this now for 2 weeks and it is starting to look better.

 

We are very excited to see what this med can do to help, but I do wonder if there is a real correlation with the level of potassium and acne??

 

I am looking forword to hearing the progress that others will have with spiro.

 

2shay

Hi!

I am new to this message board and have been fighting acne since I was 10 (hormones kicked in early) and am now 27. About two years ago my dermatologist prescribed Spironolactone to me, 100mg a day (this is after trying virtually every other drug out there, and everything over the counter medication you can think of). Growing up, it was always just bad acne, but never cysts. When I turned 23, that is when i started getting cysts, and really bad ones. So after taking the Spironolactone for about a month, I saw amazing results! Just this summer, I decided to start to wean myself off of it because I know I cannot be on it forever (because what it can do to the liver) and I know I can't be on it when I'm pregnant (which I'd like to happen in the next couple of years). Plus my skin was so clear and had been for so long, I almost forgot what it was like to have acne! As of November 2007, I had completely stopped taking it. Well, about a month and half ago, the cysts came back and my face really got bad. I went to my dermatologist and she put me back on it. I've only been on it for about a week and a half and haven't seen any change in my acne (in fact, my skin has gotten worse) but have noticed I'm not as oily. What I'm afraid of is Spironolactone not working for me again. Has anyone taken the drug, gotten off of it, and then gotten on it again? I am really glad to hear it's done so many wonderful things for so many people! And I'm glad to be talking to people who understand because it's hard to try to bring this up with others who do not suffer from acne, because they really just don't understand what it's like.

Hi everyone.

I have been taking Spiro for two weeks now and have suffered a major, and i mean MAJOR initial breakout on my forehead. Lots and Lots of red bumps where before there were none. I had moderate acne before starting spiro but now my face is a total mess. I am so upset, and feel hopeless, as Spiro was sort of a last-ditch effort for me to stop this nightmare (I'm 24 and i've been on accutane 3x, and tried every other topical/antibiotic). Did anyone else experience a bad initial breakout like this? I know it takes a few months to work, so I am going to stick with it, but I am not sure if this is a sign that this drug does not agree with me at all? Any help/encouragement would be much appreciated. I feel so hopeless right now, and don't want to go outside/to class(i'm in grad school) without a hat pulled down over my face.

Hi everyone.

I have been taking Spiro for two weeks now and have suffered a major, and i mean MAJOR initial breakout on my forehead. Lots and Lots of red bumps where before there were none. I had moderate acne before starting spiro but now my face is a total mess. I am so upset, and feel hopeless, as Spiro was sort of a last-ditch effort for me to stop this nightmare (I'm 24 and i've been on accutane 3x, and tried every other topical/antibiotic). Did anyone else experience a bad initial breakout like this? I know it takes a few months to work, so I am going to stick with it, but I am not sure if this is a sign that this drug does not agree with me at all? Any help/encouragement would be much appreciated. I feel so hopeless right now, and don't want to go outside/to class(i'm in grad school) without a hat pulled down over my face.

I am taking 50mg, 2x per day(morning and night). I am also on orthocyclen. I don't think it's a matter of changing my dosage....because it's definitely having an effect....(right now making my acne really bad). I just hope this is a bad initial breakout and then things will clear up. SOON i hope because I have a friends wedding to go to in three weeks. The pimples on my forehead(lots of red bumps, underground little skin colored bumps) seem to get better during the day (still there but less red and bumpy), but as soon as I wash my face/shower again they get irritated even more. I just feel like my skin is exploding from underneath and it is freaking me out, as it was semi-under control (albeit still pimply) before I started Spiro. argh. Thanks for your encouragement though-- I need it, and I am going to stick with it and hopefully see your good results as well. Hope you clear up again too.

i asked my doc about putting me on spiro and she said no, that she only prescribes it for girls who have a noticable masculine/hairyness hormone problem and that i dont have that. and that she sees better results with antibiotics :\

weird when i know my acne is hormonal because it responds well to birth control...

Rainydays

You need to find another doctor. Sad that we know more about our bodies and that there are doctors that deny us a medication that has so few side effects and a huge potential to work. Tell your dr to get it for you or she will lose your business.

I had a derm deny me, then my primary md deny me, and finally the nurse practioner for my derm scribed it to me. Of course, the office is trying it with many of their female clients now that they have seen my success.

Rainydays

 

You need to find another doctor. Sad that we know more about our bodies and that there are doctors that deny us a medication that has so few side effects and a huge potential to work. Tell your dr to get it for you or she will lose your business.

 

I had a derm deny me, then my primary md deny me, and finally the nurse practioner for my derm scribed it to me. Of course, the office is trying it with many of their female clients now that they have seen my success.

I am taking 50mg, 2x per day(morning and night). I am also on orthocyclen. I don't think it's a matter of changing my dosage....because it's definitely having an effect....(right now making my acne really bad). I just hope this is a bad initial breakout and then things will clear up. SOON i hope because I have a friends wedding to go to in three weeks. The pimples on my forehead(lots of red bumps, underground little skin colored bumps) seem to get better during the day (still there but less red and bumpy), but as soon as I wash my face/shower again they get irritated even more. I just feel like my skin is exploding from underneath and it is freaking me out, as it was semi-under control (albeit still pimply) before I started Spiro. argh. Thanks for your encouragement though-- I need it, and I am going to stick with it and hopefully see your good results as well. Hope you clear up again too.