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So I've been on Spiro for something like sixteen months, and while it took a good six weeks to properly kick in and also triggered an unholy initial outbreak (both of which I understand to be very common), it has been, up until this point, really successful. I've been really relieved - had it not worked, the next step would have been Accutane. I've been on 100mg since day one.
However, in the past week, I've had the most hideous outbreak of cystic acne on my chin/jaw. Just as I start hopefully thinking that they've finally stopped, a new one crops up, and the ones that have healed are scarring lividly. This seems linked to the fact that my periods have also become even more irregular (and less frequent) than they were pre-Spiro - though this, I realise, is hardly unusual on Spiro either. My hormones in general feel pretty messed up - a recent pelvic ultrasound shows fibroids and cysts, and I have some of the symptoms of PCOS (which Spiro would presumably be treating anyway). I'm not allowed to go on the Pill, and this whopping outbreak is making me a bit panicky, as if I'm almost back at square one.
Big outbreaks on Spiro after a long success period: has anyone else experienced this? I've been on 100mg since day one - would the solution be to up my dose to something like 125-150mg?
Have you started using any new products on your face? Also, how's your diet?
Come to think of it, I've been using a new MAC face powder intermittently, which I guess could have something to do with it. My diet is a bit... meh. Lots of fruit and veg, but too much processed food and salt. Good call. Though that part hasn't really changed since being on Spiro.
Have you started using any new products on your face? Also, how's your diet?
Come to think of it, I've been using a new MAC face powder intermittently, which I guess could have something to do with it. My diet is a bit... meh. Lots of fruit and veg, but too much processed food and salt. Good call. Though that part hasn't really changed since being on Spiro.
Take out the variables and give it a month. If Spiro is messing with your menses even more than usual it could mean that there is a hormonal shift going on. Upping your dose may or may not work. What alternatives were you thinking of?
BTW, MAC products are notoriously bad for acne prone skin.
Take out the variables and give it a month. If Spiro is messing with your menses even more than usual it could mean that there is a hormonal shift going on. Upping your dose may or may not work. What alternatives were you thinking of?
BTW, MAC products are notoriously bad for acne prone skin.
Thanks for the advice. I'm loathed to up my dose unless I really have to. I didn't actually know that about MAC, although it is, well, quite "cloggy". I may need to do some research on acne-friendly makeup substitutes.
Alternatives: This is kind of the problem. I've tried antibiotics and topical treatments with no luck. And like I mentioned, I'm not a candidate for the Pill or anything containing oestrogen or progesterone (in fact, my skin problems pretty much started when I was forced to go off the Pill, which was the best thing for me hormonally). My doctor indicated that if Spiro wasn't successful, Accutane would be my next port of call, which I'm really not at all excited about.