Have you tried spironolactone? Not sure if that would also cause a problem with migraines but it tends to be the heaviest hitting treatment for women with hormonal acne.

Spironolactone has never been mentioned to me.

I decided today enough was enough and have booked to go and see a top dermatologist specialising in acne in central London, it will cost me a lot of money, but I think its now my only option. I think doctors have a very limited knowledge, and can only deal with basic cases of acne. I will mention Spironolactone, googling it, it looks like a good option.

On May 26, 2016 at 4:19 PM, melissaking said:

Some advice from other peoples experiences would be appreciated, I have had acne from the age of about 14 and I am now 40 I go through periods of having clear skin to long periods of bad acne, I have been on every type of antibiotic cream as well as pills, retin a, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, chemical peels, light therapy that didn't work,infact everything my doctor could try, ending up with me using Epiduo. Everything I try works for a while then stops, and sadly, the Epiduo is no longer working after 18 months of using it. My doctor says he has tried everything and cant do anymore for me. I am unable to go contraceptive pills that help acne due to migraine with aura. Diet does not seem to be a factor, I have tried lots of different types of elimination diets none have made any difference.

My skin has been extremely oily for the past year, and now all of a sudden becamejustoily, during my extremely oily phase my doctor did a hormone test that came back as "Satisfactory"

My question now is, If I pay to see a dermatologist, can they do anything else for me. All the acne is around my chin and mouth, definitely not dermatitis/cold sores that has all been checked out, it is definitely acne. I don't want to waste a lot of money, if it looks like I have exhausted all forms of treatment.

Have you tried Spironolactone? It's an androgen inhibitor. I'm about to start it for my never ending chin acne. It does have to be prescribed by a doctor. I take 50 mg a day. I'm surprised your derm hasn't tried you on it. Also, try to find a compounding pharmacy and meet with a pharmacist that specializes in bio identical hormone therapy. I've gotten rid of my menstrual migraines by taking natural progesterone certain days of the month.

I am based in the UK, andthe doctors at my practice hate referring you to a specialist unless it's life threatening or extreme, the impression I get is unless my whole face is covered in terrible acneI wont get a referral, hence not trying Spiro yet.

I have private health insurance and have had to use that to get proper treatment for other issues I have had. There is no chance of any referral to a dermatologist unless I pay myself. My appointment is in a week and I am hoping I get a prescription for Spironolactone, reading up about it, it seems like the perfect treatment for me.

So annoyed about his, Epiduo worked like a dream for 18 months and now, even using it 2 times a day has totally stopped working. I cant wait for the appointment now.

On 6/4/2016 at 9:19 AM, melissaking said:

I am based in the UK, andthe doctors at my practice hate referring you to a specialist unless it's life threatening or extreme, the impression I get is unless my whole face is covered in terrible acneI wont get a referral, hence not trying Spiro yet.

I have private health insurance and have had to use that to get proper treatment for other issues I have had. There is no chance of any referral to a dermatologist unless I pay myself. My appointment is in a week and I am hoping I get a prescription for Spironolactone, reading up about it, it seems like the perfect treatment for me.

So annoyed about his, Epiduo worked like a dream for 18 months and now, even using it 2 times a day has totally stopped working. I cant wait for the appointment now.

Hello fellow Migraine sufferer. I am 34 and have had them since I was 5. And always with an Aura. I have been on Spiro for 2 1/2 years, first while on Yaz, but hadd to stop that due to Migraine with Aura and Aphasia. I do not have an issue on Spiro alone after the initial period of starting it, in the beginning when I change my dose or when I first started I did have migraines for a few weeks and then they completely subside. It is extremely helpful for the oily skin, etc,

Just an update to my post.

I saw a private dermatologist in central London, and was put on a course of Accutane 20mg for 6 weeks. Tomorrow I will have finished week 2, and already my skin is producing less oil, and has not looked this good in years. Estee double wear foundation is lasting all day like it was meant to, not 2 hours as it was before.
I have dry lips and an itchy scalp, and had migraines for a few days to start, but they have gone now. I still have to blot the oil off my face, but it's no where near as bad as it has been.

I cant wait to see what I will look like in a few weeks time once I have finished the course, and hopefully have normal skin.