POSTED UNDER Spironolactone For Acne REVIEWS
32 Years Old and Have Exhausted All Other Options....including Accutane. - Englewood, NJ
ORIGINAL POST
Day # 1 Today was my first day of taking 50 mg of...
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Day # 1
Today was my first day of taking 50 mg of spironolactone. I've been sitting on this prescription for a few months but after seeing how horrendous my skin was getting, i just decided to take the plunge. I don't think my acne is hormonal per se as I have it all month long but the worst of it seems to be around my mouth and chin though its spread to other areas of my face.
I've been dealing with this plague for over 16 years and after a successful course of accutane which put me in remission, the acne has come back. It's been hell since 2011. I had started another course of accutane last year but ended up in the ER with off the charts liver enzymes. Since that time, I have been on the topical roller coaster. Due to eczema, I am no longer able to tolerate topicals so this is my last resort before groveling and possibly going on an ultra low dose course of accutane.....again.
I have pretty much tried everything:
BP
Birth Control
Antibiotics
Topicals from derm
Accutane
Diet changes (paleo, gluten/dairy free)
Hoping to get some support here and maybe i'll be brave and post some pictures.
Thanks for joining me on my journey
Lee
Today was my first day of taking 50 mg of spironolactone. I've been sitting on this prescription for a few months but after seeing how horrendous my skin was getting, i just decided to take the plunge. I don't think my acne is hormonal per se as I have it all month long but the worst of it seems to be around my mouth and chin though its spread to other areas of my face.
I've been dealing with this plague for over 16 years and after a successful course of accutane which put me in remission, the acne has come back. It's been hell since 2011. I had started another course of accutane last year but ended up in the ER with off the charts liver enzymes. Since that time, I have been on the topical roller coaster. Due to eczema, I am no longer able to tolerate topicals so this is my last resort before groveling and possibly going on an ultra low dose course of accutane.....again.
I have pretty much tried everything:
BP
Birth Control
Antibiotics
Topicals from derm
Accutane
Diet changes (paleo, gluten/dairy free)
Hoping to get some support here and maybe i'll be brave and post some pictures.
Thanks for joining me on my journey
Lee
Gizmo1221's provider
Replies (24)
October 16, 2015
Ironically I too just got my prescription of Spiro yesterday. I have been dealing with cystic acne primarily on my cheeks and chin for the past year. I am 45 and never really had issues with my skin other than an occasional pimple. About 5 months ago I was put on Aczone twice daily and tazarac at night. My skin improved but three weeks ago I again got 3 cysts. I did not want to go on birth control because at my age the risks were not something I was comfortable with. I had done some research on Spiro but my derm brought it up before I could even mention. She shared with me that she has been on it herself for 2 years. Her only demand was I do not get pregnant and that I'm going to be patient as I may get break thru bleeding and messed up periods during first few months. I forgot to mention I'm on Solodyn for 2 more months for a total of 3 months so she said by the time I stop antibiotic Spiro will kick in. I too experience breakouts all month not just prior to my period and she explained some women are just more sensitive to testosterone - not even that I have an excessive amount just that when things fluctuate my body is more sensitive right now;(. I'll be taking 25 mg bid...I weigh 106 , very active with Crossfit and eat clean so she didn't have much hesitation beyond what I mentioned. I expect some dizziness initially but pray I can tolerate it and this is the holy grail I'm looking for. I start my script either tonight or tomorrow. Keep posting on your journey and I wish you all the best ;). I know how difficult and depressing acne is and my heart goes out to you!!
October 19, 2015
Thank You. Hopefully at that low of a dose you won't have blood pressure issues (especially with being so active)
August 5, 2016
I have seen a lot worse. I know that does make you feel any comfort. Your acne is relatively minor but obviously stubborn. They should monitor your LFT’S regularly when taking Accutane. You should not have ended up in ER. See a good Dermatologist. Spironolactone is not without side-effects and 50 mg seems a large dose to start but get advice from a competent Dermatologist. There are laser treatments.
Good luck.
Good luck.
December 17, 2016
I'm sorry you are going through this. I know what hell cystic acne can be. I've dealt with it for over 8 years now. Most of the time, I could not be treated because I was pregnant and breastfeeding the whole time. I was so desperate during my pregnancy with my son that I tried dramatic dietary chance. The one thing that worked and continues to work is giving up 100% of dairy products. I have to be very very very VERY strict with this, as the slightest drop of milk or butter, etc, will cause me to break out. Things baked with or cooked in butter I cannot eat. I was clear for 1.5 years and unfortunately tried to incorporate dairy back into my diet with depressing results as now I have the biggest, deepest scar on my forehead from literally eating ONE serving of ravioli. I know it's the dairy, I am sure of it. My family and most doctors think I am crazy, but I am not. I see you have tried this dietary change. How long have you gone off dairy? i saw results after literally 2 weeks. I have no idea if this will work for you but maybe give it another try Now that our family is complete and I am done breastfeeding, I have been treating my acne. I am no on 150 mg of spironolactone, Aczone 7.5% in the a.m. and Tretenoin in the p.m. and my face is finally clear. Now, I am dealing with the scars and in the process of treatment for them. I'm seeing improvements in them and I have hope. Please keep us updated.
December 17, 2016
I can't eat anything made with dairy - no ice cream, cheese (processed or expensive cheese), yogurt, milk, butter, or anything made with or in butter, just to be clear.
March 21, 2018
Hi I’m on the same treatment plan right now, I’ve been on retin A 0.025% for 2 months now, aczone for a month and I started my 50mg daily spiro last night. I hope all these works for my stubborn acne. I’m just afraid of the side effects that I’ve been reading about spiro. Are you still on this treatment plan and what helped with the side effects. Thank you.
UPDATED FROM Gizmo1221
7 days post
Day # 8
So i've been on spiro for a week and I think I am breaking out more. I have quite the cyst on my right jaw line and under my chin is getting smaller breakouts. My right side upper cheek has several red bumps that are not quite as deep. I also have several superficial breakouts on both sides of my mouth, chin, cheeks and forehead. All in all, my face is a hot mess. My face is not any dryer than it usually is.
Side Effects that I am experiencing include:
feeling lightheaded
feeling loopy
more bathroom trips (though not too excessive...yet)
more acne (including cysts)
Side effects are manageable so far. Hoping things don't get too much worse or that this treatment ends up not working as I have nothing else to try after this.
Side Effects that I am experiencing include:
feeling lightheaded
feeling loopy
more bathroom trips (though not too excessive...yet)
more acne (including cysts)
Side effects are manageable so far. Hoping things don't get too much worse or that this treatment ends up not working as I have nothing else to try after this.
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM Gizmo1221
10 days post
Day # 11
I do believe I have entered my initial breakout and it is horrific to say the least. Red, inflamed bumps (some pus filled) along my right and left mouth, chin and jaw. I also have cystic type acne on my neck and under chin which is not the norm for me. Boo boo. My skin is also so parched looking which adds to this lovely picture......not fun! My left side is doing better than my right side which has so much bumps, redness and hyper pigmentation from past and present acne. It also itches something fierce. I am honestly scared thinking about how much worse it will get, especially with my brothers wedding coming up and picture day at work. I guess all I can do is ride it out......feels like accurate all over again except I knew for a fact that accurate would help some......this, I'm not so sure of.
Replies (7)
September 26, 2015
Thanks so much for sharing your video! I found this video that shows how to hide acne with makeup, maybe this will help you if you need coverage for your brothers wedding:Â How To Conceal Cystic Acne: Watch This Amazing Transformation!
September 26, 2015
Thank you so much ! I've heard great things about dermablend but was afraid it would break me out more. I'll look into it.
September 26, 2015
Washed my hair for the first time since starting (i'm black with naturally kinky curly hair) and man oh man, did it seem like a lot more whole strands came out when combing it out in the shower. I'm definately a bit concerned but i'll wait till i wash my hair again before i come to some sort of conclusion. Having acne is bad enough. Having acne and going bald is no bueno
September 27, 2015
Have you ever tried Resist9? I have sensitive skin yet I tolerate this product really well. I initially started using it for cystic acne brought on by laser damage, and it was a godsend. I still use it even though I rarely break out anymore b/c it's also great for evening skin tone, to lessen wrinkles and for shallow scars. It heals post acne marks quickly. It is supposed to be fine for people with eczema, from what I've read.
April 25, 2016
Have you had food allergy testing done? I found out I am allergic to almost everything I love to eat. Stopping those foods has done wonders for my skin. My food allergies include almonds, coconut, rice, Bakers yeast, black pepper, and clams. I was mixing my shakes with almond or coconut milk... Eating bread and rice fro breakfast lunch and dinner. I quit everything and in 3 weeks my skin was completely clear.
April 27, 2016
I have done all that, with naturopaths, without naturopaths, with a TCM doctor......it's not that. But thanks for the input!
Hello Lee, thank you for sharing your journey with us, I hope that you get lots of support from the community. I hope that you decide to share progress photos, or even video if you feel brave - it's a wonderful way to track your progress and it's so helpful and encouraging for others who are researching acne treatments. Since you have tried Accutane multiple times, please share your thoughts here:Â What Do You Wish You Knew Before Starting Accutane? Keep us posted! Â :)