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Spirolactone Ended 16 Years of Cystic Acne. Richmond, VA

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I've suffered from acne since I was just 8 years...

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lavaliereDecember 20, 2014
WORTH IT$12
I've suffered from acne since I was just 8 years old. For years I visited a rather mediocre dermatologist who was unable to diagnose the cause of my problem and as I grew older the acne only worsened. By the time I was in college, I was deep in the throes of cystic acne and beginning to get scars.
It wasn't until this fall that I visited Dr. Hayri Sangiray of the Dermatology Center of Richmond, and I only wish I had done so sooner. He suspected that I was being plagued by a hormonal imbalance and ordered some tests (blood + 24-hour urine) , and it turns out that he was right.
I started a Spirolactone treatment on 11/17/2014 and 4 weeks later my acne is basically cured!
I highly recommend asking your dermatologist to order a hormonal test to see if your acne is being caused by an imbalance if you're like me and have been suffering from it for far too long. If it is and you're a woman, then Spirolactone is *the* cure for this problem and has none of the side effects of Accutane.
I am now working on removing my acne scars with a CO2 laser treatment. You can follow my progress here: http://www.realself.com/review/richmond-va-co2-laser-24-year-history-acne-and-moderate-acne-scarring#/entry-

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Dr. Hayri Sangiray

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Replies (13)

AlreadyRegistered
December 20, 2014
I'm so happy for you! I too, visited a mediocre dermatologist more than 20 years ago who did nothing for me but charge me expensive fees and prescribe stuff that basically fried my skin. It wasn't until I moved out of state that I finally found a dermatologist who knew what she was doing - I felt as if I was granted a miracle.
Sbnikki
December 22, 2014
Can you tell me what dose you are on. I too have hormonal cystic acne but aldactone has done nothing for me.
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lavaliere
December 22, 2014
I am on 50 mg twice daily.
r19
February 4, 2015
Did the acne come back once you stopped taking the Spiro?
LaTrec
June 26, 2015
The Spiranolactone is indicated for patients who exhibit hirsutism, acne and amenorrhea. It may be associated with PCOS. Blood tests can indicate elevated levels of male type hormones. One does not require excessively high blood levels of male hormones to create an acnegenic response. If you find you have slightly more body hair, or hair where it should not be (surrounding areolae ) chances are you would benefit from Spiranolactone therapy. Your response will not likely be immediate. If you are producing excess androgens your skin will improve such that your acne will not return. This presumes your acne is hormonal. By disrupting this hormonal relationship you have altered the situation as long as you are on the drug. To analyze the problem further consult a good endocrinologist who understands the nature of sex hormones (I.e. adrenal gland issue, polycystic ovarian issue or other).
poppy557
February 11, 2015
Same story here. It just angers me how many incompetent dermatologists are out there who are too lazy to look into all possible avenues.
LaTrec
April 29, 2015
Interesting how many of us have the same negative experience with dermatologists. Spiranolactone is a medication that you will no doubt need to take through your reproductive years and possibly beyond. If you have mild to severe hirsuitism as well as irregular periods you may wish to investigate the possibility of PCOS with an endocrinologist or OBGYN. It was once believed, through the use of incorrect statistical and experimental design, that PCOS afflicted corpulent women only. In recent years the medical community has learned such is not the case. PCOS not only impacts your skin, but aspects of your metabolic system. As with your acne, knowledge of your medical problem will provide you with the best tools to address the problem. As a footnote I would like to add that Spiranolactone can be taken for a very long time and is will tolerated by most.
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