I have I guess what would be considered moderate acne. I use Noxzema as a cleanser and Benzoyl Peroxide (10%) everyday faithfully. A clay mask on average twice a week. For the most part I can sustain a less severe looking complexion, i.e., almost no minor breakouts of whiteheads or blackheads, but I still develope the deeper cystic acne. Most noticeably right before my period. I would say 5 or 6 cysts I guess. I want to take care of this once and for all and be able to maintain mostly clear skin all month long. I know Accutane is supposed to be very affective for cystic acne, but I admit I am a little afraid of the side effects. Also, I understand you end up looking (alot?) worse before you get better. I have done research on Aldactone and it is supposed to be affective at reducing acne, but I have not found any great detail on what types of acne. I dont have health insurance so I will be paying out of pocket for either treatment, and need to get good results from the first treatment I try. I want to use the one that would be the most affective with the fastest results. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.
Just had to make this comment: I had a friend once with *perfect* skin -- you know, that flawless, poreless, totally even toned kind that I've spent my whole life (at least since I was 11 anyway ) being envious of. anyway, for some reason or other she decided to try Noxema (no idea why) -- and for the first and only time in her life she broke out in a rash of spots (she was 19 at the time).
Now, everyone's different, and maybe if she'd had probelm skin to begin with it would have made it better rather than worse, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
As for accutane versus aldactone -- for some reason I have this idea that aldactone is safer -- accutane can cause liver damage and all that. I'm on aldactone at the moment (recently swithced over from cyproterone acetate) and it seems to work ok. Never tried accutane, but a friend of mine did and his skin was spot-free after that.
sorry I wasn't much help on the accutane/aldactone question!
I have taken both. Took accutane over 10 years ago. It never gave me any extreme side effects, just dry skin. It helped but I still get one cyst a month aroung AF. I am going to ask for it again. I am 42 and feel sick of dealing with this. I also took aldactone for years when I was younger and it really did stop the acne. I feel for some reason also that you should try aldactone first. I guess I see accutane as a last resort.
Thank you ladies. I was leaning towards the Aldactone myself, I just needed some reassurance about the decision. Just unsure of its actual affectiveness. I think I will give it a go. One other thing, how often do you go to your doctor for test or blood work, etc on Aldactone?
When i took aldactone i only went in to the Dr. once yearly. Maybe at first they would check you more often. Another thing about aldactone, I can't say it got rid of the facial hair but it made it very fine and that made it ok for me to deal with. I don't know if you are dealing with that issue also. Good luck.
Aldactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, which means that you tend to retain potassium. Because of this, you need to have blood work done every six months to make sure your potassium levels aren't too high (either kidney or liver, I can't remember which.)
Good luck. It worked for me!
Janet
__________________ Janet
DS#1 1991 after losing weight, DS#2 1995 after 1 cycle of Humegon (injectible)
Yasmin (previously Diane-35), Synthroid 0.15 mg, Spiro 100 mg
I am curious if Aldactone is actually used to treat Acne. I have been doing some research and have not found it anywhere to be prescribed or suggested for acne? I am also leaning toward taking a medication and do not have health insurance so I want to make the right decision? Anyone that has used Aldactone for Acne (cystic acne), I would love to hear from you.
It's my understanding that Aldactone is used to treat acne CAUSED BY TOO MUCH TESTOSTERONE. I took Accutane and every other acne fighting medicine and none of them worked. When I learned that my acne was caused by the overactive adrenal glands and took Aldactone it all went away. If only I had discovered this before the scars appeared....
That was a great link you posted. I have to admit it was one of the most explanatory articles about female acne I've seen in awhile!
The gluc. has just about cleared up my acne, but not quite. I asked my endo about aldactone and she didn't sound to excited about it. She said it didn't really work very well on acne. After reading that article I'm going to print it and give it to her and ask for it again!
Accutane or Aldactone, EXTREMELY Undecided 
) being envious of. anyway, for some reason or other she decided to try Noxema (no idea why) -- and for the first and only time in her life she broke out in a rash of spots (she was 19 at the time).
