My acne is back.....Oh no.....Please read

gwenlexky · 07-28-2004, 04:09 AM

Goodness, when will this ever end? I have been having problems with cystic acne since I was 24/25. I will be 30 next month.Acne was mild during high school. Normal, really. Started accutane last November. Took it for 3 1/2 weeks. Had rectal bleeding (yes, gross, but true). Called derm's office and the nurse told me to keep taking it. I informed her that the package insert that came with the medication said that if you had that side effect to discontinue immediately. She still encouraged me to take it. Told her to make a note in my chart that I was discontinuing the med that day. You cannot play around with accutane.

Nonetheless, my face stayed totally clear until the past few days. Cystic acne has begun again on my right jawline. Luckily, I was able to get some doxycyline today. That is the only antibiotic that seems to work well for me. Strange thing is that I was Dx with PCOS in Feb of 04 and put on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Really never expected to break out while on the BCP. My hormones are WAY out of whack. So, now I am like, here we go again.

Anyone got any input, suggestions, etc. I am going to maybe try Spiro. Has anyone had any luck with that med? I cannot go through this again. In the past it has gotten so bad, that I did not want to go to class, work, etc. My face hurt so bad one time, I had to go to the ER.

This is awful.

Thanks ladies.

Gwen

PUGGUMS · 07-28-2004, 11:49 AM

I think sprio would be a good option for you. Other options include the bcp Dianette. It has something in it that reduces testosteron in the same way that sprio does. Also, if you havne't seen an RE yet, do that, and find out if you're insulin resistant. If you are they may prescribed metformin, which some people find helpful. Sometimes it takes 3 months to see effects from the pill. So, hang in there.

bectaz · 08-22-2004, 05:29 PM

I'm new here - newly diagnosed w/PCOS but not new at all to acne unfortunately.

I'm on Spiro 50 mg twice a day - it was the only thing that helped me. I took Acutane multiple times when i was much younger (i.e. - your age and younger. I'm forty now) - my skin looked great while i was on it, but it never lasted.

The website acne dot org has a recommendation on B-5 (maybe just info - not really a recommendation) (B-5/Panothenic Acid) - - I'm pretty impressed with it but don't know enough to explain it here.

ellieraine · 08-25-2004, 05:24 AM

I've seen Spiro mentioned a lot but don't really know what it is, can someone help?

I am from the UK and have only been offered Met, was told that was the main thing for PCOS and I should try that. Only started taking it a few weeks ago, so no improvements yet...

Acne is my main problem, the others I can cope with, but you can't hide acne on your face can you??

I know how you guys feel

bectaz · 08-25-2004, 11:39 AM

Spironolactone (brand name "Aldactone") is a potassium sparing diuretic that was originally used for high blood pressure. (probably still is a little).

It's been many years since I researched it, so this may not be 100 percent accurate, but I'll do my best to explain what I can.

Acne can be caused by hypersecreting aldosterone and Spiro helps correct that (uh, I'm not sure how - - it's been ages since I read about it).

A dermatologist is probably most likely to RX it for you - - that's who started me on it many years ago (a doctor only recently put my health issues together to diagnose PCOS)

There's a message board - - acne.org that might be helpful.
(lots of very young people, but some older ones too.)

As for the Met - - i don't know that it does anything for acne. I'd have to read more about it. What I read to date says it "may" help.

Something to check out if you go to acne.org is the thread on B-5 on the over the counter section of their boards (it's sticky at the top).

HopeStar · 08-29-2004, 03:53 PM

As for the Accutane, yes, you cannot mess around with that drug. However, those who may have that side effect may need a dosage level off where you start off on a low dosage and sometimes even take it every other day the first month whereas this s/e should immediately subside. I've been on that med many, many times in my life. It does work, and it does give you a nice remission, but as in my case where I was only diagnosed with PCOS recently which is the real source of the problem, it has certainly come back. I get angry sometimes that I spent so much money on that med many times because I didn't have insurance. It worked great to get rid of my oily face and acne, but since the endocrine issue was never taken seriously it seems to have been all in vain. Although I will say the quantity of the acne I now get is dramatidally improved. Now with the PCOS treatment, I hope to have the cystic acne go away for good. Hopefully a clear, beautiful complexion is on our horizon! Good luck!