Whats the word,, Spironolactone

[soni0714]

Another question about spiro: I read that it may cause some crazy AF issues. I'm considering getting on it for this Arizona hills-like acne on my face but am hesitant because of possible AF issues (I have enough on my own, thank you ) What say you ladies about that?

[jetslover]

Before I tried metformin (mistake and then some) I was on spiro 100 mg for almost 2 years. I had an IUD so I didn't do bcp. Spiro made me lose 40 pounds, half my size, and cleared up my skin. Also quit shedding head hair. But it caused AF to get wild.

wow! i just started spiro today and i hope my results are as great as yours! congrats!

[MarianneUnfaithfull]

I'm waiting to pick up my prescription for Spiro, but I've been prescribed it by a derm for acne issues as opposed to hair issues.

Just wondering what sort of results people have had on their acne?

[arcticslug]

I found spiro clears up my skin 100%. It also stops it from being excessively oily.

[arcticslug]

I found spiro clears up my skin 100%. It also stops it from being excessively oily. It does tend to screw around with AF a bit....but it is worth it to have most of my other PCOS symptoms at bay!

[greencurls]

I have taken Spironolactone since 1999 off and on and it has minimal bad side effects and excellent benefits for me. I have reduced facial hair, thickened hair on my head and my skin is gorgeous. It has helped reduce my water weight in a big way as well. I do not have water cankles anymore! I highly recommend using this vs other anti-androgens as far as the benefits vs side effects.

Medications for reducing excessive hair growth
Your doctor may add a medication specifically targeted at countering the effects of excess androgen. Spironolactone (Aldactone) blocks the effects of androgen and reduces new androgen production. For those reasons, the drug isn't recommended if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Spironolactone is also a diuretic and may cause you to urinate more frequently.
Your doctor might also prescribe eflornithine (Vaniqa), a prescription cream that slows facial hair growth in women. This medication is effective for about one-third of the women who use it. Avoid using this medication during pregnancy.







I got this off of the Mayoclinic.com
How many of you have been on this? what were your results? I'm very interested in this more than the fact that it helps reduce excess hair, is it not also excess androgens that gives so many of us our bulky manly features, I mean why is everyone still stuck on metformin being the "miracle cure" we are on it yes it helps with the IR but with my experience and a few others thats as far as it went, I have an appointment on the 17th I'm going to ask about this and see if I can get put on it,, yeah and stuff

[jetslover]

About how llong before you guys started seeing results on spiro? My endo told me that most see results in 6 months, but I'm hoping for sooner!

[laikola]

I've been on Spiro since Dec or January. It took me 4 months before seeing any results. I use to have to shave 5 times a week, and now i'm down to about 2-3!! So hopefully, the longer i'm on it...the better it'll keep being.

It hasn't caused my AF to go crazy....nor has it helped me to loose weight....nor has it cleared up my skin....

...but it is reducing my facial hair! And that's all I care about!!!

[Rosie1028]

Did anyone experiance any other issues while it?? I have an appt on the 18th and I will be asking for this med. Also someone said that it helped lower their DHEA levels. Mine are really high. They have ruled out cushings, so this would be a great added benefit.

[Kalyn]

You know, I was just sitting here the other day and I was telling DH that my face was drying out, I have been using these cleansing pads and they never bothered me before. This didn't start until after I started taking Spiro. I stopped using those pads and my face is hardly oily at all. It use to be where I would have to use something about 3 times a day to keep the oil down. I really haven't noticed any less facial hair, but then again I have only been on it for a little under a month. I do know that I pee a lot.

[soldierwife06]

HI!
Anyone get tired or weak with the spiro met combination?have been on it for 2 weeks and feel a little run down, tired etc. I am paranoid about side effects and have been feeling anixous and tired and worried that it is the meds. Course DH just deployed again so I could be having panic stress:0)

[MarianneUnfaithfull]

Soliderwife, I have read on the net that Spiro itself can cause weakness/fatigue to begin with, but as far as I know that side effect lessens in time for most people. If I'm wrong then someone please correct me!

I'm excited about starting this. Hope it clears my skin.

I've noticed a lot of people saying it's good for facial hair, but what about body hair? TMI ahead >>>>>>> I'm particularly upset by the pubes that sprouted up around my nipples a few years ago. I wonder whether Spiro could help??

[soldierwife06]

HI!
Thanks The symptoms have gone away. I stopped caffine which I read could interact ,so no more jitters. I am not sure about skin, mine was fine to start with but the hair??? It is for sure less.I used to have to shave/ pluck daily and I went all weekend and still do not really need to. A lot of the pepper spots and the ingrown looking follicles have smoothed out!!Also as far as body hair, I have a belly hair issue and that seems to be lessened also. In fact all of the "male" stuff, the lack of waist , weird hair, and agressive feelings seem to be fading.I have not lost much weight but I see a more defined waist line now (from 47 to 43 in, hourglass I am not yet but hey 4 inches makes a differance
Seems like this might help me over the hump. I am hoping that as I lose the weight things will balance and I will not have to take this forever. Spiro is not baby friendly and it is a FDA black box drug so I will not anyway, but for now it is helping!!!

[ILoveMiranda]

Thank you so much for your response! I was wondering...why so low?! She booked me an appointment with a specialist, so I am sure he'll get things straight. I was put on a low dose of Metformin 2 days ago as well...WHOOOOHOOO...the nausea I am lovin'!! OUCH! The doses I am sure will increase with time!

Thanks again!!

Amanda,

My doctor did essentiallly the same thing when he suspected I had PCOS. He actually gave me the option of waiting until I saw the endo or starting a low dose of Met (500 ) and Spiro(25)
I figured that it was better to start it and get my body ready. If you really have PCOS,I don't think it will mess up your blodwork for when you go to the endo. It didn't for me, anway. I still had off he chart testosterone and the endo quadrupled my meds. I also ended up having a CT scan and an internal ultrasound to confirm DX.

I've lost 22 pounds since May ! My face feels softer, and my lovely mustach has faded away. !!!!!!!!

[jetslover]

Ugh, I've been on spiro for about two weeks now and I'm exhausted like allll the time. Last night I slept 10 hours and I still felt like mush all day. Obviously I haven't started to see any results yet so I'm gonna stick with it. Anyone else as tired as I am? Comiserate with me, please.