Hi all,
I was just wondering, to those with experience, what do you think would be better for someone who hasn't had either? The permantent dry lips thing about accutane really sounds bad to me. But I am afraid to go on spiro because I am so scarred of being disappoined again. I can't help but get my hopes up everytime I try something new.
I did not want to try the accutane because of all the possible side effects. I have been on spironolactone for at least 3 years now. It does help, but I still get the cysts ( I have cystic acne which I got when I was 24 and pregnant with my son) sometimes, just not as often. I take Doryx when I get them. Some of them are still very bad. But, I do have to say it has helped. I take 2 pills a day.
I've never taken spiro before, but I was on accutane. I know there are a lot of horror stories out there about it, but it worked like a miracle for me. My last pill was in September and I've had one pimple since, which was easily covered by my hair. It didn't last too long like mine usually do. No bad side effects except chapped lips, slight dry nose, and dry skin.
I've never taken spiro before, but I was on accutane. I know there are a lot of horror stories out there about it, but it worked like a miracle for me. My last pill was in September and I've had one pimple since, which was easily covered by my hair. It didn't last too long like mine usually do. No bad side effects except chapped lips, slight dry nose, and dry skin.
Have the chapped lips stayed after you stopped the accutane? I read that it had become a permanent problem afterwards and some are required to put lip gloss every ten min or so. Even years after the accutane
I take Spiro and it has helped tremendously! I would very highly suggest trying Spiro before Accutane. Spiro has been used for 20-30 years and is soooooooooo much safer than taking Accutane!!! Also, people who've not had luck with Accutane have had results with Spiro. I myself would NEVER even consider taking Accutane! The Spiro cleared my acne by 95% within 3 weeks. I take 100mg/day.
Hi, I haven't tried that other thing you mentioned, but I was on an Accutaine Treatment (40mg) for 6 months, and it worked like magic on me. I went from having severe acne, to basically only red spots (from the acne--which is supposed to go away, the dermsaid) left, and my face has totally changed. Instead of getting the huge pimples everyday, I might get 1 or two tiny ones once a week, that go away like overnight.
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By the way, the chapped lips thing went away after about a month I was off accutaine.
Last edited by moderator2; 01-08-2005 at 04:43 AM.
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I am on spiro. I like it. Helps with my oily skin (and hair) and overall skin texture. I take 50mg in the A.M. and 50 in the P.M. Another side effect, which i personally enjoy is that i have gone up a cup size in my breasts and they are firmer. I will go down to 50mg a day for maitainance here soon. I had started taking it for a particularly bad breakout. Hope this helps. I have never taken Accutane.
Hi, I haven't tried that other thing you mentioned, but I was on an Accutaine Treatment (40mg) for 6 months, and it worked like magic on me. I went from having severe acne, to basically only red spots (from the acne--which is supposed to go away, the dermsaid) left, and my face has totally changed. Instead of getting the huge pimples everyday, I might get 1 or two tiny ones once a week, that go away like overnight.
[ No off-board contact of any kind, for any reason. No exceptions. ]
By the way, the chapped lips thing went away after about a month I was off accutaine.
My email address is [ please carefully review the posting rules - no emails ]
Last edited by moderator2; 01-08-2005 at 04:45 AM.
Reason: No off-board contact of any kind, for any reason. No exceptions.
I've been on accutane twice and now i'm on spiro.The accutane helped me but hasn't completely cleared my skin.I've only been on spiro for nearly two weeks so i can't comment on whether that works for me yet.I can't say which one you should try first.I guess you'll just have to pick one and try it and if it works...great,if it doesn't you can always try the other one
Those of you who are on or have been on spiro;my skin is breaking out worse nearly two weeks in.Did you have an initial breakout?If so,when did it pass?Also,when did you start noticing an improvement and when did your skin actually clear?
Have the chapped lips stayed after you stopped the accutane? I read that it had become a permanent problem afterwards and some are required to put lip gloss every ten min or so. Even years after the accutane
Chapped lips aren't a problem for me anymore. I'd say within 1 to 1 1/2 months my lips were back to normal.
I used Spironolactone for about for about 2-3 months. The only reason I stopped was b/c I got pregnant. In those months I immediately noticed a change in oil production. I am 31 and have been a grease factory since puberty so this was wonderful. Since I wasn't on it any longer I can't say a lot about it. I am off all prescription meds b/c I am pregnant and I would love to stay that way after giving birth....but I will resume Spiro. if needed and resume taking Doryx, the antibiotic I used b/f getting pregnant.
I am on 50mg of Spiro/day. Unfortunately, I have yet to see major results b/c I was taking it concurrently with OTC Lo--which broke me out horribly. I just got switched to TriNessa 28, so I am hoping that, with this BCP, my skin will be more tolerant to all of my medications.
If I did have an initial breakout on Spiro, I wouldn't have known b/c of OTC Lo....sorry you are having problems Kelly. How many mg/day are you taking? I started out with 25mg/day and was just moved up to 50mg/day in December. Maybe you should work your way up to 100mg...that is what I am planning on doing! Good luck!
I hope things start to look up for you soon kelly. I know how disappointing it can be. But hang in there. I am going to make an app. with my doc as soon as I can and try to get a prescription for spiro. I really hope it works. I have recently,(last 2 days) broken out worse than usual. I think it is stress related because my grandmother is very sick. Just to add insult to injury, eh. Keep us updated kelly, good luck!
In response to your question about a intial breakout with spiro...I am on spiro for something unrelated, but it was prescribed hoping it would help my acne as well..I have been on 25mg a day, but since reading that most everyone getting very good results with 100mg a day I have uped my dosage, and I believe mine was intially worse. So hang in there it does get better, everyone is different but I did have a intial breakout when I upped my dosage.
I took both spiro and accutane. The spiro helped me out quite a bit, but I still got ugly cysts around that time of the month (hormones suck!) and I still had some flesh colored bumps on my face. Still, it was quite an improvement for me. I took spiro for about eight months.
Accutane was a miracle for me. I took it for five months and just got off it three weeks ago. I'm so happy that I took it. The dry lips, dry eyes, and eczema were sooooo worth it. I actually got complimented on my skin today! The guy at GNC (vitamin store) asked me if I took vitamins because I had such nice skin. It definately took me aback for a second, because I'm not used to that sort of compliment since I had such ugly skin for so many years.
I guess both worked for me, but the accutane worked a lot better. With spiro, I could pass for "decent skin" with makeup on; with accutane I have "nice skin" with no makeup on. One thing that spiro did that was so great was that it really helped reduce my periods and cramping. My gyno told me it has that effect on women. Being on spiro was a great eight months for me, because I only had two day periods and almost no cramps. Still, accutane was the better fit for my skin.
I have decided to try spiro first. Accutane will be a last resort for me. I already have a problem with really dry skin in some spots and sore joints from time to time. So I feel better with the spiro right now. But if i have to, I will go on accutane eventually.
I just got switched to TriNessa 28, so I am hoping that, with this BCP, my skin will be more tolerant to all of my medications. 
