Spironolactone and hormonal effects

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MnGal25

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Well I got the run around from about 5 different endocrinologists today - when I said I wanted to be seen for acne they were all puzzled and belittled me to feel as thought I should be calling the derm, not them.

I finally got one office to schedule me an appt. Bad news, they are booked until Deceraber!!!!! Terrible! I have a wedding in 1 month and I sure hope I can be clear for that. I dont know what to do.
 
I'd take an antitibiotic in the meantime. Chances are, you won't have any major side effects. If you really want to be clear within a month, that's pretty much your only option. Good luck!
 
I am a 43 year old woman who has battled hormonal acne most of my adult life. My derm put me on 25 mg of Spironolactone a few months ago. I did not see any improvement, so the dose was increased to 50 mg. Since increasing the amount of the drug, I have noticed my breasts seem more sensitive and am wondering what the hormonal effects of Spironolactone may be. I took myself off oral contraceptives when the HRT controversy erupted and have been suspicious of hormones ever since.

Anyone else with these symptoms? :confused:
 
yes, do not take antibiotics if there are alternatives. keflex might work for a while but will stop and it can mess up your digestive systems. trust me that is not fun.
 
I've been taking 100mg of Spiro daily for about 6 months now. I haven't noticed any side effects. Sorry I couldn't offer much help!!

Have you asked your Dr. or Pharmacist about it?
 
I finally got my regular physician to prescribe SPIRO today, but only 25 mg! Is that going to help at all? I also take Yasmin which I understand has 25 mg as well. It took some convincing to get her to prescribe it. She had to dig out all her reference books, etc and read up on SPIRO. She told me she has never prescribed it for acne in the past but finally let her guard down and said she is willing to experiment with me, but of course I have to go back in a month to get my potassium levels checked. Fine with me! I just hope 25 mg does something for me.
 
Woah Boozle, I have not had a period while on spiro as well. It's slightly disconcerting to me and my gyno does not want me on birth control. this spiro drug is something else let me tell you!
 
I do not think spiro is considered a hormone by itself. It just is a testosterone blocker.
 
As you can see above, I finally got SPIRO! Only 25mg, but hey, its something! Now Im not sure what to do - I am in a wedding on Oct 20 and Im trying everything possible to have a clear face. I am currently taking KEFLES which riRAB your body of all bacteria and then also YASMIN. Im afraid of starting SPIRO due to an intial breakout because of this wedding in exactly one month. Have people experienced intial breakouts with SPIRO and do you think I would since its only 25 mg - what should I do? Start now and HOPE FOR THE BEST or continue what Im doing now and start SPIRO after the wedding?
 
If you're looking for a quick fix, choose the antibiotic. If you want something that takes longer to start working, but might "cure" your acne in the long-run, I'd go with Spiro.

I took various antibiotics for about 4 years straight (without side effects), but the acne would always come back. I've been on Spiro for 9 months, and my skin is crystal clear :)
 
Yes, I have PCOS and developed acne (among other things). It cleared up my skin fairly quickly. I could really see an improvement in about a week.
 
my skin is definitely less oily too and my face seems to be clearing up. I have been on this for about a month.
quick question: i am experiencing two weird side effects I was wondering if anyone else could comment on?
1. severe leg cramping in my left thigh. it is really worrying me but I don't want to ask my doctor about it yet because I am afraid I will have to come off the medicine. I have not yet adjusted my diet for sodium/potassium. I am going to try and focus on this and see if it helps. Has anyone else had muscle cramping?
2. low libido. Not to get too personal but I feel this drug has definitely had an effect on my libido in the bedroom. My period is late as well (i wonder if i'll skip it too like the two earlier posters....I know for sure i'm not pregnant though). I know hormones can have some weird effects, but is this lack of desire normal?
 
Yep, I'd take them together. They are completely different. The Keflex will basically just work to help keep you clear temporarily while the Spiro takes its time to kick in. Your doctor would not have prescribed them both for you if it wasn't safe. I continued taking Minocycline up until about 3 months into Spiro, then I weened myself off of it because it wasn't necessary any longer.
 
Skimom, what type of digestive problems??? Ive been okay so far - 2 weeks that is, but the acne under my chin is BAD!

Tigerbuddy, did you take Yasmin alone at all or has it always been taken with Spiro? If taken alone, did you get any results just from Yasmin? Ive taken every antibiotic out there, accutance twice, etc - its so frustrating. Then when the derm just gave me another antibiotic, I was disappointed. I wanted Spiro but he said to try this first. I think I need to find a new derm!
 
I was on Minocycline (an antibiotic) when I started Spiro. I had aboslutely NO initial breakout (I think it's more common NOT to have one that it is to have one-- I've only heard of a few people on the boarRAB saying they had one, and I don't think they were on an antibiotic). I'd start taking the Spiro right away if I were you. You could always talk to the pharmacist to see what they think. good luck!
 
Well, the doctor did not prescribe them together. The derm prescribed Keflex and my regular phsyician prescribed Spiro. My regular physician wanted to me continue Keflex for another week totaling one month that I have taken it. If still no improvement, she told me to stop Keflex and try Spiro so Im not even supposed to start it until Oct 1. I just am so nervous about this wedding I am in Oct 20 and I want to be clear for it!!!!!!!
 
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