Daisy – how many months did it take to clear on Ortho Tri-cyclen?

Just wanted to share!
Mommaoftwinsplus1!

Yea that's probably a good idea. Yes it is a really great book!! The book even says that sometimes 75mgs will do the trick. So I hope it does!!

It talks about spiro in there! and birth control pills just trust me it's a great book! My dr. was trying to tell me about the drug and he was amazed by how much I already knew about it. For acne and hair you nedd 100mgs to 200mgs per day. So that is not at all enough. Maybe you should switch derm dr.'s? Idk. But please check this book out it's worth it! Page 302 (in the hard book) is where they talk about how much is needed. Hope this helps!

Actually I own two copies of that book! One I gave to the endo and one I may give to the derm. I know, it's a great book. I just don't know if that would be presumptuous of me. I think she should be on at least 75 mgs. Her BP is kind of low to begin with so maybe they are afraid of it going too low. Part of me thinks we should wait and see how she does on the low dose.

It talks about spiro in there! and birth control pills just trust me it's a great book! My dr. was trying to tell me about the drug and he was amazed by how much I already knew about it. For acne and hair you nedd 100mgs to 200mgs per day. So that is not at all enough.

Well, I think a lower dose can work if you combine it with diet and other supplements like the zinc, saw palmetto and nettle that also block androgens. My skin isn't oily at all anymore and I'm only taking 50 mgs. I was prescribed 200, but the dehydration was killing me at just 100mgs. So I have to cut the 100mg pills in half. Sometimes I quarter them too so I can take 75mgs. But the more you take, the more you block.

My skin wasn't very oily anymore after several months on low carb diet and supplements before I was prescribed spiro.

No that is not enough! Get this book please! The hormonally vulnerable woman by Geoffrey Redmond

It talks about spiro in there! and birth control pills just trust me it's a great book! My dr. was trying to tell me about the drug and he was amazed by how much I already knew about it. For acne and hair you nedd 100mgs to 200mgs per day. So that is not at all enough. Maybe you should switch derm dr.'s? Idk. But please check this book out it's worth it! Page 302 (in the hard book) is where they talk about how much is needed. Hope this helps!

Hi guy,
I just got back from the derm dr. and he part me on 100mgs. I only take one pill a day. I am also getting more predinose, not sure about the dose though it was hard to read, he said he was going to wing me off of it. I also have to cut down to one doxycycl a day be/c of the side effects iit gives me. Oh and I'm not sure if you knew or not but I also changed my birth control pill to yasmin and have been on it for a week now.

I want to thank you for sharing!! I am on doxycycl right now and tomorrow i go to the derm and start taking spiro. We have already talked about it. I don't have insurance so for me this is perfect!! I just really hope it works!

Please keep us updated and let us know how many mgs. he gave you.

Just wanted to share!
Mommaoftwinsplus1!!!!

Mommaoftwinsplus1,

I want to thank you for sharing!! I am on doxycycl right now and tomorrow i go to the derm and start taking spiro. We have already talked about it. I don't have insurance so for me this is perfect!! I just really hope it works!

BTW, do u have hirsutism (excess body hair)? I do, but not sure if Yasmin is doing the trick; it has 25 mg spiro. But I am oily all the time

Just make sure u are drinking lots of water.

guy

Mommaoftwinsplus1

Now my routine is so simple…
AM Dove soap (no moisturizer, I am an oily skinned gal)
Makeup

PM Dove Soap and maybe a little queen helen mint julep mask. Vaseline
around my eyes. Simple as that.

I still enjoy lots of dairy products, fats, sugar, alcohol and I try to drink lots of water, but I really prefer Diet Coke!:)

Mommaoftwinsplus1

What do you think of Yasmin? Have you ever tried that? Also, how long before you started to clear on spiro? Your list of what you eat is quite exciting also. My daughter has been on a strict diet for the past several months and got no clearing.

Now my routine is so simple…
AM Dove soap (no moisturizer, I am an oily skinned gal)
Makeup

PM Dove Soap and maybe a little queen helen mint julep mask. Vaseline
around my eyes. Simple as that.

I still enjoy lots of dairy products, fats, sugar, alcohol and I try to drink lots of water, but I really prefer Diet Coke!:)

Mommaoftwinsplus1

Congrats on the dd!

Just wanted to share!
Mommaoftwinsplus1!!!!

Momma – I am so happy for you!!! Thank you for this post because this is a very viable solution for many girls/women. Our derm just prescribed yasmin and spiro (25 mg to be added in one month if Yasmin doesn't work) for my daughter. He is being conservative. I suppose if the Yasmin works for her then that would be good on its own. She has also tried all of those things including Accutane and nothing has worked long-term. Are you taking a bcp also?

I am glad you are clear. I have a question though: did they mention anything about pregnancy with this? When I was given it – and I fully admit, I didn't take it at all as prescribed, I think I took it for three days or two weeks or something – anyway, I have not had kids yet and want them so badly…when the Dr. gave Spiro. to me several years ago before I was married, she said since it messes with your hormones it could mess with the baby boy's genitalia? Sorry, no other way to put it. She must have scared me into not taking it but I remember leaving her office very confused.

So I'm curious – did the Dr. give you any info along these lines? I really haven't heard too much of it since then and haven't encountered much on the web.

thanks, guy

I am not the momma but you shouldn't get pregnant when you are taking this. Spiro is just a testosterone blocker. It used to be used for high blood pressure but it has stopped being used for that when the testosterone blocking properties were discovered. It won't affect your future child-bearing but you should use adequate protection while on it.

I am glad you are clear. I have a question though: did they mention anything about pregnancy with this? When I was given it – and I fully admit, I didn't take it at all as prescribed, I think I took it for three days or two weeks or something – anyway, I have not had kids yet and want them so badly…when the Dr. gave Spiro. to me several years ago before I was married, she said since it messes with your hormones it could mess with the baby boy's genitalia? Sorry, no other way to put it. She must have scared me into not taking it but I remember leaving her office very confused.

So I'm curious – did the Dr. give you any info along these lines? I really haven't heard too much of it since then and haven't encountered much on the web.

thanks, guy

The acne covers basically all of my nipples at the bottom of my neck. They are not whiteheads or blackheads, or cysts. They are quite small and they are just red. They are almost completely inflamed. But it is quite thick and is not serious, but it is moderate.

Im now Clyndamicin twice a day (anti-biotic) and 0.1% Cream Differn. Ive tried using Retin-A 0.1% and 0.1% Differn, but both just made it red and raw. Is there anything that could help?

Accutane is not an option. Ive heard that Nutrogena a kind of body wash, but Ive seen 2-3 different kinds. What should I get? Or is there something else you would recommend?

I like the Neutrogena clean and clear body wash. This helped control the breakouts but after I stopped using Pantene (regularly) I stopped breaking out. I actually haven't had a problem since. I have also read on this board that Head and Shoulders works. I'm not sure if it does or not as I have tried it but it usually irritates my skin after a couple of uses. I have heard it said that all you have to do is wash your hair with it and the residue that runs over your chest and back will clear you up. I'm not sure if you clear up because of the ingredients in the Head and Shoulders or if the old product you were using was the culprit and since you quit using it you quit breaking out. :confused:

Hope this helps a little!

Good luck

I've been pretty desperate just to get rid of it, I'd try anything :confused:

I Marvelon had not heard of before and wondered if anyone has been, nor heard a good / bad press about? Ive researched on the net and didnt get many results, the only thing I found very interesting was that Yasmin and Marvelon are compared and have quite a similar effect on acne. Can anyone shed some light on this Marvelon?

Thanks xx

Well I have been taking Marvelon for a week now and already I've noticed a difference in my skin. It looks like its clearing up really quickly…of course it may not be due to the Marvelon but if it is then fingers crossed this will continue!! (knowing my luck it probably wont tho!!) I'll keep you all posted anyway of any improvements or non-improvements! so far i'm a very happy bunny as nothing has worked for me ever apart from roaccutane.

Very interesting about what Camden said too.

when you say you lost a lot of hair going off of it…what exactly do you mean? I have been on it for 2 1/2 years and want to come off too, not for any particular reason…it has been great for me but I do think it has given me some nasty moods lately! I know shedding is common when you quit the pill, but I don't want thin hair!
Thanks,
Julia

some info on myself…

This is the only acne treating product I am on or have been on during those 3 years. I am not a teen and have suffered acne for many years. I had moderate acne and now I am a very mild to clear.

Ocean

Nope I had not used spiro, I did some research and Diane just seemed liek the right choice for mme

How old were you when you started experiencing this acne?

Just a question- Had you ever tried Spiro before going to Diane?
I am wondering because I want to know what I should be taking.

How long did it take to work for you? I dont break out that badly(never have) But when I lost my period and then got it back 6 months later I broke out all over my jawline, hairline and temples and it was horrible because they were just a bunch of bumps. Im on the 2nd cycle of the birth control(2nd month) and I have only gotten a few large pimples before my period. Could this be a sign that its gonna completely clear? How long should one give it to completely clear their skin?

Thanx

I don't have acne, just an occasional pimple or two when I am stressed. Now, I told you that to tell you this. For other reasons, my hormones were really off (anxiety). I went to see a naturapath 2 months ago and got my hormones tested. They were way off, which is not surprising. A lot of people have this problem in this day and age. But anyways, along with changing my diet, one of the things that he gave me to use was natural progesterone. Not any birth control pills, which are just man-made hormones. I am absolutely amazed by the progesterone. My skin looks awsome, I don't get cramps at all during my period now, my anxiety is gone, and even my chiropractor noticed a difference in the way things finally stay where they are adjusted. When hormones are off balance, it can do tons of physical stuff to your body. And I only have been using it for 5 days! What birth control pill can do that? LOL. I can't wait to see what else it will do….

I'm definitely not an expert on bcp's but I do think that if you have hormonal acne like I did, then they will most likey help your situation since the pills give you a more steady balance of the hormones. My face would be clear for 3 weeks, then the week before my period I would break out like crazy.

Btw, I take Loestrin 24fe. Hopefully this helps!