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(@kelseylee)

Posted : 04/04/2013 8:11 pm

Hiiiiii! I just ate 2-3 tablespoons of water kefir grains. Not water kefir...grains. They are clearish-beige, bouncey organisms made of goo. My stomach feels all gurgly and wild, that was the point ...$35 fancy co op brand probiotics have nothing on these guys. I wonder how many billions of orgs they contain... i'm guessing a lot. I also just wrote a long post, hit a button on my keyboard and my whole post was deleted. I don't care, writing to get experiences/feelings out is fun but now that i'm re writing it i can't make it sound as good, dammit. i'm brewing a chocolate coconut water kefir right now.

My skin is doing good. I think it literally takes months for changing hormones to reflect in the skin. it's been 1 3/4 months on bc, which isn't that long, so i'm happy but its funny saying that considering how intensely impatient i felt even four days ago. I haven't gotten any active pimples except for a small one every other day or so, so thats quite good. Esp considering i've been eating some cheese and dairy yogurt. sheep's milk yogurt is hard to find at most stores. My ezcema is not good. all the bumps/clogged pores are still purging, as always. I've been careful about not using too much irritating cleanser too frequently, as I noticed my skin had started to produce significantly more oil, which is either due to hormones, or washing twice a day with a potent cleanser. So I scaled back to once a day or every other day with the black soap, and that has worked really well. If i don't use it at all, all these clogged pores will just sit in my skin before, so a delicate balance is necessary because too much washing will create new acne, just what everyone needs.

reading this book about (chronic emotional) stress has literally put the fear in me in terms of realizing the importance of expressing emotions healthily, working through them and maintaining a positive internal mental/physical state. you get no extra "points" in life by being a self-critical, spiteful perfectionist (towards yourself) with low self esteem. In fact, doing these things makes achieving goals much harder, and only makes me seem more self absorbed by tearing myself down and not being emotionally open to others. and caused me to develop panic attacks. Anyway, this is sort of off topic but it has been completely related to my skin issues as i have seen firsthand.

speaking of expressing emotions, my mom is kind of driving me nuts. i'm not working right now, so i interact with her often and I guess I feel like she prefers to talk about surface level, practical things and pretty much nothing else. she'll talk to me about groceries, taxes, bills, unemployment, doctors appts, traveling etc etc and surfacey level anecdotes about her sisters. I prefer to talk about more varied and interesting things. so i guess i feel kind of stifled and hopeless, anytime i talk about something abstract she doesn't really have anything to say. I would like to just get a job, but I had a lot of bad anxiety experiences at my last job so i'm trying to work through that enough to prevent it from happening again. feel kind of trapped i guess. anyway, anyone else struggling to connect with family members/friends? xxxx

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MemberMember

(@misssac17)

Posted : 04/06/2013 3:47 am

On 4/5/2013 at 7:11 AM, kelseylee said:
Hiiiiii! I just ate 2-3 tablespoons of water kefir grains. Not water kefir...grains. They are clearish-beige, bouncey organisms made of goo. My stomach feels all gurgly and wild, that was the point ...$35 fancy co op brand probiotics have nothing on these guys. I wonder how many billions of orgs they contain... i'm guessing a lot. I also just wrote a long post, hit a button on my keyboard and my whole post was deleted. I don't care, writing to get experiences/feelings out is fun but now that i'm re writing it i can't make it sound as good, dammit. i'm brewing a chocolate coconut water kefir right now.
My skin is doing good. I think it literally takes months for changing hormones to reflect in the skin. it's been 1 3/4 months on bc, which isn't that long, so i'm happy but its funny saying that considering how intensely impatient i felt even four days ago. I haven't gotten any active pimples except for a small one every other day or so, so thats quite good. Esp considering i've been eating some cheese and dairy yogurt. sheep's milk yogurt is hard to find at most stores. My ezcema is not good. all the bumps/clogged pores are still purging, as always. I've been careful about not using too much irritating cleanser too frequently, as I noticed my skin had started to produce significantly more oil, which is either due to hormones, or washing twice a day with a potent cleanser. So I scaled back to once a day or every other day with the black soap, and that has worked really well. If i don't use it at all, all these clogged pores will just sit in my skin before, so a delicate balance is necessary because too much washing will create new acne, just what everyone needs.
reading this book about (chronic emotional) stress has literally put the fear in me in terms of realizing the importance of expressing emotions healthily, working through them and maintaining a positive internal mental/physical state. you get no extra "points" in life by being a self-critical, spiteful perfectionist (towards yourself) with low self esteem. In fact, doing these things makes achieving goals much harder, and only makes me seem more self absorbed by tearing myself down and not being emotionally open to others. and caused me to develop panic attacks. Anyway, this is sort of off topic but it has been completely related to my skin issues as i have seen firsthand.
speaking of expressing emotions, my mom is kind of driving me nuts. i'm not working right now, so i interact with her often and I guess I feel like she prefers to talk about surface level, practical things and pretty much nothing else. she'll talk to me about groceries, taxes, bills, unemployment, doctors appts, traveling etc etc and surfacey level anecdotes about her sisters. I prefer to talk about more varied and interesting things. so i guess i feel kind of stifled and hopeless, anytime i talk about something abstract she doesn't really have anything to say. I would like to just get a job, but I had a lot of bad anxiety experiences at my last job so i'm trying to work through that enough to prevent it from happening again. feel kind of trapped i guess. anyway, anyone else struggling to connect with family members/friends? xxxx

Kelseylee this is soo hilarious! I, too, have been just looking into water kefir! I have ordered 3 500ml jars to do it with and going to order water kefir grains from ebay today or tomorrow! How did you make it? Did you make the water kefir or did you actually just eat the grains?

I have read that you can't eat dairy when doing it, this will be hard for me.

You really have been incredibly patient and Im really glad and happy that you have started to see an improvement. The black soap is extremely drying, I have not used it in about a few days. I don't know wether to use it again or not.

I enjoy books like that, I may look into it actually, I need a new wee "self-help" type book. I bought the book of The Clear Skin Diet, but to be honest it ain't that great.

On connecting with family members, yes I find it hard. Especially since I only live with my mum, she kind of just gives me tough love speeches and it can be harsh sometimes. She doesn't really understand just how upsetting it can be. I hate being open about it to her because all she ever does it role her eyes and just says things like "stop thinking about it!" or "its not as bad as you think AT ALL" - to be honest I don't know what I want from her, wether that be comfort, advice, sympath etc. I really don't.

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http://www.youtube.com/user/DiamondsAndHeels14?feature=watch

MemberMember

(@misssac17)

Posted : 04/07/2013 11:17 am

Day 54 - week 7 - 50mg

I hate not having anything good to write in this. I think that's why I am not posting too much because undoubtedly it will be bad news, or self-pittying.

I did go out last night and I did, regretfully, consume alcohol. But Im feeling really shit today and have been the past few days about my skin, it honestly isn't doing good - like I have lots and lots of teeny teeny skin coloured bumps all around my nose and cheeks, I have alot of hyperpigmentation, my forehead is BAD BAD BAD. Like LOADS of bumps, its inflamed and I have a cyst on it. It looks like a stress spot. Also I have alot of spots in my eyebrows. - fucking LOTS, they are white/skin coloured mainly.

Mentally I am not so good, like I feel sad whenever I look at my skin - I tend to avoid mirrors.

I am going to call the Naturopath on Tuesday to arrange a wee appointment. I hate feeling like this about myself, I really do.

On a small brighter note though I haven't consumed milk in about a 3 days - big big step for me. I am going to just go the full hog and have no dairy at all, I mean to be honest though the only dairy I currently consume is like trace amounts of milk which is in packaged foods. I think I may also have an insulin problem, because I notice that whenever I have something sweet its like my body just does not know when to STOP. It just craves and wants more sugar - is this Insulin resistance? Cos' if it is then I seriously have it.

I keep debating aswell whether to go on a BCP again to help balance out the progesterone/estrogen in my body. I really need some advice on this.

First video on her profile RIGHT NOW! About Hormonal Acne

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MemberMember

(@kelseylee)

Posted : 04/07/2013 4:49 pm

Hi stacy! Just wanted to say hi and I relate a lot to what ur going through. I went through a cycle for like four YEARS where I would go out, drink too much, feel terrible the next day (physically but out of guilt/disappointment) and the cycle would continue. This is prolly more extreme than what you're experiencing but it was a very frustrating cycle I got myself into and yeah, I just know the feeling of it sort of adding to already existing struggle like acne. I get a lot of pimples in my eyebrows too, its painful and frustrating. I think posting when things aren't going well is prolly more important than when they're going ok, venting is very necessary.

It really sounds like you're on to something about the progesterone. I'm curious how spiro works so well for women @ higher doses without directly balancing the progesterone/estrogen. It obviously acts on androgens/DHT but I'm wondering if by fixing testosterone it helps encourage a balance between estrogen and progesterone as well? it sounds like, w/your irregular menstral cycles, you're experiencing either difficulty with the Estrogen/Progestron balance or something else.

Anyway, don't give up, it sounds like you're getting closer and closer to figuring things out. I know on a blood test they can tell you exactly what your estrogen/progesterone levels are so they should be able to see if you have low P compared to your estrogen. I had very low levels of both. naturopaths also have a lot of ways to raise progesterone as do doctors. Of course birth control pills would balance it out, but you'd have to make sure to find one that had an ideal balance of those two hormones because when i looked on wiki the variation between birth controls is HUGE. yaz for example has an average amount of estrogen and a HUGE amount of progesterone, etc. I think that's why women experience success with it often. High levels of progesterone are associated with feelings of peace and euphoria. For me, a bc w/high estrogen to progesterone made me feel like CRAP and a bc with average/low estrogen and higher progesterone made me feel much better. I know greengables has a LOT of info on these types of things, she has done spiro and I believe was going to try bio available progesterone after that, might be worth starting a thread to get some of her thoughts.

I really think so much of this cannot be controlled through diet, and just leads to more sadness and frustration when we place anxiety on our diets, esp if you've struggled with that in the past, so my two cents is don't be hard on yourself---I've gone back to just eating what I want and I feel soooo much better. Another thing that helps with insulin resistance, which I think is prolly some factor in ANY hormonal issue, is taking a lot of fish oil (I know, more supplement advice), and obviously getting the hormones balanced and menstruating regularly. For me, I just can't do low carb diets, it makes me feel like i'm dying (sorry to all you diet obsessives out there) so instead of eating like, a bunch of carrot cake or cookies, i'll make whole wheat banana pancakes with maple syrup (and a lot of them). or something. so you're allowing yourself to eat carbs and sugar like the body wants and (i believe) needs, but you're not going to the opposite extreme of like 4 pieces of cake. okay please update us and I wish you all the very best, you will find a solution i know it.

ps-water kefir is AWESOME. it's a fun trial and error process in the beginning, i screwed up like four batches but once you drink it and eat the water kefir grains regularly, you will see positive changes in your stomach.

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MemberMember

(@misssac17)

Posted : 04/10/2013 10:36 am

Day 57 - Week 8 - 50mg

Afternoon guys. So a wee update from me today. Also how are you's??

I have pics actually that I'd like to show you on this. I don't wanna upload them in my gallery - I upload waaay too many photos. I don't know if you looked at my photos or anything, but there was actually a comment left on one of my pictures and a woman had said she believes Spiro is NOT working for me, since I never had any chin acne prior to taking it and also it may be folliculitus. It kinda made me feel shitty you know. So yea.

Okay, Im feeling a wee bit better in myself. I have been quite active this week, we had a good day yesterday in Scotland (shock!) it was milder than usual so I went for a lovely jog. I would like to lose a few pounds. So here is hoping I can do it!

My skin is kinda pissing me off still which sucks, I will upload the photos in this post to show you what I am dealing with right now.

I am unsure about the Naturopath I was going to go with because I saw a review left on Googlemaps where a woman said it was a waste of her time & her money, since the company wanted her to purchase supplements from their WEBSITE but after telling the Naturopath that she was allergic to traces of milk and anything to do with milk, she noticed that the supplements she was told to purchase had milk derivatives or something...something relating to milk anyway. So yea I am now on the hunt for a better one

I am also thinknig about getting a colonic irregation, does anyone have an experiences with these at all? Or know anyone else who had success or no success with them? Ive heard mixed reviews about some people's acne improving afterwards and some actually worsening :/

ASLO!! I have got this Azelaic Acid cream again (Skinoren) to try. So I am going to be applying this nightly, I had some success last year but stopped after about 8 weeks due to impatience and just not wanting "chemicals" on my face. But I wanna try it.

Hope you's are all well lovelies!

Hope you see the photos!!!

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MemberMember

(@misssac17)

Posted : 04/11/2013 2:15 pm

Hi stacy! Just wanted to say hi and I relate a lot to what ur going through. I went through a cycle for like four YEARS where I would go out, drink too much, feel terrible the next day (physically but out of guilt/disappointment) and the cycle would continue. This is prolly more extreme than what you're experiencing but it was a very frustrating cycle I got myself into and yeah, I just know the feeling of it sort of adding to already existing struggle like acne. I get a lot of pimples in my eyebrows too, its painful and frustrating. I think posting when things aren't going well is prolly more important than when they're going ok, venting is very necessary.
It really sounds like you're on to something about the progesterone. I'm curious how spiro works so well for women @ higher doses without directly balancing the progesterone/estrogen. It obviously acts on androgens/DHT but I'm wondering if by fixing testosterone it helps encourage a balance between estrogen and progesterone as well? it sounds like, w/your irregular menstral cycles, you're experiencing either difficulty with the Estrogen/Progestron balance or something else.
Anyway, don't give up, it sounds like you're getting closer and closer to figuring things out. I know on a blood test they can tell you exactly what your estrogen/progesterone levels are so they should be able to see if you have low P compared to your estrogen. I had very low levels of both. naturopaths also have a lot of ways to raise progesterone as do doctors. Of course birth control pills would balance it out, but you'd have to make sure to find one that had an ideal balance of those two hormones because when i looked on wiki the variation between birth controls is HUGE. yaz for example has an average amount of estrogen and a HUGE amount of progesterone, etc. I think that's why women experience success with it often. High levels of progesterone are associated with feelings of peace and euphoria. For me, a bc w/high estrogen to progesterone made me feel like CRAP and a bc with average/low estrogen and higher progesterone made me feel much better. I know greengables has a LOT of info on these types of things, she has done spiro and I believe was going to try bio available progesterone after that, might be worth starting a thread to get some of her thoughts.
I really think so much of this cannot be controlled through diet, and just leads to more sadness and frustration when we place anxiety on our diets, esp if you've struggled with that in the past, so my two cents is don't be hard on yourself---I've gone back to just eating what I want and I feel soooo much better. Another thing that helps with insulin resistance, which I think is prolly some factor in ANY hormonal issue, is taking a lot of fish oil (I know, more supplement advice), and obviously getting the hormones balanced and menstruating regularly. For me, I just can't do low carb diets, it makes me feel like i'm dying (sorry to all you diet obsessives out there) so instead of eating like, a bunch of carrot cake or cookies, i'll make whole wheat banana pancakes with maple syrup (and a lot of them). or something. so you're allowing yourself to eat carbs and sugar like the body wants and (i believe) needs, but you're not going to the opposite extreme of like 4 pieces of cake. okay please update us and I wish you all the very best, you will find a solution i know it.
ps-water kefir is AWESOME. it's a fun trial and error process in the beginning, i screwed up like four batches but once you drink it and eat the water kefir grains regularly, you will see positive changes in your stomach.

Im so glad you can relate Kelseylee. Its hard because I don't know anyone who feels the same as me in real life you know...its totally comforting being on here. I always ALWAYS feel guilty after I drink alot, but Im only young (21) and there are times I do want a "blow-out" even if that is only once or twice a month. But is it actually worth it? I dunno.

Yes I really want to know this too and I am going to keep researching about the hormones unti lI acheive the answer. I found a study though about woman on Spiro over 3 months - half were on ONLY spiro and the other half were on BCP + SPIRO, and the former achieved a 65% clearance overall and the latter achieved an 85% clearance. So clearly BCP's are effective.

It is just so hard to chose to go on them because my natural period came back finally last April and if I went on a BCP I'd feel like I would be saying a big "fuck you mother nature" you know? lol. But my period is now 6 weeks late. Its safe to say Ive missed out on 2 periods since the 2nd of Feb - so clearly Spiro is affecting me in this way but why???? I want to know.

So you had low levels BOTH of E and P...interesting. And you also found success with HIGH P and lower E. I have read alot of woman experiencing good good good success with HIGH E as opposed to P. Apparantly Estrogen makes woman "glow" - I don't know if this is true though lol.

Im actually glad to hear your are feeling good about your relaxed take on your diet. I know restricted/rigid diets can be a total pain. Since if you eat something "bad" you just feel so frigging guilty for it or even end up saying "fuck it" and just bingeing - like me.

I try my best to eat healthy but sometimes I do struggle, and I think its because of my whole history with anorexia, its like my body still has not grasped the fact that I am allowing myself to eat now, or it can eat now...so it is just reaching out for anything high sugar/carb (insulin resistant?) to store away basically incase the whole cycle starts again...that makes sense doesn't it??

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tmueller

MemberMember

(@tmueller)

Posted : 04/11/2013 6:07 pm

Hi ladies!!

So my spiro got upped to 150mgs last week, and I have to say I think it's making a world of difference!! I'm also at 13 weeks, so I'm assuming that's helping too, but other than a two minor cysts this week, things have really calmed down!! If you're questioning whether to stay on it or not, I would suggest upping your dose if you can.

I was thinking a lot about the whole drinking thing this week because I'm going out this weekend for my birthday and I just kind of want to let loose. I'm curious to see how my body responds next week... I'll let you know.

Also, I've been doing some research into mario badescu products, because I've heard lots of good things about their buffering lotion--it's meant specifically for cysts! The best part is, the company will send you free samples of any of their products if you call and do a skin consultation with them. I figure it's worth a shot since all the reviews have been positive. Have any of you used the mario badescu products before??

Hope everyone is doing well... keep me updated on your progress!

Xoxo,

Theresa

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MemberMember

(@misssac17)

Posted : 04/12/2013 7:39 am

I GOT A PERIOD TODAY!! Omgoodness. I am pretty darn chuffed right now. This is my FIRST period since being on Spiro, so thats like what..59 days in and my last period was the 2nd Feb which is 70 days ago, holyfuck.

You know what's weird though? This is the 12th of April and my period came back on the 12th April 2012..strange isn't it, or is it infact just another of life's little coincedenses

I actually have a date today, soon..and I'm freaking out. I am worried how he will react to my skin and things you know, obviously. I am actually petrified about it. But trying so hard not to think about it. I will let you know how it goes.

Hi ladies!!
So my spiro got upped to 150mgs last week, and I have to say I think it's making a world of difference!! I'm also at 13 weeks, so I'm assuming that's helping too, but other than a two minor cysts this week, things have really calmed down!! If you're questioning whether to stay on it or not, I would suggest upping your dose if you can.
I was thinking a lot about the whole drinking thing this week because I'm going out this weekend for my birthday and I just kind of want to let loose. I'm curious to see how my body responds next week... I'll let you know.
Also, I've been doing some research into mario badescu products, because I've heard lots of good things about their buffering lotion--it's meant specifically for cysts! The best part is, the company will send you free samples of any of their products if you call and do a skin consultation with them. I figure it's worth a shot since all the reviews have been positive. Have any of you used the mario badescu products before??
Hope everyone is doing well... keep me updated on your progress!
Xoxo,
Theresa

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Anonymous

Guest

(@Anonymous)

Posted : 04/12/2013 9:33 pm

Woohoo!! I bet that's a relief to get your period good luck tonight with the date. It will be great. Don't worry abut your skin. Your beautiful. Just smile and show your confidence! You got this girl

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MemberMember

(@misssac17)

Posted : 04/13/2013 10:42 am

Day 60 - week 8 - 50mg -- Holy Bajeesus

Brace yourselves...

my skin looks good today. I am overwhelmed about it, mostly underneath my eye area on both sides is CLEAR and my cheeks are looking good. Even though I can still feel bumps on my cheeks, like maybe 6/7 on the right and 12/13 on left it looooks good. I have a redness/rosy tinge actually, maybe Im flustered? Maybe its the fact I have my period? I don't know. All I know my skin doesn't look bad at all, I guess its a good day with it today, I mean its faaar from perfect but it doesn't look as inflamed or anything you know?

Although I do have a bit more SMALL underskin bumps around my jaw area than I normally do. I also have a cyst at the corner of my mouth which is taking agessss to heal.

Just a quick update there to say that really AND also let you know that my date last night went well. He was a nice guy, we chatted and got on really well, made each other laugh etc...but I can't see us being anything more than friends. So Im still on the hunt for a man, and one that would accept all my flaws, especially my skin

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breakthehabit 8

MemberMember

(@breakthehabit8)

Posted : 04/13/2013 5:46 pm

Hey! Just wanted to post my experience with Spiro to encourage you. I have been on it for almost 9 months, and now it is an anomaly if I get even one pimple! Which if it does happen, is usually because of my period... I have struggled with cystic acne for 10 years, and this is the ONLY thing that helped. Now I'm only fighting the scarring and pigmentation left over.

I've posted some about my experience if you're interested.

The thing I've noticed about Spiro is that it's a roller coaster healing process for sure... but fortunately, the overall trend is up!

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MemberMember

(@kelseylee)

Posted : 04/14/2013 10:24 pm

You have to power to shape your life exactly how you want to.

This is great! and true, it's just about figuring out how to access that power, which is waht i'm trying to do . The book I was referencing, i'm just finishing it now, is called When the Body Says No: exploring the stress-disease connection. Now to be honest, it's actually a very negatively toned book in many ways. for one, the content is horrifically negative; the majority of the text is made up by anecdotal stories/interviews with chronically ill patients. Cancer, ms, als, ibd, alzheimers, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The rest is scientific content and loose psychological theory about how early childhood development shapes our later behavioral patterns, coping skills and "personality". I brought the book to my counselor, and as she skimmed through it she was like, "Yeah....yeah....no...no this is not good for you to be reading". LOL. I thought for a day I had ms after reading the in depth chapter on the disease. So it now appears I am more of an anxious hypochondriac overly stimulated by things I read ). I did decide to finish the book and i'm glad because the end has more pearls of (positive) wisdom and less dread/we're all screwed mentality.

Another great book, albeit sort of controversial, is Louise Hay's You Can Heal Your Life. She's written others but I purchased this one-- my really smart friend was reading it so I bought it. When I say controversial I basically mean that she has some weird beliefs like "we choose our parents" (we literally come to planet earth and pick out our parents) "we cause our cancer through resentment/cancer is healed through releasing resentment" etc. Having known a few ppl with cancer, this is a complex and potentially loaded statement. anyway, all of these controversial statements are meant to ultimately allow us to gain our power back, so it's not based in as much negativity as it seems. Reading has been at least good brain exercise to get myself to focus on the more rational, well thought beliefs I have and see where the fear based, insecure feelings come from, which is supposedly the less evolved/advanced part of brain.

Congrats about your skin-strangely I'm kind of breaking out right now and i'm on my (beginning) of the third packet of birth control. I have stopped squeezing my face in any way shape or form, so at least now when I get zits I don't have the emotional stress of feeling like I have to "do" something and then feeling all bad CUZ I did something. THis is the worst pattern lol. my insight to anyone is to just stop, completely, touching your face in any way unless your a trained esthetician. Oh that brings me to your comment about going into esthetician school-that is so freaking cool...it sounds like something that you are very passionate about, which really, and esp in light of all the things i've been reading, is one of the biggest predictors of health/happiness: spending your time invested in something you are passionate about so that your days are filled with empowerment and joy instead of stress and turmoil when you're doing something your heart isn't in. Anyway I've got more to update but I'll put this out here and hope everyone is doing well!

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MemberMember

(@misssac17)

Posted : 04/15/2013 5:22 am

Going to read all updates later, but I just wanted to quckly say: My boobs are much bigger, probably like half a cup size. Im kind of freaking out about this because the last thing I want is to feel "fat" you know. I think with my history of anorexia I just...I don't know, I was happy with my weight last year like in August when I was 110/112lbs but even though Im not huge by any means - like obese or anything like that - it just feels so strange looking more womanly.

Its hard mentally to be totally honest to see my boobs this big, I know I probably should not be complaining since alot of woman would kill for bigger boobs. But since I have been a healthier weight the past year and a half, my boobs were a steady 30B/C and I am convined Im not probably a 32C maybe even 34B - I dont know how American bra sizes work but basically, the numbers "30,32,34" is BACK size. And the letters "A,B,C,D etc." is CUP size.

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MemberMember

(@michi31)

Posted : 04/16/2013 8:56 am

Hi ladies. Thought I'd chime in as I"m also on Spiro (the brand name Aldactone) and just passed the 12 week point. You all seem really nice so hope you don't mind me tagging along:) To give a brief history - I have had acne ONLY around my chin since I was 19 (I'm 32). I also have facial hair. But the wierd thing is that my testosterone is very low. So the endocrinologist thinks it might be high testosterone circulating just in the skin so Spiro may still work. So I have to say that 12 weeks in I am not really seeing anything good. I am still oily and I feel like my sex drive is HIGHER, which could mean Spiro is stimulating the androgen receptors instead of blocking them (which can happen if you don't have enough testosterone for it to bind with). My endo says it takes 6-9 months for it to work so I'm going to hang on. I have a follow up appointment with him on Friday and I'll see where my hormones are. Does anyone else here have low tesosterone?

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MemberMember

(@michi31)

Posted : 04/16/2013 2:39 pm

Hey Sierra! Wow it gives me hope that Spiro is working for you. Interestingly, I really thought I noticed a reduction in oil the first couple months but now when I blot there is certainly a lot of oil. I am just confused by this. I also got one painful flare up, and I never get the painful under the skin ones. It was always the painless bumps that would go away after a few days, or the ones with white heads that would pop and subside. I am also on minocycline since starting Spiro and that has helped with the acne (I started it right before the Spiro so that' show I know it is the mino working). I will let you know about my estrogen on Friday when I get my results - that wasn't included in the original bloodwork I did. However when I was pregnant they had a hard time getting my estrogen and progesterone high enough (we did IVF). I have diminished ovarian reserve. So I think this may also be a piece of the hormonal puzzle. Frustratingly, my endo says no one really knows how all of this effects the skin so it is all trial and error. Ugh. So glad to touch base with you!

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tmueller

MemberMember

(@tmueller)

Posted : 04/16/2013 10:11 pm

I GOT A PERIOD TODAY!! Omgoodness. I am pretty darn chuffed right now. This is my FIRST period since being on Spiro, so thats like what..59 days in and my last period was the 2nd Feb which is 70 days ago, holyfuck.
You know what's weird though? This is the 12th of April and my period came back on the 12th April 2012..strange isn't it, or is it infact just another of life's little coincedenses
I actually have a date today, soon..and I'm freaking out. I am worried how he will react to my skin and things you know, obviously. I am actually petrified about it. But trying so hard not to think about it. I will let you know how it goes.
Hi ladies!!
So my spiro got upped to 150mgs last week, and I have to say I think it's making a world of difference!! I'm also at 13 weeks, so I'm assuming that's helping too, but other than a two minor cysts this week, things have really calmed down!! If you're questioning whether to stay on it or not, I would suggest upping your dose if you can.
I was thinking a lot about the whole drinking thing this week because I'm going out this weekend for my birthday and I just kind of want to let loose. I'm curious to see how my body responds next week... I'll let you know.
Also, I've been doing some research into mario badescu products, because I've heard lots of good things about their buffering lotion--it's meant specifically for cysts! The best part is, the company will send you free samples of any of their products if you call and do a skin consultation with them. I figure it's worth a shot since all the reviews have been positive. Have any of you used the mario badescu products before??
Hope everyone is doing well... keep me updated on your progress!
Xoxo,
Theresa
So glad you are feeling better Theresa! I don't know if my doctor would let me take 150mg, she is pretty cautious. I've still to tell her that Im taking 50mg lol.
Are you experiencing any other symptoms with such a high dose?

I've actually been feeling pretty good, and the only thing I really notice is the need to go pee a bit more. I'm definitely an advocate for upping the dosage if you feel like it's not working. How long have you been doing the 50mg?

Hey! Just wanted to post my experience with Spiro to encourage you. I have been on it for almost 9 months, and now it is an anomaly if I get even one pimple! Which if it does happen, is usually because of my period... I have struggled with cystic acne for 10 years, and this is the ONLY thing that helped. Now I'm only fighting the scarring and pigmentation left over.
I've posted some about my experience if you're interested. http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/326812-what-has-finally-worked-for-me-after-10-years/
The thing I've noticed about Spiro is that it's a roller coaster healing process for sure... but fortunately, the overall trend is up!

Hi! I'm so glad that spiro has worked so well for you!! What dosage are/were you on and how long did it take you to clear??

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MemberMember

(@michi31)

Posted : 04/23/2013 9:16 am

Hey! Just wanted to update on my hormone results. My testosterone is super low - below normal range. My estrogen is also super low - it is at menopausal levels. This makes sense as to why I haven't had my period since giving birth 9 months ago. My endo is really concerned about bone loss and wants me to start some sort of estrogen - either hormone replacement therarpy or the birth control pill. The pill seems to have broken me out in the past, but maybe now that I am on the Spiro it will not have this effect? I am hoping the Spiro will bind with any testosterone created in my skin as a result of the pill. It is so crazy to have facial hair and acne and super low testosterone - but as my endo says " we don't know what's happening in the skin". So I might have overactive enzymes in the skin converting T to DHT - the more potent form of testosterone. Anyway, it gives me hope that you also have low testosterone and estrogen and Spiro is working for you. Do you know your exact numbers? I am curious if they are as low as mine. My T was a 5 and normal is 7-48 and my estrogen was an 11 - I think it should be at least 40 and gets to as high as 400 around ovulation (although I don't ovulate).

Im going to check out the links of the products you purchased and maybe ask questions if I fancy them, the High Frequency thingy sounds very intriguing. One thing though, if I do still have active acne would these prosucts maybe not work for me? Like, do you need to just have Hyperpigmentation marks and stuff?

Thanks Stacey!

Skinoren sounds really interesting! Looking forward to hearing how it works for you.

As for the two products I mentioned, I wouldn't use the PMD (Personal Microderm Device) until your acne has mostly cleared. It's not good to use on active acne but it's great when it comes to scarring and evening skin tone and texture as well as preventing breakouts.

However, you can definitely use the D'Arsonal Professional Grade High Frequency Device on active acne. It's really gentle and effective, specifically on active breakouts. So far I'm still in love with it!

Another device you might look into once your cystic acne is gone is the Clarisonic. It's kind of similar to the PMD in that it exfoliates, reduces wrinkles, uneven skintone and helps prevent breakouts. They have a Clarisonic that is specifically for acne and I've heard great things about it, but I've also read that it's best for mild to moderate acne, not severe or cystic. I just got the Clarisonic Mia 2 with a "delicate" brush brand new on ebay for $67 (normally $149)!! I'll let you know how it works. I

Here's the link to Clarisonic reviews from acne.org: http://www.acne.org/clarisonic-skin-care-brush-reviews/421/page1.html

Sierra

P.S. So sorry about being tagged on FB with a bad photo. That's like my nightmare...I totally understand. Hope you untagged yourself. If you're really uncomfortable maybe you can request that the person take it down.

P.P.S. So interesting to hear about your history with anorexia. I also have a history with binge eating and anorexia (not bulimia thank goodness - could never figure out the throwing up thing). I really wonder if there is a connection with acne, PCOS and disordered eating because I've heard it come up from several people on acne.org. I think it has to do with the perfectionist nature of who we are that perhaps has something to do with causing these "imperfections" like acne, weight gain, etc. Also, my breasts have grown at least 1/2 a cup size too, but my bf seems to like it so I'm not so worried. Just trying to focus on the fact that he still thinks I'm beautiful. I did notice that I have to work harder to keep my weight down since starting spiro. I was at 115, now more like 120, but I look totally different/curvier.

>Hi ladies. Thought I'd chime in as I"m also on Spiro (the brand name Aldactone) and just passed the 12 week point. You all seem really nice so hope you don't mind me tagging along:) To give a brief history - I have had acne ONLY around my chin since I was 19 (I'm 32). I also have facial hair. But the wierd thing is that my testosterone is very low. So the endocrinologist thinks it might be high testosterone circulating just in the skin so Spiro may still work. So I have to say that 12 weeks in I am not really seeing anything good. I am still oily and I feel like my sex drive is HIGHER, which could mean Spiro is stimulating the androgen receptors instead of blocking them (which can happen if you don't have enough testosterone for it to bind with). My endo says it takes 6-9 months for it to work so I'm going to hang on. I have a follow up appointment with him on Friday and I'll see where my hormones are. Does anyone else here have low tesosterone?

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MemberMember

(@kelseylee)

Posted : 04/23/2013 4:56 pm

Hi Michi-

wow i'm really surprised you could have symptoms that you do and have really low T. hormones are mysterious My estrogen and progesterone were very low too-and I also was not ovulating for about 7 months. back on ortho tri cyclen lo so things are normal. I am surprised your estrogen was so low if you are on spiro? isn't it suppose to raise estrogen for a lot of women...? and I thought if you had low T spiro could actually raise it. must b different for everyone. its funny that your endo said we don't know what's happening in the skin--seems to be pretty much true. I do know when I had high T and low estrogen/progesterone it was seriously no bueno for my skin so there's that. being back on birth control is strange in that this time I have been having very vivid dreams that I am pregnant ever since resuming it. I've had I think 4 but each time it is so intense and I actually psychologically believe I am currently pregnant until I wake up. very scary. It must be the flux in hormones, even though I never ever had this being on birth control before. I think it was bcuz my hormones shifted so drastically, going from high T, low E and P to ovulating again within just one month. It was rocky restarting the bc emotionally as well.

How is everyone else doing? Stacy are things going okay? how is your skin...time is passing so hopefully better in regards to spiro my skin is okay. I got like 5 sizeable whiteheads around my period and there is still one stubborn one still in white head form. I am really happy about my decision to not touch my face whatsoever in terms of squeezing and extracting and blah blah blah. BUT, leaving whiteheads to resolve themselves is quite the dramatic saga. some are gone in a day and dry up well, others linger for DAYS. like the one on my forehead. its slowly drying up I think (ew) but it is stubborn, and it is kind of a painful one. I also had to go to the dentist with a sizeable whitehead above my mouth--this is how much I sort of don't care anymore. One good thing about getting older. In some ways acne has made me care more than ever about my appearance and it some ways its made me say F it. but yeah they had to clean my teeth and everything and when I left and looked in the mirror I was like ugh. and my forehead was greasy.

I have been blasting my face with african black soap and salicylic acid...the whiteheads came up when I wasn't washing my face very diligently . I also think stress/anxiety induced some of the zits. I can't really tell if the salicylic acid is even doing anything, it's only 2% and it def never did anything in the past until I started using it in conjunction with black soap. I know it increases cell turnover but I feel like maybe I need a slightly higher percentage.

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MemberMember

(@michi31)

Posted : 04/24/2013 8:43 am

I know it is a mystery, but it must be something happening at the skin level and not in my blood. Most likely the 5 alpha reductase enzyme is converting T to DHT. Spiro is supposed to slowly suppress this enzyme over a long period of time. I have a theory that this is why it takes sooo long to work for some people. With lower DHT you can have higher T because less is being converted. I am afraid though because Spiro needs T to work, otherwise it actually stimulates the androgen receptor - not good! Yes it is interesting with hormones and dreams. In my first trimester I had tons of crazy dreams! (and lots of sex dreams)

Hi Michi-
wow i'm really surprised you could have symptoms that you do and have really low T. hormones are mysterious My estrogen and progesterone were very low too-and I also was not ovulating for about 7 months. back on ortho tri cyclen lo so things are normal. I am surprised your estrogen was so low if you are on spiro? isn't it suppose to raise estrogen for a lot of women...? and I thought if you had low T spiro could actually raise it. must b different for everyone. its funny that your endo said we don't know what's happening in the skin--seems to be pretty much true. I do know when I had high T and low estrogen/progesterone it was seriously no bueno for my skin so there's that. being back on birth control is strange in that this time I have been having very vivid dreams that I am pregnant ever since resuming it. I've had I think 4 but each time it is so intense and I actually psychologically believe I am currently pregnant until I wake up. very scary. It must be the flux in hormones, even though I never ever had this being on birth control before. I think it was bcuz my hormones shifted so drastically, going from high T, low E and P to ovulating again within just one month. It was rocky restarting the bc emotionally as well.
How is everyone else doing? Stacy are things going okay? how is your skin...time is passing so hopefully better in regards to spiro my skin is okay. I got like 5 sizeable whiteheads around my period and there is still one stubborn one still in white head form. I am really happy about my decision to not touch my face whatsoever in terms of squeezing and extracting and blah blah blah. BUT, leaving whiteheads to resolve themselves is quite the dramatic saga. some are gone in a day and dry up well, others linger for DAYS. like the one on my forehead. its slowly drying up I think (ew) but it is stubborn, and it is kind of a painful one. I also had to go to the dentist with a sizeable whitehead above my mouth--this is how much I sort of don't care anymore. One good thing about getting older. In some ways acne has made me care more than ever about my appearance and it some ways its made me say F it. but yeah they had to clean my teeth and everything and when I left and looked in the mirror I was like ugh. and my forehead was greasy.
I have been blasting my face with african black soap and salicylic acid...the whiteheads came up when I wasn't washing my face very diligently . I also think stress/anxiety induced some of the zits. I can't really tell if the salicylic acid is even doing anything, it's only 2% and it def never did anything in the past until I started using it in conjunction with black soap. I know it increases cell turnover but I feel like maybe I need a slightly higher percentage.

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MemberMember

(@misssac17)

Posted : 04/24/2013 9:52 am

Hello Spiro Friends!
Just checking in. Hope everyone is doing well - maybe your skin is improving?!
I also wanted to tell you how much I love these Salicylic Acid Peels. I've gotten two now and they really have worked wonders for my skin. You look pretty tragic for about a week after (peeling like crazy) but they've really helped knock out all my acne, fade my acne scars a bit and evened out my skin texture. My face is actually soft again! It's been a while since it felt like that...Th

Hi Michi-
wow i'm really surprised you could have symptoms that you do and have really low T. hormones are mysterious My estrogen and progesterone were very low too-and I also was not ovulating for about 7 months. back on ortho tri cyclen lo so things are normal. I am surprised your estrogen was so low if you are on spiro? isn't it suppose to raise estrogen for a lot of women...? and I thought if you had low T spiro could actually raise it. must b different for everyone. its funny that your endo said we don't know what's happening in the skin--seems to be pretty much true. I do know when I had high T and low estrogen/progesterone it was seriously no bueno for my skin so there's that. being back on birth control is strange in that this time I have been having very vivid dreams that I am pregnant ever since resuming it. I've had I think 4 but each time it is so intense and I actually psychologically believe I am currently pregnant until I wake up. very scary. It must be the flux in hormones, even though I never ever had this being on birth control before. I think it was bcuz my hormones shifted so drastically, going from high T, low E and P to ovulating again within just one month. It was rocky restarting the bc emotionally as well.
How is everyone else doing? Stacy are things going okay? how is your skin...time is passing so hopefully better in regards to spiro my skin is okay. I got like 5 sizeable whiteheads around my period and there is still one stubborn one still in white head form. I am really happy about my decision to not touch my face whatsoever in terms of squeezing and extracting and blah blah blah. BUT, leaving whiteheads to resolve themselves is quite the dramatic saga. some are gone in a day and dry up well, others linger for DAYS. like the one on my forehead. its slowly drying up I think (ew) but it is stubborn, and it is kind of a painful one. I also had to go to the dentist with a sizeable whitehead above my mouth--this is how much I sort of don't care anymore. One good thing about getting older. In some ways acne has made me care more than ever about my appearance and it some ways its made me say F it. but yeah they had to clean my teeth and everything and when I left and looked in the mirror I was like ugh. and my forehead was greasy.
I have been blasting my face with african black soap and salicylic acid...the whiteheads came up when I wasn't washing my face very diligently . I also think stress/anxiety induced some of the zits. I can't really tell if the salicylic acid is even doing anything, it's only 2% and it def never did anything in the past until I started using it in conjunction with black soap. I know it increases cell turnover but I feel like maybe I need a slightly higher percentage.

Hey lovlies! So sorry I haven't updated in a while, I have still been on the forums reading about but wanted to wait a week to reply because I do believe that TIME is a healer and posting nearly everyday won't be as accurate.

Thankyou all for STILL posting and keeping this log going!!

Sierra - you don't know how utterly glad I actually am to hear that things are going so well for you. I think I would just be a bit scared to try the Salycilic Acid Peels (SAP - new abreviation? haha) How bad exactly is the drying and flaking of the skin? Did you moisturise afterwards?

Its sad that I don't live anywhere near LA, otherwise I would have totally went to the same one Im still trying my best to find a GOOD Naturopath up in Scotland.

Kelseylee - I find it so so strange that as you were having low E,P and T that you were not ovulating and when I was having slightly high T and normal of the other two I, too, was not ovulating. It is quite weird how hormones work differently for other people. From what I have read anyway Spiro is supposed to eventually raise estrogen, but I think this occurs due to the fact that as you lower testosterone even further the more dominant hormone will be estrogen, but then what if you naturally have low E and high P? I would presume that the Spiro must then affect our P levels. Its all quite confusing actually lol. However, having higher E tends to make women more susceptible to weight GAIN especially around the middle region. So maybe women who experience weight GAIN are having higher estrogen and the women who actually LOSE weight have low estrogen still but higher amounts of progesterone??

How long have you been using the SA for? I have this cream called Paula's choice BHA 2% is this the same thing? I remember when I used it though it made me break out alot, I just wasn't very patient about using it so stopped immediately. How is your skin looking?

Good for you about not caring what the dentist would think! Thats a shame though that the whiteheads appeared when you were being slack with washing, I actually notice that when I leave my skin for a day or 2 of NOT washing...it looks better!

I know it is a mystery, but it must be something happening at the skin level and not in my blood. Most likely the 5 alpha reductase enzyme is converting T to DHT. Spiro is supposed to slowly suppress this enzyme over a long period of time. I have a theory that this is why it takes sooo long to work for some people. With lower DHT you can have higher T because less is being converted. I am afraid though because Spiro needs T to work, otherwise it actually stimulates the androgen receptor - not good! Yes it is interesting with hormones and dreams. In my first trimester I had tons of crazy dreams! (and lots of sex dreams)

Hi Michi What dosage of Spiro are you on again?

I have actually heard that without T is can stimulate the androgen receptor...but what exactly does it do then? Because surely people with low T must be experiencing this then?

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MemberMember

(@misssac17)

Posted : 04/24/2013 10:09 am

DAY 71 - week 10 - 50 mg

Alrighty guys this is WELL overdue.

As they say though, no news is good news, right?

Well, anyway I guess that is partly true for me. Everything in my Signature is EXACTLY what I am doing right now. However I have recently been taking the 50mg of Zinc every second day just because I feel it is alot that Ive been taking.

My skin is actually looking okay. Its far from perfect but it isn't a disaster I don't have any huge cysts or papules and the spots I do have are small whiteheads situated aroung the corner of my mouth and forhead - I still have alot of bumps and SMALLER papules on my forhead. However I've not had any pustules in a long time.

When washing my face I only use COLD water, and I think it does help to not dry out the skin. Ive also been doing well at not having any dairy, I am liking drinking my tea black now! I notice that on the off chance I do have anything milky, eg a Latte or Cappachino or Mocha (heaven in a cup)my stomach gurgles...so it makes me think theres some kind of dairy intolerance thing going on.

Now for the bad news - My weight is upsetting me, immensley guys. I hate my body, and its sad saying this. I mean I know Im not fat by any means, but being a bit more curvier and having a bit more "junk in the trunk" and slightly bloated breasts...I can't handle it. And to be honestit is seriously driving me to quit Spiro...although I do not want to, I really want to give it a chance. I am trying my best to eat healthy, and I think I need to try harder which I will...so after a couple weeks 'dieting' I will see how I feel. I have not weighed myself but I think Ive gained a few. I am just wanting to know though if this is because of the E or is it something else?

I also do keep toying with the idea of going on BC. And it would probably be Dianette probably. But I don't know how my body will react?? So I am so so so confused with this..it sucks I wish I just had a wee tool in my house that I could breath into and it could tell me what my hormone levels are!!!

Also recently Ive been noticing pain in my heart area like sharp pains when breathing in. This mostly occurs during exercise. I have actually noticed less of her falling out and I haven't been extremely thirsty like I did at the beginning.

So mixed reviews right now but there's a good wee update for you's

I hope to hear more good news for everyone and hope everyone else is doing good too, if your not here is a big *hug* from me and just remember to think positive and know that you are loved.

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