I'm interested in your thoughts ... I was at my dermatologist today and he wants to increase my dosage of Aldactone.  I've been taking 50 mg once a day (am) for 2 years.  Although none of the research I have done speaks of this med being used for acne, I do understand that some meds could be used for conditions other than what they are normally used for.  For example, aldactone is typically used for patients who suffer from congestive heart failure.  I was quite anxious about taking it, but after speaking with my doc several times, I felt reassured.  It has helped somewhat to clear my skin, in addition to Differin topical gel, however, my doctor feels he can get my skin clearer by increasing the dose to 150 mg a day (2 pills am & 1 pill pm).  He insists this is still a low-dose, but warned me about possible breast tenderness during my menstrual cycle.  I have noticed that just 50 mg did lower my blood pressure (before aldactone it was 120/80ish and now around 110/70ish -- not a bad thing!)  However, I'm now wondering if increasing it to 150 mg will cause my blood pressure to go too low.

First question ... has anyone ever used Aldactone for this reason?  If so, did you have any side effects?

Second, has anyone ever used any of the skin care protocols (Type A's preferably) for acne?

If so, what exactly did you use & did it work to clear up your skin?

The Aldactone is the only prescription med I currently take and I'd really like to eliminate it if I can find something natural which would do the same thing.

Thanks, in advance, for any comments, advice, experiences, etc. that you can offer!  

I would find out what is causing the acne...  

It is most likely something you are: 1) eating, 2) breathing - perfume, cleaning fumes, etc., or 3) wearing or touching (cotton, plastic, nylon, lotion or creams,...)  

This may require quite an extensive detective work, but if you can determine what is causing it and stop that rather than masking the problem with some other foreign substance, you'll be better off in the long term...

The longest I needed to be away from any food family to get reaction to stop was 3 weeks away from all corn products to see reduction of symptoms...

Much success to you!

how compliant are you?
and have you done a secretor as well as a subtype test yet?

those steps will help refine your diet to total compliance, which has helped many get rid of skin problems as well as psoriasis, etc.

btd is anti inflammatory by excellence and skin is also an organ.

I use  + - all the protocols in my praxis with best results......the name is familiar to me...aldactone ...but I don't remember for what it was taken ...... but I'd go for more Vit. A intake and also MSM and also
what works phantastically, expressis verbis for the A's is evening primrose oil, just suppaa for the female balancings and also to balance the sebum thingies sorry just forgot the right expression

Quoted from lola

how compliant are you?
and have you done a secretor as well as a subtype test yet?

those steps will help refine your diet to total compliance, which has helped many get rid of skin problems as well as psoriasis, etc.

btd is anti inflammatory by excellence and skin is also an organ.

I am approx. 90% compliant.  I do have a cheat day which I sometimes will eat potatoes (big avoid, I know!) with my Saturday morning breakfast.  A bit of chocalate is usually included in cheat day.  I know I can be better, but for the most part, I do eat very well according to BTD.  I am a secretor, but have not had subtype done.  I doubt very highly my doctor will do this since she won't consider it "medically necessary" as well as health insurance constraints...do many companies cover this?  Perhaps it's inexpensive and I could pay for it myself??    Thanks for your response!  

Quoted from ABJoe

I would find out what is causing the acne...  

It is most likely something you are: 1) eating, 2) breathing - perfume, cleaning fumes, etc., or 3) wearing or touching (cotton, plastic, nylon, lotion or creams,...)  

This may require quite an extensive detective work, but if you can determine what is causing it and stop that rather than masking the problem with some other foreign substance, you'll be better off in the long term...

The longest I needed to be away from any food family to get reaction to stop was 3 weeks away from all corn products to see reduction of symptoms...

Much success to you!

Thanks ABJoe!  What you say makes sense...my doctor says it's blocked oil glands.  I use Cetaphil moisturizer with SPF every morning.  I wash with Dove facial wipes for sensitive skin & use the Differin gel in the evening.  Most definitely could be food or something I'm putting on my skin.  Perhaps it's time to "roll up my sleeves" and solve this mystery!  

You said you had to avoid corn products ... was that because of acne?  I do eat corn products periodically.  

A few years ago I was prescribed Aldactone for a serious hair loss. The doc. told me it was usually given for hearth probs, but it has been proven that it works very well for hairs too.

And after 3 monfhs my hairs began to grow up.
Now I have again nice hairs, not so dense as before, but strong and healthy.

I had Aldactone for 3 years, and during this period I have had only a  slightly diuretic and slimimnig side effects ... not bad at all !!

Quoted from ISA-MANUELA

I use  + - all the protocols in my praxis with best results......the name is familiar to me...aldactone ...but I don't remember for what it was taken ...... but I'd go for more Vit. A intake and also MSM and also
what works phantastically, expressis verbis for the A's is evening primrose oil, just suppaa for the female balancings and also to balance the sebum thingies sorry just forgot the right expression

Thanks Isa!  I don't currently take any Vitamin A.  Maybe I should try ... This MSM you mention ... is that Magnesium?   Evening primrose "oil"  is in supplement form?

I currently take:  Deflect, L-Carnitine (1,000 mg) liquid, Vit E (400 IU), L-Glutamine, Bromelain, B-12 Methyl (sublingual), Milk Thistle,  CoQ10 (30 mg).  Does anyone know if any of those supps would contribute to making acne worse?  

Many thanks to those who replied!!!

Quoted from daniela

A few years ago I was prescribed Aldactone for a serious hair loss. The doc. told me it was usually given for hearth probs, but it has been proven that it works very well for hairs too.

And after 3 monfhs my hairs began to grow up.
Now I have again nice hairs, not so dense as before, but strong and healthy.

I had Aldactone for 3 years, and during this period I have had only a  slightly diuretic and slimimnig side effects ... not bad at all !!

Thanks for your response!  Perhaps that explains those pesky chin hairs that I never had before!!!   I'm constantly shaving them off!  

WOW !!!

For me it has been new hairs, no monkey chita at all ! but maybe if you don't have hair loss, they grow everywhere...
please, don't shave, but have a special product for hair removal... or they could go on grown sronger !

You may also want to peruse the Skin Support protocol:
http://www.dadamo.com/protocols/26.html

Alia

Quoted from veggiegirl

I currently take:  Deflect, L-Carnitine (1,000 mg) liquid, Vit E (400 IU), L-Glutamine, Bromelain, B-12 Methyl (sublingual), Milk Thistle,  CoQ10 (30 mg).  Does anyone know if any of those supps would contribute to making acne worse?  

Many thanks to those who replied!!!

Perhaps this will be helpful  veggiegirl
http://www.skyeherbals.com/forum/index.php?topic=293.msg447

Cheers

Quoted from LISALEA

Perhaps this will be helpful  veggiegirl
http://www.skyeherbals.com/forum/index.php?topic=293.msg447

Cheers

Thanks LisaLea !! Maybe I'm on to something with the milk thistle!    

veggiegirl, MSM is a form of sulphur in its best and natural source ....great for all kinds of badies to put em outta your body  and what you wrote is, that nothing should interact negativly together.....
the evening primroseoil is a yummiciolous thingy, would go only for 500mg's 3x daily because  most of the A's might have a fatintolerance, and please have an eye that this oil is made outta *cold pression* so it has all the goodies in it what you are in need to get balanced your body and also B5 and B2 is usefull for fine skins ......

Quoted from daniela

WOW !!!

For me it has been new hairs, no monkey chita at all ! but maybe if you don't have hair loss, they grow everywhere...
please, don't shave, but have a special product for hair removal... or they could go on grown sronger !

This is so true...above all else...pluck them out with tweezers...it is abit time consuming, but weakens them.  You can always use an epilator if you can handle it.  Shaving strengthens them as does hair removal prodocts which can also be very toxic on your skin and liver.

Debra

can't use those bloody chemicals or wax ...I shave since don't remember  ...never have had any probs. with that and no monkey to be seen here either ...perhaps am I just in transformations phase...who knows

Veggiegirl, I suffered with adult acne until 4 years ago and BTD. When ever I take Vitamin E I get "cystic zits". Maybe Vit. E bothers you too?  Also, doggie "kisses" cause me to break out, although I am not allergic to their dander.  The Proactive products seemed to help also, I think my skin wasn't shedding the top layers of cells, and the cleansers gently released the "bumps". Good luck in your quest for clear skin.

Quoted from veggiegirl

Thanks LisaLea !! Maybe I'm on to something with the milk thistle!    

I tuly hope so veggiegirl !!!

Quoted from ISA-MANUELA

can't use those bloody chemicals or wax ...I shave since don't remember  ...never have had any probs. with that and no monkey to be seen here either ...perhaps am I just in transformations phase...who knows

I'm with you, Isa!  I am not a fan of pain so plucking or waxing is out of the question!  

As for your response on MSM...is it okay to take with silver fillings in my mouth?  I thought I read somewhere on one of the threads that if one has silver fillings sulphur should be avoided?  Maybe I'm dreaming ... who knows!    Thanks for all your comments/suggestions!

Quoted from dawgmama

Veggiegirl, I suffered with adult acne until 4 years ago and BTD. When ever I take Vitamin E I get "cystic zits". Maybe Vit. E bothers you too?  Also, doggie "kisses" cause me to break out, although I am not allergic to their dander.  The Proactive products seemed to help also, I think my skin wasn't shedding the top layers of cells, and the cleansers gently released the "bumps". Good luck in your quest for clear skin.

You could be onto something there -- perhaps I should stop Vit E for a time and see if it clears.  Also, I have two pooches who give me doggie lickies all the time!!!    Not sure they wouldn't be happy if I didn't let them!   I have been thinking of having microdermabrasion done to get rid of some of the superficial bumps & red marks.  It's not bad ... in fact, my skin looks fairly clear with makeup, but I'd like to get to the point where I don't have to wear foundation.    

Thanks for everyone's replies!  You have been quite helpful!

nope I am not instructed about such vice versa reactions....the silverfillings were a problem to go against candida....this was for once the thema   and MSM won't work for candida,,,,,anyway

Quoted from veggiegirl

You said you had to avoid corn products ... was that because of acne?  I do eat corn products periodically.  

No, it is because of a massive headache with just a tiny sample of any corn product...

I've been lucky that I've never had to battle acne problems...

If I avoid all concentrated sugars, my skin mostly clears up!  

With trepidation, I have gotten results with this product as well:  

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/shop/product.asp?CODE=PC200&PAGETYPE=S

or

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/shop/product.asp?CODE=PC205&PAGETYPE=S

 I cannot recommend it but I do use it and have been for a few months.  

Some neutral foods seem to cause some skin problems as well, for me.  

If you call the company directly, you should be able to get a few free samples.  

Check out Paula's articles and maybe the library has her book.

BTW, Dr. D'Adamo recommends Paul Mitchell's Green Tea soap for acne problems.  

For a chocolate fix, with just chocolate - no concentrated sweet, try raw cacao nibs.  One bag may last a long time....there is no response to it like chocolate with sugar!  

Thanks Vicki .... I'll check out those links and try your other suggestions.

Can you get that chocolate in a regular HFS?  I've never seen it.

I was able to get a product like this locally....but it was a recent find!  They didnt carry it previously!

http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chocolate-Cacao-Nibs-8-oz/dp/B0007UX45Q

vgirl,
Avoid plucking and waxing if you can as it may aggravate acne very badly in contributing to the inflammation of the skin. If you must pluck, however, try an aspirin mask afterwards. Just crush some uncoated aspirins (4or5) in a small amount of water and apply the paste to the skin for 15 minutes after plucking or waxing to reduce the irritation and inflammation to which acne prone skin is so attached. Good luck.
eh

good idea Madame eh ... I used to take a mixup of Niauli & Lavenderoil

I still use it after shavings ...but lucky me, I never have had any problems with acne btw..this primerose oil is also an good balancer of the sebum glands...fine for under-
armshavings

Your arm pits must smell heavenly, Isa.  

...it depends

check out http://www.seabuckthorn.com

Quoted from eh

vgirl,
Avoid plucking and waxing if you can as it may aggravate acne very badly in contributing to the inflammation of the skin. If you must pluck, however, try an aspirin mask afterwards. Just crush some uncoated aspirins (4or5) in a small amount of water and apply the paste to the skin for 15 minutes after plucking or waxing to reduce the irritation and inflammation to which acne prone skin is so attached. Good luck.
eh

That makes sense!  Not to worry ... plucking or waxing isn't an option with me!  I don't like pain!    Thanks for your reply!

Quoted from Vicki

BTW, Dr. D'Adamo recommends Paul Mitchell's Green Tea soap for acne problems.  

I bought some green tea soap today at the HFS.  Smells good & makes my face feel soft.  Thanks for the suggestion!  

Folic acid 800mcg and
Biotin 4-8mg daily helps.

Quoted from lola

Folic acid 800mcg and
Biotin 4-8mg daily helps.

Thanks, Lola!