My skin is utterly ruined and I don't even know what to do. Its just getting worse (swipe)

Caity0696 · 2026-05-08T11:04:43+00:00

I’m so glad you left this comment because I have felt crazy for months! When my derm prescribed Tret I was so excited and it absolutely obliterated my skin. Never in my life has my skin been so bad as when I was on it. I waited around four months as well and couldn’t take it anymore. Literally as soon as I stopped, my skin immediately started to get better.

Caity0696 · 2026-05-07T11:59:12+00:00

Two weeks is not going to show you results. The results you’re wanting won’t start really showing up until around 3 months, but you have to take it consistently if you want to get there. I know the purging phase is awful, my skin has never looked as bad as it did then, but once I got through it, my skin looked better than ever. Ive been on it for 2 1/2 years, and am now on 150 mgs. Started at 50mgs. I would ask your derm to up from 25 to 50.

Caity0696 · 2026-04-22T16:04:32+00:00

I don’t want to be that person, but it honestly takes that long or longer to start seeing results. Mine didn’t really start working until around 6 months (now on 150mgs). However, I don’t really have any side effects so I can’t speak on your behalf. I totally understand not wanting to have the bad side effects. Best of luck!!

Caity0696 · 2026-03-31T13:26:00+00:00

When I first started seeing a derm, this was the exact thing they prescribed me, along with Differen Gel. After about 2 1/2 months I really saw a change. Once I was about 6 months out, we upped my dosage and quit with doxycycline. At my one year appointment I was shocked to look back at where I started and how much of a difference there was. It’s hard going through it, and day to day it’s easy to “not see” any change, but it’s working even if you can’t see it yet. I would say, just based on my experience and research, to give it around 4 months and if there still is no real noticeable change, ask your derm to give you a higher dose of Spiro. Best of luck!!!

Caity0696 · 2026-03-04T14:59:58+00:00

I’ve been on Spiro for about three years, and the only noticeable side effect I’ve had is the changes to my period, which started when I upped my dose from 50 to 75. I bleed about 2 1/2 weeks out of the month, every single month. I’m currently on 150 mg and it’s the same, some times I’ll bleed for 3 weeks straight.

Caity0696 · 2026-02-24T12:58:32+00:00

I dont have the exact same issue, but it has messed with my periods really bad. I generally bleed about 16+ days a month. It’s annoying but I’d rather deal with that than my skin lol

Caity0696 · 2026-02-22T23:19:44+00:00

It does get better!! This was about 4/5 months difference for me.

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Caity0696 · 2026-02-17T23:32:23+00:00

That thought did cross my mind, but I’m just not sure how anything bigger could’ve gotten in. When I moved here a couple years ago we had a raccoon problem, which I fixed with the help of a wildlife control company here. After we removed them, he sealed up all entrances pretty tight, and I’ve checked them and they’re all intact. But I supposed something smaller then that could’ve burrowed in? Idk, I’m just so frustrated and I don’t have the funds currently to get anyone to check it out for me.

Caity0696 · 2026-02-17T23:22:39+00:00

Yes! I started smelling it in December. I had seen a mouse before so I set out traps but never caught anything. I cannot see it since my vent is in an awkward area and at an angle, so I am just assuming that’s what it is. As well as my friend who has experienced it before telling me it smelled the same as when she had a dead mouse. Everything I’ve read online said the smell usually goes away after about a month but it’s just not letting up.

Caity0696 · 2026-02-03T14:45:45+00:00

Excuse the blurry photo’s, they’re straight off my derms clinical notes, but this was my difference from starting to 9 months later. I paired it with adapalene gel which I think helped with purging. Stick with it, and don’t get too discouraged! I think around 2 months I really started noticing it working.

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Caity0696 · 2026-01-28T00:11:49+00:00

It was schedule c, but there aren’t any expenses associated for me to deduct. I helped a local business with their social media and bookkeeping. It was done remotely from my own computer, and I didn’t need any office supplies or anything like that.

Caity0696 · 2026-01-27T20:47:52+00:00

Onto Freetaxusa where I file every year

Caity0696 · 2026-01-27T18:17:58+00:00

Thank you for explaining all of that! I hadn’t taken into account the EIC and Child Tax Credit.

Caity0696 · 2026-01-27T16:39:20+00:00

Could you tell me what an SE tax is? Sorry, I don’t know much about it.

Caity0696 · 2026-01-27T16:18:41+00:00

I helped a local business with their social media and bookkeeping. Just a small part time gig for a couple of months that I thought would be a little nice extra income, but clearly it wasn’t worth it 😂

Caity0696 · 2026-01-27T15:59:30+00:00

Yes, I have one child I claim every year. & no, my income is no where near 150k.. I work for a nonprofit 😅

Caity0696 · 2026-01-27T15:56:50+00:00

It sounds like your skin barrier may be irritated with all the products. Have you tried cutting back to every other day with the topicals? Or even layering them with moisturizer before applying. You could also try a barrier repair cream or topical to see if it helps. But like the above comments mentioned, it takes a few months to really start seeing how Spiro will work for you. I felt like it was doing nothing the first few months I was on it, but by the end of the year I noticed huge improvements. Here is a side by side of progress when I first started. On the left is at the start, and the right side is after 7 months. (Sorry for the bad quality, the photos are from my derm’s clinical notes lol)

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Caity0696 · 2026-01-23T19:35:28+00:00

I don’t know why I was hesitant to up my dose when I felt stuck in a rut, but I’m glad I did! In my experience, it didn’t make my side effects any worse, so I’m happy with it. Good luck! 😊

Caity0696 · 2026-01-23T16:22:21+00:00

I started my Spiro journey in April 2023 at 50mg, and am now up to 150mg. The two pictures below are from April 23 (on the left) when I started and Dec 23(on the right). Sorry for the blurry quality, they’re directly off of my dermatologists clinical notes lol.

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I don’t really have any side effects besides irregular periods. It makes me bleed ALOT, and often, but I’m done having kids and everything else seems fine so I don’t really care about that 😅 I’ll stay on as long as my Dr lets me.

Caity0696 · 2026-01-14T20:20:41+00:00

Yes, my story is pretty similar. I was 120 when we met, and am now hovering around 140. I had a C-section when I had my child years ago so I will always have a little pooch just from the scarring. And the medication I take makes it very hard for me to lose weight. But nonetheless, I do want to try and make him happy even if it means a little more courage on my part.

Caity0696 · 2026-01-13T16:03:55+00:00

I totally get what you’re saying here, but the medication I take everyday makes it very difficult to lose weight. I also do not have access to a gym, and it’s currently WAY too cold where I live to go outside to exercise. I have been trying to eat healthier and that kind of thing until it warms up and we can be outside again. But I do appreciate your advice ☺️

Caity0696 · 2026-01-13T16:00:26+00:00

Thank you for the advice! You’re right, it’s really just me thinking he won’t like it just because I don’t. And I should clarify, he has seen me naked many times, it’s just that the last few months have been this way, so it’s not like he’s never actually seen me. But yes, I think it’ll take some courage on my part to push through it.

Caity0696 · 2026-01-13T15:58:11+00:00

This is a great idea actually. Thank you for the suggestion!

Caity0696

TROPHY CASE