coming off diane35 - how to brace for breakouts?

I quit diane 35 when I was 19 for 6 months. During those 6 months, my body weight returned to it's natural place, my mild depression lifted miraculously (it was marvelous!) and my skin was fine. After 6 months, my acne returned, probably around 3 times worse than it had been before. I am now 28, and have little faith that my body has "grown out" of acne, and that if I stop now, nothing will happen. I have read enough threads to know this happens to people when they are nearing 50 after many years of taking it, almost as if the body has "saved up" all the pimples they weren't getting in the past. Awful!

My job is very face forward, and now that I want to come off this pill, my questions is - what can I do to calm this emotional devastation I am about to undergo? Will I be able to find a dermatologist who can inject me with cortisone? Will this damage my face further, and how long can I do cortizone injections for, and on how many place of my face at one time?

Is there no drug that balances hormones for people with these symptoms?

Last but not least, why is this phenomenon not documented and talked about when we were given this pill in the first place? From my experience, it's not isolated - in fact it seems extremely common.

On one thread I read "My friend went of Diane35 to have kids. She gave birth to a giant zit." I'm angry and frightened about my future in the adult working world.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, you haven’t mentioned the basic condition you were prescribed Diane35 for; or if it was just for contraception, taking into consideration the acne issues. If there were no other issues such as hormonal imbalance involved, quitting Diane35 may not have the same adverse effects at this time as during teenage years. Also I am not sure why would you require cortisone for. If this for medical treatment of some other condition, it would be best to discuss this with your treating doctor. If you have assumed this to be a treatment for you skin condition, it is unlikely to be the case. It is only after a detailed evaluation of your condition that a management plan can be decided. I would suggest discussion the option to quit Diane35 with you doctor and if the skin condition returns, you may seek an evaluation by a dermatologist.
Hope this helps.

Take care!