Doctors appointment tommorrow to discuss acne prone skin

[Iwantscallops]

I have finally booked an appointment about my skin. It's been years without having some sort of spot on my face and now I really feel I need to do something about it.

Its got to the point where I now have scars on my cheeks and I feel like I am constantly fighting a loosing battle.

I have PCOS and don't want to be prescribed the pill (although I have heard some can help) because I have attempted different ones in the past and they have made me almost suicidal - damn hormones!

Do I ask for a referral to a dermatologist or any other type of medical professional, or do I go along with what the Dr suggests?

I have heard metformin is could so maybe I could ask or that?

Thanks

Yes, ask for a referral. I too have PCOS and had very bad skin, also to the point of scarring. I have been prescribed the pill Dianette, to help with my skin. It has not yet made me suicidal... After the birth of my DS, I have been prescribed Roaccutane by a dermatologist - very severe treatment, but very effective at clearing up all the cysts and stuff. I still get the occasional spot, but very rarely.

Are you eating a PCOS diet? You know, your hormones and your PCOS and your insulin are all connected. Cut sugar and starches from your diet, that should help with a lot of the PCOS symptoms.

Metformin controls your insulin, its basically a diabetes drug. Eat less sugar and refined carbs, and your insulin will stay stable.

Good luck!

Ask for a referral, read up on roaccutane it works but the side effects are bad and i am convinced it has exacerbated the joint problems i am having now.

Also look on the acne.org site.

I have had 3 lots of Roaccutane over a 12 year period and although it clears my skin it has never worked long term. Like you mine is all hormonal and i go mental on any kind of contraceptive.

I started the regime from acne.org 6 months ago and for the first time in my life i get one or two spots around period time that is it.
It is a pain in the arse to follow and you have to be religious and things get alot worse before they get better but i love my skin now.

It took me a while to settle on the right products for me but there is no looking back now.

Thanks so much for your replies. I went to the doctor and to be honest, she wasn't too helpful. She has given me antibiotics to sort out my skin and depending on results I may have to see a dermatologist.

Magpie- I have a food doctor book at home which I believe is PCOS friendly. I will have to have a good look through and make changes to my diet - which is in need of it after Easter quite healthy already.

I also looked at the acne.org link from raindroprhyme and will definately follow that skin regime to that one. Interestingly, I found out on that site that lemon juice reduces scars. At frist I thought it was a wind-up but there were quite a few good reviews so I may try it!

I had acne/ spots/ cyst like spots for years, tried every topical treatment, antibiotics & was on dianette for years.

I turned 29 & my skin was horrendous in my birthday photos - I didn't want to hit 30 the same. (I first went to my docs who gave me oxtetracycline when I was 14/15!). My doc was really understanding & referred me to a dermatologist.

I had laser treatment on my face combined with a topical treatment (forgotten the name) & Duac cream for the big spots. Was brilliant I'm 36 & just have the odd zit.

Don't get fobbed off by docs - I know how this can affect confidence etc.

Iwantscallops
I'm 52 now and had acne more or less all the time since I was a young teenager until recently.
I started with oxytetracycline as a teenager, and then minocin and for the last few years tried to do without, trying the odd bit of beauty stuff I bought to see if it worked.
Last November I got so pissed off with still being spotty at 51,including the odd spot that was big and painful, i finally gave in and went back to GP.
Saw a very nice locum lady doctor who was sympathetic and prescribed a course of oxytetracycline ( I didn't hold out a lot of hope as had had these as a teenager and they didn't seem to help).I was on 4 tablets (sorry can't remember the dosage) a day for a month, and then had to go back, saw a different doctor (typical) who kept me on this dose for a further month.
I cannot believe the difference in my skin, I have had 2 tiny, tiny whiteheads(easily squeezable ) and no other spots.
Something I thought wouldn't work has given me my clearest skin since I was about 13. It could be my age as well I suppose, but I would probably have hoped to be saying that in my early 20's not my early 50's!