Doctors appointment tommorrow to discuss acne prone skin.

[Iwantscallops]

I have posted on Heath but to no avail so was hoping you wise S&B girls could help me.

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

I don't have PCOS, but do have bad skin which I'm fairly sure is hormonal because I have great skin while pregnant and breastfeeding (and am terrible on birth control pill, so can sympathise there). I have seen three different dermatologists and have been prescribed retin A, differin, and antibiotics without much to show for it. Antibiotics cleared me up while I took them, but came back when I stopped. Differin and retin-A made skin sensitive and dry. I'd love to know the answer to this and whether anyone else has had any luck. I'm totally sick of it. The best I've found for me is a zinc and vit D supplement.

I have been considering making a similar appointment with my doctor - so am of no help but didn't want you to feel alone! Tis rotten having spots AND wrinkles. I shall watch other for other comments with interest.

Coffeenut - that sounds just like me. I was glowing when pregnant and breastfeeding too.

Shirley - the wrinkles are coming in fast here. It was only this morning I was admiring them!

I might try and go in quite assertive and see what happens. I will certainly update you.

I also had fab skin and was able to even reveal my back whilst preggers/breast feeding and also whilst on the pill (which I quickly came off as despite lovely skin it made me rather irrational), so it is deffo hormonal. I look forward to hearing what your Dr says...and will make an appointment to see mine next week.

I can totally sympathise. I'm 43 and have acne (possibly acne rosacea as it's really red and irritated and sore when I have bad flare-ups). I ahve never had good skin, but only actually got acne since being in my 30s and 40s. I find it really depressing as no matter what I do to my appearance, what my hair looks like, what my makeup looks like ec I just feel so uglya nd sort of dirty thanks to having bloody acne at 43! I ahve been on oxytetracycline on and off for over 2 years and at first it really helped but as soon as I'm off it (or even if I just start to get a bit slack about taking it) the acne comes straight back. I also have PCOS and found that my skin was at its best (but by no means perfect) when I was on the pill from the age of 22 to 35. Since coming off the pill to have my kids I've looked a right bloody mess!!! I don't like the idea of taking antibiotics all the time for years and years and would love to find a more natural solution. I think it's time I went back to my GP and discussed the hormonal side of it too. What worries me even more is that I read that for some women the mebopause and the resulting reduction in female hormones leads to even worse acne so I could literally spend my entire life with this!!! I asumed that when I was a "grown-up" I'd have decent, predictable skin, but instead I never know from one week to the next just how bad I'll look! And the thought of that going on into my 50s and 60s makes me want to hide away for the rest of my life!! I have just started (literally this week) cutting down hugely on the dairy products in my diet...almost cutting them out completely, as I read that sometimes that can help. Probably just grasping at straws though!! BUt I'll report back if it produces any miracle results! It's really crap isn't it! At the age when all sorts of bits of me are wrinkling up and dropping downa nd generally looking pretty ropey, I didn't think I'd still be covered in spots and their resulting scars. Fed up!! . I'll be watching your thread with interest to see if anyone has any bright ideas!

Just a thought, but could you ask to see an endocrinologist (hormone expert) ?
The very best thing IMHO - which is as a 'patient' not a medic!! - for acne/PCOS is the pill - Dianette, YAsmin etc. But you've been down this road before and had MH issues.
Also the strong acne stuff like Roaccutane can bring on low mood, so that might not be your bag.
And your skin was best when pregnant, so under hormonal change.

I think Metformin addresses the insulin issues from PCOS; whereas it is the androgen issues (of PCOS) that cause acne.

Thanks for your replies. I went to the doctor and to be honest I didn't find her helpful at all. She suggested the contraceptive pill but when I explained her my issues with it in the past, she said I had better not.

So, I have a prescription for antibiotics, but like you JellyBelly10, I don't want to take then forever.

I asked about an endocrinologist HazeltheMcWitch, saying that maybe it was best if I was referred to get to the root of the problem (excess hair/loosing head hair, etc) and she said that all the problems need to be treated seperately by her and an endo. would have no more knowledge of PCOS than her.

And, as I am a moody cow a nightmare with the pill, there really is no other course of treatment for me - even though in my last GP practice the doctor said there was but as I have been contantly PG or BF for the last 4 years I couldn't take them.

So, I am going to take these antibiotics and see what happens. I am also going to change my diet to a PCOS friendly one. I also have this link on health and have been suggested to follow a regime on acne.org, which I will try. I will also try with the zinc and vit D, so thanks coffenut.

Shirley, keep me informed with your doctors appointment. I hope she is more helpful than mine.

Ask for a referral to dermatologist to discuss roaccutane.

Heavy duty drug but worked for me.

She suggested if the antibiotics don't work I can get a referral to a dermatologist. Did the roaccutane send you a bit loopy? I must admit the thought of such a heavy-duty drug scares me a bit.

Side effects were very dry lips and a few aches and pains in joints. Some patches of very dry skin as well. I was on a high dose - 60mg a day - for six months.

It was more than worth it. My skin wasn't terrible, more acne prone rather than pepperoni pizza I would say. Just got sick of still having teenage skin in my 30's.

you have my sympathies. i am nearly 37 and first went to the doc for treatment for acne when i was 14.

my skin was better when i was pregnant/breastfeeding and the only thing that's ever really worked is Dianette (strong pill which made me unhinged and miserable). although that suggests "hormonal", i've never had any other hormonal symptoms (hirsutism, problems with periods/fertility etc) so i didn't pursue endowhatsit referral but that might work for you. over the years i've also had antibiotics (didn't work and made me puke), antibiotic cream (pretty good, but i didn't want to use long term) and retinol (horrendous side effects and didn't even work). no doctor would prescribe me topical Vitamin A because my bad skin is on my back and they didn't think i was capable of applying it properly.

sorry, but my experience with doctors is that they don't really see acne as a serious problem. even (especially?) dermatologists. i finally decided after the last round of Dianette (actually my DH told me he would rather have me spotty than mad) that i was just going to live with it. the only medical thing i've had since was IPL - seemed to work a bit and no side effects but costs £££.

recently i have been caning ridiculous amounts of money on dermalogica stuff, trying really hard not to pick (or use scrub exfoliators), and following what seemed like nonsense advice (i'll try anything!) about moisturising the spotty bits. all this is keeping it at bay if not clearing it up.

sorry, i meant roaccutane rather than retinol. evil stuff.

Honestly, if your GP is unsympathetic find another one.

Ask at the practice of their is anyone that specialises in skin conditions. Insist they refer you to a dermatologist.

There is absolutely no reason that anyone should put up with bad skin these days.

If your prescribed something that doesn't work go back and keep going back.

Wish I'd got my own skin sorted out years ago.

I had similar problems in my 30s and found the only thing that really helped me long term was Chinese herbal medicine. Honestly it was great. It took about 6 months if drinking vile brews but it really sorted out my crappy skin.

i agree with you in principle but i don't think there's anything else i could get prescribed that i haven't already tried, and where things did work for the acne, the side effects meant it wasn't worth it. i'm delighted to hear that roaccutane worked for you but i think for me it was right to call it a day and put up with it.

i'm not into alternative therapies but could that be another option OP if conventional treatments have failed?

(agree with mollyschambers i mean - interested to see someone else has come up with the alternative route in the meantime)

Thanks for your replies. I am due to go back after a month so I will ask if there is a doctor that specialises in skincare and then ask for a derm. referral.

You are totally right MollysChamber, we shouldn't have to put up with bad skin. It's just a shame that some doctors aren't helpful. She made me feel that it was my vanity that took me there, and I have to agree that part of it is that, but only to the poing where I want to look normal.

DS1 who's 3, and I were watching Nanny McPee the other day and he looked at me and said "Mummy, you have one of those [wart], just like Nanny McPhee". I have to admit I laughed and was just glad he didn't pick up on a chin hair!

Thanks nothingnatural about the idea of Chinese medicine. I'm all up for herbal/natural methods and have to admit any medication scares me.

Iwantscallops - that is rubbish - you poor thing, stupid GP. Skin problems MASSIVELY affect you. I look back on my teenage years with regret, as they were honestly ruined by acne. Dianette sorted me out in the end, but I had tried all the creams, antibiotics etc.

Whether she thinks you're vain or not is by-the-by. (of course, I don't think you're vain). What you do have is acne (apols), and that is a symptom. So it's not like you're making a fuss about nothing.

Also, it is laughable that an endocrinologist would have no more experience of PCOS that does she. In fact it is not laughable it is an outright lie.

I hope you do get some shift in the next month, but if you don't - get tough. DEMAND a referral, to either dermatologist or endocrinologist. If she wont play ball then ask to see another GP. Don't be fobbed off as sorting your skin out will make you feel so much better.

FYI, one of my most cherished memories is being called 'doll-face' by an ex-colleague. Having had BAD acne that made my day. Hilariously, it was as part of an argument and was delivered with a long stream of insults, venom and swearing but all I took out of it was 'doll-face' - my skin must be ok - hurrah!
So - some light at the end of the tunnel for you there. It can get better!

ruaccutane is very effective, although very heavy duty and there are side effects that some people find unbearable. My dd has pcos and also had bad acne. She was referred to a dermatologist who put her on ruaccutane straightaway. She was on it for about 3 months (Not sure how long as I think she may have stopped taking it fairly soon after being presscribed it, because of the side effects) and her skin cleared up completely and the acne has never returned (clear skin for 8 years now)

Hazel, maybe you could come to my next appointment! I will certainly be more assertive next time. I'm smiling at 'doll-face'!

I think my problem with Ruaccutane is because about 10 years ago, sadly a boy near here commited suicide (he was just a teen), and the family maintained that it was the drug that put him in a suicidal state (something tells me that the inquest possibly agreed). I just scares the life out of me and I have too young DS's, and am studying for a degree, so I need to stay sane for them!

RE-post before your appointment and we can give you a kick up the arse assertiveness training !

Yep, re roaccutane, there IS very unfortunately some association with suicidal thoughts and even deaths. So you will need to be very honest about your past experiences with the pill so you can ensure you're getting the treatment (including monitoring) that is best for you.

Yes, ruaccutane does have that reputation although it didn't affect my dd in that way. I just know it worked for her. Surely if it is suggested you be prescribed it that you will be alert for any signs of depression or suicidal thoughts and stop taking it straightaway. I've not heard of such thoughts coming on and being acted upon without some sort of build up.

I agree with Hazel . Whatever you decide to do, don't be fobbed off by your GP. Acne is a treatable condition these days - nobody should have to put up with it and the facial scarring that can result from its non treatment.

Thanks doll-face and crystal. Hopefully I will be longer be like Nanny McPhee (although I wish I had her way with the kids!) .

I know that you have probably read lots of horror stories about roaccutane, but I would like to paint a good picture, as it has done wonders for me and my skin. I suffered from acne as a teenager and tried all the usual stuff. During the next 20 years it would come and go and I could usually deal with it with anti-biotics and topicals, that is until about 2 years ago when my acne exploded. I was 43 and had the worst cystic acne ever. After several visits to the doctors and the usual round of anti-biotics, nothing touched it, so I bit the bullet and went to see a dermatologist who prescribed a 9 month, low daily dose (30mg) course of roaccutane. I am half way through and the acne cleared up completely within 3 months. With roaccutane however you have to finish the whole course, even if your acne seems to have stopped as to get the full benefit you need the cumulative dose. This is based on your height and weight (don't know exactly how they calculate how much you need). The only side effect I have suffered is dry lips and this has been manageable with lip balm.