2 replies to this topic

[Rachiepie]

Hi everyone. I've been reading this forum for a while, but never posted anything before. I'm looking for some input. I apologize in advance for how long this is going to be...

I'm 20-years-old and have had acne since puberty, although it suddenly got much worse when I was about 16 and seems to be getting progressively worse every year since then. My acne is usually cystic and very painful, but I also get some smaller bumps mixed in. I am also EXTREMELY oily.

I've tried everything (multiple different antibiotics, BCP, both OTC and prescription topical of all varieties, proactiv, you name it). About 5 months ago my derm (well, she's a physician's assistant, not a doctor) told me I might have PCOS and put me on spiro. I was taking 75 mg daily.

Recently I saw my obgyn and mentioned the derm's PCOS diagnoses. The obgyn gave me a transvaginal ultrasound to check out the ovaries and said she did not believe I actually had PCOS.

Today I went back to the derm and told her I didn't want to be on the spiro any more. I had three reasons for this:
1. My skin has barely improved, if at all
2. My obgyn doesn't think I have the PCOS it was prescribed for
3. The hormonal changes made me feel lethargic and fuzzy

The derm reacted to what I told her about the obgyn by kind of brushing me off (at least that's how it felt) and saying that the ultrasound might have just been taken in between cystic flare-ups. She then prescribed me 500 mg daily of glucophage (metformin), which I have learned from my internet research is used to treat acne in women with PCOS. She told me that I have to take it for 3 months, and that she doesn't want to see again until then. So if it doesn't work, I'm stuck with nothing for 3 months.

So my question is, should I bother taking it? I'm more inclined to believe the obgyn than the derm (who, like I said, is a PA and not a doctor), and I don't want to mess around with my glucose levels and whatever else if it won't do anything for me. The fact that spiro was such a disappointment makes me especially pessimistic. I'm feeling pretty ignored by my derm and am considering going to someone else and asking for accutane, since that seems to be the only option I have left. I'd like to hear if anyone without PCOS was helped by Metformin.

[lapiel12345]

Did you ever end up taking metformin? I'm thinking about trying it again...

[Prettywords]

You don't need cysts in the ovaries for PCOS. See my other post on someones thread on here where I list the symptoms. It's very under-diagnosed. You'd need to see a reproductive endocrinologist to know for sure.

You may have insulin resistance. If you do, are overweight or have excess hair, loss of hair, acne, then you likely have PCOS.

75 mgs of spiro is way too low for PCOS and acne. You need at least 100 mgs a day. Usually they use 200 mgs for acne and PCOS.

Sounds like your PA knows more than your OB/GYN imo.

EDIT: I just realized this thread it 2 yrs. old...

Edited by Prettywords, 25 October 2011 - 02:32 PM.