the medication your doctor prescribed is for high DHEA. High DHEA is also the so called 'acne' hormone. When its elevated you can have breakouts. I took saw palmetto and waited 3 months, and my DHEA went from 577 to 273 which is normal range. But my acne didn't ever go away, just reduced and i also noticed i broke out mid cycle and the last week it got bad. Taking BCP can really help check Green Gables list, the ones at the top are all good for acne.
But do any of you aldactone takers have something to share or similar experiences? Did you stop taking spiro, add to it, etc.?
Hell, I've been using Clean and Clear Persagel (thin coat, no isopropyl or weird fillers that I know of in it, even though there's a lot of crap in much BP) or .04 Retin-a too and I still have a face, back and shoulders studded with blackheads, whiteheads, oil plugs, cottage cheese, and broken capillaries. Plus, gaping pores around hair follicles, of course, which doesn't help with the zit production, and a few (hard,stretching-my-skin) cysts of medium size/depth. This is so f---ing frustrating. I never had to deal with this on Accutane. I feel like this has been going on since last summer and if anything I've pared down my skin routine, I've stopped taking the additional herbs...I don't know what to do.
I'm wondering it Adderal has something to do with it--I take 10 mg or less per day but I've taken it for a while (more than five years). I read somewhere it contributes to testosterone.
@LillyRose: I know aldactone is for hormonal acne but in addition to being underwhelming in its efficacy it makes me bruise horribly...including on my face.
But do any of you aldactone takers have something to share or similar experiences? Did you stop taking spiro, add to it, etc.?
Hell, I've been using Clean and Clear Persagel (thin coat, no isopropyl or weird fillers that I know of in it, even though there's a lot of crap in much BP) or .04 Retin-a too and I still have a face, back and shoulders studded with blackheads, whiteheads, oil plugs, cottage cheese, and broken capillaries. Plus, gaping pores around hair follicles, of course, which doesn't help with the zit production, and a few (hard,stretching-my-skin) cysts of medium size/depth. This is so f---ing frustrating. I never had to deal with this on Accutane. I feel like this has been going on since last summer and if anything I've pared down my skin routine, I've stopped taking the additional herbs...I don't know what to do.
I'm wondering it Adderal has something to do with it--I take 10 mg or less per day but I've taken it for a while (more than five years). I read somewhere it contributes to testosterone.
@LillyRose: I know aldactone is for hormonal acne but in addition to being underwhelming in its efficacy it makes me bruise horribly...including on my face.
Easy bruising is often an underlying hypothyroid problem. Yet another factor in the hormonal syndrome is the thyroid. If your thyroid is not functioning properly your hormones won't function properly either. Many are "subclinically" or "type 2" hypothyroid meaning they may show up normal on a blood test, but their cells cannot use thyroid hormone properly. Go to http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/ . You will find many with the same symptoms you are experiencing.
dexamethasone is usually given short term to bring the inflammation down. They give it to people with CAH (which can have similar, late onset symptoms rather similar to PCOS) and it usually works out well but i understand you are reluctant to take it because its a 'steroid'. Some BCP is even considered as steroids so you have to consider the best option. Is accutane going to take care of all your other symptoms? It might be better to tackle this on the hormonal side. BCP can work out well. I took Diane when i was 16, but stopped because it didn't suit me but now i take a pill called belara, on my 4th month and i am bout 90% clear and i was considering accutane.Basically i had all these hair and skin issues and this pill has helped so much, i couldn't deal with the acne and pcos symptoms anymore. very easy bruising and scars/wounds and spots that take ages to heal is also linked to very low zinc levels.
I know that some have success with Metformin, which, again is frequently used for people with PCOS. For some it does clear acne. If you can't tolerate a higher dosage of Spironolactone, I would consider that. Try visiting the SoulCysters message board. It's for women with PCOS. Even if you don't have PCOS, I bet they can give you some great advice on elevated androgens and acne.