Crazy acne breakout after 1 week of Metformin!

Catch77 · 11-27-2005, 02:43 PM

Hello girls,

I was diagnosed with PCOS one week ago and started Metformin 500 mg and just upped my dose today to 1000 mg.

My PCOS symptoms are very bad acne (which I had gotten somewhat under control with chromium supplements and moderate carb diet), severe hairloss and hirsutism. I have regular periods, I think I am ovulating and I am not overweight.

My first week of Metformin did not bring bad side effects bowelwise, but..... the acne!!! It is back and it is painful! I am also having scalp itch/pain.

This is so depressing for me because I was hoping that the Met would help these hormonal issues.

I know that one week is not long, but I can't imagine going back to having this horrible skin for two months until the Met (maybe) kicks in

Please share your experiences if you used to have bad acne and starting Met made it worse and then better! I really need some encouragement. How long did the initial breakout last? My doctor wants me to stay at 1000 mgs for a month and then see him again and he will prescribe spiro for the hair issues.

I have started back on 125 mcg chromium in case it will help my skin a little.

Sorry, long post. Really needed to vent, feel very alone ..

Catch

mandypurdue · 12-01-2005, 04:47 AM

I'm sorry you are dealing with bad acne too. I did have that happen, but it just so happened to be the week before I got a visit from af that I had the bad breakout so I assumed that had something to do with it. That was my first regular length cycle in a long time so I know it is doing something for me! I just increased my dosage a week ago to 1500 and my acne is already improving so maybe that will be the case for you too.

Catch77 · 12-04-2005, 07:25 PM

Thank you for posting, Amanda. That sounds great!
My skin is a little better now that I have upped the dose to 1000 mg, but not clear at all .. My doctor wants me to stay at this dose until I see him again next month.

Amanda, are you taking spiro with the met?

Thanks

mandypurdue · 12-04-2005, 09:03 PM

No, he had mentioned trying that if the met alone didn't work but for some reason didn't want to try it right away. I don't really even know how it works but if he wants to put me on it later I will definately research it a little more. Are you on that? Do you know how it works?

Catch77 · 12-05-2005, 04:36 PM

My doctor did not want to put me on both drugs at the same time either. But I suspect that he will add spiro when I see him next month.
As far as I know, spiro is a diuretic - originally used for high blood pressure - but it turned out that it has an antiandrogen effect. I assume that one of the side effects is low blood pressure.

I am not sure if I will start spiro after only one month of met or if I will give the met a few more months to kick in. I hate taking drugs and I am concerned about the effects of both drugs on my kidneys

mandypurdue · 12-06-2005, 04:22 AM

Me too, I'm exactly like you. Good luck!

Catch77 · 12-06-2005, 09:38 PM

Good luck to you too!

Take care