What The Hell?!

Camisado · 06-25-2008, 11:16 PM

Ok so my DHEAS and Testosterone levels came back in the normal range, with DHEAS being on the LOW side of normal...

But I'm plagued with acne...everywhere...everyday! My ears, face, back, shoulders, arms, chest...... what gives?!

Ohhhh and when it's normally time for me to have a period, instead I get one or two huuuuuge cysts on my cheek and a few big ones that aren't as noticable on my chin.

I feel like a total freak. I have not menstruated since Jan, and before the e year 2007 I was normal as normal can be....perfect skin....no anxiety.....then all of a sudden in 2007 I take a couple doses of Megace ES and BOOM.....PCOS.

QUESTION 1: Anyone else have normal androgen levels with acne probs?

QUESTION 2: Could topical Spiro help? I really do not want to start taking diuretics because my blood pressure is is always fluctuating from low to high.

I have tried systemic antibiotics, Retin-A, Retin-A Micro, Clindamycin (topical) Erthomycin (cream) and topical lemon juice (both fresh squeezed lemon AND prepared lemon).....systemic antibiotics used to treat my mild teenager acne very well, but, now with severe and cystic acne along with my host of other symptoms, NOTHING helps.... I'm hoping topical spiro might...

sgordon · 06-26-2008, 11:35 AM

When I had my testosterone tested, it came back at 49 which I believe is still within the "normal" range, but high for someone my age (I think it ideally should have been around 35).

I honestly believe that you have to treat hormonal acne from the inside out. Whether that is through diet or alternative remedies. As far as I'm concerned, you can wash your face a million times a day and put all kinds of stuff on your skin, but it's not going to change our whacked out hormones.

That being said, while I'm attempting to get things straightened out on the inside, I'm getting very impatient on the outside. I went and ordered ProActive (crossing my fingers that it wasn't a huge mistake). My acne has improved a lot in the sense that I no longer get cystic acne (in my mind, the most severe). I still always have pimples on my face though, and I'm hoping the ProActive will help clear those up.

MarianneUnfaithfull · 07-01-2008, 05:23 PM

All my blood tests came back "normal" - my diagnosis was based on one cystic ovary and some symptoms, with my main symptom being acne.

I've also got acne as you describe, tops of arms and everything, although Dianette has helped mine a bit.

About the spiro... I don't know. I've never heard of spiro being used topically. Personally, I'm going to ask for spiro to take orally at my derm appointment as I've had enough of struggling on with these symptoms.

Good luck in whatever you decide

PBLayzod · 07-01-2008, 05:34 PM

I had this from the age of 9 or so and seemed to sort of grow out of it around age 30. Metformin really helped, but birth control pills didn't seem to do anything.