Needing some advice... dermatologist...or go back to Dr/ob/gyn?

smalltowngirl99 · May 2011

Ok I know its absolutely the worst thing to diagnose yourself through google... but, sometimes I read around too much, here's whats going on and I'm going to try and keep it short.

I always had really bad acne and irregualr periods when I was younger. The acne got better as I got older. After DC were born everything got worse... My acne got worse and then better... and I seriously can shave in the morning and I am stubby by the end of the day... and with DS I was on the borderline for gestational diabetes. I have read quite a few cases where once women got pg their PCOS went into overdrive. I'm honestly wondering if this might be whats wrong.... I have such bad acne on my back and DH thinks I should go to the dermatologist...

I just feel like everything is hormonal... do you think I should waste the time and money and see a dermatologist, or should I go back to one of my dr's first? I'm sick of having acne.. I'm sick or shaving, and trying to keep up with it, I'm sick of being a raging pms-ing mess! When I was on BC I didnt have these problems as bad. Sorry for the ramble... TIA for any advice!

fightingravity · May 2011

Yes, this sounds an awful lot like PCOS. I'd get tested for that as your first line of attack.

ECHC829 · May 2011

I am by no means a doctor....

I would be afraid that the OB/Gyn will only recommend going on birth control to control the acne, whereas the dermatologist might be able to give a TTC safe topical solution. Sorry I'm not much help!

Pooftybear · May 2011

I would go to the doctor. Why just fix the problem if you can eliminate it?

MarxieVonTrapp · May 2011

I'd go to a dermatologist. If it something hormonal, the dermatologist might be able to tell you. And the dermatologist will be able to get you some topical creams. I used to have a really bad, acne-like rash and it turned out to be rosacea. Now I have the creams and my skin is clear.

Izabella22 · May 2011

Is there a nurse line at your Ob office that you could call and have them ask the doctor? They might be able to just get you in for some lab work then if its hormonal you can see the ob, if not they can refer you to a derm.

Eris-Alexis · May 2011

I would recommend going to the OB, but if they try to put you on BC, ask if you can see an RE. GL!

busterbeagle · May 2011

Maybe you could call your OB/Gyn to get a doctor's opinion. Maybe he/she will just tell you to go to the derm, or maybe he/she will want to see you. I would voice all of your concerns because it seems to go beyond just the acne. You want to deal with the cause, not just the symptoms, KWIM?

poohbear033 · May 2011

I am sorry your skin is not agreeing with you. I don't have PCOS, but after my d&c I had awful acne. I chose to go to the dermatologist because I knew we were TTA and any meds would be fine. She scraped (ouch) samples off of my back and it turned out to be caused by yeast. (gross). I had to use cream, take pills and use special shampoo. It is finally clearing up and hopefully I can get back to normal as far as cycles and AF go. Good luck with whatever you choose to do. (((HUGS)))

lauralew · May 2011

Is the acne cystic? Is it just on your back? Acne caused by PCOS tends to be along the jaw line (from what my RE and derm PA sister told me). When you're talking about shaving do you mean your legs or your face? Once again, I think the abnormal hair growth is usually found on your face rather than the rest of your body...

BUT, the irregular periods, the acne flare ups during hormonal changes, threat of gestational diabetes etc, are enough reason to me to ask your OB about PCOS. There are simple blood tests that can be done to determine whether or not your symptoms are due to PCOS.

Hope that helps!

smalltowngirl99 · May 2011

lauralew:

Is the acne cystic? Is it just on your back? Acne caused by PCOS tends to be along the jaw line (from what my RE and derm PA sister told me). When you're talking about shaving do you mean your legs or your face? Once again, I think the abnormal hair growth is usually found on your face rather than the rest of your body...

BUT, the irregular periods, the acne flare ups during hormonal changes, threat of gestational diabetes etc, are enough reason to me to ask your OB about PCOS. There are simple blood tests that can be done to determine whether or not your symptoms are due to PCOS.

Hope that helps!

Thank you for all the info, you were very helpful!... The acne to me seems cystic but it isnt always.. and my back is the biggest problem but I also break out around my jaw line and mouth... The shaving thing.. it's like that everywhere except my face. I'm in the middle of trying to find a new Dr. I told my current Dr the concerns I had and she didn't stop and even listen to them or think about them for 2 seconds and said I'm fine and normal. She thinks because I have had 2 successful pg's that everything is fine... and it might be... but I hate that she won't even look at anything when I have had 2 m/c's in a row.

lauralew · May 2011

smalltowngirl99:
lauralew:

Is the acne cystic? Is it just on your back? Acne caused by PCOS tends to be along the jaw line (from what my RE and derm PA sister told me). When you're talking about shaving do you mean your legs or your face? Once again, I think the abnormal hair growth is usually found on your face rather than the rest of your body...
BUT, the irregular periods, the acne flare ups during hormonal changes, threat of gestational diabetes etc, are enough reason to me to ask your OB about PCOS. There are simple blood tests that can be done to determine whether or not your symptoms are due to PCOS.
Hope that helps!
Thank you for all the info, you were very helpful!... The acne to me seems cystic but it isnt always.. and my back is the biggest problem but I also break out around my jaw line and mouth... The shaving thing.. it's like that everywhere except my face. I'm in the middle of trying to find a new Dr. I told my current Dr the concerns I had and she didn't stop and even listen to them or think about them for 2 seconds and said I'm fine and normal. She thinks because I have had 2 successful pg's that everything is fine... and it might be... but I hate that she won't even look at anything when I have had 2 m/c's in a row.

Frustrating!! I am so thankful my OB was so proactive about my PCOS symptoms. I wasn't even worried about it when she suggested I see an RE...but now I'm glad she isn't the "let's just wait and see" type of OB. Find a doc/OB/RE you like or love!! You deserve it. Keep advocating for yourself. Maybe just call your current doc and ask for blood tests. What can it hurt? Really, you're the one being put out by any extra testing b/c it costs you time and money. Best of luck!!

lauralew · May 2011

PS, I love the Mayo Clinic website. Good, unbiased info. There's questions to ask your doc.

https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/DS00423/DSECTION=symptoms

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Needing some advice... dermatologist...or go back to Dr/ob/gyn?

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