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Skin problems. Help please?

Posted , 3 users are following.

elybaby
elybaby

I really need some help because my skin is causing me to feel very depressed. It always had, but lately it's all I can think about. 

I am a 32 year old woman, with a BMI of 23.6 and PCOS. I do believe I have a healthy lifestyle. I don't drink (never had), I don't smoke (never had), I walk whenever I have the chance, I try to take more than 10k steps each day, I work out 5 times a week, I eat healthy food: I load up on vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, green tea, I avoid fried foods, I never go to fast food chains, I always try to find the healthy alternative when I'm at the restaurant. I used to be obese (my BMI was 36.7) but I started dieting and working out and lost most of the weight - almost 40kg - around 3 years ago. I am not lean, I have some very stubborn back and stomach fat, but I'm trying to address that with strength training, Hiit and cardio.

My problem is my skin. I am covered in spots and blackheads. The spots are especially located on my back, shoulders, my butt, and upper arms; other locations where they are still present but in minor concentration include my lower abdomen, my face, my neck, and my thighs. I have been covered in spots for as long as I can remember, they only disappear momentarily when I go to the beach and sunbathe, but come back even more virulently when I don't expose myself to the sun anymore.

I am also, and have always been, very hairy. Most of my body is covered in thick, black body hair, especially my legs, my lower abdomen and my arms. I have some on my back as well, and my chin.

Another problem is my hair. It's very thin and getting thinner every year that passes, especially on the top front of my head. I also have very oily skin (that gets visibly oily in one hour time) and very oily hair that I have to wash every day.

I am currently taking Dikirogen (it's an Italian medicine) which has myo-inositol and Fertifol (which has folic acid). I've recently been to my GP here in the UK and he had prescribed Lymecycline, which seemed to have improved my back slightly, before it went to being covered in spots once again. Back in Italy, I went to see a dermatologist, a gynaecologist, and an endocrinologist. They made me do all sorts of very expensive blood tests that were all in the normal range. Because I have the prothrombin gene mutation, nobody would prescribe me with a contraceptive pill that would probably help me - although my hormone levels were all in the normal range when I had them tested. 

Help me, please! Any idea is more than welcome at this stage. I am so fed up, I can't even look at myself in the mirror anymore, and this problem is seriously taking a tool on my mental health. I refuse to believe that all these problems are disconnected. Please, there must be something I can do to address them all successfully. Please. Thank you in advance!

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • brown45840
    brown45840 elybaby

    Posted

    I am not familiar with your condition, but I feel your pain. I know about skin conditions, stress and depression. I believe "stress" could very well be contributing to your skin condition. Also, I believe you may be suffering from clinical depression and anxiety. Don't hesitate to see a good doctor or psychologist for a diagnosed to find the right treatment plan for you. Please go easy on yourself and take it easy, try to find a way to relax and de stress. I hope the best for you and hope in some way this  help.

    • elybaby
      elybaby brown45840

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. Yes, it does help a bit. Thank you.
  • Marina_Dee
    Marina_Dee elybaby

    Posted

    It is definitely the PCOS that is giving you these symptoms. Have you or your GP heard of Laparoscopic Ovarian drilling,which removes the tissue which is producing testosterone and so causes your symptoms. if you are seeing a gynaecologist do ask about this. Its on the NHS website if you want to read more.
    • elybaby
      elybaby Marina_Dee

      Posted

      Thank you, Marina. I Googled it, and it looks like something that I would be willing to learn more about and maybe to try. In Italy - where I am from and was living until last year - nobody even remotely suggested this treatment. I have booked an appointment at my practice with another GP, because the one I saw before only gave me the antibiotics without visiting me. Thank you. I will let you know what they'll say. Thank you again! 

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