I'm going to the doctors today for my spots :(

Before I start this is the first time i've created a thread and wasn't sure whether to put it here or under "Fashion and BEAUTY" anyway here it goes ..

So as the title says, i've had spots for like eight years now, and i've finally snapped; they really annoy me and they are really getting me down :frown:

But when I booked the appointment my spots were at there worse, and now the day of my appointment has come, my face isn't that bad (I go through phases lasting 3 days where my skin doesn't look awful - not good though) and i'm just worried that as my face is relatively clear compared to how it normally is that the doctor won't give me anything for them.

Has anyone else been to the doctors for spots? And do you think they are likely to give me anything today, considering my face doesn't look REALLY bad? - Thanks in advance :')

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Reply 1

whatsername2009

Original post by <3Music

My GP prescribed me medication for my spots even though there were very few on my face - I told her there were lots more on my shoulders and back and she gave me a prescription without even asking to have a look. If you explain the situation to your doctor I'm sure he/she will give you something, as it's obvious that you're concerned.

Reply 2

Radekal

How old are you? Spots can stay there for quite a while...

And it depends how bad "bad" is? Some people freak out when they have 3 spots on their face, whereas others can have their faces covered in spots.

I had really bad acne (still have some) about a year ago, went to a dermatologist and they gave me an antibiotic and some other stuff as well. If you want something effective, the dermatologist is specialised in skin care - I don't know if that's what you meant by "the doctors"?

Reply 3

Alison1992

i've been on various acne stuff since i was 14, my skin is pretty much fine now but they still presribe me stuff when i go back; i'm sure it will be fine, i know people that's skin is pretty much fine get stuff from the doc cause it's still technically acne. you'll not regret going to the doctors; getting medication made me so much more confident and improved so many aspects of my life

Reply 4

<3Music

Original post by Radekal

I'm 18. I'd say they were quite bad, I have more than just a few, but I don't have like full face acne.

And by doctors I mean my GP, my friend went a couple of months ago and gave her medication and her face is virtually clear now .. this is what i'm hoping for :smile:

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 5

Steezy

My Doctor basically gave me a free choice of what medication & strength I wanted (apart from one drug which I can't remember the name of which is really strong & has bad side effects).

None of them worked. The cream reduced the spots but made my whole face red and dry. The pills did absolutely nothing as far as I can tell.

Used medication for about 2 years. Gave up. Then about 6 months after that decided to eat ridiculous amounts of fruit & veg per day & drink loads of water & green tea. They cleared up within about 6 months of this change, although I was about the age that they usually go away anyway.

I'd try the medication for about 6 months & if it doesn't help, ask (and insist) your doctor to refer you to a dermatologist. They care and know a lot more than GP's.

Reply 6

<3Music

Original post by Alison1992

Thats a relief thank you. I was worrying that he would just say that they weren't that bad and that he would just keep an eye on them - but if you know people that get stuff for having ok skin they hopefully I should be okay :smile:

thank you!

Reply 7

<3Music

Original post by Steezy

Okie dokie, thank you for your advice .. All I really drink is water, and I generally eat quite a bit of fruit and veg so I don't really think I could eat or drink anymore or i'd burst lol. But i'll deffinately keep in mind what you said :smile:

Reply 8

Sach2K10

Ask about getting 5% Benzoyl peroxide if you haven't tried it already - works like a charm :smile:

Reply 9

<3Music

Original post by Sach2K10

Ask about getting 5% Benzoyl peroxide if you haven't tried it already - works like a charm :smile:

Nope, i've not tried it yet - I will definately ask as long as you think it should do the trick :smile:

Reply 10

Sach2K10

Original post by <3Music

Nope, i've not tried it yet - I will definately ask as long as you think it should do the trick :smile:

Its likely to be the same stuff Steezy is referring to that made his face red. Some people are more sensitive to it than others, so you're doctor may start you off on 2.5%. I was on Roaccutane (the most powerful stuff available for acne treatment) for 6 months to clear major cystic acne, and since then I use benzoyl peroxide on any whiteheads or red spots that appear - they're gone within 2 or 3 days. Prior to that I was on antibiotics which might as well have been skittles for all the good they did. So yes I would definitely recommend benzoyl peroxide cream of some concentration :smile:

Reply 11

username540512

Original post by <3Music

Nope, i've not tried it yet - I will definately ask as long as you think it should do the trick :smile:

Simple combination of cleanser, benzoyl peroxide, and moisturiser, twice a day, will clear up most mild to moderate acne in a couple of months. Severe will sometimes get prescribed roaccutane or similar. Clean up your diet as much as possible too.

Reply 12

<3Music

Original post by llessur123

I used to have quite bad acne but this happened every time I went to the doctors! I was given everything in the book and none of it worked, then one day I went when my acne was full blown and I got roaccutane. It has side effects but it was the only thing that worked for me. I don't know if you're bad enough to need that, they will probably give you an antibiotic and some cream, they give me that when my acne was practically non-existent one time.

Good luck :smile:

If it is bad and doesn't clear with anything don't hesitate to ask for a dermatologist referral for roaccutane. You are very strictly monitored and most side effects you hear about are rare. Only get it if you really need it though.

Thank you this really helped! I wouldn't say I have acne, but I do have more than enough spots to make me miserable. Fingers crossed whatever they give me (if they give me anything) that it should work :')

Reply 13

<3Music

" Simple combination of cleanser, benzoyl peroxide, and moisturiser, twice a day, will clear up most mild to moderate acne in a couple of months. Severe will sometimes get prescribed roaccutane or similar. Clean up your diet as much as possible too."

Thank you for your response .. I use cleanser and moisturiser twice a day everyday anyway, and somedays I use sudocreme depending on how red they are /: As for my diet I drink water like a fish and I eat a lot of fruit and veg and i've virtually cut out chocolate etc from my diet at the moment anyway :smile:

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 14

x8Charlotte8x

Original post by Steezy

Both my sister and I had the same problem, with creams that dried out our skin really badly.

I had an antibiotic cream that worked really well, just make sure you use a really intense moisturiser, especially after swimming or being out in bright sunlight for long periods of time (this is for Duac and PanOxyl creams, others may have less of a drying effect, but I think it's good practise anyway!)

It's definitely for the best, going to see the doctor. My mum made me wait ages to see if my skin cleared up, but it just got worse and worse. After all, you'd see the doctor for other skin conditions, why not acne?

Good luck, anyway :smile:

Reply 15

<3Music

Original post by x8Charlotte8x

Thank you! :biggrin:

I just got back from the Doctors and he gave me co-cyprindiol which for obvious reasons i'm going to have to wait to start, but i'm just hoping that it will actually work and help!

Reply 16

thompsonic7

My doctor prescribed my medicated spot cream despite the fact that she couldn't even see my skin properly (wearing foundation) and it wasn't even me who brought it up- I don't think it's the kind of thing that they properly examine you for.

Reply 17

cl_steele

they should still give you something for it dont worry, when i went to have my skin treated it had cleared up dramatically for the day i went to the doctors [sods law aye] but they prescribed my something called Zineryt for it which worked wonders :smile:

if theyre really bad youll probably get put on the pill though.
good luck :smile:

Reply 18

<3Music

Original post by cl_steele

if theyre really bad youll probably get put on the pill though.
good luck :smile:

Thanks for your response - i've just got back from the doctors (what a relief lol) and you were right they gave me co-cyprindiol. Just hope it works :smile:

Reply 19

TooEasy123

Original post by <3Music

IMO, antibiotics will either work like a charm or back fire you on. It's your decision though. For me, they worked initially, then it came back even worse. Unless you go on Roaccutane (strongest drug for acne, but also the one with most side effects), then you aren't guaranteed near definite success. It's your call though. :smile:

Benzoyl Peroxide has helped me a lot too, like others have said too. But you don't want to get into the habit of relying on products to keep your acne at bay, unless you really have to. :smile:

It's good that you're eating well. My diet has been a big factor in my skins appearance, in my experience. I would also recommend you take probiotics and/or eat probiotic yogurt as well. This has been important for me, might not be for you though. It is very important that you take probiotics in conjunction if antibiotics if you decide to take that route.

My doctor didn't tell me at the time, and my digestive system is still messed up from it. I think I got bacteria overgrowth from long term antibiotic use for my acne. That's because antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in the gut. Search candida overgrowth and acne. :smile:

My acne is clearing up now. And I am using minimal products for my skin. But my chest has these lumpy scars (hard skin). :frown:

The doctors gave me this tape that you put over them, to flatten them, but they didn't help. They actually made them bigger and redder. :frown:

I don't really want to trust a doctor again. They said that my diet had nothing to do with my skin, but I noticed whenever I ate badly, my skin would flare up. It was no coincidence.