Hi All -

Finally went to the OBGYN after a 10 year break (I hate going there). Anyway, they just called to say I'm diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). The doc wanted to put me on Birth Control pills, but I'm 38 and a smoker. I don't think this is such a great idea. I've talked to the nurse who will discuss with the doc again - she agrees that BC is not the way to go.

Can anyone with any experience here tell me what alternate treatment options are and if they are as effective as birth control?

Thanks!

Kim

Kim

I was diasgnosed with PCOS about 6 yrs ago. You are getting a lot of misinformation. You MUST see an endocrinologist. Metformin/glucophage has NOTHING to do with pregnancy or whether u want to get preg. or not.

I am on Metformin...not sure if it helps....but can't hurt. Side effects were nasty until they lowered the dose and then fine. I'm still on metformin (was banded 4 days ago)....I hope to eventually get off it (and the hypertension and high cholesterol pills).

You don't have to take the birth control shot (unless you are looking for bc). You can just as easily take progesterone and it will do the same thing (in terms of trying to regulate the hormonal issues).

Also, your ovaries don't have to have cysts to be diagnosed with PCOS...I know...weird, eh?

I have most symptoms of PCOS...except (thankfully) the hair issue. It's a terrible thing to have...it is a viscious circle and is the main reason I was recommened for this surgery.

Anyways, there are a lot of excellent sites that explain PCOS in great laymans terms....u should check them out...before you see a specialist so you have a better understanding of it all.

Good luck.

Hi Guys -

I made an appt to go back to the obgyn tomorrow morning at 8:30 to discuss his treatment plan and the why's behind it. I talked to my PCP today who said that I needed to discuss it with him and probably see an endocrinologist. My PCP could think of no reason why my obgyn would prescribe the meds they did. She admitted that she wasn't a PCOS guru though. Here's what I've found in researching which makes me think this is something that should be treated (even though it can't be cured).

As I understand it - ugh (trying to understand all this - so I may be off here), the PCOS is caused by the body's inability to process insulin correctly. This causes a number of problems -- excessive hair, cysts, high blood pressure, obesity, wacky hormone levels, etc.... many of these left untreated can cause problems (ovarian cancer, heart attack, diabetes, etc.) Even though there's no cure, the insulin medication treatment may help the body to process insulin better, thereby reducing the risks of the other symptoms caused by this malfunction. Metformin (glucophage) is generally used to treat from what I've read here and on the pcos board. Birth control or progesterone medications (like I was prescribed) will mask the symptoms (regulate the hormone imbalances and mentrual cycles), but will not treat the root cause (insulin handling problems).

What is metformin?

Metformin is used to regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels. Metformin works in three ways: first, it reduces the amount of glucose produced by your liver; second, it reduces the amount of glucose absorbed from food through your stomach; and third, it makes the insulin that your body produces work better to reduce the amount of glucose already in your blood.

Metformin is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Metformin may be used alone or together with insulin or other diabetes medicines.

Metformin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Metformin Side Effects

A small number of people who have taken metformin have developed a serious condition called lactic acidosis that has been fatal in up to 50% of cases. Lactic acidosis has occurred most often in people whose kidneys were not working properly. Liver problems may also increase the risk of developing lactic acidosis. Stop taking metformin and call your doctor immediately if you experience a feeling of general discomfort or sickness; weakness; sore or aching muscles; trouble breathing, unusual drowsiness, dizziness or lightheadedness; unusual or unexplained stomach upset (after the initial stomach upset that may occur at the start of therapy with metformin); or the sudden development of a slow or irregular heartbeat. These may be signs of lactic acidosis.

:faint:

Wow. That's super duper scary. I think I'll go back to sticking my head in the sand. :Banane33:

Keep us up to date with your progress, Kim! (( Hugs!! ))

Paula - you asked about alternative therapy for PCOS.

http://www.soulcysters.com/symptoms.html That page has some great idea's including Flax seed oil, evening primrose oil and black current oil (as hormone balancing agents)

Thanks for that Sammee - I'll go take a look. Paula - thanks for asking!

A small number of people who have taken metformin have developed a serious condition called lactic acidosis that has been fatal in up to 50% of cases.

holy crap!

After reading this, my beard isnt such a big deal anymore. :beard

Thanks Sammee for that info.

Fortunately we have a local herbal/vitamin shop here. I was going to ask them about an alternative to take.

ROFL Paula.

What Sam posted is what I do. I use the natural helpers because I'm from another planet is seems and my body rejects most prescription and OTC drugs. lol

SO I use a good natural progesterone cream, those supplements, exercise and now Lap Band.

My endocranologist is the one who suggested this surgery to me, because I was not able to take the drugs, the weight was piling on so fast, I was becoming the beared lady and my hair has been falling out. I used to hair model it was so thick, now I can't even keep it in a pony tail. You can see my scalp.

She also said you have to go more by the symptoms than the evidence of cysts or super high tetosterone. Most doctors don't have good knowledge about this. I mean, I have been seeing doctors about what was wrong with me since I was a teen. Finally a female endocronologist found out what it was in my 40's. Those are a lot of years gone by.

I did not have cysts appear until the past year and a half and my testosterone has been mid level to low mid level.

I have a question about treatment too... do you HAVE to treat it? I mean, if you're not trying to get pregnant at the moment & you're one that has periods regularly, is it something that really needs to be treated?

Janet, the problem with letting it go untreated, or "managed" is a better word, is it can lead to other serious health problems. Diabtetes, heart disease, obesity and gynocolgical issues and cancers.

Heh, but I LIKE being ignorant! **sigh** Guess I'll have to start reading up on it. Hopefully the band weight loss will help take care of it before I get too into it. :Banane33:

Thanks LB!

You know guys, Ive lost 65ish pounds. Its been a year since Ive hit this weightloss.

Sorry to say, the whiskers NEVER got better. :tired

Ive had several :bananadoggywow: laser hair removal treatments - and although there IS improvement, I dont see anything permanent in this department.

Wish I could say that the weightloss decreased the facial hair 20, 30, 50%.... but I didnt see it.

I know you are banded, but are you low carb? My Ob/Gyn put me on under 20 carbs a day and my periods are normal, PCOS is under control. It is hard some days, but it helps. Just a thought.

He also put me on Evening Primrose oil, three Tums a day, and JoJoBa Oil to rub on the breasts to help with cysts. (That is fun with help from dh. :kiss )

Update....

Talked to doc today and he said basically he wants to make sure that my testosterone and DHEA levels go down with meds. On day 3 of my next period I am to go back for more bloodwork where they will retest these plus LH and FSH (whatever these are - got homework to do). He says this will confirm for sure the PCOS diagnosis. If the progesterone doesn't bring the levels down, then off to the endo he says. If it does, then he says progesterone can be used long term. (I'm not sure I agree or want to do this.)

I say to him "so, you're treating the Aunt Bunny gooney-goo-goo mustache and beard (have to have seen Eddie Murphy Delirious), but your not treating the root cause - insulin management". He says I'm not supposed to be reading web sites about this and smiles. I say but if you don't treat the root cause, then you still have the problems with --- and he says, yep - ovarian cancer, heart disease, etc., etc. So he says ok, let's try this for a month, confirm the diagnosis and we'll see where to go from there. He mentioned again about the Metformin not being used unless you're trying to conceive. I said what the heck does an insulin drug have to do with getting pregnant? I'm still not sure I got a good answer to that one. At any rate, I'll try this for a month just to do what he says is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Once I have a confirmation (which by the way I was told by the nurse was my diagnosis), I'll go see an endo then.

He said the main thing was to get the weight off. I said how much weight and he said even 10 lbs would help on my 5'2 frame. Ok, well, that I can do, but like Paula - I have seen no difference in this with the 50 lbs I am down. Sad, but true. Maybe you have to be out of the obese zone?? Who knows. I'm tired of this and not real happy with the talk we had. I'll be researching over the next month and I'll readdress it then. Meanwhile, I'm looking into the natural remedies as many of you have mentioned (thank you!)

Thanks again for all the input guys....

Gooney-Goo-Goo Out :-)

Kim,

Good luck with everything. Unfortunately, I still think your doctor is wacky. :bananadoggywow:

Tricia :Banane20:

very serious my daughter started having seizures daily because of her progeressed pocd. pleas stop smoking not more hormone replacements. ever. good rest and loose some weigt ashley has even had accupuinture. wihich i think is helping evcen though i swore he was a crack. also bio identical hormone therapy did help just pricey. and they always incourage hystrectome. but she is 23

I think one of the main things is that doctors are not as educated about everything as we hope they are. Each has there own specailty. If they don't know what they are looking for, they can't diagnose it.

I have been suffering with PCOS since the early days when aunt flo decided to visit me. (12 years old). I have gone to the doctor many times during that time, inability to loose weight, excessive hair growth and I was getting my reg a maximum of 3 times a year.

Four years later I moved and the new doctor tested me for diabetes and my hormonal levels. He also sent me for a pelvic ultasound after hearing the above symptoms. It was suspected that I had PCOS. After visiting the endocrinologist, it was confirmed. She told me to come back when I wanted to get pregnant. I was sixteen then and had no interest in getting pregnant.

I am now 21 and moved again. My new doctor was floored that nothing was done at that time. I am still having irregular periods, weight problems, acne, pelvic pain, excessive hair growth (except for my head which is starting to thin... why oh why couldnt it be the mustache thinning!). I am waiting for my date with the new endocrinologist now.

My current doctor suggested ths site for me to help get an understanding of it. Hope it helps :bananadoggywow:

http://www.4woman.gov/faq/pcos.htm#5

Good Luck on your ventures