Pcos

[2HUNGRY!]

I was diagnosed with PCOS almost 3 years ago while trying to get pregnant. At the time, my OB mentioned some possible things that I should look out for later in life such as type II diabetes, heart disease, etc. but most of my focus with PCOS was on getting pregnant. I am due in May with my first, but I am wondering how I should treat my PCOS after.

I know there are quite a few of us out there and I was wondering what others do. I am non IR but I was on metformin (1,000 mg) in addition to clomid to get pregnant. If you're non IR do you still take metformin? Do you regularly see an endocrinologist or is watching your carbs and exercising enough? Are you on the bc pill?

Feel free to pm me if this is too personal.

[funniegrrl]

I am not IR but I do take metformin. The requirement to "watch carbs" is common but not universal, and my doctor has never instructed me to do so. When I was first diagnosed I was prescribed BCP to re-start my periods, which was quite the task. Once I'd been on them for a year or two I could have stopped, but just continued because they were useful in other ways, comprende? I'm still not 100% regular like some women, but within a few days. I also take spironolactone for other symptoms of PCOS. My original diagnosis and treatment was organized between my internist, gyn, and an endo. We discuss in my yearly internist and gyn appts, but I don't see the endo any more.

I highly recommend the site http://www.pcosupport.org/ for lots of good info.

[ktg0930]

I am mildly IR, but do not take metformin. I tried it for a while, but it didn't seem to do anything for me and the side effects were horrible, even with dose escalation. When not on the pill, I have regular cycles, although the length is variable and can be on the long side (31-40 day cycles). I am currently on the pill and find that it really helps me maintain a stable weight and lose weight (although slowly, even with exercise). I try to avoid white carbs and do count calories to help lose weight.

I saw a reproductive endocrinologist when I was trying to get pregnant, but have now switched to an ob/gyn since I'm not trying to get pregnant and there are very few RE's in my town who are on my insurance plan.

[ellery]

I was diagnosed with non-IR PCOS when trying to get pregnant too. My OB put me on Met and we tried a number of different things to get me pregnant (clomid, femara) with no luck. When I saw a RE, he took me off the Met and I haven't been on it since (1 yr post-partum here). I haven't done anything different since giving birth to manage my PCOS diet-wise other than try to eat healthy and exercise. I don't know that the Met did anything for me, and the RE seemed to think it was useless if you're non-IR.

My strategy has been to wait and see what my body decides to do post-partum before addressing the PCOS again. According to my OB sometimes your body "fixes" itself after giving birth.

Congratulations on your baby's upcoming birthday! ;)

[avariell]

What is IR v. Non-IR?

I was diagnosed with PCOS nearly 10 years ago (!!) at a fairly young age (I was diagnosed in my teens - I think most doctors catch it when their patients are having fertility problems). My endo feels sooooo strongly about this issue and it was totally true for me - metformin doesn't work! I use Glucophage XR instead. Metformin is the generic. When I switched to extended release metformin, my blood work totally went down the toilet. All of my numbers were off and I didn't feel well at all. I pay the extra for Glucophage XR and am happy knowing that my body works best on it.

I am also on Yasmin BCP - my endo believes the combo of hormones/drugs/whatever in Yasmin works best for PCOS patients. I have been very happy on it and haven't experienced any problems at all.

I also take Aldactone (or spironalactone) for the side effects (mostly hair growth). I have been on this drug for so long that I don't know if it affects me at all, but my endo and gyno both say I would probably struggle more with unwanted hair growth if I didn't use it. I have been using it for probably 12+ years.

I also had surgery for Thyroid cancer about 5 years ago. I had a nearly completely thyroidectomy. My endo feels very strongly that there is a corrolation between PCOS and thyroid problems so she is very careful to check thyroids regularly for cysts. Fortunately for me, she caught my thyroid problem that my previous endo had ignored (after going back through past blood tests, we noticed my levels were off). So I take synthyroid for this...

I feel like that was a very scatterbrained response. I do struggle with weight loss, but overall I am very healthy and happy and don't notice my PCOS. Please feel free to ask any questions! You can PM me if you are worried about anything too gruesome to ask "in public" :)

PS - I haven't had babies (yet) so I cannot speak to post-partum issues...

[funniegrrl]

Josie, IR is Insulin Resistant, a condition that can be a precursor to diabetes.

I also have thyroid issues -- enlarged, goiter, and borderline TSH readings. PCOS, many thyroid problems, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, are all auto-immune disorders. It is quite true that if you have one, you may have develop more than one. A few years back I developed a neuropathy in one leg, had some numbness and foot-dragging. I was convinced I had MS. Luckily that wasn't the case, but it would not have been remarkable if I had.

[2HUNGRY!]

Thank you all for your responses. I was on yasmin for a couple of years before going off in July 2005. I never had any of the symptoms until then. This whole situation has really opened my eyes as to what I should be eating and how I should be treating my body. Your comments and experiences are all very helpful to me. Its very interesting to hear that metformin is not well thought of by some of your doctors.

My RE did take my thyroid levels and everything was normal, but I'll make sure I keep an eye on it.