[genie86333]

Hi, ladies. (I'm assuming not to many men are going to be on this thread, with the title it has, but I could be wrong!)

I've read here many times that PCOS is prevalent among us. I suspect that's my problem. Before I was dx'd I consulted w/my OB/GYN (I had insurance then even though it had a ridiculous deductible) and he was planning to do an endometrial ablasion because I have so many problems at that time of the month (cramping, clotting, and a flow so heavy his jaw literally dropped when I told him just how bad) although he wanted to do an ultrasound first to see if he could determine the cause of my problems because that might not fix it...

I never even bothered with the ultrasound mch less the surgery because they wanted too much $ up front because of the high deductible. Just wondering if there's anything the docs can even *do* if it is PCOS. I'm assuming there isn't because I know so many people here have said they *have* it (in the present tense) but figured I'd ask just in case.

Not much use spending $ I don't really have to get a diagnosis if there's nothing they can do anyway. But...I do have a chance to get on insurance through my job, even though it has a similar high deductible, but now that I have diabetes, that deductible might just get met one of these years, so I'm thinking that maybe it might be worth looking into if there's something that can be done.

[ligawab]

I started showing signs of having PCOS when I was 12 years old. Not long after I was diagnosed with it. I find PCOS to be a very frustrating disorder.

Some of the ways I'm affected by PCOS are: menstrual problems, increased facial hair growth, ovarian cysts, weight gain issues, acne and oily skin, high blood pressure, insulin resistence and sleep apnea.


ligawab (life is good and we are blessed)

[PrettynPurple]

I have PCOS too, but once my bs was under control, and with the help of metformin. I have been regulated and most of the issues have gone away. I can even predict my period again, haven't been able to do that since I was on BC back in 95.

[1Lollygagger]

genie,

I'm not a woman but I do know something about PCOS because a female member of my family has had to deal with it for years. She takes metformin tablets, both to help with the PCOS and because she is also a type-2 diabetic. In addition, she has had very, very good luck taking spironolactone tablets. While the primary use of spironolactone is as a diuretic (water pill), it works very well to reduce the androgen (male hormone) levels which are high in women with PCOS. You might want to use an Internet search engine such as Google to find more information. I'd suggest typing "PCOS" and "spironolactone" and reading what "pops up".

Keep in mind that both metformin and spironolactone are generic prescription drugs that have been around for many years. Since they are off-patent, they can be purchased quite inexpensively. In addition, depending upon a woman's age, OB/GYN doctors will often utilize birth control pills to further regulate the hormone levels of women with PCOS.

It may well be that, with the use of proper medicines such as those I've mentioned above, and a competent doctor, your unpleasant symptoms can be reduced and/or eliminated, thus making surgery unnecessary.

I hope this man's post is beneficial to you.

[genie86333]

Thank you all for your responses.

Lollygagger, thanks so much for the info! I am on Metformin already, and my problems have decreased somewhat, although I still have days when I can't leave the house because of this.

I've been hoping I'd be like my mom & stop having my period early (because even menopause would be better), but so far no go...I'm already as old as my mom was.

I hesitate to take birth control as I've heard they can increase the likeliness of blood clots & my mom was prone to them...but am about at wits end.

I'll definitely look into the spironolactone.

[Mothernature]

I'm having problems too. When I had my blood tests, my prolactin level was sky high. This condition also causes high blood sugar. I have to fast and retest in the next week and if it comes back high, I will need an MRI to see how large the tumor is. Has this been ruled out?

I, too, can not and will not take bc pills. Three of my relatives died of blood clots, my recent blood tests shows high platets, and my mother inherited the clotting disorder. I need to deal with this when I see my PCP in August.

Diabetes itself will cause a whole host of "female problems". This alone needs to be considered when diagnosing these issues.

[Marcia K in Fl]

Originally Posted by genie86333

Thank you all for your responses.

Lollygagger, thanks so much for the info! I am on Metformin already, and my problems have decreased somewhat, although I still have days when I can't leave the house because of this.

I've been hoping I'd be like my mom & stop having my period early (because even menopause would be better), but so far no go...I'm already as old as my mom was.

I hesitate to take birth control as I've heard they can increase the likeliness of blood clots & my mom was prone to them...but am about at wits end.

I'll definitely look into the spironolactone.

To Lollygagger and Genie86333

Warning!

I have had PCOS for years and took spiro and metformin. Both helped with insulin resistance and excess water and androgens, hair issues. I have been taking these for years.

Now I have D, T2 and the metformin has increased. I have blood tests proving I have not had D for years. I was also diagnosed with chronic renal failure stage one. This was a complete and total shock to me. You can imagine this happening as a long term effect from uncontrolled diabetes, but why do I have this? My research into this has lead me to believe the spirolactone caused my kidney issues. This is just my opinion but I strongly believe it. It is a complication that is listed from taking this drug. My doctor took me off it immediately. I am not saying this could happen to you but you should discuss this with your doctor and pharmacist for sure-prior to taking it. Lollygagger pleas have your family member with this check her kidney function. Thanks.

[MutableParadox]

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That is by far the best PCOS website out there, similar to this site as far as good content goes. Just like with diabetes there are a lot of different theories and medication. I suggest giving that site a look if you haven't already.

I've shown signs of PCOS since I was 12 and got dx at 18, but just found a doctor that seems to know anything about it.

The biggest thing about PCOS is if you can get your diabetes/IR/all that stuff under control PCOS symptoms pretty much disappear for *most*. Good luck.

[genie86333]

Marcia, thanks for the input!

MutableParadox, thanks for the link. I'll have to check it out.