PCOS, Low carbing, and few meds.

[hjackson]

I'm new here, and I'm trying to branch out and build myself a support system. You all seem like such wonderful encouragers. I've read several posts here, and it's awesome the way everyone helps everyone else.

I was disgnosed with PCOS in Apr. 2001 by the OB/GYN who did a pap biopsy. He was the first doctor who put together all the clues, including my highly irregular menses, the weight, the hirsutism and everything else. At the time I saw him, I recommended we simply stay with birth control pills (since we aren't ready to start adding to our family yet) since it would continue to provide the hormone control I needed. I let it coast like that up until January-February this year.

I started getting tired of always being tired, always being sore, always having a back ache. I hated looking at my body, putting on a swim suit. I'm adopted, and every year, I go on vacation with my family, and it was hard being the only one of my sisters who didn't look good in a swim suit (and both of them have children!). I'm tired of always buying bigger and bigger clothes, and I'd love to start buying smaller things again. It was time to go to my doctor and get help.

We went Feb. 18th, 2002. He ran some blood tests, and when it was revealed that I needed synthetic insulin, I started right away. Levoxyl and my birth control are the only regular medecations I'm on. I've added a good multi-vitamin, now, too. When I asked my OB/GYN (I've moved and had to leave him behind :( and haven't seen the new fellow yet) if there were any medications or treatments I could take in place of BCP (when my husband and I start trying to add to our family), and he mentioned Glucophage. He didn't go into much detail (didn't have the time), but I'd rather avoid diabetic medications if I can. I don't think I mentioned it to my doctor,and if I did, it was only in connection to the fertility symptoms of PCOS.

I've been doing Atkins for 3 days now. My husband has gone on it with me to help me. He knows I need the support. I've got more blood work on the 18th of March; by then I'll have been on the artificial thyroid for a month, and been doing Atkins for 17 days (It'd be the 18th day).

Am I the only one here with PCOS and thyroid troubles? Am I the only one not taking the Glucophage (or it's generic) or similar drugs?

[lisaf]

Hi hjackson!

Thanks so much for sharing your story with us...PCOS has a different "look" for every person and sometimes it seems so overwhelming! It sounds like you are doing really well and getting the help you need from doctors and great support from your husband. I am not on any meds...recently went off BCP's because my periods were getting longer and longer. Unfortunately my cycles don't appear to be starting up again on their own so I haven't seen anything in six weeks. Not sure where to go from here at the moment. May give myself a few months off of the hormone "wagon" and then get it checked out if nothing happens.

[mommy2boys]

Hi there & welcome!!

Well, I was diagnosed with PCOS in December 1998 and I didn't start taking Glucophage until this year!! So, i haven't always taking this med; however, I do feel much better on it. I think low-carbing helps a lot in getting our hormonal imbalance back to where it should be. And maybe you can control your hormones by low-carbing only, while others need the low-carbing in combination with Glucophage. If you can get your hormones balanced under dieting alone, I would go for it! That's what I am wanting to do. I do not plan on being on Glucophage long-term. I was really addicted to carbs though, and I have essentially cut potatoes & breads out of my diet. I eat bread products on occasion, but do not gourge on them like I used to. I do not crave potatoes like I once did, so I haven't had any for wuite some time... which is odd to me!

I appreciate hearing your story. Thanks so much for sharing it here with us! I hope we can all get through this together!

Best Wishes,
Christy

[Gracia_30]

Hi there, and welcome to our PCOS/LC Home :)

So sorry to hear about all your health problems. You have definitely come to the right place. I too have PCOS and I am on Glucophage.

I wouldn't push anyone to take it, however I would suggest you do your research on what glucophage actually does for us PCOS'ers. This medication is certainly not just a diabetes medication. For us, it can actually regulate almost all of our PCOS problems. I know this sounds like a bunch of malarky, but I can attest to it because I am proof!!!

On glucophage: my periods came back, I more than not ovulate (which is a feat in itself), it helps me lose weight (I do emphasize the word HELPS me, I still have to be on LC to lose effectively), I feel like a woman again, and I truly believ this is a miracle drug. I can also say that it doesn't bring your glucose levels way down like some people think it would do if you're not diabetic. And the few side effects you might get, don't last long. Just long enough for your body to get used to the medication.

So please do more research on the medication before you make a decision. I know that like me, you're probably against taking a bunch of pills and meds. I hate it with a passion. But we didn't ask to get sick either, and unfortunately we did.

LC might help you immensely even without the Glucophage. They do say that losing alot of weight really helps. I hope you find the answers you are looking for, and what ever you do for yourself, we're here to encourage you all the way. Keep going on LC and you'll see a difference I'm sure!!!

Good Luck :wave:

[mommy2boys]

Josee, I was wondering if you have or known anyone who has gone off of Glucophage, after losing substantial weight, and starting ovulating again. I haven't heard anyone doing this, but I wanted your thoughts on it. I appreciate your testimony. It looks like Glucophage may always be a part of my life, eh? boohoo! :( I am full-blown classic PCOS, so I'm sure I'll probably need Glucophage the same as you. I'm following your example... LOL!

Smiles,
Christy

[pepper]

Hi! I was reading everyone's replies, and I agree, PCOS is different for everyone. I saw my doctor today, and the tests she took last time I was there didn't help me out at all as my insulin levels were normal as were my testerone levels. And so, I don't even get to try met. I can't believe it. I can't have any help with this even though I have a positive, visual confirmation of PCOS. I have the video tape of the laparoscopy the ob/gyn did to confirm it. And so, like it or not, I will have to make do. So let's lean together and see if we can make sense of this. Perhaps some of the other girls out there can give us some good news about Low carbing bringing down the many varied symptoms of PCOS.

En Agape,
pepper

[Gracia_30]

Hi,

I too had normal tests even if I had all the signs. I was so pissed off and discouraged because I KNEW that it was what I had. So I asked to have my results faxed to me and I went on the net to research it.

I found a website that gives you what your hormones should be and how to read those tests and so on. After seeing my test results and reading up on them, I saw that if my SH & FSH ratio was doubled it was a clear indication of PCOS.

Upon finding this I went back to my doctor who didn't want to help me telling me not to believe everything I see on the net. But again... I WAS DETERMINED!!! So I went to see my family doctor, and asked him to be referred to an RE who specialized in PCOS. BINGO!!!!!!!!!! I had found the answer. She completely confirmed that I indeed had PCOS and she put me on met 3 times daily. (my other doctor had reluctantly put me on met but I had to fight him to get it).

SO DO NOT LOSE HOPE!!!! Keep on fighting this. Find a doctor who will help you. Get a specialist who will look at your results in depth. Take control of your own health, and don't take no for an answer.

[Gracia_30]

I don't know many people with PCOS. I not too long ago learned I had it myself but I've done alot of research on it.

My thought is that when you lose weight (and I've read this) your hormones become normal again. When your hormones become normal, it certainly helps the rest of your body. Because we have PCOS we might need to do an upkeep whereas a regular person wouldn't but hey.... if we get to our goal weight, and just make sure to follow up every once in a while... I think it's worth it.

I think for me, I will stay on Met because it not only will help me get there, but it will prevent me from coming back here!!!!! I know that like me, most people hate taking medication. But look at it this way... if it was your heart? and you had to take meds in order to live... would you look at it differently then? These pills make us healthier. It helps our bodies absorb more insulin so we can become normal again and our bodies stop making too much of it. Personally, I'd rather take a little pill 3 times daily and feel normal, then to keep feeling for even one more minute how I felt when I wasn't taking it.

My 2 cents.

[mommy2boys]

Josee, you hit the nail on the head... I'm one of those people!! I hate taking pills... I feel like I am always popping a pill in my mouth... LOL! I used to gag from taking pills, but I kept telling myself that I've got to get over that because I'll be taking pills for the rest of my life... Those with PCOS get an early start will pill-popping though... LOL!! I think that is probably true too! That is that I should stay on gluco whether I get to my goal weight or not. I'm just not ready to accept it yet, I guess... You know what I mean? My PCOS and infertility make me cry... I have tried to be a good girl my entire life and feel like... "God, is this my reward?" Which brings me to the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" You know we've all heard that before...

I'm having a big 'ole pity party over here today. I also suffer with depression and truly believe that my depression correlates with my PCOS and hormonal imbalance. Do any of you feel overwhelmed with PCOS on some days???

Love ya,
Christy

[hjackson]

but I never got sick like this until I started birth control pills to regulate my cycles. The first heavy day is always the worst; I feel like I'm being bludgeoned in the lower back and kidneys. I'm tired, I'm moody, and I feel like my body hates me. It was like this before I started the LC WOL, and I have still managed to stay on my diet, despite feeling like garbage and madly craving sweets (especially chocolate). I'm actually rather proud of myself, and tomorrow will be easier, as will Saturday, and Sunday...until Monday and Tuesday are no big deals.

Does anyone else get slammed this hard every time :q:

IN other news:
I may well decide to go onto the Glucophage, but not until I've gotten my thyroid levels under control. Since I'm not sure what role the Glucophage will play in my body, and I don't know how big a role the thyroid levels are playing, good science demands I only alter one variable (one medication) at a time. And I've pretty much resigned myself to a life time of taking pills; I can thank my thyroid for that. I'm going to get more bloodwork done on the 18th, so I may know more then... I'll let everyone know more when I know more.

[pepper]

OMG, yes the cramps are awful. On my last visit to the dr., the nurse asked me if I passed clots during my period and I said yes. Then she asked if they were bigger than quarters. I had to laugh, because mine have been as big as half the size of my palm. So are coin sized clots (or smaller) the norm with everyone else? My blood pressure keeps me from taking birth control pills to regulate my periods and control bleeding, along with adult acne. This is crap. I'm 40 years old. I don't want acne anymore. I need to find a skin regimen that will take into account the hormonal fluxes and differences of people with pcos. Which also leads me to ask, since I've been low-carbing, my face has been dryer, and my breakouts less severe. Anybody else with this benefit? For the first time in my life, I need a moisturizer. How's that for no meds?! And the bad things that happen to good people, I've noticed that people who don't have trouble in their lives are the shallowest people on the planet. They have no roots, no sympathy. No empathic responses on any level. Most of their conversations revolve almost entirely around them. No person that has submitted to any of the threads that I've read sounds even remotely shallow or without depth. Sorrow and suffering create within us the character and integrity to be able to move with compassion in the behalf of people whose lives we touch. I can't say that I wouldn't trade that depth for the life of the child I lost to miscarriage, but as a monument to her/ him I will use it to give her/ his loss meaning. I wish you joy and I pray for you all!

En Agape,
pepper

[hjackson]

Huge clots. Enormous. I've never really guaged their size, but they always look massive. Shoot, they feel massive (ew ew ew ew).

And I'm 24, but I hate pimples, too. The ones on my nose are the worst.

You know, I think I may appreciate my kids even more for all the garbage I've gone though being a woman.

Sorry for the short post, but I'm tired.

[BaileyWS]

Originally posted by hjackson
You know, I think I may appreciate my kids even more for all the garbage I've gone though being a woman.

Yes, you might ... I know I do.

I was diagnosed with PCOS during my infertility work-up in the mid-eighties. At the time, the only "treatment" was BC or fertility drugs. I did the fertility drugs (pergonal and metrodyn combination finally worked) and was blessed with a wonderful daughter.

Since then I've been on BC ... to keep me regulated and somewhat stable.

Since I had trouble in the pregnancy as well (miscarraige, incompetent cervix, pre-mature labor, gestational diabetes), we never tried for a second child. Now my dd is 12 1/2 and becoming such a delightful young woman. I know that she is truly a gift and cannot understand how other parents complain about their kids ... we worked hard for 10 years for her, and she is worth it.

About 18 months ago I saw my doctor and asked about glucophage and the insulin connection to PCOS (after hearing a report on TV and doing some research on the net). At the time she told me that she would put me on the met, but that if I decided to LC I should not go on the glucophage. I took the medicine and took six months researching low carb diets until finally deciding to give it a try. I began LCing in July 2001 ... and went off the glucophage at the same time. I did not notice a difference on the meds or off for me. (though my blood sugar was a bit high before taking the glucophage -- it's not now.)

About a year ago, I was diagnosed with hashimotos thyroiditis after I discovered a large growth on the left side of my neck (goiter). I was put on Levoxyl at the time ... most recently (four weeks ago) I had the thyroid and goiter removed ... there was also a little bit of thyroid cancer on the right side. So now I'm adjusting to a higher level of levoxyl (in combination with cytomel). I am still on the BC. I, too, am getting used to the idea of taking pills for the rest of my life.

All of this to say, you are not alone ... I have lost weight, but not from the meds ... from the low carbing ... almost 60 pounds gone now. I still have a long way to go, but I'm only 41, I'm healthy, and I'm feeling well ... so I will take it as it comes off (my goal is a pound a week ... I average just about that usually.)

About the glucophage ... check with your doctor, mine said try one or the other (low carbing), but didn't recommend I do both at the same time as they effected the body in the same way.

[pepper]

I know I'm blessed! I have 4 reasonably healthy lil critters running my show. I remember going to the ER once and after she asked if I had any other health problems I mentioned that I have PCOS. She then had the most incredulous look on her face when she saw that I have 4 children saying "you have PCOS AND you have 4 children?". From what I've read, each child God gives the woman with PCOS is a miracle. No more, no less. But these guys keep me hopping. My oldest being 21 and the youngest 7. And what they had to go through in my insulin ravaged womb to get here blows my mind when I think about it. I have the 'attitude of gratitude' for what I've been gifted with and pray always that you experience the fullness of his presence in all ways and in all things.

Remember always--someone is praying for you!

pepper

[pepper]

Ladies, I have found research published that espouses the use of Metformin to reduce the incidence of miscarriage in women with PCOS. Unfortunately, I didn't have the presence of mind to get the site address. I did have the presence of mind however to save the site. If any one is interested in getting it e-mailed to them for copying and taking to their own doctors I am most willing to send it. I am interested in knowing if anyone has started a thread in which people share sites with which we can educate our own pcp's and ob/gyns in how to treat us. The research is being compiled, and it may be up to us now to get it into the hands of our doctors. Anyone agree?

pepper

[Gracia_30]

I found many researches on that as well. I think you should post the address when you find it. It would be good for us to know.

There is also another website like this one which is just for PCOS'ers called www.soulcysters.com and they also have MANY articles on PCOS it's effects, treatments etc... You should check them out.

[hjackson]

Well, I decided to go ahead and start on the met.

I had hoped not to, but I'd been facing an awful slump, and it was looking like I'd need the help to get over it. I was running out of inspiration for new meals. I was getting very discouraged, and decided to pull out something I considered to be just about the last resort, especially on my income.

Here's hoping the met really works as well for me as it has for all of you.

:roll:

[Gracia_30]

Heather,

Congratulations on starting the met. I know it was a last resort for you, and I certainly understand that part. I was NEVER a pill poppin person (even for headaches) and I have to take pills 3 times daily now.

Give it a chance to work in your body and for you to get over those first few weeks of getting closely acquainted with your toilet and you'll see that it really does work miracles in our bodies. You just need to let your body get used to this new med.

Let me know how you're doing. And if you need encouragement, I'm always here.

Good Luck

[tigersue]

I figure this is a good place to introduce myself to a group of ladies that go through the same thing I do.
I was diagnosed in 1988 with PCOS. My doctor took one look at me and knew that is what I had. I think I have had it all my life. I never, ever had normal cycles and had all the other stuff that went along with it. Almost everyother doctor I have been too since had ignored this diagnosis and it has been very frustrating 14 years. Last year I went to a family practice doctor who seeing that I wanted to be very proactive in my health put me on glucophage, aldactone, and changed my BCP to a low estrogine pill telling me if it bothered me in anyway to let him know so we could change it. ( I have needed to be on the Pill for about 5 years because I get endometrial hyperplasia when I'm not on it.)
With in the first month of being on it I lost about 5 lbs and it has been steady since then. (slow but steady) I work out hard 5 days a week most weeks and I started to naturally cut out carbs. I found I didn't want them any more. In May I was craving carbs so much and tired all the time that it took me until july to realize that working out before I eat is not good for me and as soon as I stopped that and made sure I ate first I have been back to normal on my exercise routine. My sister is a fan of atkins tried to convince me to do it, but I resisted because I wanted something more "normal" to do and then she found Schwarbein and I got the book and it is exactly what I needed. My doctor earlier in the month we discussed diet because I felt like I could start to address it a bit more seriously now that I had a good workout habit, and I wondered about weight watchers. He mentioned body for life, and said weight watchers was probably too high carb for me, I asked if body for life was better and he said it probably was still too high carb and I would need to decrease the carb and increase the protein. At least I have a doctor that is so willing to work with me, and seems to be up to date on PCOS. I have felt much better doing Schwarzbein. One thing in her book she mentions about SLS (PCOS other name) is that it is hard to tell which comes first the insulin resistance causing the PCOS or the PCOS causing the insulin resistance. I suppose that could determine if someone really needs the meds or not. I think the PCOS is the root of my problems so I'm hoping the meds will help me heal. I know being on glucophage I don't get shaky unless I don't eat, and I feel much more stable than I have in many years.
Tanya

[spch]

My reproductive endocrinologist said it was ok to take the glucophage while lowcarbing. He said the main thing was that i lose the weight.

[sweetnoemi]

i have a question: is PCOS incurable? if you get PCOS, does it mean you'll have it for life?

[giggle4fun]

OK. I have a question. Is there a definative list of symptoms for PCOS? Can you have it and not have all the symptoms? I ask because I've never had the cysts and I have very regular/normal periods. I AM estrogen dominant, normal testosterone, low progestrone, insulin resistent, and of course the weight. I also have some hirutism...mostly on my belly though. IT seems like I fit this bill but it's never been mentioned. WHen I told my endo that we hadn't used any protection in 12 months, she said that my GYN might suggest met to lower insulin? But she didn't mention PCOS. SInce I have hashimoto's and PCOS is also endocrine in nature...should I be asking about it? Sorry if I'm sounding :confused:

[VickiP]

I take glucophage and have been following the CAD diet. I didn't lose any weight on glucophage, but I stopped gaining. (I had been gaining a lot of weight due to insulin resistance) I was also eating really crappy when I went on it, and gained no weight, as opposed to how I had been eating really healthfully before and was gaining. I also got my periods back and my skin cleared up for the most part. Lactic Acidosis can occur if you are taking the meds and have liver/kidney problems. That is a reason why you should not drink. Alcohol is processed through your liver, throws of your liver functions. I have a few drinks maybe once every other week, but that's it. I don't want to experiment. But, as far as weight loss on gluc. you do need to continue to follow a low carb plan. I'm not a fan of the no carbs, as I do not think it is at all effective as far as long term weight loss. Maybe initially, but not long term. So maybe you should reintroduce some carbs into your diet, and look into the IR diet or Cad or something along those lines.
Good luck,
Tori