Be patient to read my long story. I was diagnosed with PCOS 4 years back. My periods were always irregular. I was taking BCP initially. I didn't want to stick to that for a long time. last year, after taking clomid for the first time, I conceived and miscarried imm within 45 days. After that, didn't get periods for couple of months. Took vitex and chinese herbs fro sometime. the periods did come and I was bleeding continuosly for more than a month. I had to take the BCP again to stop the bleeding. As soon as I stopped the BCP, the bleeding started.
I didn't want to take the BCP. I don't know whether you might be aware of Ayurveda. It's an ancient herbal medicinal system of India. I was taking the ayurvedic herbs from Mar-oct. I used to get the periods once in 1 1/2 months and it lasts for 30 days. I took herbs and it stopped. Last month I got my periods again. It's impractical to get the ayur meds from India everytime. So, I thought of going for the acupuncture and chinese herbs. They did abdomen massage in the acu clinic. After that, I was passing so much of clots for more than 20 days, altogether I bled for more than 35 days. they didn't give me any herbs to stop the bleeding there and I had to go to the english medicine again to get it stopped. My Ob/Gyn was so mad at me and she just advised me 2 options. Either go with the BCP for the rest of my life or go to REI and take ovulation pills etc., But am very much intimidated with the side effects of the western treatment.
I want a solution for this PCOS before trying for the baby. I don't wanna mock the problem with the western meds. meanwhile, i took my blood works and am insulin resistant. i live in north CA and have kaiser insurance. The doctors are not that much caring I'm looking for some docs who accepts me taking the alternative treatments and willing to check my harmone levels periodically. That won't happen here.
After taking prometrium, the bleeding stopped. Ob/gyn asked me to take it for 3 weeks continuosly. But I felt so dizzy after starting the tablet. I thought it's the side effect of the progesterone. I stopped the morning pill and took it only in the night. I came to know that the dizziness is due to the high blood sugar level. from last night onwards(after intercourse), I'm bleeding again. still, am on pills. totally confused what to do now?
Now, my question is
1. Anyone tried any chinese herbs,acupuncture etc?
2. Are you getting normal periods?
3. How do you able to monitor the results
4. can anyone please suggest me something?
totally upset with whats going on now and also donno which route to choose? please help me friends.
these are my blood results.
HbA1c 6.3
GLUCOSE PO, DOSE
100 GRAM
glucose fasting 94 mg/dl
GLUCOSE 1H POST DOSE GLUCOSE
254mg/dl
GLUCOSE 2H POST DOSE GLUCOSE
195mg/dl
GLUCOSE 3H POST DOSE GLUCOSE
115mg/
LH
8.5mIU/mL
DHEA-S
314ug/dL
FSH
2.9mIU/mL
TESTOSTERONE, TOTAL
45ng/dL
PROGESTERONE
0.6ng/mL
donno if am diabetic. doctors are least bothered to call me and tell me the results. please help me find out a good diet diet regimen and some tips about the chinese herbs. I'm a pure vegetarian.My chinese docs ask me not to have dairy products too. donno what to have for the breakfast. Where can i get my calcium,protein from. totally confused.
please help.
Hello!
I am so sorry to read about all the troubles you are having.
I had great luck with acupuncture and chinese medicine. I went to the acupuncturist when my periods stopped because I wanted to try and get pregnant. It only took one session with a practitioner knowledgeable in women's health for ovulation.
Once I was pregnant, I kept going to help with my migraine headaches and also morning sickness. I can report that it helped both those issues.
The only reason I don't continue to go is because the sessions are expensive and not covered by insurance, and also they are 1.5 hours long, which is hard for me to do several times a week now that I have small kids.
Overall, I highly recommend chinese medicine. Please consider finding a knowledgeable practitioner. I am on the east coast, but there is a school here, NESA (New England School of Acupuncture). Their web site is www.nesa.edu. They have links to practitioners there or maybe if you called their clinic, they could recommend someone in CA.
Giovanni Maciocia is a leading expert in treating women's health with acupuncture and herbs. He has many herbal formulas that may be of benefit to you.
Try not to be discouraged and keep trying until you find something that works! Don't worry too much about resistance from your primary care doctor- take it with a grain of salt. I have come to expect it, and keep looking for my own solutions on the side.
Good luck!
Amanda
__________________ Me (32) DH (31)
DD (4) DS (1)
DX 7/2006
My 2007 Resolution: EXERCISE! (Please encourage me!)
"If we meet no gods, it is because we harbor none." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thanks so much for your quick reply. I'm going to a chinese doctor here. He has given me some herbs. I don't know whether it works or not. Even after taking progesterone pills to stop the bleeding, it's still bleeding now. Am so much fed up with this. Chinese doc is not of much great help for me. Atleast he should give me some encouraging words. I donno. Did you take any other pills along with chinese meds. Would you micd sharing your PCOS symptoms with me? Like do you get proper priods, ovulation, span of bleeding etc.,
I'll try checking the wesites u've given. I really appreciate your help on this. Thanks a lot dear.
If anyone know of any good acupucntrist/chinese herbalist in SFO bay area, please suggest me.
Hi,
Actually, at the time I was seeing a LicAc, I wasn't yet diagnosed with PCOS. I was just living with the assumption that I had crappy hormones. I was only dx with PCOS this summer.
My PCOS symptoms are as follows:
1)amenhorrea/anovulatory
2)slight hirsuitism (thankfully, not terrible....)
3)Insulin Resistance
4)Low Progesterone
5)Significantly overweight (like 45-50lbs)
6)Nasty migraine headaches
7)tubular breasts
8)Anxiety/Panic (I attribute this directly to PCOS, others may not....)
When I was younger I had horribly painful, heavy periods. They would last 14-15 days and I would spend at least 7 days in bed. I was put on BCP and that seemed to help for a while. Once I came off them when I was 25, my periods went away altogether, and I gained a ton of weight.
Ovulation for me must have been sporadic because I would get a period once or twice a year, and in 2003, I became pregnant with my daughter. Surprise!!
Anyway, seeing the LicAc really helped with the migraines and anxiety, which are directly related to hormone fluctuation, so I know it was helping.
I can't remember if I was taking any "regular" meds, at the time, but I was taking Macoicia's "Freeing the Sun" from my LicAc.
I think Chinese Medicine Practitioners are just like any other, if you don't like one, move on and find another. I would consider finding a woman practitioner. Perhaps a woman might understand better what you are experiencing. I think there are some pretty reputable Acupuncture schools on the West Coast. I would call them and have them refer you to a practitioner who specializes in women's health.
I hope this helps you. Good luck!
__________________ Me (32) DH (31)
DD (4) DS (1)
DX 7/2006
My 2007 Resolution: EXERCISE! (Please encourage me!)
"If we meet no gods, it is because we harbor none." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Hi,
Actually, at the time I was seeing a LicAc, I wasn't yet diagnosed with PCOS. I was just living with the assumption that I had crappy hormones. I was only dx with PCOS this summer.
My PCOS symptoms are as follows:
1)amenhorrea/anovulatory
2)slight hirsuitism (thankfully, not terrible....)
3)Insulin Resistance
4)Low Progesterone
5)Significantly overweight (like 45-50lbs)
6)Nasty migraine headaches
7)tubular breasts
8)Anxiety/Panic (I attribute this directly to PCOS, others may not....)
When I was younger I had horribly painful, heavy periods. They would last 14-15 days and I would spend at least 7 days in bed. I was put on BCP and that seemed to help for a while. Once I came off them when I was 25, my periods went away altogether, and I gained a ton of weight.
Ovulation for me must have been sporadic because I would get a period once or twice a year, and in 2003, I became pregnant with my daughter. Surprise!!
Anyway, seeing the LicAc really helped with the migraines and anxiety, which are directly related to hormone fluctuation, so I know it was helping.
I can't remember if I was taking any "regular" meds, at the time, but I was taking Macoicia's "Freeing the Sun" from my LicAc.
I think Chinese Medicine Practitioners are just like any other, if you don't like one, move on and find another. I would consider finding a woman practitioner. Perhaps a woman might understand better what you are experiencing. I think there are some pretty reputable Acupuncture schools on the West Coast. I would call them and have them refer you to a practitioner who specializes in women's health.
I hope this helps you. Good luck!
Thanks for your suggestions. Will try finding a new LiAcc. Thanks so much for your encoraging words.
I have had 4 acupuncture treatments and I am hooked! First I love it for the simple fact that it is so relaxing. It's better than any massage I've ever had eve though I never would have believed you if you told me that before my first treatment. She also put me on some herbal suppliments and I noticed a definately decrease in hair growth. I also got a BFP this cycle so no complaints on my part. I would encourage anyone with PCOS or TTC to give it a try.
Good luck!
__________________ Marna(Me)/Scott(DH)
Dx - PCOS 1999
TTC since 2002
IUI - 11/18/2005, 12/20/2005, and 1/16/2006
Following IUI's with trigger and prog supp.
IUI - 3/31/2006, 6/11/2006 (mc)
m/c - twins - 11/27/2006
"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
Acupuncture,herbs for PCOS! 
