Advice needed!!!!!!

leahdione · 03-23-2005, 01:20 PM

I am posting here b/c I posted in both the bcp and acne forum and got no reply. I am going to the gyno for my first appt on Friday. It is a new doctor, am not sure if I am seeing a male or female. It is the OBGYN Clinic in Columbus, GA. Anywho.

I need advice on what others think is the best bcp for pcos. I also have endometriosis. I also want to know what you think the best prescription med for acne is, and can a gyno prescribe them? I have read posts on this, but had some questions.

I have been on ortho-tri-cyclen lo for the past year. I have always been on ortho-tri-cyclen since I have been on birth control except for when on lupron shots, and another brief period of trying something else(can't remember name). I think I want to try a new bcp so I want to know what you feel is the best. I have never been on meds for acne b/c it never got bad until recently. I think I want to try Spiro. Please give your opinions.

Thanks and sorry so long

Prairie Girl · 03-23-2005, 03:03 PM

Hi Leah!
My name is Leah too

As far as good PCOS bcps go, you're on one of the better ones actually, ortho tri-cyclen and diane are really good ones. but you said that you have an acne problem? try "alesse" bcps, they are proven to be good for acne prone skin. Spiro is a really good drug to get on. there are alot of listed side effects, but the only one I had was upset stomach, which is easily cured with a couple of crackers. When paired with the birth control pill, Spiro does wonders at curbing the annoying symptoms of PCOS. But, it doesn't really work that well by itself. Good luck to you and God bless!

Pugzilla · 03-24-2005, 02:01 AM

I love, love, love Yasmin. It did take me a couple of months to get used to it. I could just sit at my desk and start crying for no reason, but after I got over that part it is wonderful. I was having two extremely heavy periods a month. I had forgotten what it was like to have a normal one. I just ended one and it was only four days with only one heavy day (as opposed to three to four heavy days of a seven day).

It has definitely helped with my acne and (extremely) oily skin and hair. It contains spiro (could be a different name, but it's the same type of med).

I call them my "happy pills!"

jennthediva · 03-24-2005, 12:49 PM

Hi,
First off if you have endometriosis, you should not be on ortho-tricyclen. You need a high prostegerone pill, not high estrogen, estrogen is the cause of endometriosis.
Second, I hope you are doing okay on the Lupron, Lupron has some nasty side effects and ended up giving a good friend epilepsy from only 2 shots!
I'm not sure about Spiro, but the best treatment for endometriosis is removing it through a laparoscopy.

As far as acne medicine goes, I've always had good results with Proactiv, anything with high benzoyl peroxide. I've also had good results with some over the counter salycic acid medications. I also have PCOS and endo...

leahdione · 03-24-2005, 01:03 PM

jennthediva,would it be okay if I email or pm you sometimes? You have both pcos and endo like me so maybe if I have questions about some things you have gone through too you could answer.

I am no longer on the Lupron. Had to go off of it over a year ago due to a new medical condition that was caused by weight gain from lupron. I thought the same about the bcps and needing one low in estrogen. Thanks for that insight. I had the endoscopy to find the endo then they burnt it off but that was over 3 years ago, so it could be back with a vengence(spelling)?

Thanks to all of you for responding. Even if you aren't sure of it being an answer that could help any advice is taken and appreciated. I love this site!

jennthediva · 03-24-2005, 03:13 PM

Sure! You can e-mail me at: jlh@houston.rr.com
If for some reason that e-mail doesn't work (Road Runner is funny that way!), try me at: ercjenn76@yahoo.com

nurseychicky · 03-24-2005, 04:11 PM

I don't know much about endometriosis but I do know that PCOS is an endocrine issue not a gyn issue, it's a problem with hormones that causes a wide variety of side effects. I was told that bcp help alleviate the heavy periods and help with regulation, but that we shouldn't take them because it's just adding more hormones to a person who already has a hormonal imbalance.
Yes you may have been gaining weight as a side effect from medication or as a side effect from PCOS. If you have developed IR (another PCOS Side effect) that can make it hard for you to lose weight and increase weight gain in areas like your belly. In which case you need to get on a diet...prefably a IR diet if you do have IR.
My gyn said you have PCOS, stay on the pill, we'll put you on drugs when you want to ovulate to conceive (met and clomid) and lose some weight...
That there shows she didn't know much about the condition, it's not as easily for us to lose weight due to our overproction of insulin due to resistance...that's why I made an appointment with an endo...
Considering that ALL medications have side effects..i'm in nursing school and am currently learning about drugs, though I don't know it all yet...I prefer to try alternative remedies, I just don't want to have all these stores of byproducts in my ovaries for when we decide to have kids.

Just my opinion, byut if yoiu read Kat's story, you'll see that with a little diet and exercise she is now med free.

:o) Hanni

leahdione · 03-24-2005, 05:15 PM

I am also IR. I was diagnosed with it first by my Endo. I just moved and had to find a new Endo, am going to him on June 1st. I am going to the gyno b/c I need something right now, and I want an u/s done if possible. I know bcps may not be the best option but my husband and I are not ready to ttc yet. I am on met too. I realize that with diet and exercise I can probably lose. I am just soooooooo tired of dieting b/c I have done that for most of my life. I am considering trying the Nutrisystem diet. Thanks!:o

GemaLinda · 03-24-2005, 06:16 PM

Heeeelllooo

I use Ortho Tri Cyclen---PATCH (so much easier than the pill just as effective).

For acne Proactiv has been wonderfuuuuuuuuuuuul

good luck!!

CysterChrista · 03-25-2005, 07:37 PM

I'm with nurseychicky. I couldn't have said it better PCOS is an Endo issue, not a Gyn issue. Doctors who put you on the pill to treat your PCOS are treating your symptoms and not the disease. It adds hormones to an already unstable hormone environment. If it doesn't make it worse while you're on the pill, you very well may see the the effects as soon as you go off, and eventually you do have to go off (you're not supposed to use it for more than 5 years in a row).

Christa