I wanted to ask a question that's been bugging me. I was diagnosed with PCOS in September 2005. My first gyn didn't take a glucose tolerance test, but said that because I have cysts and elevated hormone levels, that I should start taking BCPs to relieve my symptoms.
Went to another gyn because the first one wouldn't answer my questions or alleviate my fears. This time, I asked about Met, after having learned alot about it on this board - thanks! This doctor said that she only prescribes Met for women who want to get pregnant. I told her that I have gained an absurd amount of weight (25lbs in the last 8 months or so), I crave sugar all the time, and I wanted to get it all back under control. She said I would have to see an endo for Met -- even though she'll prescribe it for someone ttc. She also didn't order a glucose tolerance test.
I'm 22 and I used to be what you all call a thin-cyster -- 5'4 130 lbs. Now, I find myself having to buy new jeans every couple of months.. this is not good! I went on a low/no carb diet for 3 weeks -- didn't lose a pound, got discouraged and gave up. Even still, I have cut my carb intake by half, and it seems the BCPs are helping my appetite, even though I crave sugar absurdly.
Does anyone have any tips for getting my doctor to listen to me? Or should I just wait it out for my endo appt in 2 weeks? What if the endo won't prescribe me? So confused, please help!
Personally if you have an appt. with an endo in 2 weeks, I'd just wait until then. Also, I don't think that Met will stop you from craving sugar.
__________________ Amy (33) SAHM & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Join for free...only 2 more days!
Husband (37)
Son (2 1/2 year)
Sounds like another old fashioned "Your hormones only matter when you're trying to concieve" kind of Dr. Sheesh.
Hormones affect mood, appetite and many other non-baby-making area of our lives, and you deserve to be heard and not dismissed.
In the mean time, do you exercise regularly? Cardio and resistance work are HUGE in improving how our cells use insulin, so if you aren't already, combine that with a healthy diet and it could improve things for you.
Good luck with your endo appt!
__________________ Christy
33 yrs, 1 precious hubby, 2 miracle kids, At Goal Wt for 4 yrs, Trygly's down 445 pts, Free Androgen down from 20 to 2, 3 half 'thons ran, 2 mtns hiked, 1 crazy run in the Rockies, 4 forest trail races, profiled in 2 magazines...1 woman determined to kick PCOS butt!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Thanks Miss-Meme and christyz! It really is frustrating that no one wants to take me seriously. I appreciate the support. What do you suppose I do if my endo won't listen either, as seems to be the trend? Do I find another endo? Sometimes it seems like there's no end in sight!
Another question I have, and maybe this is the wrong forum for it, but.. do BCPs help stabilise insulin resistance at all? I haven't been on mine for very long, and there's definitely not been any weight loss.. but is the IR problem being helped?
I had to argue for 6 years to get Met because my glucose tests were so always 'within normal range'! My endo prescribed the Met on my symptoms not on my lab work, but I had to be REALLY assertive! I went into my endo appointment (and here in the UK u dont get one of those without serious arguements - hence the 6 years) with a im not taking any rubbish attitude! And at last someone listened. I spent time expalining now my symptoms affect my life and how I should NOT have to deal with this! LOL Poor bloke didn't know what had hit him! LOL
Hope this helps xx
__________________ 30 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. and DB 36
PCOS dx 8 years
Sleep Aponea
Depression
Endometriosis
No contraception since 2003
Prozac - 40mg daily
Metformin 1500mg
Due to start Clomid in March to actively TTC #1 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
LOL Tracy, you sound like one tough cookie! Thanks for the advice; sometimes I feel like being too mean works against me - no one wants to listen to an assertive woman! But I'll definitely push my case with the endo -- :: crosses fingers ::
My doctors were hilarious. The first one I mentioned Met to said under no circumstances would be give me it and that I needed to loose weight to solve all my problems.
I had to leave his surgery (due to retirement) and the next doctor I saw said 'sure, why not' prescribed me an obscene amount (2500mg PER DAY!!). I was then (of course) bloody sick on the thing and he took me off it, saying it was not for me.
Currently changing doctors again (sex scandal in the surgery, aren't us brits juicy?) and so am hoping I won't get another nutter.
My advice, take in everything you can, books, articles, research and leave it with them if necessary. Show that you understand the implications of taking it and that you want them to at least consider it.
__________________ 26 Years old
Married on 06/09/03 to wonderful DH To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
DX Febuary 2002 after miscarriage
TCC for 6 years.........DH very very happy bunny.
Was on 1000mg of Gluc XR +vitex pre natal vitamins but stop taking in 2006 as it was doing nothing for me.
High Blood Pressure and now on drugs for this.
'I am always called a feminist when I exhibit personality traits that differ to that of a doormat,'
Lol - only became a tough cookie in response to Dr's who claimed to be the experts! LOL!
Its your body and u have a right to be treated!
Good Luck x
__________________ 30 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. and DB 36
PCOS dx 8 years
Sleep Aponea
Depression
Endometriosis
No contraception since 2003
Prozac - 40mg daily
Metformin 1500mg
Due to start Clomid in March to actively TTC #1 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Another question I have, and maybe this is the wrong forum for it, but.. do BCPs help stabilise insulin resistance at all? I haven't been on mine for very long, and there's definitely not been any weight loss.. but is the IR problem being helped?
BCP do mask the IR problem..they synthetically fluctuate your hormones, so the underlying insulin problem isn't being addressed. The other thing is, that depending on the BCP, can actually WORSEN IR which is why many women gain weight on the pill. HEad up to the FAQ thread at the top of the metformin forum..there is a question about taking met with other things (including BCP) and it has a link to an article on the best kind of BCP for PCOS'ers...they affect IR the least.
Hope it helps!
__________________ Christy
33 yrs, 1 precious hubby, 2 miracle kids, At Goal Wt for 4 yrs, Trygly's down 445 pts, Free Androgen down from 20 to 2, 3 half 'thons ran, 2 mtns hiked, 1 crazy run in the Rockies, 4 forest trail races, profiled in 2 magazines...1 woman determined to kick PCOS butt!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
One quick opinion---Met DEFINETLY helped with my carbohydrate and sugar cravings!!! I eat normal portion sizes now and I'm not even trying. My body just isn't craving abnormal amounts of food.
If the endo doesn't listen to you go to another.....I've found that for me 1 out of 4 doctors know enough about pcos to correctly help their patients! Speaking from experience!
good luck..keep us posted!
__________________ Leigh(29)DH(35) Married 12-28-07 TTC#1-June 2008 Cycle 1-Natural cycle, No O, BFN Cycle 2-Femara, trigger, O, BFN Cycle 3-Natural cycle, O, BFN Cycle 4-Natural cycle, O, BFP, didn't know/m/c 9 month break for testing, laproscopy (all normal) Cycle 5-Femara, trigger, O, BFP! 8/17 (m/c) 8/27 Cycle 6-Natural cycle, O, BFN Cycle 7-Femara, trigger, O, BFN Cycle 8-Femara, Gonal F, trigger, To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Went to the endo. She ran all the tests, glucose tolerance, insulin levels, etc. Said I'm not IR, so she would prefer not to give me met, even though I definitely have PCOS. So, here I am, slowly gaining weight, with no diet in the known universe able to help me. : I was what one could call a thin cyster, but I am inching into the overweight territory of the BMI chart. None of my clothes fit, and I have to buy larger sizes every couple of months.
I'm getting quite frustrated, does anyone have any thoughts for me?
A GP, two OB-GYNs and an Endo have all refused to give me met. I'm beginning to believe another doctor isn't about to help.. maybe it's something in the Long Island water?
I know it's tough, but keep looking until you find a good doctor. Ask around. I went to two ob/gyns and a GP and none of them would prescribe me met because my tests were "normal." My sister has pcos too and was unhappy w/ her endo. She just needed a refill on something and someone recommended a GP to her and she went to him and discovered he knew a lot about PCOS. A year later I gave up on finding my own doctors and decided to try to go to hers even thought it's a drive for me. At first he wasn't taking new patients but I was persistent and didn't give up. Now I'm glad I go to him, regardless of the drive PLUS he knows an ob/gyn who specializes in pcos.
He wrote out a list of all the meds w/ pcos, met, avandia, actos, aldactone, etc . . . so I could research them and discuss in my followup two weeks later what I felt would be best for me. He recommended starting on met first to see whether I could take it w/o any side effects.
He then called me to discuss my high cholesterol (had lab tests done) so that when we met up again I could do some research on my options. I'm glad he did so because I discovered that Zocor might help w/ pcos so when I saw him again we talked about that and he put me on that instead of another cholesterol drug. That study Kat posted was just done in late 2005 so I bet a lot of doctors don't know about it unless they looked for it.
So while it seems difficult to find one, once you find a good doctor who understands it's worth it. Plus I think my doctor is cute so that's an added benefit, though I admit I was embarrassed discussing my irregular periods and excess hair and testosterone w/ him.
Doc won't prescribe Met - why? 
I was what one could call a thin cyster, but I am inching into the overweight territory of the BMI chart. None of my clothes fit, and I have to buy larger sizes every couple of months. 
keep looking for a good doc 
