moonandtheriver

I have a question that I'm not sure if its already been covered or not. I'm a thin cyster (5'2 107lbs.) with no IR issues. I'm not currently being treated with anything for pcos.
My current problems are hair loss, acne, excess facial hair on chin.
I used to have very irregular periods (usually too frequently and heavy) Now I've settled into an every 21 day, somewhat heavy for 3 days and lasts in total about a week. I used to be every 28 days and my period went for about 5 days. I think I ovulate, maybe not every month but probably most months, as I get cramping when I should.
I do not want to, nor am I trying to conceive.
My cholesterol level is great.

I do NOT do well with the bcp. I have a list of problems when using it, so its not been an option. My worst hair loss was after taking Diane35.
I seem to be allergic to Spiro, as I got horribly itchy after taking it, so it was assumed I was allergic.
I'm not IR and my insulin level is already low, so Met was not an option.

The question after all this is- is there any other reason for me to continue to seek active treatment of pcos, or be in the care of an endo, when none of the options seem to work for me? I battle hair loss, chin hair and acne daily...but are there other health reasons other than those symptoms that I should be treated for somehow, or is it JUST the symptoms for me at this point I should be working to control?

I hope that made some sense!

__________________
Diagnosed 06/03
Problems:

HAIR LOSS, Acne (Retin A seems to be helping), painful Fibrocystic breasts,
Excess Hair on chin, Scalp Psoraisis, Irregular periods- too frequent, too long. Not IR tho...

HNpeace04

Im struggling with the same thing right now. I need to go off of Diane35 - hair loss, and SERIOUS BV and yeast Infections that will not go away. It has also stopped working to control my androgen levels all of the sudden so what is the point? I don't want to be on a bcps at all I've just tried to many that haven't worked to control my sky high testosterone level. I'm interested in pursuing an alternative treatment but my blood sugar is normal as well and I'm very thin. What are other people doing or did they do before they had kids.. I still have some time before that Thanks

Tummy

With all the most common options knocked off your list, I'm thinking an endo is the best way to go, b/c perhaps they can come up with some other options. Met actually works for a lot of ppl in controlling their symptoms, even if they are not IR.

I don't have any physical characteristics of PCOS, but my amenorrhea was controlled with bcps before TTC, so I don't have any miracle advice for you.

So, in summary, seek an endo who will look into other treatments, including possibly metformin or another insulin sensitizing drug. IR diets also help some people, even if they don't test IR. A lot of docs actually believe that PCOS always has something to do with insulin resistance, even if it isn't severe enough to show up on tests, thus the reasoning behind using met.

__________________
Whitney, 32
TTC #1 since 7/07
Diagnosed in 2002
Symptoms: no ovulation/AF
One fur baby, standard poodle "Major"
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After soy, Femara, Follistim, an ectopic pregnancy, and IVF, FINALLY BFP 7/08 -- TWINS!


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HNpeace04

Thanks,

I see a reproductive endo at Yale - he kind of sucks sometimes so I'm seeking a second opinion right now. He doesn't want to put me on met, but has mentioned spiro, but since I want to go OFF bcps, would not exactly make sense for me. I take enough meds as it is. I think he is one of those who is against using met unless you're IR, perhaps because I was previously in treatment for an ED YEARS and YEARS ago, and am very healthy now. My grandma has type II, and has done very well on it. I'll definitely mention it to him again and to the new doc I see. I have many cysts in both ovaries, horrible acne, and AF was coming every 3 weeks before I went on BCPS. So Met helps with those things by correcting the hormone level? From what I understand.. Thanks so much!

arcticslug

Other drugs that lower testosterone would be flutamide, finasteride or dexamethasone.....you could try those....

mcp16

I would aim for sprinolanolatone, flutamide, or finasteride. They do wonders for some people.

Quickrabbit87

I was reading your post and it was amazing how many things clicked. I am a little less than ten pounds heavier and I am not allergic to spironolactone BUT I have all of those symptoms. And its so nice to hear another thin cyster has such similar problems. If you find any answers send 'em my way! And good luck!