Need some advice ...

beckyboo · 05-19-2003, 09:10 AM

ok...some background....

Am 26.....am over 100kg (but have lost 10kg in 12 weeks and am on a mission....)

I've been on Diane as long as I can remember... This is the only current medication I am on. At age 20 I was on Roaccutante for my acne - and havn't had any problems since in that department (had been on Minomycin, Androcur as a teenager)

I've not had a period as long as I can remember... (prob over a year or more even)

Hubby and I arn't trying to conceive, but will be in the next 12-18 months...

I am anticipating problems TTC (although trying to be proactive to ensure when the time comes, I've done everything I can to be in the best position (literally!) especially getting the weight off)

Should I be doing anything else in the 'lead up' to TTC from a PCOS management perspective?

Would seeing an encocrinologist help?? What do they do??

Should I wait until we are actively TTC before exploring options such as Metformin??

Should I come off Diane and try to see what my cycles are like - or if in fact I even have one?? (problem being - if I do get preggers - how will I know?) Might sound silly, but I am scared to come off the Diane in case my skin flares up. I don't want to "experiment" tooo much!

I know fellow cysters can't give me medical advice, but based on the above, can anyone shed any light on what they have experienced - or provide any suggestions?

Many thanks
Rebecca

sbanguis · 06-11-2003, 10:47 AM

Hi Rebecca,

Firstly have you been dx with PCOS? If not that is the first step. Visit your GP to confirm this.

If you don't get AF (if not on pill) then that means you're not ovulating and therefore pg is very hard to achieve.

Metformin is only prescribed if your GP or RE suggest you are insulin resistance (IR). This medication helps with this problem. The same gland in our brain "pitituary gland" control our pancreas and our reproduction hormone. So the idea is controlling our IR so that our pitituary glands is not overworked on controlling IR and neglect our other hormones from functioning properly.

If you have PCOS they say, that achieving ideal weight cures it. This statement is true for me. Before I was dx with PCOS, in my early 20's, I put on 20kgs, my af came maybe ones a year. but when I lost this 20kgs back to my ideal weight of 48-50kgs, I was at my most regular, getting my af every 4-6 weeks. I maintained this weight for 4-5 years then last year when I gained to 57kg , it stopped. This is when I seeked medical advise and was dx with PCOS.

If you are looking at TTC, it is better to find out all that you can now and attend to all that you need to do, because achieving PG naturally, doesn't just come easiy if you have PCOS.

Majority, are placed on Clomid. This is usually prescribed if you are not getting your AF and or have not gotten PG for long period of time.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Shilz