New to site, and syndrom Questions

Jessarae · 08-01-2006, 12:47 AM

Hi,

I just found out that I had PCOS. I am 30 years old and nervous about taking Metformin because of what I read about it when I googled it. ( about liver damge, and taking with other medications) My doctor wants to put me on birth control with it, so I dont get pregnant right away, before my period can regulate itself. Am I being too worried, and should just trust the docotor? The article said you should be tested for liver effectivness before staring medication, and I wasnt told she did this. (I read the article after I left the doctors)

Just wondering if oter womens doctors out there discussed these things with you also?

Also wondering if the medicine will really help you loose weight. The docotr said my insulin level was double the normal because of the PCOS. The thing Im not sure about either, is all she did was listened to me tell her what my symptoms were and did some blood work. Not Ultrasounds, or asking about excessive hair growth or anything else. She said she thought it was either my thyroid or PCOS, and when my thyroid came out perfect she said She thinks I have PCOS. Should I accept this diagnosis? Should she have done more testing? Just looking for opinions from women who have more experience with this condition than I do. I would really appreciate some opinions.

Thank you to all!
Jessica

christyz · 08-01-2006, 01:32 AM

Quote:

The article said you should be tested for liver effectivness before staring medication, and I wasnt told she did this.

I would call the office and determine if liver and kidney enzymes were run in your bloodwork. If not, she should trun them. It is a precautionary thing becuase people with pre-existing liver/kidney issues could potentially have problems excreting the metformin. So definetly confirm this was done with your Dr.

Quote:

Also wondering if the medicine will really help you loose weight.

For me, the meds were limited in helping with weight loss until I got serious about eating to control my insulin and exercise. Otherwise you just counter0act the drug. If you're willing to do these other lifestyle parts of controlling PCOS, it can be a really effective thing.

Quote:

Should I accept this diagnosis? Should she have done more testing?

What tests were run? Sadly, there is no one definitive test for PCOS, so most Dr's run the glucose/insulin, male hormones and if they are abnormal and have ruled out other conditions like fibriods or thyroid give a PCOS diagnosis.

Also, I reccommend the Frequently Asked Questions thread...I think many of your concerns are addressed there.

FAQ About Metformin

Good luck...hope it helps!

Jessarae · 08-01-2006, 01:52 AM

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I have seen your posts on this site, and have found them helpfull.

I will definatly take you advice and call her to ask if she checked my liver and kidneys. ( I felt like I would be underming her by asking this...stupid I know) Unfortunatly Im not sure exactly what tests she ran, I just know she took a lot of blood, and said she wanted to check my thyroid and for PCOS. Thats about it.

I am really gonna try with the eating right thing. The thing is, I dont eat a lot now, or really bad things, but just keep gaining weight anyway..bagel for breakfast, sandwich for lunch, and a meat, vegatble and starch for dinner. I like popsicles for snack...doesnt seem too bad, but still gaining weight.

Do you recommend a diabetic diet? I have seen this on a few posts.

Well I know I tend to write a lot, but nobody I know has this, and have no one else to talk to about it.

P.s Congrats on your success!

Thanks so much again!
Jess

christyz · 08-01-2006, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Do you recommend a diabetic diet?

I have found great success with the IR diet...very similar in some ways to a diabetic diet. if you'd like to read more about he book, see

IR Diet in a nutshell:
IR Diet In A Nutshell

Holler if you have any questions.