Off Avandia

Chrissy · 01-25-2004, 11:27 AM

It saddens me to say I am no longer on the Avandia. I had such great results with getting AF. In the 3 1/2 months I took it the swelling increased steadily. I didn't have any the first month but then it gradually worsened. My feet, ankles and hands almost felt prickly and at times numb with the increase in fluid. It didn't look that bad, except my face which was quite puffy at times and my socks left imprints on my ankles. My blood pressure was up as well and that was attributed to the fluid retention. I also noticed quite a bit of muscle weekness and had charlie horses where the pain didn't go away just felt like muscle strain constantly. I also had some fillings done and have had constant pain since that. I read somewhere it can cause tooth pain, quite wierd actually! I had carpal tunnel pain during pregnancy related to fluid retention putting pressure on my nerves in my arm. That also came back. Any time I sat for longer than an hour or so my legs would feel like they had swollen and my feet were tender to walk on. Strange

Well way too much information I suppose but wanted to share my s/e. While these were not debilitating, they frightened me. I am not crazy about taking medication and since this one is less understood long term and I'm not ttc, I decided the bc pill was the safer for now. Big sigh! Since I am not IR I guess I'll stick with this until some new compelling information breaks.

My goals are to improve symptoms such as hair and acne and get AF. Weight is not an issue but am going to continue the IR diet and increase exercise to increase my bodies ability to metabolise insulin. Maybe this will work. I had some hypoglycemia issues on the Avandia so I won't miss that!

Hope this helps someone!
Chris

Anne1978 · 01-26-2004, 08:42 AM

Hi Chrissy,

Thanks for the Avandia update. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you -- It was looking like your miracle drug until now.

I remember that you were feeling uncomfortable about BCPs and I hope your not worrying too much about them now. They also make me nervous, but I think I will eventually go back on them as well. Millions of women worldwide do take them. If they are enough to control most of your symptoms, then it sounds like a good solution. Also, I can't remember if I ever got back to you about this, but my mom's cancer doctor did say that he thought BCP were appropriate for women with pcos (and better healthwise than nothing), even though he is very opposed to hormone use for most women.

For now, I'm ttc but I'm guessing that one day I will be back on the Diane.

Best,
Anne

Chrissy · 01-26-2004, 02:14 PM

Thanks for the reply Ann! Good luck with ttc and I hope your mom is doing well.
Chris