Is there anyone here who has pcos who is not trying to conceive. I was diagnosed 13 years ago while trying to get pregnant and it was discovered during a laparoscopy. Ovarian drilling was performed and I became pregnant in 5 months. My 2nd child was easily conceived.
I am 40 not and going through all of the same problems but NOT trying to become pregnant. I was considering asking my doc for a trial of metformin. Blood tests were performed and the doctor's assistant said it showed PCOS.
Any help or advice is appreciated. Thanks
Gianna
Last edited by Gianna40; 08-06-2009 at 02:03 PM.
Reason: Had a hard time posting question.
could u not try one of the contraceptive ones, like dianette, that controls some symptoms and stops pregnancy, but it does depend on what symptoms u have
My periods are not the same as when I first had the problem. I'll have one every two weeks or could be 21 to 30 day. I have pelvic pain, breakouts, increased hair growth on my chin, horrible bloating, while I am not overweight, despite a very clean diet and plenty of exercise I have gained a few pounds that I cannot take off. I also have some periods where it feels like I'm having a blood sugar drop (dizziness, hot, nauseous, headache). My doctor does not want to put me on BCP, nor do I because after I had my children, I tried again and I felt awful on them.
BTW, I am seeing my gyn tommorow to discuss so I'd love some help on this.
Write a list out of all the symptoms that bother you. If you have the list in hand, you'll be able to go point by point with your doctor.
The bloating could be anything. When you say you've gained a few pounds - is it water or is it body fat? If it's not bodyfat, there's a possibility that what you're experiencing isn't related to pcos. I could be ANYTHING...even a uterine fibroid (that caused me to bloat horribly.)
It's worth noting that even 'thin' cysters tend to have issues with visceral fat:
Thanks for your reply. The bloating is water weight, the weight gain is fat. Both are there. Depending upon where I am in my cycle it's more or less noticable. I had a D and C 3 months ago and there are no fibroids. When I started having problems my gyn didn't seem to think pcos was a factor. I asked if it was the beginning of menopause and he said no. He wants me to have a uterine ablasion done but that is not going to stop the problems I have with a hormonal imbalance which is where most of my problems lie. I also have periods of fatigue and muscle pains and they all seem to be related to my cycles.
He did the blood test after I pressed him that I was told that pcos would most likely return eventually. At that time we discussed a trial of metformin and he agreed. When I got the results from his assistant, she told me it showed PCOS but we would just "observe" because I'm not trying to conceive so it doesn't matter if I am ovulating or not. My reaction was, "well to me it does if it's going to make me miserable". This is why I'm meeting with him tommorow.
I've been reading alot on this and still am very confused as to what treatment is worth considering. I know it's very hard to say but does it sound like metformin will help or just make things worse??
I do appreciate your help. Very confused (and frustrated) here as I've seen many doctors and had many tests done over the past 2 years to see what was my problem while I've been saying all along I think it was something with hormones.
I am saying this with all the respect in the world, I've read all of these and I'm still confused. I want to know if anyone had had success with met in my situation, 40, not TTC or is there anything else that I should look into. I would like a patient's opinion. I've read a lot of research.
Please, understand, I appreciate your replies and I hope this isn't coming off with an attitude because that is not what I am trying to express.
Edited to add: A GP questioned insulin resistance at one time but I need to get back in to do a glucose tolerance test. I could not at the time because I was being treated for something unrelated and didn't want me to fast while on meds.
I want to know if anyone had had success with met in my situation, 40, not TTC or is there anything else that I should look into.
I know what you're asking, however, no one can really give you an answer that can help you, at this moment...
"Success" is relative to your 'health' and your 'goals'. When you say 'success' what do you mean? Weight loss? Regular periods? Lower androgens? Etc?
There was a LOT of information those links, and in the metformin one, there are several links which indicate who should take metformin and why.
There are plenty of things you can look into, but again, they will depend on your symptoms and goals (not just that you're "40 and not ttc"...which I am, too, btw )
Take a look around the board... If hirsutism is an issue, look in the HAIR forum. There's also a Thin Cysters forum.
There is no one treatment protocol for pcos...it really is an individual thing. While it can be overwhelming to wade through research article after research article, you'll find MORE and BETTER information there - and it will help you communicate better with your doctor.
I would encourage a 'solid read' of the articles rather than a 'skim' in search of 'the answer'.
'The answer' is in between the lines...
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That's just it, have have poured through research articles here and all over the net for weeks and I still do not understand the treatment for someone like me. I've read about met, diet, herbal treatments, etc. Here it works, here it doesn't, here it isn't recommended. I still don't get it. My goal is to feel good, not have periods all over the place, get rid of fatigue, pains, reduce facial hair growth and these breakouts that make me feel 16 and be able to enjoy a normal life without having to worry about all of these things. And yes, I'd like to lose weight. It seems to have affected me all around physically and I just feel if I could find a way to get a handle on it, everything will slip into place. Maybe it's a pipe dream, I don't know.
I guess I'll see what the doctor says tommorow. Thank you and I appreciate all of your help.
It's not about reading the research to know what to do...
It's about reading the information so that you can have an informed conversation with your doctor about what you've read, and what you want for your health.
The research isn't posted here for people to 'self diagnose' and 'self-treat' (even though there are some things that are generally accepted as 'healthy'...)
But when it comes to Rx meds, it's best to arrive at the decision 'with' your doctor.
Knowing what the research says facilitates a better conversation. Read it to 'understand' it. Not just to see how you think it applies to you.
__________________
Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
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It's not about reading the research to know what to do...
It's about reading the information so that you can have an informed conversation with your doctor about what you've read, and what you want for your health.
The research isn't posted here for people to 'self diagnose' and 'self-treat' (even though there are some things that are generally accepted as 'healthy'...)
But when it comes to Rx meds, it's best to arrive at the decision 'with' your doctor.
Knowing what the research says facilitates a better conversation. Read it to 'understand' it. Not just to see how you think it applies to you.
That is precisely what I am doing, I was just hoping someone would share their experience with me, that is all. Thanks again.
I hope you got some answers from your doctor today, it is very frustrating knowing something is wrong, but not knowing exactly what will help. I was put on metformin for my insulin resistance and PCOS. I was TTC at that time, but I am no longer, but I still take the met. My doctors want me to continue with the met for my IR, and it has helped that. I used to get "spells" where I would be dizzy, shaky and feel sick to my stomach. I only get those now if I go way too long between meals, liker 7 or 8 hours, which with IR is not advisable!
Let us know what your doctor says, we hope you get a solution soon. But remember, it is called medical PRACTICE for a reason!
__________________ me - 45 dh - 48 dd - 12
Total Hysterectomy 8-21-09 Living well is the best revenge!
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Metformin has helped but the side effects aren't so great. My dr. has me going up slowly. I am not trying to conceive, either. During my first pregnancy my cysts grew quite large and painful.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gianna40
Is there anyone here who has pcos who is not trying to conceive. I was diagnosed 13 years ago while trying to get pregnant and it was discovered during a laparoscopy. Ovarian drilling was performed and I became pregnant in 5 months. My 2nd child was easily conceived.
I am 40 not and going through all of the same problems but NOT trying to become pregnant. I was considering asking my doc for a trial of metformin. Blood tests were performed and the doctor's assistant said it showed PCOS.
PCOS but not trying to conceive 
)
