Thans for your reply Eva,
I think he must be wrong about Spiro being an androgen because I know it is not generally prescribed to men (as a diuretic, not PCOS of course!
) because it can cause male breast growth. I was on 100mg per day for about 18 months but then was reduced down to 50mg per day, as I was having to get up 8 times per night to pee! I was worried that being on this lower dose would not have enough benefit but it seemed to continue to work just as well, although the peeing remained the same. I came off it 3 months ago after 3 years but went back on it again 2 weeks ago, as I couldn't stand the return of the hirsutism, acne and scalp hair loss, which was dramatic within 3 weeks! I noticed a slight improvement in the peeing after I came off Spiro and I assumed I would be peeing excessively again once I went back on it, but I don't get up more than once or twice now. So, I figured the peeing was more about IR, as since I began low-carbing 2 months ago the peeing has reduced considerably. I really love Spiro. I can honestly say it has been a wonder drug for me.
As to the Met, I know allowances for certain types of drugs, are sometimes regional in the UK. I feel confident that if I have good success on it that I will be able to continue with it indefinitely, as long as I see the right Dr. My GP is pretty good about these things. I think that my local hospital policy is generally to only prescribe it for people TTC but as I was pushy and well informed about things, he let me have it. But he did say it was more to do with them not knowing the longterm implications of taking Met, and he said if I want to continue with it after 6 months that it would be my own responsibilty if I got ill at a later date because of it! What a jerk! I'm sure it's more about money, costs and hospital budgets...
He said in one breath how losing weight could make all PCOS symptoms disappear for good but then went on to say that dieting has no benficial effect on PCOS (!?!) How dumb - you don't lose weight without 'dieting' in some form or other, even if you decide to make lifestyle changes, like low-carbing, you are still essentially dieting, just in a more sensible way. He basically said if I lost weight I would be cured, but I think it is more about
losing the weight because of low-carbing because my sister is thin but has PCOS as are many other cysters here. I think it's more an IR issue than a weight one. My sister is IR (undiagnosed) but won't low-carb as she says she doesn't have time to do it. I don't think she realises fully the implications of IR leading on to diabetes yet.
When my Dr first asked for my appt in January, she wrote to the Endo who referred me to one of his Gynaes
I knew I would need to see an Endo but I decided to give the Gynae a chance first but he has now referred me back to the Endo for a joint appt with both of them (apparently my case is unusual lol
as in I know more about what's wrong with me than he does!) which will be another 2 months wait! I've decided to write to the Endo meanwhile to update him in advance, so we both know what to expect, or else I may be delayed even further and before I know it, another year will be gone with no progress.
I haven't taken the Met yet, as I am a little nervous about the side effects in the first few days/weeks. I really want to take it but I am worried I will get awful, sudden diarrhea when I am on stage performing!
I have a busy couple of weeks coming up, so I may wait a couple of weeks. I've read a lot of tips about how and when is best to take it and which remedies help the side effects but I am pretty scared. I seem to be one of those weird people who always gets the worst side effects
How did you find the side effects were for you in the early days?
Anyway, I've waffled on far too long (what's new?) Thanks for the hugs too Eva.
Nikki x
Q's about Spiro, Met, Yasmin etc 
