Thin cysters, which meds do u take?

[charliegirl]

I'm a thin cyster, not IR but with hardly ever a natural period, elevated testosterone levels and all the 'lovely' symptoms that come with that ( excess hair, hairloss, very oily skin and sometimes acne). For any of you out there who are like me: which meds do you take (chemical and alternative)? What do they do for you? And how successful are they?

Thanks a lot!!

Love and hugs,

Charlie

[hempgirl]

Hi Charlie,

I'm a thin cyster as well (5'10" 126lbs) I have always had irregular periods, acne and excess hair. I wasn't dx with PCOS until we started ttc, 2 years ago. I have tried clomid 9 times (50mg) and ovulated almost every time but haven't gotten pregnant. (tubes are clear and dh's S/A was good) I've been taking metformin (1000 mg) since August and it seems to have regulated my cycle (usually 30-33 days now) I haven't noticed much change in my skin or in the hair department, but I'm still hoping it could help. I seem to have tolerated the met really well, with only one day feeling crappy (the day after my first dose)
My bloodwork has always been "normal" but the met seems to be working. I think there must be some other problems at play with me, because I'm not getting pg even though I O.
How about you... are you ttc? starting any meds? I'm curious to hear about other thin cyster experiences.

Take Care

[patience925]

This is my very first post here.

I am 24 and ttc #1 w/DF. I am 5'8" 159lbs. I wear a size 8, now but I used to wear a 6...I gained a lil weight taking Metformin. Anyway, I have taken the Met since 10/02 and it has not brought on AF for me yet. I am wondering how much longer should it take? Right now I am on 50mg of clomid days 3-7 and so far so good, no s/e and I am really hoping this does the trick for us...but I am doubtful. It seems PCOS pg successes on clomid require 100mg...we'll see if I O...I am interested to know what other Thin Cysters are taking as well.

Asheley

[Cyster1]

Hi,

I was having the exact same problems. Started Met a month ago and waiting for AF to come. I am having nausea and slightly having fever. My temps are around and little above 98. I don't know what Met does for me. I am waiting for something to happen. I think it takes a while to kick in. Best of Luck for you.

[Candace]

I have been taking Glucophage XR for 2 years. I love it. I also started birth control pills because I couldn't seem to get my hormones regulated after 6 months. I was having cyclical headaches and feeling awful. The pill has seemed to suppress my ovaries so I am not having the cyclical headaches. I feel wonderful. I have more energy and feel normal again mentally. I would have a terrible brain fog after eating meals! I don't have that now. I am 5'0 and 123 lbs thanks to the Glucophage. I weighted 147 2 years ago and was gaining weight and had a tremendous amount of water retention, probably related to insulin overproduction. Bless you all!

Candace
Age 36
2 children 7 and 8 Got pregnant after coming off of clomid for a break to begin injectibles with dd/ds got pregnant when dd was 4 months old, a welcome surprise
Married 16 years
Glucophage XR 2000 mgs 2 years
Yasmin BCP 18 months
Chromium GTF 9 months 200 mcg
Feel normal again after being on this protocal for 2 years

[charliegirl]

Hi,

Thanks so much for the replies.

Silly me, I forgot to write down the meds I take myself, ;-)
Well, I'm in the trial and error phase, which is why I'm curious which drugs are out there for us.

I took before:
- bcp Diane 35: was very pleased with it for 6 years. Diminished oily skin and acne significantly, excess hair also got less. But never did anything against shedding hair on my head. Stopped this bcp b/c it made me sooo nauseous.
- Yasmine: same, but stopped after 2 months already
-Provera: Was poison to me, bloated belly, sore breasts, incredible moodswings

I am taking now:
-Proscar: is a medicine for men with prostate problems, is supposed to lower my testosterone. I've been taking it for 2 months. Worked from day 1 against the shedding, but I don't notice my hair growing back just yet. Diminished excess hair somewhat. No results in the skin department yet. Doc says I have to give it 6 months.
-bcp Mercilon: light bcp, just to bring on AF, doesn't do anything more. Have been taking it for 2 days now and I'm feeling nauseous as hell. Don't know what to try next.

I'm thinking about:

-Metformin: I thought it was only meant for women with insuline resitence. Is this true?
-Saw Palmetto: I hear raving reports from other cysters on this site
-Aldactone: need to do more research about it
-Androcur: need to do more research about it

Love and hugs,

Charlie

[Chrissy]

I am a thin cyster as well and have pretty much controlled my symptoms with Birth control pills. I have taken spiro. and liked it when I was on a higher androgenic pill (and didn't realize it) to help control hair issues. This was over 10 years ago and they weren't very sure what PCOS was. I am playing around trying to find the right pill. CUrrently on ORtho Evra and too new to say. I do well with ORtho-cyclen and liked alesse for the light estrogen affects it offered. My body just didn't like it as well all around. I seem to need a balanced pill estrogen and progestin wise.

My RE has toyed with the idea of actos or avandia but so far ;my blood sugar and all related tests seem fine and since she feels I'll still need BC pills with them for other side affects of PCOS I am reluctant to add anything. She agrees. I'll probably be on an insulin sensitizing drug in the future anyway. It seems diet and weight loss helps many who have PCOS related to weight but since mine is not I'll stick with the BC pills, even though I'd love to take nothing!!! I take Niacin for high cholesterol.. Very cheap and it works!!! I also had great luck with Clomid. Side affects were unpleasant but I love the outcome!

[LSGMSU1]

I did really well when I was on Mircette (BCP). In fact, that helped me lose 30 lbs. When I was first off BCP to TTC I had 5 normal cycles on my own before going anovulatory.

I've been doing really well for the last 6 months on a combination of 500 mg metformin, 50 mcg synthroid and soy isoflavones CD 3-7. All cysters are IR to a degree even if it doesn't show up on a GTT. I tested IR in 2000 but this past May I had another GTT that was totally normal (due to the weight loss) but got metformin anyway. You should look into trying it.

[stacyk]

Charlie
Metformin is licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (non-insulin depentant diabetes) on everyone. It is also the only drug, of it's type, there are other drugs that are used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes but they work differently. It is used unlicensed for the treatment of PCOS, it seems unlikely that metformin will ever be licensed for the treatment of PCOS, as the costs involved are huge and the drug is made by so many different companies now, it is of no benefit of those licensing it.

My list of drugs:
Metformin, been taking it for 2 years & it was working wonders, it did take a long while about 1 year to get my periods regular again, I had my blood work checked about 6 months ago & that is all normal as well. You do need to give metformin a long while to work.

I have also taken various BCP in the past but nothing agrees with me, just makes me gain weight & gives me migraines.

[atoz11]

BCP- Ortho-Tri-Cyclene for about 4yrs, no problem other than an increase in my bra size, but lessened the severity of most symptoms.

SPIRO- works for the hair and some effects of the cystic acne, took an extremely long time to work for me.

Glucophage- the final piece of the puzzle, skin is generally clear and cycles are as close to normal as they are going to get.

Effexor XR- this is for the moodiness caused by my out of whack cycles, planning to go off of this one and see how I respond.

[McCall]

Yasmin
Daily multi vitamin


That's it. Only outward symptom was no periods. Pill is working for that.