What works for Thin Cysters

Sarita · 01-02-2004, 06:07 PM

Hi All!

I am new to the site and so happy I found it! I think this will be someplace I visit often for support. I was also happy to come across this "Thin Cysters" group! I have had vaginal ultrasounds, and by the looks of my ovaries, my doctor says I definately have PCOS, but sometimes I get confused because I don't have all the syptoms accociated with the it. I am not overweight, the hair on my head is thick (never had a problem with hairloss), I do have more body hair than I'd like, but so do my sisters who do not have PCOS, and I've always thought that was a family thing. So the menstration thing has been the only syptom that has fit. My periods have always been irregular and usually very light. So I have had questions about, Should I do the low carb thing, and from what I have read on the other posts, it's not really recommended for thin cysters. So that's good to know. Anyone who would like to give a new thin cyster advice on what has worked best in trying to conceive, I am all ears! Thanks and good luck to everyone out there who wants a baby as much as I do - hopefully 2004 is our year!

waiting for first · 01-02-2004, 06:39 PM

I'm a thin cyster w/ very few external symptoms. I have irregular periods, no ovulation, and maybe a smidge more body hair than I'd like, but I'm also fairly dark complected. I do have cystic ovaries. 2-3 symptoms such as those above can be enough to diagnose pcos. I have elevated testosterone, higher end of normal dhea-s, and elevated androstenedione. Have you had bloodwork done? It is helpful to know if you have elevated androgens (male hormones). Some cysters also have issues w/ their LH/FSH ration (two other hormones) but my ratio is normal.
I was tested for insulin resistance, but my tests all came back normal. HOwever, the newest research says Metformin can help women ovulate even if they aren't technically IR. Researchers aren't sure why, but they speculate that we cysters may all be IR to some degree regardless of what the test shows (the 2 hour GTT is commonly used but may not be sensitive enough to pick up all cases of IR, or we may have just a weird sensitivity to insulin, perhaps not a significant elevation like some cysters). IN any case, I switched from one RE (reproductive endocrinoloigst) to another in order to find someone more up to date on the latest research. My first RE didn't believe in metformin for thin, non IR cysters, but my 2nd RE thought it might help.
I never responded to clomid, I only did one cycle of met and clomid (was on met only a few weeks before starting gonal F injectables.). If I had stayed on met alone or with clomid longer, maybe we wouldn't have needed gonal F, but at that point I was ready to move onto more aggressive measures. We conceived on our first ovulatory round of injectables (first cycle was cancelled due to overstimming, never O'd; my 2nd cycle I took a very very low dose, O'd and got pg with an IUI) and I'll be 33 weeks tomorrow. I stayed on met through the first trimester. THat is the major reason in my mind to consider getting on met, whether or not you are technically IR...it significantly lowers the m/c rate from as high as 40-50% in many cysters to those of non PCOS women, which is about a 15% m/c rate. I didn't want to go through all of the IF treatments and lose the baby if met might even possibly help.
Whether you are thin or not, most researchers today seem to think there is still an insulin connection w/ PCOS. THe elevated androgens are most likely a result of abnormal insulin in all cysters, no matter what the GTT shows. THe GTT simply wasn't designed to pick up on more subtle abnormalities. IF you look at the researach articles, they are getting good results giving met to thin, non IR women. It is worth investigating for yourself. I felt VERY strongly about met. I plan to go back on it after I stop BFing.

Beth

Sarita · 01-02-2004, 07:23 PM

Thanks Beth.

I don't know what my hormone levels are, but I have had lots of bloodwork done, and whatever the results were lead my doctor to diagnose me with PCOS. I have been "taking a break" from everything since August (except continuing Actos through last week). I don't think the Actos did anything for me. Anyway, with the new year, I have been feeling that it is time to get back in to see my doctor, and perhaps consider seeing a fertility specialist (neither my husband nor I are getting any younger). But I just have this feeling that if I get a few of the right pieces in place ... the right medication for me, diet, ... I don't know ... that I could ovulate without turning to the more aggresive measures. I started my break when the next step would have been for me to ovulate, for my husband to provide a "specimen," for me to run it to the doctor, and have them inject it into me with a catheder. I guess you do what you have to do, but ... I don't know. I didn't feel comfortable with that step at that time, I guess. Anyway, thanks for the info on Metformin. Pehaps I should research some articles and bring them into my doctor. She seems pretty open to newer research as she is a reletively new doctor herself. Congratulations on the pregnancy - it gives me hope! Take care!

lissadell · 01-03-2004, 12:26 AM

Hi Sarita,

Welcome! I’m a thin cyster too. We’re TTC #1, so I can’t tell you what has worked for me (yet!), but I did want to share with you a couple of research articles. These suggest that insulin-sensitizing drugs are helpful for thin women with PCOS:

Lean Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Respond to Insulin Reduction with Decreases in Ovarian P450c17 Activity and Serum Androgens

“Weight loss is first-line therapy for obese women with PCOS, but is not a therapeutic option for nonobese women with the disorder. The clinical importance of our findings is that they suggest that even normal weight and thin women with PCOS should respond to pharmacological measures to improve insulin sensitivity, such as administration of agents like metformin, with decreases in ovarian androgen production and serum androgens.”

http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/con...ull/82/12/4075

Insulin-sensitizing Medications Aid Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Even Without Insulin Resistance, Obesity

“Treatment with insulin-sensitizing medications such as metformin (Glucophage) promotes ovulation and reduces testosterone levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), even if they are relatively lean and insulin-responsive.”

http://www.docguide.com/news/content...Other&count=10

I’ve seen some studies recently that suggest that PCOS is caused by a defect in fat breakdown in our fat storage cells – and that this defect can be present even in thin, non IR women. Apparently, a similar defect is present individuals with insulin resistance. This suggests that, although not all PCOS women have IR, we may have a similar problem as individuals with IR – which explains why insulin-sensitizers work well for our condition.

If you haven’t already consulted an endo, I highly recommend it. I’ve never had success with a GP or OB/GYN treating me appropriately (did finally beg my OB/GYN to put me on Metformin…and she relented), but just switched to a new endo and am much happier with her approach. Just waiting for a new cycle to start so I can get some bloodwork done and likely up my MetER dose. Like you, I am a little hesitant to see a fertility specialist…just doesn’t feel right to me right now. I think the right medication, combined with appropriate diet, exercise, etc. will get me back on track. Sound like you’re of the same mindset.

Best of luck and glad you found SoulCysters! It’s a terrific site with lots of knowledgeable, supportive ladies.

Take care

Lissa

Sarita · 01-03-2004, 01:47 PM

Thanks Lissa!

Are Glucophage and Metformin the same or similar? Because I tried Glucophage and could not tolerate the GI side affects.

What is an endo?

Yes, exercize, weight training .... I have really fallen off the wagon these last few months, but that is one of my new year's resolutions - to get back into the gym. In fact, I should probably get off the computer and go now. :-)

Thanks again and good luck!

lissadell · 01-03-2004, 06:17 PM

Hi Sarita,

Sorry...guess you haven't been assimilated to all the lingo yet! Metformin is the generic of Glucophage. You may be able to tolerate the extended release version of the drug (Metformin ER, or MetER for short and Glucophage XR, aka, GlucXR ). These versions release the medication into your system over time vs. all at once, which decreases side effects. I've been on the extended release forms of the drugs and had no side effects. I started out with GlucXR, but recently switched to MetER, since it's significantly less expensive for me.

An "endo" is an endocrinologist.

Good luck!

Lissa

Chrissy · 01-04-2004, 07:03 PM

Hi and welcome to Soulcysters! I have always used bcpills to help with the PCOS and get a regular period. I used Clomid to get pregnant and am now trying Avandia instead of bc pills. So far I have had very good luck with the Avandia. It is much kinder to the tummy than metformin. Absolutely no stomach side affects. I don't test IR but the medication is definately working for me. Get as much information as you can and fight for your health!!! There are so many thin cysters out there yet we don't get treated appropriately because of the stereotypes of this syndrome.

jemma · 01-11-2004, 06:01 PM

Hi Sarita,

I have to say that you sound exactly like me. I am thin and don't have a lot of the symptoms. I might have a bit more hair than I would like, but I am chalking that up to ethnicity and heredity. I also have a very light period, but it is pretty regular these days. I started taking a vitamin that has vitex, dong quai, and wild yam in it and I think maybe that has helped to make my period come every 28 days. My blood tests all came back "normal", but my ultrasound shows polycystic ovaries. I was late getting my period as a teenager and they have always been extremely light. If you find anything out I would love to hear about it. Thanks!

Jemma

jemma · 01-13-2004, 12:02 PM

Hi again Sarita,

I just noticed that you had a miscarriage in 1996. I'm sorry to hear that. How far along were you? I guess I feel like since my symptoms are so similar to yours I am very interested in hearing about you and your success conceiving. I am not currently trying to conceive, but I will be in the future and I've always been nervous about not being able to either get pregnant or sustain a pregnancy. I would love to keep in touch with you and find out which methods you are trying and what is working best for you. If you can email me at sheela18@yahoo.com I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

Jemma

sapphiremommy · 01-23-2004, 04:08 PM

I'm a thin cyster too. I have no symptoms other than cystic ovaries and irregular periods. My blood work has always come back normal. I just had a baby in September!! So it's certainly possible for us thin cysters to get pregnant. I tried clomid but that didn't work. I got pregnant with the herb vitex within two months of starting it! My son is now 4 months and very healthy!

Good luck! For #2 I'm going straight to vitex again!

jemma · 01-24-2004, 11:38 AM

Thanks for your post! I don't think I've read a post of someone that sounded like me, and was able to get pregnant. It gives me hope for myself. Thanks!
Jemma

*DesertRose* · 01-24-2004, 03:49 PM

Hi,

I am a thin cyster too. I don't think that anybody could ever tell from my appearance that I have PCOS. I have the classic poly-cystic ovaries and irregular periods/ovulation.

When I conceived, I was following a moderate carb diet (just tried to eat less sweets and sugary stuff and switched to whole-wheat products) and exercised daily for 30 minutes. I also went for acupuncture/reflexology once a week and took herbs.

After two months I found out that I was pregnant

- thank God ~

wsunurse03 · 02-10-2004, 02:48 PM

i also have no other symptoms but no ovulation and as soon as i got off bc i got achne. i have regular periods but they are about 45 days apart. but i do have the cysts on my ovaries. all of my labs are normal except my cholesterol is borderline. i tried provera and clomid did not o after three months now i'm on glucophage 1500 mg. this is my first month and my md is hopefull that the glucophage should do it for me. good luck

kloc12 · 02-12-2004, 02:10 PM

I have a question. Just being on Metformin alone, will that help me get my period? Or will I need to be on BCPs to make me bleed?

sonshine_rae · 02-12-2004, 05:36 PM

there are things like Prometrium (progesterone supplements) or other products that will help induce bleeding.. BCP's are not the only options... especially not if your currently TTC.

Women do talk of Met bringing on their periods.. though it usually doesn't happen right away could be a month or two or more even.

I'm on Avandamet.. and it's helping me in the opposite way for now.. I used to bleed nearly all the time.. so I'm having some wonderful time without bleeding. Since I had anovulatory bleeding.. we'll see 'if' this will cause me to ovulate an bleed properly.. I'm hopeful.. it's changed a LOT so far an I've not even been on it a month yet.

~Rae~