Yesterday I had an appointment with a Specialist to discuss Sleep Apnea (of which I have now been dx with) and a possible change in anit-depressants (of which I have been change to Prozac from Paxil).
The Dr did a through examine and considered all of my labs for over the past year. First off he feels I do not have PCOS/IR. That unfortunately, I did not need to be on Met or Actos. Dr stated that many Dr’s are now prescribing Met and Actos a preventive care for future diabetes. He said you are either diabetic or your not. The IR is just a name they give so that over weight people so they are not offended?!?!
To tell you the truth I was a bit shocked at his candor, but happy he was being honest with me. Having Sleep Apnea is a double edged sword (much like PCOS); the extra weight is causes pressure on your air flow thus interfering with your breathing and sleep. Side note, the Dr said my esophagus is the size of a pea?!?! He changed my anti-depressants from Paxil to Prozac, as Paxil causes weight gain and the Prozac is supposed to give you a bit more energy. So I am off the Actos, of which leaves me with my thyroid and anti-depressant meds.
What the Dr had to say gave me a lot to digest for the moment. All and all he was very nice, patient, and understanding. Basically the nicest male Dr I have seen in a very long time.
Interesting, he said the best diet or eating program is Weight Watchers.
I guess what my question is who do you believe?!?!
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The Dr did a through examine and considered all of my labs for over the past year. First off he feels I do not have PCOS/IR. That unfortunately, I did not need to be on Met or Actos. Dr stated that many Dr’s are now prescribing Met and Actos a preventive care for future diabetes. He said you are either diabetic or your not. The IR is just a name they give so that over weight people so they are not offended?!?!
You mean, they call overweight people IR rather than overweight? I thought IR is a prediabetic condition. Does he mean all fat people are insulin resistant?
Have you been on Met or Actos through the whole last year? If so, your labs could be normal because of the meds. I am not sure what to think about this doc. Does he specialize in sleep disorders or what? If so, it's like a gynecologist telling you that your throat is fine, IMO. I don't know. Tell me more!
I have been on Met & Actos the last year those separately. I had a reaction to the Met. My labs before I went on the Met were 99 (fasting), of which my gyno said was boardline diabetic. The Specialist (in overweight conditions, whether genetic or otherwise) said there is no such thing as IR, you are either diabetic or you are not. That many dr in fear of someone becoming diabetic are putting their patients on meds like Met & Actos to avoid them becoming diabetic. He said that being on Met or Actos before there is need puts you at risk for liver failure. They were testing my liver while I was on the meds. Mine is fine no damage detected. He said in order not offend the overweight patients and to scare them onto the right path of a health life style before it becomes to late.
He also noted that Met & Actos are used in other conditions (i.e. infetility to induce ovulation), but if you do not have these conditions you should avoid using them.
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OK, so is this doc is a bariatrician? I think I should see one, because most of my docs haven't a clue about weight problems. Anyway, back to you. Interesting what he said. I haven't a clue myself! Sometimes I think it makes no sense to be on a diabetes drug if I truly have I have the *opposite* of diabetes. This is food for thought, so to speak!
I want to avoid diabetes, but I'd like to also keep my liver doing its thing as well! Yikes.
Have you ever had a fasting insulin test performed? You can have IR and have normal blood sugars. What about your other hormone tests (progesterone, estrogen, androgens, FSH/LH)? Have you had an ultrasound of your ovaries? Was this bariatric specialist also an endo? If not, I would definitely get another opinion.
Insulin resistance is not the same thing as diabetes, but it can lead to it if untreated and it can cause a lot of other hormonal imbalances in the meantime and other medical problems (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and can interfere with thyroid function). A normal fasting glucose test cannot rule out IR.
Btw, sleep apnea is very common with hypothyroidism. I hope you're seeing a good endo for that who is helping to optimize your levels. If not, an enlarged thyroid gland will worsen your sleep apnea.
Linda
__________________ dx pcos 1984, type II diabetes 2001, also hypertension
Met 2000mg since 2001, started Glucophage XR 4/22/04, then switched to Met ER 6/04; also: multi, Vit. C, Vit. E, B12/folic acid combo, fish oil & borage oil combo, garlic capsules, cinnamon, Vitex, calcium with magnesium/zinc, biotin, CoQ10, selenium,iron
Other meds: Verapamil and Altace(for blood pressure)
Started laser hair removal 7/29/03, completed 3/04 (it works!)
UAE for fibroid 3/24/03 and 3/16/04
Btw, sleep apnea is very common with hypothyroidism. I hope you're seeing a good endo for that who is helping to optimize your levels. If not, an enlarged thyroid gland will worsen your sleep apnea.Linda
Actually yes he did mention that my thyroid was very enlarged! Of course that is normal for those who have Hasimotos (as I do).
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Who do you believe??? Do I have PCOS/IR? 
