Re: Figuring everything out...
From: Sally (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 2 Oct 2001 01:13:24 -0500 (CDT)
Hi,
PCOS is usually diagnosed by family history, blood tests (hormone levels
and glucose tolerance testing) and from symptoms (hair, weight, pimples,
period problems, etc. etc.). Your symptoms seem pretty classic.
Probably you want to find yourself a good reproductive endocrinologist
or just endocrinologist who can help manage this, in addition to your
naturopath. Because some of us really do need medications to help. I
am on Metformin (even though I don't have detectable glucose
intolerance) and Diane-35 an antiandrogen (it blocks the male hormones
that women with PCOS have in excess). I also have hypothyroid and that
is also being treated now. All of that has just been diagnosed in the
past 2 months - quite a bit to come to terms with.
Your naturopath is right: Cutting down on carbs, particularly the highly
refined type can make a big difference. You would have to experiment
with that. It would definitely help with the weight loss.
Don't be scared, though this is a long-term thing, it is not the end of
the world and with a bit of knowledge can be managed.
Best wishes
--
Sally
At Mon, 1 Oct 2001, Heather wrote:
>
>Okay... I'm 32... and in 3 yrs time I gained 80 lbs.... I was
>diagnosed with severe endometriosis last year and had surgery to remove
>several cysts... but I continue to have problems with lactation, acne,
>weight gain predominantly in my mid-section... incredibly moody at
>times and often tire easily...
>
>At my last doc visit my doc said something to the effect that I had
>symptoms characteristic of polycystic ovarian syndrome... she said is
>so matter-of-factly that I was kind of caught off guard... I didn't ask
>any questions and now it's just sinking in... So... I'm searching the
>web for info and I read through the symptoms and I start crying...
>AGAIN! Anyway... I called my naturopath... she's been great at helping
>me fight my endo... and she agreed that a lot of my symptoms point to
>PCOS... SO.... she said the only thing that will help is low or NO
>carbs... So I'm trying to conceive of the idea of no bread or sugar in
>my diet... But my naturopath said that I'd only have to do it for 90
>days until my insulin was regulated... and that after that time I could
>introduce some carbs again but only on a limited basis...
>
>I guess my questions are... How does a doc come up with a diagnosis...
>is it a diagnosis given by an endocrinologist or an ob/gyn? And those of
>you talking about the low carbs... how many grams are you allowed a
>day? And, are you planning on sticking with the diet for a lifetime or
>just a period of time until you get your hormones regulated? And lastly,
>has anyone had endometriosis and PCOS???
>
>Forgive my ignorant questions... I'm just uncovering so much... thanks
>for any information you can offer.
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