Re: Figuring everything out...
From: Heather (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 2 Oct 2001 07:21:16 -0500 (CDT)
Sally,
Thanks so much for the information. I was kind of confused as to if I
needed to find an reproductive endocrinologist or not... or just get
rid of the carbs straight away. But I think the first step is finding
the doc and getting the blood tests... then maybe I'll have some more
direction... I think one of the weirdest symptoms I had read about was
skin tags... over the past couple of years I noticed that I was finding
a new skin tag every week or so... but I just blew it off. That
coupled with the acne and the weight gain... and then the lactation...
and how ironic... I've had plenty of doctors in the past few years and
not until now has this even come up. It actually makes me pretty
angry... but at the same time I realize that my health is my
responsibility and I need to be the one pushing forward for the
information and for better healthcare if I'm not satisfied.
I'm going to find a doc today! I'll keep you posted.
--
Heather
At Tue, 2 Oct 2001, Sally wrote:
>
>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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