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Re: Insulin Resistance
From: Joan (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 13 Dec 2000 13:43:58 -0600 (CST)
Kerry,
I appreciate your frustration. I currently take Avandia which is
another insulin sensitizer. I also do not have high blood sugar. I am
however Isulin Resistant. This was measured both by a fasting test and
a 2 hr IGTT test. Since I have been on the medication my Dr. regularly
has me tested to check on the ratio of glucose/insulin to see how I'm
doing. The insulin Sensitizers help your body respond more normally to
insulin. Addressing this problem before the glucose gets high may be
the best approach-left unchecked you could develop diabetes if you are
IR. Treating the IR also should help prevent a number of health
problems associated with IR/diabetes-like heart problems, hypertension
etc....
None of these medications is a miracle weight loss drug. However, one
reason some women have an easier time loosing wieght while on them is
that once their insulin is under better control, the cravings for
carbohydrates are reduced. When the insulin isn't surging and blood
sugar rising and dropping so often, you can relearn what it is to be
hungry and not just satisfying an, albeit physiologically based,
craving.
I have had numerous blood tests for hormonal levels, many ultrasounds
and I also regularly get my liver tested to make sure there are no side
effects from my medication. If your Dr. is not an endocrinologist, you
might consider finding one if you feel you need better monitoring and
better information. I can also recommend Dr. Thatchers book"The Hidden
Epidemic' and the INCIID FAQ-link attached.
I agree that these medications shouldn't be taken lightly. I have found
that more often that not Dr's have not taken my PCOS and the related
health concerns seriously .For me,taking the medication is worth the
risk.
Good Luck
http://www.inciid.org/faq/pcos.html
At Wed, 13 Dec 2000, Kerry wrote:
>
>Hello everyone at PCOSupport. I am new to the organization after my
>newly diagnosed PCO condition. I have been taking Glucophage for 2
>months now and it seems to be helping. My main concern is that my
>fasting glucose numbers were normal yet I am on this drug for
>diabetics??? Does that not concern everyone else who is taking
>Glucophage? This is a powerful drug that we are talking about. Doesn't
>anyone else have serious concerns about what it is doing to your body???
>I have not read a single message that addresses the issue at hand and
>that is: if one has normal blood glucose levels, why should one take
>such a drug? I asked my doctor if there are tests that can better
>determine just how insulin resistant I am - if I am that. The answer to
>my question was a frustrating, well, we don't know what is going on
>hormonally with PCO patients and any more tests for glucose levels would
>not make a difference in treatment. So why take a drug for insulin
>resistance if you can't even find out if you are such to begin with? The
>research for PCO is so new that we are just at the beginning of things.
>Am I the only one who is uneasy about all this? I have also read that
>Glucophage is not for long term use. I believe it is a newly approved
>drug in the Metformin family that is still under watch by the drug
>company - meaning, they don't know the long term side effects yet.
>
>I would really like to know what other types of tests -besides the blood
>test - has everyone gotten? Did anyone get ultrasounds to check their
>ovaries for cysts? My doctor also told me that the test for cysts would
>not be necessary since even if I have them, it would not make a
>difference. Somehow, I can't accept that.
>
>Yes, Glucophage may help you lose weight but did anyone bother to ask
>why? If it is helping you lose weight, what then is the drug doing to
>you? And what will happen when you stop taking it as you must
>eventially? Personally, I started working out on a more consistent
>bases. I have gained a lot of muscle but not lose "weight" per se. I
>think it has helped me lose the fat though and that is what is
>important. As for the message from someone who lost 10lbs without
>effort, I would be careful. It is never healthy to suddenly lose a lot
>of weight for no reason. That is not how our metabolism is suppose to
>work. I don't mean to put down anyone, but I care about what happens.
>And everyone of us who have PCO must always be skeptical of any drugs or
>tests that we receive. Remember, Glucophage is approved for the
>treatment of diabetes but NOT PCO.
>
>I have rambled on...I guess it is the pent up frustrations that I'm sure
>many of you experience with this disorder.
>
>Please comment
>
>--
>Kerry
>
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