Re: giving up on Spiro--DONT, HANG IN THERE!!!!!!!!!!!
From: Kimberly (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 12 Jan 2001 17:02:01 -0600 (CST)
As an added note--most important! I have had 2 consecutive
periods---wooohooo! Everything is working on its own.
At Fri, 12 Jan 2001, Kimberly wrote:
>
>Please don't give up on Spiro. PCOS has so many side effects and awful
>symptoms that are very depressing. I have lived with them for
>years..but I decided to fight back. I have been on Actos and Spiro for
>6 weeks now and am having great results. I am also taking Synthroid for
>my thyroid. I have lost over 25lb in the 6weeks, but I have been
>watching all my carbs & really trying to change my attitude towards
>food. Before the meds, I was a mess. My skin was horrible with acne
>breakouts and not real pretty hair growth. No periods, overweight, &
>unhappy.Horrible cholesterol & triglycerides...etc. The hair on my head
>was falling out, while hair was growing insanely on parts of my body
>that I was mortified! Fortunetly, I found a doctor here in Dallas that
>was willing & knowledgeable in the treatment of PCOS. First, get your
>insulin & glucose checked. Are you taking Met, Avandia, or Actos? If
>not, get on one of them--regulating your insulin is the best way to make
>everything else fall into order! I do recommend Actos--no side effects!!
>:-) Spiro will work in combination with the insulin sensitizer to help
>the excessive hair growth. Second, re-evaluate your diet. PCOS'ers
>need to control carbohydrates! Carbs elevate your insulin, excessive
>insulin will lead to increased absorbtion of testosterone---leading to
>cysts, acne flare ups,unusual hair growth, & high cholesterol/tri's.
>Spiro can help block the reabsorbtion of the excess testosterone. You
>have to help it though by going easy on carbs. Third, if you have an
>underactive thyroid, which is common with PCOS, this can lead to hair
>loss. Also if you are taking Synthroid for that, any changes in your
>dosage can cause your hair to fall out. I was complaining about hair
>loss to my new Dr,only to find out that it was due to a change in
>doseage by my previous doctor. If you quit Synthroid, or skip
>doses---expect the same result. Please talk to your doctor though,
>information is your best defense. Know about your condition and don't
>be afraid to talk to you doctor. I'm only on Spiro 50mg's--2x's a day,
>but my skin is great now--I can chunk my vat of acne medication &
>concealer & as far as the hair. Well, the hair is there to stay once
>the follicle is active. Spiro will only help reduce new growth. I had
>laser hair removal on my chin. What a great investment!!! Girls, it's
>like a new form of freedom not to have to worry if my "stubble" is
>showing. Forget the razor--get laser! Ok, now I'm off my box. Sue,
>dont give up. You can do this! God Bless you and good luck!! Peace and
>love, Kimberly.
>
>At Sat, 6 Jan 2001, Sue wrote:
>>
>>>It's been 3 months now. I've been on 100mg/day of spironolactone and my acne hasn't gotten any better so I'm thinking of stopping it.... Any advice?<
>>
>>Spiro is really an effective drug, but you haven't given it long enough
>>(you might need a higher dose as well). Most of us do pretty well at
>>200 mg per day; to see optimal results, you must wait at least 5-6 mos.
>>At that "magical point" for me, it was amazing--the hair stopped falling
>>out of the top of my head and I definitely had slowed growth on my chin
>>and neck.
>>
>>I, too, was on minocyn but couldn't handle the indigestion (and
>>involuntarily "revisiting" my meals--if you catch my drift), so I
>>switched down to another antibiotic. If your skin is dry, then you need
>>to consider a moisturizer. Contrary to popular belief, acne isn't so
>>much affected by something "clogging" your pores from the outside (like
>>makeup or a moisturizer) as it is from bacteria and stuff clogging them
>>from the inside of your body--as evidenced by the fact that antibiotics
>>work well to control it. Try a "non-comedogenic" moisturizer--I use
>>something from Avon called "Nurtura" and it does a great job. I'm also
>>off the antibiotic now and the spiro is doing well keeping the acne at
>>bay and the hair on my chin at a slower growth rate.
>>
>>Good luck!
--
Kendra,
I have been on the tour of duty in Dallas trying to find an Endocrinologist/Gyno..anyone to help with PCOS. It can be overwhelming & disheartening. I have been to Dr. Feinstein, he's a good Endo, but be prepared to be treated like a number & cash cow. I did not like his unpersonal demeanor & his office staff was unsympathetic at times, but that is only my opinion. I saw a Gyno in Bedford yesterday, a bit far ( I live in Richardson), but what an amazing office and great staff. He's very upfront & open minded about treating PCOS and his staff is truly some of the most down to earth & friendly people. He invited me into his office to discuss my whole "tour of duty", gave me options I had never been given, was sympathetic, understanding & gave me a treatment plan. I started Actos, Aldactone & Adipex today along with a low carb diet plan. I feel blessed to have found him, which was through someone in the DFW PCOS support group. His name is Dr. Stephen Farmer. He has a website: http://www.doctorfarmer.com ...please check it out. I highly recommend him. Please feel free to email me personally & I will discuss anything with you. Good luck and God bless you. Kimberly
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