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Re: confused about my treatment
From: Dona (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 17 Oct 2001 18:09:43 -0500 (CDT)
Hi Kim and Lori, If you are IR it can screw up your hormones...do you
have excess testosterone? I have a few wiskers too ,but it is from the
insulin resistance causing my testosterone levels to be higher than
normal.Usually a diagnosis of PCOS is made from more than just one
symptom...it is like putting pieces of a puzzle together
Excess hair on face or other parts of body or hair loss on head= excess
androgen production (testosterone)
Insulin reisitance= weight problems,diabtes in future,heart
diseas,excess androgen,PCOS
can be with or without cysts.with or without excess hair.PCOS is
actually missnamed because you do not have to have all the symptoms to
have it and you do not have to have cysts as you said earlier...but
usually being IR,overwieght and having chin hairs is a very STRONG
indication for it.My Doctor knew just by looking at me!But he still ran
tests to be sure.
Hope I helped,although you proabably have heard or read it all
before.Dona
>At Mon, 15 Oct 2001, Lori wrote:
>Kim-
>
>Do you have a low thyroid? I have a low thyroid and found out when my hair
>dresser noticed I was loosing hair. I know that certain meds and hormonal
>times (i.e. during pregnancy) can really make these levels fluctuate.
>
>I am in a similar scenario as you - questioning my diagnosis. I was just
>diagnosed with PCOS in April. I know that you can have PCOS without cysts
>(I wrote to the board before and everyone helped me understand better). I
>don't have cysts, I am only slightly over weight (@20 lbs) - I do carry it
>in the middle and I have been told that I have some insulin resistance - I
>am currently on 500mg of metformin a day which is low but the doctor said I
>do not need higher levels. Another doctor a year ago screened me for PCOS
>and said I didn't have it but that I did have some insulin resistance which
>should be controlled by a lower carb diet. I only get a few whiskers on my
>lower chin that I pull out about once month or so. I have recently found
>out that my great grandmother and 2 grandparents are diabetic. I am going
>into the doctor tommorrow to find out exactly what made him diagnose the
>PCOS. If that is what I have, fine - but if not, I want to make sure I am
>treating the right thing - make sure I am not really border line diabetic or
>something.
>
>I think we have to keep searching until we are comfortable with our
>diagnosis and thereby our treatment program.
>
>Lori
>
>>>----- Original Message -----
>From: <anonymous@obgyn.net>
>To: "Multiple recipients of list PCOS-MEDICATION"
><pcos-medication@mail.medispecialty.com>
>Sent: Monday, October 15, 2001 1:30 PM
>Subject: Re: confused about my treatment
>
>> Munchichic -
>>
>> Thanks for your reply. I agree, that there is probably no need for
>> insulin sensitising drugs.
>>
>> I guess I'm one of those that falls under the loose definition of pcos.
>>
>> I went to another obgyn at a university in an attempt to get to a
>> reproductive endo. But she dismissed my hairloss as merely cosmetic,
>> and didn't think I needed to see the university endo, so no referral.
>>
>> I guess I just got frustrated and decided to put the doctor hunt on hold
>> for a while while I tried quitting bcps for a few months. I'm at 6
>> months bcp free now and my hair is still making the great exodus from my
>> head so I think I need to examine other things.
>>
>> I've gotten about 3 blood tests so far in the last year and my
>> testostorone tested high in all of them. My doctor thinks I'm
>> exageratting about my hairloss, but will listen to and work with me, but
>> I agree I need to find someone who has more answers. He at least takes
>> my problem serious enough to not dismiss me and will talk with me about
>> things I've read or theories I've found. I'm not ready to completely
>> get rid of him yet for that reason. but...
>>
>> I think where I'm most frustrated is that I've been given this diagnosis
>> of pcos. Several doctors agree, but the disease's base is that of
>> insulin resistance and or cysts on the ovaries. So, if that isn't the
>> root of my problem then what is?
>>
>> No doctor will answer this for me (yet) and that's where I get so
>> frustrated.
>>
>> I know that even if Spiro was the answer now (it isn't) it can't be
>> forever. Especially since I want children one day. I think it has
>> decreased my testostorone a bit. But as far as taking care of my
>> symptoms, it hasn't done
>> much.
>>
>> You're right. I need another doctor. I gave up too soon. thanks.
>>
>> -Kim
>>
>> At Thu, 11 Oct 2001, Munchichic wrote:
>> >
>> >Hi Kim,
>> >Unfortunately, there really INS'T a textbook case for PCOS. We ALL have
>> >different symptoms and you don't HAVE to any certain one(s) to be
>> >correctly Dx as HAVING PCOS. If you're insulin levels are good and your
>> >glucose seems to be normal, then really, you DON'T need any insulin
>> >sensitizing meds. Think about it, why take a pill for a condition you
>> >DON'T have?? Many women have facial hair that is not related to higher
>> >testosterone levels. Considering the fact that you're taking Spiro and
>> >still have the same levels (granted it can take 6 months or so for the
>> >Spiro to be in it's full effect), then that is an indication that it's
>> >NOT higher testosterone levels that is causing your hair growth, so
>> >there may be no reason for you to be on the Spiro. Have you seen a
>> >Reproductive Endocrinologist?? These Doctors are the best to see for
>> >women with PCOS. I strongly suggest getting a 2nd opinion and have your
>> >insulin, testosterone, estrogen, etc. levels re-examined. Have you
>> >ever taken an IGTT? (Impaired Glucose Tolerance Test). Have you been
>> >tested to check your "Free testosterone" levels? Right off the bat, it
>> >doesn't SEEM like you have PCOS, but I'm certainly NOT a Dr. and can't
>> >"professionally" say that. Then again, with how differently PCOS
>> >presents itself in every woman, it's hard to tell if you really do or
>> >don't have it. Get a 2nd opinion and have your blood work re-evaluated.
>> >If you don't have high levels of testosterone and you show no signs of
>> >insulin problems--then you shouldn't be asking for insulin sensitizing
>> >meds and you shouldn't be on the Spiro (unless you're mainly on it as a
>> >diuretic). No one should take medicaitons that they do not need, and I
>> >certainly understand your concern. Go see a different Dr (preferrably
>> >an RE) who can take a good look at your levels. You may not have PCOS,
>> >but you won't know until you find the "right Doctor" who can explain
>> >your symptoms and reasons for them to you better. Good luck.
>> >
>> >At Thu, 11 Oct 2001, kim wrote:
>> >>
>> >>I have a question about my current treatment, I was hoping somebody can
>> >>help me with.
>> >>
>> >>I was diagnosed with pcos last fall. I've been totally confused though,
>> >>since it doesn't seem to fall in line with a textbook case.
>> >>
>> >>My only complaint before last fall were some whiskers I had to pluck
>> >>daily and some acne right before my period. In fact, when I got tested
>> >>5 yrs ago my levels came back normal.
>> >>
>> >>So imagine my suprise when last spring I take a bcp (ortho tri) for the
>> >>first time in my life and my hair starts to shed. I then switched to a
>> >>new one (levlite) and the problem with my whiskers and shedding head
>> >>hair increases about 10 -fold!
>> >>
>> >>I switched to Mircette and then went on Spiro in Dec. Decided that the
>> >>bcp had to go in May and am still on Spiro(200mgs) right now. No
>> >>change.
>> >>
>> >>Here's the thing. My weight is relatively normal (have gained about 8
>> >>pounds in the last 6 months) putting me at about 125 lbs at 5'2". My
>> >>testostorone tested high right after going off of levlite (102) it went
>> >>down to 82 on Mircette and Aldactone and down to 80 off of mircette and
>> >>on Spiro (i know they're the same thing).
>> >>
>> >>My insulin tested normal in all tests. Maybe borderline hypoglycemic if
>> >>anything. So my obgyn refuses to give me met or any insulin sensatizing
>> >>drug.
>> >>
>> >>So where's all these androgens coming from? Am I doing the right thing
>> >>here?
>> >>
>> >>I was okay with out any medication before. I can deal with plucking but
>> >>I'm not sure I can deal with wearing a wig for the rest of my life.
>> >>
>> >>Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
>> >>
>> >>Thanks! - Kim
>> >
>> >--
>> >"Laughter is the best medicine, but sometimes we all
>> >just need a friend."--Munchichic :)
>> >
>>
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