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Re: PCOS and Spironolactone
From: Marna (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 26 Jul 2002 09:50:34 -0500 (CDT)
Thanks for the input Pat. She has been off the glucophage for over a
year and the weight has only started to come back on in the last 2 1/2
months, although I note that it's all around her mid-section. I have a
call into her CCF pediatric endocrinologist to talk to her about these
concerns. However, it seems to me that I'm the one putting in the
online research. Another problem that has come up is her cholesterol
which has jumped in 1 1/2 years from 184 to 292. I did some research
yesterday and found a study that found that teens on birth control pills
had higher Cholesterol levels. We will be doing blood work again in
about a month to differentiate the good and bad cholesterol, check
hormone levels and have a fasting glucose. I think it also might be a
good idea to check her pituitary gland.
At Fri, 26 Jul 2002, Pat wrote:
>
>The teen years are very hard, as folks are learning to be independant,
>and don't always want the suggestion of their parents...to be right !
>Does she have a good health care provider she can talk to, who will
>explain things to her? The carbs are what is making everything worse,
>and I suspect stopping the Metformin has triggered sort of a rebound
>effect and thus the weight gain. Of course she loves carbs, but that
>will be like poison to her and only make everything worse.
>As far as exercise goes, have you considered something like Curves ? It
>is a small group and everyone seems very sensitive and supportive of
>each other. Also, walking and biking are two exercises that you two
>could even do together. They are more solo. Although she might not to
>be seen with her mother. Being th e mom of a teen is very hard, I am
>sure. At some point she needs to realize that she is the responsible
>one for what she does, and if she does things now that will help her,
>she will feel better years from now. I would hope that maybe she could
>get back on the Glucophage, as it sounds to me like that was really
>helping. Pat.
>
>At Thu, 25 Jul 2002, Marna wrote:
>>
>>Glucophage was discontinued because of the side effects, although blood
>>tests 2 weeks ago show that her glucose level is still within normal
>>limits. I'm not sure if that means her insulin resistance is under
>>control or that her body is somehow compensating. You're right, it is
>>very, very hard with a teenager. Although she's a wonderful young lady,
>>I've had and am still having a very difficult time with the carb issue.
>>I just happened upon a site that offers low carb bakery, pasta, etc. and
>>we are going to try a few things from there to see if that will help in
>>the carb arena. She craves them and loves eating them and, although I
>>won't supply them for her, she is not with me all the time. I will
>>order the book for her and have her read it. As far as exercise, I'm
>>beginning to think it's a loosing battle. She's a very shy, introverted
>>child and getting her involved is next to impossible without a war. Any
>>suggestions?
>>
>>At Thu, 25 Jul 2002, Pat wrote:
>>>
>>>So, why was the Glucophage discontinued ?
>>>Is she eating carbs carefully, like avoiding starchy carbs, sugar,
>>>flour, pasta and empty calories. Very hard for a teenageer. Is she
>>>doing some kind of exercise every day? Theste two things, the lower
>>>carbs and exercise really help avoid the weight gain.
>>>
>>>PCOS is hormonal system out of balance, so it is hard to say what causes
>>>what. Has she read the book Living with PCOS
>>>[http://home.attbi.com/~cnmpat/womanhlth.html#LivingwithPCOS]. It might
>>>help her to understand what is happening. There are some other good
>>>books, but that one is one she can probably read and find helpful:
>>>http://www.midwivesofwa.org/pcos.htm
>>>
>>>--
>>>Pat Sonnenstuhl, ARNP, CNM, MS
>>>PCOS Support
>>>Editorial Advisor PCOS Pavilion
>>>http://www.obgyn.net/pcos/pcos.asp
>>>http://www.midwivesofwa.org/pcos.htm
>>>http://www.midwivesofwa.org//pcosarticles.htm
>>>>
>>>>I have a 14 year old who was diagnosed 1 1/2 years ago with PCOS. Her
>>>>initial course of medication was Glucophage, which has been
>>>>discontinued. She also takes low dose birth control pills. She was
>>>>then put on Sprinolactone because her Testosterone level was 107 and has
>>>>been taking it for a year. During the last 2.5 months she has started
>>>>to gain weight again, without any change in activity or eating habits.
>>>>She had blood work conducted 2 weeks ago which showed that her
>>>>Testosterone level is down to 17. Although the range is 10 to 50 she
>>>>presently at the low end of the range. Could being at the low end of
>>>>the Testosterone range cause her hormones to be out of balance, thus
>>>>causing the weight gain? Anybody have any input? Thanks.
>>>
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