Re: A light at the end of the tunnel?
From: Kay (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 28 Jun 2000 14:56:14 -0500 (CDT)
Dear D.--The problem with treating PCOS (or a potential case of it) with
just hormones is that the root cause of insulin resistance is never
treated. BCP's will mask some of the symptoms, but will do nothing for
the insulin resistance, which can develop into problems such as
diabetes, heart disease, etc.
--
Kay1
At Wed, 28 Jun 2000, D. wrote:
>
>I am so glad to have found this web page. During a recent physical, I
>discussed with my doctor some of the current health concerns that I
>have. Based on our conversation, she decided that I was displaying
>symptoms of perimenopause, and offered me a prescription for birth
>control pills. I declined. I am 36 years old, and I smoke. We both
>agreed that my hormones were out of whack, and it seems that
>perimenopause was the only diagnosis that she was willing (or able) to
>make. A blood sample was taken, and my thyroid hormone level was "in
>the normal range". I decided that more research was in order. If my
>hormones were out of whack, I wanted to know why. I'm just not willing
>to accept that I am displaying the symptoms of perimenopause at the age
>of 36 years.
>
>I am the second youngest child in a family of eight children. I have
>only one sister, she has 4 children, the rest are brothers. I have one
>child, and it took me 6 years and a miscarriage to be blessed with him.
>He is now 7 years old, we use no birth control, and so far nothing. I
>wouldn't say that I'm infertile, but I do have problems with conception.
>I suffer from extremely painful ovulation every month. My cycles,
>always regular, have been shorter than normal for the last 7 months. I
>have never skipped a cycle in my life with the exception of my
>pregnancies. My periods are extremely heavy, lengthy, and quite
>painful.
>
>The hair......my goodness....the hair. In the last year I've sprouted a
>mustache thicker than my husbands. The hair on my legs has become much
>coarser and darker, and I've now got a line of hair from my navel to the
>pubic area, which itself has decided to start traveling down my thighs.
>Two nights ago during a soak in the tub, I noticed black, coarse, inch
>long hairs on my arms. Not many, a dozen or so on each arm. Hair on my
>breasts around the nipples...again long dark and coarse. I'm a natural
>blonde with very fair skin. I've noticed no thinning of the hair on my
>scalp thus far.
>
>My entire body shape has changed, also. I have no waist to speak of
>anymore. Definitely gaining weight in a male pattern.....lower abdomen,
>hips. Thickening in the upper back and arms. My voice has gotten
>huskier and deeper. I feel as if I'm turning into a man. But then men
>don't have mood swings like I do, do they?
>
>I've bookmarked the page that Michelle gave the link to down below (PCOS
>FAQ page). I seem to fit the profile of PCOS with the exception of my
>periods. Where most PCOS sufferers experience absent or sporadic
>periods, I've been experiencing just the opposite. Do I accept the
>diagnosis of perimenopause and treat the symptoms with hormones? Or do I
>pursue this further and push for further tests for hyperinsulinemia? The
>way my HMO works, it is indeed going to take alot of pushing on my part,
>but I'm willing to do that. Any input you may have for me will be
>greatly appreciated. I also have to do some more research.
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