Re: Health is improving from severe PCOS. Some important questions......will appreciate any help!:)
From: Celeste (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 26 Mar 2001 10:36:04 -0600 (CST)
At Sat, 24 Mar 2001, anonymous wrote:
>
My thoughts:
1. Spiro helped me lose weight too. I have been lowcarbing with a
vengeance and have gone off of my Spiro/BCP regimen to see if lowcarbing
is enough, and it turns out that it is not. Once I start them back up,
I can lose again. Spiro has two actions, one it is a mild diuretic and
reduces swelling, two it blocks testosterone from its effects on our
ovaries, hair, and skin. I don't know if it helps insulin go down; I
suspect that your lowcarbing is doing that for you. As far as I have
been told, you can stay on Spiro for life. Unlike stronger diuretics
that strain the kidneys, Spiro does not do this.
2. I too have to take a BCP to cycle; it just won't happen without
help. They have learned that for some women, it's just safer and easier
for them to stay on BCPs throughout menopause and instead of hormone
replacement later on in life. I think I may be one of them! The BCPs
they have now are much milder (ie lower dose) than the ones in the 60s.
I find they make my system much more natural than it was without help.
3. Diabetes is not always an outcome of insulin resistance or PCOS,
it's just a lot higher risk. By cutting back on your carbs while your
sugar levels were still okay, you are doing the single best thing for
yourself in the long run. You are wise to keep an eye on it, because if
it goes up the insulin sensitizing drugs can help improve things and
keep you avoiding diabetes. I feel this is all worth doing, as it's
lots harder to get rid of diabetes than to prevent it. Atkins and the
book "Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution" both say that lowering carbs
can reverse diabetes.
4. Menopause happens to us, but it's different. I'm not quite there
yet, but I'll know before you it sounds like. :o) Lots of women report
things get better since high levels of hormones drop, but it doesn't
sound like we have so much trouble with hot flashes. We have already
learned to deal with hair issues, and they say that we don't suffer the
lowered sex drive that the normal ladies find. They really make it
sound like menopause is our friend. I do know from reading bits of
Thatcher's new book online (it will be published this December) that
they think a lot of the relief comes from the ovaries shutting down,
though they do report that getting a hysterectomy when you are younger
does not relieve the symptoms. There is still something they do not
know about what the shutdown does.
Hope this helps! I research like crazy because this is something I will
have to deal with all of my life. Congratulations on looking and
feeling better! You are an inspiration.
--
Celeste
>Ive had people over the last few months, tell me I am looking better and
>I have been losing weight slowly but some have noticed my weight loss as
>of late. I do know my mobility has increased. I am tons of medications
>and just started on Metformin 500mg last week, I am sure I will have
>drug increased. Remember I am the person who had the huge 350lb weight
>gain in 28 months and got to the 600s. I also had hypothyroidism and
>pseudo-Cushings from steroids/severe stress-I worked with violent youth
>two years of the gain--- adding to my it. I am down to the mid400s
>somewhere. This has been by very slow weight loss-50-60lbs a year. I
>changed my diet a LOT. It seems to have helped. The only carb I allow
>myself to eat is pasta. ALl my bread must be unprocessed grains. Also
>I never eat fruit or fruit juices and have limited sugar greatly. I
>have noticed good fats in small portions seem to control hunger
>greatly--nuts, seeds, avacados, tuna.
>
>My doctor has told me he has seen me improving and told me KEep up the
>Good work! He was part of my healing process, was willing to listen
>about PCOS and learn and also was the first doctor that didnt deem my
>situation as hopeless.
>
>Here are some questions that I have been wondering about:
>
>1. WHy did spiro have some a huge effect on my health? This is one
>thing that Ive been questioning. Im GLAD! dont get me wrong but this
>drug changed my looks GREATLY for the better. I laugh and call it my
>beauty pill, also, it helped me lose weight, I have never seen that
>affect anywhere else. OK here is the question:
>
>I am afraid that one day I will have to stop taking spiro and that my
>bloated face, greyish,thick skin and weight will come back. HOW LONG
>CAN A PERSON STAY ON SPIRO???In me it is also used to combat edema due
>to my high weight. I told my husband the other day, I hope I never have
>to go off this drug!
>
>2. I have been on Demeluen birth control for over 8 years. I do not
>have a period without this drug. I stopped having periods for at 21
>years of age. I was paranoid about getting pregnant so when I got into
>my relationship with my husband I started on this drug for good when I
>was only 24 and half years old. My doctor told me I would have uterine
>cancer most likely if I have not. I am concerned about having been on
>this drug so long. My doctor thinks I should stay on it. For now I am
>deciding too, because he was so adamant. My last uterine scan this fall
>was negative for any build up etc. Ok heres the question...
>
>How long can someone stay on birth control? Im infertile due to the
>severity of my PCOS and I am wondering if the risks outweight the
>benefits. I am also worried that I have been on this drug for so long.
>I still have 12- 20 years until supposed menopause.
>
>3. If one is insulin resistance is diabetes an outcome always? I was
>bordering on diabetes closer when I weighed in the 600s. I had fasting
>blood sugars of 127. Now those are down to 101. I dont know what
>effect Metformin will have on this yet. Am I consigned to Diabetes in
>my future due to having PCOS? or is their a way to fight it. Can one
>beat diabetes in other words?
>
>4. Final question to a very LOOONNNGG POST. Im glad if youve read this
>far....DO PCOSers go through MENOPAUSE? Someone told me we do, I asked
>WHy? That seems unfair! LOL:)
--
Celeste
![[ PCOS Discussion Forums ]](../../images/pcos_at_obgyn.gif)