For those who have PCOS

AppleSmith1226 · 01-23-2008, 05:33 PM

I may be out of the group guys ... reproductive/endo is now saying that I don't have PCOS and that the symptoms are all pre pcos ... because all of my blood work came back normal. He says after I lose 30-40 pounds come back to see him we will run some more test and than we will get the confirmation. But I kinda hope that I don't have the PCOS maybe my band will work alot hell of alot quicker. But I learn alot about the disease but doc says it will all go away once I get my weight intact.

bandster_1007 · 02-06-2008, 09:56 AM

well, i had a big spill in here a few days ago talking about how i had all the symptoms of pcos.

well i went to the doc yesterday, and i do. unfortunatley. he put me on metformin and will put me on spirole (?) for hair growth in about 6 months unless i have lost enough weight to stop the symptoms.

he recommends that i finish my family and have a hysterectomy. Has anyone else had the recommended to them? He told me that i may have to use fertility drugs to conceive. he said there is a chance that i will not need them as i already have a 7 year old (which he said was nothing short of miraculous that i had sex and there was good sperm in the 48 hours out of an entire year that i could have conceived.

so, now i know why weight loss is so slow, but i'm not going to give up.

maybe the metformin will help..who knows..

now i'm trying to decide if i want another baby or if i want a hysterectomy..that seems so scary to me I'M 25.

kiah12 · 02-06-2008, 10:09 AM

Bandster 1007--
I am sorry to hear about the pcos. I, too have the same issue and never has my dr recommended a hysterectomy. I will preface this by saying I am not a dr but have lived with this disease for quite a long time and maybe I can help shed some light as my drs told me.
You are young, and while you may need some help getting pregnant it can be done. If there is nothing wrong with your uterus there is no need for a hysterctomey. PCOS effects your ovaries,not your uterus and it effects your hormones. Removing your uterus will not change your symptoms nor do they recomment removeing your ovaries as that can put you in early menopause. Might I sugguest you see an endocrinologist or a fertility specialist even if you are not interested in conceiving? They may give you more insight into your options.

Also, we conceived after I had a laporscopy and with only ONE tube open, and I am ten years older than you. Take heart and get a second opinion. Not that your dr is wrong, but keep your options open and be informed.
good uck

Mikki

pearlygirl · 02-06-2008, 10:37 AM

Hmm, I'd be a little cautious. Definitely get a 2nd opinion before agreeing to a hysterectomy whether ou're done with having children or not. Does he mesn removing your ovaries too? I would certainly not let him do that and quite honestly, regardless of what they remove it will not solve the problem. Insulin resistance won't be fixed and if they remove your ovaries it will throw you into menopause...yikes!!

lapinND · 02-06-2008, 10:49 AM

I'd also be very hesitant to get a hysterectomy. I was lucky enough to see an endocrinologist from the Mayo Clinic who was fabulous. Here's what he told me: metformin generally helps people lose about 10% of their weight before you hit a plateau. However, it does help stop weight gain. And, with the band, you've got another weapon in your arsenol.

PCOS is a condition thata should be treated by an endocrinologist, not a general paractitioner. I've had my share of experiences with bad doctors (hey, there are good and bad people in all professions.) The only doctors I've experienced who really understand PCOS are endocrinologists. Find one and get an appointment. I had to go out of network and pay a lot of money, but it was worth it to experience a doctor who is both intelligent and understands your condition.

At 25, you have a long life of fertility ahead of you, if you choose to have more children. The metformin might help you conceive, if that's what you want to do right now---it worked for 3 of my friends with PCOS within a few months of using it.

Also, the more you can lose, the better it will get. I've been banded one week only, but already, I've lost a few pounds 14 since the pre-op diet (1 month total), and I'm not even on metformin right now. Stay away from juices, sugary drinks, too many carbs at once, and it will start to work for you, too.

And please please please don't let one rather uninformed doctor sway you.
(Sorry if I sound like I'm preaching....)

georgia girl · 02-06-2008, 11:47 AM

Bandster 1007- I've been diagnosed with PCOS for about 8 years now and no doctor has ever told me I needed a hysterectomy. I also have a child that is almost 2 years old and I believe he was a miracle. You are still young and have plenty of time to have another baby one day. I would definitely get a second opinion and I also recommend going to an Endo. I started seeing an Endo back in November and she has really helped me. She also found that I have other hormonal problems that are not related to PCOS, so it would definitely be a good idea to have more test run because you never know, there could be something else going on too.

I've been on Actos plus metformin for a few weeks now and it has helped with my weight loss, but unfortunately I'm noticing that I am starting to stall again. She prescribed me Spiro something or another, but I've opted not to take it right now. I have heard too many people say that it never helped them and it also can make you more susceptible to pregnancy and I want to wait on having another baby until I'm finished with my weight loss. The metformin can make it easier to get pregnant to, so both of them together may help you have a baby if you that's what you want. I'm not on birth control because I'm having regular cycles and she didn't want to mess with that! Anyway, good luck to you and I hope you get a second opinion, my Endo has really helped me.

bandster_1007 · 02-06-2008, 12:57 PM

wow, we are usually such a slow thread, but you guys really jumped in there and responded to me!!! thank you!!!!

in defense of my doctor he did not say that i HAVE to have a hysterectomy, i should have said that. it is just what he recommends. he said one of two things will cure the problem, a: menopause or b: hysterectomy with hormone therapy and removal of ovaries. he said he can treat me with medicine as long as i like and he is leaving it up to me, but he strongly recommends the hysterectomy as menapause is a long way away.

i'm definately not making any decisions now though. i've seen a lot of people on here who had significant improvement with weight loss and that is what i am hoping for.

thank you all for recommending an endo. i will look into that, but right now i've had my fill of doctors. i think i will take this metformin for a few months and see how i'm doing then, if i'm not getting the results that i want i will contact an endo.

thank you again...all of you for your fast and supportive response. i was depressed last night thinking that this was kind of rushing my plans and forcing me to make a decision early, but right now, i'll just wait....i'll leave it in god's hands.

although i would like to get off my bc. and really leave it in god's hands :)

**coltonwade** · 02-06-2008, 01:34 PM

I actually ASKED My doc for a hysto and she would NOT do it .
She told me at my age ( i was 30 at the time ) its too dangerous , too dangerous to be on hormones for that long if its not needed plus she also said a Hysto is not an approved , recommended or FDA approved treatment for PCOS ! I think you need a second opinion ! Also you will be surprised what weight loss will do for your PCOS and fertility .
Go see an endo for sure. I would make sure you tell them ur other doc recommenced a hysto .
Mindy

Banded08 · 02-10-2008, 10:36 AM

Hi, I'm new and I am so glad I found this thread. My life was turned upside down 2 years ago when I found out I had PCOS. My weight had been going up over the years so I hired a personal trainer and low and behold I gaine over 65 lbs in one year.

After my bullheadedness lost, I finally gave in to all of my many Dr.'s advice and had the surgery. I absolutely cannot believe that I am LOSING WEIGHT!!!!

My question is: After being on Metformin for over 1 year, my body did not respond well at all to it so I began taking Avandamet, does anyone esle take it? Also, I lost weight on the pre-op and one week after but the scale has not moved since. I stopped taking my Advandamet and I am wondering if you think that is the reason why. Thanks for all of your help.

comepickmeup · 02-10-2008, 11:04 AM

Bandster 1007: Definitely check into a reproductive endocrinologist. The two that I have been to have always said that if it's just PCOS, with the help of fertility drugs, those patients end up being their most successful patients when it comes to conceiving. It has never even been mentioned that a hysterectomy should be an option. But they have stated that once their patients lose weight, most end up getting pregnant on their own. So just be patient. You are young and you have time to let the band do its job. Just find yourself a good reproductive endo that is familiar with PCOS and consult with them.

comepickmeup · 02-10-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banded08

Hi, I'm new and I am so glad I found this thread. My life was turned upside down 2 years ago when I found out I had PCOS. My weight had been going up over the years so I hired a personal trainer and low and behold I gaine over 65 lbs in one year.

After my bullheadedness lost, I finally gave in to all of my many Dr.'s advice and had the surgery. I absolutely cannot believe that I am LOSING WEIGHT!!!!

My question is: After being on Metformin for over 1 year, my body did not respond well at all to it so I began taking Avandamet, does anyone esle take it? Also, I lost weight on the pre-op and one week after but the scale has not moved since. I stopped taking my Advandamet and I am wondering if you think that is the reason why. Thanks for all of your help.

I've not heard of Avandamet. BUT I was banded on January 7, 2008 and lost weight during the pre-op and post-op liquid phase of the diet. Once I incorporated mushie food and "real" food, I gained a couple of pounds back. Just went for my first fill this past Wednesday and the doctor said that it was completely normal. Your body will adjust to taking in less calories and start letting go of the weight. Right now, it's still thinking it's starving so it's holding on to it. ha. Or that's how it was explained for me. When were you banded?

Banded08 · 02-10-2008, 11:58 AM

Thanks for the reply, I was banded Jan. 25.

rakes4321 · 02-10-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banded08

Hi, I'm new and I am so glad I found this thread. My life was turned upside down 2 years ago when I found out I had PCOS. My weight had been going up over the years so I hired a personal trainer and low and behold I gaine over 65 lbs in one year.

After my bullheadedness lost, I finally gave in to all of my many Dr.'s advice and had the surgery. I absolutely cannot believe that I am LOSING WEIGHT!!!!

My question is: After being on Metformin for over 1 year, my body did not respond well at all to it so I began taking Avandamet, does anyone esle take it? Also, I lost weight on the pre-op and one week after but the scale has not moved since. I stopped taking my Advandamet and I am wondering if you think that is the reason why. Thanks for all of your help.

My Endo put me on Avandia (change from Metformin-couldn't tolerate it) It sounds like your drug is similar to mine. All of these drugs are not for losing weight; they are for lowering insulin and reversing the insulin resistance. I have lost, total from two week pre-op diet, 24 lbs. I was banded on 1-25-08. Not only is this a healing period, it is also complete confusion as far as your metabolism goes. Our pcos bodies are so use to being in the store fat /burn carb mode, and now for several weeks, you are giving it nothing but clear liquids and protein drinks. I have actually gained 1.5 lbs just by moving to pureed foods. I'm sure you've heard this before, but we have to give our bodies time to adjust. On top of being banded, our bodies are dealing with this silly syndrome and it just needs time to re-boot and figure out how it is going to burn calories in the future. Trust the fact that the science works- less calories in than calories burned and you will loose weight. I started to freak out a bit when the scale started to go up, but then I had to smack myself and stop the cycle of wrong thinking that has invaded my brain for the last 20 years of my life. OUr bodies are amazing, we need to let them do their thing, and not beat ourselves up every time the scale goes up, or doesn't go down. So, I encourage everyone. We have made a decision that has altered the rest of our lives!

miamipeaches467 · 02-10-2008, 08:21 PM

Hi everyone This is my first post. I will be having the Lap band surgery in the end of March. I am very excited. Unlike a lot of others my main goal is not to lose a ton of weight but to lose enough that I can have regular menstal cycles. Due to me having PCOS, I only menstate every 3 months.

In order to be able to menstrate every month, I must lose 60 pounds. This is the only way I will be able to ever get pregnant and have a child. Is their anyone else out there who has had experience with what I am talking about? How long did it take to reach a goal like 6o pounds? Or who is doing this surgery to help them become pregnant in the future? Please respond and tell me your story, advice, or anything else you would like to share.

I am 4'10 and I weigh 170. My goal is 105

How long should it take to lose 60pds. Thanks!

bandster_1007 · 02-11-2008, 08:29 AM

miami, the rate of loss is very individualized, and basing your expectations off of someone else can lead to frustration and disappointment, or excitement.

i have now changed my goal from losing weight to be healthy to getting down to 160 and then trying to have a baby. i've only lost 6 lbs according to my doctors scale, but 15 according to mine (i was retaining water on doctor day).

i'm VERRRY slow, but i have not gotten good restriction yet.

I have PCOS and desperate to have a baby!