[LaceyCen]

Well, two weeks ago I was diagnosed with PCOS. My thyroid and blood glucose levels are perfect, so no insulin resistance to have to deal with.

Instead, my doctor said that I need to see a specialist about hormone therapy because I have a severe imbalance. I've had hormone issues since I was a child, but never had anything done about it, but I'm finally taking the plunge. My bloodwork is this week so the specialist can see how strong a dosage I need to be given.

Has anyone else had bio-synthetic hormone therapy to help with PCOS (or anything else)?

[Rana]

Why did I think this was posted in the wrong forum?!

Anyway, I just wanted to say maybe if you do a search here, someone else has tried it.

For me, when my doc saw the hormones were off, she recommended BCP. I wish she hadn't now... but we didn't know then what we know today...

[LaceyCen]

Thanks, Rana.

I actually visited the specialist today, and he thinks there's something more wrong than just an imbalance. He's doing tests and other stuff to make sure, but feels like I'm going to need some type of surgery (he didn't elaborate) to stop my body from producing so much testosterone.

[astrophe]

I don't know if my story could help. I'm not a doc.

Do you have any signs of acanothosis nigricans? Because I test great for IR -- but I have the brown patches on my elbows, ankle, and neck telling the hidden story. Extra insulin is spilling out on my skin. Maybe you are insulin resistant and have compensating hyperinsulenemia?

So back on the Metformin I went. Sigh.

I hope this isn't you too -- but if it IS... get it checked out well.

Sometimes you have to be your own patient advocate and ask lots of questions. Kinda pester them. At the end of the day, doc goes home. At the end of the day? You are the one having to LIVE this reality. YKWIM? Speak up.

I had to change endocs because when I asked "If my labs are so great, how come I have AN still?" and she was like "I dunno." And she wasn't helping me find out why -- like not interested at all in helping.

I like my new endoc better -- she actually wants to help me understand what's going on and WHY this AN still hangs around.

GL!
A.

[ThisLisa]

HELP!!! I have received the hormone pellets for about a year. Estrogen and testosterone. My last blood test revealed that my testosterone is 169. It should be 20-70. The problem is that with this syndrome I could not lose weight no matter what I did. When I was diagnosed, I was put on metformin, byetta and spironticlactone. I originally lost 125 pounds on the real by the book Atkins diet. I never went off. Still haven't. I had my ovaries removed so they told me I didn't have it anymore. So i got hormone pellets. Now it is slowly gaining again. 27 pounds to be exact. I worked WAY to hard to get this off. I don't want it back.
Has anyone else experienced this??? I'm in a panic!!
Is it really true that I don't have it anymore? Or is the syndrome still in my body?
Your thoughts?

[Rana]

PCOS -- despite the word "ovarian" in it, is not actually CAUSED by your ovaries.

Therefore, removing your ovaries does not FIX the issue.

I am sorry if this is what they told you -- that was an old belief, but it's been found that's not true anymore.

Are you still on the medication? Are you still following the Atkins diet?

[beerab]

Why on earth did your ovaries get removed?!

[ThisLisa]

Yes, I am still on Metformin, Byetta and Spirontilactone. I never went off the maintenance phase. However, I went back to phase one 6 weeks ago and I'm still gaining. Since I wrote the original post I have gained 4 more pounds. I am going back to my endocrinologist tomorrow to see what to do.

I had my ovaries removed because they were very cysty and painful. I am 46 years old.