PCOS/Insulin Resistance SupportSupport for us with any of the following: Insulin Resistance, Syndrome X, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or other endocrine disorders.
Most (I think, anyway) folks here are aware that I have PCOS...was symptomatic until I started losing weight, at which point all of my symptoms disappeared entirely, only to return again 3 months ago. When I originally got my diagnosis, I was heavy (obviously), and had ultrasound-confirmed cysts and my androgen levels were high, but my blood sugar was normal, normal, normal.
I went to see the gyn this time, when my symptoms came back, who ran not a single test on me. I can't imagine that any blood sugar issues have gotten WORSE with the lifestyle changes that brought about my weight loss. But based on that single visit, with no other testing or whatever, she told me she wanted to put me on Yaz, which I was expecting, and metformin.
Now, I'm not currently testing as insulin resistant, though I know it is likely I am given the PCO diagnosis. I am (close to) normal weight and maintaining, so I don't need the met for weight loss/maintenance reasons. And I haven't found any long term safety studies for met...given that I'm only 25, it is definitely scary locking myself into a medication to take, as she said, for the rest of my life, particularly since it hasn't been studied in depth for safety.
The gyn, in not so many words, basically said that i should take the met or I'd end up with full-on diabetes no matter what I did diet and exercise-wise.
I'm just looking for advice, experiences, etc...I started on the Yaz (and 1 week in, it almost feels like a miracle drug the way it has helped stabilize my weight and some abdominal water retention issues), but I really can't decide about the met.
to everyone.
Last edited by mandalinn82; 08-18-2008 at 12:04 PM.
If it were me, I'd try the Yaz and see if that could take care of things without the Met. I honestly haven't heard from any doctor that I've been to, including my endo, that I will eventually become Diabetic because I have PCOS!
I did have a doctor tell me once that everyone eventually becomes diabetic because eventually the pancreas wears out, and if I can slow down the insulin release then that will extend that amount of time until it happens. So that makes sense - my pancreas has a limited amount of function, and I don't want to burn it all up before my time.
However, I don't see how she can say you are having a problem to fix unless she does bloodwork? Especially saying you'll be locked in for life? What about diet controlled diabetes? Unless she's going on the bit that insulin is a hormone and if the other hormones are wonky then the insulin must be also.. but I think that is a bit of a big blanket. In my non-doctorly opinion, of course.
Yeah, I was sort of feeling the lack of testing was a major issue.
So - what do I get tested for? Insulin level? HA1C? If her theory is that people with PCOS have too much insulin, which both causes the PCOS symptoms and eventually will make the person diabetic, they can test that, right? What about hormone checks to make sure it is actually PCOS, not something else entirely? (Although I'm probably outside of where they'd be able to test that, now that I'm on the Yaz).
Thank you all for helping me sort this out...I'm kind of lost!
mandalinn...u have to go for a fasting glucose test or something like that. They make you drink some sugary drink and then test your blood I think every hour or so for 3 hours I THINK. I'm supposed to go for it too but I've been holding off hoping I can control it with diet and exercise because Met made me violently ill for 3 months. My doc put me on it without testing. She also put me on Yasmin which made me CRAZY. I was a hormonal gorilla. I was either crying hysterically over everything or wanting to stab everything with a heart beat. LOL I'm pretty sure Yaz is almost the same as Yasmin. I think the doctors must be getting a pretty big kick back from that company because 2 gynos and my general doc all wanted me on it and also quite a few of my non-PCOS friends were put on Yaz when they requested BCPs and none of them were able to tolerate it. I, like you, thought it was a miracle drug at first but a few months into it I had to switch. I've actually switched I think 3 or 4 times until I found one that worked for me. But everyone is different. Maybe it will work for you. Good Luck!
P.S. Have you checked out Insulite Labs? I'm trying their natural pill system to help with the insulin issues to see if I can stay off Met.
Jersey - the reason the Yaz is getting recommended by so many isn't so much kickbacks as it is that there is no generic BCP, or other brand of BCP, that is made of the same kind of hormone as Yaz. It may be harder for some to tolerate, but for women, with or without PCOS, who complain of PMS symptoms, it is the only treatment approved to help, so of course it is getting quite a few prescriptions. Yaz is a much less intense version of Yasmin, which DID have quite a few more side effects...lots of people had the crazy mood swings with Yasmin, but fewer report it with Yaz, or so my research is showing...some people still don't react well to it, though. BCP is so individual for most people...different pills for different folks.
The thing about the fasting glucose/glucose tolerance...if I'm not diabetic or insulin resistant now, wouldn't they just come back normal?
My family doctor has me taking Met. He indicated to me that there are some longterm studies that show Met helps prevent the development of diabetes. In my case, diabetes runs in my family and my blood sugar tends to run a little high. With you, if you don't have a family history of diabetes and you keep your weight down, I'd recommend you see your family doctor every 3-4 months for a fasting A1C (blood sugar) test just to keep an eye on things. I can't imagine that it would be medically necessary for you to go on the Met at the moment.
Yes, they would just come back to normal, but I think you should get the test before accepting Metformin as a necessary med for you. If you aren't IR or diabetic, then I do not see a reason for you to take metformin. Some women who are against BCP try taking it to help regulate their cycle(for some Met works for that for others..not so much) or when women on BCP want to become pregnant they switch to Met to keep their cycle regular and help conceive. Other than that I don't see why a doctor would want you to take it if you aren't IR.
If all else fails walmart sells an A1C test you can do yourself and mail in for the results. It's around $10 or so and according to this it seems like a good deal if your doc is hesitating.
Watch the Yaz. I gained 20lbs in 3 months on that stuff, lost my libido, went up to a size F cup, and felt sedated every day. No other BC ever did that to me. It might be different for you, but if you feel any of these signs creaping up it is most likely the Yaz.
Medications should be the last resort. You've already reached a healthy weight. Why not try supplements before a drug? I've been taking Insulite supplements and I'm finally getting a period that has a schedule, and my hertuism is declining, all signs that my PCOS is improving! Also, there is this article:
IMPROVE YOUR DIET AND INCREASE EXERCISE. If you improve your diet and increase your level of exercise, you may be able to reduce or eventually eliminate your Glucophage therapy.
According to recently published results from the Diabetes Prevention Program, exercise and diet changes are more effective than metformin in preventing diabetes.(5)
Well, I'd be totally fine with the diet and exercise bit and lifestyle changes, except I have a VERY clean diet 99% of the time, and exercise 8 hours a week - if that doesn't solve the symptoms, I don't know what other lifestyle changes are really going to make a difference, you know? I did my part, my body just isn't following with the symptom reduction, at least not permanently.
I can't find any studies at all on Insulite in PCOS treatment, so I am skeptical, to say the least. They have a lot of research on the site, but none actually testing their supplement for the condition it is meant to treat, so I'd be concerned about taking it. At least Metformin has clinically significant, studied effects.
On the Yaz, so far, I've dropped 7 lbs (SEVEN) of water weight, and felt better than in a year or so. We'll see if that continues. I'm happy with the Yaz at the moment, but appreciate the warnings so I know what to look for!
Insulite is all herbs so the FDA won't study or review it- herbs can't be patented so it's less of a money-maker. I am walking proof though that Insulite at least somewhat works. I've been on it for 5 months and already my cycle is exactly 75 days, instead of having no predictability at all! My nails DO NOT break at all (they get so long I need to cut them), my hair is shooting out the top of my head, and I'm plucking my face less. So far, I'm amazed. But you can also just get the herbs at a health store. My mom (who also has PCOS) is on the same herbs that are in Insulite, under the care of her dietician. I just like taking the Insulite because it's conveniently mixed together for me.
Just something I always keep in mind: doctors are life savers and incredible people, but they are also book-taught. Who partially sponsors the books? Drug companies. I've been in the medical publishing business for over half a decade and that's what's changed my mind a lot. Whenever a doctor wants to prescribe me something I just think twice about taking it. Do I really need it, or is there a natural alternative? I'm just saying always keep an open mind. If you decide on the Metformin I hope it works! Are you having really bad symptoms?
Hi mandalinn82,
I'm new to the forum, but would like to share with you my experiences with PCOS and metformin. My blood sugar levels have been tested extensively (basic and the crazy 3 hour test) and they are and have always been in the normal range. Despite this, my endocrinologist indicated that taking metformin will aid in preventing me from getting diabetes - something we're at risk at, having PCOS. My father-in-law is a doctor as well.. and when I went to him with my raised eyebrows on this suggestion, he confirmed with a few of his specialist colleagues that yeah .. we're at risk... and yeah.. metformin will mitigate that.
I'm not sure what Yaz is, but it was never prescribed to me - the metformin is the only thing I'm taking in a relatively low doseage (250mg in morning 250 mg in evening). Early on I had a few side effects (eating greasy food was not a good thing..caused things to move a little too quickly and eating acidic foods sometimes didn't agree with me -- like tomato sauce) but these dissipated over time.
Not sure if this helps, but just wanted to share my experience.
I guess my concern is that I know that Met helps with weight loss, which would then help lower the risk of diabetes in those with PCOS. But it's hard for me to parse out how much of that would apply to someone of (almost) normal weight, you know? I have a healthy body fat percentage, which means that my abdominal fat levels (which are associated both with PCOS and with the increased health risks) are OK...
I guess my question is, does the Met help people take weight off, particularly abdominal fat, thus lowering the risk of developing diabetes, or does it help lower the risk of diabetes REGARDLESS of weight? Unfortunately, normal or close-to-normal weight PCOSers aren't all that common, so not much research is out there that I can find.
BTW, Yaz is a hormonal birth control pill that is basically an anti-androgen...supposed to regulate cycles, help with hair growth, acne, and water retention.
Thanks so much your for advice, and if I haven't caught any of your other posts yet,
To Met or not to Met...
to everyone.
