[Sheila53]

So my daughter had an ultrasound and has the tell-tale cysts associated with PCOS. She's had a hard time getting a definitive diagnosis. When she was a teenager, our family doctor and also a gyn said yes based on blood tests. Then an endocrinologist said no after just looking at my DD, but when I insisted on blood tests, said maybe based on the results. Fast forward about 5 years, and now my DD is now overweight, especially in her mid-section. It seems to be difficult to get all the appropriate tests, especially if you don't fit the "norm" of being overweight, hirsute and have acne, I guess.

Anyway, I think that she should get a test for insulin-resistance--am I correct in thinking this? My main concern right now is diabetes. It seems that she has to fight to get the health care that she needs so I'm trying to find out (she lives in the Virgin Islands and has no internet access) where she goes from here. Any suggestions?

It's kind of interesting to note that my DD's half sister also has PCOS, and we've recently been in touch with my DH's oldest DD, whom he hasn't seen since she was 6 mos. old (now in her mid-30s). I sent a note asking if she has PCOS. It will be interesting to find out. I've read that they haven't found a genetic link, but we're pretty sure that my DH's mother had it, and if his oldest daughter had it, that would be quite the family history.

[maryandsilviu]

Sheila

It sounds weird but it's a good thing she was dx. Now she can start "treatment" and learn how to tailor her regimen for her needs. It's not necessarily true that you are IR if you have PCOS, but all the dr's I've been to say its usually so.

Good Luck to both of you

[Sheila53]

What is the treatment? The doctors haven't mentioned any kind of treatment so we're not sure where to go from here.

[jennylou]

First, besides the IR test, I would also suggest a cholesterol test be done. PCOSers often have higher cholesterol levels than non PCOSers.

So many people just think of PCOS as a fertility issue, when in fact it impacts so many parts of our bodies and our lives! Tell tale signs besides fertility, obesity, IR, diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure, acne, hair loss on the scalp, hair growth in areas you don't want it, oily skin, dandruff, patches of dark skin, skin tags and sleep apnea - crazy how much it effects! It can also put woman at risk of edomitrial cancer if they are not cycling.

Treatment for women varies. Many Dr's suggest going on the pill if not ttc. I for one, gained 40 pounds on the pill and my PCOS symptoms worsened (and I hate to take anything daily!).

You can take Metformin or Glucaphage. Often that will get the blood sugars in control which will help get all the hormones in order.

If you're ttc, there are meds that will help you ovulate - clomid is usually the first one prescribed as it's an oral dose.

Weight loss is said to also help with the symptoms.

There are some drugs that can help with the excess hair growth and the male pattern baldness as well - though, I don't know much about them.

I'd also say that breastfeeding helps to keep the hormone issues at bay, though I don't think that's been scientifically proven, this is just my observation. I joke that I'm never going to stop.

[nelie]

Sheila,

I went on the pill when I was diagnosed with PCOS and it helped me a lot. A gynecologist who is aware of PCOS should be able to prescribe the right kind of pill. I've probably been on 5 different pills and only one made me gain weight which was Levlen. I gained 10 lbs and it was so hard to lose but I was actually able to lose it but then I told my doc I wanted a different pill because I don't need to fight my hormones and my preexisting fat.

[junebug41]

Originally Posted by jennylou

Weight loss is said to also help with the symptoms.

The sucky thing about that is, weightloss can greatly reduce or completely eliminate symptoms (as it did me), but it is really hard to lose weight with this!

However, the pill, IMO, made it possible for me to lose weight, which in turn killed my symptoms (cysts, imbalance, weightgain, facial hair, acne, etc...)

I was put on desogen, which my new awesome dr calls the "gold standard" for anyone with issues like mine as it has a very high dose of estrogen and progestin (sp?). However, after 3 years I suddenly started having a lot of problems (breakthrough bleeding, intensified periods, etc....) and she was hesitant to put me on Levlin because it was such a lower dose. I'm now on the Nuvaring, and so far so good! I just think the treatment depends on the symptoms and desires of the patient. The most helpful treatment for me was finding a really good doctor who wasn't dismissive and knew exactly what to look for.

[Renny Sue]

That's the sucky thing about PCOS. Symptoms are lessened with weight loss, but one of the symptoms is difficulty in losing weight! Damn disease.

I think its more common in families. My cousin has it (and has given me hope, as she has two kids) and I have a feeling my other cousin has it (she has hair issues, but barely eats which keeps her weight down, but she's going to explode in a couple of years when she's no longer a teenager) No sisters to compare to.