PCOS Help?

Have you ever considered alternative medicine? There is a lot of information out there on taking the alternative route instead of medication. I really like curezone.com, They have a lot of good information and suggestions. You can also find a naturopathic doctor who usually can recommend alternative nutrition.

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Hi L.,
Sorry you are going through such a rough time. I don't even know what PCOS is, but it sounds like you are not getting the help you need from your physician. I have recently been seeing a naturopathic physician. She is very caring, and works with supplements, herbs, and homeopathy, as well as prescription meds. I suggest you look up some naturopaths in your area(I'm in AZ), and consider trying that.
Some of your symptoms sound thyroid related. Have you had that checked?

Good luck!

S. H.

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You're not alone L.! I'll be 29 in August and was diagnosed with PCOS in 2001 by my OB GYN who just mentioned it in passing, gave me a little information pamphlet and prescribed birth control pills-not very helpful! She told me I would never be able to conceive until I lost weight. Doesn’t she know that losing weight when you have PCOS is practically impossible?! Finally I made an appointment with an Endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. Dr. Laurie Roust CHANGED MY LIFE! She actually listened to me and gave me answers! After a whole slew of tests, blood work and even an ultrasound to see the cysts I was put on a different medication-Glucophage to treat my insulin resistance (this is very common for women with PCOS-that’s why we can’t lose weight!), the Yasmin birth control pill (a safer more natural hormone), I saw their dietitian and eventually had my larger cysts removed laproscopically by the Mayo surgical gynecologist Dr. Roseanne Kho (voted the BEST Surgical Gynecologist by Phoenix Magazine in 2004). I did see another surgical gynecologist for a second opinion before surgery but she didn’t have the capability to perform the surgery lapproscopically and the healing time would have been a hospital stay and 2 weeks healing instead of an out patient procedure with immediate results! Once the larger cysts were removed, I had immediate pain relief. By cutting out ALL WHITE and PROCESSED foods and switching to hormone free milk and meats (Whole Foods baby!), and increasing my exercise from never to every day, I was able to finally lose weight. I made a deal with myself that I could not watch TV unless I was on my treadmill-eventually I narrowed it down to my Oprah hour on the treadmill. I’ve lost a ton of weight and am now completely PCOS symptom FREE! As far as the infertility problems I and most every other PCOS patient has, once I got healthy my husband and I had no problems conceiving and I gave birth to TWINS last summer! Both of my babies are perfect in every way and I’ve even been able to lose my pregnancy weight!

I know there are online PCOS support groups. I didn’t join any but did visit a few by doing a Yahoo search. Please email me if you have any questions! I hope this helps you and anyone else with this nasty problem!
Good luck!

Sincerely,
H. in Gilbert, AZ

For more information, check out these sites:

Glucophage and PCOS…why you may be insulin resistant!
http://www.pcos.insulitelabs.com/Metformin-and-PCOS.php

What is Glucophage and do I need to take it to treat my PCOS?
http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/glucophage-metformin-pc...

Mayo clinic PCOS treatment information:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/pcos/

Dr. Lori R. Roust, M.D. my Mayo Endocrinologist
http://www.mayoclinic.org/bio/10279628.html

Dr. Rosanne M.C. Kho, M.D. my Mayo Surgical Gynecologist:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/bio/11467126.html

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L.,

You sound like a riot...and I'm sorry about all your trouble. I don't know if I can help or not. I have been involved with a company callled Synergy Worldwide. They are a health and wellness company and the products we have are amazing. Frankly, I got involved as a business concept, not for the products. But they are doing so many amazing things for so many people, I have changed my view! I can understand your frustration in "knowing more than your doctor" -- my mom is a nurse of 50 years having moved here from the Chicago area and she said the medical care in this state is atrocious!! We have one product in particular that has helped people with lowering cholesterol, lowing blood pressure, and getting people off insulin. Basically, we take a whole body approach to health...treating the body vs. treating symptoms. But the doctors on our medical advisory board are nationally renowned and really know what they're doing with respect to these products. There's too much to go into any further depth here, but if you would like to call me and/or get together, I'd be happy to share what we have. Again, I don't know if it will help...but you never know. My name is M. and my cell is ###-###-####. Good luck!!

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If I were you I would seek a second opinion from a naturopathic physician. I know an excellent doctor in women's medicine. Her name is Dr.Farra Swan. She is located in Mesa, Arizona, not far from Banner Dessert Hospital on Dobson Rd. and the US 60. I am not sure how far away you live from Mesa, so maybe another naturopathic physician would be more realistic, but they have so many wonderful ways to get to the root of what is causing everything versus just covering up the symptoms, like in your case by trying to give you a birth control pill, which would even add additional side effects to the mix.

Best of luck!!!
C.

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Hi L.,

I don't have personal experience with PCOS, but it sounds miserable. I'm responding because I have been seeing the midwives at the Tucson Birth & Women's Health Center (near TMC) for years - both for my pregnancies and for all my other GYN care. They are so knowledgeable, especially about natural and alternative types of treatment. If I were having the kind of trouble you describe, I would definitely go there, because I would anticipate really good attention and thorough, well-rounded care from them. It doesn't sound like you are getting that from your current doc.

Good Luck!
-S.

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L., My heart goes out to you. I also have PCOS and was diagnosed about 5 years ago. I also happen to be a Certified Nurse Midwife which gives me an edge in accessing information on this disorder. First, I would try to find another OB/GYN or be referred to a reproductive endocrinologist that is comfortable treating you. BCPs are only one of a few treatments and some types of the pill work better than others. I'm not a huge fan of birth control pills because they have side effects and risks as well. The most effective strategy to manage my symptoms (45-60 day cycles, mood swings, hair loss, fatigue, etc) was adapting my body to a low carb, higher protein diet combined with both aerobic exercise and weight training. When I lost just 10 lbs , I noticed a huge difference in how I felt and the length of my cycles became more predictable. Please be proactive and find a Dr. you like and that can help you with PCOS--they are out there. If you act now, you may save yourself from developing diabetes later. I'm so thankful that at 28 and then a newlywed I was able to make some serious lifestyle changes that allowed me to obtain and now maintain a normal weight for my height, stop having irratic menstrual cycles and have a healthy daughter and now a son on the way. PS: If you are tempted to try herbs, please seek the care of a naturopathic doctor and have him or her manage your PCOS. Herbs are drugs too and can both help or cause harm. Best wishes! R., 34 (Stay at home mom of 1 since 2005)

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Herbs are available to assist in regulating our endocrine system, which include our hormones. That is the path I would seek, finding a good herbalist who has the knowledge and experience to help.

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