Thursday Sep 2

Posts Tagged ‘PCOS’

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Aug
27/09
Big. Red. Dot.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 08:09
Written by Melinda
Thursday, August 27th, 2009

Well, I found out why I’ve been so tired these past few weeks.  Mother Nature came calling.  You think I would recognize the signs by now.  I never do.  Every three to four months, it hits really hard.  With the Mirena, bleeding is usually pretty easy, light, almost non-existent.  There are those months though that are so bad…  the world wishes I would go away!

I can tell that the worst has passed.  The exhaustion appears to be gone for the most part.  And, I have felt like doing something!  I have rearranged all the furniture in my office at work, totally re-organized my files, supplies, you name it… it now has a new home.  Now if I could just build up the stamina to do the same on the homefront.  HOWEVER!  I did regroup my closet last weekend.  That counts!  It’s time for “spring cleaning”, in the fall of course.  Time to drag out all the fall clothing and move all the summer clothes out.  I may not be that rambunctious just yet.  We’ll have to wait and see.

I also want to add that sometimes I receive emails from ladies asking about PCOS.  The questions normally are something like this:

  • I’ve heard that my PCOS will totally dissipate after having weight loss surgery. Is this true?
  • I have hirsutism; will losing weight stop this problem?
  • I have a history of hormone problems.  What have you seen resolved after having gastric bypass surgery?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news.  I still have hirsutism.  My hormones have a mind of their own.  And, THEY rule ME.  PMDD is still a way of life (though less frequent, thanks Mirena!).  And, I did experience about a year of relief (the first year after my wls) but once my body was readjusted, the problems came back.  I have, however, received final word from my endocrinologist that there is no sign of Insulin Resistance at this time, and we will recheck in one year.  Sorry gals.  I wish I had a brighter answer for you…  but, life is still good (1 week out of the month, that is!)  You PMDD gals will “get” that last statement!  I threw that in just for you!

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Apr
23/09
Ooo, a doc appt
Last Updated on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 08:10
Written by Melinda
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Tuesday afternoon I had a doctor’s appointment.  This time, I was seeing a new gynecologist for information on BHRT (Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy).  She is supposed to be really good in her field… and so I presented my paperwork along with my weight charts, self analysis charts on different hormone conditions marking which symptoms I had, oh just all kinds of paperwork that I have been keeing on my computer!  They don’t call me the Spreadsheet Queen for nothing!!  It’s just that I am very self aware and monitor all of my health issues so that NOTHING can take me by suprise or catch me off guard.  If my weight vascilates, I go back to my handy dandy spreadsheet and try to figure out WHY.

The gyn took a look at the different complaints and gave her plan of care.  She would go ahead and perform the yearly physical and order blood tests for a full thyroid panel workup.  And, she did order a DEXA bone scan to be done as I do have possible issues with malnutrition/absorption (not that I DO, just that it is POSSIBLE as a wls patient).  She suggested that I see an endocrinologist, and gave me the name of one here in Nashville who specializes in PCOS issues.  She plain and simply said to me, “We just don’t know enough about bariatric patients at this point.”  BINGO!  Why oh why did I know this would be the case?  Even the compounding pharmacist told me the exact same thing a few weeks back when I consulted with him regarding natural hormones.

She did provide a few interesting details that I believe have helped calm me down and not be so spazzed out.  First of all, she suggested NOT removing the Mirena.  She said that it was over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy, and that is not an option for me at this time!  I do not need or want a pregnancy at this stage in my life.  She also said that given the nature of my absorption issues, and the past hormone problems, she felt that the Mirena was the best form of treatment.  However, she was putting off any labwork or further studies such as the ultrasound that I requested of my ovaries.  She said that she will leave the testing up to the Endo so that he can include everything up front that he thinks he might need.

I questioned whether or not I had PCOS/Insulin Resistance.  Do I?  Don’t I?  Who knows!  Supposedly its cured after wls.  But then again, when I re-read the study that was done, it was only on one year postops.  I have not read anything about two or three year postops…  And maybe I am making much ado about nothing…  since the gyn said that it is possible that Mirena can be causing some of these symptoms as it does mock menopause.  As to whether I will be taking BHRT?  She states at this time, she is not so certain that I need it and again, referred me to Endo.  More to come.

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Apr
16/09
Mirena & the Midsection
Last Updated on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 08:11
Written by Melinda
Thursday, April 16th, 2009

With the Mirena IUD, I gained ten pounds.  For several months I have attempted to get those ten pounds off, doing liquid diets, cutting back calories, cutting carbs.  Seems nothing I do has worked.  Oh, yes, I lose a few pounds, then gain them back.  Up, down.  My body has been changing as well.  I’ve noticed “things” – - headaches, hot flashes, severe menstrual cramps, WEIGHT GAIN IN THE MIDSECTION!

Several weeks ago I did a saliva test for bio-identical hormone replacement therapy.  My gyn, it seemed to me, didn’t want to get to the bottom or root of my problems.  Instead, she wanted to treat each symptom.  Having insomnia? Try this.  Oh, you’ve got hot flashes? Try this.  They are all prescription medications that frankly I don’t want to take.  I’ve said for years that being a PCOS patient, I needed a full hormone panel workup.  But do you know, I’ve never had one?  I mean, come on.  When you have thyroid troubles, they run a whole battery of tests.  For women, we start suffering perimenopausal symptoms, and they shove a bunch of meds into our faces and say “That’s just the way it is at your age.”

I chose a new doctor.  I’m educating myself by reading, scanning internet articles, going to Barnes & Noble, Books A Million and reading the various books on the subject.  I had my appointment with a compounding pharmacist last Friday.  IT’S OFFICIAL:  I’M IN PERIMENOPAUSE.  The results were quite intriguing, and a little frightening as well.  I panicked at first.

We discussed diet, the importance of low carbs (which, come look in my cabinets!  Low carb is second nature to me!)  If I get much more low carb, I won’t be eating anything but MEAT, EGGS!  And it makes me wonder, do doctors have any real idea of how to treat the complexities that plague PCOS/Insulin Resistant/Metabolic Syndrome patients who are also gastric bypass patients?

I do want to add a blurb here…  while many PCOS patients say they are cured, I have been told that there is no cure for PCOS.  Weight loss surgery did help it for a few years, but now my body is starting to show signs and symptoms once again as the hormones are all stirred up…  (pay close attention to your body… know the symptoms…  don’t let them go untreated).

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Apr
13/09
Hormone Ponderings
Last Updated on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 08:20
Written by Melinda
Monday, April 13th, 2009

Last week I had an appointment with a compounding pharmacist to go  over the results of my saliva test.  My hormones are all out of whack, which is no surprise since I’ve had problems since I was a teenager.  But, he thinks I’m in PERIMENOPAUSE!  Glory to Jesus, Hallelujah!  And all the choir sang, “AMEN”!  Oh it’s a glorious time with the hot flashes, mood swings, irritability, cramps, insomnia, urinary urges, fatigue, headaches, and the “spare tire” around the midsection of the tummy.  I’m on a quest now to take better care of myself because I know what this road will lead me down.  WEIGHT GAIN.

As I chatted with the pharmacist about my history, I mentioned how I felt PCOS/Insulin Resistance were at the root of my obesity.  Basically, he agreed.  And, though he did not actually say this aloud, I could almost hear his thoughts.  Or, maybe it was just my thoughts yelling so loud, I couldn’t hear his.  But, the thought is IF I do not take better care of myself and get these problems tended to NOW, it will lead me down a road that I don’t want to go.  WEIGHT GAIN.

I’ve been a strong advocator that each bypass patient listen to their bodies.  Pay close attention to any changes that are going on, both in how you feel, and how your body shape is changing.  Some months ago, I noticed some changes in my body.  And honestly, it has left me very unhappy.  I’ve tried to resign myself to a state of contentment regarding the changes, but that nagging feeling still exists.  As we looked back on my weight charts for the past two years, there was noticeable change when I had Mirena IUD installed due to hormone problems.  But, the midsection tells the story best as it is getting bigger in the exact same places where insulin and estrogen are stored during perimenopause.  WEIGHT GAIN.

The past few weeks I have spent time logging more carefully my daily caloric intake.  I’ve cut out caffeine, lowered my carbs, and started exercising more.  My exercise over the winter was virtually non-existent and this has had no positive effect on my body either!  I’ve been walking, doing some hand weight, stretching exercises, and just added the big ball today so that I can do push ups and stomach crunches.  I’ve also got out my trusty broom handle to do a few tricks I learned after gastric bypass to help deflate the tummy area.  So I’ve been working out!  Not to mention, I’ve added some supplements to help me through these times.   At any rate, I am willing to do whatever it takes to prevent WEIGHT GAIN.

Now you might see a pattern in this post.  Every paragraph’s last two words are:  WEIGHT GAIN.  I want to bring your attention to it today.  We must be ever so cautious to evaluate and RE-evaluate our health and condition of our bodies.  If not, we can become lax, or allow health problems to continue which can bring back our obesity.  Weight loss surgery only helps us lose all the weight we had; it is no guarantee that we will never become obese again.  In other words, it’s a vehicle that drives us to the place we want to be (thin).  Once we arrive at the destination, it is up to US to stay there.  Let’s take a few moments today and ask ourselves questions such as:

1.  Has my weight gone up?

2.  Are there any physical changes in my body shape?  Any areas that seem to be getting larger?

3.  Am I logging my food?

4.  Am I drinking enough water?

5.  Has my eating got out of control or do I need to scale back on the carb intake?

6.  Are there any existing health conditions that could prevent weight loss or cause weight gain?

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