Insulin resistence? I need help please!
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Insulin resistence? I need help please!
| Tue, 02-24-2009 - 4:56pm |
So I went to my first doctor's apt to find out why AF only comes once every 2 months or so, and she said that my insulin levels were very high and that PCOS causes these problems. She also said that this explains why I miscarried my first child and why I can't get a BFP now! I'm confused about what to do, and she hasn't gone over treatment options with me except losing weight and eating a diabetic diet. Any advice or anything... I'm so confused and lost and I'm not sure what to do. She said that I may not even be O even when I do have a cycle. Help please!?
Thank you so much!

PCOS, Insulin Resistance, MTHFR, APS (Hughes Syndrome) and a Mullerian Anomaly (bicornuate uteru
I was recently diagnosed with PCOS and insulin resistant type-2 diabetes. It all can be very overwhelming, but it's manageable. I would strongly recommend that you talk to your Dr about starting on Metformin, which is commonly prescribed for both PCOS women and diabetics. Also, ask your Dr where your glucose levels need to be to have a healthy pregnancy (my OBGYN doesn't want me to conceive until my levels are normal, so I'm getting a glucose monitor and start testing my glucose 4 times a day). Be aware that Metformin can increase ovulation, so if you Dr wants you to wait a bit on TTC, you'll need to go on BC. There are a couple of really great PCOS board here; you should check them out. A low glycemic-index diet seems to work will for a lot of PCOS women; I'm making those changes now. Do as much research as you can and make a list of questions for your Dr. Ask about the Metformin for sure; I already feel so much better since I've been on it. Rest assured that you are not alone in all of this and know that this doesn't mean that you can't get pregnant, it just may be a little more challenging. Keep your chin up and ask lots of questions!
Best wishes,
Hi there,
I was diagnosed with PCOS w/insulin resistance (no diabetes though) 5 years ago and was immediately put on metformin by my GYN, it is currently the most effective treatment for this disorder and has high success rate. I can happily say that since I've started treatment I regained a normal ovulatory cycle, and all my cysts disappeared as well as hormone levels normalizing. So, I'm not sure why your doctor didn't offer you this since it's widely known, but there are many medication options out there to help in this. Losing weight and a healthy diet are also a key component in recovery, but the metformin is a lifesaver for many.
Cycle 1: Ovulated Feb 21st with Metformin (under treatment for 5 years), Fish Oil, Nature's Way Prenatal Vitamins and Clear Blue OPK's.
Edited 2/25/2009 1:02 am ET by kinny09
Thank you all so much for all of your feedback! She did talk about Metformin and that it is commonly used with my condition, but I have to admit I'm a bit scared to take it with some of the side effects that it has. I don't know, I really have been considering it though with my husband. My glucose levels were a bit high, but my doctor said that I can discuss that with her at my next appointment. It was my insulin levels that were very high, and she wanted to address that first. Thank you all again, and I'm praying for you all!
With Love,
Kimberly
Hi Kimberly-
I haven't posted much on here for a few months as I have moved on to the August 2009 expecting board but the title of your post caught my eye.
The side effects for me were minimal, about the same as any other medication that you start (mild nausea, bowel upset) and lasts for about the first week, usually nothing past that (you start at a low dosage and gradually work your way up to where you doctor wants you to minimize this). It is however a life saver if you have insulin resistance and also is used to treat diabetics. If you have elevated glucose levels you could possibly be saving yourself from it progressing into diabetes with either metformin or another comparable product that your doctor suggests. To maximize the effectiveness of metformin and lower the nausea effect, you will probably be told to take it with a full meal, I always take my 3 doses at breakfast, lunch and dinner and that seems to have always worked for me.
I would definitely talk further about it, especially since your rate of MC goes up with PCOS untreated and it becomes much harder to conceive (depending on how serious the infertility portion of the disorder is for you). My doctor is having me maintain my metformin throughout pregnancy when I do become pregnant to help support the baby and lower risk a bit.
Cycle 1: Ovulated Feb 21st with Metformin (under treatment for 5 years), Fish Oil, Nature's Way Prenatal Vitamins and Clear Blue OPK's.
Edited 2/27/2009 2:17 pm ET by kinny09
Edited 2/27/2009 2:19 pm ET by kinny09