All you FCP's out there, I need some help - and fast! I have a friend who is on BC due to acne and facial hair, and although I have successfully talked her into throwing it out in the past, she's desperate because every time she goes off of it, her problems come back (I've explained to her that it's because BC is just a mask...not a solution. But again...she's desperate) and she re-orders it. I've told her about NaPro, which I know she needs to find a real solution to her problems, but there's not an FCP in her area (or even close by really) and she has a job that requires a lot of hours. And I'm sure, since she's not TTC or IF (she's not even married), that she wouldn't be willing to travel very far for the process.
I guess my question is, can she do consults over the phone, get bloodwork done remotely or through her local doc, etc? I need some advice. I really need to get her off this toxic pill before she has a stroke!!! Help!!!
Please feel free to leave a comment or email me privately with any suggestions at: nmlehe(@)gmail(.)com. Thanks in advance!!
Acne and facial hair... that sounds like PCOS. I was put on BC for it when I was in my early 20's, and just ask my former roommate what a JOY I was on that (HA-- right, Lauren?!). There's other drugs to actually treat PCOS that don't do all of the crap that BC does to your system: Metformin, spironolactone, etc.
ReplyDeleteSome practitioners can do long-distance teaching. They'd want her to get 60 days of charting before seeing a doctor and ordering bloodwork (and the charting itself could reveal potential hormonal issues that need further testing). Also, I know NE will work with clients to have bloodwork long-distance and PA will do so after one on-site visit (we're doing my panel long-distance!). Email me at sarahcrms (a) gmail.com if others haven't already given you the info you need. :)
ReplyDeleteLisa - and it sure would be nice for her to know if she did have PCOS, right??? So that it could be treated, instead of just being on BC! Amazing to me how some doctors just hand out the pill.
ReplyDeleteOoh, oops! Wrote this in a rush; forgot to mention she has been diagnosed with PCOS. Although I'm pretty sure it wasn't a bloodwork-intensive diagnosis, but more like a "Oh you have facial hair & acne...must be PCOS. Let's put you on birth control" type thing. ARGH!!! Makes me crazy just typing it. So frustrating.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info Lisa & Sarah. S, I might be emailing you. Let me talk to her and see what she says.
Oh, and Lisa, you said, "etc" when referring to drugs. Do either of you have a comprehensive list of drugs that cure these symptoms? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThose are 2 that I was on in the past. I was on Metformin again when trying to conceive the 2nd time (spironolactone isn't safe-- 99% sure-- if you may become pregnant). I'm a bit of a Metformin success story-- both times I've gone on it while married, I've managed to get pregnant within a couple of months, despite previously having tons of cysts on my ovaries. I know other people haven't had as much success, or as quickly. It can also be a tough drug to tolerate, bowel-wise. I didn't have any problems until this year (I've taken it on-and-off since 2003), but then again, I was already having an ulcerative colitis flare and nothing would have been tolerated. I know that there is a cream that you can use to slow the hair-growth. That's one of the more embarrassing side-effects, at least IMO. And Sarah is so right-- the pill is just handed out left and right. It masks the symptoms, but doesn't actually solve the problem. I'd rather know what's going on with my body instead of finding out in 5 years or so when she's married and trying to have a baby! I know there are a lot of the IF girls who have PCOS, and they would probably have more of an idea which drugs work here. I've had good success with metformin... and pregnancy. That makes it go away for quite a while. :)
ReplyDeleteOne more thing-- PCOS IS a cause of IF, so treating it now (not just masking it by tricking your body into thinking you're pregnant) would be a good idea for any future baby plans.
ReplyDeleteOK, I SWEAR this is my last comment. She may have to push her doctor NOT to prescribe BC. My Catholic ob/gyn, who I love, still tries to use BC in-between my pregnancies to "cure" my PCOS. I've let him know that's not an option for me. Period.
ReplyDeleteSo, then he prescribes Metformin and a month or two later... baby #3 conceived. The stuff can work. :)
Also, when she is trying to get pregnant some day, drugs like Clomid or Femara are often prescribed to help with ovulation. Does she track her cycles? That's something that would have been invaluable to me long before I got married, because I would have spotted some issues (short luteal phase, LONG periods of bleeding-- that was a ulterine polyp, anovulatory cycles, etc) that could have been addressed before marriage. BC hides all of those things. OK, stepping down off my soap box for the day. :)
Nicole - What Lisa said lol. :) Seriously, there are ways to treat PCOS including Metformin. I know in conjunction with treatment some ladies go on special diets to help deal with insulin resistance. There are also some surgical procedures that can be done (Dr. H has refined these to minimize scarring). I agree, getting this treated (vs suppressed with BC) is the way to go even if it may not be a "quick fix." And with charting (and further testing) other issues can be addressed too (as Lisa experienced!). The BC pill really does just mask. I will say, at this point in time, the BC pill is the "best" way to treat hormonal acne BUT it's not the only way (I know! I've been going to a dermatologist who has been helping me treat with other methods, and I've tried some natural ones that work too). And, if she does get a clear diagnosis and treatments, the acne may improve anyway.
ReplyDeleteI did all my charting long distance over the phone. It was great! I'm in IL and my practitioner was in PA. It worked out just fine. I did it that way because at the time there was no one in my area. I'm sure PPVI would work with her. And, there is a specific surgery for PCOS called an ovarian wedge resection. I haven't had time to read through the comments yet to see if that was mentioned, but it literally saved my friend's fertility and is the only reason she has 3 beautiful children now. Even if she isn't married, it's worth it to cure those awful symptoms.
ReplyDeleteOk, I am not a FP but I was diagnosed with PCOS and besides diet and exercise (or metformin if you prefer) taking progesterone post peak is important too. I don't how bad her PCOS is.
ReplyDeleteI teach via Skype (webcam) for long distance clients. Just an FYI. I didn't read through your comments. It sounds as if it would be tricky to convince her. Prayers!
ReplyDeleteHa! Lisa, you're so funny!! All your info has been super helpful!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to thank everyone here and everyone who emailed me privately about this matter. HUGE help, and my friend is in fact very receptive to talking to someone about it. Luckily she's willing to do whatever it takes to get it under control! For those of you who volunteered to speak with her, I have put her in touch with an FCP, and if we need more help I'll be in touch with you too! :) God bless!!!!
I am very glad to hear she is receptive! Great job on your part then.
ReplyDeleteeverything lisa said i was going to say:) even if she has an u/s and shows no polycystic ovaries, she could still be pcos. tell her to get her labs done.
ReplyDeletemetformin is a great drug! helped me conceive both kiddos and i have some wicked pcos and insulin resistance.
as for the Creighton class, i'm taking one in november and the teacher offered to skype with me. could that be an option?