Cincinnati

[Pookieboom]

Anyone in the Cincinnati area?

[lisamarie]

Pookieboom...I live on the Indiana/Ohio line. My RE is in cincy. His name is Dr. Awadalla. You?

[cassiep]

I am in the Cincinnati area. Are we the only ones?

[Just Dx]

Hello everyone,

I am 25 yrs old, live in Cincinnati, and was just diagnosed with PCOS. I have researched this some and haven't found much useful information. I am hopeing that I can get some answers and maybe come advise from people who are already dealing with this. All that I have been able to find is that PCOS can cause you to be fat, bald, or excessively hairy. I also read that it puts you at a higher risk for diabetes, heart disease, and heart attacks at a younger age. The most important for me right now is that it can also cause infertility, which is quite disturbing to me since I am only 25 yrs old. I have been trying to find out what causes PCOS and since there is no known cure what treatment options are out there besides birth control. I am also seeking a new gyno since I do not like the one I am seeing now (Pranikoff) and was wandering if anyone could offer a referral.

[Anna]

I am also 25, live in the Cincinnati area, and was just diagnosed with PCOS. I don't have many of the symptoms but I'm very concerned about infertility. The more I read about this thing the more I think I want to steer clear of a medical approach...I don't know much about alternative medicine but I will soon!

[LauraC0914]

Hi-

I live in the Columbus area and had been diagnosed with PCOS about 5 years ago after my first child. I had been trying to get pregnant again when my dd was 4 and after trying for a few years gave up. Then to my surprise a month before my 40th bday I found out I was pregnant with my second child. Quite a big surprise! I can only attain the results from starting The Zone diet. A low glycemic food diet because after 3mons of being on it and losing about 10lbs my cycle was more regular and without even trying I was pregnant. However even now after my second child is now here the symptoms are back. My OB put me on birth control pills but I do not do well with them so I took myself off again. I could certainly use some other recommendations on what you are all doing out there.

Thanks-
Laura

[LauraC0914]

DX-

I never had any of the symptoms of hair growth or baldness but I put weight on rapidly when I am not ovulating and miss my period for the month. Last month I literally put on 10lbs in 3weeks. It came off again in 3weeks but is quite discouraging and a hassle to put up with. I also have very irregular periods and sometimes go a month or 2 without a period. I develop multiple cysts over a few monthes that seem to grow and then shrink again.

[AlienFrog892]

Hey, I am 16 years old, and was diagnosed with PCOS last August. I am just outside the Cincinnati area. It is pretty tough, just because I feel so secluded, and in the high school I am in, all the girls are skinny, me, I'm on the heavier side, but I got used to that. Just recently, I rejoined the track team and since November, have gained about 12 pounds, who knows why?! Well, my doctor just yesterday, prescribed me with Metaformin, I'm just hoping things go easier than what other people have been saying. :? It feels good though, to know there are others out there besides me, feeling so secluded by myself.

[ymforment]

Hi,
This is the first time I have ever partcipated in something like this, I am a little nervous....

Anyway, I was Dx with PCOS about 3.5 years ago. My GP is given my all my treatment, and she is wonderful. The problem I am having is I lost 45 pounds with in the first two years of Dx and over the past year and a half am packing back on the pounds. Along with that my symptoms and cysts have come back and are worse, my medicines doses have been increased and I am just confused and a down about the situation. Does anybody have any advise as to what to do from here. I really need some advice/support, because I am driving my husband and self nuts.

[lisamarie]

Ymforment..................are you on Met? That has seemed to help me alot.

[ymforment]

I am on 500mg of Met 4x a day, Aldactone 50mg 2x a day, Minocycline (acne) 100mg 2x day. I have been on weight watcher for 3.5 years, lost a crap load of weight (150) at my lowest and have slowly gained. I follow a low good for your carb diet (no processed or enriched white bread products, only wheat pasta, and brown or whole grain wild rice), no fruit juices, and workout for about 1-2 hours four days a week. It just seems like nothing the doctor is doing is helping. I had a follup ultrasound in March b/c I haven't had one in about three years to see how everything was doing...Well, I still had a ton of cysts and one large cyst. I had to back last week to see if the large cyst had reduced it self. Well that "dissolved" and new bigger one with more follicular ones are present and so my medicine was upped yet again.....

I have done a lot of reasearch on PCOS and have accepted the "effects" of it. I am just loosing faith b/c I need it seems everything is starting to get worse. When do you get to the point that you see a Reproductive Endocrinoligist? I don't want to wait until I am "ready" to have kids.

any advice

[Ashton Morgan]

I used to visit this message board religiously when I was TTC, but I did conceive, had the baby 7 months ago and have been sooooo busy with her, work and just life in general. I live in Springfield which is between Dayton and Columbus, but closer to Dayton. I end up in the Cincy area visitng friends quite a bit. My story is as follows:

I was diagnosed with PCOS in Nov 2003 while trying to conceive. I'd had irregular periods since around the time I was 13. I'm not really overweight, but I'm not skinny either. I'm about a size 12, but my weight fluctuates quite a bit and before I had the baby I used to work out like a dog to keep my weight steady. I was put on 1500mg of Glucophage XR when diagnosed and my cycle regulated to 35 days. I conceived in Jan 2004 and stayed on 750mg of Gluco throughout my pregnancy. I stopped taking it for about 3 weeks in attempts to breast feed, but my daughter was lactose intolerant and couldn't tolerate my milk. Since then, I've been on the 1500mgs, but I'm noticing that my symptoms are coming back. Haven't had time to hit the gym, so my weight is picking up in my midsection. I'm plucking more of those lil hairs from my neck and chin. My acne is back. I'm constantly fighting fatigue and depression.

I thought it was just me, but it seems like I'm having a relapse so to speak. It looks as if though a few of you others have had or are having one. How is it being treated? Increase in meds? Diff meds?

To the 16 year old young lady, AlienFrog. Sweetheart, don't feel alienated. We're here for you. You are very blessed to have learned of your PCOS early on. I didn't find out until I was 26, but I'd started having symptoms at 13 and seen countless doctors who contributed my PCOS symptoms to everything under the sun. As for all the skinny girls you go to school with...most of them will be really fat in about 8-10 years and you won't even recognize them when you see them later in life. I work with high school kids. I see kids who have ballooned in 4 years from poor lifestyle and health habits. Don't worry about them. Just know that you are beautiful inside and out. Skinny does not always equal healthy! Just take care of you and it will be all good!

[amyh]

Hi all!

I am in Cincinnati! I am currently 37 1/2 weeks prego with number 2. However, my first is going to be 9 in July. I struggled with infertility for 7 years (I actually saw Awadalla for a time). After about the 6th year I was tired of fertility drugs (and the roller-coaster of infertility) and decided instead of treating the symptoms, to just take care of myself. I started taking the glucophage seriously (I was less than compliant with the glucophage when I was taking the infertility drugs - I just didn't get the connection!) and low-carbing. I lost a little weight, but more than that my cycles improved and I felt better. In the year before I got pregnant this time, I was pregnant twice and m/c'd. However, that was more than I had in the previous 6 years! I have had a very uneventful pregnancy that happened without any meds other than the glucophage. I have a great OB/Gyn who herself has PCOS and children so I feel very confident in her ability to treat me and the PCOS. I like Awadalla good enough, but felt the need to see someone who could treat all of me, not specifically the infertility. Besides, I hated going into his office and seeing all the baby pictures and success stories on the wall when I was struggling so much!

Horray for Cincinnati!

[oiler02]

Hello,
I am 25 and having many of the problems that after looking at this site seem to be associated with POS, but have not been diagnosed. My boyfriend and I went on a low carb/complex carb diet about 9 months ago, along with high intensity workouts and weightlifting 3-4 times a week. He has lost 15 lbs and gained lots of muscle. I have gained over 20 lbs. I know I have muscle but I now have extra fat places I never had before! None of my clothes will fit over my thighs or stomach, and I have to eat a snack every two hours to avoid losing my mind. My boyfriend is so sweet and he has just assumed I get moody when hungry but I know it is more than that. I do not have the body of someone who works out and eats healthy. I have an appointment with my OBGYN next week. Are there in-office tests that can diagnose POS? Should I ask for them? Hope someone can help. Also, I have been on BC since I was 16 so I would have no idea if I had irregular periods.

[Ashton Morgan]

I live in Springfield. Are you seeing an OBGYN in Spfld? If so, who? Dr. Steven Patterson is my OBGYN and he diagnosed my PCOS because I was having difficulty getting pregnant. Also, a few years prior, I'd had some problems with cysts on my ovaries.

You should also ask that you have your thyroid tested also...just to rule it out. I thought my PCOS was a thyroid problem for a long time because I was working out and not losing weight...just staying steady. But the weight gain would start quickly if I wasn't working out regularly.

Good luck. Do your research and be ready to talk about your symptoms. If you exhaust the research on PCOS and still think that's what it is, bring it up in your Dr's office. About a year after I was diagnosed, my husband's cousin (no blood relation to me) started growing facial hair. She was already obese...400lbs at 19 years of age. And had been on many diets, and had lost as much as 50lbs at a time to only gain it back. I suggested she see her doctor (she lives in Indiana) and fortunately he was knowledgable about PCOS. She suggested it and he finished her sentence. She was diagnosed and has begun treatment.

If you don't feel like your dr knows enough about it, find someone else who does. And keep searching until you're satisfied.

[lisamarie]

Amy........My story with Awadalla...I went in July 2004 was dx with pcos. He told me to lose weight and prescribed me 1500mg of Met and told to come back in three months. Well I went back and had only lost 3 lbs. He upped my Met to 200 and told me he would not treat me till I lost at least 30 lbs and gave me a diet coke on the way out. I was furious. So I lost the 30-35 lbs and went back. I now am being treated with Femera and trigger shot. Then doing IUI next month. Honestly... I never even thought of finding a doc to treat me and help me after I have a child.
Where is your doc from? The lady doc?

[pilotswife]

Hi, I have a question for you Ohio ladies!
My husband just started a job that is based in Columbus and I was looking up states that require their insurance companies to have some type of fertility coverage and Ohio is one of them. I was so excited because Florida (where we live) is not a mandated state for fertility coverage and we've been paying for everything out of pocket.
Anyway, as I read on it said that they only require HMO's to cover fertility for "preventative" care....so my question is what the heck does that mean????? How can fertility treatment be preventative care? Can anyone enlighten me please!!
Thanks for letting me drop in!
Amy

[bkekua]

I was wanting to start a support group in our area. Would anyone be interested?

[Ashton Morgan]

bkekua I'd love to start a support group in our area. I live in Springfield, between Dayton and Columbus.

To the young lady moving to Columbus...I have no idea what they mean by preventive care. Maybe they mean that they will help you conceive to prevent you losing your mind and costing them money for mental health costs, not sure (please excuse my sarcasm). My insurance paid for multiple rounds of clomid when we were trying to conceive. You might want to contact an insurance rep or get on their website and see what exactly is covered. I never had anyone tell me anything dealing with my pcos or trying to conceive wasnt covered. Good luck and welcome to Ohio (eeeewwwhhhh!)

[Amber]

Greetings Everyone,

I am new to this (discussion boards) so bear with me please. I was first diagnosed with PCOS in 2003. At the time I resented having to take medication (METFORMIN) for possibly the rest of my life. However, now I finally got the big picture, this may also be due to the fact that I am ready to TTC and a little older, 23. Reading through the boards I noticed that no one in the Cincinnati area has mentioned Dr. Glueck's name. I am currently under his care and expertise on PCOS. Has anyone heard of him?

[bkekua]

I have been seeing Dr. Glueck since 2000.

[Amber]

bkekua,

I was wondering if you have had any success with treating your symptoms under Dr. Glueck care and if you are ttc, did you and if yes how long did it take you to do so?

[bkekua]

I have been seeing Dr. Glueck since March of 2000 (was originally only on Met) then at some point added Actos. We started TTC in June of 2001 (on just Met and Actos), added Clomid In March 2002 and conceived in April 2002. Quit the Actos, continued Met (at some point I started Met XR in lieu of regular Met), I took Progesterone until the 2nd trimester, delivered in November (early, but no biggie), resumed Actos.

My success in "managing" PCOS has not been perfect, but neither has my attempt to exercise, eat the absolute best way possible and I have not been 100% consistent in taking meds (except while pregnant). However, when I am taking meds on a regular basis, my blood work is dramatically improved and closest to "normal".

I have currently put myself on my own behavior management plan (haha) to start taking my meds more regularly and exercising and eating better (hence, my attempt to get a support group started in our area).

My experience with Dr. Glueck has been pretty positive (over the years). I'd be happy to discuss it further if you wish. Feel free to email me.

[katydidnt1]

I am 25 and live in Western Hills. I am going to Group Health associates, but seeing a nurse practitioner. Anyone else going to GHA that likes their dr? Mine wants to immediately put me on clomid cause I am concerned with fertility, but I am also concerned about my weight gain and the other issues. And, what is the deal with being 25? Sooo many people on here find out at that age.

[amyh]

Hi all,

Just re-visiting after a long absence. My 2nd daughter was born in June, and I returned to work in the fall. Things have been really crazy, but now that my baby is getting close to 1 we are thinking about ttc again (don't be shocked, it took 9 years to get baby #2, so we figure ttc so soon isn't a big deal). I have seen Dr. Lisa Gennari in Montgomery (across from b-north hospital and I love her. She is a regular OB.GYN, but she is very knowledgeable, works with you and most important is very personable. What is going on with everyone else?

[blue171717]

I was really excited to see a Cincinnati board out here, but no one seams to be posting anymore. Anyone else in out there?

[Tamroon]

Hi Blue , I'm glad to see someone from ohio is watching this board. I was wondering if anyone from cincinnati was ever going to post again.

[LoriLou]

Hi,
I am new to the world of PCOS...self diagnosed mostly, initially confirmed with OB/GYN today, doing labwork later this week to confirm. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism 2 years ago just before I got married. Now I am 33 and am still working with endo to control thyroid. PCOS seems to be a double whammy to our baby plans. Anyone know of a doctor who is willing to take time to work with these two hormonal battles, deal with my teary-ness, and help us conceive?
Seems as though many PCOS sufferers also battle thyroid--anyone with hyperthyroid???
Thanks for ANY advice,
Lori

[JennyM24]

HI,

I am also (almost) 25, and was diagnosed with PCOS a few years ago after researching my symptoms (excessive body hair, hair thinning, and multiple cysts on ovaries and all over my body) and bringing this to my doctor's attention. My doctor did a blood test to confirm, and then ordered an ultrasound to confirm that I had cysts. I was treated by a diabetic doctor for the first year or two, but decided that was not working for me. So, two years ago I went on to an alternative medicine doctor in Kenwood, and went off the Metformin. The theory with my new doctor (he practices kineseology/chiropractic medicine) is that your body is deficient in a few areas, and taking herbal supplements and vitamins will help get your body back to normal so that it fixes the problem. When I saw my diabetic doctor, he said I would be on Metformin for the rest of my life. My new doctor said it will take up to 2-3 years of herbal treatments for my body to fix the problem, and then I will not have to be treated anymore! I am almost there, and things have gotten a ton better! :)

Just DX: there is an excellent book that I bought when I was diagnosed, that answered all of my questions and more...it is called "What to do when the doctor says it's PCOS". As far as the infertility goes, I was told that since PCOS is a hormone imbalance (which causes infertility), if you are being treated for the hormone imbalance, and get your hormones back on track, you will become fertile again- there are many options to do that, and many women with PCOS do conceive. It is actually very GOOD that you were diagnosed now, and not down the road when you are trying to get pregnant and not able to for months or years, not knowing why or what to do. This way, you can help the problem early so that when you are TTC you will be able to, and not have to go through agonizing treatments and tests, etc.

Good luck...
Jenny

[sarah_beth_us]

I live in the Dayton area, but work in cincy. My Doctor is in West Chester. I started seeing her the begining of 2006 which followed with me being diagnosed with PCOS. I am 27 yo and had always wondered what was wrong with me. Had been diagnosed as this or that never quite knowing exactly what my defect was. It is nice to know what is wrong with me, but a real pain in the butt to deal with the reality of it all.

My husband and I thought that we would be able to get pregnant with little effort but after a year of meds things are no better. I stopped seeing my doctor and stopped taking all meds because I didn't feel they were doing any good, plus my insurance would cover anything. My periods weren't coming I wan't ovulating and the other nasty stuff was still occuring ie facial hair, weight yoyoing, etc.

Well I finally started back to my doctor last month because I started having periods in October. It started Oct 14th and lasted 4 and a half weeks then it stopped then 3 weeks later it started up again ran for 5 weeks and then stopped and then after only a ten day intermission I started again. I am currently on day 21 of this period. I SO HATE ME RIGHT NOW!!!

My doctor put me back on the Met 2000mg and she plans to raise that soon. She also gave me Provera 5mg to try to stop my period though all it has done is make my bleeding heavier and the cramps and mood swings even worse. I HATE ME RIGHT NOW!!

Does anyone know how long it will take the provera to stop my period? I have already finished the ten days worth of it that I was suppose to take and see no signs of it slowing anything.

Thanks for listening all,

Hopelessly in limbo.