I will call her this week and say what Nikki suggested lol. We’ll see what she says I suppose.
She had me tested for everything—pcos, diabetes, all that stuff. No, I am not diabetic and no I don’t have pcos and my weight is normal and has always been. The 2 blood tests she did–the first one showed testosterone as normal (the lab did not test for free test. though) and dhea came out high. The second blood test, the testosterone came out to 52 (which I read in Hormonally Vulnerable Woman that is enough to cause problems) and free testosterone was very high (3.9). But she said these tests confused her… I have a feeling she just prescribed me anything (something mild) so that I’ll get out of there happy with a prescription in my hand…
I would give her the benefit of the doubt and not be ready to think she is just prescribing Glucophage to get rid of you.
Here’s what we know about Glucophage:
-
the FDA has approved this drug for treating Type II diabetes
-
the FDA has not approved it for treating PCOS, though it is
widely used because it:
1. lowers insulin levels
2. decreases the amount of sugar (glucose) absorbed
from the food you eat -
If you reduce the glucose level in your body, then you reduce
the level of androgens (male hormones) that are circulating in
your blood. If you reduce the the circulating androgens, then,
that in turn will help with your hirsutism, defined as:Inappropriate hair growth in androgen sensitive areas of the
body (areas where hair growth is related to male/female
hormones). Areas include the chin, upper lip, neck, chest,
upper and lower back, upper and lower abdomen, upper arms, and
thighs. -
Glucophage lowers the level of circulating male hormones
-
Glucophage is often combined with drugs like spironolactone
because it appears that it boosts spironolactone’s
effectiveness
Spironolactone is combined with oral contraceptives because a
woman should never become pregnant while taking spiro. Did you
tell your doctor about the spiro you are taking on your own? -
British researchers have reported that Glucophage reduces
blood pressure in hypertensive females. -
In another medical journal, it has been reported that hirsute
teenage girls showed improvement when they took Glucophage.
I don’t know what your doctor’s rationale is for you taking Glucophage. If you don’t trust her or if you think she doesn’t care about your concerns, then have your medical records transferred to another endocrinologist and see how their comments and plans differ.
Dee
Hi Guys… update. I have been on Spiro for over 2 months now. I incresedthe dose to 100mg 2x a day about 3 weeks ago and I feel great. My acne is clearing up and my hair is not oily at all—also I can do without deodorant. However, I haven’t noticed a difference in body hair although it does seem to grow in slower.
One thing I recently noticed is that my period is 10 days late— I have always been regular so I am attributing to the Spiro. I do not Birth Control presently so I wanted to ask— is it absolutely necessary to take BCP while on Spiro? If I take Spiro WITHOUT any birth control and I get missed periods or breakthough bleeding will that mess up my health, fertility, etc?
I don’t really want BCPs but if it is safer then I will take it…
I’ve been on Yasmin 4 years ago and it made me feel great (although no affetc on hair) so would that be a good one for Sprio?
Hi. Just wanted to post an update on my spiro experience. It has been almost 5 months on spiro for me— I have been on a 200/mg dosage for the past 3-4 months. Here’s what I have so far;
PROS
-acne-free
-body hair grows in slower (I can go 3-5 days without shaving)
-skin and hair is not oily anymore
-no/less body odor/sweat even if I don’t put deodorant on
-my stomach got flat (before it was always big- trouble zone for me)
CONS
-very hard to gain weight (i lost 5-10lbs since ive been on spiro and i cant seem to gain it back now…)
-feeling of tiredness, weakness
-my hairline is extending
-get cramp if I eat too much potassium-rich foods at once
-I now cycle once every 20 days or so (not every 28) but it is very short (2 days) and very light and not painful
Overall, my experience has been good and I will continue taking it. I have not noticed REDUCTION in hair, but it does grow in much slower than before…
Spiro will not reduce the amount of hair you have. It only has the potential to reduce the pace of new hair baring follicle recruitment. Once a follicle has started growing hairs, nothing will stop that follicle from growing hairs other than permanent hair removal treatments. Drugs can’t make that happen.
Boy I haven’t been on this site awhile, sorry Nikki I didn’t answer your question.
The doctor who wrote “Hormonally Vulnerable Woman” states on his website that Aldactone works better than the generics because some of the fillers in the generics keep some of the Spiro from being absorbed. I’ve read that on forums too, where ladies are talking about their experiences with the stuff.
Sorry, didn’t mean to ignore you!
Evee – I have found doctors to be pretty obnoxious when you “bother” them about hirsutism. They can really be jerks, which is why I finally resorted to self medicating. It works, and I no longer have any painful cramps and my cycle got regulated after my body got used to the stuff. I love not having the oiliness. The hair will slow down very gradually. Don’t do what I did. I ran out of money and went a couple of months without it. Good heavens everything came back with a vengeance. It took a month to get rid of the oiliness and adult acne again. Not to mention the hair took a whole lot longer to slow down. I may have to do the electrologist again for the new growth that came in while off Spiro. Even my eyebrows grew thicker, so there must be a hormone connection there as well. It’s slowing down now.
As far as my head hair, it’s plenty thick. I have more than I ever did and it grows like nuts. I just cut my waist-length hair to my shoulders, and it won’t be long until it’s long again. I think that’s the Spiro “talking” but I couldn’t swear by it.
Ain’t it great not to need deodorant? Don’t have to worry about all that aluminum crap they put in it.
Anyway, if I could find a doctor who cared, believe me, I would rather get a prescription. And I worry that ingredients in generic Spiro could be made in China (everything about China scares me now, especially since most of my kids’ toys were recalled). But I think I’d rather croak than have to deal with all that testosterone again.
I can’t say I feel tired. Now if you don’t drink enough H2O, you will get tired because your body will get sluggish. I am a coffee drinker which gives me no trouble. I don’t drink it by the pot or anything.
I’ll try to check back more often. Sorry folks. And don’t feel guilty for self medicating. Doctors can be real… you know!
BTW, I take 250mg a day with no side effects (except good ones). I suspect I’d take less with the name brand. As far as gaining weight, I can’t gain weight either, but neither do I want to. I’m 5’5 and 110, and small boned. About right for me. I don’t take potassium supplements or even vitamins, but I eat potassium rich foods with no trouble. I just don’t eat tons of it. If it gives you cramps, skip it.