Spironolactone

[Pea-n-Me]

The thought of PCOS is really freaking me out, but I tend toward freaking out about everything.

Just seeing this. Hope what I posted doesn't freak you out more. It is kind of scary to hear about, but knowledge is power and once you get on the right path, the rest is fairly easy. Remember that many women never knew they had anything like this their whole lives. They didn't have the benefit of having monitoring and treatment. There are many women today also walking around who have no idea they have this. So if you find out that this is something your DD has, then you caught it at a young age when you can really help her have a big impact on her health for years to come, which is a great thing. Just take a few deep breaths and let the (overwhelming information, I know) sink in a bit, then make some phone calls and get started seeing a specialist.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Just seeing this. Hope what I posted doesn't freak you out more. It is kind of scary to hear about, but knowledge is power and once you get on the right path, the rest is fairly easy. Remember that many women never knew they had anything like this their whole lives. They didn't have the benefit of having monitoring and treatment. There are many women today also walking around who have no idea they have this. So if you find out that this is something your DD has, then you caught it at a young age when you can really help her have a big impact on her health for years to come, which is a great thing. Just take a few deep breaths and let the (overwhelming information, I know) sink in a bit, then make some phone calls and get started seeing a specialist.

As far as women not knowing that they have it, I'm pretty sure that my grandmother on my mom's side had PCOS but never knew.

I've had the PCOS symptoms since before it was called PCOS. At first it was MOODY - Mature Onset Diabetes of the Youth and then it was called Syndrome X.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

So do you all think I should have DD see her ped and have any bloodwork run that he wants before she starts the meds? I'm just so nervous that if she starts the meds it might change her blood levels and mask anything that might be there.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

So do you all think I should have DD see her ped and have any bloodwork run that he wants before she starts the meds? I'm just so nervous that if she starts the meds it might change her blood levels and mask anything that might be there.

Discuss with pediatrician and make appointment with endocrinologist who will run the *correct* bloodwork. Endocrinologist will make treatment recommendations (or not). If she has PCOS, aldactone may or may not be the right drug of choice for her. Lifestyle changes are always a good thing.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Well, I made the appointment for her bloodwork for tomorrow. And I called her pediatrician's office and they're going to get me in to see him on Friday. Hopefully he'll send her for further bloodwork to check for anything (diabetes, etc.) that the derma didn't. I don't want to get her upset that there's potentially something else going on, but I have to follow through on this. Might put a call into my ob-gyn too and see what he thinks. Once the bloodwork comes back, hopefully we'll have a better idea of where this is going and then I'll decide about the endocronologist. It's only 3 weeks from now and I'm comfortable waiting it out the 3 weeks.

Read up a little on PCOS and, like a good fortune teller, I can apply some things to DD and others don't apply. But then again I guess that would be the case with almost anyone you ask. There is are weight issues, she's about 5' and 120-125 lbs, no excessive hair issue, her periods are pretty regular, and no skin discoloration. As for the other potential symptoms, that will all have to come from the bloodwork and her follow-up with her pediatrician. However, we do lead a rather sedintary lifestyle and have poor eating habits.

It's a fine line to walk between being proactive and causing her undue stress. Hopefully I can manage to walk that line. I'd hate to cause a ruckus and upset her and find out it's just acne, KWIM? On the other hand MIL has indicated that her side of the family always has had "female problems". I've never had problems (that I'm aware of), but I probably have more of those symptoms than she does, so that makes me a little nervous.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Well, I made the appointment for her bloodwork for tomorrow. And I called her pediatrician's office and they're going to get me in to see him on Friday. Hopefully he'll send her for further bloodwork to check for anything (diabetes, etc.) that the derma didn't. I don't want to get her upset that there's potentially something else going on, but I have to follow through on this. Might put a call into my ob-gyn too and see what he thinks. Once the bloodwork comes back, hopefully we'll have a better idea of where this is going and then I'll decide about the endocronologist. It's only 3 weeks from now and I'm comfortable waiting it out the 3 weeks.

Read up a little on PCOS and, like a good fortune teller, I can apply some things to DD and others don't apply. But then again I guess that would be the case with almost anyone you ask. There is are weight issues, she's about 5' and 120-125 lbs, no excessive hair issue, her periods are pretty regular, and no skin discoloration. As for the other potential symptoms, that will all have to come from the bloodwork and her follow-up with her pediatrician. However, we do lead a rather sedintary lifestyle and have poor eating habits.

It's a fine line to walk between being proactive and causing her undue stress. Hopefully I can manage to walk that line. I'd hate to cause a ruckus and upset her and find out it's just acne, KWIM? On the other hand MIL has indicated that her side of the family always has had "female problems". I've never had problems (that I'm aware of), but I probably have more of those symptoms than she does, so that makes me a little nervous.

As far as symptoms that I have, I don't have the excess facial/body hair, thinning hair, and cysts. However, I do have that skin discoloration around my neck - that was what tipped my endo off to the fact that somebody in my family had diabetes.

It's better to make sure that everything is in check though. If there is a problem then it can be treated now. I completely understand that you don't want to alarm your daughter.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I've been taking it for about a year, in conjuction with BC, for a hormonal imbalance - once blood work came back and no other health problems (diabetes) were the culprit of hair growing where it shouldn't be. After just a few weeks I had noticed a difference. And now that you mention it, the discolorations on my face don't seem as bad as they once were and since there isn't hair where it shouldn't be, I don't have the trouble with ingrown hairs either.

I take a high dose (100 mg tablets, two per day). The lesser dose, I think it's 25mg is on WM's $4 list. It took about a month to adjust to both pills, had a messed up tummy for the first month, I would blame that more on the BC than the Spiro.


ETA: noticed a post as I was scrolling back to the CB. Definitely stay hydrated. I had an episode this spring when taking a hike. Our walk took longer than I expected and ran out of water. It took me the whole evening, and a good night's sleep, to recouperate from being dehydrated....it was a warm spring day - not summer. I was really sensitive to the summer heat though...couldn't be out in it for long after the noon hour.

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

I take it also because I have bad acne with my PCOS. The meds taste nasty. My doctor has told me it takes a while for it to get in your system for its full effect. So far it has worked great for me.

 

[teacherlisa1978]

They do taste bad-I take a sip of something flavored, never just plain water, and then put the pills in my mouth and swallow with another sip. That seems to help.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I've been taking it for about a year, in conjuction with BC, for a hormonal imbalance - once blood work came back and no other health problems (diabetes) were the culprit of hair growing where it shouldn't be. After just a few weeks I had noticed a difference. And now that you mention it, the discolorations on my face don't seem as bad as they once were and since there isn't hair where it shouldn't be, I don't have the trouble with ingrown hairs either.

I take a high dose (100 mg tablets, two per day). The lesser dose, I think it's 25mg is on WM's $4 list. It took about a month to adjust to both pills, had a messed up tummy for the first month, I would blame that more on the BC than the Spiro.


ETA: noticed a post as I was scrolling back to the CB. Definitely stay hydrated. I had an episode this spring when taking a hike. Our walk took longer than I expected and ran out of water. It took me the whole evening, and a good night's sleep, to recouperate from being dehydrated....it was a warm spring day - not summer. I was really sensitive to the summer heat though...couldn't be out in it for long after the noon hour.

I take it also because I have bad acne with my PCOS. The meds taste nasty. My doctor has told me it takes a while for it to get in your system for its full effect. So far it has worked great for me.

Thank you both for sharing your experiences with me.

I don't know what the dosage is. Dropped the prescriptions off at the pharmacy last night and found out 2 of the prescriptions aren't covered by insurance (one foam and one washing cloths). Unfortunately, I don't have $730 per month for these two prescriptions. Hopefully they'll find something else they can substitute.

Changed her bloodwork until Friday so we can see the pediatrician first. I figured if he wants to add further bloodwork, why make her go twice? I had no idea before her appointment last night this was going to turn into such a production. I also mentioned to her about the possibility of having to take birth control in conjunction with this prescription. She seemed okay with it. Not thrilled at having to have a pelvic exam, but we have to do what's best.

Please keep your experiences and suggestions coming. I truly appreciate everything you've shared so far.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Not every doctor will run the same bloodwork or prescribe the same medication(s). This is why it's good to go to have one expert doctor who's running the show for this matter. Personally, I'd wait until the endocrinologist orders the bloodwork or she risks getting stuck twice and needing two trips, etc. First, this may be something she doesn't really even have. And second, if she does have it, there may be no birth control ordered at all and therefore no pelvic exam necessary, etc. Don't get ahead of yourself! Your best bet is to see what the endocrinologist has to say (and of course keep the pediatrician in the loop).

 

[KPeveler]

You definitely want to make sure an endocrinologist orders the bloodwork - they HAVE to test more than just the "female" hormones.

This drug blocks/reduces aldosterone production somehow (not sure how it works). Aldosterone is an adrenal hormone and actually has nothing to do with the ovaries at all.

We tested mine and found out that I DO NOT MAKE aldosterone. There are no real symptoms for it, we just happened to check it while looking at something else.

If I took this med and we did not know about my aldosterone problem, it could literally kill me.

An endocrinologist should know to test for that, but I have had GPs not even know what aldosterone is (I don't know anything about her ped, of course)

 

[sparklynails23]

What's the foam called?

 

[PrincessKsMom]

What's the foam called?

I honestly don't know. I left it at the pharmacy that night. With much back and forth, the derm prescribed a wash instead of the washing cloths (Seb-Prev Wash) and said to forget the second foam, just to use one that he prescribed (Clindamycin Phosphate Foam, 1%).

Took DD to the pediatrician yesterday and explained everything. He was fine with the bloodtests the derma asked for and didn't want to add anything further. He also agreed with the Spironolactone. He said there was no indication from prior bloodtests that anything was out of the ordinary but asked that he receive a copy of the bloodwork. He also said I should call him to discuss after meeting with the dermatologist if I have any questions.

Once I get the results then I'll determine whether or not DD should be seen by an endo. If everything comes back fine I don't see a reason to escalate the process. She just started the Sprionolcatone today, after her bloodwork. Hopefully she won't have any adverse effects.

 

[sparklynails23]

The dermatologist should know some of that stuff isn't covered, especially if it's the one I'm thinking of. Based on her symptoms, I don't think your daughter will have PCOS. Hope her acne clears up.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

The dermatologist should know some of that stuff isn't covered, especially if it's the one I'm thinking of. Based on her symptoms, I don't think your daughter will have PCOS. Hope her acne clears up.

When we left the office the nurse said, if they insurance won't cover any of them, just call us and we'll try to prescribe something that is covered. I guess with every insurance being different they figure they'll try their first preference and work from there.

Thanks for your good wishes.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Update: DD has been on her medication for about a week now. Between the pills, wash and foam, it seems to be slowly getting better. Dermatologist's office called today to say everything with her bloodwork is fine, except her Vitamin D is slightly below normal. I discussed the possibility of PCOS with the nurse and she said there is no indication whatsoever that DD has this. She did say that if anything was out of the ordinary with her bloodwork the next step would be for the dermatologist to recommend an endo to do further bloodwork testing. I'm confident that there is no further testing warranted, and would like to thank you all for your support and guidance and wish you all much health and happiness in the new year!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Update: DD has been on her medication for about a week now. Between the pills, wash and foam, it seems to be slowly getting better. Dermatologist's office called today to say everything with her bloodwork is fine, except her Vitamin D is slightly below normal. I discussed the possibility of PCOS with the nurse and she said there is no indication whatsoever that DD has this. She did say that if anything was out of the ordinary with her bloodwork the next step would be for the dermatologist to recommend an endo to do further bloodwork testing. I'm confident that there is no further testing warranted, and would like to thank you all for your support and guidance and wish you all much health and happiness in the new year!

Glad to hear things are getting better and her blood work came back clear! Thanks for the update!