PCOS & Type 2

[Finsky]

Glad to hear things are improving for you

For me I never had the problem of irregular periods, they were just painful and heavy.

At the moment I couldn't tolerate having a period and a migraine every 3 weeks. I've had to go to ER in ambulances before with my migraines as they can be hard to control. Plus with everything else I have going on it is just too much. My doc lets me skip 3 months and have a period. I don't like periods even on the pill as the pill hasn't stopped me from getting migraines from them either. Although I've a bit more control with the pill to get less of them for that reason.

I can't even imagine what migraines are to deal with..luckily it is not something I've had to go through.
But it is SOOOO good to have PCOS chat here...I've noticed there is not really that much chat being exchanged here....and yet both conditions are going hand in hand.
So what happens with your diabetes control when migraines hit you...are you able to keep that side under the control at all?

 

[Mep]

I can't even imagine what migraines are to deal with..luckily it is not something I've had to go through.
But it is SOOOO good to have PCOS chat here...I've noticed there is not really that much chat being exchanged here....and yet both conditions are going hand in hand.
So what happens with your diabetes control when migraines hit you...are you able to keep that side under the control at all?

My diabetes control is very difficult when I get migraines. For some reason I either go too high or too low most of the time. Also it gets difficult for me to pick up on my hypo symptoms when I have a migraine as my head is already swimming from the pain, plus I get aura with my migraines and a lot of nausea. But hypos do just make it worse. But also hormone changes affect my diabetes control as well the same way. I'm trying to avoid migraines and I'm on pizotifen as a preventative but it doesn't always do the job for me. If I get a migraine I get the 4 phases of it (prodome, aura, headache, postdrome) and it usually means I have to take some time off work during the headache part because I can't function at times with it. My migraines last an average of 4-5 days. The longest one I had was 12 days with the headache part. I don't tend to get the one day ones... shortest is 3 days. Then after the pain and all leaves I have what they call the postdrome part where I'm not myself for days and excessively tired and bad concentration.. and people tell me they can see in my eyes I've had a migraine (they actually sink in a bit and go glassy looking). I've had people tell me they can see I've had a migraine almost 2 weeks after I've had one... so the postdrome time varies for me I think. But they take a lot out of me and I don't like them. I've suffered with them though since my early 20's.

Yes, I haven't seen much talk on here about PCOS as yet. You're right, there would be a few of us with it and it is why a few of us were diagnosed with diabetes as well.

 

[Finsky]

My diabetes control is very difficult when I get migraines. For some reason I either go too high or too low most of the time. Also it gets difficult for me to pick up on my hypo symptoms when I have a migraine as my head is already swimming from the pain, plus I get aura with my migraines and a lot of nausea. But hypos do just make it worse. But also hormone changes affect my diabetes control as well the same way. I'm trying to avoid migraines and I'm on pizotifen as a preventative but it doesn't always do the job for me. If I get a migraine I get the 4 phases of it (prodome, aura, headache, postdrome) and it usually means I have to take some time off work during the headache part because I can't function at times with it. My migraines last an average of 4-5 days. The longest one I had was 12 days with the headache part. I don't tend to get the one day ones... shortest is 3 days. Then after the pain and all leaves I have what they call the postdrome part where I'm not myself for days and excessively tired and bad concentration.. and people tell me they can see in my eyes I've had a migraine (they actually sink in a bit and go glassy looking). I've had people tell me they can see I've had a migraine almost 2 weeks after I've had one... so the postdrome time varies for me I think. But they take a lot out of me and I don't like them. I've suffered with them though since my early 20's.

Yes, I haven't seen much talk on here about PCOS as yet. You're right, there would be a few of us with it and it is why a few of us were diagnosed with diabetes as well.

Gosh...as bad as that! Do you know your migraine trickers? You always hear about certain foods or flashing lights...the usual stuff. I suspect yours must be much more complicated thing. Has your migraine situation got any better over the years or is it still as bad? Sorry....don't tend to be nosy....but I just find medical conditions so interesting. Maybe I should have made effort in my younger days and take on studying more...maybe medicine...maybe veterinary side of stuff...
I used to have room mate who had migraine issues and I know what you mean it showing in eyes afterwards.. she was 'just' 1-2 day'er..but I used to move out when she had her episodes to let her live in a 'cave'....quiet, dark house where nobody would bother her....I would just quietly check in from time to time to see she was ok but otherwise I left her to it.

 

[Scimama]

Hi @Loobydoo Knowledge is so important, for you an early (in your 20s) diagnosis means that you can get treatment and plan ahead. In my and my sisters case that didn't happen, we both have T2 diabetes and PCOS.

Unfortunately for both of us it took a long time to get a PCOS diagnosis despite having so many classic symptoms (we live in different parts of UK so different GPs I have had multiple GPs as I moved a lot due to work).
We have both had different outcomes of this and we both handle our T2 very differently, we were both diagnosed with T2 for a few years before PCOS (which in hindsight was so glaringly obvious considering the amount of facial hair we had!!)

My sister still struggles with the symptoms of PCOS, she is insulin dependent, obese and eats a high carb diet. When she was in her early 30s she changed GPs he diagnosed PCOS and said if she had been diagnosed earlier she might have been able to have children - devasting enough but she was also too old by a few months for NHS funded IVF in her area. She hasn't taken control of her diabetes and as such she now has many complications (abscesses, retinopathy, neuropathy etc). Her mood swings are legendary and her facial hair is so bad she needs to shave every day.

I had many of the classic PCOS symptoms, and struggled to get pregnant and had many miscarriages (on a VERY positive note I am now a very happy proud mummy). I had similar symptoms to my sister, however I wasn't/ am not obese and when I was diagnosed as T2 I sought out info about using diet to help control my blood glucose levels, after a few months I also noticed my PCOS symptoms improved. Then I started to research it a bit more, both are linked by insulin sensitivity. Once I had been on a low carb diet for a few months I found my mood swings, facial hair, skin problems, menorrhagia (with associated low iron levels and fainting), abdominal pain etc etc all improved. I was so astonished at how much better my symptoms were that I started to get a little evangelical to friends I knew that also had PCOS My blood glucose levels also improved - which was of course my primary intent.

So…… you aren't alone, I am sure there are many more women who haven't been properly diagnosed

 

[Scimama]

@Finsky @Mep Interestingly I also used to suffer from frequent migraines, the visual auras were "interesting"

After a few months on a low carb diet I realised I hadn't had a migraine for a few weeks (I was newly diagnosed T2, new mum, moved house and made redundant all in space of few weeks so hadn't noticed!)

Now I don't know if it is connected or not but since i have been following a LCHF diet my migraines are rare as in two or three a year rather than weekly! No idea but I am not complaining

 

[Finsky]

@Finsky @Mep Interestingly I also used to suffer from frequent migraines, the visual auras were "interesting"

After a few months on a low carb diet I realised I hadn't had a migraine for a few weeks (I was newly diagnosed T2, new mum, moved house and made redundant all in space of few weeks so hadn't noticed!)

Now I don't know if it is connected or not but since i have been following a LCHF diet my migraines are rare as in two or three a year rather than weekly! No idea but I am not complaining

Hmm...interesting! I would like see those 'auras'...though without any associated pain.. Do you need to take any preventative medication against migraine?
It is very curious situation how differently you and your sister have experienced PCOS and Diabetes issues. Were you both physically different to start with...before it all kicked in?

 

[Mep]

Gosh...as bad as that! Do you know your migraine trickers? You always hear about certain foods or flashing lights...the usual stuff. I suspect yours must be much more complicated thing. Has your migraine situation got any better over the years or is it still as bad? Sorry....don't tend to be nosy....but I just find medical conditions so interesting. Maybe I should have made effort in my younger days and take on studying more...maybe medicine...maybe veterinary side of stuff...
I used to have room mate who had migraine issues and I know what you mean it showing in eyes afterwards.. she was 'just' 1-2 day'er..but I used to move out when she had her episodes to let her live in a 'cave'....quiet, dark house where nobody would bother her....I would just quietly check in from time to time to see she was ok but otherwise I left her to it.

My trigger is usually hormones, but as I've got older I seem to be prone to getting them when I'm too exhausted as well. Yes, I need to be in a dark room too ax light makes my pain worse. Trying to drive with one is horrible too as motion of driving makes nausea worse. I can get myself in trouble if I start vomiting because I can bring up meds or can't get them down. This is usually where I wind up going to ER as heart rate & BP goes too high from the pain. My doc gas me taking anti-nausea med now which helps if I take it soon enough.

 

[Scimama]

Hmm...interesting! I would like to those 'auras'...though without any associated pain.. Do you need to take any preventative medication against migraine?
It is very curious situation how differently you and your sister have experienced PCOS and Diabetes issues. Were you both physically different to start with...before it all kicked in?

Regarding migraines the visual aura, sickness and pain have all improved (don't want to jinx it!)

Yes before diagnosis (and from a teenager) she was obese and I wasn't. We have a massive family history of diabetes and I did not want to be another statistic, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and it didn't resolve itself after giving birth.

I have always been vegetarian, used to have a very low fat "healthy" diet, lots of exercise etc, now I use my meter to follow a veggie diet that keeps my BGL as stable as possible. I often get asked if I used to be fat when the subject of me being T2 comes up, arghhh NO!

My sister went from metformin to insulin pretty quickly, she eats a NHS approved diet (i.e. high carb) I try to help her and other family members but they say I don't know as much as them as they have been diabetic longer and are doing what their GP has told then to so it must be right

 

[LaurenMoffitt]

Hi. I have hormonal insulin resistant PCOS. I use low carb diet to control mine. My endocrinologist has advised against medication for insulin resistance as in the long run the risk of developing the need for insulin injections and other complications is very high. Here if you need to talk. I'm 22 by the way.

 

[LaurenMoffitt]

Have you had the c-peptide test done recently at all? That's how I found out why nothing was working for me as that came back showing I hardly produce insulin. You may not have that issue, but if you haven't already it may be worthwhile checking.

Yeh these skin tags are just annoying but my neck seems to cop most of them... I had no idea you could get them on the inside of you as well. I also got told I probably had PCOS since puberty because I always had a lot of pain and heavy periods. I remember my mother taking me to the doctor one time to tell him I can't be normal and asked him what should be done. The doctor at the time just made out I was fine and he didn't do any tests or anything (probably didn't know anything about PCOS). I also had problems where I wouldn't stop bleeding either... like for a month. I only learnt later at age 25 from the endocrinologist that all that was PCOS symptoms.

I bled for approximately 3 months after my first smear aged 21. Now know aged 22 this was the cause. Endocrinologist confirmed for me too.

 

[LaurenMoffitt]

Wide awake with mirena coil contractions and bleeding like a taps been turned on!! Blood glucose was 6.7 an hour ago.

 

[Mep]

Wide awake with mirena coil contractions and bleeding like a taps been turned on!! Blood glucose was 6.7 an hour ago.

Oh not good re: bleeding Are you able to see your doc to get checked? So the mirena coil does this often for you? Or is it the first time you've had this?

 

[LaurenMoffitt]

Oh not good re: bleeding Are you able to see your doc to get checked? So the mirena coil does this often for you? Or is it the first time you've had this?

Get cramps and a period every month anyway. But this is worse. Off to see GP on Tues as being Easter its closed tomorrow. Fortunate GP is experienced with coils. Just wondering if I've an infection as temperature and blood sugars are up and I feel lousy.

 

[Mep]

Get cramps and a period every month anyway. But this is worse. Off to see GP on Tues as being Easter its closed tomorrow. Fortunate GP is experienced with coils. Just wondering if I've an infection as temperature and blood sugars are up and I feel lousy.

Sorry to hear I've just had to call for help myself as eating is making me real sick. My BP is going up to 200/113 and not going lower than 159/98. My heart rate is fluctuating between 102-122. I called our health direct here to check if I need to be going to ER or anything and they said I need to see a GP within 6 hours. So I've called an after hours GP service here and they will be here in another few hours to see me. If things get any worse, I hope you can get help.

 

[Finsky]

Oh gosh....I hope two of you are getting yourselves better...and soon!

 

[LaurenMoffitt]

Sorry to hear I've just had to call for help myself as eating is making me real sick. My BP is going up to 200/113 and not going lower than 159/98. My heart rate is fluctuating between 102-122. I called our health direct here to check if I need to be going to ER or anything and they said I need to see a GP within 6 hours. So I've called an after hours GP service here and they will be here in another few hours to see me. If things get any worse, I hope you can get help.

How did it go? I'm determined to hang on until Tues!! Going to church was a bit of a nightmare!!

 

[Mep]

How did it go? I'm determined to hang on until Tues!! Going to church was a bit of a nightmare!!

Hi - I wound up in the end at ER for 5 hours getting tests and chest x-ray. I have to see my GP Tues or Wed. But apparently my chest x-ray showed I have a wider heart or larger heart than normal and also she could see my oesophagus was wider than normal so she understood what I was explaining re: trapped air as she said that is what it looked like. I got home after 1 am, so just resting up today. But she did say I had tachycardia and hypertension, but the hypertension wasn't serious enough to treat with meds because they only do that when the systolic is over 200 she said. I'm going to have to be careful about what I eat today. Oh she did find I had ketones in my urine and told me I had to eat last night (hadn't eaten since lunch). She insisted on knowing what I was going to eat and told me I had to take the rest of my meds... so insisted I had to eat as soon as I got home before going to sleep because of the ketones.... her comment was "you don't want to wind up back here".

 

[LaurenMoffitt]

Hi - I wound up in the end at ER for 5 hours getting tests and chest x-ray. I have to see my GP Tues or Wed. But apparently my chest x-ray showed I have a wider heart or larger heart than normal and also she could see my oesophagus was wider than normal so she understood what I was explaining re: trapped air as she said that is what it looked like. I got home after 1 am, so just resting up today. But she did say I had tachycardia and hypertension, but the hypertension wasn't serious enough to treat with meds because they only do that when the systolic is over 200 she said. I'm going to have to be careful about what I eat today. Oh she did find I had ketones in my urine and told me I had to eat last night (hadn't eaten since lunch). She insisted on knowing what I was going to eat and told me I had to take the rest of my meds... so insisted I had to eat as soon as I got home before going to sleep because of the ketones.... her comment was "you don't want to wind up back here".

Oh no!! Sorry to hear that you're so unwell. I had numerous hypertension tests as every time I had one in a clinical setting it was high. A good GP and 24hr monitoring confirmed I suffer from white coat hypertension only so no need to medicate.

 

[Mep]

Oh no!! Sorry to hear that you're so unwell. I had numerous hypertension tests as every time I had one in a clinical setting it was high. A good GP and 24hr monitoring confirmed I suffer from white coat hypertension only so no need to medicate.

That's a relief for you. I definitely have hypertension at home from time to time. I have my own monitor. Yesterday when the GP visited my home she checked and it was sitting on 198/121.

 

[LaurenMoffitt]

That's a relief for you. I definitely have hypertension at home from time to time. I have my own monitor. Yesterday when the GP visited my home she checked and it was sitting on 198/121.

Oh yes! Have you eaten something? I never want to eat when I'm unwell.