Let's talk about PCOS and LEEPs (T&Ps and advice, please)

eliida

Good morning, everyone! Hope you’re all enjoying your Sunday. Does anyone have a moment to shed some light on a situation my sister is dealing with?

My baby sister (age 29) has the double whammy of PCOS and cervical dysplasia. Her most recent US revealed 21 cysts on one ovary. Over the past couple years, she has also had two LEEPs in response to Grade III CIN. This month, right as she was about to graduate to 6 month check-ups (vs 3), she had a bad pap and is being sent for a biopsy. She’s upset, to say the least.

She has a lot of anxiety about her condition(s), which tends to cause her blood pressure to sky-rocket during appointments and gets in the way of her being her own advocate. Here’s where I’m hoping TTCAL can come to the rescue: Tomorrow I am going to accompany her at her doctor’s office. What questions should I ask? (Doctor Google is scaring the hell out of me.) What kind of goals should we be setting? When is it time to switch physicians? This guy is great at monitoring her, but it seems like after two years we are no closer to a solution (if there even is one).

Thank you in advance!

eliida

Thank you, @Pickles4Prez. Great idea. (I always forget about other boards... )

rubysi

I am sorry to hear about your sisters situation. I was diagnosed with PCOS about 25 years ago and I have had several stages with it. As a teenager I had multiple cysts. They offered to drill or put me on the pill. I was on the pill for 14 years. I had good, bad, and inconclusive paps. Off of the pill my cycles happened 5-6 times a year, quick weight gain, and started sporting a beard (adorable I know). Then I became inexplicably ill, I had flu symptoms for 6 weeks, and eventually lost my desire to eat. Not like I don't feel like it. No desire, nothing tasted good, sounded good. I ate apples because the texture was ok,and maybe some broccoli or rice. I lost 80 lbs. I would never want to experience this again. The thing that happened with the dramatic weight loss was the regulation in my menstrual cycle. At that time DH and I were not trying but not preventing. It was 3 years later we had our only unsuccessful bfp. Now I am struggling with my weight (I love to eat), hair growth, but with Metformin I have 28 is day cycles. I for the most part eat healthy. This cysts are minimal, I have only had one cycle this year that it was an issue.

Things to look at with pcos are the symptoms. Currently that is the only thing they seem to be able to manage. Currently there is no cure for pcos. I would ask about insulin resistance. It might require medication(Metformin isthe most common) and a change in diet. Is she trying to ttc? If not the pill did help with my cysts. I would also consider egg storage if she is not ttc. I wished it was a more common thing when I was 29 and not sure if we were ready. 

My blood pressure also skyrockets when the anxiety kicks in. I have had it since the loss they have also put me on blood pressure medication.

I am unfamiliar with the rest of her diagnosis. 

 I don't know if any of this will help...

FutureMrsWright2012

I can't speak to the PCOS, but I remember when I had cervical dysplasia a few years ago, the first thing my GYN did was put me on a bunch of vitamins to help my body fight off the HPV causing it. I can't remember exactly what the regimen was, but it included high doses of B, C, E, A and a few others. I did end up having a LEEP, but I'm convinced that the vitamins helped fight off anything that might have been left. My paps since then have been clear. I wish your sister all the best, and I hope she's able to get some answers and a solid plan tomorrow. GL!

flyoffeve

T & P

eliida

@rubysi Thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds like you and my sister have very similar symptoms. (There is some concern that she's developing diabetes, too.) She's currently TTA and her doctor is playing with different BCPs to find the right fit. I will encourage her to ask her Dr about egg storage. I think she sees this an extreme, but it's important to learn more--especially if now is the right time for her to do it.

@futuremrswright2012 I will definitely ask the doctor about this. The PCOS is currently making it difficult for her to get her weight under control. She eats fairly healthy, but I don't think she's taking supplements beyond a standard once-a-day. Thank you!