*klyann*

RileyGrace

Hey!  Sorry, I had to leave to take DH to the airport, so I didn't see your last question in my thread until a few minutes ago.

I've got pcos, official dx in Aug but I've always had crazy cycles so I'm sure that I've always had it.  I don't have any symptoms of high testosterone, except for the test results.  I originally was at 19.6 and now done to 6.5 as of last week.  I've been taking the aldactone since the beginning of this cycle - so 73 days.  And it's already made a big difference.  I will continue to take it until I get a BFP, but will stop as soon as I know I'm ku.

The only side effect that I have noticed is that my skin is super clear and amazingly soft and smooth.  I've always had a really nice complextion until I stopped BCP.  Then it got high school like breakouts and dull, rough skin.  I would exfoliate all the time and it still wasn't very nice.  The meds changed that after maybe 2 weeks. 

The only other side effect I've noticed is that my muscles can cramp more then normal.  Which I'm told is from the extra potassium.  You need to drink tons of water on this Rx and I also stay away from bananas for now.

I've not noticed any other side effects.  It's actually been so mild that I wasn't sure my numbers would have improved so much so quickly.

I'm happy to try and answer any questions you may have.

Good luck with everything.

klyann

Thank you so much!  Clearer smoother skin sounds like a great s/e to me.  I'm totally suffering from acne since BCP.  I miss my blemish free skin.

One question though... your testosterone levels.  Was that TOTAL testosterone or FREE testosterone?  I had my levels checked at the end of July and my total testosterone was 87.  The reference range was 2-45.  So based on your numbers I'm wondering if your levels are based on FREE.  Reference range is (0.1 - 6.4) Which would make more sense.  (My free level was 4.7) which is in range. 

I wrote down the name of the med you said you are taking as I have an appointment with my Endo next Tuesday. 

Thanks again.

RileyGrace

It's my free testosterone levels, both numbers.  I don't know my total number, but my new total % is 3.3 which is still too high.  She wants them around 2.2%. 

I am still not sure what the % means, if it's compared testosterone/progesterone or what.  But she said it was amazing results in such a short period of time, so I'm sure the % will get back in line soon.

She also said it was probably a good thing that I was on BCP for such a long time (13yrs) and I should go back on BCP between pregnancies and after we finish having kids to help keep the pcos symptoms in check.

klyann

Thanks.  My labwork says % free testosterone, but doesn't say what that one means.  Mine is 0.54 (ref range is 0.5-2.0) I'm not sure why my total is so freakin high, while the other numbers are well within normal range.  Weird. 

I'm glad you are getting good results so far.  Is CD1 right around the corner for you?? 

Yeah, I was on BCP for 10 years, and now I'm thinking that was a good thing.  I'll go back on them when we are done having kids.  I want them close in age, if i'm lucky to have at least one.

PCOS sucks doesn't it.

RileyGrace

Yeah, she never told me my total numbers.  But my understanding is that even just one number being off can cause IF issues.

Yup, PCOS sucks a big one.  I feel lucky that I do ovulate on my own, even though it happens on an irregular basis.  And I've never had any cysts, so I feel very blessed about that as well.

I finished a round of provera on Friday, and had a bit of spotting last night.  So I'm hoping AF is just around the corner. 

GL to you!  Let me know if you need anything!