Many years ago I read that it can take 6 or 7 months to see the beginning results from spiro. Unfortunately, I don't remember where I read that. It could have been in Redmond's book, Hair Route or AEA's journal.

Oh, also, I don't think I mentioned this here, but in my blood tests my testosterone level came out on the high end of normal. My doctor said this was because I was on birth control when I was tested, and that if I had been off the BC, it would have tested high. Obviously I still have a problem with testosterone because my hair is still growing, but the BC and the Spiro are both hopefully addressing the problem. But, I don't have crazy high levels of androgens. It doesn't make total sense to me why my hair would still be getting worse if my testosterone is normal (I know you can also have follicles that are just very sensitive to testosterone, but I think that if that was the case I would have had this problem since puberty, which I haven't) but I trust that my doctor knows what she is doing. She is a reproductive endocrinologist at a women's hospital, and one of the center's specialties is PCOS and hirsutism. So I feel like I can trust her information.

Okay, now I'm getting a little better grasp on your social life. I was in college for a couple of years and was bored out of my wits. Bars weren't my scene because of the noise and the smoke, and people acted like idiots (only a sober person would notice!). I just couldn't stand it. I was very bored--which is why I left college. The work wasn't that difficult, but... yeah, there was nothing else to do.

There's not much more I can say that I haven't already. If you trust the doctor you have, then that's that. If you are more in the beginning stages of PCOS, it's not so bad at first. Untreated, it definitely gets worse. Definitely. Spiro and Yasmin alone will help *some* but it just may not be enough. It takes several weeks on non-PCOS women before they notice a big difference; it will take a lot longer for you probably. My skin looks a lot more youthful now on Spiro--looks really good. Hang in there.

And no, you would not necessarily have had androgen sensitive follicles at puberty. I certainly didn't. And I don't have PCOS and never did, and I'm very slim. Hirsutism just happened to me with age, is all. Totally different story for you and I hope this gets treated properly before it gets worse.

We weren't trying to lecture you hun or I certainly wasn't. I was more just commenting on that some Western cultures do have a focus on alcohol and if your a student, hell it's even more and hey if it's only a couple of pints - certainly is a small amount compared to others.

But anyway, I hope this goes okay and keep us updated.

Regards,
Benji

So I just met with my endocrinologist again today. I have always kind of had a small feeling that she is not very experienced, though I assumed she had the right knowledge since she specializes in PCOS and hirsutism. However, when I have asked her questions she sometimes gives strange answers, or answers that don't match up with any research I have done online (and I have done A LOT!) So today I met with her to talk about how my spironolactone and yasmin were working. This in itself I thought was kind of weird-- why did she want me to make an appt. within 5 weeks when it takes much longer for the drugs to work? But I went along with it.

Well, today, she told me that my hair is too fine, although it is NEW and EVERYWHERE, and that the spiro will do *ABSOLUTELY NOTHING* to the hair because it is not as coarse as a man's hair. She says it won't even stop new hair from growing. I said I didn't understand how that made any sense, since I am confirmed to have PCOS and high testosterone, and these problems started rapidly in the 6 months or so before I was diagnosed (which was in March.) She said it may just be genetics. I asked how it would be genetics if it was so sudden and rapid and coincided exactly with one of the symptoms of PCOS! She said she was stumped by it and "at the end of her expertise." My body hair is NATURALLY fine, my arm hair is fine, my normal body hair is just naturally a fine texture! But I have started to grow it EVERYWHERE and that is why I first went to see her. Now she is telling me it's not hormone related? Even though I have PCOS? And that even though the hair is new, dark, and progressing darker and longer and spreading to new areas, the spiro won't affect it in ANY WAY whatsoever? Yet she still wants me to keep taking it...

This seems to conflict with all the research I have done... yet she is an endocrinologist who supposedly specializes in this... but she is young and maybe has not been a doctor for long. I don't know where I would go to get a second opinion since this is the specialty center of the city!!! But do you think, from your experience , that she is wrong? Do I have any hope? Or will just get hairier and hairier and have to shave my whole body every day for the rest of my life??

Another thing which makes me think she might be clueless is that she told me not to start shaving any new areas. At first I thought it was just advice based on how I would get stubble if I shaved and would have to keep it up, but then she said something about how I "wouldn't want to stimulate any new hair growth" and how whenever I decided to go for electrology I should talk to the electrologist about shaving vs. not shaving. This made me do a double take!! Shouldn't she know better than that??

Yes, she should know better, but in reality, medical schools and the residencies that follow thereafter, do not teach such facts. She could benefit from a hairfacts/hairtell education, but I'm sure she has very little interest or time in hanging out here. I'm actually very embarrassed for her.

You could write her a personal letter and guide her from the patient's side of the fence about your experience. She may be amenable to this approach and you would be doing her such a favor, if indeed she is young and just starting out.

There is always hope. Keep learning all you can, so you can be a part of a plan, with a competent doctor, that will manage your specific needs for this condition. You need to look at this with the same vigor and effort that one takes when they buy a stock, mutual fund, car, house, etc. You saw the pitfalls at this doctor visit, so your research paid off.

How did you find this doctor?? Was she recommended? Do you belong to a support group? If you do, then perhaps some in the group can recommend other specialists. You can run an online search for PCOS and pinpoint authors, researchers or hospitals who specialize in treating women with PCOS using the PubMed database at www.nlm.nih.gov. Search the American Board of Medical Specialists. There are 24 specialty boards listed. If you go to your local library, you can get a copy of a directory of Board Certifies Specialists or go here: www.abms.org/login.asp

I think this doctor lacks experience. There are several centers of research in Pennsylvania. I count eleven doctors in a publication I have on hand. You can order the MediFocus Guide to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome at www.medifocus.com. I think I paid $35 for it a year ago? It would be a great resource and a comfort for you while you sort this out, as it is full of helpful information.

Keep moving forward and don't let one doctor make you feel more hopeless.

Dee

Thanks dfahey. I am not totally sure how to use the PubMed link you sent me to find a doctor... but I have been searching on google also. Unfortunately I have no transportation so I am pretty much limited to doctors within the city, to places I can get on the bus. I live in Pittsburgh. I was seeing a doctor at the Magee Women's Hospital but I don't think I should continue to see her, or anyone else in her department (I imagine they would have many of the same ideas.) I don't know, maybe she is truly right, but it just doesn't make much sense to me at all. I also looked at my blood test results and she didn't even test my insulin or do anything to check my thyroid!

Yeah, that's why I said you should get a 2nd or 3rd opinion, but you said you trusted her and I didn't want to seem bossy!

There are many doctors who don't know enough about PCOS. But an endocrinologist should have tested your insulin, for crying out loud. That is just a no-brainer. Thyroid should be checked also. The shaving thing--I am surprised she said that. But anyway, this woman clearly knows almost nothing about hormones, and doesn't even know how the medicine she prescribed works. Wouldn't one want to be educated on a medication before actually prescribing it? Sheesh.

Keep looking, and keep us updated. You may be hairy right now, but you're not hopeless. Your journey will help many others along the way, and will help lurkers here who are looking for hope.

Hi-
I have taken aldactone before and wanted to offer my experiences here. First- It is CRUCIAL to have an gyn who is experienced in handling PCOS patients... too often doctors think hair is a 'cosmetic' issue, weight gain due to bad diet, etc... To get a dr that is experienced in handling women with pcos is an amazing head start- especially since there is such a variety of symptoms.
I took aldactone for a year- seeing only a slowing of the hair growth- not a reduction or elimination. What it did was allow for me to go longer in between shavings- but that was about it. I quit after I STUPIDLY went into the sun while on the medication... and I discolored my face pretty bad- the kicker is - my face was really discolored where I shaved- and even though I have been off of aldactone for over a year I still have the discoloration
For me- staying on birth control is crucial- I hate it - I hate 'acting like a girl'- but I try to be open and honest with those around me- and I tell them to not let me be too bitchy.
I do not take metformin. I don't have any insulin issues- though other PCOS women in my family do. I do have to be very careful about what I eat- and I am still not a skinny girl. I never will be a skinny girl and I am ok with that.
I have tried Vaniqua too- and it had pretty much the same result as the Aldactone- a slowing of hair growth- but that was about it.

I hope this is helpful... and if you have any insight on how to deal with skin discolorations I would love to hear them

thanks guys. as soon as the semester is over i plan to find a new doctor. it is disheartening that i found my current one at the supposed best center in the city for pcos... but what can you do. coffeegirl, do you think spiro will affect the fine hair? at this point all i want is just for the spreading to stop... and it would be great if it grew slower too... also i never heard anything about spiro discoloring skin. i am in the sun a lot and it hasnt happened yet... but its not summer yet either...