PCOS Update: It's been almost 4 months...

So, back in July, I wrote about how I was diagnosed with PCOS after not going to the doctor for 3 years. Well, it's been almost 4 months, so it's time for an update. 

Sigh. It was a rough summer. It took a lot of time to adust to my new meds. Metformin, which is actually a diabetes medication but works very well to help tame some PCOS symptoms, is known for it's wreaking havoc on digestive systems. Ugh. It sure wrecked mine. 

And actually, it's been really annoying. My fasting glucose is actually HIGHER since being on the metformin! I was not prediabetic before, but I'm borderline now according to my fasting glucose levels taken from my meter. I have not had any more bloodwork done yet though so I'm not sure how my fasting insulin or fasting A1Cs are. It's so weird that my fasting A1C and fasting glucose levels were perfect, but my fasting insulin was VERY high. The joys of PCOS... 

I have a whole list of prescriptions and supplements I take now. It's pretty ridiculous. I take some supplements for helping control my blood sugar levels, others for controling symptoms of the PCOS, and several for controlling allergies and inflammation. I also have to continue to take iodine, vitamin B, and vitamin D supplements since my levels were low on those as well. 

I tried the Keto diet, and it really messed me up.... no, I'm not talking about the keto flu, although that was no joke either. After I got through the keto flu, I had BAD stomach pain and even developed mild pancreatitis. I didn't need to go to the hospital, but once I got out of ketosis, I felt a little better. 

Since then, I've had a myriad of digestive issues. I have pain in my upper abdomen nearly all the time, and it's worse after I eat. Some days, I spend half the afternoon in the bathroom. I had an appointment with a GI (gastro-intestinal) doctor earlier this month, and I'll write more about that later since that's been a whole other experience... 

I was very frustrated when I went to see my family doctor about my pain. I had done a TON of research about my symptoms and most everything pointed to pancreas or gallbladder issues and I needed to see a doctor ASAP. So, I finally saw my doctor (not the hormone specialist since it was urgent and I didn't want to wait for her to come back to town), and pretty much as soon as I said "abdominal pain," she said I needed to see a GI. Ugh. Annoying. The family doctor had NO IDEA what was wrong but said it "couldn't be gallbladder issues because I was still standing upright and not doubled over in pain." ummmmmm, that's not how it works, thanks. Even *I* know that. I was very frustrated and felt like I wasted my time. Of course, I'm not sure if my insurance requires a referral or not, so at least I have that referral now. SO ANNOYING. 

After I made the appointment with the GI, my pain in my upper left abdomen got worse and I started having pain in my upper middle back as well as aches just below my solar plexus too. Guess it was good I made the appointment when I did. 

I've been experimenting on what foods give me what digestive issues and it's so weird. It does seem that higher fat meals give me problems, which I guess points to the gallbladder. Gluten does not seem to be an issue, and I have tried very high fiber days and very low fiber days, and the fiber does not seem to make a difference either. 

In any case, if it's the gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, stomach, intestines, or a combination of the above, a GI has to take care of it. I have also heard that it's very common for women with PCOS to have gallbladder issues too... something about the elevated estrogen levels being more likely to cause gallstones and mess with the amalyse and lipase levels... 

So that's where we are. I actually feel worse since my first appointment. I have lost over 20 pounds and for awhile, I had eliminated sugar from my diet (when the digestive issues started, they got so bad that I just had to eat SOMETHING that wouldn't bother me...). My hair is falling out worse than before, too. I'm also hungry all the time and nauseated most of the time. Plus, I am TIRED. TIRED TIRED TIRED. 

I hope to get some more answers soon. I'm scared I'm going to need surgery, but if it will help, I don't want to have any other attacks... 

I can't think of a question to ask, so just tell me something interesting. I need a distraction.