Metformin steroid cyclev | | Started to fear swallowing pills

hey guys i have a lot of health problems here's a list: bipolar 1 (rapid cycling), ADHD (combined type), hypogammaglobulinemia (immune disorder), eustachian tube dysfunction, chronic gastritis (unknown cause), insomnia, anxiety, severe depression, obesity (caused by taking medication weight gain). I take 10 different medications a day. and I fear that i'll cause myself to reject medications if i keep going on like this. I know i need it, but why does it have to be so many? What can I do to soothe myself from this anxiety I feel building up? Any advice or anyone share this experience? I've been taking pills for a long time, i have gotten bilateral ear infections since i was 7 months old so I'm used to swallowing big pills (antibiotics) like that. As a child I used to take handfuls of melatonin to fall asleep every night because my ADHD kept me up and the more tolerance i built the bigger the pill. I'm 20 now and the pill list just keeps growing and i know that i need these pills to get better but i feel sick after swallowing so many every day. I swallow them and my whole body starts shivering and I feel disgusted. When I was 18 I got hives and i was taking 2-3 handfulls of different medication twice a day. Every morning and night. Eventually my immune system gave out and now I have an immune disorder from taking so many steroids trying to help myself get better and the hives didn't go away I ended up having to take an immunosuppressant for 2 months.
10 medications, 13 pills: Morning: Lamotrigine 100mg Phentermine 37.5mg Dextroamphetamine 15mg XR Pantoprazole 20mg delayed release Metformin I just started idk the dosage but they're very large pills i'm supposed to take 3 of them (thats 7 pills) Nightly: Trazodone 150mg Lamotrigine 200mg Clonidine .01mg Lithium 300mg x2 Pantoprazole 20mg delayed release (6 pills) Lets not forget my as needed that I frequently need! I take 2 Allegra and 2 Zertec day and night because my seasonal allergies cause me to get sick quickly. That's 17 pills. Then I have hydroxyzine 25mg as needed. Thats 18 pills. Then I have something I should be taking every day but I cannot get myself to take Sucralfate 100ml. Not a pill but that would be 19 if i took it as a pill but i chose liquid form
i'm tired. i avoid as much as i can during the day taking them more and more frequently. even right now i'm trying to avoid taking my nighttime pills. i need help.

What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects about 6 to 12 percent of women and can lead to a variety of symptoms. Women with PCOS often experience irregular periods, signs of high male hormones like acne and excess body hair, and might see their ovaries filled with small cysts on an ultrasound. It's common for women with PCOS to be overweight or obese, and they face a higher risk of conditions like sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and depression. For those looking to become pregnant, fertility treatments may be necessary to help with ovulation.
Why does PCOS cause hirsutism?
Hirsutism is when women grow thick, dark hair in areas where it usually doesn't appear, such as the chest, face, lower abdomen, upper legs, and back. This indicates higher than normal levels of male hormones, known as androgens. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of this condition; it involves the ovaries producing excessive androgens, which can lead to problems like too much hair growth, irregular menstrual cycles, and fertility issues.
How do you remove excessive hair?
Laser hair removal (including IPL) and electrolysis can permanently remove hair for those with PCOS. Keeping your hormone and insulin levels in check is crucial for the best results. Managing these levels through appropriate treatments can help prevent new hair growth, making these hair removal methods more effective.
1.IPL hair removal:
Does IPL hair removal work for hirsutism in PCOS? Many women see a 30-40% reduction after 4-6 treatments, with further improvement after more sessions.

How it works

IPL hair removal uses Intense Pulsed Light to focus on the melanin in hair follicles. Once the light energy penetrates the skin, it transforms into heat, damaging the hair follicles and disrupting the hair growth cycle, preventing the hair from growing further.

Why it's a great option for PCOS

- Long-lasting results: IPL Laser treatments target and damage hair follicles, greatly lowering the chances of hair growing back. While you may need a touch-up session every 12 to 24 months, the effects are almost permanent.
- Minimal hair visibility between sessions: IPL hair removal differs from Waxing because it requires you to shave beforehand, not grow your hair. This means you can keep your hair short and less visible between sessions. Actually, you need to shave before each treatment to prepare for the IPL.
- Less painful: IPL hair removal is generally less painful than other hair removal methods. Depending on the person and the device used, the sensation can range from no pain at all to a snap like a rubber band.
- Safe: At-home IPL hair removal devices like the Naisigoo The Shiner are generally safe when used properly. It is important to follow the instructions carefully, and it's reassuring to know that this device is certified safe and verified by dermatologists.

Potential drawbacks

- Hormone management: Effective IPL treatments require managing your PCOS with medication. Without controlling hormones through contraceptives or drugs like metformin, results may be limited.
- Hair and skin type: These treatments are less effective for light hair or very dark skin, as the laser struggles to target the follicles. However, alternative options are available.
*Expected maintenance: 4-6 initial sessions
*Average session length: 15-60 minutes
*Long-term results: Yes
*Pain level: low
2.Electrolysis:
This method uses a small needle and an electric shock to individually target and destroy each hair root. It's not ideal for large areas since every hair follicle needs attention. Side effects may include slight skin discoloration (red, purple, or brown), temporary dark spots, and a sharp sting.
*Expected maintenance: 10-14 total treatments
*Average session length: 15-60 minutes
*Long-term results: Yes
*Pain level: high
3.Laser hair removal:
It offers a long-lasting solution for unwanted hair, performed in a clinic by professionals. This method targets dark hair follicles with laser precision, unlike broader IPL treatments suitable for home use. It's effective for PCOS hair but costly, requiring multiple sessions that can total hundreds of dollars each. If you're prepared for the expense and clinic visits, it provides excellent results.
*Expected maintenance: 6-8 initial sessions
*Average session length: 15-60 minutes
*Long-term results: Yes
*Pain level: moderate
Other hair removal methods for PCOS:

Weight loss

Losing weight is often the first step in treating hirsutism. Losing just 5% of your body weight can help lower male hormone levels and reduce excessive hair growth.

Shaving

It's the most common way to remove hair. It's quick and straightforward, but you need to shave frequently to keep stubble at bay. Watch out for possible cuts and ingrown hairs.
*Expected maintenance: 2 times/week
*Average session length: 15 minutes
*Long-term results: No
*Pain level: low

Waxing

Waxing is a widely used method to remove PCOS hair by pulling it out from the roots with sticky wax. You can opt for professional services or use DIY wax strips for small areas. Remember that Waxing requires regular sessions and can be painful, especially on sensitive skin. The results, however, can keep your skin smooth for several weeks.
*Expected maintenance: every 3-6 weeks
*Average session length: 10-30 minutes
*Long-term results: No
*Pain level: moderate

Tweezing

If you're precise and have spare time, tweezing might suit you. It involves plucking hairs individually, which is ideal for small areas but less practical for extensive facial hair due to PCOS. Tweezing works well for eyebrows or catching missed hairs, although it's not the best for sensitive skin. The effects can last a few weeks.
*Expected maintenance: weekly
*Average session length: 5-15 minutes
*Long-term results: No
*Pain level: low

Hair removal creams

Quick and convenient, hair removal creams can easily tackle PCOS facial hair: just spread on, wait a bit, and wash away the hair. They work on surface hair, and regrowth can happen quickly, often in a day. Be mindful of the skin irritation they may cause and opt for creams designed for facial use.
*Expected maintenance: 2 times/week
*Average session length: 5-10 minutes
*Long-term results: No
*Pain level: low

Epilating

Epilating offers a handy at-home solution for managing PCOS facial hair. It's a small device that plucks hair out. It can sting as it pulls hair from the roots, but the smoothness lasts weeks, which is longer than shaving. Just wait for the hair to grow a bit before reusing it.
*Expected maintenance: every 3 to 4 weeks
*Average session length: 15 to 30 minutes
*Long-term results: No
*Pain level: moderate

Threading

Threading is a traditional method to temporarily manage PCOS facial hair, using cotton threads to pull hairs from the roots. It's best done by a professional due to its tricky technique. This quick and affordable method is less painful than others, with smooth results lasting several weeks.
*Expected maintenance: every 2 to 4 weeks
*Average session length: 5 to 15 minutes
*Long-term results: No
*Pain level: low

Medications

If you're experiencing hirsutism from PCOS, treatments like medication can help reduce androgen levels and manage symptoms. Options include birth control, androgen blockers, and low-dose steroids. These won't eliminate facial hair completely but can reduce and improve other PCOS symptoms. Discuss with your doctor whether medication is suitable for you.

Background - male 27 who first started experiencing HS symptons around 9 months ago. Since then I’ve had various flares which are mostly well controlled with salycilic acid, however I do have 2 tunnels which formed ( which came about from messing with the flares instead of leaving them alone 🤦‍♂️). So considering I’ve already progressed to stage 2 this quick, I paid out of pocket to see a HS specialist, as I want to get on top of it before it’s too late.
He’s very much of the opinion of treating HS hard and early whilst you can. He’s referred me to a surgeon to get the tunnels removed even though they aren’t really causing me many problems at the moment, and seems to have the opinion that the less inflammation from tunnelling under the skin there is, the slower HS will progress. He said me seeing him early is key as it means we have a window where we can control it before it gets out of control. He also said that from first symptons you generally have around 3 years before you get to your worst stage.
He prescribed me 3 months of Doxy as well as clindymcin topical solution and also fucibet. A topical antibiotic that contains a strong steroid which he says has a similar effect to using steroid shots and is a good way to stop a boil in its tracks from getting too inflamed when I can see one start forming. He also said we can try the clin and Rimp combo if that doesn’t work
He also ranked me based on inflammation and also my Hurley stage. My inflammation is 1 which is pretty much as low as it can be, however due to the tunnels I’ve crept into Hurley stage 2. He did stress that the Hurley system was designed for surgeons and nothing else, and doesn’t really define severity. So someone who is stage 2 could have it much easier than someone in stage 1 for example
I asked him quite a few questions :
Diet - he says that avoiding sugar seems to be key, but unfortunatly there is not enough data to suggest exactly what foods cause flares ( although he did say it can work for some, he just doesn’t have the data to reccomened specific diets )
Humira - despite what some studies suggest, he said that it only really has dramatic improvement for around 10% of patients! He did however say that Cosentyx is showing more promising data and there are a bunch of new drugs in trials that are expected to be on the way shortly, which is good news
Accutane - he said it’s not reccomened and in some cases can make HS worse or even start HS up in patients who never had symptoms
Laser hair - he said that it can be very helpful for a lot of people, but again there is a lack of data at the moment as people don’t really go to derms for laser and as such it makes it harder to collect data / conduct studies. But the results so far seem promising
Metformin - he said it can be very helpful if your blood sugar levels are high, as that is sometimes a key contributor to HS. He has sent me to get some blood work done.
All in all I’m happy with how the visit went - if truth be told I’m not over the moon about taking anti biotics and getting de roofing, but I’m going to trust the advice of a HS expert and hope that I can keep this condition under control. I’ll also be changing up my diet with reccomendations from reddit
Sorry if that was a long read, hopefully some people can benefit from this info, any questions feel free to ask 😀

28F, in the UK, I have been diagnosed with PCOS since I was 19 - could be related to this, but not sure lol. No medication for it currently but have been on metformin and contraceptives. Metformin stopped in 2020 and contraceptive stopped very recently.
TLDR: I am constantly getting a swollen gland on my right side that is alway unbearable. Some doctors have been concerned, but current doctors don't care at all and think it's just a normal part of illness. I'm unsure if it is really an issue to keep pursuing.
**
Since 2021 ( I was 26), whenever I get sick (or sometimes even when I am not sick), I have started getting HUGE swollen lymph node on my right side. My left side never swells too much. My right side gets so painful that it distracts me from whatever illness I might be suffering. I, of course, had been sick many times before this, and sometimes the doctor would tell me I had swollen glands. But it was never too painful or even noticable. This felt very different.
At the time, the e-consult said "You're just sick, take paracetamol and rest". But it got to a point where I could no longer swallow, so I finally got to see a GP in person. This doctor was very concerned by the size of it, and couldn't identify any kind of illnesss. She wanted to refer me to a specialist, but I had to move countries for work (I desperately needed this job) so she wasn't able to. I regret this immensely but I couldn't have changed anything. This doctor is no longer at the clinic.
In this new country, they didn't particularly care to do anything about this.
I have since moved back to the UK. On a holiday in cyrpus, I got another hugely swollen gland. I went to a local clinic and the doctor there told me the size and speed of it appearing is concerning. I stayed overnight and she gave me IV antibiotics, painkillers and a steroid. It temporarily reduced the size of it and I was able to enjoy the rest of the holiday. She said I needed to get testing for it when I returned to the UK, specifically Thyroid testing or maybe cushings disease.
It swelled back up a few days after my treatment. I saw a doctor, he said "it's not that big" - it was big, it was noticable that my right side was much bigger and it was so painful I couldn't even move my neck. I mean, one side was hard and the other side was soft and squishy, so I'm not sure how he could say that. He ordered a thyroid test and some blood tests - most normal or satisfactory. Apparently that is that.
Should I try again? Go private? Or just accept that I will have to manage my gland every time I get sick? I get sick pretty often too. It is hell.

So, I’m not really sure of the purpose of this post other than maybe some reassurance and to hear positive outcomes from others. Sorry about the length of this.
I’m currently 35+5 (FTM) with a planned pregnancy. When I first found out I was pregnant I’m ashamed to say I struggled, even though it was planned. Felt unsure that this was actually what I wanted and found myself feeling like I was about to lose all my freedoms and pleasures in life. I struggled to connect/bond and become quite low. I spoke to my GP who was brilliant and referred me to the Parent and Baby Unit for my mental health (I’ve been working with them ever since).
Fast forward a few weeks/months, and I’d started to become really excited about the pregnancy and my husband and I starting a family. At 24weeks pregnant we went to Edinburgh for the weekend for my 30th birthday and, as we were busy/walking a lot, I’d not felt the baby move as much over the weekend, so on the Monday morning (when I still felt movements were reduced), I went up to MAU. I was fully expecting a little listen in to baby’s heart, be told everything was fine and sent on my merry way. While I was there, I just mentioned in passing that I’d noticed a little more discharge than usual (normal consistency, creamy - TMI), but I assumed this was just normal in pregnancy? After triage, was seen my a doctor who did a speculum and this is when everything changed. An obstetrician then came into the room and explained the doctor had seen pooling of fluid in my cervix, which indicated my waters were leaking. He explained this was called PPROM and that when waters rupture you’re most likely to go into labour within 24-48hrs, so the procedure now was to administer steroid injections, a precautionary course of antibiotics and monitor me in hospital for 48hrs for signs of labouinfection. It was an absolute whirlwind. They kept asking me about this ‘gush’ of fluid I’d had, and I told them I’d never had a ‘gush’, just (what I thought was) normal increased discharge. The obstetrician said we needed to err on the side of caution in case the baby came early. He mentioned there’s a ‘small’ study which has found a ‘possible’ link between steroid injections and ‘slight’ decreased academic ability in school. His words were ‘we’re talking the difference between getting a B and a C in Geography’. He also said multiple times that he wanted to make it clear he was strongly advising me to have the steroids, and that if I were his sister or partner he’d be telling me to do the same. I was so scared as this had all been so quick, and I didn’t want to do anything to risk my baby’s life, nor to disadvantage him in the future, but me and my husband decided to have the steroids based on how it had been explained to us. I then stayed in hospital for the next 48hrs, and after no signs of labouinfection, and a scan which showed normal fluid levels, was sent home.
This is when my mental health took a nosedive and I’ve experienced anxiety like I’ve never known. I’ve obsessively googled the steroids and found studies showing an increased risk of autism, ADHD, mental health and behavioural issues and lifelong learning difficulties. None of which was even alluded to at the time. But this has sent me down a warren of rabbit holes for different things too. I’ve thought about all of the things I’ve done during this pregnancy (that I didn’t think twice about at the time), and googled the possible impact of this on the baby and been in absolute bits. It’s like a compulsion. For example, painting and decorating, sanding down old kitchen cupboards (‘what if that was lead paint?’), ‘have I always washed my fruit and veg well enough?’, antibiotics I’ve had for urine infections and the precautionary ones I was put on when diagnosed with PPROM. As a result, I’ve struggled with horrendous intrusive thoughts for the last 11wks that I’ve done something that is going to cause my baby to be disadvantaged in some way for his whole life and have been an absolute anxious wreck.
Given the PPROM diagnosis, I’ve been having weekly monitoring at the hospital for signs of infection and 4weekly growth scans and consultant appointments. I will also say, I’ve been wearing maternity pads and never once had anything I would describe as ‘leaking’. At all of the scans, bub has been doing just fine (so grateful), and I’ve just been told the plan is to continue with the pregnancy as normal and induce at 37weeks. I spoke about the steroid injections with the consultant and he explained that yes, there is an increased risk of the things I’d found on Google, but said the bigger risk of special educational needs is for babies delivered at 37weeks instead of 39 or 40. Given how I’ve been going (no leaking, no signs of infection and he said I could have ‘resealed’), he said he’d be happy to induce at 39weeks instead. I’ve now googled impact of the hormones used for induction and freaked myself out about the possibility of this causing cerebral palsy.
At my most recent scan/consultant appointment on Friday, the sonographer found I now had TOO MUCH fluid (polyhydramnios). I discussed this with the consultant and he didn’t seem too worried, he said it was ‘marginal’ (I’ve since googled normal fluid levels and the internet tells me mine is more ‘moderate’ than ‘mild), and said fluid levels can fluctuate or it can be ‘just one of those things’. I had blood taken for a TORCH test (toxoplasmosis being something that can cause excess fluid, so I’ve been back down that rabbit hole again), and been checking my blood sugars for gestational diabetes, which can be another cause. After a few high readings, it now appears this could be it and I’ve been referred to the diabetic team and given some pointers on diet to help keep my levels in the normal range. I’m hoping to avoid metformin/insulin as I know having to take something else during this pregnancy will just send my head even more west. I’ve obviously also been googling the impact of gestational diabetes (including increased risk of autism, etc).
I’m now petrified about what to do about the birth. Spontaneous labour with excess fluid increases the risk of cord prolapse, I’ve already mentioned my worries about induction, so feel I’m leaning more towards an elective c section but understand that this can also come with risks for the baby’s breathing. I’m just an absolute state.
Again, not sure of the point of this post, other than maybe to vent, seek reassurance and hear from people who had the steroid injections as a ‘just in case’ and can tell me your children are now absolutely fine and thriving. Or have done/had any of the other things I’ve mentioned and can tell me it seems to have had no impact on your child’s health and wellbeing. I feel such a heavy sense of responsibility and guilt, and feel really stupid now for having had the steroids (when in hindsight they weren’t needed), decorated, eaten chocolate, not exercised as much as I should have, etc etc.
I’m aware no one can guarantee 100% that everything is going to be okay, and I guess ultimately that’s what I’m after so I’m pissing in the wind, but I’ve been scouring the internet to try to find similar experiences to mine so thought it was about time I made my own post. And if you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for reading and sticking with me!
(Also, as previously mentioned, I am working with the Parent and Baby Unit for my mental health, so that’s all already in place).

Hi everyone, I am 29 years old and was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 19. My endocrinologist just put me on metformin last December, and I take it twice a day. I just recently bought B12 vitamin's a couple days ago and been taking them as well. I been trying to lose weight, because I was down to 149 pounds before my foot doctor I had put me on steroids, and I gained a lot of weight. My heaviest weight I got up to was 222 pounds and am still 211 pounds. What is the best/or most healthy foods or diet I can do to help loose the weight fast. I also was wondering because write now I am single, but I am hoping to find a nice guy soon. My gynecologist that I used to see told me after I told her that I have PCOS and would like to know if I can have kids, looked me in the eyes and told me I would never be able to have a baby because I have PCOS, and she also said women with PCOS can never have any kids, which upset me because I want to have at least one before my dad passes away, his health isn't the greatest right now. Is there anything That can help in the best way for my PCOS so I can have a baby.

Hi all, I’m someone who has had undiagnosed musculoskeletal issues and for a while me and my doctors can not seem to figure out what it is as all my tests come back fine except usually a mildly high wbc. I randomly came across an article about mcas and post Covid and became curious as I’ve had symptoms of long Covid for about 4 years now. The original symptoms that I noticed were very minor of me smelling and tasting things either very strongly or not at all. Peanut butter tastes stale, I can’t taste orange flavour only sweet and the pith, and not overly seasoned raw meat smells like rotting when cooking. The smell of bacon and sausage makes me genuinely sick to my stomach. Also after I was recovering 2-3 months after Covid there were three very certain smells that I could smell after nothing for 2 months, and these few smells made up the taste and smell of everything except sweet and salty for a few months after. In this info on mcas I found, I began to really relate to a lot of the symptoms, especially the muscle and joint pain as my doctor didn’t want to diagnose eds or fibromyalgia as I’m having muscle and joint pain. I also around the time I had Covid, brought up to my doctor about these random rashes I would get from seemingly nothing. I’m someone who has sensory issues so if there was that problem pre Covid I would have had something for it, but I didn’t till after. I eventually got a steroid cream that I’m terrified to use and become dependent on. Along with musculoskeletal issues that cause me to need a cane sometimes, and me circle for the closest parking spot because I know I’m gonna be in pain by the time I come out, I also have severe ADHD and PCOS with all of the symptoms they come with, along with the you know depression anxiety yadayada from everything that both of those cause, I still have a lot of unexplained abdominal pain and random itching spots and my face feels so itchy that I want to rip off my nose because it starts to hurt, sometimes my sinuses flare up for no reason, or my lymph nodes, or the extreme brain fog I experience sometimes, or the vertigo sometimes, or me getting random painfully itchy spots especially when I’m stressed, or just so so many things more than anything else. I really want there to be an answer to what is wrong with me and I just want to feel healthy. I’m also prescribed metformin, cymblata, and trisprintec. Any and all advise is greatly appreciated thank you
TLDR: I have a lot of symptoms that correlates to mcas symptoms especially after Covid, should I seek diagnosis and/or treatment

27F 180lbs Caucasian no tobacco or drugs occasional alcohol
I take a couple meds: verapamil, metoprolol, metformin, Symbicort, primidone, singulair
I went to the ED yesterday for a terrible migraine and left sided weakness and trembling. Also mild confusion, trouble swallowing, and dizziness/loss of balance. I have a family history of strokes at an early age so they admitted me to do a stroke work up. I got a CT, MRI and MRA, echo, blood work, PT vestibular eval, OT eval, and speech eval for swallowing. It was an exhausting day and a half but finally home. I know that they diagnosed me with vestibular hypofunction of left ear, atypical migraine, Hypokalemia, and apparently diastolic congestive heart failure. I’ve been told to follow up with PCP for new labs and an order for a barium swallow test, follow up with neurology for their next available, and follow up with GI for endoscopy. I just went to neurologist last week and he ordered outpatient imaging to see about ALS but my follow up with them is in 6 months and they said to change it to sooner.
The nurse kinda just handed me my discharge paperwork and said here on this page is your new meds (steroid for the vestibular hypofunction and headache meds). On the way home I flipped through the paperwork and it says “you were diagnosed with congestive heart failure during this hospitalization” and had some reading on it. The echo was the last thing I had done and no one ever told me the results. I even looked on mychart and it’s on my problem list now. Does this just sometimes happen where they neglect to inform you? I have an appointment already set for June with my cardiologist but do I need to see if I can get in sooner or just wait until June? They didn’t include any info on that obviously. I’m not sure if I need different medicine or what. I’m already on verapamil and metoprolol for my heart.
Apparently I have a lot going on and this sucks because I am just too young for all these problems. I really just want to know what I should do with a new diagnosis that I wasn’t officially given. Maybe it’s not that serious if they didn’t tell me?

I (28F) had pcos my whole life but the symptoms were always under control minus the hirsutism which started when I turned 20 & the infamous pcos belly which I had even though I was skinny. In 2020 during lockdown something really triggered my pcos & all my symptom became uncontrollable, I gained excessive weight, grew facial hair, lost half of my hair. I have been treating my hairfall with a dermatologist & my hormones are in range, the derm did a scalp biopsy & I have telogen Efflevium which is caused by stress & not pcos. I’m on all the medication for hair loss (oral minox + topical minox, spironolactone, metformin & steroid injections) but nothing is helping me regrow my hair. The hair shedding stopped but the bald spots are not growing hair; I’m convinced its my pcos caused this even though my derm insists its stress related & not androgenic alopecia (which is what most people with pcos have). My hair loss resembles pcos hairloss, the middle part, the front & the crown area. So my question is, is hair loss caused by insulin resistance or high levels of testosterone/ androgens? Because I have high insulin resistance but my testosterone levels & hormone levels are fine. Will controlling my insulin resistance help with hair regrowth.
** I was on ozempic but it didn’t work for me so I stopped talking it & only take metformin, controlling insulin resistance had been difficult for me.

Hi guys, latest research has shed light on some of the exactions of mitochondrial dysfunction that causes this disorder. Earlier, it was still unclear and my family used to blame me for eating negligently as a teenager (I ate the same diet as my non-PCOS healthy as hell sisters), which at least made me think it was in my control. Now as more and more research is funded that investigates its causes, a lot of it seems to be genetic and cellular. I feel very bummed about it and the idea that beyond a point, I can't fight it to function like a healthy woman.
Anyway, I need to work with what I've been dealt so here's some research I've looked at:

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1193749/full

The excerpt below is from the article linked above. From this I gathered that I definitely need to supplement Vitamin D3+K2. What else does this imply?
"Given the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the development of PCOS, treatments targeting the mitochondria to improve PCOS symptoms have become a research hotspot. Vitamin D can directly act on mitochondria, which improves cell biosynthesis and anti-apoptosis levels, and upregulates antioxidant expression, thereby reducing ROS levels. Moreover, vitamin D stimulates the expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A, increases mtDNA copy number, and improves the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane (98). In DHEA-induced PCOS rat models, vitamin D supplementation improved ovarian and uterine morphology, and reduced body weight and obesity (99). Additionally, vitamin D regulates steroid production and reduces progesterone (P) and E2 production by reducing the expression of steroidogenic enzymes. The application of the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ10 can improve IR status, reduce the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins, and improve damaged mitochondrial function in PCOS rats (100).
The mitochondria-targeted antioxidant melatonin enhances SIRT1 expression, thus regulating PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy. The application of melatonin in PCOS patients significantly improves mitochondrial damage in GCs (101). Growth hormone can alleviate OS-induced apoptosis in GCs of patients with PCOS by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The acute-phase protein PTX3 is locally expressed at the site of inflammation and can serve as a sensitive marker of endothelial dysfunction in patients (102). PTX3 is synthesized by GCs and plays an important role in normal oocyte development and fertilization. In contrast, PTX3 levels in the follicular fluid of PCOS patients are positively correlated with serum androgen concentrations, suggesting that the chronic inflammatory state of PCOS is associated with hyperandrogenemia (103). CRISPCas9 technology has been used to screen genes involved in the regulation of mitochondrial metabolism in GCs, revealing several tumor suppressors with enhanced mitochondrial function, including HBP1, TP53, PTEN, CTNNA2, and WISP1 (104). Among them, HBP1 is involved in regulating mitochondrial production and transcription of the mitochondrial transcription factor (TFAM), a key gene associated with mitochondrial DNA production. Further experiments in mice showed that the knockdown of HBP1 expression enhanced mitochondrial function, reduced apoptosis-related signals in GCs, and promoted follicle development and oocyte maturation (104). Besides, inner mitochondrial membrane peptidase subunit 2 (Immp2l) deficiency leads to mitochondrial dysfunction in GCs, which further leads to increased OS, decreased E2 levels, and altered gene expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin and steroid hormone synthesis pathways, such as CYP19A1, while melatonin is able to reverse these changes (105). The addition of estradiol-17β to the culture medium significantly increased telomere length in GCs, which became more obvious with increasing E2 concentrations (47). Last but not least, as more than 10 enzymes from glycolytic and TCA cycle metabolic pathways were found to be differentially hypo-or hyperacetylated in PCOS, possible therapeutic strategies should be evaluated in the future by targeting miRNAs that specifically regulate the expression of these enzymes (106)."
2.
https://www.dovepress.com/potential-roles-of-mtdna-mutations-in-pcos-ir-a-review-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-DMSO
From the article above, I can only gather that mtDNA genetic mutations are responsible, sure. What can I really do about this, if at all?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7140126/

This study seems to confirm that myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol, in a specific ratio (40:1), help PCOS patients, and I already use them in this ratio as well. The combined gastrointestinal effects of this supplement and metformin are quite brutal so I don't know if I'll end up stopping this one later though.

Magnesium and melatonin significantly decrease serum testosterone and insulin in PCOS patients

https://nutritionandmetabolism.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12986-021-00586-9

Melatonin stimulates aromatase expression (enzyme that converts androgens to estrogens)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s12276-020-00491-w
External mitochondrial modulators that have been proven to be effective in ovarian diseases mainly involve the following two categories: animal-derived antioxidants, such as coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), melatonin (MT), and L-carnitine (LC), and plant-derived antioxidants, such as resveratrol, quercitrin, and pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ).

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090123223003727
My current stack:
Metformin, Vitamin D3+K2, Inositol
Thinking of adding:
Omega 3's, B complex, Melatonin, Magnesium, CoQ10
(Before I buy a supplement I also have to check how deliverable the ingredients are to the mitochondria because the cell's phospholipid bilayer is a hindrance to drug delivery. Nanodelivery capability of supplement has to be verified)
What else can I add to decrease oxidative stress and regulate mitochondrial function?
Thanks for bearing with me and correct me if I'm wrong at any point :)

Hey everyone, thanks in advance! I have PCOS, the most common endocrine disorder in women, but still not adequately understood at all. You probably know that most doctors put women on birth control to suppress our symptoms, but I'm not willing to do so while the cause remains untreated. I'll save birth control for when I am literally controlling birth.
The complex cause of PCOS that I've been looking to treat is multi-factorial - genetic, environmental, metabolic etc. For the last factor, I take metformin for it as prescribed by my doctor because PCOS comes hand in hand with insulin resistance. It's been helping so much!
Now, latest research has shed light on some of the exactions of mitochondrial dysfunction that causes this disorder. Earlier, it was still unclear and my family used to blame me for eating negligently as a teenager (I ate the same diet as my non-PCOS healthy as hell sisters), which at least made me think it was in my control. Now as more and more research is funded that investigates its causes, a lot of it seems to be genetic and cellular. I feel very bummed about it and the idea that beyond a point, I can't fight it to function like a healthy woman.
Anyway, I need to work with what I've been dealt so here's some research I've looked at:

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1193749/full

The excerpt below is from the article linked above. From this I gathered that I definitely need to supplement Vitamin D3+K2. What else does this imply?
"Given the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the development of PCOS, treatments targeting the mitochondria to improve PCOS symptoms have become a research hotspot. Vitamin D can directly act on mitochondria, which improves cell biosynthesis and anti-apoptosis levels, and upregulates antioxidant expression, thereby reducing ROS levels. Moreover, vitamin D stimulates the expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A, increases mtDNA copy number, and improves the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane (98). In DHEA-induced PCOS rat models, vitamin D supplementation improved ovarian and uterine morphology, and reduced body weight and obesity (99). Additionally, vitamin D regulates steroid production and reduces progesterone (P) and E2 production by reducing the expression of steroidogenic enzymes. The application of the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ10 can improve IR status, reduce the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins, and improve damaged mitochondrial function in PCOS rats (100).
The mitochondria-targeted antioxidant melatonin enhances SIRT1 expression, thus regulating PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy. The application of melatonin in PCOS patients significantly improves mitochondrial damage in GCs (101). Growth hormone can alleviate OS-induced apoptosis in GCs of patients with PCOS by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The acute-phase protein PTX3 is locally expressed at the site of inflammation and can serve as a sensitive marker of endothelial dysfunction in patients (102). PTX3 is synthesized by GCs and plays an important role in normal oocyte development and fertilization. In contrast, PTX3 levels in the follicular fluid of PCOS patients are positively correlated with serum androgen concentrations, suggesting that the chronic inflammatory state of PCOS is associated with hyperandrogenemia (103). CRISPCas9 technology has been used to screen genes involved in the regulation of mitochondrial metabolism in GCs, revealing several tumor suppressors with enhanced mitochondrial function, including HBP1, TP53, PTEN, CTNNA2, and WISP1 (104). Among them, HBP1 is involved in regulating mitochondrial production and transcription of the mitochondrial transcription factor (TFAM), a key gene associated with mitochondrial DNA production. Further experiments in mice showed that the knockdown of HBP1 expression enhanced mitochondrial function, reduced apoptosis-related signals in GCs, and promoted follicle development and oocyte maturation (104). Besides, inner mitochondrial membrane peptidase subunit 2 (Immp2l) deficiency leads to mitochondrial dysfunction in GCs, which further leads to increased OS, decreased E2 levels, and altered gene expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin and steroid hormone synthesis pathways, such as CYP19A1, while melatonin is able to reverse these changes (105). The addition of estradiol-17β to the culture medium significantly increased telomere length in GCs, which became more obvious with increasing E2 concentrations (47). Last but not least, as more than 10 enzymes from glycolytic and TCA cycle metabolic pathways were found to be differentially hypo-or hyperacetylated in PCOS, possible therapeutic strategies should be evaluated in the future by targeting miRNAs that specifically regulate the expression of these enzymes (106)."
2.
https://www.dovepress.com/potential-roles-of-mtdna-mutations-in-pcos-ir-a-review-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-DMSO
From the article above, I can only gather that mtDNA genetic mutations are responsible, sure. What can I really do about this, if at all?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7140126/

This study seems to confirm that myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol, in a specific ratio (40:1), help PCOS patients, and I already use them in this ratio as well. The combined gastrointestinal effects of this supplement and metformin are quite brutal so I don't know if I'll end up stopping this one later though.
My current stack:
Metformin, Vitamin D3+K2, Inositol
Thinking of adding:
Omega 3's, Selenium, Zinc, B complex
What else can I add to regulate mitochondrial function?
Thanks for bearing with me and correct me if I'm wrong at any point :)

I was diagnosed with triple negative inflammatory breast cancer stage 3 in January 2023. I did 6 months of chemotherapy, 10 months of immunotherapy, I had a bilateral mastectomy, and did 5 weeks of radiation therapy. I started what was supposed to be 6 months of capecitabine in January, and got approximately 2 months in before I had to stop. First I had radiation pneumonitis and my right lung didn't want to inflate fully and I coughed and coughed. So they put me on large amounts of steroids. The steroids caused me to be briefly diabetic. I didn't know steroid induced diabetes was a thing. I got a fancy monitor and metformin. Then I got my regular blood tests done, which couldn't be read because of all the fat in my blood. They did more testing and my triglycerides were super high. Apparently it's a rare side effect of capecitabine (0.4 to 0.5 percent). I didn't even know what a triglyceride was. They're supposed to be around a 1.4, and 5.0 is considered high. Mine were at a 48.75 So no more capecitabine for me. I got fiber pills and a diet plan (that actually wasn't as restrictive as I thought it would be).
It's beginning to feel like that children's song about the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea. But with more and different medical issues. I've been off immunotherapy at the advice of my oncologist since the end of December and had no capecitabine since mid February.
This weekend I've noticed my right chest area is warm. A lot warmer than my left. It appears firmer than my left side. I've had pain in that area, and Ive been tired enough to have daily naps. No rash. I'm worried it's my IBC back already. Maybe it never left. I have an appointment with my oncologist on Thursday. I called and they might bring me in sooner. I'm anticipating another skin biopsy. I'm hoping it just a weird rebound radiation therapy issue.
I had tried to go back to work and had to stop again because of all my random medical issues. I saw a coworker the other day and she asked when I was coming back. I told her that I didn't know. She said she was thinking about taking a vacation too. My boss and I were chatting and he asked what I do all day and commented how he could never stay at home all the time. I'm by no means typically a violent person, but I had some definite thoughts in the moment. My friends seem to feel like I'm better too. It's frustrating.
I don't want to worry my family or friends until I know something for sure. I just needed to vent to people who understand. Thank you for reading if you made it this far.

In late 2023 I was starting to get frustrated by some blackheads and small closed comedones on my foreheads, mouth area, chin and a few on the cheeks. These were only visible in certain lightings and really weren't that obvious but it annoyed me, so I saw a dermatologist who put me straight on accutane 10mg to start. This same derm had seen my sister who had death with hormonal acne, and my brother who had mild cystic acne in the past so she justified that acne was coming my way because both my siblings had it. Seeing the great results from my siblings I was excited and was assured my skin would be clear fast. During the first 2 months I got a few larger more angry pimples but these would clear in a matter of days with no scar or PIE. 2 months in the derm bumped me up to 20mg daily. About a month into 20mg (so 3 months in) I started purging terribly, everyday waking up with new inflamed pimples. I was given a steroid cream to calm the angry ones but it only made them worse and seemed to inhibit their healing and my mental health was declining so much. This continued until 5 months in when I decided to see a new derm for a second opinion who put me on prednisone 5mg once daily and erythromycin 250mg twice daily, and she also changed my dose alternating between 20 and 10 mg each day. It has been 2 weeks since I've seen this new derm and my prednisone course is about to end and I am still breaking out. At this current point in time I am almost 6 months into isotretinoin treatment and have no sign of clearing up and have so much PIE and still have closed comedones bumps on my forehead and chin/mouth and a couple on my cheeks. This was such a sad place to see myself because when I first went on accutane I basically had clear skin with some under-skin texture and blackheads that were barely noticeable, and looking back could have probably been managed via diet. I have done a lot of research and know that comedonal acne is the longest/hardest type of acne to respond to isotretinoin but I am losing all hope in accutane and I just keep getting new acne, which leaves more PIE. Do you think I continue with isotretinoin and wait it out. OR should I completely stop accutane and just continue with my metformin and diet changes? Im just losing all hope right now and don't know what is best for me.

Hello all. I'm 36 and I have been prediabetic and hypoglycemic for years. I was recently prescribed a steroid for illness, and unfortunately, I have been having unpleasant symptoms ever since then on and off. Frequent urination and constantly feeling like I am dying of thirst. I went to get my sugar checked, urine test, A1c and all that. Well, evidently, I am full on diabetic. There was sugar in my urine, my blood sugar was 309 and my A1c was 9.7. Thats actually a bit lower than it has been running, as last time I checked it was 374. I was prescribed metformin.
So... I am a bit taken a back by all this. My entire diet has to change as I eat like shit and eat too much sugar. Any advice, thoughts? My wife is also diabetic, so she has been helpful.

How well has ozempic lowered your blood sugar? I’m on metformin. 500mg twice a day. I’m never over 200 unless on steroids. I am really hoping ozempic ca bring my numbers to 100 or below.

A little history: I was fit in my 20s but developed PCOS and have HS. With my 2nd and 3rd children I did have gestational diabetes but after I never was pre-diabetic. I have battled my weight for most of my life ranging from 128 lbs and fit to 220lbs. I am now 195 lbs at 5’4. While very sick with Covid and in the ER they diagnosed me with diabetes…upper 200s and they jacked me full of steroids before getting labs which sent me into 400s. I have since seen that number on more than one occasion. I quickly got a doc and got on metformin. For 2 years I felt somewhat well controlled. My doc moved last year and I haven’t been on meds for over 6 months. I am trying to not go back but I am beyond frustrated. I wake up with 200s, use monk fruit in my coffee, fast most days and eat pretty clean. Not totally keto or carnivore but very close. Some days I eat literally nothing and still sit in 200s. I am walking every day and trying to increase steps from 5k to 10k. I almost feel my body has turned against me and it even seems completely abnormal even by diabetes standards to sit so naturally high. Could I have a freaking tumor on my pancreas or something?? Is this typical? Strongly considering semiglutides. :( I have literally become scared of food.

So recently, I was having a lot more issues than normal for me. My antihistamines were increased to Levoceterizine 2x a day, Famotidine 2x a day, Fexofenadine 2x a day, and also taking Montelukast. I started xolair. I'm on my second dose. I went into hospital were they pumped me full of epinephrine, steroids and lots of benadryl. With all that being said, the other day I woke up with the left side of my face swollen and pain in my cheek area. I couldn't figure out if it was my teeth or maybe sinuses, or even a nerve being pressed cause my face was swollen from steroids. I went to ER and were clear and they didn't see any tooth infection. 😒 They went ahead and gave me a course of antibiotics just in case. I tried to follow up with Dentist, but since I'm on medicaid there's not many places to go to. I went to the place that I went to last time, but they said they are down to 1 dentist and only seeing "problem" visits. GREAT! Because I HAVE a problem. I had to tell them which tooth was bothering me in order to be seen. I told them I wasn't sure but it was in the upper left side of my mouth. They did xray and found that my left canine had a large cavity that was quite close to the nerve. Ah ha there's my problem. They referred me to an endodontist at the teaching hospital the next town over. I got an appt. 3 weeks away. What? And I need to have $800 for the root canal and another $928 for the crown afterwards. This is because after you ate 21 medicaid will not pay for anything other than pulling them out in this senerio. Anyway, I went on my merry way to wait for my appt with nothing frodentist for pain. I've been taking Tylenol, ibuprofen, and even gabapentin which I had from something else to try and relieve it. I've been using topical lidocaine and oral gel to numb my gums. When I did this, I put it around the tooth that I know is the problem. That's when I realized that the bottom tooth from left side is hurting too. Like what are the chances that 2 teeth have bad cavities and start hurting at the same time. Two teeth that weren't bothering me enough to notice before. So I started looking into all the new medications to see if they can cause teeth pain. Turns out here's what I found:
-The side effects of steroids, long-term effects of prednisone on the teeth can include decay and erosion of the supporting alveolar bone.
-Group comparisons between patients with and without steroid pulse therapy were analysed by statistical means. In this study, any DH-like tooth pain that commenced subsequent to steroid treatment was defined as steroid-derived (SD) tooth pain. The prevalence of SD tooth pain was 17.7%
-Side effects of Singulair include:tooth pain
-fexofenadine (Allegra) can cause tooth pain . Fexofenadine can cause inflammation and swelling that prevents the sinuses from draining properly, which can lead to tooth pain.
-Toothache is found among people who take drugs with ingredients of levocetirizine dihydrochloride, especially for people who are female, 60+ old .
-Antacids May Weaken Your Teeth For proper digestion, your stomach needs a certain level of acidity. If you take antacids too often or in high enough doses, your body can react by producing more acid than normal. Too much acid can lead to more heartburn (and may compel you to take even more antacids). In their attempt to block the acid production, antacids can inhibit the absorption of calcium and protein—both vital components for improving the strength of your teeth and jaw.
-Acidic vitamins, such as vitamin C, provide a triple whammy. “They contain sugar and are also acidic, so they can eat away at tooth enamel,” Sanders says. “They can also increase the amount of acid in your stomach, and that can lead to acid reflux, which can also lead to erosion of tooth enamel.” Rinse your mouth after taking anything acidic. Baking soda is ideal because it neutralizes the acid.
-Gummy vitamins and other medications with added sugar Some of the medications that can damage teeth and gums include: Antidepressants – this range of medicines can cause dry mouth and increase the risk of tooth decay. Antihistamines – can cause dry mouth and an increased risk of gum problems. they can cause: Some medications have sugar added to mask the flavor and make them more palatable. While a bit of sweetness may make things easier on the taste buds, it’s bad news for your teeth — particularly if medications are taken for a long period of time. If you consume sugar frequently, this reduces the pH level of the saliva, causing it to become more acidic. Frequent pH drops in the saliva can cause the mineral structure of the tooth to break down — and, over time, cause cavities. Sugar is frequently an added ingredient in chewable vitamins and antacid tablets (such as Tums) and in syrup-based concoctions (such as cough suppressants). Liquid antibiotics (amoxicillin, for example), formulated for those who have a tough time swallowing pills, may also contain sugar. Particularly lethal: sticky gummy vitamins that glom onto your teeth, as well as long-lasting cough drops. Both provide an acid bath for your choppers.
What’s more: “We know there is a relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease,” says pharmacist Kimberly Sanders, assistant professor at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy. But, she notes, some diabetes drugs — such as metformin (Fortamet) or some of the newer injectable options, like liraglutide (Victoza) — can cause gastrointestinal upset. “That can lead to acid reflux or even nausea and vomiting. If you’re starting on those, you may experience potential oral health problems because of the enamel-eroding acid.
-Other potential troublemakers: antihistamines (like Benadryl) which can reduce saliva production, making it harder to get rid of stain-causing food and debris in the mouth. Inhaled corticosteroids, such as fluticasone (Flonase), can also damage tooth enamel because of the acid content in the spray.
-Some of the medications that can damage teeth and gums include: Antidepressants – this range of medicines can cause dry mouth and increase the risk of tooth decay. Antihistamines – can cause dry mouth and an increased risk of gum problems.

Antihistamines block histamine receptors, to bring relief from allergy symptoms. Unfortunately, by blocking the receptors, the release of saliva is also blocked. And without the release of saliva in our mouths, dry mouth is going to occur.
Dry mouth can cause problems such as, bad breath, irritated or swollen gums, and cavities. Our saliva in our mouths is there for a reason. It keeps our mouth, tongue, and teeth moisturized, and prevents too much food from sticking. When it becomes depleted, so do our teeth.
There's so much more information out there, but you guys get the point. I haven't had problems with my teeth until now that I'm all these medications. How am I supposed to keep my teeth if I have to keep taking all this just to live? Who else is having teeth problems? It scares me. I don't want to keep having tooth pain and costs of root canals and crowns and such, and even less do I want to lose my teeth. I just don't know what to do.

Down from 5.9 when I started OP5 in December! It has been a crazy year or so since diagnosis. I’ve had so many new health conditions show up and been through crazy amounts of stress. Plus I’ve been on steroids the entire time as well. For reference: I’m LADA so my c-pep still shows I make a little insulin, I take metformin, trulicity (but switching to mounjaro) and my average carbs is about 300g, my TDI is about 55u, TIR is 94% with 3% low and 3% high. I’m super proud!

I had an adrenalectomy on 2/28. My sugars have been bat crap crazy. My fasting was 180 this morning.
I never took much insulin. I was on Trulicity and metformin. The doctors are holding those until my appointment in April.
Fasting are 180s. Blood sugars in the 200 no matter what I eat. I'm using Toujeo and Humalog. I'm testing before and after dinner. I'm not eating after 6 pm. I'm drinking water. I am terrified this is never going to go back down to base line.
New insulin pens. New meter. No steroids. No infection. The only thing I can't do is any really hard aerobic activities.
Any and all suggestions gladly accepted.

Im having high blood sugar due to steroids. My dr gave me a humalog kwikpen. It made my lips swell, mouth itchy and itchy on my upper body. He just called in novalog in vials to try instead. Im so scared to take it! Im afraid of another bad reaction or a worse reaction. When i was in the hospital, I got insulin with no issues. Im just new to all this and kind of freaked out. I also could take metformin instead. I just have severe medical anxiety and don't know what to do. Any advice or encouragment is welcome.

Hi everyone. I've got the flu and I was awake through the night coughing and having trouble breathing with my asthma so I went to the doctor and I've had my first doses of Prednisone, antibiotics and Celebrex and tested my blood sugar levels a few hours after having those as well as my Metformin and my blood glucose was 8.5. I haven't eaten anything other than some lean meat and it was sitting around 6. Is it normal for it to get that high on steroids? Should it start coming down soon? I'm pretty sick but I didn't quite expect the meds to push it up so much. Anyone with experiences ?