Latest medical updates

I’ve had a whole range of tests over the past few months. My GP sent me to a weight loss specialist (although I’m not overweight - my BMI is 24), who she felt might be able give better advice in terms of PCOS. I’m also seeing a slightly alternative doctor (she describes herself as a ‘Nutrition and Integrative Medicine Specialist’). I’ve had conventional tests such as a regular blood test and an ultrasound to check on my ovaries, and less conventional ones such as live blood analysis and a saliva test.

Apparently, I no longer have PCOS! I still have some of the cosmetic symptoms of PCOS, but I don’t have the PCOS hormone profile, my ovaries look ‘normal’ and I have regular periods. I was diagnosed with PCOS 13 years ago based on a whole range of symptoms, and the diagnosis was confirmed by an endocrinologist. Since then, other members of my extended family have also had it diagnosed. The doctor I’m seeing at the moment believes I have got rid of it through a healthy lifestyle.

Apparently for the most part, I’m very healthy. However the tests do suggest I have some adrenal dysfunction (probably from stress), a mild leaky gut problem, a slight hormonal imbalance (a little low on progesterone), and very low melatonin levels. I’m now taking melatonin in the evening, supplements to repair the digestive system, support the adrenal system and regulate the menstrual cycle, and am following a diet (which includes no sugar / refined carbs) to help with these things. I am also continuing with the “women’s balance” supplement, as without it my sleep again reduced to almost nothing.

In addition to the supplements/diet, I’ve also started meditation classes.

I’m sleeping relatively well, although still have some bad nights (on average in the last month I have slept for just under 6 hours). However I’m mostly feeling quite a lot better.

Possible pathways linking PCOS and insomnia

These are two pathways by which PCOS may cause insomnia:

(1) via glucose intolerance / insulin resistance
(2) via an imbalance of the ratio of oestrogen to progesterone

From what I’ve read, insulin resistance / high blood glucose levels put pressure on the adrenal glands, resulting in the release of too much cortisol. This excess of cortisol promotes anxiety and makes it difficult to relax, and fall asleep.

The second pathway is about an excess of oestrogen and lack of progesterone – two female hormones. Many conventional doctors disagree, but according to Patient Advocates Ltd (the link is provided) and a naturopath I saw a few years ago, progesterone is the ‘feel good’ hormone. Here’s a list of some of the things it does:

* Reduces mood disorders (eg. anxiety, depression)
* Relieves endometriosis and PCOS
* Increases energy and libido
* Balances blood sugar levels and thyroid function
* Is necessary for fertility and maintaining pregnancy
* Relieves menopausal symptoms
* Reduces hair loss
* Improves sleep

Progesterone levels can be increased by using a progesterone cream. I’ve been prescribed this cream in the past, but haven’t used it (yet) for treating insomnia. However from what I’ve been told, the “women’s balance” supplement that I'm taking - and listed in the previous blog - also helps to improve the oestrogen/progesterone ratio.

A brief (?) history of my insomnia

I've set up this blog to share with you how I overcame chronic insomnia. I had insomnia for 2 years, but as of 6 weeks ago I've slept every night - and for on average more than 6 hours - without fail. I want to share my solution as I know there are lots of other people in a similar situation. However it won't work for everyone. But if you have insomnia and PCOS, diabetes, impaired glucose levels or insulin resistance, then my solution may also work for you. I have a common endocrine disorder - the polcystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) - which I finally discovered to be the cause of my problems.

My insomnia started at the beginning of 2007 and lasted 2 years. There are a number of things that happened around early '07 that may have had a part to play in setting it off - neighbours playing music at all hours of the night, being woken by a pigeon at 5am each morning, the pressure of having started post-graduate study, undergraduate teaching... the list could go on. For the rest of '07 I dealt with the insomnia mostly by ignoring it. I became moodier and more emotional than usual and was often very tired, but I carried on. At this stage I was usually still getting some sleep each night. I did try to tire myself physically. I kept up my usual activities (yoga, gym, swimming) and also started training for a marathon. But even this didn't work - some nights I didn't get a wink of sleep even after running more than 20km! I sometimes used the over-the-counter sleeping pill Restavit, but found it quickly lost its effect. By the end of '07 I thought I'd try to relax more, and so quit my extra-curricular activities, reduced my physical activity, and stopped working after 6pm in the evenings.

In 2008 my sleep deteriorated further. I had a few sleepless nights a week and not much sleep on the other nights. Finally, before a 3-week trip overseas, my GP prescribed me Stilnox. I ended up sleeping the nights I took it and not sleeping the nights I didn't. After I returned home I was physically and emotionally exhausted, and put my studies on hold for 2 months.

After a net search I found a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme called "Sleep Better Without Drugs". I began the programme, as well as regular sessions with a sleep psychologist, acupuncture and continued with yoga. Overall my sleep improved (although I also made dietary changes over my 2-month break that with hindsight, would have been beneficial in regards to the PCOS/insomnia link). I continued using the techniques and resumed my study. However I was still frequently underslept and the emotional distress remained. After another trip overseas at the end of '08 - during which time I resumed taking Stilnox - I again hit rock bottom. The breakthrough came during another net search in early January when I found a link between insomnia and my other health problem (to which I'd given little thought for some years), the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). I found plausible pathways linking the two and read stories about women with PCOS who also had insomnia.

The following day I changed my diet and began taking supplements (supplements recommended online for women with PCOS and by the woman at the local health food shop my partner visited for me). I hardly slept for the next 2 nights (although we were camping), but have slept every night since. Most nights I now sleep for 5-7 hours.

I thought this background might be useful for some people. The entries to follow will describe in detail what were for me the solutions. I hope they will help you too.