Just diagnosed
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AESprouse
Posts: 112 Member
I was just diagnosed with PCOS 2 weeks ago, 1 1/2 months before I turn 23. I went to my Gyn because I was having constant pain in my pelvic region and pain in my cervix during sex. He did a pelvic ultrasound and discovered that both of my ovaries were swollen with cysts. He said it was called polycystic ovaries but didn't really explain it so I said ok. He gave my BCPs and said to take them for 2 months and then come back for another ultrasound to see if there was any change in the cysts.
When I got home I went on the interwebz and discovered that it wasn't just my ovaries but an incurable disease that was going to affect my whole body. I have always had normal periods although it did take 9 1/2 months to conceive my son. I had regular labs done with my PCP a week prior and my liver, thyroid, cholesterol, insulin levels, etc were completely normal. I thought I was perfectly healthy despite the fact that I have a BMI of 41. Currently my only symptoms are cysts, pelvic pain, and slow weight loss (28lbs in 9 months). One woman I spoke to said this is step 1 and it's just going to get worse.
I had my gall bladder out last week so after I have my follow up with the surgeon I am going to contact a reproductive endocrinologist to discuss my options. I had the Essure procedure done in 2011 so fertility and pregnancy are not concerns of mine. My mother suggested that I talk to my Gyn and schedule a hysterectomy so that I don't have to worry about the rest of the symptoms. My husband, however, doesn't want to jump to something like that without seeing a specialist first.
When I got home I went on the interwebz and discovered that it wasn't just my ovaries but an incurable disease that was going to affect my whole body. I have always had normal periods although it did take 9 1/2 months to conceive my son. I had regular labs done with my PCP a week prior and my liver, thyroid, cholesterol, insulin levels, etc were completely normal. I thought I was perfectly healthy despite the fact that I have a BMI of 41. Currently my only symptoms are cysts, pelvic pain, and slow weight loss (28lbs in 9 months). One woman I spoke to said this is step 1 and it's just going to get worse.
I had my gall bladder out last week so after I have my follow up with the surgeon I am going to contact a reproductive endocrinologist to discuss my options. I had the Essure procedure done in 2011 so fertility and pregnancy are not concerns of mine. My mother suggested that I talk to my Gyn and schedule a hysterectomy so that I don't have to worry about the rest of the symptoms. My husband, however, doesn't want to jump to something like that without seeing a specialist first.
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I understand your husband's concerns. I think that talking to a specialist is a good idea. I have PCOS, but for my body there are no cysts, which does happen. I happen to have many of the other symptoms, such as irregular periods, trouble concieving/infertility, problems metabolizing carbs/sugars, carb cravings, trouble loosing weight, extreme mood swings, as well as hormonal fluctuations (though I am alsways in the "normal" range).
I have considered scheduling a hystorectomy, as well. My husband actually threw that out as an option when I was at a very difficult place. However, your age, as well as what sounds like you only having one child, may work against you when it comes to having a doctor perform the surgery. My mother had 3 kids before she was 23. She had the same issues from the time she began puberty. Her doctors would never perform the surgery until I was 18, when she was 35. She went to multiple doctors, they all hesitate to do the hystorectomy when it's not medically necessary. Unless you try to exhaust all other options first it may be a very bumpy and difficult ride toward the hystorectomy option.
How do you feel about the surgical option? It's your body that will be bearing that heavy emotional and physical toll. As this is a new diagnosis and your doctor didn't explain to you about the disease, you should do some more research and see a specialist who can help answer you questions to put your mind at ease.0 -
I have to say, I agree with your husband.
You have to remember, a hysterectomy is MAJOR surgery, it should be a last resort, not something to be taken lightly. My mother had a full hysterectomy about 10 years ago and it was totally fine, but the same week that she had hers, a friend's mother also went into hospital for a "routine" hysterectomy and she actually died from complications during surgery.
I'm not trying to scare you, that is VERY rare, and very unlucky, but it is possible with any major surgery, and I think that EVERY option should be exhausted before you jump to something like that. If you have JUST been diagnosed, I think you have a lot more options to explore first, and certainly seeing a specialist is a good start.0 -
Whoa! Pump the brakes. You need to talk to you GYN! There is a huge difference between having Poly Cystic Overies and having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) With the labs you had done, they would have told you then that your hormone levels, or insulin levels are off, and let you know you have PCOS then, not after a pelvic ultrasound. Some women with PCOS do have Poly Cystic Overies, but not all of them. If your labs came back normal you are probably fine, and just need to take you BCP and follow the doctors orders. You also need to talk to your GYN again and express your concern and clear up your confusion.
Go to this site http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/24/16681138-women-with-pcos-support-name-change?lite it is discussing how they are condisering changing the name of PCOS due to the confusion in is causing with its irrelevance to Poly Cystic Overies.0 -
Everyone that I spoke with said that although you can have PCOS without polycystic ovaries, you cannot have polycystic ovaries without PCOS.0
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Nope, you can definitely have polycystic ovaries without having PCOS. If your hormone levels are normal, and your cycles are normal, and you don't have insulin resistance, or at least ONE of those mentioned, then you do not have PCOS. You simply have cystic ovaries, without actually having a disorder.0
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Nope, you can definitely have polycystic ovaries without having PCOS. If your hormone levels are normal, and your cycles are normal, and you don't have insulin resistance, or at least ONE of those mentioned, then you do not have PCOS. You simply have cystic ovaries, without actually having a disorder.
The research I have done also suggests that you can have Polycystic Ovaries and not have PCOS.0
