PCOS!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! OMG
CountryGirl8542
Posts: 449 Member
You know... I did not know what PCOS was until about 5 mins ago? I have the following symptoms:
Skin tags
Acne (sometimes good sometimes really bad depending on the day)
Depression
Obese (40% body fat, hips 53" waist 40" height 5'2")
Course chin hairs & lip hairs (all beside the corners of my mouth (no more than 4 dark course hairs the rest are fine but very blonde and noticeable)
Irregular periods (sometimes 60 days before my next period sometimes more sometimes less)
Girls with PCOS!?!?!?!?!?!? Do you have any of those symptoms?
Skin tags
Acne (sometimes good sometimes really bad depending on the day)
Depression
Obese (40% body fat, hips 53" waist 40" height 5'2")
Course chin hairs & lip hairs (all beside the corners of my mouth (no more than 4 dark course hairs the rest are fine but very blonde and noticeable)
Irregular periods (sometimes 60 days before my next period sometimes more sometimes less)
Girls with PCOS!?!?!?!?!?!? Do you have any of those symptoms?
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Replies
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60 or 6 days?0
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Yup, I've got all those symptoms and then some. Reducing the amount of insulin in my body through diet is what's helping me the best, and it might help you.0
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Yes. Have you brought it up with your doctor? There are some blood tests tbey can run, and an ultrasound, to figure out if you have it, and you can proceed from there with dietary changes and, if necessary, meds to help you cope.
I was diagnosed in 19960 -
60... My last period was 2 weeks ago and time time before that was two months.0
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That happens often but sometimes I get it once a month sometimes it takes 3 months.0
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That happens often but sometimes I get it once a month sometimes it takes 3 months.
Yeah, that happened to me too for a while right before I didn't have a cycle for a whole year.0 -
Holy cow ! I am calling for an appointment tomorrow. This is nuts! Can someone tell me more about it... And what do I do... I don't know how to feel or what to think. Can I still get pregnant?0
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That happens often but sometimes I get it once a month sometimes it takes 3 months.
Yeah, that happened to me too for a while right before I didn't have a cycle for a whole year.
Any late period starters? I didn't get mine until I was almost 170 -
Yep, chalk up another one with PCOS. Diagnosed with it at 20. Now 39.
First off, don't panic.
Second, it can be brought under control with the proper medication and diet. And good for you that you're making a doctor's appointment - get the medical opinion you need.
Third, yes you can. It's a bit trickier because of the hormonal imbalances and whatnot, but yes you can.0 -
go to a doctor to get tests done instead of diagnosing yourself! You haven't mentioned anything about painful periods, which I believe is one of the main symptoms?
And 4 coarse hairs is not very many, if the rest are fine and blonde still. I don't know if that would even count as a sypmtom.0 -
Yup, diagnosed last wk. That and hypo. I have lost a total of 5 lbs (five) in 3 YRS. Thats with cutting carbs and exercising like crazy. Go to your dr. please. This is horrible.0
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Yep, but I'm just barely/not overweight (with BMI) and don't actually miss periods. I got diagnosed by ultrasound ages ago when they were trying to find out why my periods hurt so much.
I've had it for decades and just now got high triglycerides and rising blood sugar. I've had reactive hypoglycemia for at least 20 years, though. Definitely watch what you eat (sugars, bad fats) and exercise! I did and still have to do better, darnit.
To be fair, I only took Metformin for it for like 3 months, lol. So I'm practically unmedicated all this time, too. Metformin has excellent study results on all the hormonal stuff involved. For fertility, folks may still need more progesterone, but that's usually about it.0 -
yep, sounds about right. The doctor that diagnosed me, 8 years ago, was a *****. Straight up told me to drop 50 lbs if I ever wanted to have children, but not how to go about it. I was stupid then and I didn't listen. So now I have to drop 100 lbs, I only 40 to go!
I would ask your primary care doctor about it, they will run tons of labs and test. Just to narrow it down, because there is no one test to say yes you have it or no you don't. Best of luck to you, because PCOS is one hell of a b*tch to deal with. I've had to be hospitalized a couple times due to symptoms. It sucks!0 -
Don't panic! Go to the doctor, a simple blood test will determine your insulin levels (mine were 55 five years ago, now down to 35 through diet and exercise and trending down). And an ultrasound can be used to determine cysts if any.
Re getting pregnant, don't worry, it doesn't make you infertile but it does hamper your efforts. And it is reversible through diet, exercise and some medications.
The doc put me on Metformin but I was allergic to it, so I have to do it the hard way. Low GI, Low Carbs, lots of strength training. Muscle burns insulin, carbs make more insulin. In a very simplified nutshell.
My periods were are are completely random and very painful. And it also made my Implanon birth control implant ineffective after only a few months, so I'm stuck with them until I can get my weight down and my muscles up.
Don't freak out, you'll be fine. But definitely check with your doctor and get a blood test.0 -
My periods used to be so painful and crazy heavy... I had to stay home from school. Now they aren't bad at all.. No cramps, heavy but only for a day or two maximum and they only last 5 days (not including the last few days of it going away completely)0
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Holy cow ! I am calling for an appointment tomorrow. This is nuts! Can someone tell me more about it... And what do I do... I don't know how to feel or what to think. Can I still get pregnant?
First, no need to panic! You've taken the right first step-getting in to your doctor.
There are hormone treatments if your estrogen is way off that will help you get pregnant and carry the baby to term. If you do have PCOS, it won't be easy, but it is possible.
This is one of those syndromes that effects people differently. Some things you would expect are cysts on your ovaries (cause pain, among other things), very low estrogen levels, and very high testosterone levels (I have lower than post-menopausal estrogen levels, and my testosterone levels are over 3x what a woman should have). Most of us are to some degree insulin resistant, and some of us get autoimmune and nervous system disorders on top of it. Not everyone, though. Getting the insulin resistance under control really helps with energy and weight issues. Getting the hormones under control helps with fertility.
Your doctor can tell you more about your specific case once tests are run, if you have it.0 -
I should also add I have lost 29 in three months and 1 day... So I am not having problems losing any weight.0
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Holy cow ! I am calling for an appointment tomorrow. This is nuts! Can someone tell me more about it... And what do I do... I don't know how to feel or what to think. Can I still get pregnant?
yes, you can still get pregnant. I haven't been successful. My cousin who also has PCOS has 3 kids (but also had 9 miscarries + one born with tons of birth defects died at 7 months old) So her surviving 3 are her pride and joy, as they should be. Sorry for the sad story. It is possible, just harder for us ladies with PCOS0 -
I am not going to over think this but I am really curious to know if I have it. I told my boyfriend all the symptoms that people with PCOS have and even he also agrees I have lots of the symptoms and that I need to go get checked.0
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You should definitely see your doctor to see if this is the problem and to rule anything else out. Make sure to get your insulin levels tested too as pcos-ers have a high rate of insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes. If you do have it, depending on the severity of your symptoms and hormone levels, you may be able to control it with diet and exercise alone or have to get additional help balancing your hormones with medications. Doctors have come a long way in their knowledge of pcos and available treatments but some still don't do anything other than throw birth control pills at you and tell you to lose weight. If your pcp can't answer your questions, ask to be referred to an endocrinologist. PCOS can be horrible in many different ways, but it doesn't make your goals (health, weight loss, children, etc) impossible, just possibly harder and slower to reach than someone without it. Managing it is very important though, as PCOS is associated with much greater risk of other health problems like heart disease. I like the website soulcysters and there are some groups here you can join for info and support.0
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You're doing well to be proactive now to get ahead of it, if that's the reason for your symptoms.
I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but if you want kids in the future please take the steps now. While some people are lucky and don't have fertility issues, some of us aren't so lucky and it does cause infertility. I was lucky to have one daughter at 20 and was blessed with another a few years later by some random miracle that even the doctor didn't expect. After that, no more, even with fertility meds so I just caution you to keep that in mind now, while you're young, and be proactive to protect your fertility, if possible. I didn't and it is something that I still carry with me, especially as my girls leave the nest.
At your age, I had PCOS and lost weight if I put the effort in, and despite what some say, weight loss does not cure it, but it can help with symptoms. I was only 120 lbs when my symptoms began and for the following few years and it's been an up and downhill battle since then. Finally, my thyroid got thrown into the mix in the last few years and that has been a bigger hurdle when it comes to weight.0 -
I'm sorry, but what is PCOS? I've never heard of it.0
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Yep... been dealing with this for 30 years.. but not diagnosed untl 20 years.
Nothing you can't live with...
It does make it harder to lose weight, especially if you also become Type II diabetic.
There are several PCOS groups on here too... Soul Cysters to name one.. do a search.
This is extremely common -- and lots of women don't even know they have it.0 -
I'm sorry, but what is PCOS? I've never heard of it.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Also not mentioned - very high rate of infertility.0 -
I'm sorry, but what is PCOS? I've never heard of it.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome0 -
I was diagnosed with PCOS a year ago. Long story short, when I was 14 I went to the doctor because I was having irregular periods, acne, lots of pain, long periods when I did get them, etc. and got put on birth control. Then this summer, when my sister turned 14 (she's 6 years younger than me) she went to the doctor with the exact same symptoms, causing the doctor to question why two sisters were having the exact same symptoms at the same age. Thus, both of us being diagnosed with PCOS.
Well, I shouldn't lie. I was never *truly* diagnosed with PCOS because my doctor told me it was too risky taking me off my birth control when I was in a relationship and sexually active. So its only just assumed.
Please go see your doctor. Until then, eat healthy, exercise, and try to lower your carb intake. As much as you can. My specialist advised me that I should be eating one serving of whole grain carbs a day (i.e a piece of toast). I've also seen lots of posts on the internet saying people with PCOS should be eating very little carbs.
But, I am not your doctor, you don't have to listen to me. Good luck anyway!0 -
Hi! I was misdiagnosed for a while with multiple issues but like you, had all of these symptoms. When I finally WAS diagnosed, my Doc basically said there was nothing I could do but go on meds, my chances of conceiving were less than 10%, and that I would probably deal with those symptoms like being fat and miserable for the rest of my life. I immediately started researching because, well, I panicked. And I'm one of those people who is comforted by information. I found soulcysters.com after a week or two and it was wonderful! What you need to know right off the bat, is that like many disorders, it isn't a one size fits all issue. So, while some people say it can't be cured, it can for others. Or while for some people they can't lose, others can. And not all 'cysters' look the same... some are big and some are thin. It's a pretty diverse illness. What I CAN tell you is that I immediately went on a low carb diet. Prior to that, I'd had NO luck losing but suddenly in the course of only a month or two dropped 25lbs. I decided if my chances of having children were so slim, I was going to get a job I loved, a convertible, etc. Then found out I was prego! I was over 3mos. along before I knew because my cycle was so sporadic. Since then, I've had not only one but two children. Both times were after switching to a lower carb diet -- the second being VERY strict. I did a total system reset similar to what they have you do before weight loss surgery. The strange thing has been that since having my second child. ALL of my symptoms have disappeared. I'm now only following low calorie and have for quite a while now. My new Doc here even checked me and said that my cysts were gone as of my last check (I am due again). I still get the random hair now and again, but I am in my 30's. But my periods are like clockwork and the pain most of the time is in the normal range. I plan on having all of my bloodwork checked when I go in this time, too. So... PCOS can't be put into a box for definition. It varies so much and effects each of us differently. My point to all of this is not to strictly take what your Doc says to heart unless you have a great doc who listens. I do now, but didn't then. I really hope you figure it out and find a way to live with it. Good luck!0
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That's why i am here and trying to lose weight the doctor said if i lose weight it's easier to control it and i want a baby so got to lose a lot of weight to see if it helps. I'm 251lb now i want to get down to at least 168lb.i am tired all the time and I have a sweet tooth which doesn't help the insulin problem type 'polycyclic ovarian syndrome' in to Google and there are sites that can give you information and help with diet etc but demo go to your doctor and get checked out xxx0
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I have pcos. I found out when I was trying to get pregnant with my 2nd (this was about 12 years ago) and having trouble. I was told to go on metformin, lose weight etc. Metformin did not work. I lost a little weight. Then I started clomid and daily ultrasounds etc. Then later I was told I would not be able to get pregnant but needed IVF if I wanted another baby. At that point we decided to be happy with one child and stopped all the fertility treatments. I decided not to stress about it anymore and just focus on being happy with what I have and work on my overall health. Within a few months I was pregnant. I now have 4 kids. I'm still overweight, and now diabetic, but working on it through diet and exercise.
So the moral of my story is go see the doctor, get lots of info, try not to stress too much about it and work on it. PCOS is closely linked to diabetes, so my advice is to treat yourself like you do have diabetes, look into diabetic-friendly diets and start monitoring your blood sugar if you can. If I knew then what I know now, I would have done that from day one. If you are able to lose weight on your own without drugs you should keep doing what you are doing.0 -
See a doctor. No point in freaking out and self-diagnosing when you really have no clue what's up.0
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