PCOS patients and even those who don't have it, pls add me!

cRiSCeL021
cRiSCeL021 Posts: 16
edited September 22 in Introduce Yourself
Hello everyone! I have been using MFP for 20 days now, sorry if I didn't introduce myself since I started because I didn't know what to say. Anyway,I'm Tina, 23 years old. I found MFP when I was trying to look for the calories of the foods I ate one day and so I thought MFP was useful so here I am now.

I was diagnosed with PCOS just this November because I had a missed period last September for the first time. The only treatment that was suggested to me was a medicine I have to take for 6 months, exercise, diet and less rice (I'm asian). I will have my 2nd opinion when I get to the USA this January though because the ob-gyne who checked me up only used ultrasound to diagnose it but I read in various sites that a lot of things should be checked first especially the blood before it can be called PCOS and ultrasound alone is an insufficient proof. I don't have the other symptoms like hair on the chest, faces and other parts where men usually grow their hair, skin taps, thinning of hair on the head and some other symptoms of PCOS, that's why I was wondering if I really have that(not that I trust the doctor but I just want to be sure). My only symptoms are a missed period for the first time and multiple cysts found in my ovary. I read also that some normal women have polycystic ovaries but it doesn't mean they have PCOS. Well I did gain a few pounds especially on the waist when I stopped from school last October, 2009, but I think its because I went from being active in school(walking for 2-3 hours everyday and doing various sports and activities) into sedentary(sitting or sleeping all day especially after eating a lot,it was really bad I know).

So I'm very very much hoping I don't have that because I want to have children in the future and don't wanna have the complications PCOS can give. I will still continue the medicines, especially the diet and exercise though just in case and even if my doctor was wrong.

So yeah,this is my story. I hope I didn't bore you for being a little dramatic, lol. I also hope you guys will add me especially to those who suffer PCOS(Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and maybe we could help each other with this journey. I need your opinions and tips on how I can succeed. And I also want to have friends too, thanks! :)

Replies

  • aliciadjackson
    aliciadjackson Posts: 480 Member
    Keep us updated with your final diagnosis, please.
    I do have PCOS, and have been diagnosed for years (I have several of the symptoms and have had several tests).. I've dealt with the infertility issues when I was married. And now that I'm single, I'm focusing on diet and exercise to help manage the symptoms and hopefully by doing so now, I won't have as much trouble getting pregnant when I meet a good guy and get married again.

    I hope all works out well for you =)
  • determined99
    determined99 Posts: 74
    i was diagnosed with PCOS about 6 years ago and i was missing 3 periods at a time. I took medication Glucophage for about a year and the symptoms became less....and i had gained weight too. i stopped taking the medication eventually and began to exercise and eat healthy and slowly naturally things fell into place and ive even forgotten i had it!

    So basically it can be cured by diet and exercise. i'm sure you will be okay
  • dlcam61
    dlcam61 Posts: 228 Member
    Cysts, especially big and abundant, are not normal. Missing a period because of them is also not normal. I have been suffering the effects of pcos since I hit puberty but none of my dr's were smart enough to check for it. Only after I lost my period for a year & gained 65 pounds did someone figure out that something wasn't right. It used to be an occasionally missed period. Then it was a few months, then it was a year. But, just because I have pcos it didn't stop me from having 4 kids :wink: Most symptoms I had were alleviated after I lost 60 pounds. It doesn't have to be a life sentence. A healthier lifestyle and diet can help. I hope that when you get into the states they run blood tests to determine if this diagnosis is correct. Hang in there, you are lucky to catch it early before the other symptoms crop up. I don't have them all either, and my hair isn't thinning lol If anything it just gets thicker :flowerforyou:
  • themostbeautifullies
    themostbeautifullies Posts: 96 Member
    Hi and welcome, hun!
    I was diagnosed with PCOS a few weeks ago, all my life doctors told me it was polycystic ovaries 'til it wasn't anymore. Get a second, a third, a fourth opinion if you feel it's necessary. I've beaten myself for years because I didn't know I had PCOS but most of the things wrong with me makes sense now and I'm still learning to deal with it.
    I can relate to your worries pretty well, thought I don't think I can be of much help except on supporting you when you need it. It's pretty much what has been said, eating well, exercise and maybe medication.
    Don't fret. Everything will be fine, until there, we'll be here for you.
  • championnfl
    championnfl Posts: 324 Member
    Being overly concerned is a good thing! Keeps you wanting to learn more about PCOS....Knowledge is power...keep learning all you can and doing all you can to get better. Good luck! God Bless...
  • cRiSCeL021
    cRiSCeL021 Posts: 16
    Keep us updated with your final diagnosis, please.
    I do have PCOS, and have been diagnosed for years (I have several of the symptoms and have had several tests).. I've dealt with the infertility issues when I was married. And now that I'm single, I'm focusing on diet and exercise to help manage the symptoms and hopefully by doing so now, I won't have as much trouble getting pregnant when I meet a good guy and get married again.

    I hope all works out well for you =)

    Yes, I will! I think you're doing great based on your updates and I got really inspired by you. Thanks!
  • cRiSCeL021
    cRiSCeL021 Posts: 16
    i was diagnosed with PCOS about 6 years ago and i was missing 3 periods at a time. I took medication Glucophage for about a year and the symptoms became less....and i had gained weight too. i stopped taking the medication eventually and began to exercise and eat healthy and slowly naturally things fell into place and ive even forgotten i had it!

    So basically it can be cured by diet and exercise. i'm sure you will be okay

    Thanks! That inspired me. Although reading a lot about it really got me scared and sometimes make me cry.
  • cRiSCeL021
    cRiSCeL021 Posts: 16
    Cysts, especially big and abundant, are not normal. Missing a period because of them is also not normal. I have been suffering the effects of pcos since I hit puberty but none of my dr's were smart enough to check for it. Only after I lost my period for a year & gained 65 pounds did someone figure out that something wasn't right. It used to be an occasionally missed period. Then it was a few months, then it was a year. But, just because I have pcos it didn't stop me from having 4 kids :wink: Most symptoms I had were alleviated after I lost 60 pounds. It doesn't have to be a life sentence. A healthier lifestyle and diet can help. I hope that when you get into the states they run blood tests to determine if this diagnosis is correct. Hang in there, you are lucky to catch it early before the other symptoms crop up. I don't have them all either, and my hair isn't thinning lol If anything it just gets thicker :flowerforyou:

    Thank you! I really smiled when u said you have 4 kids despite the fact that you have PCOS. I really want to have children someday and learning that it is the main cause of infertility in women and is related to diabetes depresses me. But I motivate myself so much that I will have kids someday if I get healthier and fit. That's why I wanted to have friends with women with PCOS to also help me keep motivated. The cysts that were found in my ovary are really small, less than 1 cm but they are too many, more than 10 I think. I am so thankful to my cousin, a nurse, who told me to have my check-up ASAP because it really isn't normal to have a missed period when I asked her I missed one.
  • aliciadjackson
    aliciadjackson Posts: 480 Member
    Keep us updated with your final diagnosis, please.
    I do have PCOS, and have been diagnosed for years (I have several of the symptoms and have had several tests).. I've dealt with the infertility issues when I was married. And now that I'm single, I'm focusing on diet and exercise to help manage the symptoms and hopefully by doing so now, I won't have as much trouble getting pregnant when I meet a good guy and get married again.

    I hope all works out well for you =)

    Yes, I will! I think you're doing great based on your updates and I got really inspired by you. Thanks!

    Thanks =)
  • Caperfae
    Caperfae Posts: 433
    I sent a request.
    I have pcos. Dx'd officially in 2003 even though I went to a doctor in 1999 with my concerns.
    I went through numerous tests, ultrasounds, sonohysteogram, blood tests, glucose testing, meds like provera, metformin and clomid (high doses of the last two).
    Got pregnant and miscarried in 2004, took a year and then got pregnant in 2005, gave birth in 2006.

    I'd never get a period without meds .. meds to bring it on, more meds to ovulate.

    Then after having my daughter I went on a birth control pill to regulate my cycle. Stopped taking it a year or so later because the possible side effects scared me so I focused more on getting healthy with food and exercise.

    It's a depressing chemical imbalance to have .. makes weight loss a tad more difficult.

    There are so many sign and symptoms for pcos and not every woman will represent with the same so doctors are labeling people as having pcos even with one or two signs because it's such a broad spectrum.

    Glad to report that after losing weight and exercising and making better food choices, the cycle is more regular.
  • aliciadjackson
    aliciadjackson Posts: 480 Member
    Caperfae - I too have never had periods that haven't somehow been medically induced... even now...
  • cRiSCeL021
    cRiSCeL021 Posts: 16

    There are so many sign and symptoms for pcos and not every woman will represent with the same so doctors are labeling people as having pcos even with one or two signs because it's such a broad spectrum.

    That got me scared and worried. I have too much regrets for abusing my body too much by eating a lot of unhealthy foods especially sweets and too much meat and not doing any exercise and activities. But I'm still hoping its not too late yet though, very very much hoping. :)
  • Delicate
    Delicate Posts: 625 Member
    I got diagnosed just before i turned 16, i've had a few years to deal with it, although information on it has only really become wide known recently (i battled with a gyna and dr for 2 years to get diagnosed, it was pretty unknown back then). As i had times of periods not appearing for 5 months at a time prior to that.

    It would probably be better to read books on the subject, as the internet can be quite scarey for research or a drs prefered website. (there are a number of websites made by people who have pcos).

    It's scarey when first diganosed (i cried for days but then again i was 15 !!!) i'm fine with it now just wish getting rid of fat was easier, and I could get free laser hair removal lol
  • hannahsartin
    hannahsartin Posts: 3
    hey, I also have it and I am just a 20 year old college student....I also don't have all the other symptoms. It is kind of a frustrating thing to have, but thankfully it can be altered just by a healthier lifestyle, and eating more organic foods, and trying to keep your mood up...
  • hannahsartin
    hannahsartin Posts: 3
    i have had PCOS, which has resulted of course in a bit of weight gain, depression, and irregular periods. when I went to india this summer, our lifestyle was fairly active, all the food was unprocessed (and lots and lots of veggies) and i spend greater amounts of time around people....within a month I started back on my regular cycle period, gained confidence and forgot i was ever depressed and dropped a significant amount of weight...makes me wonder if the condition has been a product of the processed foods that are consumed.
  • ammp
    ammp Posts: 107 Member
    Me too, pcos sufferer. Not offically diagnosed yet. Had thyroid tests, estrogen/testerone tests, diabetic tests, internal ultrasounds, the works. During my appedectomy when I was 16 they told my mother I had "highly cystic ovaries". The thing I first learned was inconclusive test results don't mean you don't have it. I have the weirdly placed weight gain, skin issues, hair issues, and at my highest weight would go 12-16 months between periods. Now that we are interesting in getting pregant, shedding the extra poundage is very important to me. I am thinking about taking Metformin, anyone else try it??
  • licha75
    licha75 Posts: 391 Member
    Hi! Wow congrats ammp for having lost already 22 pounds, which can be a great challenge for someone who has PCOS. I have tried lots of different diets without success but this time I think I will tough it out. As for Metformin, my doctor put me on it, I take it when I am at home or off from work. For some reason, it gives me cramps, diarrhea and I think it is the cause of my dizziness but I still take it when I remember or have time.
  • CassieH818
    CassieH818 Posts: 221 Member
    I have PCOS and was only diagnosed when I FINALLY went to an infertility doctor after years of trying to get pregnant. All my life I have been overweight and would only have a period 3 or 4 times a year, max. Sometimes I would go 6 months at a time without one. My family doctor, at the time, obviously didnt care because she always brushed it off.

    Im happy to know what it is and was even more happy to know that I could help it.

    After 5 rounds of infertility treatments, I was finally pregnant and now have a beautiful 15 month old daughter :) Just because you have PCOS doesn't mean you wont be able to have children so have hope! It may not be as wasy as 123 but its possible!

    Oh, on another note, after giving birth my periods have been regular for over a year :)
  • ammp
    ammp Posts: 107 Member
    Thanks for the support!
    I buckled down and made my Drs appointment for next Wednesday - going to talk about Metformin.
  • CassieH818
    CassieH818 Posts: 221 Member
    Thanks for the support!
    I buckled down and made my Drs appointment for next Wednesday - going to talk about Metformin.

    Good Luck!
  • Caper88
    Caper88 Posts: 418 Member
    Hey everyone. I just wanted to take a moment to say hi. I also have PCOS so good luck with your weight loss :)
  • mynewyorkad
    mynewyorkad Posts: 39
    I have PCOS as well, as was just diagnosed about 6 months ago. It was shocking and really hard to deal with for a little while, but I have accepted it, and am changing my lifestyle both because of it, and to look better. When I was diagnosed with PCOS I was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which both together definitely explained the huge weight gain.

    Adding you as a friend! :)
  • ammp
    ammp Posts: 107 Member
    Ok so I had my Dr's appointment and of course, she made me repeat all of my bloodwork. As a vet tech, I draw blood daily on animals - no biggie. I cried for my blood draw - yes I am a raging wimp!
    Bloodwork came back, still as inconclusive as ever. Not surprised (or impressed). She starts talking about options. I reply with "Thanks for the ideas Dr Small, but I would like to start Metformin, spironolactone and birth control pills now. Ill start the Met now, and in a week or so when I test negative I'll start the other two"
    I needed the spironolactone for me, my mental sanity. I have had the stupid extra hair situation for too freakin' long and I'm done with needing to shave/wax/etc. It's embarrassing and I hate it. (end rant) Since spironolactone can cause birth defects, add the birth control on top. Plus, once you stop hormonal birth control, many women have a time of 'catch up' where natural hormones kick into high gear. (Hence why tons of people are able to get preg after a cycle or 2 once stopping bc).
    Since I have summers off, my plan is to take all 3 until the middle of summer, stop the bc and spironolactone and get back to trying. When we do finally get preg, it makes it easier on us if I take time within the spring semester or summer off. It would be way too hard on work if I take time off during the fall semester. I plan to continue the Metformin because A. it can help with maintaining my less-hair existance and B. has been shown to help maintain pregnancy.
    So I've been choking back those horse-pills for a week now, things are going great. Plan to either have Aunt Flor visit very soon or test, so I can start the other two. Metformin is not causes issues as of now. I should note, I had my gallbladder out when I was a teenager and have had diarrhea almost daily (sorry if TMI). Metformin can cause diarrhea in people. For me it's not a new thing but I could see how it can be unsettling to people not used to it.
  • kerryjacksmummy0206
    kerryjacksmummy0206 Posts: 10
    hi

    ive only joined today

    at 16 i was only having 3- 4 periods a year doctors told me i had PCOS i only had ultrasound to check and was put on metaformin i got married and fell pregnant on my honeymoon my labour didnt go to plan and it ended up as a emergency c section my son was born healthy only then during the last bit the surgen found that i have only one ovary

    please get a secong opinion if any of you are concerned

    xxxx
  • dlujan82
    dlujan82 Posts: 3
    Hello! It's so nice to meet others who are going through the same issues I am. I am almost 29 and wasn't diagnosed with PCOS until almost 3 years ago even though I had told doctors since I was 15 that there was something wrong. It wasn't until I tried to get pregnant and had three miscarriages and I made an appointment with a specialist after being told by 3 different doctors that my miscarriages were normal. There is nothing normal about having 3 miscarriages. I had to be on hormone therapy to get pregnant and to keep from having another miscarriage and finally with success I had a beautiful baby girl 2 years ago. I am always tired, I don't have a cycle any longer, and last year I started gaining weight which is unusual for me. I have always been around 115 pounds. Now I'm at 155. I just don't feel healthy. Therefore I have been trying to loose some weight and eat healthier. Its been 5 weeks and nothing. Not one pound. I have changed my diet big time. No soda, all whole grains, frest fruits and veggies, no processed foods, drinking plenty of water etc etc. I also went from no exercise other then activites with my children to walking/running 3 miles a day and still nothing. I am getting really discouraged. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have heard that the diet supplement DCI works really well for people with PCOS. Is there anyone who has tried it?
  • curlygirlcami
    curlygirlcami Posts: 102 Member
    Hi everyone! I just wanted to say that it is good to hear of other people who have PCOS as well. I found out 10 months ago that I have PCOS and before that I had never heard of it before. I have never really had "normal" periods, but it wasn't until I got married 2 years ago that I began to get worried about it. Last year I had all of the tests done and my doctor told me that I had PCOS.

    I am very frustrated with my weight gain. I have tried to lose weight, but it seems that nothing really works. I am not on any medicine right now. Is there any type of medicine that you have found helps with the weight loss part? When I engaged I weighed 145, then when I got married I weighed 155, and now I weigh 190. My doctor said that if I could even lose 10 to 15 pounds that it would really help. I have been working on losing weight, (again) for the past 5 weeks and still weigh the exact same. It's very frustrating to me when I have cut back tons on my food intake and I exercise 5-6 times a week now, which I did not do in the past.

    Also, I was wondering about thyroid and thyroid medicine. I am thinking that that could be a part of my difficulty with losing weight. I am going to go in for detailed blood work soon, but I was wondering what you all have found to be helpful.

    I am 23 years old and want to be healthy and have a family some day. I know that it's possible to get pregnant and stuff with PCOS, it's just probably going to be a harder for me than for other people. I want to be healthy so I can avoid any other problems in the future.
  • licha75
    licha75 Posts: 391 Member
    Hi everyone! I just wanted to say that it is good to hear of other people who have PCOS as well. I found out 10 months ago that I have PCOS and before that I had never heard of it before. I have never really had "normal" periods, but it wasn't until I got married 2 years ago that I began to get worried about it. Last year I had all of the tests done and my doctor told me that I had PCOS.

    I am very frustrated with my weight gain. I have tried to lose weight, but it seems that nothing really works. I am not on any medicine right now. Is there any type of medicine that you have found helps with the weight loss part? When I engaged I weighed 145, then when I got married I weighed 155, and now I weigh 190. My doctor said that if I could even lose 10 to 15 pounds that it would really help. I have been working on losing weight, (again) for the past 5 weeks and still weigh the exact same. It's very frustrating to me when I have cut back tons on my food intake and I exercise 5-6 times a week now, which I did not do in the past.

    Also, I was wondering about thyroid and thyroid medicine. I am thinking that that could be a part of my difficulty with losing weight. I am going to go in for detailed blood work soon, but I was wondering what you all have found to be helpful.

    I am 23 years old and want to be healthy and have a family some day. I know that it's possible to get pregnant and stuff with PCOS, it's just probably going to be a harder for me than for other people. I want to be healthy so I can avoid any other problems in the future.


    Good for you, for nipping it in the bud right now. The longer and the more weight you gain, the more you have symptoms of PCOS. As for losing weight it is a battle, the way my doctor told me is I have to eat right, no eating out, but mostly stay away from bad carbs, like white bread or white pasta. You want your good carbs like the ones in whole wheat and the ones in vegetables... You will have to exercise twice as much as someone who doesn't have PCOS, which is frustrating, but with the support of others you will do it. I started in January and have lost 30 pounds so far. So, with no cheating and exercise you will be able to do this. Good luck on your weight loss journey, mine is a very long one but I will get there and so will you! :)
  • CScholl
    CScholl Posts: 3
    I too have PCOS and was diagnosed in 2009 when I went without a period for 6 months. When i was diagnosed I was put on Metformin, which helped bring me back to a normal 28-30 day cycle. I ended up getting pregnant in December 2009 with the assistance of Metformin and Clomid and gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl this past August. While pregnant they diagnosed me with Hyperthyroidism and I am still taking the thyroid medicine, but am no longer on the metformin since I started Birth Control again to keep my cycles regular. I was told that when I am ready to try again for another baby that I will need to probably start the Metformin again, which is fine with me since I lost 10 pounds the 3 months I was on it with no change in diet and exercise. Currently I am 6 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight and it appears that the PCOS is under control with the Birth Control for now, but I am still having trouble losing weight. I just recently joined MFP to try to get myself into a routine for tracking my calories and my exercise to see if it will keep me motivated to lose the weight. Don't worry PCOS is not the end of the world, because you can still live a normal life and have a healthy family.
  • mericksmom
    mericksmom Posts: 222 Member
    I am not diganoise PCOS but I am highly hormone sensitive. I have gone a yr without a period, had cyst that burst (owie), 2 months on my period and still have acne issues and I am 27. Birth control is too strong for me and I end up becoming loonie when it was prescribe by a dr who didnt listen to me. One thing that has helped me tremediously is VITEX it is all natural suppliment that helps regulate your cycles. When I have trouble starting or having my period I start taking it and it helps a whole lot also watch what type of meat, milk, and cheese you eat. most of these animal are filled with hormones, anibiotics and other additives.

    I wish everyone with PCOS good luck with your weight loss....I know each one can do it no matter how frustrating it becomes Add me if you like.
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