Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) [merged]

stripey_kitten · 6th April 2006, 7:16am

While reading the various threads on contraception that have sprung up lately, I've noticed that a few people have said they have PCOS.

I refered to OBGYN when I was 16 because I was only having periods about once every six months and was putting on weight at an alarming rate. I was told I had PCOS and was put on the Pill (Celeste). This regulated my periods, and my weight, but noone ever looked into the PCOS again.

Was just wondering what anyone else's experiences of it were?

Bunnylingus · 6th April 2006, 7:26am

Im on metformin (insulin resistence regulation?) and dianette. Anyone else found people never seem to explain stuff unless you push them , or is that just me?

Ive never had anything to confirm it, a couple of slightly irregular blood tests but most of its been taken from symptoms.

Apparently one in every ten women have it, or something like that.

My skins different colours, and I carry a lot of my weight around my tummy.

My skins a lot better now, im really careful with it, but it used to be awful.

I scar really easily, and wounds take ages to heal, I dunno if its related, gonna ask on monday.

Bunnylingus · 6th May 2006, 12:40am

No way are we the only two folk...?

Poisey · 6th May 2006, 12:41am

Never heard of it.

hotblonde · 6th May 2006, 12:53am

Latest studies show it's also linked to cardiovascular disease....but, hey what isn't?

Bunnylingus · 6th May 2006, 12:57am

Yehaa.

*adds to list*

Does it really mean that you carry more weight around your tum? Its damn annoying, Im a size bigger on bottom and Ive not even got big hips.

Plus, the skin discolouration thing is a bastard.

hotblonde · 6th May 2006, 1:02am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunnylingus

Yehaa.

*adds to list*

Does it really mean that you carry more weight around your tum? Its damn annoying, Im a size bigger on bottom and Ive not even got big hips.

Plus, the skin discolouration thing is a bastard.

It does, yes. Many sufferers also have very bad skin. There's a myriad of symptoms tbh. Have you checked out sites that offer support, etc?

Bunnylingus · 6th May 2006, 1:06am

Yeah, but theyre all a bit naff, to be honest.

Im sure more folk on here must have it.

Im off my pill just now so my periods are hellish.

Elfaba · 6th May 2006, 7:28am

absofuckinglutely rachel

i was diagnosed with it a few years ago and I too have belly problems skin problems insuline problems etc

i was told i had it and then shown the door - give no support or guidance and I've had to do all the leg work myself

I shall need to trawl through the archives on here because I started a thread a couple of years ago about the condition and theres some good sites in there - one of them being soulcysters.com

its associated with a number of things - cannot be cured but can be aided and controlled by contraceptive pills, hormones and dietary supplements. The sites are good for detailing all of the symptoms of the condition and giving diet advice and the likes (tho admittedly i dont do much to help myself and dont religiously stick to them - nor the whole taking supplements thing)

it can be associated with a greater risk of certain cancers, heart disease, diabetes, weight problems, irregular periods, infertility, excess hair growth, depression, acne and some other stuff - all rosey, no??

funnily enough some folk say pregnancy can help it a bit - which is great, but also slightly problematic in that conception can be difficult.

there are a few sites about and theyve certainly helped me a bit in terms of understanding what im living with and once i get this bloody uni assignment out the road i shall trawl the archive and post the links in here too

u really have to push and ask questions if you want answers about it - they dont give you information up front ive found in my experience at the doctors, and you also have to be emphatic of your concerns if any of the symptoms are being particularly problematic

I've only ever had wee kinda follow ups on it because of other aspects of my health (ie skin problems, depression, passing out etc)

okies so mibbes it was just the one link but heres the link to the previous thread

http://www.altnation.com/forums/life...highlight=pcos

Elfaba · 2nd January 2007, 9:06pm

just got a great book on this and on diet and nutrition for this condition to help lose weight and alleviate symptoms

I'm going to give it a test run the next few months and see how it goes!

if anyones interested its called "PCOS Diet Book", by Colette Harris

one of the most refreshing and reassuring reads about the condition I've gotten hold of!

it's £14.99

and incidentally without sounding like im trying to duplicate the lose weight for summer/winter/autumn threads if anyone who's got PCOS wants to test run it at the same time n compare notes drop us a pm

!

Puppy · 3rd January 2007, 12:02am

I was diagnosed 5 years ago after I went to the docs with constant hunger, I mean I was eating at 5 in the morning, constantly hungry all day. Acne, and had started losing head hair

got put on Cileste. After a few years discovered that it wasnt workign that well, (got terrible acne back) so got put on dianette, that gave me constant migraines so I've been pulled off the combined pill as they think Im at risj of stroke.

All I keep getting told is "lose weight" and that will help mys symptoms.

The worst symptoms I have are a very high testosterone level, leading to mood swings, and hair growth on places like tummy and a few stray hairs elsewhere. Im a chub.

The doctors going to put me on Xenical at the end of January which I am not looking forward to. Wont put me on Metformin due to family history of diabetes.

Due to being off the pill I've not had a period for months, last one I had was in October. so thats one period since May '06. it sucks

Delilah · 3rd January 2007, 12:06am

I was diagnosed with PCOS a couple of days before xmas. So I'm waitin on my gynacologist appointment for an ultrasound and stuff.

I'm actually really glad I found this thread. I'm defo guna have a look at the PCOS Diet Book as my doctor didn't mention any ways I could help alleviate the symptoms.

Elfaba · 3rd January 2007, 6:46am

in me experience and from several accounts in the book a lot of doctors are thoroughly shite when it comes to this kinda thing and being informative about it

Puppy · 3rd January 2007, 8:33am

to be fair to my docs the man I went to first tok onelok at me and said "have you heard of PCOS? Im going to take some bloods to confirm but I think thats what you may have"

and the chick doctor goes to lectures and seminars all the time on it, so I tend to get phoned and asked "how Im doing"

right now its just the pressure to lose weight Im getting from them.

The "what to do when the doctor says its PCOS" is also pretty good. I had it loaned ot to someone who was also recently disgnosed and never got it back.

Delilah · 4th January 2007, 10:41am

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Sparkle*

in me experience and from several accounts in the book a lot of doctors are thoroughly shite when it comes to this kinda thing and being informative about it

Well I've ordered the diet book so I'll see how I get on with it. To be fair I didn't ask the doc what I could do myself to alleviate the symptoms, I was just in shock I think.