PCOS.. Who's got it?

[PhatKat01 0]

Not sure hun.. I changed jobs in hopes to get a better insurance or save up the money for my surgery. Now I am having one hell of a time getting hired in this town.

All my years of expirence and nothin.... Oh well I will be patient in the mean time, I'm headin to Ballys for a workout.

[sydney1976 0]

I have it too. :/

[Just-Ice 1]

OOOH OOOH PICK ME PICK ME! ... I have it too. I was diagnosed 7 years ago. I'm 38 now. Funny thing was the doctor that told me took his time and sat beside me and held my hand while he told me that I would most likely never have children of my own. I told him (several times) that my three daughters were in the lobby. Yes, three. The first one was hard to get, however, the factory kicked into overdrive. They are now 11, 9 and 7. Factory is now closed. Tried for a fourth, no such luck.

However.. the doctor did say if I wanted a boy... get a dog. I sure do love that dog.

[mikesangelonly 0]

I have pcos, have had it for about 15 years, for almost all that time I never had a period, now I'm 37 and I had the lap band last November 25th, 2008 and in April I had my 1st period in all those years, then skipped a month and been on the dot regular ever since, I have a lot of pain though but figure that is to be expected. I hope good luck for all of you. Oh and I have the dark neck, underarms, thighs, and the Hair growth too yuck, thank God for veet hair remover, so I know all the pains of this disease.

Edited November 5, 2009 by mikesangelonly

[Anges1angel 0]

Hello... My name is Angela... and I am a PCOSer. LOL

I suffer from almost EVERY symptom that comes along with it. I hate it! Esp the whole fat bearded lady thing that I have going on. I NEVER have periods unless activated by BCP or Provera. Weight loss did help me get pregnant when NOTHING else did and I got PG on the pill.

Nice to see I am not alone

[HapiCat 0]

I was dx with PCOS in 1995 and suffered miserably with long heavy periods and then finally when my Iron plummeted to extreme low levels and I required IV Iron replacement therapy in 2006 my OBGYN and I decided it was time for a hysterectomy. In January of 07 I had a total hysterectomy, there was talk of saving the ovaries for hormones but upon a "look-see" the were deemed "unhealthy."

I tried metformin and had a hard time getting in the groove of taking them prior to meals but also so no real difference. I have not been tested for insulin resistance since the surgery and I doubt that it would just go away.

I am not recommending nor advocating that a hsterectomy is an acceptable treatment for PCOS, it was my last option. Already having 3 beautiful children and being in my late 30's not wanting more kids it seemed reasonable to prevent the "near death" experience of iron levels of 2 (norm is 15.)

It took over a year to "bounce" back from the iron incident. Almost 3 years later I feel much better and do see less facial hair, regained some of hair I lost and naturally no longer suffer with 3-6 month long menstrations and anemia.

[JeweI 2]

I am a CYSTer too. My husband and I have gotten use to the idea of not having another child but now I am starting to think who knows what life will bring in a few years. I may be healthy enough to have another child. I wasn't diagnosed until we started trying for our second child. I also have insulin resistance and my endo recommended the lap band to help lose the weight. I can't wait to see what the future holds.:w00t:

[Loveslady 0]

I too have pcos. I'm hoping the band can get it under control. I stopped taking my met last mont cause of the constant bleeding. Then this month it wants to come on by itself. With all the cramping and everything. I am not used to cramps so can we say OUCH! Anyway kick in band I'm done with thin merry go round.

[NolaLola 0]

I wanted to go through your list of symptoms to share what I have experienced, and see if anyone has anything else to add.

• infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding - check. I've gone ten months without a cycle. my dr has said that isn't good, and wants me to either take a ten day dose of hormones in order to cycle and shed the uterine lining, or to get on birth control pills, so I am shedding uterine lining. funny, I went to see her a few months before my surgery - she was very supportive, told me she thought it would greatly improve my fertility and chances of getting pregnant when I try - aiming for two years down the line. She did want me to cycle before the surgery, and prescribed ten days of progesterin. (sp?) Day I pick up the prescription? I start my period. Now I am having my period again, a month later. This hasn't happened to me without BCP for...ever? I have opted out of taking BCP because I want to observe how my body reacts to the surgery and weight loss. Will have to be super careful to use bc, though, as I want to get the full benefit of the surgery and initial weight loss, so want to give myself two years to loose and stabilize a bit.
  
• infertility or inability to get pregnant because of not ovulating - well right now, I'm not trying, but I am pretty sure I am not ovulating. Hopeful, though!
  
• increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes - OH YEAH - I've done laser on my lip, chin, and neck. Still need more, but it is much much much better. Have hairs between my breasts and around my nipples that I tweeze - I know other friends that have the same and don't have PCOS, so that could just be a getting a little older thing.
  
• acne, oily skin, or dandruff - I have terrible dandruff, and if I dont' use dandruff Shampoo regularly, am in deep trouble. I also have dry skin/eczema around my nose, my eyebrows, and behind my ears. Also on my scalp-line. I didn't know this was a PCOS symptom, so there is something else to look forward to resolving.,
  
• pelvic pain - nope.
  
• weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist. yeah. 280 right now. apple shaped, although my bones are hour glass.
  
• type 2 diabetes - not yet, but I am sure I would get there.
  
• high cholesterol - overall number is not high, but bad/good cholesterol ration is not good.
  
• high blood pressure - nope
  
• male-pattern baldness or thinning hair - the front of my hair is not as thick as as it used to be...not BAD, but it is really sad as it used to be gorgeous!
  
• patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs - yeah - I thought this was Tinea Versicolor Any insight?
  
• skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area - yep. had some cut off by the derm. have more tags, but don't want to pay...:w00t:
  
• sleep apnea―excessive snoring and breathing stops at times while asleep yeah. worries my bf.
  

I am curious how other people experience these symptoms.

[sunflower80 0]

I got it too. Hoping with some more weight loss the facial hair will become lighter and less of it.

[AirForce.Wife 0]

I have the following:

-Infrequent periods, lack of ovulation when I do have a period.

-Hair. Everywhere. A little on my chin, stomach, toes... the hair is so thick! Ugh, I feel like a freakshow carnie!

-Dandruff, slight acne but nothing big.

-Obesity. Duh.

-Type 2 Diabetes. Taking Metformin 500mg once per day.

-Thinning hair. I lose soo much hair in the shower. It's gotten much better though.

-Dark skin on my neck and underarms.

-Skin tags, mostly thighs and one on my eyelid.

It's a pain.. I was just diagnosed in Oct 2009, after gaining about 60 pounds in a year and a half. The only symptoms I had before then was irregular periods, dark skin on neck, and obesity :mad: I didn't even have diabetes!!

[AlienBandit 10]

do any of you girls have diabetes and pcos? I think some people are under the impression they might have pcos because they are diabetic. I am not and I dont watch my sugar and I was told never to worry about that ( unless I get any symptoms for diabetes). Since all doctors are different what were you all told about diabetes and pcos?

[Subie66 6]

I have it too. I have had it for 20 years. I did manage to get pregnant after taking Provera to jump start my periods twice- since I never had periods on my own.

I take Metformin and Glipizide.

Once I had my second child- my periods restarted and when I would have them- about every 3 months they were horrible and heavy- so I had thermal ablation done and now I don't have much of a period.

Hoping this band will help with other symptoms!

[Loveslady 0]

do any of you girls have diabetes and pcos? I think some people are under the impression they might have pcos because they are diabetic. I am not and I dont watch my sugar and I was told never to worry about that ( unless I get any symptoms for diabetes). Since all doctors are different what were you all told about diabetes and pcos?

I don't have diabetes but I am an insulin resister. The sugar and the starches that I take in aren't taken well by the body so it over produces and more. It is said that it is on the path to type II diabetes.

[Diamondgirl81 0]

I've got it as well. Along w/ a nice case of Endometreosis for good measure :thumbup: I see one of the top gynecological oncologist in NY and she was in the room w/ me when I had my lap-band surgery. She is amazingly supportive and really guided me to make a weight loss decision. So far the band has been a tremendous help. I went from having my period for up to 6 months at a time, having 2 d&c's this year, to at least having 2 months of a "normal" cycle. Since I have pcos, I definitely stick to low carbs, just to keep my insulin in check. It's going to take a lot of hardwork and commitment to stay on track but at least now I feel that i'm armed w/ the proper tools.

Best,

Lauren