Any other women on here have PCOS??

[Lou Lou 1]

If you haven't already been here, this is a great site for help and information www.soulcysters.com. Get your hubby to read it too so he can understand it more and help you in the right ways.

[Traviesa 0]

I think probably for a lot of women, they would get judged because of the weight gain and have people think that they are just eating a lot of unhealthy food. People don't realize that this disease causes weight gain. I understand that image is a big issue for people.

This is the absolute truth. Just a few of the reasons I eventually decided to seek treatment included my gaining of about 70 pounds in the span of about a year, the mustache (which is now gone-yay!), and of course missing like 4 periods in a row. Thankfully, the birth control keeps me "regulated" and controls my symptoms, but I still worry about things, like, will I be able to have children and will I develop some weight-related condition (such as diabetes)? Most people are very surprised that I'm as heavy as I am, since I don't eat very much at all, but it's amazing what a condition can do to your body. My biggest concern is going to be having kids. Oh, one other thing I'm happy to be living without-those TERRIBLE pains in the abdominal region (you all know what I'm referring to).

[Kajikit 65]

I have PCOS but don't take any medication for it... the infertility is the worst thing. I'm going to the doctor on Friday for a physical and I'll ask him to check ALL my hormones and see if they're off-balance enough to need medication now - they've always been 'borderline' but my cycle is really screwed up this month. One thing I learned from the ladies in the PCOS support group I used to go to in Australia - if you're taking metformin start VERY slowly and ramp up gradually and it'll minimise the side effects. If you're feeling that sick you might be taking too much to begin with, so ask the doctor if you can cut the dose in half.

[hockeygal 1]

The part that really gets to me is that no, I won't be able to have kids, not without some major help in the fertility department. You're lucky to have this and still be able to have them. That, for me, is the hardest part of dealing with PCOS.

yes, me too, though my doctor said it was hard, not impossible. However, my guy doesn't want children, so I guess this isn't an issue. I've accepted it.

I don't have the weight issue so much - a stubborn 15 pounds that is kind of hard to lose, but I don't carry it in the belly area. I was diagnosed when I went off the pill that I have been on forever, and basically stopped getting my period! I had all kinds of other horrible side effects erupt too - and that is when they took a blood test and determined I likely had PCOS. Back on the pill, it seems to keep everything balanced.

Interesting what you said Karen, about not doing the low carb thing... I was led to believe that this was helpful for PCOS and preventing diabetes... I tried it, but I didn't quite like the results either.

[Laura_and_IanM 0]

The part that really gets to me is that no, I won't be able to have kids, not without some major help in the fertility department. You're lucky to have this and still be able to have them. That, for me, is the hardest part of dealing with PCOS.

yes, me too, though my doctor said it was hard, not impossible. However, my guy doesn't want children, so I guess this isn't an issue. I've accepted it.

I don't have the weight issue so much - a stubborn 15 pounds that is kind of hard to lose, but I don't carry it in the belly area. I was diagnosed when I went off the pill that I have been on forever, and basically stopped getting my period! I had all kinds of other horrible side effects erupt too - and that is when they took a blood test and determined I likely had PCOS. Back on the pill, it seems to keep everything balanced.

Interesting what you said Karen, about not doing the low carb thing... I was led to believe that this was helpful for PCOS and preventing diabetes... I tried it, but I didn't quite like the results either.

I did the low carb (atkins) and I tell ya what...jesus mary and joseph the panic attacks were UNREAL!!! I still get them when I am really really stressed, but nowhere near as bad as before..The doctor's office I goto, there are 3 doctors in the office, so you can see anyone of them really. I like all but one of them. He was the one that told me to do the low carb, when I went back because of the panic attacks, I saw one of the other doctors and he is mainly the only one that I see now. He told me that the low carb diet could be doing something to cause said attacks and suggested I go on a low fat/calorie diet. Which to me has been most succesful.

I can't iterate it enough how happy I am that I started this thread!!! We can encourage eachother. Thanks guys again!! Keep the comments/suggestions coming, appearantly all of us can benefit.

Laura Mitchell

The part that really gets to me is that no, I won't be able to have kids, not without some major help in the fertility department. You're lucky to have this and still be able to have them. That, for me, is the hardest part of dealing with PCOS.

yes, me too, though my doctor said it was hard, not impossible. However, my guy doesn't want children, so I guess this isn't an issue. I've accepted it.

I don't have the weight issue so much - a stubborn 15 pounds that is kind of hard to lose, but I don't carry it in the belly area. I was diagnosed when I went off the pill that I have been on forever, and basically stopped getting my period! I had all kinds of other horrible side effects erupt too - and that is when they took a blood test and determined I likely had PCOS. Back on the pill, it seems to keep everything balanced.

Interesting what you said Karen, about not doing the low carb thing... I was led to believe that this was helpful for PCOS and preventing diabetes... I tried it, but I didn't quite like the results either.

[Traviesa 0]

I also think it would be awesome to have our little PCOS support group right here. I know my condition is compounded with my mental illness (yet to be clearly defined, but could be chronic depression or some variable mood thing). They sort of play off one another to make me a big mess overall. I'm currently treating both of them, but to be honest with you, it freaks me out how my mind has been working since I started the anti-depressants. Anyone else have these mind/body issues?

[Laura_and_IanM 0]

I also think it would be awesome to have our little PCOS support group right here. I know my condition is compounded with my mental illness (yet to be clearly defined, but could be chronic depression or some variable mood thing). They sort of play off one another to make me a big mess overall. I'm currently treating both of them, but to be honest with you, it freaks me out how my mind has been working since I started the anti-depressants. Anyone else have these mind/body issues?

I have mood swings yes, but they are more around the time right before my cycle...I know I know...PMS..but this is more than PMS lol. THis is complete I wanna just beat the vaccum cleaner because it is working properly or just feel like letting out a big scream for nothing!! I don't have any depression issues anymore, I did when I was going through my divorce, but never took anything. I received help through counseling. Have you talked to your doctor about how you feel with the anit-depressants? If he/she doesn't listen, or makes it seem part of the medication, I would suggest seeking another opinion. I do know that certain foods can make your chemicals even more inbalanced so perhaps that could be a cause as well. I wish you all the luck trying to get that sorted hun! We are here for you anytime you need to talk..PM if you like.

Laura

[incanada1234 0]

glad to hear that you guys have started on metformin (better known as glucophage). there is a huge connection with diabetes, weight problems, amenorrhea, acne and PCOS. it truly is a hormonal thing ... you usually have hyperinsulinemia (elevated blood sugar) which usually increase your testosterone level which decrease ovulation. by taking metformin, you bring your blood sugar back into line and hopefully reduce your androgen levels thereby increasing your chances to loss weight and conceive!

This might be a dumb question but are you born with high androgen levels? Or can they be brought on by weight gain?

[Laura_and_IanM 0]

glad to hear that you guys have started on metformin (better known as glucophage). there is a huge connection with diabetes, weight problems, amenorrhea, acne and PCOS. it truly is a hormonal thing ... you usually have hyperinsulinemia (elevated blood sugar) which usually increase your testosterone level which decrease ovulation. by taking metformin, you bring your blood sugar back into line and hopefully reduce your androgen levels thereby increasing your chances to loss weight and conceive!

This might be a dumb question but are you born with high androgen levels? Or can they be brought on by weight gain?

Hmmm...not so much a dumb question, I just don't think that is something that can be answered. I for one have no records to what tests were done when I was born 31 years ago. The cause of the raised androgen levels is unknown I believe, but to be honest, before now, I have't really researched much about PCOS or asked that many questions. I just took it as something that I had and that was that. But, if I would have to give an educated guess and say that since women don't tend to find out that they have PCOS until they are in their teens or later, I would have to say that when a woman goes through puberty, hormones obviously change and that is when the high levels of androgens (or most cases testosterone as that is the main androgen that is most popularly known) come out. I had symptoms of PCOS since I started puberty but PCOS wasn't that known I don't think or was just starting to come out of the woodworks. Why do you ask that question btw?

Laura Mitchell

[Traviesa 0]

glad to hear that you guys have started on metformin (better known as glucophage). there is a huge connection with diabetes, weight problems, amenorrhea, acne and PCOS. it truly is a hormonal thing ... you usually have hyperinsulinemia (elevated blood sugar) which usually increase your testosterone level which decrease ovulation. by taking metformin, you bring your blood sugar back into line and hopefully reduce your androgen levels thereby increasing your chances to loss weight and conceive!

This might be a dumb question but are you born with high androgen levels? Or can they be brought on by weight gain?

I don't think so, and the reason is because I haven't had PCOS my whole life. I started menstruating at age 9, and didn't develop PCOS until college, so it must have been something that happened for one reason or another.

[incanada1234 0]

Why do you ask that question btw?

Laura Mitchell

I ask because I was always slim until I got married and gained some weight. I'm on my way to losing the weight but now I'm worried that what I gained could have caused PCOS since we tried for about 4 months to get pregnant and nothing happened (I know 4 months isn't a lot but still, with the weight gain I'm a little worried now).

[gwenneh 7]

You're on your way to losing the weight...if you had PCOS, it's just not that easy.

[gimygirl 0]

glad to hear that you guys have started on metformin (better known as glucophage). there is a huge connection with diabetes, weight problems, amenorrhea, acne and PCOS. it truly is a hormonal thing ... you usually have hyperinsulinemia (elevated blood sugar) which usually increase your testosterone level which decrease ovulation. by taking metformin, you bring your blood sugar back into line and hopefully reduce your androgen levels thereby increasing your chances to loss weight and conceive!

This might be a dumb question but are you born with high androgen levels? Or can they be brought on by weight gain?

marissa ...

what you're questioning is sorta like 'which came first the chicken or the egg?'. high blood sugar (hyperinsulinemia: hyper-too much, insulin-sugar, emia-in the blood) increases the ovarian androgen production (particularly testosterone) which then leads to anovulation, amenorrhea, recurrent pregnancy loss, and infertility. also high blood sugar has also been associated high blood pressure and increased clot formation and appears to be a major risk factor for the development of heart disease, stroke and type II diabetes. now the term 'androgen' just refers to male hormones. we are all born with both male and female hormones.

sooooooooooooooooo .... all that being said, it appears that this condition can be exacerbated by being overweight but is that what causes it? no. PCOS is from an inherited and your genes are something that can't be changed. but you can alter everything else ... besides taking meds you can exercise, eat right, blah blah blah.

metformin (anti-insulin) is one drug, oral contraceptives are another, and also anti-androgens (aldactone) - all these alone or together are used to treat PCOS along with adopting a more healthy lifestyle.

did that answer your question??

[Ladylethal 12]

I don't have it, but one of my friends does and she's also used the pill and it went away completely.

[gwenneh 7]

My doctor put me on the pill when I was 16 and diagnosed with the hormone out-of-whackness that heralds PCOS. In order to get my cycle to start up again, I had to be put on a super dose of estrogen.

Yeah. That was the least fun I can ever remember having. I seriously thought I was going to *die*.

After that, provided I stay on the pill, it at least keeps the cycles regular. If I miss even one, it throws everything out of sync again. So irritating!

Two more days until I get my metformin. We'll see how it goes then.