any Asian cysters here? - Page 2

sonixblu · 08-10-2008, 01:56 PM

I am Indian too.
Anjali- it's sad how your doc said that PCOS is common in Indian/Asian women yet I had never heard of it until I was diagnosed.

-Sonia

anjali77 · 08-11-2008, 02:44 AM

Yeah...I was thinking if my two cycles of injectables dont work, I am going to India to do IVF with a specialist...he told me also that alot of Indian women have PCOS...

~anjali

AudreyChibbsitar · 08-11-2008, 03:22 AM

Hello, I'm filipino. =)

NDandiwal · 08-11-2008, 11:48 AM

Well that answers alot. None of my doctors here mentioned that PCOS is common amongst Indian and Asian Woman. If I had known it would have minimized my stress levels a bit! But at the same time...if PCOS is common amongst Indian woman how come no one in the community knows about it. If a woman has difficulty conceiving because of PCOS they don't acknowledge, necessarily, that there is a medical condition that is the cause behind it.

skyhunter · 08-11-2008, 11:58 AM

Am Indian too...good to know am not the only one who's got PCOS!

sonixblu · 08-11-2008, 02:52 PM

I found out not because I was tryng to conceive but because my periods have always been irregular and the excess hair growth is getting worse and I am losing the hair on my head. My GYN didnt think it was PCOS, I guess bcz I am a "thin cyster" and my sono was clear. She just wanted to put me on BCP when my bloodwork clearly points to PCOS.

I guess most Indian women are not comfortable talking about it openly as they are are afraid of how society will judge them.

Good luck Anjali and welcome Skyhunter- it does feel good to know that i am not alone.

anjali77 · 08-11-2008, 11:27 PM

thanks...i love all the luck i can get. I agree that Indian women and Asian women in general dont talk about this kind of thing. Who knows? Its nice to have other asians like me to talk to though...

~anjali

skyhunter · 08-12-2008, 05:53 AM

so am i the only one who's worried about marriage? i assume most of you are getting arranged marriages? i know i am. how do you tell someone that you might not be able to bear children?? especially in indian families, where children are a must!! any advice?

NDandiwal · 08-12-2008, 12:10 PM

Hey Sky Hunter,

I had a semi-arranged marriage in 2006. I had no idea at that time that I had PCOS. I've always had irregular periods...got them every 5 months or so, my doctor (before marriage) perscribed birth control pills to regulate but did not mention that I had PCOS and that I would have such difficulty conceiving. It was a year after marriage that I found out. You would think that my mother-in-law, who is a typical Indian mother-in-law, would be understanding. She was not. When she found out that I have always had irregular periods, she blamed my parents for not telling them before marriage...her exact words were "your parents did not do a good thing. They should have told us." My husband knew...I told him before marriage and he is so supportive and loving!! He's the BEST! Then my mother-in-law went on to say "that is if they had known they would have thought more about getting their son married to be. But what can she do? what ever is written in our kismet will happen. God knows best and she has ACCEPTED IT." If you tell them, chances are that they will say no to the marriage alliance, if you do not tell them and they find out after marriage you will have tons of stress. The most important thing is that you tell the man you are going to marry before marriage. If he supports you and knows that you may face difficulty then you will be ok. Also remember, and this is how I keep my hopes up, that women with PCOS can have babies its just harder. I will be starting fertility treatments soon.

It is extremely hard for Indian woman like you and me. You just have to have faith.

Hope this helps....
Tasha

NDandiwal · 08-12-2008, 12:20 PM

Are IVF treatments better in India? I am not originally from India, though both my parents and my in-laws are. I've been to India many times and have a large extended family there. What have you heard about the treatments there compared to the ones in North America?

anjali77 · 08-12-2008, 01:16 PM

Skyhunter...I told my husband about my PCOS before we got married. But his stepmothers family had issues with having babies so they were prepared for my struggles. Its still hard though. My grandmother still thinks that I should be popping out babies like ASAP...its crazy...!

India is really good at fertility treatments. Also, the cost since my insurance here does not cover it is so much better. Actually, my American doctor said it would cost me upwards of 12,000 dollars to do one cycle of In-vitro...in India, it would only cost me $3000. My doc here told me to go to India since it is definately cheaper for me...

Hope this helps ladies!

~anjali

Avantika · 08-12-2008, 04:10 PM

Hi girls - am from India too. I am like 10-15 lbs more than the recommended weight - my worst pcos symptoms are hair loss and haevy monthly cycles. As some of you mentioned - had the symptoms since puberty but wasn't diagnosed until 2 years ago. Now when you go to some doctors in India they understand pcos but think it is still more cosmetic. Good to hear from you...

NDandiwal · 08-12-2008, 05:38 PM

Really Avantika...that truly surprises me about the doctors. Since when has not having your period and not being able to conceive become cosmetic??? What stupid doctors!!! I would like them to experience the anguish and heartbreak of not being able to have a baby due to PCOS, and have their in-laws judge them. That's what really irritates me....most people in India are constantly berading individuals who have weight issues due to PCOS to lose weight...its hard! I have always eaten healthy and have always gone to the gym...but I am still considered over-weight. My aunts can not put having PCOS and weight issues together and it really upsets me. Now to hear that doctors in india think of PCOS as cosmetic...no wonder my generation of foreign born Indians are dsillusioned about India.

Anjali...Here in Canada the treatments go up to $20,000...but after what Avantika said I, personally, would probably be more comfortable doing the procedure here where you aren't judged...even if it means taking a loan. LOL.

skyhunter · 08-13-2008, 04:02 AM

thank you NDandiwal and anjali77, yes it does help abit. i am turning 27 soon, and my parents think its waaaayyy past time i got married! to be honest, marriage freaks me out! especially the idea of an arranged one. why would a guy i barely know want to marry someone who is going to have so many issues, including possible infertility? remember, we are talking about someone who is choosing you based on your looks, which frankly, i dnt have

am dark skinned, short, huge pot

i have enough problems dealing with my own issues, and Pcos, without the added stress of marriage, looking after other people, trying to have a baby stress...but i wish you guys the best, hope we will be hearing some good news soon

g'luck.

anjali77 · 08-13-2008, 10:40 AM

I have struggled with weight issues my whole life. I was diagnosed when I was 18. It made sense about everyone of my symptoms. I am confident in the doctor I am going to because he was actually researched and quoted in Glamour and Newsweek magazine and he has studied at various Ivy League schools in the US. I too was skeptical about Indian doctors until I read about this one at my doc's office.

My family has given me grief my whole life about weight and baby making issues, but I try not to let them stress me out because truely, my husband understands...and thats the only thing that matters to me...