......and maybe give me your thoughts? I would really appreciate it.
Hi,
I'm new here but have lurked previously. I'm 28 and have had irregular periods since I was a teen, skip a month here and there, cycles ranging from 21 days - 42 days or more etc.
I had a period in December 2007 and then nothing.....right up to June 2008 (I'd gone to my doc in the mean time with my concerns and she referred me to a gynaecologist - who, apparently here in Ireland, doesn't seem to think there's a problm unless a woman is 6 months without a period) So I saw the gynae doc in June and he said there most definitely had to be a problem. I asked him would it be the fact that I am overweight. He said "no, there must be a problem" So he prescribed the pill for me to take for 5 days to "kick start" a period. He said to tst for Polycystic Ovarian Symdrome they must do blood test on 4th day of period. So a couple of days (I think...) after I stopped the pill I had the most horrific ovarian pains, sharp shooting pains that lasted hours, both ovaries. The pains lasted 2 days and a week or so later I got my period. On the 4th day I went to the hospital and had bloods taken as instructed. After that, I had an ultrasound (external and internal) where they said everything was normal. I had a follow up appt at gynae. This time I saw one of the original gynae docs team... and he said "everything is fine, all testa re clear, you can go home"
**I was very confused** Initially, I was seen by the head gynae doc and was told things were not normal and that there must be a problem.......but now, on seeing "one of his team" I was told everything was fine and I could go home. I did go home.**
My periods continued then as normal (or whatever "normal" is for me...) for about 12 months until Summer 2009. I had a normal period in July....then 21 days later I had another period (usually mine are late) That was on 4th August....and I had no periods since, nothing. I've been feeling tired, sluggish etc, and I'm over 12 weeks with no period now. I even worried a lil at one stage that I may be preg (even though my bf and I are usually very careful...I've done 4 preg tests, mainly to please him as I understand how irregular I can be...he doesn't "get it") All the tests were negative thankfully.
Lately, having been without my period for a long time, I've began to feel a little faint every now and then and dizzy sometimes too. I'm also tired alot of the time. For the last few days I've had pains in my ovaries again, sharp shooting pains so I'm hopeful that I'm ovulating (or cysts are bursting maybe???) and today I've had a thick very-dark-brown clumpy (sorry if too much info) discharge...and lots of it.
Any of you suffer from PCOS think this sounds like it? I really don't know what is going on with me. The Health system here, means my GP has to refer me onto gynae and my GP tends to think if a person is not bleeding from every orrifice that they are a complete hypocondriac (sp?) so I don't fancy going back to her unless I really have to.
Also, just to ntoe...I am overweight, have one child (who is 5), I suffer from chronic thrush - Well....I don't know if it would be classified as chronis but it is recurring (for years now) I get it a few days before my period every time I get a period and also suffered badly with it, in breast mainly, after I had my child. I cannot take antibiotics without getting thrush really BADLY! I've also grown some dark thick hairs under my chin in the last couple of years also, and a little cluster of them over one of my breasts too. I wouldn't worry about these things if my periods were regular. I feel that I just don't feel 100% when I don't have regular periods, it's hard to explain but fatigue definitely comes to the fore when I've been without a period for a long time....I also suffer from incredibly bad acne (pus-filled painful boils/spots on my butt and between my legs - upper thighs and in crease at uppermost point of my thighs mainly) I had this acne under both of my arms after I had my child, for about 2 or 3 years, and now it's gone from under my arms and is mainly between my thighs, on my butt and on my belly. I've mentioned the acne to my doctor before and she didn't really pay much attentin to it, it affects my sex-life badly....maybe I need a new doctor?
If any of you have got to the end of this message without falling asleep can I please congratulate you, and thank you for taking the time to read my story. Any responses really appreciated.
Hi Bumble-Bee- I am sorry to hear that your having such a frustrating time with all of this. Although I complained routinely to my pediatrician, I went undiagnosed with PCOS for years before I was diagnosed at age 18 because I couldn't get into my primary doctor and the doctor I saw happened to notice a rash on my neck (acanthosis nigricans). I understand where you're coming from with the doctors. I was scolded by a lipid specialist for lieing about my "high fat" diet even though high triglycerides occur in PCOS due to insulin resistance and carbohydrate intake.
So here's what I know that might help.
Irregular periods, pelvic pain, acne, and hair growth are all symptoms of PCOS, so it sounds to me like it is something worth looking into.
You can have a negative ultrasound and still have PCOS, my ultrasound only shows up on my left ovary. Because the "cysts" in PCOS are actually premature eggs that are waiting to be chosen for development. Usually they draw labwork, but I've never had it done and thought you needed to be off of hormonal therapy for 6 weeks before they could get an accurate test result, but I could be wrong there.
Is there anyway that you can see an endocrinologist, or does that require a referall?Because PCOS is so multi-faceted and endocrinologist may be a good option. I just finished reading this book that I wish I would have read when I was first diagnosed by Dr. Futterweit called " A Patient's guide to PCOS: understanding and reversing polycystic ovarian syndrome". It was realatively inexpensive and may be an option to give you more answers about diagnosis.
Insulin resistance is a common problem in PCOS and could be why you're feeling faint and dizzy, although I'm just throwing it out there. What happens when you eat something higher in carbohydrates, especially simple sugars and low fiber, the body has to release more insulin in people with PCOS than people without PCOS. Because the body releases all that extra insulin, the sugar rushes into the cells and you can have symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) including lightheadedness, dizziness, shaking, etc.
Currently I take oral contraceptives to control my periods and metformin to help with my insulin resistance. Since starting the metformin I have been able to lose 30lbs and am working hard to lose more.
I hope that this information was helpful to you and that you find your answers.
~Wishing you well~
I am no expert on this subject, not long diagnosed myself! I havent had a period in a year and 2 months now but i think it maybe sounds as if you have PCOS going by your symptoms. I would go back to your doctor and ask why you have irregular periods etc. Ask to have your thyroid, blood sugar levels checked - a full M.O.T. I live in Northern Ireland and i am getting very frustrated with the waiting times for doctors and hospitals. Hope you get sorted soon at least then you will no whats wrong with you!!!
First I want to tell you that you are on the right track. You have asked the right questions and it seems like the doctors you are seeing, have no idea what details they need to look for. PCOS won't show up in a pelvic exam or a routine gyn visit.
1 out of 10 women have PCOS. Obviously your doc doesnt know those stats. Get a referral, go to the endocrinologist, and get a full hormonal panel done. Thyroid, testosterone, lipids, pituitary gland (thats in your brain) adrenal gland, estrogen, progesterone. Get a full hormonal panel and talk to your endocrinologist. This syndrom is NOT new. Doctors just don't look at all the details. And you do NOT have to be ON YOUR CYCLE TO GET THESE TESTS DONE! I promise. Elevated testosterone is gonna be there no matter what!
There are 5 different types of PCOS. You can find that info on this site as well. Bloodwork and an internal ultrasound(when done properly) can and should confirm you have this problem, if you have it. Tell the dr to print off the pictures, if you see dark pearls around your ovaries, then theres a good chance you have PCOS. If you don't have pearls, and still have PCOS symptoms, ask your endocrinologist if there is something up with your adrenal gland.
I hope you find your answers. We are here to support you!
could it possibly be an ectopic pregnancy ?? when you said dizziness, it made me think of it.. ALSO, hcg levels are much lower in ectopic pregnancies which could explain negative tests
Symptoms to look for in an ectopic pregnancy:
* Abdominal or pelvic pain.
* A missed period.
* Signs of early pregnancy.
* Vaginal bleeding not caused by menstruation.
* Dizziness or fainting.
* Low blood pressure when bleeding is severe
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2002-Conceived naturally, m/c at 7wks
2004-Diagnosed with PCOS, went on Met,Clomid, and IUI and conceived twins, lost 1 twin at 16 weeks.
Dec 2005-gave birth to son Jacob, breastfed for 13months
2007-Conceived naturally 1st try
Jan 2008-gave birth to daughter Leah, still breastfeeding
*NOW LOOKING FOR WEIGHT LOSS HELP*
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Hi, its sounds to me like number one, yes you need a new dr!!! I think that you have PCO, you should have your hormones checked! I know that birth control helped me and with the Metformin and Spironolacton really helped! I would say with the acne on your butt and thighs, you might clean them with rubbing alchol and make sure to keep loation on those areas. I hope that you find care, get the meds and keep trying! NEVER GIVE UP! To your boyfriend, let him know that your still very much a woman with needs, dont let a few blemishes get in your way... I wish that I had a man. Just be happy that you have him... It even harder when your trying to date.
OK, so it turned out the discharge I had (the day I posted my original story) was the start of my period!! Yay! But not so yay! I got really bad back-ache and was extremely exhausted and suffered dizzy spells and a surreal like feeling (like I wasn't really there?) for the first few days of thee period. I have to be driven home from work early one day I felt so awful.
This week my period is gone and I'm still getting sharp stabbing pains on my right side (ovary area) I decided to bite the bullet and wrote a list of everything bothering me to bring to my doctor (General Practitioner) I made appt yesterday and happened to get a new (Male! And extremely good loking *eeeeek*) doctor in the surgery I use.
He was really good (I think.....) He listened to all I had to say and took it all on board. Asked if I was concerned about trying to conceive at the moment (which I am not) He took bloods to test for some things (I'm not sure exactly what but diabetes & thyroid were mentioned) He thought the way the gynae consultant tested me was VERY strange (as I had thought) and he basically thinks that clinically, I have all the signs and symptoms of PCOS so it's very likely that I do have it.
He asked if I would consider mirena coil but then he decided on mini-pill (carazette), which I'm hopeful about. He gave me a repeat prescription for 8 courses of tetralysal 300 (he advised me to take a week-long course each time I have a "break-out" of boils) And he advised me to take Evening Primrose Oil to try and regulate my moods / depression etc.
My blood results should be back by Monday so I'll be calling the surgery then (I'm sure they'll call me first if anything shows up!!) to make sure nothing else showed up.
I'm pretty satisfied that I do have PCOS now, even though the Gynaecologist didn't diagnose it. I trust this HOT new doctor guy fo some reason (I wonder why.......haha) *swooon*
I'm hoping I don't have Diabetes as I haven't really had any typical symptoms (weight loss or using toilet more often) but I'll know next week.
If nothing shows up in blood tests this time....is the mini-pill and primrose oil enough to help with symptoms of PCOS? All of the side effects mentioned on the leaflet with the mini-pill are basically all of the same symptoms I already have...that scares me!! Lots!! I wonder will it stop the hair thinning and excess hair growth (I now have more hair in places I don't want it, and less where I do want it, someone is HAVING A LAUGH!!!!)
Again, thank you all for your replies, this is one heck of a forum. At least I can feel normal amongst ye ladies!! x x x
Anyone with a few minutes to read my story... 
