Hello everyone going through this agony with me....I want to first start off by saying that I have much empathy for my fellow women experiencing what I have to put up with everyday.
My name is Emily, and I am a 22 year old female, diagnosed with PCOS. I was 18 years old, and never had a period in my life when I finally went to the OBGYN and I was diagnosed with PCOS, and put on Ortho-Tricyclen (birth control pill.) The birth control DID make me get a cycle every month, but I believe it also made me gain weight, and at the same time, it didnt help any of my other symptoms. I stopped the birth control pill, and I let my problem go for almost 3 years. Never had a period still. Finally, my OBGYN was getting frustrated, and she referred me to an Endocrinologist. There, I had tons of bloodwork, where it was determined that my insulin was at a dangerous level (4 times higher than an average adult.) I also had a slight excess of testosterone. My doctor put me on Metformin 2500mg daily, and also Provera once every three months just so I would get a cycle, so my system would get "cleaned out" enough to stay healthy. I gained over 150 pounds in those 3 years where I let my condition go........I was just not trying to hear that there was something wrong with me, and....I guess it was just easier to forget about it than to deal with......well, little did I know that I was slowly killing myself. My alltime high weight was 390 pounds this past summer (of '02). I am 5'10 with a fairly large frame, but that is still a dreadful amount of weight. I decided that enough was enough and I had weight loss stomach surgery in November of '02. I have lost 40 pounds since September, and I am feeling great. I do not expect to get pregnant right now, but the scary questions seem to linger..................will I EVER be able to get pregnant? Why didn't my body work like normal when I was 18 years old, and at a fairly normal weight? I have horrible chin hair that I wax, acne on my face (but thank God for ProActive Solution now my skin looks great.) I used to have skin tags, and dark patches around my joints, but now that I'm on the Metformin, the patches went away, and I had the skin tags removed. Im getting my energy back and things seem to be going much better, but I still haven't EVER gotten a cycle on my own without the use of medication....has anyone else had this happen to them? Can anyone help me please? I got married almost a year ago, and my husband is like an angel....he has always looked past the weight, and loved and supported me. But, I want a family when I lose some weight, but doubt I will be able to........I feel so horrible some days that its hard to get out of bed. I dont feel as though this will ever end. Any one have any suggestions? Thanks for reading!!
-Emily
__________________ 22 year old female. Married, and unsuccessful at concieving. Never got a natural menses (only with Provera). Overweight, excess facial hair, and acne. Currently on Metformin 2500mg daily and Provera every 3 months to induce a cycle. Concerned about possibility of being infertile completely??
Let me start off by saying this is an incredibly resourceful and supportive board. I am glad you found it!
Off the pill, I would have periods, but only two "real" ones a year, so I kinda know what you are going through in that respect. I have the majority of all the symptoms of PCOS, so I can understand a lot of people on this friendly board.
I am now on Actos, an insulin drug. I am seeing a REPRODUCTIVE Endocrinologist who one of his specialties is PCOS. I am finally having periods w/out the need of birth control pills thanks to the Actos! I, too became very overweight after I stopped the Birth Control PIll. I used to be a tiny little 110lb thing! My testosterone was considered "remarkably high" so I think that contributed to my hair growth and emotional rollercoasters.
Can I be so bold to suggest something? You sound very down and I was wondering if you would benefit from an anti-depressant until they get your PCOS a little more under control. I am on two anti-depressants and they make a world of difference, although they don't rid you of your mood swings compeltely.
Thank you to all who replied to me!! To Miss Maren, I was perscribed Celexa, and I took it for about 2 months, but I feel that I am taking enough meds as it is, and I don't want to take stuff that might not be detrimental to my health. ....ya know? I try to get online and chat with my friends, and listen to music to raise my spirits. Other days, I try not to think about my conditions, then sometimes its easier....outta sight outta mind kind of thing.
-Emily
__________________ 22 year old female. Married, and unsuccessful at concieving. Never got a natural menses (only with Provera). Overweight, excess facial hair, and acne. Currently on Metformin 2500mg daily and Provera every 3 months to induce a cycle. Concerned about possibility of being infertile completely??
Just as long as you are functioning, honey, that's great. Anti-depressants aren't for everyone. I have other things besides PCOS, like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, so that may be part of the reason I need my anti-depressants.
The best of luck to you!
__________________
"Life is full of blessings, not all are seen."
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Hi, Emily. You're lucky to have found this site; it has helped me loads.
To answer your question: I started getting my periods when I was 13, but they were never regular, so my mom took me to a gyn when I was 15, to try BCP. When I gained weight on four different kinds, I said that's it, and stopped the BCP's (when I was 16- I'm 20 now). But, since I've stopped taking the BCP's, I have not gotten a period on my own at all. The Dr's. don't know why, or what else to try, because it seems like I have a weird reaction to almost every med they try to put me on. I believe the longest I've gone without a cycle is one year (my gyn is now insisting I get it once every 3-4 months, just to "flush everything out" which I totally understand. I'm sorry I couldn't help you more, but you're not alone in this!! Good luck,
__________________ XOXO
Tara
chest pain/shortness of breath since 16 (24 now)
irregular periods since 13/no periods withough BCP
official PCOS diagnosis August 2002
general & pulmonary hypertension
sleep apnea MEDS:
1000mg glucophage (IR)
240mg Tiazac (BP)
160mg Diovan (BP)
Yasmin
UPPP 11/16- hopefully this will work!
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"For once you have tasted flight, you walk the Earth with your eyes turned skyward; for there you have been and there you long to return."
Can you relate?? 
