Everything kicking in at once? normal?

Xperfctlyxflawdx · 09-14-2009, 02:45 AM

Hi Everyone!

I was wondering if this seems normal to anyone? I was diagnosed when i was 14 but only had the irregular/painful periods and weight issues. Now im 21 and i feel like the past month every PCOS symptom has popped up. I have not found anything relating symptoms to age or if there is a certain time when i cyster starts to experience everything. but to be honest i feel overwhelmed....

-Ive always seen a few scattered chin hairs and the mustache but recently its gotten worse. my boyfriend has made comments about it and everything.

-Mood swings have increased and im noticing im feeling REALLY depressed and an insane amount of anxiety. even going to work or out with friends makes me feel uneasy.

-WEIGHT GAIN! im a vegetarian and work out but still seem to be gaining. every doctor ive seen assumes im overeating or being lazy. which does not help with the depression.

-and ive also noticed my hair is like falling out. i have a spot on the top of my head that is getting thinner and thinner.

-(last one i promise) Im not sure if these are related but ive noticed skin tags and like horrible lower back pain my lower back is starting to get lumps or something and it hurts soooo bad.

any advice, comments, reassurance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

Sarrahhh · 09-14-2009, 09:15 AM

Insulin Resistance (ie PCOS) is a progressive condition that does get worse with age.
You mentioned some things like chin hairs getting worse, losing head hair, skin tags etc....this definaely indicates your "insulin Resistance' is getting worse..ie insulin and blood sugar levels getting higher which change your hormones.....free testosterone increases. your SHBG gets lower which makes any free testesterone in your body able to be more active ie making body hair thicker, head hair fall out etc..

When you start getting skin tags, and AN's this indicates insulin resistance has really gotten to quite a level.

I would have a 2 hour GTT test, and see an endocrinologist who will test all your hormones as in the future you are much more likley to get Type 2 diabetes.... so nipping this in the bud now is better.

See your doctor but Metformin would help you a lot especially if you are gaining weight because of the increasding Insulin Resistance. It changed my life. My symptoms progressed like yours and I lost aobut 15kgs in the space of weeks as the met makes your cells less resistant or more sensitive to insulin so it treats the cause of what is making you put on weight. When you have high insulin levels which it sounds like that you have , as you are producing more of it as your body tries to get rid of the high glucose levels in our blood- insulin is known as the fat storage hormone, it also in higher levels causes aging and inflammation of the body...

Met will help this, as will eating LOw GI and I cannot stress enough that if you are NOT exercising now and leading a sendenary lifestyle you need to start exercising. This helps the insulin get into the muscles and cells.

Metformin, exercise and low GI eating - I guarantee your symptoms will lessen in a few weeks or months.

Good luck - hope this helps.

Carolina5070 · 09-15-2009, 09:49 PM

Just wanted to add that it was in my early 20's when my PCOS seemed to "kick" in.

Also, you can have PCOS and not be insulin resistant. Do you have a good doctor that you can talk to? If not, you may want to work with a gyn and endo to figure out the best options. There are prescription medication options as well as natural supplements that may work for you.

Xperfctlyxflawdx · 09-17-2009, 04:10 AM

Thanks ladies for the replies... Sorry it took me awhile to right back. ive had alot going on the past couple days.

Anyway, your responses helped alot. very helpful information.

I don't have a doctor yet. I just got insurance (kaiser) so i have to start that whole process of doctor searching. I also have to figure out which doctors i can see or if i need to get a referral to see an endo yada yada.

any good doctors in this area??

WalkingContradiction · 09-17-2009, 04:14 PM

When you do find a doc talk to them about Januvia too. It is a new diabetes med and they are starting to give it to PCOS patients as well. It can also be taken as a combo with metformin. I can't take the combo because I can't tolerate met, but I have been on Januvia since the beginning of July. My symptoms were very much like yours, they all showed up in my early 20s then they leveled and then all got worse at once again in my mid 20s. Right now having only been on the Januvia about 10 weeks they are all lessening/going away at once and it seems to also be helping make the weight loss go faster and easier.